Valley Resident Makes Catching On Mark in Big Leagues by Preston Knight, SVEC Writer Valley,” he admits. “The Valley and EMU, I can’t give them all the credit, but they are resh off a bit of newfound national something that was huge for me. Coming fame on the baseball field, Erik Kratz to EMU, and just the whole area, it’s a very Fwas settling back into his normal community-driven, family-driven area. offseason routine here in the Valley — on “It’s all been very important in my this early November day in particular, a golf development not only as a player, but as course in Charlottesville called his name a man.” — and had a chance to reminisce on the innumerable jobs he once held in the area. Hot Mic, Warm Wishes There were stints in construction, After graduating from college, Kratz masonry and with Special Fleet Services, maintained his offseason baseball home in which offers vehicles and equipment for the Valley because his wife, Sarah, and her EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY COURTESY PHOTO Erik Kratz, shown here from his playing companies such as Shenandoah Valley family were in the area. Now, it is simply days at Eastern Mennonite University in Electric Cooperative (SVEC). more of a home to him. the early 2000s, is now a member of the How about Kratz working on actual During his time at EMU, Kratz played Milwaukee Brewers. cooperative power lines? in the Valley Baseball League, a summer “You guys weren’t hiring,” he jokes. circuit for college baseball players that has Despite this missed opportunity, Kratz produced several big-name stars, such as a wild celebration with his teammates has not gone unnoticed by cooperative former Washington National Daniel when he turned and gave well wishes to employees, especially among baseball fans. Murphy, who played in Luray. Kratz said home plate umpire Ted Barrett. A Harrisonburg resident, he was one of the every player he talks to about the Valley “Thank you, brother. Hey, bless you,” most celebrated players of this past baseball experience provides glowing reviews. Kratz said for the world to hear. postseason as he helped the Milwaukee “It’s college summer baseball. You really Within the context of the scene — a Brewers win one playoff series and get to don’t have any responsibility,” Kratz said. ballplayer who hadn’t reached a playoff the brink of reaching the World Series “Most of the guys are into outdoor stuff, game in almost 20 years in his profession, before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers. hunting, fishing. They wish they could for a team that hadn’t won a playoff series Kratz’s popularity was, in part, a result come back in the offseason for hunting.” in seven years — it was a rather extraordinary of his age. At 38, the catcher was the Kratz is less of the outdoorsman type, display of sportsmanship. oldest player to make his postseason debut he said. He enjoys the relative anonymity But, then again, what else should we since 1905. he can have in the area, though his expect from one of the Valley’s own? His perseverance through 17 years of ascension to a player worthy of being fitted “I hope that’s just me,” Kratz said. “That professional baseball, since graduating from with a microphone during a nationally moment, while it is about us as a team, it’s Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in televised game may harm that. more than about us as a team. It’s about all Harrisonburg in 2002, is a story worthy of It was during this game — in which the the people who have helped us up to that the national audience that heard it. More Brewers clinched a playoff series victory over point. It’s about my dad. It’s about my wife. important, it is not lost on Kratz that the the Colorado Rockies — that Kratz seemed It’s about our coaches. The umpire ... that’s Shenandoah Valley was a contributing to reach the apex of his playoff celebrity. his profession. If somebody puts efforts factor to his eventual breakthrough. Leaving his catcher position after the into their profession, who am I to say, “Nobody ever thinks I’m part of the final out, he was in the process of joining ‘I don’t like him.’ “I always try to thank [umpires] at the SVEC Major September/October Outages end of the game. It just so happens I was mic’d up.” As another offseason in the Valley 9/10 Shenandoah and Stanley areas 10/4 Gainsboro area continues for Kratz, he is hopeful everyone 6,800 members out for ½ to 1½ hours 1,700 members out for ½ hour can find significance in the hard work he Substation equipment failure Device on sensitive setting to protect workers put into the long journey to reach his 9/21 Town of Luray and U.S. 340 Business corridor 10/10 Gainsboro area career’s highest rank. 1,100 members out for ½ hour 1,700 members out for ½ hour “It’s not just for kids. If I only talked to Device on sensitive setting to protect workers Device on sensitive setting to protect workers baseball kids, that would be a waste,” he

said of his message. “Everybody wants to 9/28 Northeastern Frederick County 10/26 Winchester City – central have a feeling of accomplishment. If you 1,100 members out for 3 hours 930 members out for 1½ hours take credit for the things that you’ve done, Equipment failure Live tree off right-of-way all you’re going to have is a feeling of 10/2 Central Shenandoah County 10/29 Town of Shenandoah and Verbena areas success or not success, and that’s fleeting. 1,200 members out for 3½ hours 1,580 members out for 1½ hours If you put everything into it, that’s not Planned outage to replace infrastructure Animal in substation fleeting. You can’t take effort away.” svec.coop January 2019 | Cooperative Living | 29