Baseball, Catholicism are a perfect match for Monarchs coach, player |
 |
 |
|
Written by CARY ASHBY, Special to the Chronicle
|
|
Monday, 19 May 2008 15:10 |
BOWLING GREEN—For Charles Gerdes, being the first-year coach of the Lake Erie Monarchs combines the two things he loves the most — being Catholic and playing baseball.
“I love being Catholic. God is the most important thing in my life. Baseball is something I’ve enjoyed since I was a little kid. Being able to wrap the two together is a dream come true,” he says.
 |
The Lake Erie Monarchs, a ministry of Catholic Athletes for Christ,
play a game in Alaska in 2005. (Photo courtesy of Jim DeSana) |
The Monarchs are an active ministry of Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC), which is based in Alexandria, Va. This is its first year affiliated with CAC. The team, one of 11 in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, is operated by an all-volunteer board of local Catholics and baseball enthusiasts.
Mr. Gerdes became involved with the Monarchs after being approached by a priest at his alma mater, St. Leo University, where he played middle infield and catcher. CAC President Ray McKenna asked Mr. Gerdes about running baseball camps for youth. Before Thanksgiving, Mr. Gerdes met Monarchs General Manager and President Jim DeSana by telephone during a round table discussion about CAC’s future.
The GM wanted Mr. Gerdes to apply to be the coach; the two-year Central Florida Summer Collegiate League player snagged the job in December.
Besides being the main league contact, Mr. DeSana is also the liaison to the college coaches who place players on the Monarchs from their schools. He helps recruit the team and organize the schedule.
Mr. DeSana, who is in his eighth year as the head baseball coach at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central High School, has always wanted to be involved in Catholic sports ministry.
“The Catholic Athletes for Christ were excited about the opportunity to move into summer collegiate baseball. We made the decision to establish the Monarchs in Northwest Ohio as a distinctly Catholic organization. Our corporate address is in Perrysburg, but our operational home is Bowling Green,” he says.
Monarchs player Tim Corbey sees his involvement as a way to be a better role model and build more character as a follower of Christ in a competitive baseball atmosphere. The 19-year-old University of Dayton (UD) baseball player graduated from St. John’s Jesuit High School in May 2007.
“I chose to get involved with the Monarchs because it is the perfect environment to mold my Catholic character, in combination with my baseball skills, through top-of-the-line coaching,” says the marketing and entrepreneurship double major. “The decision was an easy one. Through the Monarchs, I can be a Catholic leader in the community through service and performance on the field.”
The Monarchs have 28 players on its roster; usually more than 90 percent of the players are Catholic. Nine players are from the greater metropolitan Toledo area. Six are from Michigan and one is from Venezuela.
“Our goal is to eventually have players from all over the United States,” Mr. DeSana says.
Most, if not all, of the players are recommended by their college coach. A player questionnaire and interview process help determine the interest level.
“We specifically pick each player,” Mr. Gerdes explains. “We have their background. … All these things are very important.”
Mr. Corbey says the most appealing thing about being a Monarch is having the opportunity to represent Christ on and off the field through his actions as a player and serving the community.
“Those opportunities helped me make my decision to be a part of such a wonderful organization,” the UD student says. “Also, the opportunity to showcase our talents in front of Major League scouts makes the Monarchs equally as appealing.”
Mr. DeSana says CAC’s mission is to serve Catholic athletes in practicing their faith and sharing the Gospel in and through sports.
Being on a Catholic team doesn’t impact the way Mr. Gerdes coaches. For the last three years, he has been a St. Leo assistant coach handling infielders and hitters.
“I still want to win games. I want to help the kids get to the next level,” Mr. Gerdes says. “Dealing with loss and winning, faith helps all that.”
Mr. DeSana says there is a unique, common bond among the players — being Catholic and brothers in Christ.
“Another big difference is we pray before and after every game. God rarely enters into the picture on a secular team. In addition, we provide opportunities for the players to be witnesses to the local Catholic community and the community at large,” he says.
Games begin June 12 and regular season ends Aug. 2. The Monarchs play their home games at Steller Field at Bowling Green State University. There will be an opening Mass at Bowling Green St. Thomas More University Parish June 12.
----
For more information on The Monarchs or Catholic Athletes for Christ, visit www.monarchsonline.com or www.catholicathletesforchrist.com.
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 28 July 2008 08:47 |
