Middle Baseball Organizing Alumni Association

Middle Township High School varsity baseball alumni, family and friends are invited to join a new organization devoted to recognizing men and women who have helped sustain the sport.
Chuck Dougherty and his brother Frank have been leading the Panther nine for more than two decades. They are baseball lifers who love imparting their knowledge to their players as much as they love the game. But they feel that those who have helped make the program successful are not recognized and they fear that the sport is fading in popularity among today’s young athletes.
“I sat and thought about it. Before I leave I should do something to be sure baseball continues on,” said Chuck Dougherty, who had tryouts with two Major League Baseball organizations in his playing days. “I feel like we need to do something so baseball doesn’t just fade away. I just think that we have a lot of people in the area that get no credit for what they’ve done in the game. And there are people who have done a lot for baseball in the area and no one recognizes them for doing it.”
Organizational plans are in the early stages but Dougherty said he can envision an alumni game to begin drumming up support for the initiative. He’d like to have an informal social event the night before the game and a golf tournament for Panther baseball alumni.
“Chuck’s been talking about it for the last couple of years,” said Frank Dougherty, a retired school administrator. “We want to continue supporting players past and present, as well as the dedicated parents, fans and coaches who have been a part of our baseball family.”
Frank called the program “a family type of thing” for those who have played, their parents, and followers of the team.
“People like Nate Doughty, Class of 59, are part of the alumni of this program and have done a lot to continue the legacy,” said Frank Dougherty. “The whole idea is to make sure our kids today make a connection with the older guys and vice versa.”
Frank said that alumni he and Chuck have spoken with are very energized and supportive about the initiative and are pledging their support.
“People don’t realize that Dickie Seymour was a Detroit Tiger shortstop in 1955 playing ahead of Harvey Kuenn, but his family wanted him home so he had to go home,” said Frank. “More recently, Scott DeCecco is pitching well for the Seattle Mariner organization. Nate Doughty, Calvin Back and guys like that were very good players. Chuck was a great player.”
Frank said he wanted the current roster to understand something more about the alumni other than “they are a bunch of old guys.” He said many have come back over the years to volunteer with the program.
“Most of them are younger but some older guys come back, too,” said Frank. “They might just stay 15 or 20 minutes, but we want the connection.”
Frank said plans may include a scholarship and a Hall of Fame for players who were at least Cape-Atlantic League all-stars, along with citizens who have supported the program in an exemplary fashion.
“We’re talking about a possible wall of fame for the dugout and maybe an induction ceremony at the end of each year,” Frank said. “We could do something at the annual awards banquet to show that these people are Hall of Famers for us.”
The brothers feel that such a program could help current and former players form a bond “like a family” and renew old friendships. “We kind of like that,” he added.
Chuck repeated his thought that an alumni association can bring well-deserved attention to people who have contributed to the program in virtual anonymity. “I thought if we do an alumni association we can recognize people who have helped baseball in our community, said Chuck. “There are people around here who have played and carried baseball on and no one even knows they exist. It’ll be good for baseball itself as well as Middle baseball.”
Frank said the baseball team already has “a very active” parent group known as the Middle Township Varsity Baseball Parent Boosters.
“Lynn Schwartz has been magnificent,” said Frank. “Her son, Doug, is playing at Montclair State. He was an All-South-Jersey performer here. His father passed away when he was seven or eight years old. They announced his All South Jersey selection on Father’s Day. He was very proud. His mom has been great for the program.”
Frank said the Panthers “have seldom had any problem with parents buying in.” Chuck noted that current baseball parent Dave Hand stops by to throw batting practice.
Those interested in finding out more about the fledgling Middle Township Varsity Baseball Alumni Association can email Frank Dougherty at frankdoc@yahoo.com.
“We’re going to start slowly and see if it takes off,” said Frank. “Everybody we talk to say it’s a great idea.”