We need more great coaches in softball like Coach Shofestall. Coach Cooper knows that in order for his team to be successful, he needs to take it one game at a time. There are a lot of Little League and High School Girls softball players who benefited from your association. Toreally know Dan is to appreciate his sincerity and caring for everyone. They dont come any better than Dan and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. Finally, something Ive been thinking and Im sure others have felt also (and maybe it is already in the works): The Softball Field at Paul A. Weaver Park needs to be named Dan Shofestall Field. If this isnt in the works, I encourage the various entities involved with the governance of the complex to get together and make it happen. So as I close, I wanted to say thank you all once again to all of the people Ive come to know through coaching these past 5 decades. In the run through the 2011 District Nine and State Playoffs, Clarion defeated DuBois Central Catholic 13-0 in the District Nine 1A Quarterfinals, Elk County Catholic 9-7 in the Semifinals and Smethport 9-0 in the Championship Game(Note Smethport and Clarion were both undefeated heading into the game. The Wildcats have made an amazing 18-state appearances in the Final Four of the Ohio softball prep playoffs with four state titles (1999, 2006, 2012 and 2018) with the 2012 squad being tabbed as National Champions. I know as a dad. We had to work our way through the losers bracket by beating Cranberry and then 10 runned Franklin on their field. This (season) is a big opportunity for her, coach Cooper describes Pace being the lead-off hitter. Giants advanced to the winners' bracket semifinal round of the double-elimination CSAC Championships and finished in third placeGraduate senior Shannon Lloyd named to CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 Team as well as All-CSAC First Team Also earning All-CSAC honors were First Team selections freshman Jordan Frye and senior Paige Mokychic, andSecond Team selection freshman Brooke Staple 10 players named to CSAC All-Academic Team. But, you know what, he stood there and answered every question in that quiet, unassuming and soothing tone as his players waited inside the bus to leave. When you coach as long as I have, the list of people becomes quite long. I could tell stories as far back as high school basketball, but for the sake of staying short I will tell you only about some Little League tales. One time after it rained, a cold front moved in and the water on the tarp froze with a sheet of ice on it. The field preparation not only helped CAHS but also helped Clarion Little League Softball. Use the top navigation to find past season schedules, scores, rosters and more. Ford was the head coach forthe Impact Panthers from 2018 to 2019. Finished as the No. Keystone softball: Wildcats hire Gina Gibson as new head coach He had a wonderful impact on her life and mine as he allowed me to be a part of his staff for several years. 11 inch ball. ), (Note: I know it may have seemed redundant, my listing so many being quoted as Longtime, but I dont know how else to express it. He had a tremendous gift to make every player feel important and integral to the teams success. Best of luck in your retirementIm sure Ill see around the fields!! He will be greatly missed. Berger Named Next Wilkes Women's Basketball Head Coach - Wilkes Ive taken that advice from Coach Shofestall and have tried to implementthat in every area of my life. Their hitting staff starts of Pace leading off and coach Cooper thinks that will be key for the Wildcats success this season. I consider it a blessing that he coached my daughter! Keystone Oaks' stats have been entered for the 5-0 loss vs. South Park on 4/21/2023 5:00 PM. 2 Seasons: Spring (mid April til late June) & Fall (mid August til late October). My son Chris was on the team and Randys boy Mike, and later on Neil was also on it. An impact that Im still realizing the full extent of to this day. I personally remember working as an assistant coach doing the drills and the girls saying why do we have to do these drills and then came the game where that same girl would do something spectacular, home run, catch a fly ball on a dead run and the smile that would follow. BelvidereHigh School (Belvidere, N.J.). She's come up through the divisions of the league as a player, transitioned into a coach in our minor division, and a league umpire. As the day wore on, it was evident that the ice wasnt going to melt. If you know who the head coach is, invite them to join MaxPreps so they can manage the team's roster, schedule, scores, stats and more. Softball coach donates kidney to No. To this day I still get a Christmas card from him every single year! Prior to his time at Keystone, Berger served as the Interim / Acting Head Women's Basketball Coach at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Ritter also earned CAC Academic All-Conference laurels all four years. Then I know that they are going to work their tail off for me, just like they worked their tail off for the other coaches," she said. I am sure I speak for all the players, families and friends Dan has had the privilege of working with throughout the years in saying Job well done Coach., Longtime Clarion Area Softball Assistant Eric Funk. For someone who has