The Youngstown State Baseball program's annual First Pitch Breakfast proved to be another huge success as Hall of Famer Andre Dawson and long-time Major League Baseball umpire Brian O'Nora were the featured speakers on Saturday at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.
Once again optimism is high for the Penguins as they start the season with four games next weekend in North Carolina playing Illinois and Wake Forest twice each to open the campaign.
Head Coach Dan Bertolini said he is overwhelmed by the support of the community and he started by thanking a multitude of personnel who make the event possible. Bertolini introduced his coaching staff and recognized a group of 10 seniors for their commitment to the program. These individuals are the backbone of the program and their experience and leadership and how they go about their business will be a huge part on why our young players will have success this season, he said.
He touted the program's academic success this past season and mentioned how the team has made great strides on the field the past few seasons.
Events like the breakfast help support the programs early season trips which this year go to Winston-Salem, N.C., Memphis, Tenn., Waco, Texas and Manhattan, Kan., for YSU to play teams from the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 and American Athletic Conference. Nearly $30,000 was raised during the event through auctions and other sales.
He thanked the Penguin Club for its gracious support and said it might be eight degrees outside, but it's always 75 and sunny in the WATTS.
O'Nora, a graduate of nearby Austintown Fitch High School, will be starting his 27th year in Major League Baseball this spring. He made his umpire debut in the Big Leagues on August 2, 1991. He thanked local long-time baseball supporter John Mang for being a big influence in his career.
O'Nora didn't become an umpire until attending Joe Brinkman's Umpiring School and he said that gave him a big advantage because he was taught the right way and didn't have any bad habits from working prior baseball games.
After acknowledging that Pittsburgh and Seattle were two of his favorite spots to work, it was pointed out by Bertolini that O'Nora was the home plate umpire this past year in Toronto when Aaron Judge hit his 61st homer of the season to tie Roger Maris American League record.
During the seventh-inning at bat, Judge faced a 2-2 count and O'Nora called ball three on a borderline lower pitch. With the count 3-2, Judge belted the home run much to the dismay of the Blue Jays' pitcher. The same pitcher returned to the mound for the top of eighth inning and let O'Nora know that in fact, the pitch was a ball and he made the correct call. He said usually when a call is missed, that almost always leads to a scoring play and for an umpire that's the worst feeling in the world.
He also discussed some of the upcoming rule changes for the 2023 MLB season that are meant to quicken the pace of play, which he approves of. A pitch clock of 15-20 seconds will be used depending on the situation. Batters have to be ready to go in the box by the nine-second mark. Bigger bases will be added for the first time and a new rule that limits pick-off attempts at first to two tries or an out-or-balk situation occurs on the third attempt.
Dawson kept it light-hearted at the start explaining that his wife told him to follow the 5'B's of speaking – Be brief brother be brief, which got a good laugh from the audience.
The current Florida resident said it was his first visit to Youngstown. He recalled playing in Pittsburgh he had some distant relatives from Youngstown visit him at old Three Rivers Stadium, but said they didn't reach out to him this time around.
He said he admired the current Penguins baseball student-athletes because it takes special people to go out and do your best when the weather isn't great. He played in some tough early-season weather conditions during his career in Montreal and Chicago.
At this level they've worked their butts off and grasped the game for what it is. But he also said education should be first and foremost because that will help set the tone for you later in life. He also said don't let someone tell you that you can't accomplish something. If you are given the opportunity and, have the ability that great things can be achieved.
Dawson's baseball career got on track because of an injury he suffered playing high school football. He made the final three during a Kansas City Royals area tryout and caught the eye of a college scout.
He turned that advice into becoming a collegiate student-athlete at Florida A&M where he played three years before getting drafted to the Major Leagues.
To keep playing baseball, Dawson had to endure 12 knee surgeries. He always kept working hard and was proud to give the uniform back in his final season as opposed to having it taken away.
He said he wouldn't change anything of how his career went and the thing he got most out of his playing career were relationships.
Dawson talked about the good times he had in Chicago and mentioned great teammates like Greg Maddox, Shawon Dunston, Rick Sutcliffe and others. He enjoyed getting to be around Harry Carey and baseball legend Don Zimmer.
During the Q&A with the fans he told the audience about the day he received the call to Cooperstown to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame among other fun stories that the crowd enjoyed.
