Many people associate Sonny Westerman with the Freeport International Baseball Invitational. After all, he did co-found the annual event in 1994.

But his influence on baseball in the Allegheny Valley began long before that.

Born in Sarver in 1928

, Westerman didn't begin playing baseball until he was

14

years old.

"My dad was against athletics," he said. "He was upset when I got involved. He felt we should work and not waste our time with sports.

"But he ended up changing his views, though," he added. "By the time I was about 21, he had become a fan himself."

Westerman played baseball and football at Freeport High School before graduating in 1946.

"I kicked extra points for the football team and played first base on the baseball team. I was too slow to play anywhere else," he said, laughing.

Westerman joined the Navy after graduation and soon found himself in the western Pacific.

While there, he became involved in another sport: boxing.

"It was something I picked up just to keep busy," Westerman said. "But I ended up becoming heavyweight champ on the U.S.S. Midway and Roosevelt."

After two years in the service, Westerman returned to Sarver and re-entered the local baseball scene.

He began coaching

Sarver

in the Butler County Baseball League in 1950, also playing first base for the team.

He later served as coach at the American Legion, Pony and Little League levels.

"I didn't coach Little League for long, though," he said. "All the parents thought they knew what was best for the team and wanted to be coaches themselves. It got to be tough to deal with."

Westerman's Freeport American Legion team won league titles in 1963-65 and again in 1968.

"We ended up fourth in the state in '65," Westerman said. "No other Freeport team has ever went that far.

I would have to say that was the best team I ever coached, at any level

."

In 1964, Westerman started the Armstrong County American Legion League. The Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame rewarded him with an induction in 1968. Spots in the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame (1986) and the Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame (1997) followed suit.

"Being inducted into all three was quite an honor," he said.

Westerman's 50-year coaching career ended in 1999, but he definitely went out in style.

In a five-year stint with the Allegheny Valley Colt team, Westerman had an 85-13 record. The squad ended each season with either a league title or a second-place finish.

"There's been a lot of talent come through this area. I coached some very good ball players like Don Altman, Billy Hagins and Mike Krizmanich. Another player, Kevin McDowell, is currently in the Tigers organization. I coached him in the Colt League."

Westerman still has the Freeport Invitational, which began its 11th year Tuesday and runs through Saturday.

Teams from Japan, Puerto Rico, The Netherlands and Canada, as well as teams from all over the eastern United States, have competed in the tournament through the years.

"Since it began, it has exceeded my expectations. I never thought it would be this big. That was surprising," Westerman said.

The international teams have shown appreciation to Westerman for helping to organize the event.

"

Last January

, the Puerto Rican team invited my wife, Marilyn, and I to its country. We stayed for

four days and it was excellent. I couldn't get over San Juan. What a beautiful city

," he said.

Westerman recently sold his hardware store on Route 356 after 32 years of ownership.

He and Marilyn have four children: Ralph Jr., Ernie, Mike and Jody. The couple also have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"Ralph and Mike both played quarterback at Freeport. Then their sons, Cory and Luke, played the position as well.

"Mike was drafted out of high school in 1972 as a shortstop by the Cincinnati Reds," Westerman said. "He ended up playing four years in the minor leagues."

At 75 years old, Westerman has plenty of memories from the diamond.

"Just being able to see kids mature and grow into better players and better men, that was the most satisfying thing I got from coaching," he said.