The Fenstermachers carry on the legacy of the fastpitch family

The Fenstermacher fastpitch family of sons Zac, left, and Jacob, daughter Maia, with father Bart.

KUTZTOWN, Penn. – Throughout the history of men’s fastpitch, fathers have brought their sons into the sport. And it’s still happening across the country today – generation upon generation.

In Idaho, there’s the Alders, with father Greg and son Shane anchoring the Boise RiverDogs. And into Washington, we find Dan Kolda and his three sons Rick, Mike and Ryan playing together on K-Club.

Heading northeast into Minnesota, we learn that Duke Nessler introduced his three boys to fastpitch in the 1970s – Jeff, Randy and Dan. And now Dan has his son Steven playing who is a member of the USA Junior Men’s National Team.

Winding our way south into Missouri we meet Eric Lewis, who with his sons Craig and Jacob, have won ASA boys’ national championships.

And traveling east to Kutztown, Pennsylvania, we come upon the Fenstermachers. As with the Alders and Koldas, Lewis’s and Nesslers, the Fenstermachers is a family with a distinguished fastpitch legacy.

Father Bart, 47, brought his boys Zac, 25, and Jacob, 22, into the sport when they were young boys. And eagerly waiting to join her dad and brothers is three-year-old Maia.

Zac Fenstermacher, 25, at shortstop helped the Bedford Rays finish third in the 2014 NAFA World Series, A-Division.

Proud of their kids’ venture into the fastpitch game? You bet say mother Erin and Bart.

“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to travel and play a sport you love and spend time with your boys,” said Bart, who began playing fastpitch at 22. “(They) started as pinch runners on some of my teams, and Zac had his first at bat when he was 14 years old.”

 

As for little Maia? “We already bought her, her first glove so she’s on her way!” said Erin.

Three-year-old Maia Fenstermacher will soon be playing fastpitch with her brothers and dad.

The season is just getting underway in Pennsylvania and it will find Bart and Zac once again playing for the Bedford Rays.

Last year, they both helped Bedford finish third in the NAFA World Series, A-Major Division with Bart being selected to the All-World team. One of many in his long career. Three times he’s earned NAFA All-World along with a Most Valuable Player award.

Bart Fenstermacher of the Bedford Rays made the 2014 NAFA World Series, A-Major Division, All-World team.

Bart’s also been picked as an ASA All-American, and he was an MVP in a NSA national tournament.

The awards are fine. But what makes fastpitch fun and rewarding is having his sons playing alongside of him.

“I can’t even put into words what it means,” Bart said. “You just can’t top that.”