Because the success that the Fredericksburg American Legion baseball team experienced this summer was so much based on team work and unity, it would be difficult to single out one player as its most valuable. But one would be hard pressed to name an individual who was more integral to Post 915’s success than Noah Gingrich.

On Wednesday at Ephrata’s War Memorial Field, during the second day of action in the Pennsylvania American Legion tournament, Gingrich and Fredericksburg saw their campaigns come to an end with a 10-6, 13-inning loss to Wessleysville. A day earlier, Gingrich and his mates had endured a 5-1 setback to defending state champion Swoyersville, in their opener.

During Fredericksburg’s run to Region Four and Lebanon County championships, Gingrich was a spark, a table-setter at the top of the Post 915 lineup all summer long, using his patience, selective eye and quick hands to get on base. Gingrich was also a steady fielder for Fredericksburg, making the tough plays look routine and making the routine plays look easy.

But Gingrich’s greatest value to Fredericksburg may have been in his leadership, his calming influence on teammates and by what he did through actions.

 – Jeff Falk