Phillies' Erik Kratz Honored by Christopher Dock

Phillies’ Erik Kratz honored by Christopher Dock - The Reporter 2/26/13 11:00 AM

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Sports » Phillies » ADVERTISEMENT Phillies’ Erik Kratz honored by Christopher Dock

By ALEXANDER GROSS For The Reporter Posted: Sunday, 10/21/12 07:02 pm Updated: Sunday, 10/21/12 09:33 pm

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Erik Kratz , right, a 1998 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, speaks as he is recognized with a Distinguished Service Award during a cermony at the school. At left is athletic director Tim Ehst Friday, October 19, 2012. Photoby Geoff Patton

CONTRIBUTE LANSDALE — Erik Kratz is in the hall of fame. It’s not Cooperstown, but

Story Ideas still an honor for the Christopher Dock alum.

Send Corrections To this point in his career, you might call the Philadelphia Phillies catcher a professional journeyman, navigating through the waters of the Minor League Baseball system since being drafted in 2002 by the Toronto Blue Jays. But, life’s knack of coming full circle was in full effect Friday night as Kratz returned home to receive a humbling award as part of the high school’s homecoming weekend festivities.

At the ceremony, he was introduced by Principal Conrad Swartzentruber who started off with some http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/20121021/SPORTS12/121029945/phillies-erik-kratz-honored-by-christopher-dock#full_story Page 1 of 6 Phillies’ Erik Kratz honored by Christopher Dock - The Reporter 2/26/13 11:00 AM

levity. “Erik has the keen God-given ability to throw runners out from his knees.” Happening Now in News Lansdale Swartzentruber presented Kratz with his framed number 31 Phillies jersey, which will be on display in Happening Now in Action News on 6abc @6abc the school’s main hall as a source of pride and inspiration to follow faith and reach for the stars. Lansdale Not guilty verdict in case of cop who punched woman - Phila. DA reacts - It’s been a road commonly traveled for thousands of baseball players, grinding it out in the minor http://t.co/lWf5iIpyV2 leagues waiting for that big break that for most never arrive. Kratz has made it however, through a 7m blend of determination, faith, and family, turning his dreams into reality. 511PA Philadelphia @511PAPhilly CLEARED:roadwork:I-476 southbound At 32-years-old, Erik Kratz is a Major League baseball player. South (End Of I-476) 8m

Advertisement He’s reached the proverbial mountaintop of success Pennsylvania Vote-Rigging Takes Center Stage If you are a smoker and playing the game at its highest level. But, to Kratz and For over a year, Pennsylvania Republicans have live in [ Pennsylvania] you been threatening to anti-democratize the Keystone need to read this... those sitting in Dock’s auditorium as he received the State 4m and change how we vote for president—from a Young Alumni of the Year honor along with the first “winner takes all” system employed by 48 states to an ever Outstanding Athletic Achievement award, Kratz electoral college-basedPA Democrats system @PADems that would split votes by Congressional district. As Philadelphia Weekly has “made” it a long time before donning a Phillies uniform. written in theMT past,@BethMelena: this is incredibly @GovernorCorbett, stupid because do Obama knows of an [...] the right thing. Gov. Corbett's special ed. event set to occur in 2015 proposal exploits a broken system that could propel him into The Young Alumni award is an honor given based on a http://t.co/sFiT8Np6we a Third Term... demonstration of academic, spiritual, and lifestyles 8m practices. The Reading Eagle @ReadingEagle Huntingdon Valley - New Shave and a haircut, now a fine art: rule allows many “The Athletic award is cool, but receiving this Alumni http://t.co/AioUflEVgQ Pennsylvania residents to award is special,” Kratz said. “I hope it’s reflective of 9m get car insurance at half- 9m price. the work I’ve done off the field as well.” Senator Casey Honors Pittsburgh Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Bill Strickland Huntingdon Valley : New Kratz’s grounded mindset is reflective of this tight-knit today trick allows Pennsylvania area he grew up in, a tribute to his strong family drivers to get auto Somepowered Pennsylvania by Crowdynews Republicans FULLWant SCREENto end insurance as low as $9 upbringing and culture at Christopher Dock that Prevailing Wage for Transportation Projects provided him with the understanding that success starts with a strong bond of faith, family, and community. As a National Politics 1998 graduate of Dock, Kratz still holds to the 2013-02-26 08:23:01— Sequester: Answers to teachings that were instilled to him by his school and the teachers within the institutions walls. We your questions about budget cuts see it time and time again where a meteoric rise can change a person, but Kratz’s list of proprieties Answers to your questions about the has never wavered. automatic budget cuts that will go into effect on Friday if Congress doesn't act.

Husband, father, man of faith and community still come before the game of baseball. 1 hour ago— Is Obama avoiding the press with Google Hangout? (Video)

Kratz sees his priority structure as a means to excel in the Majors Leagues, not a detriment. Faith and 12 hours ago— U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee drops bin Laden film probe his family are his top motivations in life, a foundation and constant pillar of strength for everything he 17 hours ago— 7 politicians who said the has achieved. sequester would never happen

21 hours ago— The sequester and the states: “Faith isn’t a role,” Kratz said. “It’s everything I know. It definitely helped me get through the trials of What governors are saying the minor league system. I would see other guys around me break down mentally, but prayer kept me emotionally strong and ready for the next challenge.” MEDIA CENTER GALLERIES NEWS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT LIFESTYLES

Kratz had great success while playing collegiate baseball at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia achieving Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002. He is school’s all- time leader in career hits (220), home runs (33), doubles (77), RBIs (159), runs (147), batting average (.415), slugging percentage (.762) and total bases (404).

“A lot of people have talent, that’s why you’re an sll-star in high school and college. It’s the hard work that gets you to the professional level,” said Kratz, lifting his framed jersey for fans to snap some photos of the 6’4 255 lb. right-handed Phillies catcher.

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