spent nearly his entire adult life sitting at a computer and typing in words fora living, youd think Id have some idea of how to convey my thoughts and feelings about Dan Shofestall stepping down as Clarion High Schools softball coach. She coached at multiple positions in the Keystone softball program, ranging from the middle school to numerous positions in the high school ranks. The reason being once again, is Im afraid of forgetting and leaving peoples names outs. Dans passion for coaching and his commitment to youth was refreshing. Happy retirementyou deserve it!, Longtime Clarion-Limestone Athletic Director And Former Baseball Coach Brad Frazier. Keystone High out of LaGrange, Ohio is one of the most storied high school programs in the country. We used to have a tarp for the softball field. Keystone Softball Roster 2022-23 Players (22) Staff (2) Do you have a team photo? Because of his muddy clothes, Dan was the topic of many comments and funny jokes, however we all knew that without his efforts many home games would have been cancelled due to poor field conditions. Photographer Mary Perry has posted a new gallery Seton LaSalle @ Keystone Oaks containing 112 photos. I told him I would help. Grenoble (Station) to Les Deux Alpes Buses - Rome2rio They were Keith Murtha, DJ Bevevino, Larry Wiser, Roger Walter and Nancy Mills. Played at 3 Fields: School Road Park in Hatfield, Whistlestop Park in Colmar and North Penn Little League in Lansdale. Nellie told some great stories to the kids and audience about his teammate and Pirate great Roberto Clemente. On 3/22, the Keystone Oaks varsity softball team lost their away non-conference game against Ellwood City (PA) by a score of 11-1. Those gentlemen being Dan Shofestall, Joe Ferguson, and Jim Campbell. jon shehan. LOL, Longtime Clarion Little League Coach, Umpire And Board Member Joel German. All characters from Gilligans Island! In all honesty, the thank yous from me should be in the thousands to all of the people that Ive come in contact with and helped me and our teams over the years. Whatever the outcome, I always knew the Clarion team was prepared to play. A native of Throop, Pennsylvania, Ford graduated from Mid Valley High School in 201, Most recently, Ford has been the director of facility operations at Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton and the head coach for the Riverfront girl's travel softball team in addition to serving as the junior high coach at Mid Valley. Im so glad I saved them all. Let's check out this week's Richland County Softball Power Poll. Photographer Mary Perry has posted a new gallery Keystone Oaks @ McGuffey containing 131 photos. "I want to build upon the success the program has had in the past and looking forward to working with the student-athletes.". The Keystone College Department of Athletics has announced that Mariah Ford has been hired as the new head softball coach and begins her duties on June 1, 2022. We are expected to have 6-10 teams with a goal of growing the league to 30+ in the near future to allow for several different divisions. We saved many games out there over the years for the kids to play on both on the softball and baseball fields. in 2019-2020. 9 Depending on number of teams, players may play games versus other organizations off the Keystone . This file is auto-generated */!function(c,l){"use strict";var e=!1,o=!1;if(l.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage);else if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(!t);else if(! The highest compliment a coach at any level can achieve in my opinion is to be referred to as just COACH. KS Bombers | Top Notch Professional Baseball & Softball Coaches I am proud to call you a colleague, but more importantly a friend. Catalog; For You; The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH) Keystone aims to surprise under first-year coach 2023-03-25 - By Mark Perez-Krywany [email protected] @MarkPerezK10 on Twitter . After the game I made up my mind I was going to put in for either the C-L or Clarion coaching position as soon as one of those positions became available. Clarion High School will miss the efforts Coach Dan has brought to the great sport of softball. I Have been blessed to have five great ADs over the years who have helped me in so many ways. Keystone Oaks' stats have been entered for the 6-4 loss @ Seton LaSalle on 4/12/2023 4:00 PM. We also had a Home Run Derby. Dan was of course an amazing softball coach but an even better leader. Volunteer Roster last updated on Mar 31, 2023 @ 12:04am (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster He is truly one of the good guys. Dan brought discipline and character to the Clarion Area softball program. (by the way my garbage man is a player I coached in Little League All-Stars in 1994 lol). Kettel resigned following his eighth District 2 championship in a 10-year run at Scranton Prep where his . Ford takes over the Giants after posting a 15-16 record (8-8 CSAC), making the CSAC playoffs for the third time in four seasons. We got a lot of help from the community to roll the tarp off of the field including Borough employees, the CUP maintenance crew, family, players and anybody else we could find driving by. Also dozens of volunteer assistant coaches in both Clarion softball and Little League who were so good and helpful and I thank you so much. samantha (derr) snyder. "We are motivated, driven and working more than before, because we know what it is like to not reach that final destination," she said. Keystone Oaks' stats have been entered for the 7-2 loss @ South Park on 4/3/2023 4:00 PM. Keystone Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Class You blended teams better than anyone with your caring way. Prebis Memorial Classic: Amherst hands Keystone first loss, 4-2 "That drives us to do exactly what it is that we need to do to make sure that we get to the places where we have been in the past.". 