Jerry Clapper was inducted into the Ohio Hot Stove Hall of Fame this past weekend in Alliance. Here is his induction speech:

    You always know if it’s a strike. You always know the count… even if you are 3 fields away. You will see him on the softball and baseball diamonds in the spring working high school games. You will see him also in the summer umpiring Hot Stove games. You will see him at Hot Stove meetings, games and all that goes with them. Jerry Clapper has been an ever-present force around the diamonds for nearly two decades. Once upon a time he was challenged by Hall of Famer Gene Farr, to start umpiring. He took the sage advice and began doing so. He then had a daughter, Audra, and the two began a journey that still lasts to this day. Jerry became a coach, mentor, shuttle driver, umpire but always wore his proudest title, dad.

    Jerry was pressed into duty with the Lorain County Hot Stove board by becoming the Class H and newly formed Class HH Vice President. He has spent countless hours ensuring that his teams had “the perfect schedule,” got their games played as well as handling issues in a timely and fair manner. He consistently looks for ways to improve and grow the Hot Stove program and is always there to lend an ear or give good advice.

    When Lorain County formed Hot Stove Softball, Jerry was at the forefront of bringing and keeping up to a product worthy of the Hot Stove brand. He recently added the role of Head Umpire for Softball, where he added the responsibilities of training new umpires, scheduling tournaments and all other tasks associated with the role, while still remaining as the Class HH and H Vice President.

    For Jerry, Hot Stove is a family affair. His now adult daughter, Audra, serves on the same Lorain County board as State Commissioner. She can also be seen umpiring alongside her dad (or running to Taco Bell at State for him.) Jerry’s wife, Renee, can be found by his side at nearly every game, or falling into a pool in Alliance. His mom, Donna, has been a tournament score keeper for years. His dad, Jerry Sr., also makes the trip to Alliance each year to show Jerry how to golf, although that part hasn’t been too successful yet.

    So it is with great pride that Lorain County Hot Stove nominates Jerry Clapper Jr. to be recognized among the other Hot Stove greats and be rightfully inducted into the Ohio Hot Stove Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,

Lorain County Hot Stove