2. Richland County Softball Power Poll: Madison still No. 1 - Yahoo He is knowledgeable of the game, but always is looking to be better. I caught up with him just before he boarded. Visitors Oftentimes he would be there at 8:00 a.m. to work on the field to make sure the field was ready for a 4 oclock game when most fields would have been deemed unplayable. We had most of the team back and look forward to the 2020 season knowing that we were in the hunt for the state championship. Welcome to the Keystone Oaks Softball team feed. We lost every game to start the season; we lost the first 12 games. Clarion Area Softball Coach Dan Shofestall retired recently, closing out a stellar thirty-plus year career that spanned parts of five decades, patrolling the diamonds, including Little League Baseball, Little League All-Stars and for the past fifteen years with the Bobcats. There was a time period, I believe 1995-1997 that the Clarion All-Stars were coached by the same three coaches and managers. Prebis Memorial Classic: Amherst hands Keystone first loss, 4-2 I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Dan and his staff as Athletic Director. 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. COACHING chris mattison. Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) Report, Sports Information (Logo/Brand Guidelines), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "We have gone through the coaching transition from one coach to another. Madison (14-4) The Rams ended up going 3-2 since the last power poll beating Columbian 17-0 and sweeping Ashland 14-1 and 8-3 . Missing Score - Keystone Oaks vs. McGuffey, 10-2 (L) Keystone Oaks @ Waynesburg Central, Spring Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles Varsity Softball Season. Congratulations to one of the nicest men I have ever been associated with! Every game and every practice, we are filling in that puzzle. Working with Dan over the last several years has been a privilege. Also to John Stroup who has been with me longer than anyone else. Alyssa has been a part of KGSL for many years. I started coaching in Clarion Little League in 1993 but I also helped out volunteer coaching in the 80s. Played at 2 Fields: North Penn Little League in Lansdale and Stover Park (Fall only) in Telford. With this article being occasioned by Coach Shofestalls retirement from the Bobcats, I will first share some of the facts, figures and highlights from the Dan Shofestall Era with the Cats (though Dan would probably even be uncomfortable with that description), then Coach Shofestalls comments etcetera, followed by a closing statement or two. We are kind of like building a puzzle, he said. He genuinely cares about each individual player that he has coached. 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. Dan spent not only prepping hours for every practice and game, but he also spent hours preparing the fields for them. Keystone's Bowser earns statewide coaches' award By Rodney L. Sherman, CLARION NEWS Editor Sep 20, 2022 KNOX - "She's a team player, the team comes first," Keystone Girls Softball Coach John Stiglitz said of senior Natalie Bowser. I had good mentorship with coach Piazza and I cant thank him enough for being around him for years.. But Weaver Park was a field that I spent many hours on, whether I was getting it ready for a game or practice. (r=(t=i[n]).getAttribute("data-secret")))r=Math.random().toString(36).substr(2,10),t.src+="#?secret="+r,t.setAttribute("data-secret",r);if(s||a)(e=t.cloneNode(!0)).removeAttribute("security"),t.parentNode.replaceChild(e,t);t.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:r},"*")}}}}(window,document); Gibson is the principal of the Keystone Middle School and has been a part of the Keystone softball program since the mid-2000s with multiple state championships under her belt. On Average we have 8-10 teams. Keith Murtha was my first Athletic Director and helped me get started in many ways. He cared so deeply about each and every one of his players. Longtime Educator and Administrator and Clarion Area School District Superintendent Joe Carrico. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Heck, its not like Ive never done it before and yet, Im sitting here with a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye and a smile on my face as I attempt to sort through a myriad of memories of Dan that keep popping into my brain. So please forgive me, but I will be speaking in generalities and not be mentioning very many people by name. Clarion High School will miss the efforts Coach Dan has brought to the great sport of softball. Problem was it was an absolute beast to get it off the field and rolled up before game time. /*! From 2008 through 2013 the Bobcats had a record of 102 wins and 23 losses, for an .816 winning percentage over that span. He emailed me back saying he could have something by the beginning of the week. rico carrasco. Please help us by reporting the final score. We had a game that evening with C-L and we had no choice but to push the ice off of the tarp with brooms onto the grass outfield. 2 Seasons: Spring (mid April til late June) & Fall (mid August til late October). Toreally know Dan is to appreciate his sincerity and caring for everyone. Player age is based on age as of December 31. Keystone High out of LaGrange, Ohio is one of the most storied high school programs in the country. 8 I have many memories of great contested games with Dans teams. 