The Kutztown Youth Athletic Association’s (KYAA) opening day ceremonies held on May 3, marked the official start of the youth baseball and softball seasons.
Volunteers were prepping the fields at the Kutztown Park in the warm morning sun, and by 3 p.m., colorful baseball and softball players’ uniforms were weaving throughout the park as the teams and their coaches waited to be recognized on the field.
With a backdrop of clouding skies and some gusting wind, Jeff Schmoyer, KYAA treasurer and senior girls Red team coach, introduced the four pitching machine teams, five junior boys teams, three senior boys teams, three Babe Ruth division teams, five junior girls teams, and four senior girls teams.
As each of the teams paraded on the field as their names were called, family and friends clapped and cheered getting to see if kids were with their old teammates or moved up into a new division.
The prayer was presided over by Seth Nagle, the Youth Minister at Trinity Lutheran Church. Boy Scouts from Troop 101 carried the flag as Krystal Nolte, a sophomore at Kutztown Area High School (KAHS) who is also in the Show Choir, sang the National Anthem.
The first baseball pitch was thrown out by Tim Mertz, who retired from coaching KAHS baseball after 28 years. He was the junior varsity coach for four years, a varsity assistant for six years, and varsity coach for 18 years. Mertz was also a coach with KYAA for several years. His pitch was caught by Tyler Aston of the Junior Boys Marlins team.
The first softball pitch was thrown out by KYAA veteran Kathy Schlenker, who retired as KYAA president last year. Dedicated to softball, Schlenker coached for 40 years with KYAA, as well as 19 years coaching at the Kutztown Middle School where she continues to coach today.
The KYAA presented Schlenker with an award thanking her for her time, work and talent in KYAA acting as coach, secretary, and president of the organization. Her first pitch was caught by Brittany Noecker from the Junior Girls Green team.
KYAA could not run without its own team- its team of coaches and officers who volunteer their time. With these dedicated individuals the organization keeps running, the grass gets mowed, the fields get raked, the dug outs get painted and the list goes on.
The coaches take time to teach the children new baseball and softball skills, of course, but more than that, the children are physically active, away from their electronic devices, learning fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship, all the while having fun with their friends.
Below is a list of the KYAA head coach.
Junior Boys DivisionCardinals: Mike Miller
Mariners: Duran SchulerMarlins: Chris Holt
Mets: Mark WeidaPirates: Chris Heckman
Senior Boys DivisionDodgers: Matt Stehm
Phillies: Dave BrooksTigers: Darcy Calkins
Babe Ruth DivisionAngels: Jeff Maust
Devil Rays: Mike StoltzfusDiamond Backs: Dave Meitzler
Junior Girls DivisionBlue: Trisha Berger
Green: Glenn O’NeillGold: Jay Green
Royal: Amanda MinnichWhite: Chris Vanek
Senior Girls DivisionBlue: Jason Wentzel
Gold: Dave RothermelRed: Jeff Schmoyer
Royal: Chris ManwillerPitching Machine
Owlz: Jason GruberRaptors: Sarah Brown
Ratlers: Duran SchulerThunder: Mike Berstrom
Below is a list of the KYAA officers
President: Dave RothermelVice President: Jay Green
Treasurer: Jeff SchmoyerSectretary: Darcy Calkins
Director: Brian AstonDirector: Jason Wentzel
Director: John PerellaDirector: Chris Holt
Director: Duran Schuler
