Multi-talented
s is part of a summer series of Q & A features profiling Butler County area sports personalities.Jerry Piroch, 50, has been the head softball coach at Butler County Community College for the past two seasons and is in the midst of his seventh year coaching Butler City American Legion baseball.Formerly in the dairy business, Piroch still works as a farmer and also makes appearances at local sporting events to sing the national anthem. He brings a passionate approach to the game, coupled with a sense of humor that makes him popular among his players.Over the years, Piroch has been joined in the dugout by the “best scorekeepers around” — his wife, Mary, and her daughter, Caitlyn.
Why did you get involved in coaching?I've always loved the game, but there was no reason to get involved until there was a vacancy. Once I got in, I just kind of took over. I was the president of Butler baseball in 2006 and became the president of Butler Legion baseball in 2008.
Why have you stayed with American Legion for so long?I love working with the kids. Butch (Master) has been here with me the whole time. His oldest boy and my wife's son happened to be the same age. We started coaching against each other and it went from there.I'm the president, but he's the secretary and treasurer. Butch is the glue that holds the plywood together.
How would you describe the state of the league and where is it heading?It's a rebuilding year right now. There were several on the fence on whether to have a team or not. Some called it off and kind of abandoned their organization. East Butler was in some financial turmoil, so we picked up five of their kids so they could have a place to play.There's a lot of turmoil out there, but East Butler could be back next year. Prospect could be back next year and West Sunbury is almost assured to be back next year and strong.
What spurred your interest in becoming the BC3 softball coach?BC3 called me because they heard I was interested. I decided to come down and see how things went. And right away, I fell in love with the situation.I was kind of lied to, though. I was told the game was parallel with baseball and it sure wasn't. ... There's a lot of differences and you better know the rules.
What are the most significant differences between coaching baseball and softball?Softball is a faster-paced game. Everything is so close. The bases are closer. The mound is closer. In baseball, the right fielder out there might not be the best athlete. Not softball. In softball, they all have to be good and if you don't have a pitcher, you're (in trouble).
What has your experience been like with recruiting?It's tough. ... A lot of good softball players go to D-I and D-II schools. A lot of our girls didn't even know BC3 had a program. If anyone has any interest, then call me day or night. For God's sake, I'm available.This year we had a great team, but we couldn't get out there due to the weather. We have a great core of girls coming back, though.
<B>What aspects of the game do you stress to your teams?</B>Hitting. Go out there and try to hit the ball. We might not have the best pitching in the world and we might not make all the plays in the field, but go out there and hit. It doesn't matter if both pitchers throw a one-hitter, someone has to score.<B>When did you develop a knack for singing?</B>I was 15 and started singing at weddings. That was a long time ago.My dad was the choir director at St. Peter's church. If I wasn't in the choir, I had to be an altar boy and my chances weren't very good at being an altar boy.<B>What kind of events do you sing at?</B>I'll sing the national anthem at baseball games, basketball games and lacrosse games. I've done it at the BC3 volleyball games, too.“As long as it's for the kids, it's fun.<B>Do you miss your career in the dairy business?</B>I sold the cows, but I still crop farm — several hundreds of acres. It makes it easier to coach baseball without the cows.Everything just needs to be outside. Baseball is outside, softball is outside and the farm is outside. That's where I've got to be.<B>Where do you feel most at home: in the dugout, in front of the microphone or on the farm?</B>In the dugout or on the farm. Farming is the thing I know. I've done it all my life. But the boys have grown into the family I wouldn't have had. I consider all of my teams family.As the years have gone by, they've started to show up at the house uninvited one at a time. And then we all start talking baseball. That's one thing the cows couldn't do, but the kids sure can.<B>What is your most memorable moment in sports?</B>Taking Jimmy McKissick to a try-out for the Milwaukee Brewers. We lost to East Butler in the (American Legion) championship that year. We beat them the game before 23-8, but lost the last one 11-9. That was the most runs scored in a championship series. We pounded it.After that, Jimmy got a call from the Brewers and we drove all the way up beyond Erie to go to it.
