Thomas Rich would have loved to see Jack Widman play baseball at St. Joseph Central Catholic’s Naderer Sports Complex.
Rich approached Pete Naderer hoping to buy the land with a diamond in mind. Instead, Naderer donated much more, and the complex was built in 2004.
Widman, who is Rich’s great grandson, earned the victory on the mound for visiting Lakota against the Crimson Streaks in a 9-2 win for the Raiders. Widman probably wouldn’t have been there if not for Rich.
“My great grandpa was one of the founders,” the Lakota senior said. “I didn’t really get to know him too well; he died when I was really young. To pitch for his memory, he’s looking down on me. It’s really special.”
Rich, who graduated from SJCC in 1944 and died in 2014, always loved baseball and the Crimson Streaks. Rich, Naderer and Pete Bush formed the 300 Club to raise funds for the project, and Rich even helped with the electrical/wiring.
SJCC graduate Kevin Wammes is Widman’s uncle. Widman has been a varsity pitcher the last three years, but his turn never coincided with a trip to Fremont.
Widman, who was second-team in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division the last two seasons, walked with the bases loaded in the first inning against SJCC. He walked four times overall, scored twice and was 0-for-1 at the plate, including a full-count strikeout.
“I haven’t been hitting well lately. Be able to pitch and get wins for the team on the mound, that’s been my job,” he said. “Getting outs. Throwing strikes. Trusting my defense. That’s what I try to do on the mound. Not walk anybody. Get outs like that.”
Widman was also on the mound for wins over Hopewell-Loudon and Woodmore in the SBC River Division this year. He pitched in wins over Tiffin Calvert, Hopewell-Loudon and Gibsonburg last season.
“We’re 8-2, undefeated in the league,” he said. “We’re going to try to keep it going. Obviously, the goals are to win the league. It’s going to be tough; we’ve got Calvert. We’re going to keep trying to find ways to win as a team.”
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Lakota’s Jack Widman gets to play on field with family connections
Reporting by Doug HIse, Special to News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
