HOOVER BASEBALL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
January 2017
Editor – Craig Haueter ([email protected])
(330) 936-1695
Welcome to the newsletter dedicated to those who have played the great game of baseball for North
Canton Hoover High School since 1954. The upcoming 2017 season marks the 64 th season of varsity
competition with the all-time victory total standing at 978. I look forward to keeping you updated on the
current team and its players as well as asking your help to gather as much information as possible about past
players, teams and coaches. This includes contact information, statistics, pictures, programs, rosters and
significant events of past seasons. All of you that have worn the orange and black have played an important
part in the rich heritage of this program. It is a privilege to chronicle its history. I encourage you to stay
connected with the Hoover baseball program. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to another former
player you keep in contact with. I would love to hear from them as a result. Go Vikings!
2017 SEASON – Coach Jeff Hite (13th Season) gets things rolling on a new season with tryouts starting
February 20th. Listed below is the 2017 schedule. You can keep up to date on Hoover baseball all year long via
www.ncvikingsbaseball.com, www.hoovervikings.com and on Twitter (@baseball_hoover). All 2017 game
action is available via live stream on GameChanger Plus (Hoover Vikings Varsity).
March 25
March 28
March 29
April 1
April 4
April 5
April 7
April 8
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 18
April 19
Cardinal Mooney
@Canton McKinley
Canton McKinley
@Canal Winchester (DH)
@Jackson
Jackson
@Cardinal Mooney
@Berlin Hiland
Louisville
@Perry
Perry
@Green
Green
April 22
April 25
April 26
April 28
April 29
May 1
May 2
May 3
May 6
May 8
May 9
May 6-13
May 15-20
May 25-26
June 1-3
@Marlington (DH)
Massillon
@Massillon
Boardman
@Canton Central Catholic
Youngstown Ursuline
Lake
@Lake
Akron Ellet (DH)
GlenOak
@GlenOak
Sectional Tournament
District Tournament
Regional Tournament
State Tournament
ALUMNI UPDATE – Ten (10) former Vikings will soon embark on their 2017 college seasons.
They
include Ryan Sarbaugh (R-SR), Malone; Drew Vargo (SR), John Carroll; Dom Iero (SR), Kent State; Will Haueter
(R-SO), Northern Kentucky; Sam Russo (SO), Butler; Jake Szendrey (SO), Ohio Northern; Tony Iero (R-FR), Ohio
University; Tyler Drabick (FR), Kent State; Cameron Mayle (FR), John Carroll; Andrew O’Donnell (FR), Capital.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – Q & A SESSION WITH DAVE WRIGLEY
Q – What seasons did you play varsity baseball for Hoover and what were your primary positions?
A – 1979, 1980, 1981; SHORTSTOP & PITCHER.
Q – Who was your head coach?
A – GORDON KNISLEY.
Q – What were your most memorable Hoover baseball highlights?
A – STARTING AS A SOPHOMORE AND GOING 3-0 AS A PITCHER THAT YEAR; 7-1 AS A JUNIOR AND 6-3 AS A SENIOR.
Q – Describe your baseball career following Hoover High School?
A – FOLLOWING HOOVER I WENT ON TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON WHERE I LETTERED FOUR YEARS. I LED THE TEAM IN HITTING
AS A FRESHMAN AND JUNIOR. I FINISHED 21ST IN THE COUNTRY IN DIVISION I MY JUNIOR YEAR (BATTING .421). I WAS ALL OHIO
VALLEY CONFERENCE MY JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR. I WAS ELECTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON HALL OF FAME. I PLAYED IN
THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES ORGANIZATION AND HIT A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN IN MY FIRST PROFESSIONAL AT BAT. I PLAYED WITH
BOBBY BONDS IN THE MINOR LEAGUES.
Q – What did your youth baseball experience consist of in North Canton?
A – YOUTH BASEBALL IN NORTH CANTON WAS AWESOME. THE FRED HUTH FIELDS WERE THE BEST FIELDS IN THE STATE OF OHIO
AND WE WERE PROUD TO PLAY THERE. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR TO PLAY ON FIELD ONE AND HAVE THE LITTLE LEAGUE
PLEDGE AND NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYED BEFORE EACH GAME. JACK AND ED BOWEN ALONG WITH LARRY SALINAS COACHED THE
GIANTS AND I WAS HONORED TO PLAY FOR THEM ALL FOUR YEARS. MY MOST NOTABLE TIME IN LITTLE LEAGUE WAS WHEN
COACH DON HERTLER, SR. COACHED OUR ALL STAR TEAM AND DRILLED IN US THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GAME OVER A TWO
WEEK PERIOD. I LEARNED MORE IN THOSE TWO WEEKS THAN I HAD IN ALL FOUR YEARS OF LITTLE LEAGUE. INTER-CITY BASEBALL
TOOK US TO PRICE PARK AND I PLAYER UNDER COACH ROBERT AUSTIN WHO WAS A “PROFESSOR OF THE GAME”. MY MOST
MEMORABLE TIME IN YOUTH BASEBALL WAS PLAYING FOR THE ORANGE AND BLACK TEAMS UNDER COACH PERRY REESE WHO
CHALLENGED US TO BE MEN AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS. I LOVED THAT MAN.
