Strasburg couple makes a difference
Letter to the Editor,
In today’s insane world, there isn’t always a lot of good to say about people, but I’d like to say something about two wonderful, giving people — Duck and Judy Krantz of Strasburg.
Our younger daughter played high school, summer and fall softball for Strasburg in the ‘90s. Duck and Judy were always close by, willing to help with anything and everything from scheduling games to hauling kids to games or practice and Duck prepped the fields. They have spent probably thousands of hours working with the Strasburg program.
Duck and George Weisgarber (Bud’s dad) started the program in the ‘80s, and the continued success of Strasburg softball is due largely to Duck and the basics he instilled in all those girls.
Admittedly, I haven’t followed Strasburg much since our daughter graduated, but now our great-granddaughter plays for Dover (10U), so we are at it again. When Dover played Strasburg, there was Dover in the dugout, and I sat and watched the Strasburg girls — some only 6 years old — already working on drills and the basic fundamentals already instilled in them. I’m not sure if the Dover girls even know how to bunt yet.
My point is no matter who is coaching and what age group, Duck is always in the background ready to help with the kids and coaches, even helping any other team that might reach out to him. I’ve seen him work with girls from New Philadelphia, Dover, Fairless, TV, and I can’t even imagine where the others are from who attend his clinics. They all benefited from his summer program, and it continues through to the high school program.
Duck is Strasburg’s version of Dover’s George Elford and what he did with the Dover Basketeers. Whenever Duck “hangs up his glove,” it’s going to take so much to fill his spot because his dedication to the sport and the girls is unmatched. I know he’s in a couple hall of fames, and he should be in any and all related to softball, Judy along with him. Also, the softball fields should be named the Duck Krantz Softball Fields.
I’d suggest anyone who’s been helped and/or encouraged by Duck and Judy to take a few minutes and send them a thank-you note.
Jay Wardell
Strasburg