Aston Middletown Little League remembers coach
MIDDLETOWN >> The AstonMiddletown Little League family gathered Friday evening to remember and pay tribute to Richie Scharrer, who died suddenly last week.
A well-respected coach in the league, Scharrer, 37, of Brookhaven, died on April 23 after suffering a cardiac event on the little league field. He leaves his wife of 12 years, Karen; and two sons, R.J., 9, and Mason, 7.
“Rich was a very special person and will be greatly missed,” said league President Jon Consadene. “When he was choosing his teams, he never cared about talent. He just wanted to make the kids better ball players.”
League Coach and Director of Baseball Operations Jeff Dailey said Rich had finished batting practice with his players and complained of discomfort in his back. He went to rest in the dugout, but it was not improving. Rich then went to his car with a neighbor and the pain increased.
“There were doctors and nurses right here at the field to help him, but I guess it was just too bad,” Dailey said. “This is such a loss for our league.”
Scharrer’s loss was obvious on the tear-stained faces of the players during Friday’s ceremony on the field. The league shut down for the week since Scharrer’s death, and re-opened with a solemn ceremony, which featured a lone bagpiper who walked the bases while playing, the placing of white carnations on the pitcher’s mound
“Rich was a very special person and will be greatly missed. When he was choosing his teams, he never cared about talent. He just wanted to make the kids better ball players.”
— League President Jon Consadene
and a league tribute read by Dailey.
“Rich had a way of making every child feel special,” Dailey said. “He got right down to the child’s level. He was a big guy with a big personality and was the perfect example of what a little league coach should be. Rich would not only coach his own teams, but spent a lot of time watching other games and cheering for all the players. He was that kind of guy.”
Scharrer loved baseball. He was born and raised in New York and moved to the area to play baseball at West Chester University.
Scharrer was very involved with R.J. and Mason’s sports teams. In addition to coaching the Pirates in the National League and White Sox in the American League, he was also a coach with the Aston Bandits Football League.
“We will all miss Coach Scharrer,” Dailey said. “This place was, for him, a place of fun. So, let’s have fun celebrating Rich and baseball.”
The community has come together in many ways to assist the family.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Rich for the care of his sons to: TD Bank 4235 Edgmont Ave. Brookhaven, PA 19015.
In addition, a You Caring account can be accessed by visiting www. youcaring.com/karenscharrer-809250.