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Thurmont Little League Kicks Off 73rd Season

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Alisha Yocum

Despite the weather not being particularly conducive to baseball, Thurmont Little League (TLL) families and local community members gathered for a great day of baseball at Opening Day on Saturday, April 6, to mark the beginning of the 2024 season.

The spirit of America’s beloved pastime prevailed as a large American flag flew proudly above the field, courtesy of Big Hook Crane & Rigging, setting the perfect ambiance for Opening Day.

TLL President Alex Kline led the ceremony, which included the announcement of all the baseball players, from T-ball through the Majors Divisions—a total of 252 players!

The ceremony continued with traditions like the Little League pledge; the volunteer pledge, led by Chief Armstrong from the Thurmont Police Department; the presentation of colors by the Cub Scout Pack 270; and, of course, the ceremonial first pitch.

This year, TLL selected Craig Mayne, owner of Ace Hardware, to do the honor of throwing out the first pitch. Mayne has been a huge supporter of the league; he donated first aid kits to every team this year.

As the players and families battled the blistering winds, the celebrations concluded with the singing of the National Anthem by Allie Bryant, a freshman at Catoctin High School.

Festivities continued throughout the day, with the Baltimore Orioles Bird and Keyote from the Frederick Keys stopping by to take pictures with fans. Food trucks were also on-site, as well as local community businesses and organizations.

TLL would like to thank all of the 2024 season sponsors: 10 Tavern, Acacia Lodge No.155, Ace Hardware/Cousins Hardware Inc., Amber Hill Therapy Centers, American Legion Edwin C Creeger Jr. Post 168, Catoctin Dental, Catoctin Wildlife and Preserve, Center of Life Chiropractic, CF Kerns Trucking LLC, DJ’s Glass & Mirror Inc., David W. Coblentz Trucking, Davisystems LLC, Emmitsburg Glass Company, G&S Electric, Gateway Automotive, Hessong Bridge Contractors LLC, J&B Real Estate –Elle Smith, Keilholtz Trucking Services Inc., Kelco Plumbing & Backhoe Service LLC, Kline’s Plumbing LLC, Land Care, Mick’s Plumbing & Heating, Mission Property Services LLC, Mother Seton School, PJ’s Roofing Inc., Roy Rogers, Senior Benefit Services Inc., South Mountain, Collision & Auto Center, Staub’s Custom Woodworks, Inked, T-Mobile, The Dirty Dawg, Thurmont AMVETS Post 7, Thurmont Childcare, Thurmont Kountry Kitchen, Tim’s Garage, Tommy West Memorial Fund, Tyrian Lodge 205, Vinores Financial Services, and Woodsboro Bank.

Festivities continued throughout the day, with the Baltimore Orioles Bird and Keyote from the Frederick Keys stopping by to take pictures with

Cub Scout Pack 270 presents the colors during the Thurmont Little League Opening Day.

Allie Bryant sings the National Anthem during the Thurmont Little League Opening Day Ceremony.

SPORTS
TALK

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with Michael Betteridge

What Are They Putting In the Food at Catoctin High School?

Whatever they are feeding those kids up in Thurmont, it’s working. Two out of the four spring sports teams at Catoctin (baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis) are in first place, and the third team of the four, boy’s lacrosse, is in third place. All that from the smallest school in Frederick County!

The Catoctin baseball team is #1 in Frederick County and undefeated up until mid-April; the Catoctin softball team just knocked the undefeated Walkersville team out of first place in the county, with a tense 1-0 nail-biting win. The Catoctin Lady Cougars are now no.1 in Frederick County softball. The Lady Cougars will face Walkersville again at Walkersville on May 1. If you can, you probably want to make it over to Walkersville for that one.

The softball team’s average grade level is 10th grade, with two freshmen, five sophomores, and two junior starters. The team is batting .323 with a 41 percent on-base average. That means that one out of three times at the plate, they get a hit, and slightly less than half of their plate appearances produce runners on the bases. Top level college softball teams would be jealous of those stats.

And this is just the beginning! With the average age of this softball team not even in its prime yet, you can expect big things in Thurmont for the next three years under Coach Jessica Valentine who is in her 14th season at Catoctin.

Coach Valentine brought a winning tradition and legacy to this team as a former player who graduated in 2002. Coach Valentine went on to play college softball for Mars Hill University, just north of beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. One of the ways she has promoted the amazing Cougars’ legacy is with the “Wall of Fame” on the back of the Cougars softball dugout. Former players’ names and handprints are stenciled onto the concrete during homecoming. When this season’s players arrive at the field, the first thing they see are the names of winners from the recent past, like Courtney Eyler, Ashley Mayton, and Reagan Smith. They dream of some day having their name written on that sacred space. 

