• Features

Newcomerstown staying True to one of its own

• By Dave Mast
• June 9, 2018
• 1091

Cy Young Days Festival will take place June 22-24 in Newcomerstown, where Major League Baseball legend Denton True "Cy” Young was born. The purpose of the festival is to continue the legacy one of baseball’s greats left behind, to promote the game of baseball and to celebrate community.

While there are plenty of sights to see, fun activities for the entire family, live music, food and entertainment galore, the main theme for the weekend will honor the amazing achievements of Young.

Penelope Pierce has been a longtime advocate of keeping Young’s memory and accomplishments alive and wants the upcoming generations to realize what a huge part of the national pastime of baseball Young was in his playing days.

“It is important to maintain the historical aspect of the festival and to continue to honor Cy Young for being one of the greatest baseball players to ever live,” Pierce said.

In his career Young accumulated 511 victories on the mound including two of his best years pitching for Cleveland in which he fashioned records of 36-12 and 35-10. The MLB standard remains 511 career wins, and only one other pitcher has amassed even 400 wins.

“Cy Young is a really neat part of our history in Newcomerstown, and we need to embrace it and celebrate his accomplishments,” Pierce said. “Our younger people don’t know a lot about Cy Young, so we need to continue to promote the fact that we have this legendary baseball player and this historic icon right in our own back yard. We want to spark a passion about the history of one of baseball’s all-time greats who hails from Newcomerstown.”

One way Cy Young Days Festival does that is by inviting a former Cy Young Award winner to the festival each year.

This year that former MLB great will be Dwight "Doc" Gooden. The fireballer who pitched for the New York Mets was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1984, then turned in one of baseball’s greatest seasons in 1985 when he went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA to earn the Cy Young Award.

Gooden will be the guest of honor at the 2018 festival, where he will participate in several activities. “Doc” will make a visit to the grave site of Cy Young, attending the luncheon. He also will serve as grand parade marshal and make an appearance at the Old Main Street Museum for an autograph signing.

“Every year we have a different Cy Young Award winner visit the festival, and that helps keep Cy Young in the forefront of the purpose for this event,” Pierce said.

On Friday, June 22, opening ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. and will include the crowning of the Cy Young Festival queen and her court. Chestnut Hill Bluegrass Band and Blackhand Hooch will perform live music on the Canal Street Stage at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively.

Saturday, June 23 will usher in more fun. Registration to participate in the Cy Young Run will start at 7:15 a.m. at the pavilion near the tennis courts with the run starting at 8 a.m. The aforementioned luncheon will take place at Labors Local Hall 134 with the doors opening at 11:30 a.m. The lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. with a basket auction taking place during the luncheon. Whiskey Creek Band will perform from noon to 2 p.m. with the grand parade taking place at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m. Gooden will sign autographs at the Olde Main Street Museum, and the New Towne Cloggers will perform. The Adam Calvert Band will usher in the night as they perform their high-energy country-rock show from 8-11 p.m.

The Sunday festivities will mark the return of the Old Timers vintage baseball tournament, which will take place at Cy Young Park, beginning at 10 a.m., with four old-time teams coming to town. Taking the field will be the Canal Dover Redlegs, Mohican Rivermen, Whiskey Island Shamrocks and Newcomerstown Cyclones.

This throwback to the game of old days journeys back in time to a day when life was a little slower and players adorned wool caps, knickers and high stockings in the 1800s. This showcase features the same rules and language of the era during the days of the Civil War.

There will be food stands set up, and in addition to bleachers being provided, patrons are invited to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on and spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon at the ballpark the old-fashioned way.

Sunday, June 24 also will feature a vintage car show at 1 p.m., a talent show and performance by ARTS NCT on the Canal Street Stage at 1 p.m., and a pet show beginning at 3 p.m. with awards for best dressed, cutest, most talented, most unique and more.

For a full description of the entire three-day lineup, visit the Cy Young Days Festival website at www.cyyoungdaysfestival.com.