Reunion

By Gene Morris, gmorris@miconews.com

Jon Smail, a 1999 Paola High School graduate, reaches for an outside pitch while taking batting practice at Russell Field. The Panther baseball program celebrated its 20th anniversary with recognition between games Friday night and a batting practice Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Gene Morris)

Players spanning two decades of Paola High School baseball were at Russell Field on Saturday afternoon for some batting practice, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Panther program.

During a Paola C-team game on Friday night, players were introduced and recognized on the field.

Twenty players turned out for the event, presenting coach Paul Brack with an autographed baseball bat.

Players from the first-year 1989 team on hand for the weekend festivities were Robert Barenclau, Ed Belsanti, Ed Boehm, Mike Gage, Rick Golubski, John Fisher, Jason Kuder, Randy Rausch, Brian Schuster and Cam White.

Following the games on Friday night, the players went to Rounders to share stories about the good-old days with Brack.

Former players were invited back to Russell Field on Saturday to play some catch, swing for the fences and run (or walk) down a few fly balls.

“Yeah, we were it,” Gage said while warming up on Saturday. “Now, we are old.”

Gage, a left-hander, took on a few of the hitters with his curve ball and a floater.

“It was a lot of fun,” Gage said. “It is a good time. It was good to catch up with everyone.”

Gage did not stay on the mound long, giving way to Belsanti.

Brack finally drug out the backstop and a pitching net to throw some batting practice himself, taking over for the older, worn-out arms of the Panther baseball past.

Jon Smail, the single-season home run leader with nine in 1999, was the first player to crank one over the fence in batting practice.

He crushed the first one over the fence in center, just to the right of the 346 sign. His second went out in left-center.

Smail, a 1999 graduate, played first base on the Panther state team that placed fourth his senior season.

“I was disappointed we did not have more guys come out,” Smail said. “But it is nice seeing the older guys.”

Fisher was stepping on the field for the first time in more than a decade.

He took a few cuts at the plate and played some infield at second and third before running down a few balls in the outfield.

“It is nice,” he said. “I haven’t been on the field in 15 or 20 years. It brings back a lot of memories.

“The field sure has changed a lot,” Fisher said. “Coach Brack still looks the way he did 20 years ago.”

Rausch donned a Kansas City Royals warm-up top for his return to the ballpark.

He stationed himself in left field and also took a few swings for the fences.

“It has been a good time,” Rausch said. “The field has sure changed a lot. We had all the railroad ties and rubber mats. Coach Brack has sure done a lot with it.”

Because of Brack’s hard work, a lot of guys were able to not only play some ball over the years, but go to college because of it, Rausch said.

“Year after year, he has been dedicated to baseball, and because of that dedication, many have gone on to college on scholarship,” Rausch said.

Some of his teammates teased Rausch when the first player from the class of 2007 was introduced.

“Some kid from the class of 2007 went up there, and the guys said, ‘You could be his dad,’” Rausch said.

“To see all of the guys that showed up for the ceremony on Friday and the practice on Saturday was great and it goes to show how much the program meant to so many of us,” he said. “From coaching to working the field for hours on end, baseball has come a long way in Paola and its success and growth can be attributed to coach Brack.”

After his workout on Saturday, Rausch said he was looking for some ibuprofen.

Players were having a good time of it on Saturday, just like in the old days, Brack said. Some things never change.

“The guys were just like they were when we had practice,” Brack said. “Everyone is out there talking, and no one is going after the long balls.”

Brack said it was great to have former players come back and reminisce.

“I am glad we did it,” Brack said. “Maybe next time, we can have even more guys come out.”

Justin Smail, a 2001 graduate, went for his brother’s mark of two home runs during his turn in the batting cage.

Smail blasted one over the 337 sign in left, and hit another one, causing a few heads to turn.

Jake Prothe put on a batting helmet after a tour in the outfield and put a few deep in the ballpark. Prothe, a 2000 graduate, played the hot corner for the Panthers in high school.

Nick Scheffer, class of 2004, hit a few and ran down some shots in left and center field.

Morgan Johann, who hit over .500 his senior year in college, was getting ready for a game Saturday night and used the practice as a warm-up. Johann, a 2002 graduate, popped a few shots into the gaps and off the wall.

Johann showed off his speed in center, running down balls that could have gone for extra-bases in a game.

Jeremy Jones, class of 2004, flashed some leather on the infield. Tyler Ketzner, a 2006 graduate, played a little second base and some shortstop.

When it came time to discuss playing a “real” game or do some infield and hit the ball around, Ketzner and the other guys decided running the bases might not be a great idea.

“We should hit the ball and run the bases on Rascals (Rascal Mobility Scooters),” he said.

Alex Brack, who played catcher for Paola in high school, got to do a lot more running on Saturday with some time shagging fly balls in the outfield. Brack, class of 2006, is a former Babe Ruth League Hustler Award winner.

Other players who were in town for the ceremonies were Jeron Fuller, Mike Massey, Russ Prothe and Travis Sullivan.