The Lady Cougars are an amazing softball team. Everyone on the team contributes, all the way down the roster, top to bottom. Whether its Catcher Megan Gray making backwards-diving foul ball catches at the backstop for the out, or the red-hot Taylor Smith throwing 70+mph underhand fastballs from the pitching mound, these Cougars are talented and deep. In the outfield, Maddie Ohler snags fly balls at the fence backhanded, looking over her shoulder, and then steps up to the plate and wallops a two-run homer over the fence in right center. She is joined by teammates Julie West in left field and McKenzie Lewis in right who routinely rob hitters of base hits in the outfield. At the plate, patience is a virtue, especially for third baseman Aubrie Courtney, who consistently takes opposing pitchers deep into the count to combine with her teammates for a league high 24 walks already this season. 

The infield tandem of Mazaleski at second and Reagan Smith at first base handle a lot of hot grounders, with right-handed batters swinging behind Smith’s blistering fast balls.  Over at shortstop, Kassidy Kreitz, with her cat-like reflexes, doesn’t let much get by her, and she is one of the most consistent base runners on the team. 

Meisner, Brawner, and Owens come in to relieve teammates as pinch runners and, in the field, to give the defensive starters a rest.

Just to give you some perspective on this young team: They have put up 79 runs in eight games, averaging almost 10 runs per game while only giving up 8 runs….only 1 run per game by the opposing team. That’s a 10-1 average per game.

Whatever they are feeding those kids, I’m going to invite myself to dinner because I need some of what they’ve got! Since I seem to be on a food thing, and with Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, I’ll wrap it up this way: THIS TEAM IS THE WHOLE ENCHILADA!

Catoctin Athletes Take the Next Step

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BLAIR GARRETT

Nine Catoctin High School (CHS) seniors officially signed on to further their education while playing sports at the next level. All nine athletes excelled in their sports, helping to propel each of their teams and teammates to be better every day. CHS held a signing day ceremony to let the head coaches share with the athletes’ friends and families what kind of competitor and person they’ve seen each player blossom into.

Few people in a high school athlete’s life see the growth and development that a coach does. The students who go on to compete in college are among the most driven and dedicated to keep improving each day, and a good coach takes notice of that. Each one of these athletes has put an exceptional amount of time into their craft. Putting in the hours on the fields, courts, tracks, and in the gym, coupled with a good attitude, can take you a long way, and each one of these student-athletes has demonstrated that day after day.

Football: Wyatt Davis has committed to play at Shippensburg University in the fall, and the Raiders will be lucky to have him. Davis played defensive end and tackle for Catoctin and was a driving force on the defensive line.

Track and Field: Jenna Zentz is taking her talents to Towson University, where she will look to continue her successes on the track. Zentz ran a variety of events for the Cougars, including relays and 100- through 800-meter races.

Baseball: A pair of star athletes, Noland Kinna and Dalton Williams, have signed their letters of intent to play ball in college, and both have meant a tremendous deal to CHS during their time playing there. Kinna, a commit to the College of Southern Maryland, was involved in a myriad of school programs, and he became a key piece to Catoctin’s back-to-back great seasons. Williams will go on to play at High Point University. Both players were part of the state championship winning season in 2021, helping CHS grab its second championship title.

Softball: Catoctin softball’s Kara Watkins and Avery Sickeri have been integral in the team’s phenomenal season. From start to finish, the Cougars have been dominant, with Watkins and Sickeri helping the team capture the Central Maryland Conference Championship en route to a 17-2 season. Watkins is set to join Shenandoah University’s softball team, while Sickeri looks to make waves at West Chester University.

Girls Basketball: With a talent-packed lineup and a lot of hard work, seniors Emma Wivell and Emily Williams helped push Catoctin to the state finals in the team’s 23-3 season. The seniors had great individual accomplishments as well, with Wivell making the Maryland Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) 1st team, and Williams making the MBCA 2nd team. Wivell has committed to Salisbury University while Williams has committed to Shenandoah University.

Boys Basketball: Though the team had a rocky season, Catoctin’s Ryan Burke played a key role in the successes the boys had over the course of the season. Burke, a shooting guard, plans to play next season with Hagerstown Community College, and will look to make an impact just as he did with the Cougars.

Congratulations to all graduating seniors and to the student athletes who put in years of effort to take their careers to the next step. 

(above) Avery Sickeri and Coach Jessica Valentine.

(above) Kara Watkins, family, and coaching staff.

(above) CHS Principal Jennifer Clements addresses the student athletes.

