Wyalusing dedicates baseball field to Gene Salsman.
By: Brian Fees | Towanda Daily Review | April 28, 2016 | Photo courtesy Brian Fees
2016 NTL and District 4 News
WYALUSING — As a player, and a coach, few accomplished more than Gene Salsman.
For his success with the Wyalusing baseball program Salsman had the baseball field dedicated in his honor on Monday.
"It's unbelievably special," Salsman said. "It's really great, I can not believe how many people showed up."
In his coaching career Salsman won 475 games and 14 league titles, and helped guide the Rams to the 2008 PIAA Championship game.
A number of his former players, along with a large contingent of family and friends and former officials and coaches, were there to watch Salsman get honored.
"I am just glad I lived to see it," Salsman said.
The dedication took place before the Rams' loss to Athens, a game that featured a number of Salsman's family members. His son-in-law Dave Hitchcock is the current Wyalusing coach, while grandson Holdan plays for the Rams and another grandson, Brendon, coaches Athens.
"My grandpa has been a big part of my life since I was a little kid," Holdan said. "He basically raised me my first four years. I would go over there every day and ask him for toast and he'd make me his best toast."
Brendon was happy to see his grandfather honored.
"It's a tremendous honor, the day demonstrates the impact he had on so many lives as a teacher, and a coach, and a colleague and a member of the community here in Wyalusing," Brendon said. "As his grandson, who also coaches, I take a lot of what he did and am grateful to have played for him and had his mentorship. He respected the game and demanded respect from his players that they play the right way and that's something we try and establish in our program."
For Brendon it was special being part of the day.
"It's a special day to be a part of it and to have him honored this way," he said. "It was very nice, it was a special day for the whole family and a celebration for the community as well."
For Holdan being able to play in the game the day his grandfather was honored was special.
"It wouldn't be bad anyway, but I'm glad I get to still be playing baseball when it happens," he said.
Dave Hitchcock played for Salsman in the '80s and is happy to see his father-in-law, and former coach, recognized.
"I played on several of those teams in the early 80s, so for me I played on four of those championship teams they talked about and this was a special day for me as a family and as a coach," Hitchcock said. "To follow in those footsteps is pretty tough. I just hope I can live up to his legend."
Dave was happy to be coaching against his son on the day Salsman was honored.
"We choose this game for a reason, so Brendon could be here with Athens," Dave Hitchcock said. "It's kind of special."
Gene Salsman took over the Wyalusing baseball program in 1967 and coached until 2000 and players from different eras in his career were on hand, and he had former players speak about their coach.
While Logan and Preston Hitchcock never played for their grandpa like their brother Brendon did, they were both thrilled to be a part of Wednesday's events.
"It was pretty awesome," Logan said. "I have heard the stories of his mantra as a coach and how he was so respected. But, to see it in person, how many people showed up. I was a little worried. I was a little worried beforehand about how many people were going to be here, but to see how many people made it out and show what he meant to them, that was really special to me. Believe it or not, I was choking back some tears at one point."
Preston was glad to see his grandfather get honored.
"It's great, it's great to see this many people show up here," Preston said. "It just shows what kind of person he was. What kind of coach he was, and what he meant to everyone. I'm very proud of my grandfather. It's a great day, the weather is nice and I'm glad they did this while he's still alive so he can be a part of this.
"It's very cool how it all worked out. I'm glad everybody is able to be a part of it. I drove up from New York just to be a part of it, it's great. It's a great turnout, great weather, great people, it's fun."
After the speeches Preston and Gene Anne Woodruff presented a plaque to Gene Salsman. Then some of Woodruff's grandchildren unveiled the sign that will be displayed in the outfield. Logan then sang the national anthem, before Salsman threw out the first pitch to Holdan.
With the sign in front of the pitchers mound Salsman threw from in front of the plate to Holdan.
"My mind says I can do it, but my body doesn't agree," Salsman said. "You can't imagine how many pitches I threw off that mound when I was coaching."
That was one pitch Holdan was making sure didn't get by him.
"I was hoping he would throw it from the mound, I think he could still do it if you got him playing catch," Holdan said. "I was nervous, I didn't want to mess it up. I didn't want to let it go by me at all. That was one ball I was going to make sure to block."
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