The Waynedale News

Oh no! Not in Fort Wayne. Baseball was the highlight of the evening on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Classic Café Event Center where several people associated with the sport were honored. Over a hundred baseball enthusiasts were in attendance at the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association banquet, when retired Major League players Rob Bowen and Ben VanRyn were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with well-known sportswriter Steve Warden (Journal Gazette/News-Sentinel).

Rob Bowen began his baseball days playing on the Times Corner Little League diamonds for the Aboite Braves. He graduated from Homestead in 1999 and began playing in 2003 with Minnesota Twins, then moved on to San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A's and the Chicago Cubs during his five year 'big' league career as catcher. Now 30 years old, Rob is a police officer living outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Accepting the award for Rob was Caleb Kimmel, who was speaking on behalf of his childhood buddy.

Ben VanRyn positioned himself as pitcher starting in 1990 with the Chicago Cubs, and then California Angels, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. He not only played in the major leagues but also in the Olympics and Puerto Rico. Ben grew up in the East Noble area, currently lives in San Antonio, Texas enjoying the profession of teaching.

"Steve Warden goes out of his way for high school sports," commented NEIBA President Jim Shovlin on Warden's 40-plus years of covering local sports. In 1999, Warden was honored with the Bob Parker Memorial Award. This night he was placed into the Hall of Fame. "There are 4 instrumental men in the Fort Wayne area that are like the faces on Mount Rushmore...these men helped me gain the knowledge to write about sports." Warden went on to say, "I grew to love baseball because of these guys." He was talking of Bill Derbyshire, Jack Massucci, Chris Stavreti and Bill Jones. Another inspirational man in Warden's life was his dad. "Find something you love to do," his dad told him growing up. "And I did! I absolutely love writing," said the sportswriter.

Celebrating baseball, special awards were presented to current Wildcat Baseball League official Jack Massucci and News-Sentinel assistant sports editor, doing the box scores, Don Converset.

Jack Massucci received the Colin Lister award. Mr. Massucci was a coach for Concordia High School for 34 years. He coached not only baseball, but also football, basketball and wrestling. Jack was recognized for his exemplary dedication to the game of baseball through maintaining the integrity of the game. Massucci is known as a legend in Northeast Indiana Baseball, as he truly promotes the sport. "He has been known to teach in 30 minutes how to pitch a baseball and pitch those strikes!"

Converset was recognized and received the distinguished Bob Parker Memorial Award. This award is given to any individual who promotes the game through media relations, marketing or artwork, similar to the manner that Bob Parker did. Don played baseball at Bishop Luers High School. His record, from 1975, a 25-game hitting streak, still stands.

And bringing home the winning run was keynote speaker ol' right-hander Ned Garver, who pitched for the Browns in 1948, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics and when Gene Autry owned the team he played for the California Angels during his 14-year major league career. Ned, talked about how lucky he was, he thought, back then, when he made $100 a month. Now 85 years old, Garver recalled his outstanding season, playing for a last place team. He was pitching for the St. Louis Browns in 1951 and compiled a 20-12 record. He said, "I was great! Considering the Browns lost 102 games that season."

Just like in the game of baseball there are 9 positions held in the former Fort Wayne Old Timers Baseball Association, currently known as the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association, with President-Jim Shovlin, VP Marketing-Jack Massucci, VP Hall of Fame-Parnell Hisner, VP Museum-Tim Kindler, Treasurer-Marge Graham, Secretary-Don Graham, and Board Members-Isabel 'Lefty' Alvarez, Dona Schaefer and Bill Derbyshire.