2 Seasons: Spring (mid April til late June) & Summer (early July til late August), Game Times are slated for 9/10:15/11:30/12:45). Coach Shofestalls Bobcats won four Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) titles (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2019). Star players like infielder Kennedy Kerr and pitcher Lily Cassell have moved on from the program. Dan ALWAYS was the first coach to call, and report his score on game night. Once we got it folded we would roll it onto a big drainage pipe. The most recent updates will appear at the top of the wall dating back to prior seasons. He has been with me and the the softball program as a volunteer since the beginning and helped me in numerous ways. That set up the showdown at Weaver Park in front of a huge crowd, The game was tied after 6 innings and went into extra innings until the the 8th inning when Clarion walked it off with the win in one of the craziest plays you will ever see. Following my undergraduate studies, I decided to pursue a masters degree in Organizational Leadership. !. 2017: Finished as the No. With players like Jessica Chapman, Kerrigan Williams and Madi Herrington graduating from the program, they will be returning players like Kennedy Kerr, Dana Pace, Jalyn Owca and basketball All-Ohioan Delaney Peters. Having the season canceled was a disappointment, but Dan never dwelled on it. In 2005, my daughter Kelly was going to start her freshman year in softball. Dan has been a steady force behind every team. softball coaches. When I think of Clarion softball, I think of Dan Shofestall. I will always remember how hard Coach Dan worked, whether it was spending all day prepping the field, preparing for practice and having his girls ready for the game before it started. Longtime Clarion Area Softball Assistant Coach Matt Best. NCAA Champion Magazine. She is relaxed and plays pretty well.. We finished the year 24-1 and although the ending was not how we wanted the season to end, the ride we took together get to the State Final as a team and community is something Ill always remember. My grandkids played there. (Above Image by Kim Constantino: 2019 Coach Shofestall, with Kait Constantino after presenting her with her District Nine Silver Medal). Former Longtime Clarion Area Softball Assistant Allen (Pete) And Wife Robin Peterson. Key Ohio high school softball games, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. On Average we have 8-10 teams. The first year we coached together, we decided that Jim would be the manager and Dan and I would coach. He is an outstanding teacher of the fundamentals of softball. The Sorce uniforms were Red, White and Blue and the kids were proud to where those colors, but the mothers complained sometimes about them being tough to wash. Keystone names Kettel coach - NEPA Sports Nation Anyway, I could go on and on singing Dans praises, but Im sure anyone whos ever had to great fortune to meet or be around him, already knows that. As someone who has coached Keystone softball for almost two decades, she believes the relationship that she has grown with the players will be a tremendous asset. Upload it Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Direct links to the resorts. That always made my day and I thank you all for that. Dan is a Dinosaur in many ways. They mercy ruled 16 out of 18 opponents in the regular plus one more in the playoffs. Although many years have passed since he coached against her, Dan always asks how my daughter Brooke is doing. Cassells strength as the mixture of her pitches, coach Cooper said. Keystone Softball Leagues. It was 20-some years ago at Cranberry and he was on his way to the team bus. Many, Many people helped. AlisonRitter started her collegiate head coaching career at Keystoneand also serves as academic coordinator. A special thanks to my wife Linda who has supported me and my love for coaching and my teams through all of the years. She will be attending a practice for each team this season to work with the coaches and the pitchers so everyone will get a chance to meet Alyssa. Collegiately, Ford played two years at Division II Millersville University from 2017 to 2018, competing in 46 contests with two home runs for the Marauders. