William Shalata, Sr.

Category
2003
About This Inductee

William J. Shalata Sr. Bill graduated from Lake Noxen High School in 1954. While attending he played the only sport Noxen had at that time, baseball, and was the top baseball player in the area. Noxen consolidated with Harveys Lake a year later and he lettered in baseball and basketball his last two years of high school. Upon graduation he received the Outstanding Athlete Award at Lake Noxen. Bill played semi-pro baseball with Dallas Legion from 1955 thru 1958. They won the Wyoming League Championship in 1957. While attending a baseball try out camp with the St. Louis Cardinals, he was signed to a professional contract. He played center field in the Cardinals farm system in the Georgia State-League for the Hazlehurst-Baxley Cardinals. During the 1955 season he led the team in triples and doubles. Bill played against Will McCovey and several other major leaguers and his batting average was higher than most of the ‘stars’ of that time. Bill left the Minor League to settle down with his wife Lucy, who he met while playing baseball. He has extensive experience in officiating and coaching and was assistant coach to Chip Sorber at the Penn State – Lehman Campus. As an all-around athlete, he has played on many championship teams in slow pitch and modified pitch softball since 1958. As a bowler he was named Outstanding Bowler of the year in 1980. He has been a member of Shadow brook Golf Club since 1991 and has had two “holes in one” since taking up golf. Bill resides in Noxen with his wife of 48 years, Lucy. They have two children, a daughter. Terri Greenley and son. William Jr.