York County Oldtimers Baseball League, York, PA

Below is a list of the individuals who have been enshrined in the York County Oldtimers Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Ken Hersey (2014)

No one is more deserving of their spot in our Hall of Fame than our league founder, who was inducted as the lone member of our inaugural class. One of the six managers from our first year in 1991, Ken managed for 24 seasons and compiled 132 wins, the most of any manager in YCOBL history. He had 17 winning seasons as a manager, grabbing 7 league pennants and winning 2 World Series. He won 14 straight games as manager over the 2011-12 seasons, another league record. Ken batted .266 (90-for-338) during his 21 years as a player before retiring for health reasons after the 2011 season. Ken died on March 1, 2015.

Ron Martz (2015)

Ron made his mark on the league as one of the most dominant pitchers over the course of the 1990s and early 2000s. A two-time Most Outstanding Pitcher award winner, Ron compiled a career pitching record of 31-24 while adding 9 saves. His 31 wins ranked 5th all-time at the time of his induction, and his 5 saves during the 2002 season was a single-season record at the time. In 333 career innings he struck out 400, which ranks 4th all-time. The 1993 season was a particularly dominant one for Martz, who struck out 55 hitters in just 28 innings. No one has ever topped his 13.75 K/7 rate from that year.  Ron died on July 6, 2019.

Bob Seitz (2015)

Bob compiled HoF worthy numbers as a hitter, pitcher, and manager. In 25 seasons Bob batted .309 (147-for-476) with 98 RBI and 82 runs scored. Known for his patience at the plate, his 121 career walks are the second-most in league history. His 11 walks in 2011 are among the most ever in a season. On the mound Bob won 23 games against just 13 losses while adding 9 saves. He struck out 213 in 253 career innings. As a manager, Bob had winning records in 16 of his 22 seasons, and his 116 wins rank 3rd all-time. His 8 league pennants are the most of any manager. He won the league World Series twice.

Ray Thompson (2015)

Despite playing in just 9 seasons, Ray was one of the most feared duel threats in league history. Ray was a 4-time league MVP as well as a 4-time Outstanding Pitcher award winner. He batted .455 (80-for-176) lifetime with 71 RBI, 74 runs scored, 26 doubles, 3 triples, and 6 home runs. Ray’s career pitching record was an astounding 34-5 (.872). His 8 wins in 2006 are tied for the most in a season. His 317 strikeouts over 237.1 innings include three seasons of 48 or more. He ranks in the top 5 all-time in wins, strikeouts, Hits/7 and Ks/7. More than anything Ray was a winner, as the teams he played on won 63 of 81 games.

Steve Robertson (2016)

Steve excelled as a hitter, pitcher, and manager. The 4-time league MVP batted .459 (232-for-505) over 21 seasons. At the time of his induction, Steve was the all-time leader in hits while ranking in the top 3 in runs scored (169), RBI (135), doubles (50), and total bases (313). Steve had a career pitching record of 22-11, but he was known for being a dominant closer and compiled a total of 29 saves, then the most in league history. He had just 3 losing seasons in 19 years as a skipper, winning 6 pennants and a league record 4 World Series. His .674 winning percentage is the best of any manager in YCOBL history.

Tony Schuchart (2016)

One of the original six managers from the YCOBL’s first year, Tony is the only person to have both played and managed for 25 seasons. He had 18 winning seasons in his 25 years as a manager and a career record of 126-95-4. His 126 career wins is the second-most in league history. A 5-time winner of the Manager of the Year award, Tony won a total of 5 league pennants and made a league-best 6 World Series appearances. His teams won the World Series 3 times, including in two of his final three years as manager. In 25 seasons as a player Tony hit .300 (148-for-494), with 99 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 80 walks.

