VOLUME 35, NUMBER 48 APRIL 28, 2011 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY Running Downstream: Nooks & The Bases: The Conway Rips; Crannies: Meet Austin Weber, perfect level for Echo Lake and Peaked one of Kennett’s beginner and Mountain: An Easter visit baseball stars... intermediate paddlers... to two Valley favorites... A2 A17 A23 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Page Two Running the bases With Austin Weber A closer look at one of Kennett’s top athletes By Shawn Beattie tial. Red Sox. I look up to them Special to The Mountain Ear ME: When you moved to because they are both small New Hampshire did you con- guys like me but look how far KENNETT HIGH tinue to play baseball serious- they have made it. It helps me SCHOOL has always had a ly? realize that being small isn’t plethora of talented athletes. AW: Yeah, I did. I have going to set me back in this This year is no different. always played numerous sport. Among these athletes is junior sports throughout the year ME: Who has been there Austin Weber. At first glance but since I have been in New to support you and help you Weber doesn’t look like Hampshire I have played for a the most? Family, coaches, much, but he has never let his lot of different teams. I always friends? size get in the way of achiev- try to stay involved in baseball AW: My dad has definitely ing his goals. He is a three- somehow to improve my tal- taught me the most. He is sport athlete who participates ents. always giving me feedback in varsity football, indoor ME: What colleges have and helping me. But, I want to track, and varsity baseball. you been contacted by? thank my whole family Weber is one of a handful of AW: I have been contacted because they are always there talented young baseball play- by a few different colleges. to support me and they are at ers at Kennett who have been Purdue and Phoenix every single game no matter contacted by division one col- University have both shown where it is. leges. A few games into the interest in me, as well as New ME: There are so many 2011 season the lead-off hitter Haven and Rhode Island. I possibilities for baseball play- and starting second baseman think it would be pretty cool ers in the United States. for the Eagles sat down to dis- to play for Rhode Island There are several different cuss his past and future in because I lived there when I leagues and hundreds of baseball. was younger and it isn’t too teams to play for. How far can Mountain Ear: Usually far from home. you see yourself going in when an athlete excels at a ME: Since you have been baseball? particular sport it is usually in contact with colleges have AW: I can definitely see because they have been play- you done more during the off- myself playing ball in college ing that sport from a young season to get better or get somewhere. But if I was able age, when did you begin play- yourself noticed? to play in the majors, that ing baseball? AW: Not really. I did play would be icing on the cake. Austin Weber: Honestly, I for an AAU baseball team for ME: Because you are being began playing when I could the first time last year. I looked at by college programs walk. I remember my dad played for the Souhegan is there added pressure on this used to toss a small, squishy Valley Saints. Other than that season that hasn’t been there Red Sox ball at me and it all I do is lift weights to get before? would always hit me in the bigger and participate in a few AW: Not really. I have face. Eventually I caught one baseball camps. I try not to more responsibilities on the and it all started from there. I worry too much about getting team this year that adds pres- used to play a lot of whiffle myself scouted. It adds unnec- sure, but nothing that makes ball and carry a whiffle ball essary stress. me nervous. I try not to worry bat around as a child and I ME: It seems as though about what schools are look- would always throw the ball most sports require an athlete ing at me while I’m in the around. to be 250 pounds or 6’8” tall middle of a season, I try my ME: You said your dad to be successful. Has your size best to remain focused on the used to throw the ball to you, caused you a lot of problems? team and our goals. so is that who got involved in AW: Well, the good thing ME: Before we finish is the sport of baseball? (Photo Courtesy of the Weber Family) about baseball is that size real- there anything you would like AW: Yes, my dad got me Austin Weber communicating with teammates from his AAU team, ly doesn’t matter. Being a to add? started at an early age. He the Souhegan Valley Saints. good baseball player requires AW: I’d like to say thanks always loved playing sports as good hand-eye coordination again to my family and every- a child and I guess he wanted Nothing compares to it. for a team in Rhode Island and thankfully I’m pretty fast. one who has supported me me to get as much enjoyment ME: When did you realize where I used to live and the I haven’t really had any prob- and helped me through the from it as he did. you were good at baseball? coaches moved me up to the lems with my size except com- years. Also, come cheer us on ME: What made you keep Was there any significant 11 and 12-year-old team ments made by other players. this season and show your playing? You could have given events that stand out that you because I was playing well. When I hear that stuff I usual- support, we should be pretty it up and played another sport can remember helped you Another time, again when I ly laugh it off. successful this year. but what was it about baseball realize your potential? was eight, I was voted most ME: Are there any players You can check out Austin that kept your interest? AW: I remember a couple valuable player at a baseball that you look up to or you can Weber and the rest of the AW: I love the feeling of of things that made me realize camp at Rhode Island relate to that help motivate Eagles in a couple of home being on the field. I love run- I could be really good if I College. Those two things you? games in the upcoming weeks ning the bases and holding the worked hard. Once, when I gave me confidence and AW: Dustin Pedrioa or on May 2, and again on bat. It’s a good feeling. was eight I signed up to play helped me realize my poten- Jacoby Ellsbury, both of the Friday, May 6. On the Cover Inside Index 2020 Vision Quest The Great Outdoors Randy Pierce, The Mighty Quinn and 2020 Vision Quest bring abili- The iconic Old Man of The Mountain top- Valley Folks & Focus..........Page 6 ty awareness to new heights. Randy Pierce’s zest for life is as high as the pled eight years ago on May 3. Find out Passages..............................Page 9 mountains he climbs. He faces life’s challenges head-on. Pierce, 44, about the new memorial being erected to began to lose his vision at age in 1989, at 22 years of age, one year after commemorate the site. Page A12. Out & About .....................Page 13 graduating college. In 2000, he completely lost his eyesight due to an unknown neurological condition. Three years later, he experienced All Things Growing Rockpile .............................Page 14 more neurological problems and lost his balance, the end result: Pierce Here in New England, there is a small win- Roundups...........................Page 15 says he spent one year, eight months and 22 days in a wheelchair, to be dow of opportunity between when the exact. In July 2010, along with his hiking team and his guide dog, snow melts and when it gets hot. This win- Downstream ......................Page 17 Quinn, Pierce summitted Mount Washington, with a goal in mind to dow is especially important if you want to Calendar.............................Page 20 reach all 48, 4,000-plus footers in the White Mountains by the year transplant trees and shrubs. Guest con- 2020. Pictured are Tracy, Randy and Quinn on Mt. Liberty. Page A8 tributing writer David Neufeld explains Nooks & Crannies.............Page 23 (CourtesyPhoto) why. Page A22 Page 2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, April 28, 2011 Valley News Registration now open for Tin Mountain Conservation Center Summer Camp For students that like hiking, Surrounded by 140 acres of Greenleaf Huts. New this year hikes, swimming and friend- frog ponds in the valley, and the canoeing or just enjoying being forests and fields, the site is an is The Darby Field Expedition ships are all part of the day Albany campsite offers explo- in nature, now is the time to excellent location to explore the Camp for explorers ages 11 and camp experience for elementary ration of a seven acre pond, and consider the great opportunities outdoors as well as to prepare 12 retrace sections of Darby aged campers.