Ernie Lauver

By Mitchell Corcoran

For the Mirror

Ernie Lauver is the oldest softball player in Altoona and one of the most respected and well-known players in the area.

“I think that everybody knows who he is, and that speaks for itself,” teammate Steffan Housul, who plays for Co”BRH”s in the Dalton Dobbins Sunday League, said after last week’s game at Leopold Park. “Ernie’s a very motivated and dedicated softball player who’s been playing this game for many years. He kicks (butt) for his age, that’s for sure.”

Lauver, who turned 62 in June, is in his 45th year playing softball and continues to show up every week.

“Ernie is one of the most loyal teammates,” 19-year-old Trevor Palladini said. “He’s here every week trying to play his best, and he’s there for his teammates every year.”

Lauver began playing softball at 16 years old in the Altoona Church League and has been playing ever since.

“I’m still at it,” Lauver said. “You figure 45 years now … it’s something that keeps me in shape, keeps me active, especially when I have almost 13-some grandkids.”

Growing up, Lauver’s family loved playing many sports, and softball was no exception. Lauver’s brother, Robert Mesmer, recalls what it was like growing up in a family that loved to play the sport.

“It was always that we played ball,” Mesmer said. “We go to picnics, we played ball, we go to family things, we played ball. That’s just everything we did.”

As a pitcher, Lauver is known for his ability to hit the strike zone.

“The funny part about it is he ain’t got no curveball, he ain’t got no knuckleball,” Mesmer said. “He’s got a straight ball, but when he throws it, it’s always a strike.”

Since playing in the church league, Lauver has played the Columbia Park semi-fast pitch league, the Sunday Doubleheader League and the Industrial League.

Lauver said that he once played in three leagues at once when he was in his mid-40s.

“It’s just the sport that I like… I’ve liked it ever since I started in the church league,” Lauver said.

Lauver now plays in the Dalton Dobbins League with mostly younger baseball players.

“I’ve got a pitcher or two to back me up if I get in trouble,” Lauver said, jokingly. “I’ve got some good baseball players that pitch a softball, so that’s good for me. That way I don’t have to start every game.”

Umpire Robert Montgomery admires Lauver.

“He’s tenacious,” Montgomery said. “He shows up every year, and it’s been a lot of years, but he keeps coming out here and supporting these guys and pitching for the young guys.

“I know he has a lot of grandkids, and they all come out and participate. It’s a good thing for the community, for his family and the younger guys that we are trying to keep this alive with.”

When asked about his future, Lauver said next year will be his 46th and final season as he and his brother, Mesmer, will team up and create a new team for one last season.