Clarion Baseball Boosters Host End-Of-Season Banquet (06/18/2018)

Bobcat Coaches: Rob Jewett (manager), Andrew Waugaman, Derek Lauer, Lee Weber

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  The Clarion Bobcat Baseball Boosters held their end of the season banquet on Monday, June 4. Players, families, and coaches gathered at County Park to share a meal, recap the 2018 season, and recognize various individual accomplishments.

Darrell Datko began the evening at 5:30 with a blessing, after which those in attendance enjoyed a chicken and ham dinner catered by Daddy’s Main Street. Sides and desserts were provided in pot luck fashion by player families. A video featuring photographs taken by Christie Datko during the season played throughout the meal, rekindling memories of the year that was.

After everybody’s appetite had been sated, Booster President, Suzie Staub, extended greetings and thanked the coaches, parents, and members of the boosters for their time throughout the season. Mrs. Staub expressed special gratitude to booster members Mrs. Datko (Vice-President), Kristie Rhoades (Treasurer), and Joyce DiTullio (Secretary).

Bobcat Sophomores: Skylar Rhoades, Nate Datko, Lake Staub, Nick Frederick (missing…Skyler Pastor)

Mrs. Datko followed by also thanking the boosters and recognizing the officers individually. She gave a brief report on the current state of affairs within the baseball boosters, as well as discussed some of the fundraising efforts. She reminded people of an upcoming Subway fundraiser being held at the in-town location on Monday, August 27.

Manager Rob Jewett took the floor, thanking the parents and boosters for their support this past season, leading his coaches and players in a round of applause. He specially thanked the parents for allowing him and his staff to coach the players, describing it as a pleasure.

As has become a tradition, Mr. Jewett than distributed baseballs to individual players in recognition of their team leading statistical accomplishments. Baseballs were awarded as follows (in order of presentation):

Hitting/Base Running
Most Hits…Spencer Miller (26)
Highest Slugging Percentage…Spencer Miller (.589)
Most Stolen Bases…Spencer Miller (15)
Most Triples…Skylar Rhoades (2)
Highest Batting Average…Spencer Miller (.464)
Most Home Huns…Sterling Conner (1)
Most Walks…Sterling Conner (13)
Most Runs Batted In…Skylar Rhoades (19)
Most Doubles…Spencer Miller (7)
Most Time Hit by Pitches…Sterling Conner (4)
Most Runs Scored…Spencer Miller (23)
Highest On-base Percentage…Spencer Miller (.545)

Pitching/Defense
Lowest Opposing Batting Average…Skylar Rhoades (.117) & Skyler Pastor (.114)
Most Wins…Cam Craig (5)
Most Saves…Skyler Pastor (2)
Most Shut-outs…Skylar Rhoades (1)
Most Appearances…Cam Craig (9)
Lowest On-base Percentage Allowed…Cam Craig (.293)
Most Strike-outs…Skylar Rhoades (27)
Lowest Earned Run Average (starter)…Cam Craig (1.72)
Lowest Earned Run Average (non-starter)…Spencer Miller (1.00)
Highest Fielding Percentage…Drew Whren (.966)
Most Double Plays…Spencer Miller (6)

Bobcat Freshman: Noah DiTullio and Cal German (missing…Cutter Boggess and Cole Slaugenhaup)

The Bobcats sole junior, Drew Whren

Imitating Major League Baseball, Mr. Jewett presented trophies recognizing those players who excelled in the 2018 season. Recipients were as follows (in order of presentation):

Hank Aaron Award (most home runs)…Sterling Conner
Silver Slugger (highest batting average)…Spencer Miller
Gold Glove Award (best fielders)…Drew Whren & Sterling Conner
Cy Young Award (best pitcher)…Cam Craig
Rookie of the Year…Cutter Boggess
Roberto Clemente Award (best teammate/role model)…Spencer Miller
Most Valuable Player…Spencer Miller

Certificates were presented to the All-KSAC players on the roster as follows:

First-team Infield…Spencer Miller
First-team Outfield…Skylar Rhoades
Second-team Catcher…Sterling Conner
Third-team Pitcher…Cam Craig

Mr. Jewett finished his part of the program by addressing the audience, beginning by thanking his players for their hard work and being fun to coach. He acknowledged the season did not quite go as planned (the Bobcats finished 10-8 and lost in the first round of the playoffs), having its “ups-and-downs.”

Bobcat Seniors: Spencer Miller, Sterling Conner, Cam Craig

He singled out the three seniors (Sterling Conner, Cam Craig, Spencer Miller), hoping that they learned not just baseball but also about life through their experiences on the team. Mr. Jewett emphasized that he hopes they carry these lessons into college, especially not making the same mistakes over-and-over and how to handle adversity. He concluded by telling these players they would be missed and thanking them for “four solid years of baseball.”

Speaking to the younger players, Mr. Jewett noted that there would be holes to fill. He encouraged them to build upon this season and become better.

He concluded his remarks by once again thanking his coaches and player parents.

Following Mr. Jewett’s presentation, black and orange bats were presented as gifts to each seniors by the boosters. The boosters also presented each coach with a “Clarion Baseball” emblazoned pull-over windbreaker. As they departed, all players received a copy of a Mrs. Datko-produced highlight DVD and a novelty wiffle ball/bat combo.

(photographs courtesy of Christie Datko)