Paul A. Baumgartner, Sr., 75, Award Winning Sports Journalist

For nearly a half century he had chronicled athletic achievements in public print along Ohio’s north coast.

Born in Lorain on Dec. 14, 1934, he moved to his current Sheffield Township residence in 1996.

Bummy was a graduate of Lorain High School and went on to attend Kent State University. Following his return from military service in 1959, he was hired as a sports reporter for the Lorain Journal. Shortly thereafter he was recruited by the Plain Dealer to man the sports desk at its Lorain County Bureau. The first 20 years of his career were spent working from several regional bureaus, covering virtually every type of sporting event. During those early years he displayed his versatility with bylines about horse racing, radio and television sports, softball, golf, boxing, and a full gamut of scholastic sports.

Covering Amateur Softball Association world and regional tournaments, he was recognized with three first place national writing awards and was among the first area writers to acknowledge the popularity of slow pitch softball dating back to the early 1960’s.

In 1979 he was promoted to general assignment sports writer at the Plain Dealer’s downtown location; from 1982 to 1987 he handled the publication’s bowling news. During that time he covered Lorain Bowling Association tournaments as well as regional tournaments including area pro-am and pro tour stops. Paul covered a total of 34 PBA tournaments between 1979 and 1987; he took special pride in covering the Firestone Tournament of Champions, regarded as the crown jewel of bowling, held annually in Fairlawn. His dedication and passion for that sport led to his induction into the Lorain USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

In 1988 he was assigned to cover harness racing with Northfield Park serving as the primary beneficiary of his outstanding daily coverage. His diligence and understanding of the sport and prowess in handicapping was evidenced in his steady feature “Paul’s Picks”.

Additional accolades include induction into the Ohio Amateur Softball Association’s Hall of Fame for meritorious service in 1985. That same year he received several Ohio prep writer’s awards and served as the President for the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association. He was an original member of the Coca Cola Golden Helmet Committee and also served with the Associated Press’ district selection committee.

Known as a strong supporter of recognition for local athletes, Paul worked on the original committee that founded the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame in 1970. He was the Hall’s first president and assumed the gavel again in 1971 and 1994.

Bummy was the first non-coach ever to be inducted into the Lorain County Boy’s Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame; he is credited with coining the term “Shot Palace” early in his career to describe the Admiral King gymnasium. That moniker remained with
the venue through the last tip-off there earlier this year. He was also an enshrinee of the Lorain County Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

A familiar face at Clearview High School athletic events, he was a member of the Clearview Athletic Boosters and formerly served on the “chain gang” during Clipper home football games.

He was active with the Sheffield Lions Club, as well as a serving as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. A member of Amvets Post #47 in Lorain, he also served as a volunteer for the Lorain County Board of Elections.

Mr. Baumgartner enjoyed golf and twice recorded holes-in-one on the golf links. He was a cinema buff who enjoyed old movies. Additional interests included classic automobiles, and following the exploits of the Cleveland Indians and Browns professional sports franchises.

He is survived by his sons Paul A., Jr., (Stacy) of Amherst, Mark J. (Carrie) of Columbia, South Carolina, and John S. of Santa Monica, California along with nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary (nee Ferrini) in 2003, by his father Steven in 1986, by his mother Ellen (nee Nore) in 1971, and by his brother Robert in 1996.

Visitation will be Monday April 12th from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. A memorial service will be conducted by the officers and members of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame there at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will take place on Tuesday in First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sixth St. and Washington Avenue, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Jimmy Madsen, Co-Pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.

Paul’s children encourage you to consider memorial contributions to the Lorain County Free Clinic, 3323 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, OH 44055.

To share your private on-line condolences with the family please visit www.gluvna.net.