11 enter Tri-County League's Hall of Fame

By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call

 

As the first player to be inducted into both the Tri-County League and Blue Mountain League halls of fame, Ishky Fatzinger was asked if he was shooting for a hall of fame hat trick.

"Well," he said. "I am thinking of coming back and playing in the Penn-Jersey League next year."

Fatzinger was one of 11 new inductees placed into the Tri-Co Hall of Fame at the West End Youth Center on Saturday night as the amateur baseball circuit held its annual banquet to honor the stars of the present and past.

Joining Fatzinger as new inductees were Dave Erb, Sam Kilian, Stanley "Tuby" Seifert, Joe and Rich Siwak and Jackie Smith from the Tri-Co's original era (1950-63), and Kevin Mackey, Larry Miller and Don Rosenberger Jr., were chosen from the modern era (1964-present).

Umpire Fred Polash was also honored, bringing the Hall of Fame membership to 76.

Fatzinger played 20 years in both the BML and the Tri-Co and said his 20 years in the latter were special because they were from 1975- 96 when "I was playingwhen I wasn't supposed to be playing."

But Fatzinger played well for any age in his second amateur baseball stint. In 1990, at the age of 53, he hit .371. As a manager, he had just one losing season in 20 years and won five championships.

"In 1987 when I was inducted into the Blue Mountain League Hall of Fame it was a big moment and very special," Fatzinger said. "Coming at this stage of my life, this means somewhat more.

"To be the only player inducted into both leagues hall of fame (umpires Steve Michael, Steve Majczan and manager Bert Tarboro were also selected to both) is a thrill I can't describe."

Erb played in Bally from 1960-68 and helped that team win titles in 1965 and '66. A versatile player who could play any position, Erb was also 3-1 as a pitcher in 1965 when he batted .341. In '67, he hit .405 and finished with a lifetime batting mark of .384.

Kilian played from 1958-70 for Bingen and Salisbury. A fine outfielder with a strong throwing arm, he batted a career-best .347 in 1962. He never batted less than .300 and finished with a career mark of .329.

Smith was a standout rightfielder for Gabelsville from 1953-70 and helped that team to nothing but first and second-place finishes. Smith batted .323 in '68, helping the Owls go 14-0. He finished with a lifetime mark of .296.

Tri-Co historian Bob Ravier called the late Seifert a "ballplayer's ballplayer." Seifert played for Spring Valley from just after World War II through 1956. His teams won titles in '48, '55 and '56. Seifert, who will be remembered in a memorial service at Spring Valley today beginning at 1 p.m., was a good contact hitter and possessed a strong arm.

Dick Siwak played with Quakertown and Richlandtown from 1962 through '72. A catcher with a good glove, a solid bat and excellent speed, Siwak never batted under .340 in his career and won the batting title in '70 with an amazing mark of .532. He helped Quakertown win one title and finished with a career batting mark of .468.

Joe Siwak is Dick's older brother and also played for Quakertown and Richlandtown from '61 to '72. A solid first baseman, Siwak batted .314 in 1970 when Quakertown won a league crown. Siwak was instrumental in bringing Quakertown back to the Tri-Co in 1970 after the team left the league in 1964.

Mackey pitched for Gilbertsville for 14 years, finishing with a record of 77-20, 267 strikeouts and an ERA of just over 3.00. From 1984-86, he was almost untouchable with a mark of 28-5. His best year was '84 when he was 14-2 overall with three saves, pitching in 23 of the Rangers' 35 games.

Miller had a solid 19-year career in the Tri-Co, compiling 386 career hits, 221 RBIs and 26 home runs in 1,287 at-bats. His best year was 1984 when he hit .370 and drove in 28 runs.

Rosenberger Jr. pitched for mostly losing teams. He remained a workhorse for his father's Old Zionsville and Milford clubs. In 13 years, he compiled a mark of 46-60 with 346 strikeouts. His best years were 1988 and '89 when he was 8-4 and 8-5, respectively.

Polash becomes the third umpire elected to the Tri-Co Hall of Fame, joining Michael and Majczan. Polash said he missed the game and the interaction with the players. He commended the sportsmanship the majority of the Tri-Co players showed over the years.

"I only ever had to throw a few guys out over the years," he said. "Most of the guys played the game with class."



keith.groller@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- August 30, 1998

Copyright © 1998, The Morning Call