Cutters banquet raises over $4,000 for YWCA

With a star-studded guest list and a jam-packed Genetti Ballroom, the Williamsport Crosscutters 7th Annual Hot Stove Banquet was a great success while raising over $4,000 for charity.

On a snowy winter night in Williamsport, Phillies pitcher Justin DeFratus, 2-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain, local hero Tom O'Malley & Phillies front office personnel entertained attendees with stories and answered audience questions.

The night, presented by HB Rentals, Woodlands Bank, WRAK Radio and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, was also highlighted by live and Chinese auctions that featured a wealth of sports memorabilia including a bat signed by Phillies all-star first baseman Ryan Howard, baseballs signed by Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz, pitcher Cole Hamels, hall-of-famers Rod Carew, Dave Winfield and many others.

Other highlights of the event included the induction of Lou Hunsinger, Jr. into the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. Hunsinger, the President of the Bowman Field Commission and longtime baseball historian was part of a group that helped salvage hundreds of historic baseball photos in danger of being lost to posterity from the files of The Grit newspaper and publishing company. Through those efforts, the Grit Baseball Photograph Collection was donated to the James. V. Brown Library and subsequently inventoried, organized and cataloged.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening were donated to YWCA of Northcentral PA whose mission is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. At the conclusion of the festivities, the YWCA was presented with a check for $4,075.

The Crosscutters 15th anniversary season opens on June 18 at Historic Bowman Field. Season tickets, bonus books and group packages are currently available and can be purchased online at ww.crosscutters.com or by calling the Cutters at (570) 326-3389.