(avove) Noland Kinna (seated left) and Dalton Williams (seated right) with CHS baseball team.

(above seated) Wyatt Davis and Jenna Zentz are shown.

(above) Emma Wivell and Emily WIlliams.

Spring Season Quickly Approaching at Thurmont Little League

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Ryan Tokar, Thurmont Little League

As the ice and snow continue to blanket the ground, it’s hard to believe that baseball season will begin in just a few short weeks. The registration period for baseball and our brand-new softball program will close on February 13. There is still a lot of other work to be done before the season starts.

Evaluations for the minor and major divisions will be held, along with a draft for each. Plans are being made for our opening day celebration, which will once again be split into two ceremonies based on division level. There will be lots of fun activities, delicious food to eat, and great prizes to be won. Fundraising efforts have already begun, with the league beginning to accept donations for the annual basket raffles.

Speaking of fundraisers, a special fundraising night will take place at Roy Rogers on Tuesday, February 1, with proceeds from all orders going to the league. There will also be in-person registration ability available onsite. Come on out for a great meal to support Thurmont Little League (TLL).

We are once again selling discount cards, which are always a popular item. For $20.00, you can purchase a card for unlimited usage at many of your favorite local businesses, everything from a free drink to 20 percent off your order. Several new additions are featured on the cards this year, including Dunkin’ and Los Amigos. Please contact TLL on Facebook or by email at tllnetwork@gmail.com for more information. You may also pick up a discount card at several of the participating restaurants.

With all the exciting things happening during the offseason, we must also take a moment to reflect upon an extremely difficult loss for our organization. On December 23, 2021, our chief safety officer, Chris Morlan, passed away.

Chris was an extremely dedicated member of the TLL family, serving on the board for many years and volunteering as a manager at almost every divisional level. He was always there to help out whenever needed at any of the league’s events, from tournaments and parades to our movie nights and trunk or treat. As we move towards our new season, it’s hard to envision Chris not being there to be a part of it. The board of directors is hard at work thinking of ways to honor his memory and legacy at TLL. While he may be gone, he will certainly not be forgotten.

Be sure to check out next month’s issue of The Catoctin Banner for even more details about our opening day festivities and all the other events going on to kick start our 2022 season!

TLL Fall Season Winding Down

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Ryan Tokar, Thurmont Little League

Thurmont Little League hosts first-ever Family Movie Night in September.

Courtesy Photo

As the leaves continue to fall, the 70th season of Thurmont Little League (TLL) is winding down, bringing another successful year of baseball to a close. Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought forth, the league has continued to provide an outlet for the aspiring youth players of the community. On any given night this fall, you could see countless teams in game play, practicing, or utilizing the batting cages. Nearly 200 players participated, making this fall ball season one for the record books.

In addition to a full slate of games, the league has kept its players, volunteers, and the community busy through a variety of other activities. In late September, TLL hosted its first-ever Family Movie Night. Over 250 people showed up on a beautiful fall evening to watch The Sandlot on the outfield grass. Free popcorn was provided, courtesy of J&B Real Estate agent Elle Smith, while the TLL concession stand served up Sauced Savage BBQ and other goodies. Kona Ice was also on hand, delivering ice cream and snow cones to the crowd of families. This event was a huge success and will definitely become a new annual tradition for the league. Finally, TLL ended the season with some Halloween fun. On Sunday, October 24, TLL held its first annual Trunk or Treat event. Almost 30 vendors/families participated in this extremely fun event, decorating their spaces and handing out treats to the kids. TLL passed out free hot chocolate, cider, and cookies. They also provided games and prizes for a variety of costume categories. And last, but not least, TLL joined in on an on-field Trick or Treat event at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Players got a chance to attend the game, run the bases, and meet with collegiate athletes, all while dressing up in their favorite costumes. The season may be ending, but the fun never stops at TLL

TLL Fall Season is Fast Approaching

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Ryan Tokar, Thurmont Little League

As busy as things have been at Thurmont Little League (TLL), it’s hard to believe that the fall season is only a few short weeks away. Registration opened on July 1 for ages 4-13. TLL will once again be offering five different levels of play: T-ball, instructional (coach pitch), minors, majors, and intermediate. Fall Ball is a great time to start a new player or move up to a higher level of play. It’s a shorter and less rigid schedule that focuses on player development and, most importantly, FUN! The league is also looking for volunteers for all age groups. Managers, assistant coaches, umpires, and team parents are always in demand. Visit the TLL website at www.TLLBaseball.com, and click the registration tab to sign up today!

