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Valley News Dispatch

Fan's vision took youth baseball global

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Erica Dietz | Valley News Dispatch
Freeport International Baseball Invitational founder Sonny Westerman, who died June 30, will be honored Thursday during the Old-Timers game thatÕs named after him.
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Ralph A. “Sonny” Westerman, Jr.
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Sonny Westerman

With the 1994 District 26 Little League Tournament of Champions finals being played at downtown Freeport's Swartz Memorial Field, Ralph A. “Sonny” Westerman, Jr. talked about an idea he had.

Westerman wanted to see a baseball tournament where teams could be brought in from the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. But there would be no brackets, no championship banners, no trophies.

Just baseball.

While some within an earshot might have been skeptical, by the time the following summer came around, the Freeport International Baseball Invitational was up and running.

It's turned out to be the crowning achievement of Sonny's relationship with the sport.

Westerman, who coached baseball on the scholastic, American Legion, adult and community youth levels for over 50 years, died at his home late Friday, June 30, 2017.

He was 88.

While planning for this year's 23nd renewal of the invitational, slated for July 18-22, goes on, the week of diamond fellowship won't be the same without Westerman's presence.

“I don't want to remember how he died, but, instead, how he lived,” said Chuck Sarver, who took over as Invitational chair when Westerman stepped down several years ago.

The International has featured teams from Japan, Australia, The Netherlands, Israel and Russia – to name a few.

This year's event will bring in two players from Hungary for the first time.

Before the International, Westerman was best known for his association with American Legion baseball.

He chaired the Armstrong and Westmoreland county divisions. He was instrumental in bringing in the state Legion championships to Freeport, particularly in 1972 when Springdale won the state title. A number of Legion regionals were also held at Freeport.

Westerman's 1970 Freeport Legion team finished fourth in the state.

Family friend and former player, Al Yates, spoke at Monday's funeral service at Freeport United Presbyterian Church.

“They say there's no ‘I' in team, there's no ‘I' in Sonny Westerman,” Yates said. “He was a wise counsel to many people, players, coaches – and even some umpires.”

Few realize that Westerman didn't play high school baseball at Freeport. He was too busy helping his father at Westerman's Feed & Garden Center.

Westerman quit school during his senior year of 1946 and joined the Navy. After his discharge, he married his childhood, sweetheart, Marilyn. The couple had four children and celebrated their 69th anniversary in January.

By 24, Westerman had taken over the family business.

Yates related a story from a former feed store employee.

With a number of immigrants from Poland, Slovakia and Italy populating Freeport at the time, many had trouble communicating and speaking English.

Westerman insisted on “letting these people have their dignity. If they ask for a dozen of something, give them one or two more. If farmers had trouble with math figuring out their bill, you give them a hand.”

Starting in 1972, Westerman later operated Westerman's True Value Hardware in Buffalo Township.

He spent countless hours dragging and manicuring the diamond at the Freeport field, easily recognizable in his olive green work shirt and trousers — the outfit he was buried in Monday at Sarverville Cemetery, Buffalo Township.

George Guido is a freelance writer.