Rick Brenner (2017)

Perhaps no single player in YCOBL history has as complete a resume as Rick Brenner. A 4-time MVP and 2-time Most Outstanding Pitcher, Rick also won a pair of batting titles. His .509 lifetime average ranks 3rd all-time. He is the league’s career leader in hits (234) and runs scored (196), while ranking second in doubles (56) and third in RBI (140). As a pitcher, Rick is the all-time leader in wins (65) and strikeouts (547) and ranks second in innings pitched. He twice won 7 games in a season, and in 1998 did not allow a run in 24 innings. Rick also collected 13 gold glove awards over his 19 seasons, the most of any YCOBL player.

Bob Green (2018)

A crafty right-handed pitcher with an arsenal of off-speed deliveries that kept hitters guessing, Bob was a two-time Over-50 MVP, winning the award in 2005 and 2006. Over the course of 19 seasons, Bob won a total of 19 games and registered 20 saves, which ranked 4th on the all-time list at the time of his induction. His 111 games pitched and 304 innings pitched also rank among the all-time leaders.  As a batter, Bob compiled 143 hits and batted .324 while scoring 73 runs and driving in 63.  Bob was also a two-time gold glove winner at third base.

Todd Shoff (2018)

A 2-time MVP and 3-time Most Outstanding Pitcher award winner, Todd ranked 2nd in  career strikeouts (500) and wins (40) at the time of his induction. As a batter, he had a lifetime average of .417 and ranked in the top 10 in multiple categories, including career runs scored (121), doubles (40) and home runs (8).  Todd also registered some of the best individual seasons ever, both in pitching and hitting. His 62 strikeouts in 2007 is the most in a season in YCOBL history. In 2003 he accumulated 35 total bases, and in 2005 he hit 4 home runs – both the second-most in a season. He scored 14 or more runs in three different seasons.

Kevin Summerson (2018)

Kevin was a prolific hitter as well as a successful manager during his 18-year YCOBL career.  Kevin batted a robust .459 (155-for-338) with 117 RBIs, 109 runs scored, 39 doubles, and 7 home runs. He won the league batting title in 1998 with a .733 average. That same year he had a slugging percentage of 1.467, which remains the second-best mark in Oldtimers history. As a manager Kevin had a winning record in six of his seven seasons.  With an overall record of 45-23-2, his .657 winning percentage ranks second all-time.  Kevin won the YCOBL World Series in his final season as manager.

Mike Bacon (2019)

Mike stands as one of York County’s, let alone the YCOBL’s, greatest hitters.  At the time of his induction, Mike ranked in the top 10 in multiple career offensive categories, including most doubles (61) and second-most RBIs (150).  With an incredible .503 lifetime batting average, he became just the sixth player in league history to register 200 hits.  His 280 total bases ranked 4th and his 122 runs ranked 6th all-time.  Just as smooth with the glove, Mike won four Gold Glove awards during his career. Mike was a three-time Over-50 MVP award winner and won two batting titles, the last of which came in 2011 at the age of 63.

Steve Hoke (2019)

Proving that age is just a number, Steve was one of just five remaining active players from the YCOBL’s inaugural 1991 season at the time of his induction in 2019. Twirling a knuckleball well into his 70s, Hoke ranked first in YCOBL history in career innings pitched (612.1), games pitched (217) and saves (31), while ranking third in wins (36) and compiling 262 career strikeouts. Hoke also ranked among the league leaders in several hitting categories, including career at bats (631, 2nd), bases on balls (94, 7th), and runs scored (119, 10th). A manager for 24 seasons, Steve compiled a lifetime record of 91-129-3.

Steve Hanson (2020)

"Home Run" Hanson came onto the scene in 2000 and hit 10 homers in his first five years. Currently sitting on 17, he's atop the all-time list… with the next closest active player at 10. When entering the Hall, Steve had scored 140 runs (5th all-time), hit 48 doubles (6th), had 231 total hits (1st), and 173 RBIs (1st). 372 total bases puts him at the top spot yet again, and his 1.500 slugging percentage in 2003 is the single-season record. No slouch with the leather, Steve won four gold gloves, two at 2nd and two at 3rd. He is a 4-time MVP - winning once in 2003 for 49U, and again in 2012, 2014, and 2021 for 50+. 

