Louis R. "Casey" Szalay, 86, Baseball and Softball Player

He was born on October 11, 1914 in Kosmosdale, KY and lived in Castalia before coming to Lorain over 75 years ago.

He graduated from Lorain High School in 1932.

He worked as a shipper in the shipping department at Lorain Works US Steel for over 35 years, retiring in 1976.

He was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter and United Steelworkers Union Local 1104.

His love for baseball and softball spanned 25 years with having played with 20 championship teams. In 1930's, "Casey" was presented with an Elgin wristwatch and a new bat and glove from the Lorain Amateur Baseball Association for winning his first batting championship in class D with a .683 batting average. Four years later, he became a standout in Lorain's Class A league. His baseball team had won the title and he was picked for the all -Star squad. He was known as one of the best outfielders in the state and had a batting average over 300. Casey tried out for the Cleveland Indians and was offered a contract with the Indian's farm club in Monessen, PA. While playing for the Cleveland Indians, he sustained a shoulder injury that brought him back to Lorain to play in the Class A League. In 1936, he played in the Cleveland Class A league, against Bob Feller, Jim Wasdell, Ray Mack and other prominent players who had made it to Major League baseball. In 1939, Casey began playing fast pitch softball consecutively for 8 years as an outfielder. During that time, he was a member of teams that had won local titles, and reached state semifinals and finals. While playing in the Lakewood AA league in 1946, Casey's team went on to the state semifinals where he batted .438. In 1947 and 1948, he transferred tot he national Fast Pitch League and was a well-known player with the Lakewood Nats, and Allmen Transfers, having batted against many of the world's best pitchers. From the late 1950's to the early 1960's , he coached Lorain Little League through Class A baseball having won 8 titles. In 1988, he was enshrined into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame.

He shared his love of baseball with his grandchildren, teaching them to play.

He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Helen (nee Skolnicki) 1 son, Richard, of Amherst; 2 daughters, Joyce Lazevich, of Lorain, and Jane Carlson, of Port Huron, MI; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank "Mitzi" of Amherst, and a sister, Margaret Zegalia, of Santa Ana, Ca.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Szalay Sr., and Rose (nee Takacs) Szalay, and a sister, Irene Bognar.

Service for the family are private and under the direction of the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain.