All-Star Spotlight Q&A with West York baseball's Cash Gladfelter
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During the past four years, the West York baseball team has won three league titles, and countless players have stepped up to lead the Bulldogs.
This past season, it was senior Cash Gladfelter's turn. Among his season highlights, the two-sport athlete had an incredible showing in the Bulldogs' 3-2 win against Eastern York in the YAIAA baseball championship game.
Before Gladfelter continues his career at Shippensburg University, the Player of the Year reflected on his West York career and what lies ahead.
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What was your favorite part about this season?
Just being around the guys. We had a great group of guys. We had team nights every week. We were a close-knit group of guys, and I think that's what I'm going to miss the most. It was a heck of a ride.
Probably your biggest play of the season came during the YAIAA baseball championship against Eastern York with your walk-off bunt in the bottom of the seventh. Talk about that play.
It was a big play, but I didn't look at it as an individual play. Obviously if Brandon Sheffer didn't get on with a single to start the inning, it wouldn't have happened.
The team had a disappointing ending to the season when Daniel Boone scored 13 runs in the ninth inning in your first-round game of districts. Have you ever been part of a game like that?
I definitely never had been on that side of it. Thirteen runs in the last inning is still sticking with me, I just don't know how it happened. We had plenty of chances to win it before that and just didn't take advantage.
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West York has been a great small-ball team over the years under coach Roger Czerwinski. How often were you practicing bunting?
Every day before batting practice. Then we would get into three groups and do more. We took bunting very seriously. If you weren't able to bunt, you weren't in the lineup.
Do you have any pregame rituals?
Yes, I say a little prayer to my friend who passed away when I was in first grade. Her name was Cierra Angelica Lugo, and I've said a little prayer before every athletic game since eighth grade.
During your career at West York, what was the highlight?
Definitely making all the friends. We had very close teams each year.
You also played football. What sport do you prefer, football or baseball?
Baseball.
Any reason?
Just grew up playing it since I was four or five. My family is just a huge baseball family. We don't have the size to be a football family.
The name Cash, how did you get that name?
When I was born, my mom was reading a book, and she saw a kid's name in the book was Cash, and that's how I got it.
If they were to make a movie about your life, who would play you?
Growing up, my church leadership person always said I looked like Paul Walker, and some girl in my school said from the side I looked like Paul Walker, too. Now, I'd go with Mark Wahlberg (since Walker died).
Who are you listening to on your iPod?
Country, my favorite one is Luke Bryan. I listen to him before every game.
What's one place you would like to visit?
Punta Cana. I'm just like an island paradise kind of guy.
If you got stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you need with you?
A knife, a fire-starting kit and a baseball glove to keep myself entertained.
What's your favorite TV show?
"Criminal Minds."
What's your favorite car?
Jeep Wrangler or Ford Raptor.
What are your other hobbies?
Hanging out with the guys by the fire, snowboarding, playing some basketball and watching Kent Murphy videos.
Who is the one athlete you would like to meet?
Colt McCoy.
I'm guessing you're a Texas football fan then?
Yes, for football, but I like South Carolina for baseball.
What are your future plans?
Going to Shippensburg University to play baseball and major in biology and pre-med. I'd like to become an orthopedic physician.
What's the best advice you've gotten?
I asked Coach Czerwinski and (assistant coach Greg) Kinneman about college baseball and college academics, and they both helped me out a ton. ... Coach Czerwinski and Coach Kinneman said I have to pick the best college for me academically, but to also be able to enjoy the athletics, too.
Why did you choose Shippensburg?
I was originally going to Misericordia University, and then during the (league) playoffs against Spring Grove, Shippensburg's assistant coach was there and saw me play. After that game, he texted me and said he was impressed with my play and then came to the (league) championship game and after that we talked. The next day after the (league) championship, I went to Ship for a visit and afterward I committed and then had to call the Misericordia coach to tell him what happened.
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