Mike Kessler (2020)

An original member of the YCOBL, Mike played for 30 years in the league. He was on the winning side 147 times, 2nd all-time. He went into the Hall of Fame with 196 hits and finished his career with 203, good for 9th all-time. He is the all-time career leader in walks with 158, while also holding the single season record of 15. 240 total bases and a career average of .346 round out this journeyman's offensive stats. Mike also pitched over 100 innings, getting 7 wins and 6 saves. Mike was on four championship teams, including the inaugural year of 1991. He was awarded the 2004 50+ MVP, the 1996 and 2018 comeback player of the year, two gold gloves at shortstop, and one gold glove at 2nd base.

Keith Schmuck (2020)

Keith played for 20 seasons in the YCOBL, finishing his career with 202 hits (10th all-time).  He won five Gold Glove awards, the 50+ MVP in 2013, and the Comeback Player of the year in 2017.  He pitched a total of 127.33 innings with 7 wins and 6 saves.  He amassed 122 runs (good for 14th all-time), 165 singles (6th all-time) and finished with a career average of .422.  Keith was also part of four championship teams.

Charlie Bubb (2021)

Another original member, Charlie has been a staple in the league for 30+ years. He has played in 257 games (3rd all-time), had 695 at-bats (1st), amassed 261 total bases (8th), and has won 152 games (1st). 207 hits puts him 5th all-time, while 45 doubles is 9th best. He also had 111 RBIs (14th), 93 walks (11th), 113 runs (18th), and 3 home runs. Charlie recorded 10 wins and 5 saves from the bump, and he won the Commissioner's Award in 1996. Going into the HoF with six championships to his name, Charlie is the most decorated player in Oldtimer history, one of those being from the 1991 opening year of the league.

John Chronister (2021)

In 19 seasons, John Chronister is the "wealthiest" man in Oldtimer history by earning 14 gold gloves. Known for his speed and outfield prowess, John patrolled center field, covering gap to gap and robbing many batters of what should have been hits. On the offensive side, John had 204 hits (7th all-time) scored 125 times (11th) and landed 3rd all-time with 52 doubles. Combining speed with power, he also hit 9 home runs in his career while driving in 136... good for 6th all-time. John won the Sportsmanship Award in 2010 and 2018 and was a part of two championship teams. In 2019, John won a gold glove, the Commissioner's Award, the 50+ MVP, and the American League Batting title - all at the age of 55.

Rick Goebeler (2022)

The first YCOBL hall of famer to be inducted before age 50, Rick has excelled as a pitcher, hittter, and defender. Known for both his consistency and power as a hitter, Rick's batting average of .516 over 9 seasons was the third-highest in league history at the time of his induction. He hit 35 doubles, 10 triples, and 7 home runs over that span.  On the mound Rick showed great endurance as well as pin-point control.  He threw 40-innings - the league maximum - a record 4 times, and his rate of 0.90 walks per 7 innings pitched is the lowest in league history. He ranks 4th in all-time wins (41) and 7th in all-time strikeouts (327). Rick has won Under-49 MVP four times, the outstanding pitcher award five times, and has garnered 6 gold gloves.

Jay Persing (2022)

During Jay's 20-year career, he has only missed two games... one in his first season, and one in 2021. 18 years of perfect attendance led to Jay's consistency on the field. Jay totaled 183 hits by way of ten or more hits in 11 seasons. Jay scored 118 runs and drove in 117 during his years in Oldtimers. Jay is known as a reliable starter year after year, pitching a whopping 600 innings, which is second all-time. He threw 40 innings twice, and at least 30 innings 12 times. His 42 wins and 171 pitching appearances are both 3rd all-time. Jay also tallied 292 strikeouts and 11 saves in his successful career. He has earned six gold gloves, five as pitcher and one at third base. One of the YCOBL's good guys, Jay also won the Sportsmanship Award in 2004 and 2009.

