KESS Hopes to Keep Rebuilding Athletic Programs

By Jonathan Weaver

Less than a year ago, a little league program for Kittanning Township, Elderton and South Bend children was on the brink of crumbling.

Former President Anngela Chapman – an Elderton High Class of 1993 graduate – said the recent season was “challenging” after the charter was set to dissolve in October after the past president resigned and so did the fellow board members. Though she is vice-president of operations at Environmental Service Laboratories in Indiana, Pa., she volunteered – but only with some support.

“My daughter was in fall-ball, and I was at a game talking to all these guys that were on my daughter’s team and we all agreed that we didn’t want the team to go away, but no one wanted to be president, so I said I would be if everyone helped me out,” Chapman said. “We came to a few meetings, were nominated and voted in and that was that.

“We really just did it to save the charter. Otherwise, our children would have had to play for Shannock Valley, Kittanning or Ford City.”

This past season, nine teams and nearly 90 children took the field under KESS – including Chapman’s daughter, Anna, and son, Ethan.

Chapman did not seek nomination for a second term, but a new president and several returning ones are looking to grow while Chapman is KESS Information Officer.

Tim Newell was Anna Chapman’s coach last year when Anngela volunteered. He became vice president of softball because of her drive, and will retain that role this coming season.

“I think for a bunch of people that came together just to keep ball in this area – our number one goal – that spawned a motivation and a desire to grow ball in this area,” Newell said.

One indication of that team dedication so far was seen with the 9/10 all-star team, which played an 11-inning game earlier this season.

Originally of Butler, Newell coached since his daughter, Haleigh, began playing.

“The goal here is to grow,” Newell said. “As a community, we need to grow and bring little league back to this area and make it stronger.”

Newell’s son – Braden – was coached by newly-elected president Nathan Johns. Johns – grandson of former Elderton/Plumcreek Area Recreation and Parks Commission Chair Jack Quinn and a former KESS athlete - echoed the goal to grow the community sport.

“We’re building – things don’t happen overnight, it takes time,” Johns said. “We can’t pull kids out of thin air, but we’ve been getting the word out for kids to get their friends playing ball to try and grow this program to what it was at one time.
“Another intention of mine is to build that program so when my son (Travis) is 12, he’s got a competitive little league to play with.”

KESS hasn’t been able to field a senior division team despite combining with children from Shannock Valley the past few years.

“We’d like to increase the quantity of KESS, but also the quality as well,” Johns said.

Johns was unanimously elected by at least a dozen parents.

Kevin Talmadge’s two sons - Braden (8) and Alex (7) – started in KESS earlier this summer

A four-year letterman at both Apollo-Ridge and Slippery Rock University in baseball, Talmadge dreamt of being involved in the major leagues, but several tryouts and camps before camps never propelled him to the next level.

Those dreams, however, are now within his two sons. Talmadge was their coach, and will now be vice-president of baseball.

“My goal of KESS Little League baseball is to make it grow,” Talmadge said. “(To) become a stronger community for kids who want to be involved in baseball. Our numbers have to grow in order for it to become stronger.”

New officers will take over responsibility in October.

Monthly meetings will now be held at the Elderton Presbyterian Church and are open to input from the community and parents.

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