10 to Comprehend: ‘Painting’ a Positive Picture

Since 1993 — the year Dr. Chris Hanners brought professional baseball to Chillicothe — the Paints have been a summer must-see, year in and year out.

Anytime there’s a professional baseball team in practically your own backyard, you of course have to embrace the ball club and the community has done a tremendous job of that.

That love affair between community and team continues today as thousands of people pass through the gates at VA Memorial Stadium each season while Paints’ players give it their all in between the lines on a nightly basis.

This week’s ‘10 to Comprehend’ highlights just a few of this year’s Chillicothe Paints’ players and personnel including their energy, charisma and what they do every single night that may go unnoticed to the most casual of fans.

•First up is hurler Derek Moore — a product of Wheelersburg High School and Shawnee State University. If you want to talk about stats, this guy has been lights out on the mound. If you want to talk about charisma, he without question has that too. The 6-foot-2, 220 pound right-hander is 3-1 in 2015 with a 1.90 ERA. But if you talked to him inside the clubhouse, you’d never know. He’s as humble as they come. Moore has also won the hearts of many fans by being more of a local guy than some. Pound for pound, Moore is an asset to the Paints’ team. Let’s hope he continues his strong play in the postseason.

•Drew Erie would give the shirt off his back to a stranger. That I’m sure of. If I’ve ever needed anything as a reporter, Drew is always the first in line willing to help. The Paints’ catcher — out of the University of Tennessee-Martin — has returned for his second season with Chillicothe after spending his summer in southern Ohio last year as well. He’s split time with Chad Roskelly behind the plate in 2015 but doesn’t seem to mind a bit. Erie is the ultimate team player and the Paints are blessed to have him.

•The only extremely local guy on this year’s team, Bryce Arledge, is a heck of a player as well. Arledge, a Unioto alum, has done his job coming out of the bullpen and getting outs all year long. In 28 appearances, Arledge owns a 2.09 ERA and 26-14 strikeout-walk ratio. And, following the footprints of his teammates, he’s an outstanding young man as well. The Paints have a history of allowing personable, talented athletes to joining their club. Arledge fits that bill perfectly.

•Staying on that path, first baseman Hunter Prince has been a huge boost to this year’s team as well. Out of Western Michigan University, Prince has 39 hits, 11 doubles, 17 RBI and 12 runs scored through 50 games this year. And, not to beat a dead horse, but he’s just as approachable as his teammates. I’ve talked to Prince multiple times and, win or lose, he’s always willing to comment or help out in any way possible. Bravo, Mr. Prince. Bravo.

•Going away from the playing field, you can’t talk Paints baseball without mentioning Mr. John Wend. Seriously, what a commodity to this franchise. I can still remember hearing Wend’s voice as a young child running around the ballpark without a care in the world. To get to work with him every night I’m in the press box? Priceless.

•And if we’re talking about the press box, you also have to mention Aaron Lemaster — the Paints’ media contact, official scorer and impromptu disc jockey. Lemaster does it all and he does his job well. There’s many valuable employees within the Paints’ organization and Lemaster tops the list.

•Every night you pass through the stadium gates, you hand your ticket to a gentleman with a hat and a cane who sometimes also sings the National Anthem. His name is Tim Reiter and he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet. Never short of a word for conversation, Reiter is the perfect person to greet fans as soon as they walk into the ballpark. But don’t take my word for it. Follow Tim on Twitter at @Tim_Reiter and find out for yourself.

•Onto the coaching staff. Every year since the Paints have been in Chillicothe — 23 to be exact — Marty Dunn Sr. has stood on the top steps of the Paints’ dugout. Dunn was my baseball coach in high school and one thing that I’ll remember for the rest of my time here on Earth is the way he’d teach life lessons through the game. I learned so much in my four years with him as a coach and I’m sure past, current and future Paints players are doing the same.

•Behind every good team is a good manager; the Paints are no different. Their skipper, Greg Cypret, could also be a baseball historian. Strike up a conversation about baseball with Cypret one night while you’re at the ballpark and I guarantee you walk away with a nugget of information you didn’t have before. Cypret wasn’t exactly a slouch during his playing days either. In fact, he was good enough to be drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Braves during the 1977 MLB June Amateur Draft. Now, he’s using the baseball knowledge he’s been blessed with to shape young player’s games and lead his team to the postseason multiple times.

•The man behind all of these names and everyone else associated with the Paints? Chris Hanners. I’ll say this about Hanners: He’s honestly the most genuine, giving person that I’ve come across inside the game of baseball. He runs the franchise the right way, he gives off positive vibes every night and the public loves him for it. Never quit Mr. Hanners. Chillicothe wouldn’t be the same without you.

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509

To join the weekly discussion, use the hash tag #10toComprehend on Twitter or send an email to dwebb@chillicothegazette.com. We’ll include some of the best entries into future columns.