24Winning isn't an aspiration, but rather an expectation for the Keystone softball program, and that's built from the culture of excellence. Soak this in and enjoy every second of seeing what this small sampling of those whose lives youve touched have to share. What is so wonderful about that time is no matter how bad each team and coach wanted to win Dan and I almost every game sat down afterwards and discussed the game for hours. His heartfelt love for his players shows. All-Stars were also a lot of fun. 6 Seasons 56-93 Overall (.376) / 42-34 CSAC (.553), ALMA MATER Mine was Skipper, Joe Ferguson was Professor and the one that stuck with Dan (he had several) was Dinosaur. That always made my day and I thank you all for that. Keystone softball: Wildcats hire Gina Gibson as, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Keystone softball: Wildcats hire Gina Gibson as new head coach, 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. Game Stats Season Stats Apr 24, 2023 @ 8:52am Stats Updated Back then we had ten teams and used both fields a lot. Ill leave it there, knowing that although he may have retired from coaching and Ill miss him dearly, well always have a connection that will stand the test of time!!! Dan was never a great athlete and never really played ball himself so he was completely self-taught. Freshman Lexy Johnson named CSAC Rookie of the Year and to All-CSAC First Team Sophomore named to Paige MokychicCoSIDA/Google Cloud Academic All-America Third Team,CoSIDA/Google Cloud Academic All-District 4 First Team, and All-CSAC First Team Also named to All-CSAC First Team was senior Gabrielle Truesdale and senior Alyssa Hughes Nine players named anEaston/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete in addition to 10 earning CSAC All-Academic honors. All Star Game & Home Run Derby held each year. He would spend hours before and after practice making sure everything was ready. Joe Ferguson who was a friend of mine in school and Jim Campbell were coaches on that team. Opening Day 2023 Announced!!! It is impossible to describe the countless hours in this labor of love that this fine man has given to his players and their families, his assistant coaches, opposing coaches, Clarion Little League and the Bobcats Softball program in general. My son coached there. Welcome to the Keystone Oaks Softball team feed. We also had a Home Run Derby. Keystone Girls Softball League - (Altoona, PA) - powered by Key Ohio high school softball games, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. And thats what sets Dan Shofestall apart and why hell alwaysrank as one of my all-time favorite coaches (regardless of the sport) that Ive had the privilege to meet. M ar. I went to watch Clarion-Limestone and Clarion play a game at Clarion County Park one afternoon. Those who know Dan personally, know exactly what I am talking about. I havent talked about Little League yet, but I must say in the 12 years I coached it was a blast. Keystone softball: Doug Cooper announces retirement; Wildcats look for new coach. He was interested in me sharing memories of special seasons, assistants, games etc. Ultimately, it is a real privilege.. She wants to pitch every inning, every out in every game.. 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. Dan always kept us focused and showed us the importance of determinationalthough he caved on the music a time or two. Keystone College softball coach Alison Ritter gave the ultimate gift - the gift of life - by donating a kidney to a friend. I cannot thing of any kinder more compassionate human being. 104 team in Division III. He was extremely supportive of his players academic, artistic and other athletic endeavors. Allen also yearly sponsors the Allen Peterson Academic Achievement Award, given to a senior member of the softball team who meets all criteria. To see my players pictures and re-read the articles of every Little League, All-Star or Softball game has rekindled many many heartfelt memories again. As usual, Keystone continues to reload with talent. When the schedule was released it was always a game I looked at to see when we played them. Kelly graduated and eighteen seasons later, I was still coaching with Dan. They have picked me up at times when I needed it most. As bad as we both wanted to win, after the game we were always good friends. Dan ALWAYS was the first coach to call, and report his score on game night. A final score has not been reported for this varsity softball game. It is hard, to sum up, those eighteen years. Each player he has coached during his tenure becomes part of his family. You could tell he enjoyed everything about coaching softball. Direct links to the resorts. The Bobcats were 3-2 winners over Chartiers-Houston in the Semifinals/Western Final. He cared deeply about his players and coaches not only from the standpoint of softball but in life. The 2020 team of course is special in a different way. KS Bombers | Top Notch Professional Baseball & Softball Coaches Obviously, that was many years ago and I continued to marvel over his dedication to his sport, his team, his players and his community. He gave me the opportunity to work with high school girls after I retired from teaching, and Ill always be grateful for that. Keystone Softball Most of them I have been throwing out into the garbage. This is the unseen part that few saw. Keystone Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Class I could never thank him (and his staff) enough for what he has done for them and the hundreds of other girls that he mentored over the past 18 years. We thought we had a pretty good team coming back that year and we put in 2 great weeks of practice. Edgar, their father was a wonderful man and his wife taught in the same building with me. 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. He was always accommodating and friendly. With Coach Shofestall, it was and is, first and foremost about others, especially the Kids. They mercy ruled 16 out of 18 opponents in the regular plus one more in the playoffs. We didnt always make it easy for him. 2 Women required in the field. She has been hitting her spots and [wants the ball] all the time. 