THE FIGHTING 63RD

The Ottawa Area Chamber Of Commerce and American Legion Post 63 would like to thank and congratulate everyone who helped make the recent Ottawa Food Pantry Fundraiser and Ohio Village Muffin’s visit a success.

Congratulations  to the Tawa Town Gents, Glandorf St Johns Parish, Kalida St Michael Holy Name Society and Parish, Ottawa Presbyterian Church Parish, Ottawa Legion Baseball players and parents,  New Creation Lutheran  Youth Group, Putnam County YMCA youth, Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Trinity United Methodist Youth Group, VFW Post 9142, The Village Idiots Band,  Village of Ottawa, The 175^th Anniversary Steering Committee, 106.3 FM The Fox, The Putnam County Sentinel, Putnam Voice, and ZSportslive.com.

 We salute all the local organizations and businesses who donated prizes, and all of the individuals who bought or sold tickets! Thanks to your efforts and support over $3600.00 was raised for our local Ottawa Area Food Pantry.

When it comes to charity, Americans have historically been the most generous people in the world.  This is one of many things that have always distinguished us. It is our American heritage.

We urge everyone to continue supporting the Ottawa Food Pantry.

 Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce

 Ottawa Legion Baseball

From Putnam Voice/Lima News  October 26, 2009 

OTTAWA - Last spring, Ottawa Legion Baseball and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the Ohio Village Muffins would visit Ottawa’s Memorial Field on Sunday, October 11. The Muffins would play a squad of local celebrity ‘gentlemen’ in a baseball matching using the rules of 1862, the same year that the local post office official adopted the name of Ottawa. The event was planned to be a part of the 175th anniversary celebration of the Village of Ottawa and would raise funds for the Ottawa Food Pantry.Over 25 local businesses donated prizes for raffle tickets that sold for $5 each. Beginning the end of May, Ottawa Legion players began offering the tickets for sale, with proceeds being immediately donated to the charity. The players raised a total of $955. Soon after that other individuals joined the effort and donations to the Food Pantry reached $2,655 by the first of October.The event on October 11 brought in over $900 which brings the final total given to the Food Pantry at $3,615.

Picture below L-R....Post 63 Commander Dave Yoder; Sandi Racer, Ottawa Food Pantry; Mary Jo Bockrath, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Dave Kersh, Ottawa Legion Baseball Manager.

“Austin Blaski personifies the type of player that makes coaching American Legion Baseball fun and rewarding. He worked hard,  never missed a game all season, and he never complained.”   Fighting 63rd Head Coach Gene Stechschulte.Jr

Ottawa Legion Baseball has announced that Austin Blaski has earned the "Go The Distance Award." In 2001 Ottawa Legion Baseball established the award to "recognize outstanding individual achievement on the field -- and also leadership through exceptional commitment to the team, and winning." Blaski is a 2008 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School and is beginning his second year attending Marietta College where he plays baseball.

This award is not handed out annually, but only when it is apparent that a player has Gone The Distance -- above and beyond the call, in his commitment, loyalty, and demeanor -- on and off the field of play. Past winners include Todd Schumaker and Tony Ball in 2001, Marty Baird in 2005, and Ross Guisinger in 2007.

In 41 games this summer Blaski hit .406 and led the team with 15 stolen bases and 6 homeruns. Austin also had the most doubles and triples, and drove in an amazing 48 runs – the most by a Post 63 player in at least 15 years. On the mound he was 5-3 with an ERA of 2.71. Blaski struck out 64 batters in 49 innings of work.

 Blaski received the award at the annual Ottawa Legion Baseball picnic prior to the District All-Star game at Memorial Field. Head Coach Gene Stechschulte, Jr praised Blaski for his commitment and demeanor. “Austin Blaski personifies the type of player that makes coaching American Legion Baseball fun and rewarding. He worked hard,  never missed a game all season, and he never complained.” 

Fighting 63rd RHP Trent Haughn is headed to D-1 University of Dayton to play baseball for the Flyers. The 2009 graduate of Ottawa-Glandorf High School got the phone call from the Flyers Associate Head Coach Todd Linklatter on Monday. Linklatter had watched Haughn pitch against Toledo last week on the recommendation of Ottawa Legion Head Coach Gene Stechschulte, Jr.

 The defending Atlantic 10 regular season champion Flyers will begin the 2010 season on February 19th on the road at Wake Forest. This is the second year in a row that a Post 63 pitcher has advanced to D-1 baseball -- last year Ft Jennings HS grad Ross Gerdeman made the grade at BGSU. 

Former Ottawa Legion Baseball players Ross Gerdeman and Marty Baird are now teammates on the BGSU Falcon squad. 

Freshman RHP Ross Gerdeman, now featuring an 88mph fastball and a wicked slider, has broken into the starting rotation. Gerdeman, who is a product of Ft Jennings HS, played for the Fighting 63RD under coach Gene Stechschulte Jr in 2007 and 2008. Ross is the son of Mike and Sandy Gerdeman.

Senior RHP-OF-INF Marty Baird is in his fourth season with the Falcons. Marty is a career .265 hitter in MAC play and has also contributed on the mound, both as a starter and reliever. Baird played for Ottawa under coach Ted Miller in 2002-2005. In his four years with the Fighting 63RD the 'Iron Man' never missed a game -- playing in 150 straight. Marty graduated from Van Buren High School and is the son of Mike and Amy Baird.

 In 2005 Marty was awarded Post 63's Go The Distance Award for his contributions to Ottawa Legion Baseball--on and off the field.

Post 63 salutes Ross Gerdeman and Marty Baird -- who like former Ottawa Legion alumni Bill Burgei, Aric Christman, and Craig Menke -- have advanced play D-1 baseball at BGSU.

To follow Marty and Ross this season click on the link below...

http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/bgu-m-basebl-body.html