From Baseball in Illinois News Sources
The IHSBCA would like to congratulate its Hall of Fame class of 2009: Len Zabroski, Mike Riley, Paul Frerking, Bill Girling, Tom Saunches, and Blayne Smith. These men will be officially inducted on the evening of February 6 at Bo-baks Signature Events and Conference Center in Lisle. The following is a short biography of each of our newest in-ductees:
Len Zabroski—Morton East & TF South
During his 45-year career in baseball, Zabroski has coached at Thornton Fractional South, Morton East, Prairie State, and Marian Catholic. As an assistant at Morton, he was part of the State Championship team in 1970. Len has given many years of service to the IHSBCA, including hosting the annual clinic at Morton and serving as a con-ference representative for four years.
Mike Riley—Glenbard South
Riley, a long-time officer and former President of the IHSBCA, has been coaching high school baseball for 27 years, 23 of which has been as head coach. He has garnered 439 wins, five conference championships, three regional cham-pionships, and one sectional title. The Glenbard South skipper has also made three IHSBCA Summer League Final Eight appearances. His nominator, Hall of Famer Dave Elko (Oswego), said of Riley, “he is a dedicated, caring, and passionate person and coach. These qualities have made him the Hall of Famer he is, both on and off the field.”
Paul Frerking—Ridgewood
The 2010 season will mark Frerking’s 20th and final season as the head coach of Ridgewood High School. During his tenure, the Rebels amassed 491 wins, five conference championships, three regional titles, and one sectional championship. Frerking has also coached 63 all-conference players, 14 all-area players, and six all-state players. He has been an IHSBCA member for 22 years and has served as a conference representative for the past 16 seasons.
Bill Girling—Harlem
Girling, a retired coach and teacher, has been involved with Harlem baseball for the past 38 years, including a 12-year stint as the Huskie head coach. While at the helm of Harlem baseball, Girling’s teams won seven conference championships, four regional championships, and two sectional championships. According to nominator Doug Livingston, Girling worked tirelessly to promote baseball in the Rockford area, including organizing a freshman con-ference tournament, putting together summer and winter clinics and hitting leagues, and helping to organize the first summer baseball league. “Bill loves the game of baseball,” Livingston wrote, “and he passes it on to every player he coaches—it has been a privilege to coach against and with Bill Girling.”
Tom Saunches—Argenta-Oreana
Saunches has been the skipper of Argenta-Oreana baseball for 25 years. During this time, the Bombers have won 414 games, 10 conference championships, 10 regional championships, and three sectional championships. Saunches, who has never had a losing season, will be joining his father Ray (DuQuinn High School), who was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1979. Tom will be retiring following the 2009-2010 school year and his nominator, Brice Stewart had this to say about him: “Tom is a hall of fame teacher, coach, and individual, and this honor would be a fitting way to end his career.”
Blayne Smith—Cobden
Smith has been a head baseball coach for 31 years and in this span he has accumulated over 600 wins, 11 conference championships, nine conference tournament titles, six regional championships, and two sectional titles. The current Cobden skipper has also twice been named conference Coach of the Year and in May of 2006 had the varsity field named in his honor.
