Sharrar back in game
It's a different role and a different uniform, but Glenn Sharrar has found his way back to pitching.
The 2002 Seneca Valley graduate is the pitching coach of the Butler BlueSox, despite never throwing an inning in the college ranks.
"I wanted to pitch," Sharrar said. "I tore my labrum and couldn't."
Sharrar was 4-1 with a 1.30 earned run average his senior year at Seneca Valley before heading to Potomac State (W.Va.).
During his first fall practice in college, he suffered the injury and never pitched again.
Sharrar left Potomac State and enrolled at Butler County Community College, where became a first baseman and hit .459 to help the Pioneers win a state championship.
"It was hard not being able to pitch anymore," he said. "I had to wait my turn at Seneca Valley. I was behind (eventual major leaguer) Zach Jackson until my senior year."
Sharrar remains among the Raiders' all-time top 10 in earned run average and hits allowed per innings pitched. He transferred to Lock Haven University and started for two seasons there, batting fourth and hitting over .300.
Sharrar graduated in 2008 with a degree in sports administration.
"I was hoping to get a job in the front office with a sports team someplace, but after getting my feet wet with coaching ... this is something I'd like to pursue," he said.
In the spring, Sharrar was an assistant baseball coach at Slippery Rock High. Word of the Zelienople resident's pitching knowledge reached BlueSox manager Jason Wuerfel.
"I was in need of a coach, Glenn was in the area and available, and the whole thing worked out," Wuerfel said. "He knows the ins and outs of pitching and he's been an asset to our guys."
Sharrar said working with the BlueSox pitchers is enjoyable because they're at a level where the hurlers already know their craft.
"These guys know what they want to do and they've received quality instruction from their college coaches," he said. "Where I come in is reminding them of basic fundamentals.
"It's basic, little stuff I help them out with, just prevent them from falling into any bad habits," he added.
Sharrar worked with Wuerfel in determining the rotation and where the pitchers fit in with the team.
"Glenn's a great guy and he has the qualities to be a good coach," Wuerfel said.
"It's been a lot of fun just getting to know all of these guys, what they can throw and what their strengths are," Sharrar said.
"It's rewarding, being able to help people out. And being back in a baseball uniform again feels pretty good."
