Coach Rich Zuber Shares Team Wins That Inspire Pride

by Jane Stahl

Are the doldrums of summer getting you down? Is the daily news taking you closer to the edge of despair? Are you in need of some inspiration? If so, take some time to chat with Rich Zuber, owner of Richard A. Zuber Realty, who doubles as president of the Pine Forge Athletic Association and coach of the Senior Babe Ruth Team.

Rich returned recently from a trip with his ball team—a group of 15 young men, 16 to 19 years old —who journeyed to Altoona, PA, to compete in the Senior Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic tournament. While the team was not the “winner” of the championship that would have taken them to the next level of play: the Senior Babe Ruth World Series, Rich shared details of their trip that made him proud of the gentlemen they had become. For Rich, the team “won” in a way that was perhaps even more important than any win on the ball field.

“First of all, the boys’ behavior at the Hampton Inn was remarkable,” Rich offered. “The staff shared that they had never had a more polite, well-behaved group. There were lots of ‘pleases’ and ‘thank you’s’ all weekend. I was really proud of them; too often young people are seen to be disrespectful and inconsiderate.. It’s always inspiring when they exceed our expectations to the point where folks compliment them!”

The boys scored a second “win” during a soloist’s rendition of “The National Anthem” in sharing their appreciation of the singer’s performance. Rich recalls, “I overheard one of them say, ‘Wow! If that didn’t get you pumped up, nothing will.’ Just let it be said that our young people’s patriotism is strong.

“But I was really proud—amazed, too, at a later game during ‘The National Anthem.’ At this game the anthem was a recorded version. It was a fine recording, but halfway through the song, the recording stopped. Just stopped.

“The park was silent; no one knew what was happening or how to behave. And then, out of nowhere, some of our boys began singing the rest of the anthem. Other players joined in and then the crowd joined them as well.

"I just can’t tell you how proud I was of our team, our boys, to have led us in that moment. Spontaneously. With reverence and honor. Really impressive. We really won that weekend in very important ways!”

More News from Boyertown

• Artist Trudy Moore Introduces Roscoe, the Family's Summer Visitor Studio B's "The Three Bears" project included an invitation to writers to respond to the theme.
• Bob Wood on Early Taxes in Montgomery County Records of taxes provide valuable clues for researchers and historians.