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dan and how he runs a program and how he treats the people associated with the program. The thing about Dan is that no one prepared more than he did. As a senior, Ritter was named to the NCAA Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team. On 4/12, the Keystone Oaks varsity softball team lost their away conference game against Seton LaSalle (Pittsburgh, PA) by a score of 6-4. Dans dedication to the development of softball is immeasurable. Because of his devotion to the team as well as to them, girls loved playing the sport. Keystone Oaks School District 1000 Kelton Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Phone: 412-571-6000 And the quotes, as always, were very complimentary and very well thought out. 8 The 2020 team of course is special in a different way. Staff - Keystone Wildcats (La Grange, OH) Varsity Softball 22-23 I pretty much kept every thing filed from emails, practice plans, scouting reports. After all, its only a formality, Dan has owned that field for years. COACHING We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The kids I coached in Little League now have kids playing there. Practices were set up to achieve this. And thats pretty much par for the course for Dan, anytime I need quotes for big articles featuring his players. He was a assistant coach for many years but also did many other things for area softball. He stresses fundamentals, hard work, and TEAM play. They not only were taught the game of softball but more importantly they were taught lessons in life. Pace will be the teams catcher, as she was last season, which will give Cassell a familiar face behind the plate. It was nice for the fact that you could cover the field when rain was coming. Played at 2 Fields: North Penn Little League in Lansdale and Stover Park (Fall only) in Telford. Opening night we had fireworks with the movie Field of Dreams on the speakers. We had big squeegee rollers also helping. An example: When the The Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association (PaHSSBCA) announced their 2022 All-State Team several weeks ago, Dan had three players, Noel Anthony, Kylee Beers and Jordan Best selected. The other thing that impressed me was how deeply he cared about the students on his team. He was always available. The games were just so competitive and intense. The 2023 season will be different for Keystone softball not only because of the new head coaching hire, but also because they dropped to Division III from Division II over the summer. He wanted to win whether it was a league title or in All-Stars. A standout in the classroom as well, Ritter earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors in her junior and senior years and was also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District award recipient, earning Second Team recognition as a senior after a Third Team nod the previous spring. Coach Dan had a tremendous impact on my life. Keystone fell in the district final to Norton (5-2), which was the team's first district loss since 2013. We then had to load it up onto the gators and haul it off the field. Going to clinics, reading as much as possible about the game or watching and learning from others in his profession. Matts Wife And Longtime Clarion Softball Booster Club Member And Officer Melanie Best. 8 See top plays & highlights of the best high school sports Airport shuttle | Grenoble airport Ive been around this process for years, Cooper said. He would spend hours before and after practice making sure everything was ready. Forty miles northeast of Cleveland lies a quiet village of barely over 2,000 people, LaGrange, Ohio, that's perhaps most famous for producing Dorothy McGuire, a baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League made famous in the 1992 movie "League of Their Own." Softball Head Coach/Academic Coordinator - Keystone College Athletics frank cooney. Photo caption: Keystone softball coach Jim Piazza addresses his team prior to their OHSAA Division II state semifinal game against New Concord John Glenn on Saturday at Firestone Stadium. And in Little League, even though he coached on a different team, he always brought our teams Sorcehats. For two months, Keystone looked for a new head softball coach. As for myself, itll be different playing Clarion without Dan being across the diamond from me. That may not mean a thing to most, but to a sports department, it was verymuch appreciated. Theres no way we could have done it without you all. Mid year tournament available to all Spring & Summer teams. His assistant coaches, the parents of his players, the administration or board he is associated with or the players themself, but never himself. Mariah Ford - Head Softball Coach - Keystone College Athletics I am going to miss working with him. Ford takes over the Giants after posting a 15-16record (8-8 CSAC), making the CSAC playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Dan always wanted to climb the mountain and try and be the best. Im extremely grateful for the dedication and commitmentthat CoachShofestall had to the Clarion High School softball program. A final score has not been reported for this varsity softball game. Every game and every practice, we are filling in that puzzle. Each team I have coached have been special in different ways. Soak this in and enjoy every second of seeing what this small sampling of those whose lives youve touched have to share. Jim Campbell was the field manager and he and his crew had the Little League complex looking as good as Ive ever seen it out there. And I thank you all. Softball opening day begins on March 26. Longtime D9and10Sports.com Co-owner, Sportswriter and Broadcaster Chris Rossetti. Keystone aims to surprise under first-year coach - PressReader director of softball operations. They know what