‘Coalcracker Pete’ lauded with surprise field dedication at Ashland LL opening day
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - "Coalcracker Pete" Kenenitz shakes hands of former Pirates players after Saturday's surprise field dedication.
ASHLAND – The farm team field at the Ashland Little League complex now bears the name of one of its longtime, legendary volunteers.
“Coalcracker Pete” Kenenitz has been a volunteer, coach, and umpire in the organization for decades and his impact on youth baseball extends beyond the borough of Ashland.
“His dedication to the growth and development of baseball in our district is unparalleled,” Ty Wartman, emcee of Saturday’s opening day ceremonies at the Little League, said of Kenenitz. “He was the visionary behind the creation of the District 24 fall ball program, providing aspiring baseball players with opportunities to hone their skills during the offseason.”
For 35 years, he has been an umpire, officiating playoff games in District 24 and Section 3.
Midway through Saturday’s opening ceremonies, Jaden Leiby, one of Kenenitz’s former players, came to the pitcher’s mound, and any former Pirates players were requested to join him. The Ashland Little League’s teams take on the names of professional teams, and Kenenitz helmed the Pirates.
Wartman said simply that Leiby wanted to personally present the award to a coach who had been especially impactful. As Kenenitz was called out to join them, the Pirates alumni carried out a large fence sign with the reverse side facing the crowd.
They flipped the sign to reveal it read “‘Coalcracker Pete’ Pete Kenenitz Field.”
Following the award, Kenenitz told the crowd that, each time he thinks about retiring, he finds a new reason to stick around.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t having fun,” Kenenitz said. “It takes me back to when I was a kid, coming from Centralia, we had coaches, some didn’t have any kids, and the way we were brought up, loved the game of baseball.”
“I coached my boys, and then every year, I got attached to the younger ones, and we’re having fun, and it goes on and on and on,” Kenenitz added, extending gratitude to his fellow coaches.
“Hopefully this is the Pirates’ year,” he concluded.
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