 | BILL ASHWORTH
The tall righthanded pitcher was a top hurler for Ewing Jewlers (G-H) teams; State Champion Rempel Deegee (Pony) teams; American Legion Post 209 championship teams; and helped lead East High to City or district titles in 1955-57. Bill was selected All-Ohio in 1957 and played in the East-West All-Star Series that summer in Columbus. He went on to letter four years at the College of Wooster where he won All-Ohio Conference first team honors for the 1960 champion Scots. In AA action, Bill toiled for Krispy Kreme ('56-61, two titles) and was selected for the 1960 Akron-Canton All-Star team. A very consistent performer on the mound, he led most of the teams he pitched for with most wins, most strikeouts, and best ERA.
|
 | JEFF BAREFOOT
An outstanding hard hitting shortstop who played for a number of champion Cuyahoga Falls youth teams: Little League ('63-64); Civitan Club (G national finalists '65); Redbirds (E-F '66-69) title teams; Big Gold (D) '70-71. At Cuyahoga Falls High, Jeff lettered 3 years, Diamond Conference champs '71-72, all-conference '72. Was first team All-Florida and first team All-American J.C. for national JC finalist Miami Dade '73-74. Was team captain and All-South while playing at Stetson U '75-76. Played two years with Texas Rangers A Sequin and Harlington Texas teams '76-77. As an Akron AA rookie, was youngest at that time to make all-star team for 1972 Manchester Anthe's team, and was games MVP. Jeff made six other All-Star appearances while playing for champion Eaton Sports Pride, Akron Insulating, Forest City, and Crocker's Restaurant teams.
|
 | JEFF BROWN
Was an All-Star shortstop for champion Troy Ohio youth, legion, and high school teams before switching to centerfield at Toledo University. With the Rockets, Jeff was a four-time letter winnner, four-time All-MAC and four time All-MAC Academic team '75-78. After a 2 1/2 year stint with Detroit Tiger Lakeland (A) and Montgomery Ala. (AA) minor league teams, Jeff moved to Hudson. He was an All-Star for Hudson Mohawk Chiefs of the AA league and then with the champion Field Merchants '83-84 and champion C&P Sales ('86), for whom he was a three-time All-Star. He has coached in the Hidson High program for 15 years, varsity and JV where his teams won 3 titles. A "Charley Hustle" type player who combined blazing speed with outstanding hitting and defensive skills. Was the Frank Garcia MVP award winner in 1983.
|
 | SCOTT FLETCHER
After a solid career in Wadsworth youth leagues and at Wadsworth High (All-0hio, 1975), Scott displayed his professional potential at Toledo U, Valencia JC, Georgia Southern and in the Akron AA League as a speedy, fine hitting defensive shortstop. In the AA League, Scot helped lead Acme Ash and Akron Insulating teams to titles and was the Frank Garcia Award winner MVP in 1978. Signed by the Cubs in 1979, he made it to the "bigs" in 1981 where he developed into one of the steadiest and most productive shortstops and later second basemen, in the majors, while playing 15 years with the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers (best hitting season of .300 in 1986), Brewers, and closed out his career at second for the Red Sox and Tigers. Scott was considered best defensive shortstop in Rangers history. He had a 56-game errorless streak in 1990 and a career .264 batting average.
|
 | DAVE KERESTLY
A New Castle, PA native, where he played for champion little league, pony, colt, legion, and high school teams as an outstanding centerfielder and righthanded pitcher. He lettered four years at Grove City college, where he was team captain, Tri-State MVP and All-Star 1970-73. Dave moved to Cuyahoga Falls in 1969 and began a 25-year career in the AA league with the Akron Dodgers. He played for Nino's Lounge, Pfiefle Undertakers, Champion Eaton Sports Pride, Forest City, and C&P Sales teams while being named the Frank Garcia MVP in 1974 and to 12 Akron-Canton All-Star teams. A strong-armed outfielder who always hit .326 plus, Dave was also a top RBI leader with power and also had a winning record while pitching on all levels in his career as a spot starter and reliever.