Despite the fast-approaching fall season, baseball has been ongoing, as tournament teams from the spring season have continued playing throughout the blazing 90-degree days of July. The 9-11 year-old team finished in second place in the 2021 MD District 2 Tournament. After playing six days in a row, oftentimes in intense heat, they came up just short in Game 2 of the Championship to Brunswick. This team showed an amazing amount of heart, and many of these players still have one or two more years of Little League left to make another run at the championship. Meanwhile, the 11-12 year-old team represented TLL well with their showing in the District Tournament. They started out with a decisive win over Mountain Valley, before losing back-to-back games against impressive Brunswick and Montgomery County teams. For many of these players, it was their last time putting on a uniform representing TLL. We are proud of their many accomplishments and wish them the best of luck as they move on to the next level. The tournament season will wrap up in August, as the Minors all-star team competes in two different tournaments in Brunswick and Pen Mar.

There were plenty of other activities to keep our players and volunteers busy this summer. On Saturday, July 26, players, coaches, and board members participated in the Emmitsburg Heritage Parade.  Two floats representing TLL tossed candy to the crowd and advertised the upcoming registration for Fall Ball. Everyone had a great time, and afterwards, all the players got a chance for a photo with the State Champion Catoctin Cougars baseball team. It was an amazing opportunity for these young players to see what they might achieve in the future through continued practice and hard work. On June 30, TLL was the host location for the attempt at breaking the record for the World’s Largest Game of Catch. Despite poor weather, and an all-star game that drew many of the expected attendees out of town, there were still 90 participants from Thurmont, with a total of $665 raised for CureSearch. In total, there were 862 participants in 48 locations around the United States. Unfortunately, they came up just shy of the record, but plans are already in place for another attempt next year (hopefully, with better weather this time around). All participants will still receive a pin commemorating the event.

Finally, in mid-July, Thurmont played host to the 2021 Intermediate State Championship. The games were held at East End Park on the newly renovated field behind the police station. Special thanks to the Town of Thurmont Public Works staff who worked hard on improvements to the field, dugouts, and surrounding areas. Also, to Guardian Lawn Care and PJ’s Roofing, who completed work on the installation of a new pitcher’s mound and setting new bases. The Thurmont Senior Center was also gracious enough to allow volunteers to cool off inside and also to use their kitchen for concessions. Teams from all over the state came to Thurmont to be a part of the event. An opening ceremony was held honoring all guests; featuring the Mayor of Thurmont, color guard from the Thurmont Cub Scouts, and representatives from D2, as well as TLL. Food from The Sauced Savage, JT’s Catering, TLL Concessions, and Kona Ice kept the crowd fed and hydrated throughout the week. The team from Maugansville, Maryland, ended up as the 2021 State Champion. All in all, it was a great event for the town of Thurmont.           

Thurmont and Brunswick all-star teams pose after the Championship Game.

Thurmont Little League players pose on their float during the Emmitsburg Heritage Parade.

Thurmont Little League’s Spring Season Underway

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After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Thurmont Little League was excited to kick off its 2021 spring season. As the weather began to warm up and all the snow and ice melted, players and coaches resumed practicing in early March. The response to baseball this year was extremely positive, even with the pandemic, as the league will be fielding 2 Intermediate Division teams, 4 Major Division teams, 5 Minor Division teams, 7 Instructional/Coach Pitch teams, and 7 T-ball teams.

The Major Division kicked off the year by participating in the 3rd Annual Brunswick Little League Garel L. Hauver Memorial Tournament. Its namesake, Mr. Hauver, had a passion for sports, but especially baseball. He wrote about sports in the Brunswick Citizen for over 40 years and was an active member of Brunswick Little League for over 30 years as a player and coach. The tournament took place the weekend of March 27-28 and featured 16 area little league squads. Thurmont was well represented by its four teams, and it was a great way for the players to get back into the swing (pun intended) of things.

The opening day ceremonies will kick off the start of game play for all of the other divisions and will take place on Saturday, April 10. Led by master of ceremonies Brian Mo, formerly of 99.9 WFRE, all players and coaches will receive on-field introductions. This will be followed up by a special performance of the National Anthem, and the throwing out of the first pitch by the Myers family from Thurmont Kountry Kitchen. Thurmont Little League spirit wear will be on sale in many different styles and sizes, along with the ever-popular discount cards for local restaurants. Great raffle baskets will be available with many valued at over $100 each, as well as a 50-50 cash drawing. Also, on hand for the day will be food from The Sauced Savage BBQ and ice cream from Antietam Dairy. Bring the family out for a fun-filled day celebrating 70 years of Thurmont Little League.

