Photo: Smith

RICK KROSEL/SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE

Karns City High catcher Josh Smith makes a play in last Thursday's District 9-10 playoff game. Smith's baseball season didn't end with the Gremlins' exit from the post season because he will suit up for the Karns City American Legion team and the Lyndora Palomino squad.

Eagle Sports Editor

There's no place like home - or squatting behind it if your name is Josh Smith.

The graduating Karns City High School catcher completed his third year behind the plate for the Gremlins last week.

He's hardly completed his career as a catcher, however as he will catch for the Karns City American Legion and Lyndora Palomino teams this summer.

"I'll be playing baseball pretty much every day," Smith said. "That's the way I like it."

Smith estimates he's caught more than 100 games during each of the past two baseball seasons and will do so again this year - despite undergoing knee surgery last Oct. 29.

The 6-foot, 195-pounder injured knee in a high school football game.

"I tore the ACL, the MCL - I did a number on it," Smith said. "I went at rehab hard. I had to be ready for baseball season."

The surgery Smith had usually requires a six-month recovery period before an athlete is medically cleared to return to competition. Smith was cleared after four months.

"I worked on the knee four hours a day, three days a week, as much as I was allowed," Smith said. "It was a grind, but I wasn't gonna miss baseball.

"I love to play. There's no position I'd rather be playing than catcher."

Karns City loved having Smith play catcher, too. The Gremlins won 34 of 39 games the past two years with their leader anchored behind the plate.

Smith hit nearly .500 with eight homers as a senior. He posted similar numbers his junior campaign.

Smith was voted MVP of the Keystone-Shortway Athletic Conference this season.

"That was unbelievable considering Hayden Johnston of Clarion-Limestone is probably going to get drafted," Karns City coach Dave McElroy said.

"The intangible with Josh is his leadership ability. Never mind what he does at the plate or behind the plate - he holds this team together from the dugout."

Smith has developed such a reputation with his arm that opposing runners don't run on him at all.

"I walked into the KSAC (all-stars) meeting with no defensive numbers for Josh," McElroy said. "Other coaches say their catcher threw out 10 of 14 attempted base stealers or whatever. Well, nobody tries to run on Josh."

Smith said he's been a catcher "for as long as I can remember." He volunteered for the position in Little League when most kids that age shy away from it.

"I love being involved in every play, being able to touch the ball almost every pitch," he said.

Smith's father was president of the UAA Little League in Karns City and spent hours working with his son on blocking pitches, throwing and hitting.

When Smith was a freshman, Jason McCollough was the Gremlins' senior catcher.

"Jason worked with me a lot that year," Smith said. "I was lucky to have someone like him in front of me to learn from."

Smith plans to play college baseball at either Seton Hill, Mercyhurst or Slippery Rock University.

After Karns City was eliminated from the District 9-10 playoffs last week at SRU's Critchfield Park, Smith gazed out at the diamond.

"I'd love to play here," he said. "This place is unbelievable. They (SRU coaches) know I want to come here. I guess the rest is up to them."

"He's just a great kid," McElroy said. "You don't replace his leadership ability. As good a catcher and hitter he is, leadership is what Josh Smith is all about."