Jon Kemmer: A Study In Rewards From Hard Work And Dedication (10/14/14)

Clarion Sports Zone has just received this fine article on native son and Clarion Area High School and Clarion Little League alumnus, Jon Kemmer. The article is by Chris Logue. Enjoy!!

Clarion, Pennsylvania is a quaint and refined town that is steeped in sports traditions. It is home to the Clarion High School Bobcats, a school known for its athletic prowess. Athletes bound for collegiate athletics come through the school at an impressive clip. One athlete that has transcended the collegiate level is the one and only Jon Kemmer.

Photos of Jon playing for his first professional team, the Tri-City ValleyCats as they visited the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2013

Living in Clarion gave Jon a slight glimpse of hard work. Whether it was cleaning the house regularly or cutting wood for the winter months, the lesson of hard work was instilled deep into the psyche of Jon . Clarion isn’t known for churning out professional athletes and, understandably, getting to that level was going to take an extraordinary effort on his part. Doing only what it takes to get done was never enough in his eyes. Striving to do more than needed was a philosophy he lived by. Taking extra cuts in the batting cage, fielding additional ground balls and fly balls, or just doing a little more conditioning and parlaying that hard work into results is what began to take Jon to the next level. When asked what the driving force was in taking him to the next level and his continued success, Jon said, “The biggest part of the success I have in my career is the continued support from my girlfriend, my friends, and of course my family. They have always been on my side for the good and the bad and make all this worth it.” Spoken like a true and humble athlete.

Jon’s path to getting drafted was a long yet fulfilling path that featured sacrifices that brought rewards in the end. After a historic career at Clarion High School, Jon attended a junior college in Maryland for two years before returning to Clarion to go to Clarion University. Realizing his talent could get noticed elsewhere, Jon attended Brewton-Parker University(GA) for his senior year. Not only was Brewton Parker University located in the south, but scouts and coaches that could notice him, elevate his game, and propel him to the next level were as well. His unwavering confidence, determination, and work-ethic would soon pay off. In June of 2013, Jon Kemmer was drafted by the Houston Astros and there the birth of his professional baseball career would begin. At that point Jon was able to do something few of us have the opportunity to do, live out our childhood dreams. Through it all, Jon said, “I can honestly say there is nothing I would do differently. I worked hard for what I have today and would not change a thing along my way.”

Despite being a professional baseball player, Jon has to remain focused on his aspiration to play on the biggest professional stage their is. Every day he looks at the successes of Albert Pujols and the tedious training and attention to detail he gives each day to become a better player. Mimicking his work ethic and making brief encounters with rehab-stinted MLB pitchers is continuing to push Kemmer to be a better player. Writing this, I am thinking to myself how incredible it would be to see Jon have a homecoming and suit up for the Astros visiting PNC Park, so I cannot imagine what that image does for him on and off the field.

Giving back to the local community is something that means more to Jon than most. In some spare time, Jon has had the opportunity to speak to small groups in both the high school and the local little league in Clarion. He shared that, “If you have a dream never give it up no matter how big or silly it may be. Dreams are meant to come true if you work hard enough for it.” Taking a look at those that he spoke to, their is no way that message did not hit home being that they play on the same fields that led Jon to the professional ranks.

DID YOU KNOW?
Jon, a two time All-American baseball player AND 2013 draft pick for the Houston Astros, has compiled achievements and awards on a regular basis, but a few stand out. Did you know Jon was the first player to be a two-time Home Run Derby Champion in the NABF(National Amateur Baseball Federation)? How about that he was the 2014 August Player of the Month for the Lancaster(CA) Jethawks, the Advanced A affiliate of the Astros. Lastly, did you know Jon is a fan of jewelry? Rings to be exact. Kemmer was apart of TWO championship teams in his first two seasons as a professional athlete. Luckily, the rings haven’t slowed his swing or his continued progress to achieve his greatest aspirations and dreams.

WHAT DID I LEARN?
What I learned as the writer of this article is that Jon Kemmer is a remarkable young man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He has achieved so much in his young professional career but I can tell he hasn’t even scratched the surface on what he knows he is capable of. There is work to be done but I know it is work that he is eager to put in to achieve his childhood and life long dream. Being from the Clarion area I am rooting for his continued success and hope he gets the opportunity to play on the biggest stage.

Clarion and the surrounding areas need to recognize what Jon is accomplishing and keep tabs on what he is doing. By the end of his career, I fully believe that we will be mentioning JON KEMMER as the greatest athlete to ever be born and raised in Clarion. So if you don’t know of him or his story, the time is now to know.

“The biggest thing I can say to the young players coming up is make sure you get your grades in school to give yourself a chance to go to college and give yourself a better chance to reach your goals whether it’s baseball or not. My path was harder because I neglected my studies and didn’t give myself as good of opportunity to reach my goal. Set your goals high and your dreams higher. I’ll leave you a quote that I live off of from one of the most inspirational people in my life, my dad, “no pressure just opportunity.””
-Jon Kemmer

Proud Mama and Poppa… Ed and Jackie display Jon’s NY – Penn League Championship ring.

Finally, I would like to thank Jon for the time he gave to do the interview. It was a pleasure to get to know your story a little better and hope you achieve everything you have set out to do.

(Thanks to Chris Logue for this great article. Chris’ article was first posted on SportsBlog.com. Congratulations Jon. Keep up the good work. Clarion is very proud of you!!!)