Myers threw out the first pitch prior to the Steve Myers Legacy Game, in honor of his late father, between rivals Wheeling Park and John Marshall on Patriot Field. Although it wasn’t a strike, it was close enough.

“It was definitely a very special moment in my life. It was probably the hardest pitch I’ve ever had to throw,” the younger Myers said. “I wish he was still here, but it’s unfortunate how life goes sometimes.

“It was always nice growing up having a coach, but also having dad there was nice, too.”

Myers, a Wheeling Park alum, former baseball player and head coach of the Patriots, passed away suddenly last summer from a rare type of leukemia called Hairy Cell.

photo by: Kim North

The late Steve Myers’ son, Like, threw out the first pitch prior to the game.

Both Wheeling Park head coach Chad Stout and John Marshall head coach Mark Cisar played together with Myers during the summers and then at West Liberty. Stout and Myers became best friends, including serving as the best man in each other’s weddings.

“What a night. With everything that we wanted to get accomplished, I think he would be very happy with the way the game was played tonight,” Stout said of his long-time friend. “I’m sure he is up there critiquing both of us right now. It was a good game. We just came up short.”

In addition to his son Luke, also in attendance were his wife, Betsy, and two daughters, Gracie and Gabby.

“It was great to see Steve’s family here and to see his son, Luke, throw out the first pitch,” Cisar continued. “Just a great day all around.

“I just told my team that this win was huge for several reasons. Myself and Coach Stout played together at West Liberty with Steve. I was lucky enough to play with Steve in the OVBL and I bet he is looking down right now saying, ‘Mark you got me on my field.’ This win is very special to me.”

Cisar also praised Wheeling Park for putting the game together.

“Outstanding job of setting this game up by Wheeling Park High School,” he stressed. “We started planning this months ago and, hopefully, it will turn into a yearly thing. The crowd was excellent for a high school baseball game and Mark Delbrugge did a very good job on the public address system letting the fans know what all was going on in addition to the game.”

During the game, Wheeling Park senior Kolten Whitmire reached a career mark that is very special.

“It’s a big milestone for me, but it’s not the result we wanted. I’m definitely proud to get it,” he said of recording his 100th career strikeout. “To get it in this game is very special to me. It was something I was honored to do, carry on his legacy. I’m sure he’s proud of how we played today even though we didn’t get the win.”

Myers compiled a 110-61 record at Wheeling Park High School from 2019-2025, winning two OVAC titles (2021, 2023) and earning 2021 OVAC Coach of the Year honors

Prior to the game, both teams warmed up in white t-shirts with orange sleeves. The shirts had a baseball emblem with the No. 20 and Myers written on it. They also wore orange socks and belts, while both umpires donned orange wrist bands.

Several baskets were raffled off. There was a bake sale and a 50/50. At the end of the fourth inning, fans and players all stood for one minute with signs bearing names of loved ones who had passed away due to cancer.

The national anthem was a Chris Stapleton version that was Myers favorite, and a song list of Myers favorite tunes were played between innings.