Ben Robinson arrived at CarShield Field Sunday in O’Fallon with a full beard he’d been growing for two years.
Representing the Jefferson County Blazers, Robinson coached the 16-U South team against the North in one of two St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association all-star games. Robinson has kept his beard for a special purpose.
His sister, Shanus Robinson, 37, passed away last year, and Robinson said he wasn’t going to shave until he raised $2,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. He reached that goal two weeks ago, but the beard has remained.
“She hated my beard,” Ben said with a chuckle. “So I’ve been growing it and told everybody I’d shave it off once I raised the money. But I told the boys I’d wait one more game before I shaved it off.
“She was at all of our games and loved to watch the boys play and she was a big part of my life. To lose her, it caught us off guard. We wanted to raise money in her honor.”
Robinson said on Monday he was shaving the beard that day.
Robinson’s South squad lost 9-5 to the North, but South pitcher Connor Hartmann, the Blazers ace on the mound this season, was named the game’s Outstanding Player after starting the game and tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
It was the final game of the season for the members of the Blazers who were named to the South team. Catcher Connor Lundry (Lindbergh), second baseman Nolan Robinson (Lindbergh), shortstop Colby Barbagallo (Seckman), outfielder Colton McAnally (Grandview), pitcher Davis Mason (Seckman) and pitcher Evan Henson (Lindbergh) all represented the Blazers in the game.
After finishing first in the 16-U South Division during the regular season, the Blazers swept all three games in the SLABA tournament to win the championship. It’s mostly the same group of players that finished 18-0 and captured the 15-U title last year.
“They play well as a team,” Ben Robinson said. “The dugout’s loose. They’re all buddies. It makes it fun to watch them get it done.”
Hartmann will be a junior at Windsor this fall. He’s been the Blazers’ top pitcher the last two seasons and finished the season with an ERA under 1.00. Hartmann was the starting pitcher in last year’s all-star game, too.
“I’m just going out there and trusting my teammates because they’ve always got my back,” Hartmann said. “They always make the plays behind me.
“I throw a lot of fastballs until guys show they can hit it, then I’ll mix in some off-speed pitches.”
Robinson said Hartmann’s biggest asset is his work ethic.
“He’s quiet,” Robinson said. “He takes charge. The kids follow him. We’ve got some leaders on this team.”
Lundry didn’t play in the all-star game last year because he broke his thumb during the SLABA tournament. His thumb was in a cast for about three months. Lundry said the team’s success the last two years boils down to teamwork.
“And playing good defense and every once in awhile hitting the baseball,” he said.
McAnally will be a junior at Grandview. The Blazers’ No. 2 batter finished the season with a .410 average in 37 games and made just one error playing in the outfield.
Robinson said Joey Johnson and Davis Mason are the Blazers vocal leaders but the team is self-motivated.
“Those guys take charge when they have to,” Robinson said. “They don’t have to say very much.
“We’re out here (at the all-star game) to have a good time, but don’t get me wrong, we want to win.”
After Hartmann got a strikeout to end the first inning, Robinson greeted him at the front of the dugout with a high five and words of encouragement. Coaching the Blazers keeps Robinson from dwelling on his loss.
“These boys are my life,” Robinson said. “They’re my second family. They play some good baseball. They’re fun to watch.”
In the 15-U game, the Blazers had four players – designated hitter Joe Stuckmeyer, pitcher Michael Hoelsi, first baseman Merrick Bonastia and outfielder Austin Wilkins – on the East team, which lost 5-3 to the West on Sunday.