Junior Tyler Blittersdorf is the first recipient of the Joshua Hamer Memorial Scholarship, a financial grant instituted to honor baseball player Josh Hamer, class of 2019, who passed away in March of 2017. Blittersdorf transferred in the fall from Oxford Area High School in Oxford, Pennsylvania where he primarily played catcher. In addition to playing varsity baseball, he also played varsity volleyball in the fall.      

In the summer, Blittersdorf played for Blue Chips Baseball Club under varsity baseball head coach Darrion Siler and learned about the scholarship opportunity. According to the Josh Hamer Memorial Scholarship Fund’s website, the scholarship “is designed to give one student the extra help needed to attend John Carroll and better themselves just like Josh did.”

Blittersdorf filled out the application, wrote an essay introducing himself, and met with Josh’s mother, the director of the scholarship fund. According to Blittersdorf, he wanted to come to JC for both athletics and academics. After he was awarded the scholarship in July, he already felt like a real part of the JC family.

Blittersdorf did not know Josh personally, but said, “I’ve heard he was a great kid and he was such a kind person…he had such a positive impact on everyone and made everybody better.” He also feels the scholarship is helping him and Josh’s family to “continue his legacy.”

As for his own legacy, Blittersdorf says his plan is to work hard to get good grades, “show the baseball program who [he is], and continue Josh’s success.”  He wears number 15 and plays multiple positions within the infield and outfield as well as designated hitter.

Blittersdorf sees Josh’s legacy still living through the baseball program every day. “He just had a special place in everybody’s hearts and a couple of the boys got tattoos with his name in it and it shows that they really cared for him,” said Blittersdorf.

Blittersdorf’s hitting and defensive skills have aided the Patriots in their 14-0 start on the season. On Monday, April 9, Blittersdorf had a pair of hits and a walk for the Patriots, who scored six runs against St. Mary’s High School in the win. He had three hits in the win against Perryville High School on Friday, April 6. The Patriots won 13-3 in a benefit game for Maryland Suicide and Crisis Prevention hosted by the Josh Hamer Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ripken Stadium.

Sarah Spaeth is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.