JOHNSTOWN — A former AAABA tournament participant is the winner of the 2010 AAABA Essay Contest, sponsored by The Tribune-Democrat and the Johnstown Oldtimers.

Eric W. Kist of Johnstown appeared in the tournament as a member of the Johnstown Sani-Dairy entry.

His essay focused on an encounter with former Coke manager Bob Christner, whose words inspired the then-12-year-old Kist to fulfill his dream of playing in the tournament

– nine years later.

As the first-place winner, Kist received prizes including two seats at the AAABA Hall of Fame banquet and passes to opening night and other games at Point Stadium this week. He will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday night at the Point.

Two essay-contest runners-up – Edward Sheets and Rex Morgart Sr., both of Johnstown

– won passes to games all week at the Point.

Writers were asked to recall their favorite AAABA manager.

WINNING ESSAY

By Eric W. Kist

This AAABA memory begins some 20 years ago. I was 12, and had just finished my last year of Little League. I was at the library downtown with my mom, when a man from the paper asked to interview me for a story they were doing about residents’ thoughts regarding the AAABA tournament.

I was always a huge fan of the tournament, reading the AAABA Extra the Tribune would do every year and looking at the pictures of my favorite players.

The reporter took a picture of me and I thought, “Cool, I’m going to be in the paper just like all the players!!”

My quote in the paper read, “Maybe if I practice hard someday, I’ll play in the tournament. I’d really like to play for Coke some day.”

I followed many of the Coke players. Those players were like major leaguers to me. Earlier that year, my dad had taken me to a Coke-Pepsi game at the Point. Afterward, I met the manager of Coke, Bob Christner. The exchange was brief, with me congratulating him on the win.

Later in the week, I received a package in the mail. I had no idea what it was, but my excitement and joy at getting a something was evident by the way I tore open the box. To my surprise, it was a letter from coach Christner. He obviously read the article in the paper and saw that I was a fan of his team. But even more interesting was that he saw my picture and remembered our meeting at the Point.

Coach Christner told me that you can do anything you put your mind to. Hard work, determination and character are what makes not only a good baseball player, but a good man. He encouraged me to continue to practice hard and root for Coke.

The letter was very inspirational to a young boy. He also included a baseball, signed by the entire team.

Over the years, I would periodically pull out the letter and read it. Sometimes when I was struggling at the plate, and other times when I was struggling in life.

I pulled that letter out two weeks before my 21st birthday. I was getting ready to head to the point for opening night of AAABA. Sani-Dairy was playing Brooklyn.

As I put my uniform on, I read the words that Coach Bob Christner wrote to me as a boy.

Yet again they inspired me to be the best I could be.

You see, when Coke dropped their sponsorship of the team, Sani-Dairy picked up the franchise. The words that appeared in the paper many years ago from a 12-year-old came true.

In a few hours, I would be standing on the field at the Point, in front of thousands of cheering fans.

Although it was Sani-Dairy and not Coke, my dream came true – with a little help from Coach Christner.

    

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The following are excerpts from other AAABA essays:



“Louis ‘Rags’ Scheuermann left a lasting legacy on this tournament and the city of New Orleans. ... Scheuermann is my favorite manager in the history of this great tournament because he fulfills all the qualities of a good manager and a person who has touched many lives. He truly loved the AAABA tournament.”

Edward Sheets,

Johnstown



“Tony Joseph ... Over his storied career, his main goal was to instill values in his players. Sportsmanship, work ethics and determination are the values that carried these young men throughout their lives. His record is not a true measurement of what he accomplished.”

Tom Jarosick,

Hooversville



“The person who immediately comes to mind is one of Johnstown’s most knowledgeable baseball people, Forrest Mazey. When he was watching the games intensely while perched on his white bucket outside the dugout, you knew an umpire was about to get an earful when he made his move toward the field. ... The AAABA tournament and certainly the Johnstown entry have had many great coaches and managers over the years, and I believe Forrest Mazey belongs with the best of them.”

Rex Morgart Sr.,

Johnstown



“Chris Pfeil (Martella’s Pharmacy) is what baseball is all about, teaching his players the right fundamentals of the sport. He cares about the boys every summer when the AAABA League rolls around. ... I have great respect for him. Good luck, Chris, in the 2010 AAABA national tournament.”

Erin Petrick,

Johnstown



“Walter (Youse of Baltimore) had a positive managing style that encouraged his players to victory. Watching him motivate his players and develop their skills was always a thrill for me at the AAABA tournaments.”

Ed Mesnak,

Johnstown



“Tony Joseph ... teaches each player to be a winner, even sometimes when they lose their quest for a win. I heard him say years ago that all who have the opportunity to play in the tournament are winners, no matter what the outcome.”

Nancy Carol Smith,

Johnstown



“New Orleans’ former manager Joe Scheuermann Jr. is my favorite all-time AAABA manager. ... Scheuermann and his family have been coming to Johnstown since the 1960s. Joe’s technical knowledge is surpassed only by his deep passion and respect for the game.”

Rex Morgart Jr.,

Johnstown



“Delweld’s coach, Chris DelSignore ... He is a generous guy. He’s very positive and has a great attitude. When you go and talk with him, he has a smile for you and will call you by name. He treats you like someone special.”

Rosanna Heller,

Johnstown