Baxter, Carroll, Fischer and Stirpe named Hans Blatter Award recipients

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monroe County coaches honored longtime supporter Hans Blatter Friday night prior to the Exceptional Senior All-Star Game played at Frontier Field.

For decades, Blatter has made it possible through financial support for local teams to bring together their seniors for the event played at Frontier Field.

“Every time we play at this field, there’s no admission charged. He pays the fee and sponsors the kids,” said game organizer and Spencerport Ranger head coach, Larry Frisa. “We’ve been able to do this year after year after year. We thought it would be very fitting to honor him for that as well as two seniors from Class AA and two seniors from Class A.”

Webster Schroeder’s Tommy Baxter, Spencerport’s Joey Carroll, Canandaigua’s Connor Fischer and Hilton’s David Stirpe were honored in a brief ceremony before Friday’s game.

“To get any recognition is always an honor,” Fischer said. “To be recognized for an award in somebody’s name who’s done so much for the game, it really means a lot.

The quartet was noted for their community service, leadership and participation in volunteer activities throughout the year.

“I am so grateful that I am in the position to receive this award,” Stirpe said. “Coach Murphy (Hilton coach Jeff) put me in the position to be a leader. People have been putting me in a position to be a leader throughout my high school career.”

President of Castle Chemical since 1997, Blatter has overseen the local business which celebrated its 50th year of operation in 2017. The award-winning corporation with its headquarters on St. Paul St., has services which extend from Maine to Florida.

“He never wants any pat on the back,” Frisa said of Blatter. “He never wants any type of recognition, but we feel it’s very fitting he has this award in his name.”

“It really means a lot to be honored with this award,” said Carroll who has worked on a variety of service projects through Spencerport Central School District including serving meals to the homeless at St. Peter’s Kitchen in downtown Rochester . “Doing stuff around the community is important. Meeting people, seeing what they go through every day and really seeing the struggles they face and learning learning how to help them. To have that work recognized is important.”

On the field, the East All Stars beat the West, 10-2.