Sports Previews for Spring

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Blair Garrett

As temperatures rise, the snow begins to melt, and February comes to a close, high school spring sports will be kicking into high gear.

A cast of new athletes are coming in to provide Catoctin High athletics spring sports teams with the energy, drive, and dedication to be successful on and off the field. Catoctin spring sports include: boys baseball, girls softball, boys and girls lacrosse, and tennis.

Baseball. The Cougars look to improve on last season’s 6-4 record. The team has multiple matchups versus Boonsboro and Brunswick on its plate, which may be the deciding factor for the success of Catoctin High’s season. With a crop of talented athletes across the field, Catoctin Baseball appears to have another strong season in the works. The season tees off  March 21, against familiar foe Gov. Thomas Johnson.

Softball. Catoctin Softball’s 11-4 2018 season was a smashing success, and the team hopes to replicate its winning ways for the 2019 campaign. The team was bounced by the Bohemia Manor Eagles in the Maryland Girls Softball State Championships, but the Cougars’ trail back to the playoffs runs through its rivalry games early in the season.

Boys Lacrosse. Catoctin Lacrosse struggled across the board last season, but with a fresh team, fresh year, and a fresh mindset, the boys head into the 2019 season with the goal to continue improving. Getting off to a strong start might make the difference for the Cougars. The team kicks off its season in an away game on March 26 against Gov. Thomas Johnson.

Girls Lacrosse. After a rough previous season, Catoctin Girls Lacrosse has its sights set on a new start, as the team kicks off its season versus North Hagerstown on March 21. A win in the first game of the season could turn the tides and build confidence for the team moving forward.

Tennis. Catoctin Tennis kicks off with back-to-back matches March 21 and March 22 in back-to-back exhibition matches against local rivals, Boonsboro and Linganore. The team will look to get back into the win column after its hot start last season.

Signing Ceremony at Catoctin High School

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Theresa Dardanell

Catoctin High School (CHS) athletes who signed up to attend  colleges and universities in the fall.

 

Football: Will Bingman, Clarion University; Joey Fogle, Gettysburg College.

 

Soccer: Noah Olson, Frederick Community College.

 

Baseball: Ryan Fisher, Mount St. Mary’s University; Dylan Reid, Hagerstown Community College; Nick Ford, Frederick Community College; Brett Weatherly, Fairmont State University; Connor Cramer, Fairmont State University.

 

Lacrosse: Colin Webb, Messiah College; Brenden Bozick, Frederick Community College; Sam Staley, Frederick Community College.

 

Softball: Lizzie Dougherty, Frederick Community College; Taylor Beckley, Frederick Community College; Maddie Krantz, Penn State.

 

A ceremony was held at CHS on May 23, 2018, to recognize the athletes. Assistant Athletic Director Keith Bruck introduced the coaches, Paul Dumars, Rob Phelan, Mike Franklin, and Neil Metzgar, who praised and congratulated the students. An enthusiastic crowd of parents, families, friends, and fellow students attended the event.

Pictured are ten of the student athletes recognized during the signing ceremony at Catoctin High School. Pictured left to right are Brett Weatherly, Dylan Reid, Nick Ford, Ryan Fisher, Connor Cramer, Joey Fogle, Will Bingman, Colin Webb, Brendan Bozick, and Noah Olson. Unavailable for photo: Sam Staley, Lizzie Dougherty, Taylor Beckley, and Maddie Krantz.

Photo by Theresa Dardanell

SPORTS news

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Thurmont Little League Invites Entire Community to Join in Celebration of 65th Season of Baseball

Melissa Kinna

On Saturday, April 16, 2016, over 275 little league players, from the ages of four through twelve, will take the fields for Thurmont Little League’s (TLL) 65th season of baseball. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the first round of games, followed by an Opening Day Ceremony at 10:15 a.m. The Board of Directors would like to invite the entire community to celebrate the beginning of the 2016 season and reflect on sixty-five years of baseball history.

The TLL Opening Day festivities will include a Kid’s Fun Zone with several games and activities, raffles, 50/50 drawings, ice cream, and more—a love of baseball and a celebration of the community.

“Our opening ceremonies are always a wonderful day to celebrate our players, parents, and volunteers,” said Ed Lowry, TLL president. “This year is an extra special year as we celebrate Thurmont Little League’s 65th season of baseball. We’re excited to kick off our new season and look forward to a great year of baseball.”

Little League has provided communities around the world the opportunity for families to connect, and for children to come together in a healthy, safe environment to learn the values of team sports and the fundamentals of baseball. Thurmont Little League is proud to be able to provide this opportunity to our community for sixty-five years and continue to be one of the largest youth sports association in the Northern Frederick County area.

