Harold J. Weaver
By Aaron Dorksen
This year is the golden anniversary of Triway’s 1974 Class AA state runner-up baseball team.
The Titans’ All-Ohio shortstop from that team received quite an anniversary gift 50 years later: Harold Weaver was voted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Weaver saved his best for last for Triway, coming through in the field and with the bat when it mattered most in the tournament.
Weaver hit a three-run homer over the left-field fence to lead Triway to a come-from-behind, 7-4 win over Streetsboro in eight innings in a district championship game.
In an 11-3 regional final victory over Kinsman Badger, Weaver went 4 for 4 with a triple and home run to lift his season batting average to .464.
Weaver led Triway again with two hits in a 3-1 win over Warsaw River View in the state semifinals. The Titans had their dream season ended with an 8-2 loss against Cincinnati Reading in the state title game.
Coach Bob McCauley’s team finished with a 21-5 record. It’s still the only state baseball appearance in Triway history.
“I entered the tournament hitting about .320 and wound up the season with a .471 batting average,” Weaver said. “I was in the zone – like I’d never experienced before. I had a choice of three bats and could hit with any of them.”
Other starters on the team included centerfielder-pitcher Keith Snoddy (WCSHOF class of 1986), second baseman-pitcher Wayne Hitchcock (WCSHOF 2004), pitcher-center fielder Ken Flinner, left fielder John Coleman, right fielder Mike Butler, first baseman Doug Akins, catcher Jeff Gilson and third baseman Scott Sturgis.
Weaver was rewarded for his outstanding season by being named as the shortstop on the 1974 AA All-Ohio team, beating out future MLB player Chris Bando from Solon. Triway later retired Weaver’s No. 7 jersey.
After graduating from Triway, Weaver soon turned his attention to playing fastpitch softball and he went on to become one of the best pitchers in the nation as a hurler for the Wooster Merchants, Kidron and several other teams. He pitched 21 no-hitters, two perfect games and won more than 500 career games with a 1.80 ERA.
Weaver led his teams to several national championships and he was selected to the Class A All-America team in 1989.
“Playing in the state championship game and being named All-Ohio shortstop my senior year at Triway are my favorite sports memories,” Weaver said. “Having my No. 7 baseball jersey retired was also a great honor.”
As for his fastpitch career, Weaver listed the following highlights: “A no-hitter thrown against Mt. Eaton in the Districts (July 1979); back-to-back no-hitters two different times (July 1979, June 1982); traveling to many national fastpitch tournaments around the country (New York, Indiana, California, North Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah); making first-team All National; playing every position during my years of fastpitch.”
Harold and Deanna Weaver have been married for 48 years and have children Aaron Weaver (wife Lori, children: Olivia, Ben & Noah); Haley Weaver (son, Emmett) and Landrie Weaver (children: Jayden, Deniro, Danae and DeMiyah).
Weaver retired as the superintendent of the roller division at The Wooster Brush Company in 2018 with 43 years of service. He works part-time at Fought Signs in Wooster.
Weaver stays active by golfing, cutting wood by hand and spending time with family. He is a member of Wooster Grace Church and has served as an usher for 44 years.