Len Barker to appear at Cy Young Days

The members of the Cy Young Days festival committee welcome back former Cleveland Indians pitcher, Len Barker, to the Cy Young Days festival. Barker’s first appearance was in one of the first few festivals, prior to the festival holding a luncheon.

“He’s a super good guy,” Ed Gibson, president of the festival committee, said. “I think a lot of people are going to recognize the name and they’ve replayed his perfect game (on television) a few times over the years, so younger people are going to recognize who he is.”

Gibson is looking forward to seeing Barker again.

“He’s basically a hero in Ohio because he was the 10th person to pitch a perfect game in major league baseball and there is not a lot of those that happen,” Gibson said.

Barker pitched the perfect game on May 15,1981 with the Cleveland Indians at a home game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves during his career.

“I’ve met him before. I’ve gotten pictures with him with my oldest grandson. I’m looking forward to seeing him again and hopefully get a picture with my great grandson,” Gibson said.

The village of Newcomerstown is declaring the fourth Saturday of June as their official Cy Young Day. A proclamation will be signed at the opening ceremony for the festival. It’s a trend they hope others will follow; members of the Cy Young Days festival committee have been lobbying for others to do.

“We’re hoping this will carry over to the state and eventually have the whole state of Ohio recognize the day,” Gibson said. “It would be nice to get that done. If Major League Baseball would follow through and recognize that day, that would be a dream come true.”

There has been a location change for annual luncheon for the visiting Cy Young award winner Newcomerstown High School this year as the former location is no longer available. The change will allow for more parking and more people to attend the event.

The luncheon will be held on Saturday June 29. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch is at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Reservations can be made by calling 740-227-1544 or email chaney.janet8@gmail.com.

Five full size genuine Louisville Sluggers wood bats will be auctioned off at the luncheon. Each bat is numbered and signed by Len Barker. They are also engraved with festival name, date, Home of Cy Young.

Gibson was pleased to announce that a sponsor was found for the cornhole tournament increasing the amount of prize money this year to first place, $300, second place, $200, and third place, $100.

The sponsors and supporters of the festival include 31 Inc., Kurz Kasch, Groovfold, Trinity Twin City Medical Center, Newcomerstown Rotary Club, VVA # 532, Riesbecks, Wendy’s, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, Lahmer’s State Farm Insurance, American Legion Post 431, Sons of the American Legion, Simona Boltaron Inc., Moose Lodge 1337, RJ Wright & Sons, Fruit Growers Marketing Association, Medi – Wise, Addy Funeral Home, Eagle Hardwoods, Mike’s Body Shop, Mike Weingarth Insurance, Occupational Medicine Center of Tuscarawas Co., Cameo, Darr Farms, Village of Newcomerstown, Newcomerstown Street Department, Newcomerstown Police. Tri County Joint Ambulance District, Newcomerstown Public Library, Jeff Harding, Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools, The Silkworm Flowers & Gifts, and Newcomerstown Historical Society.

For anyone wanting to help support the festival, raffle tickets will be available for purchase for some great prizes including one that includes Cleveland Guardians passes for great seats behind home plate, $100 in gas money, and food vouchers for the stadium.

Three different styles of T-shirts will be available for sale at the festival too. The colors are grey, orange, and safety green. The shirts feature images of Cy Young as a younger baseball player and one as an older player.

“Then we have a picture of him sitting on a stump with his dog,” Gibson said. “It was probably very close to a year before he passed away when this was taken. They are pretty popular and the one with the dog has really taken off.”

Gibson and the festival committee are thankful for the help of some of the members of the Newcomerstown High School sports teams. The committee will be making a donation to their sport in return for their help with the festival.

This year’s festival schedule includes:

-Friday, June 28 – 5 p.m. tents and concessions open, 5:30 p.m. introduction of Queen and court, 6 p.m. cornhole tournament, 7 p.m. New Towne Cloggers, 8-11 p.m. The Moonlyterz.

- Saturday, June 29 – 8 a.m. Cy Young Run at Newcomerstown High School, 11:30 a.m. doors open for luncheon and bat auction, 12 p.m. tents and concessions open, 12:30-1:15 p.m. registration for pie eating contest, 1:30 p.m. pie eating contest, 3 p.m. Studio 3 dance studio performs at Canal Street stage, 4 p.m. Kids of the Kingdom dance studio performs at Canal Street stage, 4:30 p.m. parade line up, 6 p.m. parade, 6:30 p.m. B.A.D. the Kid, 7 p.m. Mugicians at Canal Street stage and Len Barker autograph signing at Main Street Museum, 8-11 p.m. 2 PC. Chicken Dinner band.

-Sunday, June 30 – 10 a.m. Ron Porcher Vintage Baseball Game at Cy Young Park and one game at Newcomerstown High School, 12 p.m. tents and concessions open, 1 p.m. talent show on Canal Street stage, 1-3 p.m. car show registration, 3-5 p.m. car show, 3 p.m. pet show on Canal Street stage, festival closes at 5 p.m.