Old-Timer's game continues tradition at Freeport International Baseball Invitational

With three days of youth baseball games in the books at James E. Swartz Sr. Memorial Field in Freeport Boro and at five other fields throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley, an older generation again gathered at Swartz Field on Thursday for the annual Sonny Westerman Old Timers game.

Winning the game every year is a desired outcome for each player, but it’s not an imperative item on an athletic to-do-list. The members of the Old School and Vintage Hall of Famers teams agreed the spirit of the event is coming together and making the most of the seven innings and roughly two hours under the lights.

“I’ve only been with (Old School) for a couple of years, but a majority of the guys have been together for a long time, high school playing buddies,” said Nate Good, a 1992 Freeport graduate and a solid hitter during his time with the Yellowjackets baseball team.

“Every year, it’s a given that this team will come together and play in this game. This gives a lot of the kids I coach a chance to correct me on everything I do wrong, but in a non-serious way. A lot of those (Vintage Hall of Famers) guys have been a part of this for several years, too. This has really become a great tradition within the (Freeport International) week.”

Bill Murray, one of the oldest players on either team at 52, pitched the entire game for the Vintage Hall of Famers. The 1989 Highlands graduate showed flashes of the ability he put on display during his time with the Golden Rams.

“I feel a little tired, but I also feel pretty good,” said Murray between the fourth and fifth innings.

“I try to work out and stay in shape, but this is different than any gym. But I love this game every year. I hope to play in it for as long as I am physically able. Being out here and playing, it makes you feel young. But there will be a lot of ice tonight (Thursday) and then a lot of breathing heavy tomorrow .”

Like last year, this year’s Old Timers Game went down to the wire. But, this time around, there was a winner.

Freeport’s Rob Chester scored from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh to give Old School a 3-2 victory and avoid a tie. The 2022 contest between Old School and Team Bengay ended 6-6 after seven innings.

“It seemed like it was a mile to home plate,” said Chester, a Bucks County native who played in his fourth Old Timers Game.

“It wasn’t the greatest slide, and I got beat up a little bit, but I scored, and that’s all the matters.

“We’re probably going to feel the effects of this game for a day or two, but it is so much fun to come together and have a fun and relaxing evening of baseball. It is so worth it to be a part of an event like this where the community can come out and have a great time.”

The Old School team got a lift with the addition of two coaches of the French 13-14 team — Gaetan Chaussee and Anthony Piquet.

Chaussee played right field, while Piquet manned first base.

Chaussee was at the plate in the bottom of the seventh when the game winner was scored.

While almost all of the players have long since moved past their high school or college athletic careers, one player for the Vintage Hall of Famers still has a couple of years left in high school.

Freeport rising junior Dustin Kohan, a Penn State commit, was in attendance Thursday night. Clad in his Hardcore Elite Baseball club uniform, he was drafted to play in the game.

Kohan made an impact between the lines, and he said he had fun.

“I was just there in the stands, and they needed players,” he said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, sure. I’ll play.’ It was just like any other game, trying to play my best. It’s not too serious of a game. There are some guys out here who had really good high school careers and some who played in college. It’s pretty cool to see them still be able to play well.”

Before Thursday’s game, Ernie and Marilyn Westerman, son and wifeof the late Freeport International founder Sonny Westerman, presented the Mike Westerman Memorial Unsung Hero Award to Freeport’s Randy Leightner in honor and recognition of his support of the Freeport International with a variety of improvements to Swartz Sr. Memorial Field.

“Randy is the true definition of unsung to where he wasn’t here to accept the award,” Freeport International president Chuck Sarver said.

“He’s not that public person who wants to be in the limelight. But, behind the scenes, and especially with work on things like the scoreboard, the benches and the backstop, he is always willing to do what he can to make this field look its best for the kids and the teams that play on it. He’s never once asked or sought reimbursement for anything. (The field) wouldn’t be nearly what it is without his help and dedication.”

Coach remembered and honored

While the youth team from France is enjoying its week of games and other activities at the Freeport International, it has not forgotten one coach who is not with them this week.

Freddy Racin, the father of Hawks team member Noa Racin, is dealing with medical issues and was not able to make the trip.

The team is honoring him throughout the week by displaying his No. 17 jersey at each game.

“Freddy and I helped put the plan together to have this team come here to Freeport,” Hawks head coach Greg Penfornis said.

“With the older team coming last year, he asked why not bring a younger team this year. Three weeks before the trip, he developed his problem and found out that he couldn’t travel. It was very, very sad. He went into a medical center, and it’s pretty important that he is there to hopefully get better.”

Penfornis said the team has done all it can to connect with Racin during the trip and also provide support for Noa.

“It’s difficult for Noa as this is a trip of a lifetime, and he wanted to spend it with his father,” Penfornis said.

“Freddy really wanted to come and share this with the team and the coaches, but, most importantly, with his son. But we are always here for support to Noa. We’re a family.”