CHERRY TWP — Austin Blauser loved his first T-Ball bat.

The Moniteau senior catcher was swinging a black Rawlings bat that was around 25 inches long.

Sure, it doesn’t give him the same power as the 32-inch, 29-ounce Louisville Slugger Omaha that he uses now.

But the bat was special to Blauser because it was his first.

When thinking of an idea for his senior project, that helped him find a baseball-related idea.

He wanted to help other kids develop the same love for the sport he did.

Blauser, who recently decided to walk-on Clarion University’s baseball program next season, chose to gather up old baseball equipment and donate it to groups around the area.

Starting by asking friends and teammates, Blauser has collected 20 bats, a set of catcher’s gear and a set of batting helmets or two.

“I’d like to get 60 or 70 bats,” Blauser said. “I’ve been sending out local ads around the high school. I’ve also sent letters out to schools in the Clarion area. I know at Moniteau we have some old equipment laying around we don’t use.”

Moniteau baseball coach Ross Martin said Blauser’s idea was something he came up with on his own. Martin plans to put together some of the old equipment the Warriors don’t use as a donation.

“His natural love of the game of baseball is something he thought would be an excellent idea,” Martin said. “I’m certainly supportive of it and it’s a great endeavor, passing things on to other kids that are less fortunate.”

Equipment isn’t cheap. Warriors junior pitcher Derek Boben estimates he could spend around $1,000 buying a glove, bat and spikes.

That’s why Blauser, who is 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, wants to help. He plays year round, competing in American Legion with West Sunbury and plays in a fall league in West Sunbury.

“I want to improve my strength,” Blauser said. “I’m more of a contact hitter. I want to improve my power numbers.”

That’s helped him blossom into a solid backstop for the Warriors.

Blauser hit .359 with 15 RBIs and two doubles for a Moniteau team that finished 14-2 and runner-up in District 9 Class AA.

The Warriors’ pitching staff had an ERA of 1.69.

Boben, who was 4-0 with an ERA of .23 last season, enjoyed having Blauser behind the plate.

“He knows the pitches that I like to throw in certain counts and if I shake off the sign he’s fine with it,” Boben said. “He’s gone from someone that had never really played catcher before to one of the best in the district.”

Clarion assistant baseball coach Mike White talked with Blauser after the Warriors’ 14-1 loss to Karns City in the championship game.

After a visit to campus, Blauser decided he wanted to try and walk-on.

Walk-ons have found success with the Golden Eagles in recent years.

Union graduate Kane McCall led Clarion with four wins last season.

Martin thinks Blauser has the personality to find success at the next level.

“I think it’s more the body of work,” Martin said. “He’s a natural leader and he’s a quiet kid. If you’re starting a business, you’d want to hire 10 or 20 of him. He’s a natural leader who is calm under pressure.”