Q – What are your current location, career and hobbies?
A – I RESIDE IN WESLEY CHAPEL, FLORIDA WHICH IS 35 MINUTES NORTH OF TAMPA. I’VE BEEN IN THE GROCERY BUSINESS FOR 30
YEARS WORKING FOR SUCH GREAT COMPANIES AS J.M. SMUCKER AND GOOGLE. I LIVE ON EIGHT ACRES AND I HAVE A BASEBALL
TRAINING FACILITY ON MY PROPERTY WHERE I TRAIN YOUNGSTERS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GAME. DURING THE OFFSEASON, MLB PLAYERS USE THE FACILITY IN PREPARATION FOR SPRING TRAINING. THEY LIKE THE PRIVACY MY ACADEMY PROVIDES.
YOU CAN CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK PAGE, “LITTLE WRIGLEY BASEBALL ACADEMY”. EVERY NOVEMBER I TRAVEL TO THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WITH CURRENT AND FORMER MLB PLAYERS ON A BASEBALL MISSIONS TRIP. WE PERFORM BASEBALL
CLINICS FOR THOUSANDS OF KIDS AND SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THEM. I’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
ALONG SIDE MARIANO RIVERA, ANDY PETTITTE, GARY CARTER, BRETT BUTLER, GLEN BRAGGS, TONY FERNANDEZ, FELIPE ALOU,
ALFONSO SORIANO, LOU PINIELLA, DON GORDON, CLAYTON KERSHAW AND MANY MORE. I ENJOY WORKING WITH KIDS THE WAY
THE ELDERS IN THE NORTH CANTON COMMUNITY GAVE BACK TO ME AND THE OTHER YOUNGSTERS IN NORTH CANTON WHEN I
WAS YOUNG. I ALSO LEAD BASEBALL CHAPEL FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LEO BASEBALL TEAM IN SAN ANTONIO, FLORIDA. PLEASE
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT (813) 727-7511 IF YOU WISH TO COME DOWN AND ENJOY THE ACADEMY.
Q – Any advice for current Hoover baseball players?
A – MY ADVICE TO THE CURRENT PLAYERS IS TO PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS, WORK ON YOUR ATHLETICISM AND GIVE YOUR BASEBALL
BODIES TIME TO REST. COLLEGE COACHES AND PRO SCOUTS LOOK FOR ATHLETES NOT ONE-SPORT WONDERS (UNLESS YOU CAN
THROW THE BALL 90+ MPH). BY THE TIME YOU ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL, YOUR SKILLS WILL NOT DECLINE BY PLAYING ANOTHER SPORT
IN THE OFF SEASON, BUT YOUR ATHLETICISM WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE! IF YOU WANT TO PLAY BASEBALL IN COLLEGE, GO
SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN PLAY. IT DOES NO GOOD TO SIT FOR 2-3 YEARS AND PLAY FOR ONE. NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU
THAT YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. BRETT BUTLER WAS CUT FROM ARIZONA STATE, WENT TO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND WAS
CUT AGAIN. HE WENT TO A SECOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND PLAYED. HE THEN WENT ON TO PLAY 17 YEARS IN THE BIG
LEAGUES. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!
2016 SEASON IN REVIEW – The Vikings finished the season with a record of 16-11 (9-3 in the
Federal League). Junior Nathan Fox set a new single season batting average (.462). The former record was
.461 by Sam Simmerman set back in 1999. Hoover pitchers accounted for nine shutouts. Senior Tyler Drabick
threw a six-inning no-hitter versus Canton McKinley and Junior Eric Sarbaugh tossed a five-inning perfect game
at Ellet. The pitching staff ERA was 2.28 which set a new school record. The comeback game of the year
occurred April 21st at Green. The Vikings trailed 7-4 going to the seventh inning but plated eight runs in the
top of the seventh to go on and defeat the Bulldogs 12-7.
April 30th was day full of recognition. Hoover’s baseball field was formally named Dick Miller Field in memory
of the former field’s groundskeeper of 48 years. Legendary former head coach Mel Long received a special
tribute posthumously. Coach Long passed away on December 25, 2015. Former Hoover player and current
Cincinnati St. Xavier head coach Bob Sherlock was inducted onto the Wall of Distinction.
The following graduating seniors completed their Hoover careers and join the Hoover Baseball Alumni
Fraternity – Andrew O’Donnell, Austin Habick, Ben Kiesling, Cameron Mayle, Jarid Seemann, Mike Paumier,
Tyler Drabick and Vincent Serapiglia.
2017 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES – The Hoover Baseball Booster Club is offering various
sponsorship packages for the 2017 season starting at just $10. Please visit www.ncvikingsbaseball.com for
more details. Your financial support is always appreciated.