Mark Allen Harden passed away on March 13th, 2024. He was born on May 6th, 1971 in Fort Riley, Kansas to his parents Rich and Diana Harden. Mark was a graduate of Vandalia-Butler High School (1989), Wright State University (1995), and Marygrove College. He dedicated his career to providing students with various opportunities whether it was in the classroom or on the court. Mark spent 29 years serving in education at Vandalia-Butler High School, Lakota Local Schools, Bethel High School (Tipp City), Cincinnati Christian University, Fairfield High School, and Sycamore High School. The love of sports inspired his career as an athletic director. In this role, Mark was able to mentor high school athletes as well as coaches and other people in the Greater Miami Conference. He most recently served as the athletic director at Sycamore High School since 2019. Mark was an avid golfer and loved being able to share those experiences with his dad, brother, and son. He always had a way of brightening up any room he walked into and used his humor to bring life to others. Mark's wisdom and sense of comfort will be deeply missed.  

Passed away unexpectedly at Kettering Hospital on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.   He passed peacefully, holding the hand of his middle school sweetheart. Casey enjoyed seeing the latest horror movies and attending head banging concerts with his children. He loved taking long motorcycle rides with his wife and spending time on their property with the whole family. One of his favorite traditions was traveling to The Big House each season to watch Michigan football take home a win. He grew up playing baseball and made it to the minors before his career ended with his second Tommy John surgery. He was newly employed at Navia Benefit Solutions as an IT specialist. Casey had many accomplishments, but he would say bringing his family together was the proudest one. He made the world a better place and his laughter will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his best friend and father, Thomas S. Hall.  Casey is survived by his wife of 9 years, Perry (Malloy) Hall; his children, Allison, Brooklyn, and Gwendolyn Hall, BeBe (Hunter Miller) Grein, Adrieanna (Bailey) Mills, Montgomery Grein; and his grandson, Kaylor James Mills. 

Played in parts of 13 seasons in the league with the Yankees and Hooks. Ranks among the all time leaders in most of the Yankees team pitching records.

Fred was born on December 14, 1989. He attended LaGrange Highlands District 106 schools and Lyons Township High School. He loved playing baseball and often said the best memories were his times with the Oak Lawn Orioles youth travel team. Fred graduated with Honors from Drake University in Des Moines in 2012.

He earned the distinction of Fellow of the Casualty Actuary Society in 2014, after passing all 11 exams on the first attempt. He played in the CABL for both the Blue Jays and the Suds.  Fred was passionate about many things including politics, the Chicago White Sox and his alma mater Drake Bulldogs!

He held positions in the actuarial field with several companies. Fred will be greatly missed by his many close friends, co-workers, and others whose lives he touched.

Eddie was a lover of life and a successful collegiate baseball player, he was the captain of the Drexel Baseball team. He loved sports, cooking, a good cocktail, and was always up for a lively conversation. Eddie also loved to travel. But most of all he loved his children. If it was coaching, a soccer game, swimming or taking them to MMA training, they were the light of his life. Eddie was a graduate of St. Teresa's in 1985, Bishop Eustace Prep in 1989, and Drexel University in 1994. 

Eddie spent 13 seasons in the CABL, debuting in with the Suds in 2004, and becoming a member of the Sting in 2007 when the team changed their name. He remained with the team through his final season of 2016. He amassed 210 hits over his 13 year CABL career 

Zach was a 2006 graduate of Versailles High School and a 2010 graduate of Xavier University, where he played baseball. He loved the outdoors and sports whether it be baseball, softball, kayaking, hiking, fishing, bowling, golf, cross fit or cooking. Basically he loved everything he tried and loved doing them with his countless number of friends. He was often referred to as a fun-loving "Gentle Giant" with his infectious smile and magnanimous personality. He was an employee with Medtech Associates as a sales representative.

Zach played one season with the Hooks in 2013 collecting 38 hits and a  .500 batting average. He was posthumously named the league's first ever rookie of the year in 2013. The League's rookie of the year award is now named in his memory.

Roy ‘Yoke’ Yocum was born in Versailles, Ky., on May 11, 1952.  

Yoke was an avid ball player from a very early age. A member of the Western Hills High School Class of 1970, he loved baseball and softball. In 1969, he won a trip to Reds spring training where he met Pete Rose. Pete Rose was his idol, and to honor Pete, Roy always wore the #14.

In 1971 and 1972, he served as a sergeant with the U.S. Army in Germany. In 1978, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati, receiving a bachelor’s degree. He joined the Fire Department in 1980 and retired in 2001 as a District Chief. Through all those years, Yoke never stopped playing ball. It was his passion.

After retiring Roy continued to play with the Cincinnati Firefighters Softball Team and in 2002 he led his team to win the International Firefighters Championship game in Maryland. Subsequent to Roy’s death, the National Firefighters Softball Tournament directors’ created the ‘Roy Yocum Sportsmanship Award’ presented to a player each year in Roy’s honor.

Also in 2002, Roy was a member of World Series Masters Championship Team in the Roy Hobbs League, Ft. Myers Florida. He was extremely proud of his World Series ring.

Continuing to gratify his love of baseball, Yoke started playing ball around the globe and joined teams that traveled to Italy, Canada, Cuba and the Dominican Republic as well as Cooperstown, NY. He was always ready for a new adventure in baseball.

For Roy, baseball was not just a team sport, but also a personal challenge to do his best whether at bat or in the field. No matter what the situation, it was all about the strategy of knowing how and where to play the ball. ‘Always keep the ball in front you’ he would say ‘and know where to play the ball.’

But equally important was sportsmanship. Yoke could be a fierce competitor on the field, but was always ready to congratulate a player on a game well played. He appreciated everyone’s effort in making the game or the tournament a good experience and befriended many with his open, friendly and honest enthusiasm. It was his way of encouraging many to play a better game both on and off the field. His spirit will live on in those he touched.

The Cincinnati Recreation Department honored Roy by renaming the playground at Oyler Elementary School ‘The Roy Yocum Memorial Playground’. A bronze plaque has been placed at the playground. Roy attended Oyler Elementary and played ball as a child at this playground. In later years he was stationed at Engine 17 as a District Fire Chief for the City of Cincinnati, just around the corner from the playground. Roy never forgot his childhood community and would stop in to read to the children in school.

It was said of Yoke, in his eulogy, that he was a man that lived 80 years in only 53. That gives you an idea of the zest and energy he had for life. While many of us will leave it for tomorrow, Roy used a day and half every day. Perhaps in some small way, he knew his fate.

Yoke #14 died in uniform while on this way to play ball  August 18, 2005.