DARLINGTON - For more than 20 years, Jerry Raddatz has served as a Major League Baseball scout, and he witnessed something a couple of weeks ago at a high school game that he had to single out.
He complimented the Darlington baseball team and fans on their deportment during a game against Wisconsin Heights on June 6 in Whitehall.
Wisconsin Heights defeated Darlington 8-1 in that WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal game. Raddatz was so impressed by the sportsmanship the Redbirds and their displayed that he wrote a letter to Darlington High School Principal Aaron Lancaster and Activities Director Kurt Cohen and made a $100 donation to the school.
Raddatz has served as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers for more than eight years and before that with the Cincinnati Reds for 12 years. He was a longtime baseball coach at Winona Senior High School in Winona, Minnesota, where he guided his teams to four conference championships and four state appearances. When Raddatz retired from coaching in 1994, he was the state's 21st winningest coach with a record of 330-204. Winona Senior High School named its baseball field after Raddatz in 2015.
"I can say without any reservation that I have never observed more positive action than I had the opportunity on this day from these supporters of Darlington," Raddatz wrote in the letter. "They were positive in all of their actions and comments during the game. On this day, Murphy's Law took place on most plays for Darlington. It was a day in which every close call went against the Darlington team, and this is not to be critical of the game officials on this day. I could not believe how the players, coaches and supporters of the team could stay so positive on this day; this does not happen very often in a high school or college sporting event."
Lancaster, a 1990 Darlington High School graduate, wasn't surprised by the reaction of the players and fans.
"I think it says a lot about the character of our players and their families," Lancaster said. "It's great to hear our athletes are doing things the right away and carrying themselves the right way. It's nice to know we had someone who is that knowledgeable about the game recognize and could see that.
"The kids hit the ball. It was just right at them. The kids kept their composure and kept competing."
Lancaster said the $100 donation is going into the athletic fund.
Darlington baseball coach Brad Solberg said he strives to instill respect in the players during the game and off the field.
"I think it's pretty cool for the community and players to be recognized for something they do on a daily basis," Solberg said. "I've seen it all year. I think they all have a great attitude and an eye for the smaller details of baseball. For someone of that caliber to see that, is really special."
Solberg said the baseball team has rules they live by.
"We have rules we talk about all the time," he said. "It's up to the kids to buy into them. You have some high-character players and families, and that is just their mentality."
He complimented the Darlington baseball team and fans on their deportment during a game against Wisconsin Heights on June 6 in Whitehall.
Wisconsin Heights defeated Darlington 8-1 in that WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal game. Raddatz was so impressed by the sportsmanship the Redbirds and their displayed that he wrote a letter to Darlington High School Principal Aaron Lancaster and Activities Director Kurt Cohen and made a $100 donation to the school.
Raddatz has served as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers for more than eight years and before that with the Cincinnati Reds for 12 years. He was a longtime baseball coach at Winona Senior High School in Winona, Minnesota, where he guided his teams to four conference championships and four state appearances. When Raddatz retired from coaching in 1994, he was the state's 21st winningest coach with a record of 330-204. Winona Senior High School named its baseball field after Raddatz in 2015.
"I can say without any reservation that I have never observed more positive action than I had the opportunity on this day from these supporters of Darlington," Raddatz wrote in the letter. "They were positive in all of their actions and comments during the game. On this day, Murphy's Law took place on most plays for Darlington. It was a day in which every close call went against the Darlington team, and this is not to be critical of the game officials on this day. I could not believe how the players, coaches and supporters of the team could stay so positive on this day; this does not happen very often in a high school or college sporting event."
Lancaster, a 1990 Darlington High School graduate, wasn't surprised by the reaction of the players and fans.
"I think it says a lot about the character of our players and their families," Lancaster said. "It's great to hear our athletes are doing things the right away and carrying themselves the right way. It's nice to know we had someone who is that knowledgeable about the game recognize and could see that.
"The kids hit the ball. It was just right at them. The kids kept their composure and kept competing."
Lancaster said the $100 donation is going into the athletic fund.
Darlington baseball coach Brad Solberg said he strives to instill respect in the players during the game and off the field.
"I think it's pretty cool for the community and players to be recognized for something they do on a daily basis," Solberg said. "I've seen it all year. I think they all have a great attitude and an eye for the smaller details of baseball. For someone of that caliber to see that, is really special."
Solberg said the baseball team has rules they live by.
"We have rules we talk about all the time," he said. "It's up to the kids to buy into them. You have some high-character players and families, and that is just their mentality."