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. Dans passion for coaching and his commitment to youth was refreshing. Alison Ritter - Softball Head Coach/Academic Coordinator - Softball Coaches - Keystone College Athletics Keystone College Athletics Main Navigation Menu Quick Links Composite Schedule Live Game Links Staff Directory News Archives Fingertip Facts Social Media Sports Men's Sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Lacrosse Soccer When talking about my time as a coach over the years, I must bring up my second home Weaver Park. Longtime Oil City Derrick Sports Editor Ed Brannon. Kettel resigned following his eighth District 2 championship in a 10-year run at Scranton Prep where his . Longtime Clarion Area Multi-Year Multi Sport Coach, Trainer and Athletic Director Keith Murtha (Formerly C-L Trainer). Bats/Game-ball: Men use wood and women use metal. Not knowing that we would be doing this for three years in a row, when it came to the second year in All-Stars, we decided to have Dan be the manager, and Jim and I be the coaches. Lorain County League teams such as Clearview (3-15) and Columbia (9-9) were also moved to Division III. Team earned an Easton/NFCA Team Academic Award with a 3.259 GPA, ranking as the No. He always strived to become a better coach. Although many years have passed since he coached against her, Dan always asks how my daughter Brooke is doing. Winning isn't an aspiration, but rather an expectation for the Keystone softball program, and that's built from the culture of excellence. 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. Dan was everything a district would want from a coach. Your lessons will always be remembered and the never give up attitude was just what we needed to hear. Keystone Softball Leagues. Longtime Clarion Softball Assistant Coach and longtime Clarion Little League Baseball Coach Randy Reynolds. 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. The main thing I would like to share is that Dan is a class act and his success in the sports realm is a direct result of his character on and off the field. 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. On 3/28, the Keystone Oaks varsity softball team lost their home non-conference game against Charleroi (PA) by a score of 9-1. 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. Ohio's Keystone High Softball Looks to Continue Its Record-Setting Run 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." All characters from Gilligans Island! They not only were taught the game of softball but more importantly they were taught lessons in life. Both Alexis and Kaitlyn have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Dan and the part he has played in helping them to develop into the youngmature ladies they have become. I always loved when Clarion and Cranberry would play because it would always be a great game!! They were Keith Murtha, DJ Bevevino, Larry Wiser, Roger Walter and Nancy Mills. We then had to load it up onto the gators and haul it off the field. Several times he would finish prepping the field minutes before the start of a game and not have time to change his clothes. And in Little League, even though he coached on a different team, he always brought our teams Sorcehats. Having the season canceled was a disappointment, but Dan never dwelled on it. Once we got it folded we would roll it onto a big drainage pipe. Staff & Instructors - Keystone Fieldhouse I believe that mindset and accountabilityfrom Coach Shofestall helped our team stay focused throughout the early days of the softball season, especially when we were practicing in the gym. The first year we coached together, we decided that Jim would be the manager and Dan and I would coach. Softball coach donates kidney to No. adrian shelley. co-owner at the keystone state bombers. 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. Coach Dan ticked every box. In 2010 we were D9 Runners-up losing to Elk County Catholic in the final. 2017: Finished as the No. He is always looking to becomea better coach and person through clinics and books hes read. gilbert vega. ), I could picture a nice sign Welcome to Dan Shofestall Field. And under that, in slightly smaller letters, a saying that many may remember from years ago (though not grammatically correct) Hes Just Good People., (A Special Clarion Sports Zone Thank You To All Who Contributed (and kept it under your hats) To This Surprise Tribute To One Of The Finest Human Beings We Will Ever Know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every one of them knew that he cared deeply for them both as a player and as a young lady. Dan is a very faithful man and respects other people totally. LOL, Longtime Clarion Little League Coach, Umpire And Board Member Joel German. baseball coaches. It was nice for the fact that you could cover the field when rain was coming. in 2019-2020. It was where my first Sorce team won its first LittleLeague championship in fact. He gave as much time as the girls wanted to give to the sport. The Bobcat girls loved playing for Dan. Whatever the outcome, I always knew the Clarion team was prepared to play. Always competitors but above it all Dan and I were friends. I coached Little League against Dan and knew of his coaching abilities. 9 and 10u coach. The following year were D9 Champs and went to the State Championship game where we lost to Minersville 6-1. We were scheduled for our first scrimmage at DuBois Heindl Field against Curwensville and Redbank. We graduated the same year and he has been one of my best friends throughout the years. His assistant coaches, the parents of his players, the administration or board he is associated with or the players themself, but never himself. As a rgion, it encompassed the southeastern dpartements of Loire, Rhne, Ain, Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isre, Drme, and Ardche. The Massif Central extends into Ardche and is separated by a series of valleys .