Christner, Kosic, Pyle set to enter Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame
Editor's note: This is the second of three parts highlighting the members of the 2023 Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame class.
The Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers will host the 26th annual Hall of Fame induction picnic and ceremony beginning at noon on Aug. 12, at the Stoystown American Legion Post 257. The induction ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
Here is a look at three members of the 2023 class:
Randy Christner
Christner was a contributor on plenty of talented teams throughout his playing career.
He won a Somerset Little League championship, was a two-time Salisbury Little League Tournament champ, Somerset Senior League champion, Pennsylvania Senior League Final 4 qualifier, two-time Tri-County League champion, two-time American Legion champion, Johnstown AAABA League champion, and Indiana Men's League champ. Christner was also a two-time AAABA tournament participant.
2023 Hall of Fame Class Walker, Zuchelli, 1979 Conemaugh Township team joining Old-Timers Hall of Fame
"I feel lucky and proud to have been part of great teams who won many games and titles, from the ages of 8 through 22 years old," said Christner.
Christner's individual accomplishments include two-time Somerset Little League All-Star, two-time Somerset Little League Salisbury All-Tournament Team member, two-time Somerset Senior League All-Star, Somerset High School baseball team captain and 4-year letter winner, Somerset High School baseball Player of the Year, Somerset High School Male Scholar Athlete Award winner, two-time Pennsylvania American Legion All-West All-Star Game participant, Pennsylvania American Legion All-State Game participant, Cornell University baseball team 4-year letter winner and starting shortstop for 3½ years.
"On a personal level, I’m most proud of being the shortstop, No. 3 hitter and team captain on the majority of teams I played for," he said.
2023 Hall of Fame Class Walker, Zuchelli, 1979 Conemaugh Township team joining Old-Timers Hall of Fame
Christner and his wife Julie have been together since high school and celebrated 31 years of marriage this year. The couple has three children, Katie (29), Kelly (28), and Travis (25).
Living his adult life outside of Somerset County, Christner dedicated 15 years to coaching his three kids in various sports, including baseball and softball. Katie went on to play softball at the University of Wisconsin while Kelly competed at the University of Michigan, respectively.
John Kosic
Kosic is a 1989 graduate of Berlin Brothersvalley High School. He began playing baseball when he was 8 years old in Little League. He played for the Pius Springs Women's Club team.
Kosic continued his career with the American Legion team, where he played for two years. He was a four-year letterman at Berlin and was selected Somerset County MVP in 1989.
He competed in the Johnstown Junior League where he played for Coca Cola. Kosic had three tryouts with three Major League Baseball teams: the Detroit Tigers, the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) and the Cincinnati Reds. Due to back surgery, John's baseball career came to an abrupt end.
He lives in Glencoe with his two sons, Coby (21) and Cale (17). He is employed as a heavy equipment operator with Glenn Johnston, Inc.
Jeff Pyle
Pyle grew up with a group of friends that every day, all they wanted to do was to play baseball. He brother Doug never said no when Pyle wanted to play catch or field grounders.
They sharpened each other's skills against and with one other, allowing them to go on and do many special things in baseball and life. Those guys are some of Pyle's best friends to this day, which he says only God could have put them all together at that place and time of their lives.
Pyle began his baseball career in 1965 when he was 8 years old in the Stoystown Little League. He played for his two best coaches: his dad, Jim Pyle, and Jack Dickey. They won a league championship twice. He played shortstop, second base and pitched. From there, he moved on to play for Stoystown in the Somerset County Minor League for three years.
Pyle competed for Nate Codispoti and the Boswell American Legion team where he batted over .300, while pitching and playing shortstop. He earned an All-Star invitation in the American Legion All-Star Game.
Upon finishing his career at Boswell, he was recruited to play for Universe Furniture of the Johnstown Junior League. He hit a home run in his first at-bat in the Junior League off one of his best friends and present Somerset County Hall of Famer.
In 1975, he joined coach Ken Keiper’s UPJ Mountain Cat baseball team, where he played for three years.
Over the years, Pyle played in several All-Star games at various levels and was a member of several tournament championship teams. He went on to coach Somerset Little League baseball in the early '90s.
"First, I would like to express that I am very honored to have been elected to the Somerset County Old-Timers Baseball Hall of Fame," said Pyle. "I give much praise and thanks to God for the talent with which he blessed me with and for the fantastic coaches and teachers I had through the years to make this possible."
He thanks all of those who helped and mentored him through the years. Without their friendship and encouragement, none of these great experiences and memories would have been possible.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Meet the 2023 Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame Class
