New All-Star Tournament Honors Longtime Clarion Sports Contributor (9/9/12)

A new youth all-star baseball tournament was held over the Labor Day Weekend.

The First Annual Dan Estadt Memorial Baseball Tournament, featuring 8 and under teams was held at Paul A. Weaver Park. This year’s participants included teams from Clarion (sponsored by Kriebel Resources), Clearfield, Punxsutawney and Meridian.

The winners received individual trophies, as well as, a team trophy. Second and  third place received trophies and all participants received tournament t-shirts.

All proceeds from the event go to the Clarion Little League.

Next year, the organizers hope to expand to older age groups as well.

Dan Estadt, a long time businessman (Dan Estadt’s Sports) on Main Street, a long time supporter of area youth sports, passed away earlier this year. And his son Dave, who partnered with him in the business, is very happy to have his father’s name associated with the tournament.
Dave said, “I was approached by Scot DiTullio and Corey Rex, both from Clarion, here, about having my Dad’s name as part of the tournament in honor of him. And I certainly wanted to do that, being my Dad was very much involved with youth sports and everything… He obviously, he loved it. That was one of his loves in life, going to watch his nieces and nephews, and of course, me and my brother and sister, in all of our events, that sort of thing. I thought that this was just a nice way to honor his memory.”

Asked to share something about his father, Dave said, “Well, Just how much he loved it, and believed in the youth sports in general, and totally, thoroughly enjoyed watching the games and was an active participant in it. And obviously, he supported Clarion Little League, all the years that he has been in Clarion, which was a long time, since the mid 60’s. (He) was always a part of it in one way or another. So it was just a nice way to honor my Dad’s memory.”

Clearfield finished first in this year’s tournament, followed by Meridian, Clarion (Kriebel Resources) and Punxsutawney.

What better way to remember a fine man like Mr. Estadt, than by naming a tournament in his honor, and perpetuating his passion for youth sports. Kudos to all those making this tournament possible.