It will be a great 2016 season at Thurmont Little League; please mark your calendars for Opening Day on Saturday, April 16. Check us out on the web at www.TLLbaseball.com or visit us on Facebook @ThurmontLittleLeague or on Twitter or Instagram @theTLLnetwork.

Catoctin High School JV Lady Cougars Finish Successful Season

The Junior Varsity Lady Cougars recently completed the 2015-2016 season. Despite being in a new conference and playing a very tough schedule, they finished with a record of thirteen wins and seven losses. This included wins over Urbana, Walkersville, and Governor Thomas Johnson. Coaches Rick and Sara Wastler would like to thank the girls for their hard work to make this a successful season.

 

Pictured from left are: (front row) Syd Zentz, Lexi Smith, Olivia Crum, Mel Topper, Dru Long, and Rachel Waldron; (back row) Coach Sara Wastler, Chloe Wivell, Raegan Smith, Lizzie Dougherty, Kelly Glass, Summer Belanger, and Coach Rick Wastler.

Catoctin High School Sports Boosters Announce “Wall of Honor” Inductees

Catoctin High School (CHS) Sports Boosters has added a “Wall of Honor” Banner in the gymnasium to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond the normal parent or fan support. The first two names on the banner are William “Buzz” Barker and Bernard “Bun” Wivell. Each in his own way has been a tremendous asset to the Sports Boosters, a sports program at CHS, and they both have been equally as generous with youth programs.

Mr. William “Buzz” Barker passed away on November 23, 2015. Buzz was a Frederick County Basketball referee for eight years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He volunteered for thirty-three years with both the girls and boys basketball programs, keeping the clock for over 1,300 games. He helped with the “chain gang” for football games, helped with timing events at track meets, and umpired at little league games over the years.

His family has created the “Buzz” Barker Scholarship Fund in his memory through Sports Boosters. Accepting the “Wall of Honor” recognition for William “Buzz” Barker were daughter Gwenae Wachter and husband Jerry and daughter Krista Kae Hazen and husband Matt.

Mr. Bernard “Bun” Wivell is the Treasurer of the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company and has held that position for forty-three years. He was chosen because of all the support over the years to CHS Sports Boosters, youth programs, and fees for families in distress through the Michael L. and Douglas A. Wivell Memorial Fund. One of the first big projects was the clothing shack down at the Football Stadium; filling a need for a place for students to purchase apparel and miscellaneous items to promote school spirit, the “Clothing Shack” was born.

CHS-Wall-of-Honor-inductees

Pictured from left are Gwenae and Jerry Wachter and Matt and Krista Kae Hazen, accepting the “Wall of Honor” for William “Buzz” Barker; and “Wall of Honor” Inductee, Bernard “Bun” Wivell.

Catoctin Girls Basketball Celebrates Alumni Night

Catoctin High School Girls Basketball invited alumni to be their guests at the basketball game on February 2, 2016.

There was a very nice turn out for the first year, considering the date had to be changed due to inclement weather. Alumni were introduced at the break between the JV and Varsity games. A brief reception was held after the Varsity game, and everyone enjoyed visiting with old friends.

Thurmont-Almuni-bball

Alumni in attendance were: (kneeling) Donna Martin ’74, Denise Sanders Valentine ’79, Anne Umbel Benjamin ’72, Jenn Eyler Creeger ’02, Morgan Cole ’11, and Sarah Wastler ’05; (center) Carol Gearhart Long ’72, Samantha Valentine ’05; Jessica Valentine ’05; and Lindsay Benjamin Fuss ’98; (standing) Karen Stitely ’81, Liv Myers ’72, Loretta Stitely Stouter ’79, Karen and Long Cole ’75, Melissa Shaw Kinna ’96, Cyndi Benjamin Miller ’01, Vicky Seiss Troxell ’93, and Tina Boyd Reaver ’80.

Photo by Georgette Stitely

 

2016 Mid-Maryland Jayvee “A” League Champion Catoctin Cougars

Catoctin won its first-ever League tournament championship, taking jayvee honors in the “A” championships. This is the first time in the history of Mid-Maryland Basketball that a Catoctin team has won the league championship tournament. They are very proud of their players.

DSC_0834-003

2016 Mid-Maryland Jayvee “A” League Tournament Champion Catoctin Cougars: (back row) Coach Jim Weddle, Aiden Shadle, Josh Maze, Bryson Caballero, Chase Bowers, Connor Kock, Bryant Palmer, Mason Albright, Coach Brian Burdette; (front row) Zach Whitmore, Dylan Click, Garrett Malachowski, Tommy Fitzgerald, Ethan Burdette, Garrett Mayhew, and Coach Darryl Dextrauder.

