Last week, the Northeast Times reported on Matt Schlernitzauer, a local boy who was named a finalist in the Diamonds in the Rough contest. The contest, open to any youth softball or baseball player 7 to 14 years of age, required applicants to write a 300-word essay describing how baseball helped them overcome some of life’s challenges both on and off the field.
Schlernitzauer was one of 20 regional winners who were awarded $5,000 each and made eligible for the grand prize of an additional $5,000. A youngster from Strongsville, Ohio, was named as the 2008 Diamonds in the Rough grand-prize winner. ••