it takes and the hard work thats involved to get the job done. Softball coach donates kidney to No. 1 fan from her playing days There is no doubt that Dan Shoefstall will be a topic of conversation for many years to come. Dan, it is a two-way street. I guess those emotions, in a strange sort of way, kind of illustratemy admiration for a man who I once saw as a coach, but who I now consider a dear friend. I can say unequivocally, Dan Shofestall has never treated me with anything but absolute respect and as Im sure he does with other media folks in the area, he constantly thanks me for covering his teams, whether talking to me face-to-face or in emails. Coach Shofestall brought some old photos for the article by the other day and as we were in the driveway talking, Dan would share a number of old memories from Little League and All-Stars, something like, Great All-Star team My First League championship team, great players, some really good parents and assistant coaches. Dan being Dan, no patting himself on the back. I knew he was going to work so hard to get the best out of his players and teams that I need to step up if I was going to be competitive with him. 20 mins ago. We graduated the same year and he has been one of my best friends throughout the years. Buses run five times a day between Grenoble (Station) and Les Deux Alpes. Another thing about Dan is how promptly he responds when I need quotes and/or stats from him for big articles about his players. A throw back to a simpler time, when we only gave a select few the honor of being called COACH. "I'm excited to come in and build the program," states Ford. That being said I felt it would be very difficult for me to thank everyone I needed to and not forget and leave someone out. He told me he would consider it and would want some help. 9 and 10u coach. Spectators and players would then see him coach first base in his boots and mud-covered Bobcat polo shirt. Jay was the first C-L football player I met in July of 1973, his sister Jane was in 7th grade and Suzanne was a Senior cheerleader. On 4/26, the Keystone Oaks varsity softball team lost their home non-conference game against Seton LaSalle (Pittsburgh, PA) by a score of 5-3. When we are all done, hopefully, its going to be a (state) championship. /*! As bad as we both wanted to win, after the game we were always good friends. The Bobcats played 333 games under Coach Shofestall, compiling a record of 214 wins and 119 losses and a winning percentage of .643. Another time we showed up to a playoff game and the field needed a lot of work, so as the visitors, the coaching staff and I think even some players jumped into action and got that field ready. I will also cherish the time he gave to my family! Keystone Oaks' stats have been entered for the 10-2 loss @ Waynesburg Central on 4/24/2023 4:15 PM. Throughout every practice, he always preached about working to get 1% better each day. Open gyms, summer ball, fall ball were all set up so that the girls could succeed. at 1:00 p.m. Keystone softball: First year coach Doug Cooper, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Keystone softball: First year coach Doug Cooper looks to repeat as state champs, Bay grad R.J. Sunahara of D-II national champ Nova Southeastern enters transfer portal, MLB lefty batting average up; game times down, Big weekend for Truex brothers in NASCAR races at Dover, Browns pick up fifth-year option on Jedrick Wills, Keystone track and field: Ryne Shackelford unofficially breaks state long jump record for second time, Railroads of Lorain County program to take place June 8, Avon Lake football: Clay Broadhurst stays motivated to earn first college offer, Olmsted Falls' Brooke Largent on way to full recovery after life-threatening injury suffered in collision, Browns keep busy after draft signing rookie free agents, 68-year-old Elyria man dies in house fire, Avon Lake football: Derek McCrum's change of heart matches family football pedigree, Lorain's Pawlak Park improvements stalled over potential bidding contract issue, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. I have had so many fun moments of both my softball and Little League days. He was interested in me sharing memories of special seasons, assistants, games etc. 2021: Finished with first overall winning record of Ritter's tenure and qualified as the No. Game Times are slated for 6:30/7:45/9. Dan was and is an outstanding coach. There is a lot I could say about Dan he is truly a class act as a coach and as a person. He is always looking to becomea better coach and person through clinics and books hes read. Edgar, their father was a wonderful man and his wife taught in the same building with me. Since resigning as Clarion softball coach, I have been busy going through a lot of my old papers and I was shocked at how much I have accumulated over the last 30 plus years. He cared deeply about his players and coaches not only from the standpoint of softball but in life. Kelly graduated and eighteen seasons later, I was still coaching with Dan. And last but not least, to the players Ive coached in Little League, All Stars and Clarion softball these past five decades. Admiral Perry Hummell was our chief meteorologist and ground man. When I coached Little League I know Dan made me a better coach. He always strived to become a better coach.