Catoctin MYBA U12 Girls Team Finishes Sucessful Season

The Catoctin MYBA U12 Girls Basketball team finished a very successful season, winning the championship.

Catoctin-MYBA-U12-Girls-Cha

Pictured from left are: (back row) Coach Jenn Cregger, who has been volunteering/coaching for CYA Girls Basketball for the past thirteen years; Hailie Dawson, Brynn Shank, Katie Glass, Assistant Coach Brian Glass; (middle row) Mackenzie Thompson, Jaz Weedon, Liza Morgan, Jenna Zentz, Corinn Gregory, Anna Belluomo; (bottom row) Dakota Fitzpatrick, Reese Fox, and Allison Brawner.

Catoctin High School Softball to Hold Crab Cake Dinner

The Catoctin High School (CHS) Softball Team will hold a Crab Cake Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the American Legion in Thurmont, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner will include two crab cakes (a Vigilant Hose Company specialty), baked potato, green beans, coleslaw, roll, drink, and your choice of a dessert. The cost is $15.00 per dinner (eat in or carryout). You can purchase tickets from any CHS softball player or call Coach Jess at 301-788-0976 to hold your tickets at the door. All remaining tickets will be sold at the door until dinners are sold out.

10U Catoctin Baseball Club Claims the Tournament Championship

The 10U Catoctin Baseball Club (CBC) traveled to the Durham, North Carolina, metropolitan area over the weekend of March 18-20, 2016, and were named the Champions of the AAU Super Regional tournament, outscoring their opponents 53-25 over five games.

Over the course of two days, the 10U CBC went five wins and zero losses, competing against teams from Virginia and North Carolina, to claim the tournament championship. One of the highlights of the tournament came in the semi-final round with CBC trailing Elon Phoenix Baseball Club. Down 5-0, Joe McMannis belted a grand slam to put the game in reach. In the bottom of the last inning, Brad Butts singled to tie the game up, and Peyton Castellow’s “walk off” single clinched the game for CBC. Catoctin Baseball Club went on to beat 4G3 Baseball Academy (Greensboro, NC) 17-9 in the championship final.

10U-Catoctin-Baseball-Club

Pictured from left are: (top row) Brad Butts, Dominic Moats, Joe McMannis, Braden Manning, Garrett Worth, Ajonte Bullock, Caden Diggs; (bottom row) Danny Orr, Peyton Castellow, D.J. Shipton, and Donovan Baker.

Catoctin Youth Association’s Sharks Basketball Team Finishes a Great Season and Gives Back to Community

de Catoctin Youth Association (CYA) Rec Basketball team, the Sharks!  This season, they focused on learning basketball fundamentals; being coachable; and most importantly, teamwork.

The team celebrated their last practice by bringing in non-perishable food items to donate to the Thurmont Food Bank. These young people have learned that they can bring teamwork outside of the court and into their community. CYA would like to thank the Sharks’ players and their parents for all of their support.

CYA-Sharks

Pictured are: (back row) Keelm Dove, Zachary Kerr, Chance Dove, Josh Deyton, and Ethan Williams; (front row) Simon Burrier, Zachary Williams, Carson Fry, Gavin Horn, and Jake Miller.

Thurmont Little League Celebrates 65 Years of Baseball in 2016

By On · Add Comment · In Sports News

65th-Seasons-of-Baseball-CoIn the spring of 2016, Thurmont Little League (TLL) will be celebrating its 65th season of baseball. To help celebrate this exciting year of baseball, they asked their TLL families to share with them in ten words or less: “What Does Thurmont Little League Mean to You?” Below is what they had to say.

“Pretty much life, because I love baseball.” —Bryont Green, player.

“Friends, family, mentors, teachers, role models . . . all wrapped into one.” — Dylan and Tracey Jessee, player and parent.

“Seeing the development of all the kids over the years.” —Jason Moore, coach.

“TLL provides the invaluable opportunity for family and friends to nurture a sense of pride, commitment, and community.” —Mark and Tammy Tingler, coach and parent.

“TLL is a place where kid’s dreams can come true.” —Melissa Kinna, parent.

“Lots of fun enjoying the excitement of baseball.” —Aiden Mayne, player.

“It represents my community and that makes me want to do my best.” —Matthew Tingler, player.

“TLL has made me realize how fun baseball is!” —Justin Mehall, player.

“Smiles on the kids’ faces when friends compete against each other.” —Jen Moore, parent.