Tim Caskey (2023)

After 14 seasons in YCOBL, Tim has entered the hall of fame.  As both a power pitcher and power hitter, Tim always has a way to contribute big game situations.  At the time of his induction, 1.54 walks per 7 and 9.38 strikeouts per 7 are both 6th all time.  Batters never enjoyed seeing Caskey enter the game to pitch the last inning or two with his dominant fastball.  With the bat, Tim could do major damage.  10 homers and 12 triples puts him at 3rd all time in each category, and 46 doubles is good for 7th all time.  He has a career average of .506, and Tim is the only man with 10 or more homers and triples... proving he has both speed and power.   Tim also amassed six gold gloves, a batting championship, three World Series championships, and five MVP awards... two for 49U and three for 50+.  Tim is a student of the game, always tries to have fun, and is a great teammate.

York County Oldtimers Baseball League

Hall of Fame – Criteria for Induction (updated January, 2024)

The first discussion of a YCOBL Hall of Fame was documented in a memo from league founder Ken Hersey following the 2002 managers’ meeting. At that time it was agreed that creating a HoF was a good idea, but it should be tabled until “we had more history – a minimum of 15-20 years.”  In the spring of 2014, with Ken’s health in decline, the YCOBL league officers began what is now our Hall of Fame, with Ken Hersey being the lone inductee that first year.

Ken’s vision: “We should have accomplishment criteria along with a minimum number of years participation to be determined among other criteria that we consider. Age, while a factor, should not be the determining factor or who gets in.  It would be better to award to those while still alive so they could enjoy the reward.”

Things to consider for eligibility:

1. To be nominated - a player must have played a minimum of 10 seasons, a manager/administrator 8 seasons
2. Minimum age of 55
3. Accomplishments as a league participant
4. Contributions to the League
5. Health/still living

Procedure for Nominating and Voting:

 A Hall of Fame Committee of three shall be selected and remain until someone is removed or resigns. The current HoF Committee is Steve Hanson, Tim Caskey, and Rick Goebeler.

The HoF committee will create the ballot.  This ballot will be generated primarily through objective criteria, but subjectivity can also have influence.  The method for obtaining statistics and will be done in two ways:

1) Looking at a person’s entire career

2) Looking at a person’s ten best years (player) or 8 best years (manager)

Player statistics will be analyzed based on someone’s offensive numbers, pitching numbers, or the combination of both.  Managers will be considered based on their managerial stats.

The ballot will be updated each year after previous year’s inductees are removed and as newly eligible people qualify.  (The committee will consider accepting nominations in the future, but guidelines around this have to be determined.)  

The following people will receive a ballot and be permitted to vote:

1) Existing Hall of Fame members

2) League officers (if not already in the HoF)

3) The HoF Committee (if not already an officer or in the HoF)

Each voter gets up to 5 votes, ranking from 5 down to 1.  Voters need not vote for all five, but five is the max. 

The committee will tally all votes to determine who will be inducted.  One or two inductees will be common.  The idea is to protect the HoF as special and rare, so it’s unlikely more than two will be inducted. 

Induction Ceremony:

Inductees will be honored at the annual YCOBL Banquet, typically the first Saturday in March.  Inductees shall select someone to introduce them at the banquet.  A 3-5 minute speech is typical, but longer is fine.  Inductees will then follow with their own speech, also a 3-5 minute recommendation, but longer if needed.

Inductees, their presenter, and one other guest are invited to the banquet as guests of YCOBL.  More attendees are welcome, but at the current cost charged that year for the banquet.

Inductees will receive a plaque with engraving to highlight their YCOBL careers, presented to them by someone from the HOF committee.