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ALTOONA – They clutched the gold medals around their necks as though they were priceless treasures.
In truth, they are.
“I’m wearing this to graduation,” senior Robbie Zinsmeister said after North Penn’s 3-1 win over Parkland to capture the PIAA Class AAAA state title. “It’s doesn’t get much better than this.”“I’m wearing it for seven days,” senior Scott Christy said. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
The Class of ‘09 will forever be remembered as the class that brought home the gold to North Penn High school.
This year’s senior class – 13 all told – provided the nucleus of the baseball program’s first ever state championship squad.
“I’m really happy for these seniors,” junior Mark Grassie said “It’s a senior-heavy team, and these guys have earned it. I’m glad we could get them a state championship before they leave. They’re the heart and soul of this team.
“Kids like Steve Dale – he might not get in, but he’s still on the bench, riding us hard out there and giving us motivation.”
Christy, Zinsmeister, Eric Ruth, Mike Bradstreet, Matt Albaugh, Jake Dunn, Justin Davey and Christian Radick are familiar names to fans of North Penn softball. Steve Dale, Andrew Ball, Jake Leidy, Brian Palm and Greg Fasick are not.
That does not diminish their importance.
“It’s like a very big puzzle,” Knight coach Bob McCreary said. “Sometimes the Robbie Zinsmeisters, Eric Ruths and Scott Christys take up a big piece of the puzzle, but it’s not complete until you fill in every piece.
“Every kid on the team has a role. They didn’t pout, they were positive, they were supportive of everybody, and when they got a chance to get in there, they did the best they could.
“Working hard in practice keeps my starters in line. They know that if they don’t do well, those guys are right behind them. Their contribution is immeasurable.”
Those contributions are not overlooked by their teammates.
“They’re so supportive,” Christy said. “Every game they’re up there cheering us on even though they don’t get a lot of innings, and it shows a lot of pride.”
“They do a great job of backing us up, giving us reps and not saying anything if they’re not getting as many,” Davey said.
“They’re just as big a part of the team as everyone else,” Zinsmeister said.
What exactly made this team so special?
“I really think the friendship between everybody,” Palm said. “The starting lineup almost all lives on the same street. One of them will make an out, and they’ll yell at each other. The next minute they’re joking and laughing about it. It’s like a brotherhood out there.
“It’s unbelievable. I have never been part of a team that’s such close friends. We have all been playing together over the years at Hatfield and Nor-Gwyn, and we have known each other forever.
“To end our senior year like this, it’s a perfect ending.”
The close bond the players share may have something to do with the Knights’ ability to rebound from a 5-5 start.
“Everybody is really close,” Davey said. “When we were going through the hard times, we all knew what we could accomplish.
“We had to relax and not let the fact that we lost a couple of games early get to us. We just had to work hard at practice and start stringing hits together, and everything would follow through for us.”
The Knights won 14 of 15 games to close out their season.
“It’s such a winning atmosphere,” Palm said. “And just to be part of it – if I get called on, I’m ready.
“I’m not going anywhere personally with baseball, but just to be a part of this team is a lot of fun for me.”
The back-ups recognize their roles are decidedly different than those of the regulars.
“We just keep the morale up, keep everybody going, keep everybody up and be ready if we need to go in,” Dale said.
Dale looked down at the gold medal draped around his neck.
“It’s worth it,” he said. “It’s worth every minute just being here with all these guys.
“It’s great people, a great team and great players. Words can’t describe it. It’s awesome. It’s the best feeling in the world right now.”
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