News and Announcements
Ottawa Legion Baseball has announced that ace pitcher Ross Guisinger has earned the "Go The Distance Award." In 2001 Ottawa Legion Baseball established the award to recognize outstanding individual achievement on the field -- and also leadership through exceptional commitment to the team, and winning." Guisinger is another product of the successful Kalida High School baseball program which is guided by Coach Jim McBride.
This award is not handed out annually, but only when it is apparent that a player has Gone The Distance -- above and beyond the call, in his commitment, loyalty, and demeanor -- on and off the field of play.
In 2001 the co-winners of the award were Todd Schumaker and Tony Ball. In 2005 Marty Baird received the award.
In 2005 as a rookie, Guisinger broke into Ottawa Legion Baseball under then Head Coach Ted Miller. Ross wasted no time in impacting the team. He played in all 37 games, hitting .326 with 24 RBI. On the mound he posted a record of 4-2 with an impressive 2.18 ERA while pitching over 41 innings. "It can be a tough transition for a young high school player coming into Legion ball, but Ross adjusted quickly, I was impressed with him," Miller says today.
In 2006, Ross led the Ottawa Legion pitching staff with a 2.32 ERA, 41 strikeouts while walking only 21 in 48 innings and posting a record of 4-2. At the plate Guisinger launched 4 homeruns and had 24 RBI.This past season Guisinger played for 1st year Head Coach Gene Stechschulte Jr, who is also a Kalida graduate. He led Post 63 in RBI with 41, while hitting .402. The southpaw posted a 5-0 record on the hill, with a team leading 2.23 ERA. "Ross is a great example for young players on how to make yourself into a good player. He put in the work it takes to perform at a high level," says Stechschulte. "His passion for the game shows in his play, and he is the type of kid that any coach would love to have on his team."
In his career with The Fighting 63rd Guisinger was a model of consistancy, pitching in over 40 innings each year and posting ERA's of 2.18, 2.23, and 2.32. His career won/lost record is 13-4 [.765 pct] and during those three seasons he missed only two games.
Ottawa Legion GM Dave Yoder says the program will miss him. "We will miss Ross's dedication and determination. He's a great kid, from a great family, and we'll miss them also," Yoder says.
Yoder's assistant Dave Kersh adds, "What sets kids like Ross apart is his dedication to the team, and winning. Ross was never happy if the team lost, even if he went 4 for 4."
Ross has now set his sights on the next level -- playing baseball at the University of Findlay
"ANGEL OF MEMORIAL PARK" HONORED BY POST 63
Ottawa Legion Baseball has presented Jerry Stechschulte the "Outstanding Citizenship Plaque." The award is an expression of thanks and appreciation for the many hundreds of hours that Jerry has unselfishly donated toward the beautification of Ottawa Memorial Park.
Last Fall Stechschulte began by painting the Memorial Field grandstand, dugouts, press box, foul poles, and concession stand. This Summer Jerry has painted the fence surrounding Memorial Field and edged the grass on the infield and warning track. He has also spent many hours working on the Little League fields at the park.
Post 63 Baseball General Manager Dave Yoder said that he has received many compliments from visiting fans and teams this Summer. "The park is beautiful and really gives a good impression to visitors," Yoder says, "A lot of people say we have something special here."
Assistant GM Dave Kersh says that a community is lucky to have citizens like Jerry. " There just are not many days when you drive by the park and you do not see Jerry working on something. This is just plain unselfish volunteerism at it’s best. Little League, Pony League, and Legion Baseball all owe Jerry a big thank you."
Stechshulte has become known as the "The Angel of Memorial Park."
From THE LIMA NEWS 3/9/07
Zachary Arend, 18, of Oakwood, died at 6 a.m. today at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Denise Simpson, a hospital spokeswoman, said.
Arend's death comes a week after a charter bus accident on Interstate 75 in Atlanta killed four players, the bus driver and his wife.
Arend was a freshman pitcher and outfielder for the Bluffton Beavers baseball team.
Arend's sister, Estee, 16, said her brother loved baseball, the outdoors and Notre Dame.
"He was my best friend," Estee said from her family's home in Oakwood. "He worked on sports with me a lot. He was always giving me advice."
Bluffton University President James Harder said the school is again grieving.
"Another member of the Bluffton University family passed away this morning, adding to the tragic human toll of last week's bus accident," Harder said. "We all grieve the loss of Zach Arend and ask for continuing prayers during this difficult time for his parents and family, as well as Zach's teammates."
Information regarding funeral arrangements will be posted at www.bluffton.edu when they are made available.
Arend's family said arrangements are pending, but that the funeral will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Arend was the oldest of four children and the son of Dana and Caroline Arend, according to a Web site set up to help his family and friends stay in touch.
“From the time Zach was a little boy, he has been absolutely crazy about baseball. He was a good student and was recruited by Bluffton University to play ball for the school,” his family had posted on the site. “It was a real honor for Zach to be chosen as a freshman to travel with the team for spring training and a tournament.”
His injuries included a crushed sternum, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, broken pelvis and a head injury.
Other players remain hospitalized.
Tim Berta is in critical, but stable condition and William Grandlinard is in fair condition at Grady. Coach James Grandey is in fair condition at Piedmont Hospital. Kyle King is in fair condition at Atlanta Medical Center.
For more on this story, read Saturday's edition of The Lima News
PUTNAM COUNTY SENTINEL March 7, 2007
Nancy Kline
Editor
Members of the Ottawa American Legion Baseball team have lost one of their own during the bus crash in Atlanta last Friday morning.
Scott Harmon, Elida, was killed in the tragic Bluffton College Baseball bus accident.
Zach Arend, Oakwood, another team member and member of Ottawa's American Legion team, remains in very critical condition in an Atlanta hospital.
"We're asking everyone to pray for the family and friends of Scott and to pray for the continued recovery of Zach," said Legion Baseball manager Dave Yoder.
Yoder said he heard about the accident early Friday morning when his son, who works third shift, called to tell him to turn on CNN. When he learned the crash involved the Bluffton baseball team, Yoder and Dave Kersh who also works with the teams, knew immediately they had two players on the team.
Later in the day the men learned Harmon had been one of the fatalities. They also learned Arend was one of the critically injured.
Harmon had played on the team one year.
"He was a good ball player for us," Yoder said. Harmon played third base and pitcher. "He was one of our top three pitchers,"
Kersh said Harmon was always on time, and was more worried about the team than about his personal stats.
"He got along well with his team mates," he said. "He was a good influence."
Yoder said they have had players from Elida off and on through the years.
Arend has played on the Ottawa American Legion team for three years and had planned to return next year.
"He is quiet and year accomodating," Kersh said. 'He is always asking what he can do to help out."
"The first year when he came to play he was young and also wanted to play on the high school ACME team for Paulding," Yoder said. "He played for us as much as he could."
Yoder said last spring he came for every practice. "He's a good ball player for us,"
After hearing of Arend's injuries Yoder contacted the family. On Monday, Zach's sister Estee Arend e-mailed about Zach's condition. She indicated the doctors are pleased with "But she said the doctors said he still has may injuries and it will take a very long time to heal," Yoder said.
An update on Tuesday indicated Arend had a crushed pelvis, crushed lungs, broken ribs and internal bleeding. He also had pressure on the brain. Doctors were encouraged he had passed the critical 72 hours following the injury.
Kersh said Estee said the family appreciates the prayers and concerns about Zach.
On Monday evening during visitation for Harmon Yoder said Ottawa Legion team members from surrounding communities were present.
"This shows how close the team becomes," Yoder said.
He and Kersh said this is the first time either have had to attend the funeral of a Legion player while still on the team.