“I love baseball and making new friends. It makes me happy.” —Brady Davis, player.

“The best place to play baseball.” —Wyatt Kinna.

“Learning skills while making lifetime memories with friends.” —Trish Hahn, parent.

“Meeting new friends and making good memories.” —Nate Marsh, player.

“TLL is community: fun, friends, and baseball family in a small town!” —Kate Gray, player.

“I like the life lessons and memories being made.” —Karen Morris, parent.

“Learning and growing to be the best I can be.” —Jordan Moore, player.

“Making memories with friends while sharing the love of the game.” —Stacey Mayne, parent.

“Great opportunity to interact with other families in our community.” —Erik and Laura Krauss, coach and parent.

“An organization that has made Thurmont feel like home for our family.” —Kathleen Davis, parent.

“I love TLL because I love to play baseball.” —Colton Gray, player.

“…the boys are all so supportive of each other. I think that says a lot about our program.” —Cara McMannis, parent.

“I like the growth by the league and what it’s done for my boys.” —Phil Morris, coach.

“It’s not just baseball; it’s learning character and building life lessons.” —Layla Watkins, parent.

“Forming great relationships with people in our community.” —Dana Marsh, parent.

“Being with friends and it’s just plain fun.” —Payton Morris, player.

“In today’s busy, high tech world, it’s simplicity and tradition.” —Heather Burke, parent.

“TLL means being part of One Big Family.” —Dawn Cevario, parent.

“…it is not just about learning a sport, but learning about patience, consistency, and respect for others.” —Dave Shipton, coach.

“Inspires you to reach your goals.” – Gavin Watkins, player.

“Great opportunity for young children in the community to have fun.” —Dawn Fisher, parent.

“It means family, friendship, fun, sportsmanship and our home away from home.”—Kara Castellow, parent.

“TLL is learning about baseball and getting the chance to play baseball with your friends.” —Matin Donnelly, player.

“TLL is where memories are made, players become friends, and coaches become kids again.” — Ryan and Tammy Ferrell, parents and coach.

“TLL is our home away from home.” —Lisa Lowry, parent.

“Everything; it is good!” —Evan Morris, player.

“The place where you have fun.” —Ben Krauss, player.

“TLL has helped me learn the game and have FUN through some tough years of my life.” —Noland Kinna, player.

“Class act organization and very rewarding to coach and see youth grow on and off the field.” —Craig Mayne, coach.

“Competitive, fun, and I get to play with my friends.” —Dylan Wangness, player.

“Good friends, having fun, enjoying the game, and making memories.” —Debbi Burke, parent.

“Fun, baseball, teamwork, and friends.” —Peyton Castellow, player.

“TLL means having a place to spend countless hours with my son.” —Brent Reynolds, coach.

“TLL means being able to have fun and play a game of baseball with my friends.” —Kyleigh Donnelly, player.

“Fun environment to learn and share with kids and adults.” —Wayne Watkins, coach.

“Community, friendships, and family, all rolled up into one. The experience is UNRIVALED.” —Ed Lowry, coach and president.

“Playing the game I love with my friends.” —Dylan “Pip” Cevario, player.

“Family friendly and fun for the whole family.” —Kiley Gray, parent.

“TLL has been a great experience for our family…it’s been about being part of a community that comes together and forms lasting friendships.” —Brooke Kovalcik, parent.

“Concession stand, friends, games, wall ball, and playing around.” —Keiten Castellow, player.

“At TLL, my boys have fallen in love with the game of baseball, built friendships, and have learned the meaning of being part of a community.” —Nick Kinna, parent.

“TLL is the best place to run the bases with friends.”—Mason Ferrell, player.

“Baseball, friends, small town community, coaching, life-long lessons, memories.” —Tim Castellow, coach.

“TLL is a place where the community comes together to support the movement of children learning about baseball and developing and maintaining lifelong friendships.” —Missy Donnelly, parent.

“TLL means… Learning America’s pastime from a great bunch of volunteers!” —Blaine Young, volunteer.

 

Registration for the TLL 2016 spring season is NOW OPEN until Tuesday March 1, 2016. Online registration is available at their website at www.TLLbaseball.com. Players for Thurmont, Sabillasville, Emmitsburg, Rocky Ridge, Woodsboro, Taneytown, and Union Bridge are welcome to register.

Come be a part of the Little League experience. All games are played in-house at the Thurmont Little League Complex, which provides families the convenience of not having to travel around the county during school nights for games.

The TLL is looking forward to seeing your player on the Little League Ball Fields. Feel free to call Ed Lowry with questions at 267-664-5059 or email thurmontbaseball@hotmail.com.