|
 | FRANK KILLIAN
The most feared team in the Akron A League was put together by Frank Killian as he secured a young Joe Winkler as manager and recruited the finest talent in the area to win and dominate in two different leagues in the 1930's. Not only did the Killian Celtics play in two leagues, they also "barnstormed" the Tri-State area playing various tournaments and exhibitions with the generosity supplied by Frank. An outstanding and shrewd businessman, he built his own ball park in Doylestown and later donated the land to the city before his untimely death at the tender age of 37 in 1947. The young Winkler who brought in the you players of the 30's under the Killian Celtics banner numerous titles in the '40's.
|
 | ANDY LIPTAK
Had a tremendous youth career beginning in the Firestone Park little league and then with Akron Mohawks (G) State champs '50; '51 state champs) pitched and won all four State final games); Akron Yankee Jrs. G state champs '53; Akron Yankee Srs. State runnerup '54-55 and Annunciation summer league champs '55. Was a three-year letterman at Garfield High, led Presidents to '54 co-title and '55 title. At Akron U, coach Russ Beichly said Andy and Dave Young were the best righty-lefty combo in Zip history. Was 4-0, 2.52 ERA in '57 and 5-2, 0.79 ERA in '58. In AA action, Andy hurled for Akron Merchants, champion Krispy Kreme, Zoff's Heating and champion Black Label and made two All-Star teams. Played one year for Pirates class D, Salem, VA Appalachian League team, 6-3, 3.60 ERA and beat league champion, Johnston Phillies, four times before beginning a 22-year career in the Air Force where the talented righthander finished his career on the mound.
|
 | JEFF MOREHEAD
A strong leadoff hitter and outstanding centerfielder who was usually called on by his teams to patrol "the sun field" on defense. Jeff played on champion Wadsworth little league, Babe Ruth, and legion teams before leading Wadsworth High to Pioneer Conference titles as a 3-year starter. Jeff moved on to Ohio State University where he played for the Buckeye's 1966-67 Big Ten title teams and the Bucks 1966 NCAA National Championship squad. In AA ball he played for Erhart Kramers, champion Airmatic Valve and Red Pepper teams, and Bolin Oil, while making five All-Star teams. Defense, getting on base, and manufacturing runs while hitting .300 was Jeff's forte.
|
 | JERRY STANOCH
Distinguished himself through the Akron Omnicor Corporation as a huge supporter of amateur baseball in the Akron area from 1982 through 1989 and today as a Walsh Jesuit High School baseball booster. Jerry's love of the game and going to to the games as maybe a relief from the business world, brought him to sponsor as many as three teams in a single season on three different age levels, 14-16, 17-18, and AA. And some of the youth teams played in two different leagues in the same season. Jerry's Akron Knights 1982-83 teams won three league and one district championship. His other youth teams were always top contenders. In AA action, Akron Omnicor won League titles in 1985 and 1988.
|
 | BYRON STURM
Spent 16 years on the Akron sandlots as a coach, manager, and general manager who some years fulfilled all three duties for two or three different age level teams in the same season. Byron's career began in 1975 with St. Sebastian CYO and GABF 13-14 year old teams, and in 1981 he assumed managership of the Hoban Merchants (15-16), which he then expanded to include Akron Knights-Omnicor (17-18), Don Smith Hoban Erectors (15-16), and Akron Omnicor in the AA league in 1983. His calm, wise leadership in developing a "feeder" system for AA ball paid off in 1985 and 1988 when his Omnicor teams won AA championships. His youth teams won 11 various league titles. He posted the best managing record of all AA teams in the 1980's and he was awarded the Frank Garcia Award in 1986 for helping keep the AA League alive with administrative work and by bringing in extra financial support from his sponsors.
|
 | JIM WORTHINGTON
In 1938 Jim began playing baseball in Harlan, Kentucky as an outstanding pitcher, first, and third baseman. After leaving the service where he had played some ball for Baton Rouge post, Jim joined the Middlesboro, KY. Blue Sox of the Mountain State League where he hurled three no-hitters in four years. He moved to Akron in 1950 playing with the Royal Vagabonds for two years and then with champion Akron Rens softball teams. Jim, at this time, joined the Summit Umpires Association where he became a very good and popular umpire on the Akron sandlots for over 20 years. He was one of the original members of the S.U.A. working all levels of baseball in an excellent and easy manner. His love for the game has never faulted: you can still find Jim searching out a game on the sandlots.
|