If there was any doubt about Central Mountain baseball coach Mike Kramer and what he’s done for the local baseball community, all of that should be put out the window after Friday afternoon’s celebration. In Central Mountain’s final home game of the regular season, Central Mountain athletics named its field at Mill Hall Community Park after Kramer, naming it, “Mike Kramer Field.”

When Coach Kramer first took on the job at Bald Eagle Nittany and then Central Mountain, his goal was just to work hard each day. Suddenly, he asked himself, ‘where did all that go?’, referring to the time that had gone by. All that hard work over the years turned into 32 seasons as a coach and a field being named after him.

Doing something the magnitude that Central Mountain athletics did on Friday afternoon doesn’t just come after a couple district titles or a few state title runs. Coach Kramer was rewarded with the naming of a field because of his hard work and dedication to Central Mountain’s baseball program before Central Mountain High School even existed.

In his 32nd season as coach, Kramer is the only guy who’s led Bald Eagle Nittany High and then Central Mountain when the school broke ground in 1999. The naming of Mike Kramer Field assures that his coaching legacy will live on forever, even when he hangs his coaching reigns up for good.

“We would never be able to do this without the assistants that are here giving their time every day,” coach Kramer said. “I tell these guys (his team) all the time how blessed we are and how grateful we have to be because of that. It’s very special for me and it was nice to come out with a win at the end.”

The decision to give coach Kramer the naming of the field came weeks ago, and even then, coach Kramer didn’t find out until moments before the unveiling. It was a perfect setup–from immediate family to extended family and past coaches and players–Kramer knew something was up when he saw big speakers out on the field.

But he didn’t know something of this magnitude was happening. Kramer’s utter shock left him at a loss for words after the revealing at the top of the scoreboard. The loss of words signified the past 30-plus years of hard work, dedication and day-in, day-out grind of making a name for Central Mountain baseball.

“I am blessed to be supplied with a strong support system,” Kramer said after the revealing. “I love my wife, she’s my best fan, and my family. I’ve been very blessed that way and I’m kind of at a loss at words.”

Those loss of words came after a speech that highlighted Kramer’s coaching career in Mill Hall. Under Kramer’s tenure, Central Mountain has accumulated five district titles, five Mountain League championships, a Central Penn League championship, three HAC-I championships and has totaled 347 wins after his recent victory over Mifflin County Friday.

The legend coach’s career record at Central Mountain stands at 263-188 and he’s had a record of over .500 in the past 16 seasons.

Kramer began coaching at Bald Eagle-Nittany High School before the kids he’s currently coaching were even born. But he wouldn’t be the great man and legendary coach he is today without the players he’s helped along the way.

Kramer has helped to send 55 players between Bald Eagle Nittany and Central Mountain to play college baseball, including four Major League draft picks. Twice with Alex Garbrick–one with the Yankees and once by the Phillies–Trey Stover, Kramer’s nephew who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and Shawn Weaver at Bald Eagle Nittany High School to name a few. Chip McCann, former player under Kramer at Bald Eagle Nittany and current Central Mountain Volleyball coach, also had a huge helping hand with Kramer Field.

“Most of the guys here played baseball at Central Mountain and it wouldn’t have been possible with their attitudes, their work ethic (and) what they do each and every day. It’s a blessing for me and I am very thankful,” Kramer noted.

Above all the wins, losses and accolades, Kramer has achieved the top goal any coach wants: serving as a mentor through the game of baseball and through life. Whether the player or Kramer has realized it, Kramer has positively influenced his players’ lives in a multitude of ways. Despite the Major League draft picks, college scholarships and big-time wins, influencing the game for the individuals you coach is something that goes far beyond batting numbers, wins and championships.

Coach Kramer has changed a lot of lives in his 32 years coaching the game of baseball. He constantly preaches putting in the work and is all for his guys receiving the credit they deserve from putting in the hard work, like making big plays in big games, for example.

With impressive wins in a historic season still in front of him, Kramer will make an impact on his players’ lives in their current season. But that impact will continue after his current players’ leave and even after Kramer’s coaching tenure is complete.

Zach Powell is the sports editor for The Express. Reach him at zpowell@lockhaven.com or follow him on Twitter @RealZachPowell.