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PCS makes its pitch for the J.A. Happ Gymnasium

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J.A. Happ works with the kids during the Dec. 26 baseball clinic at Peru Catholic School in this picture taken by Phil McConville of McConville Studio in Peru. PCS, where Happ graduated from in 1997, rededicated the gym as the J.A. Happ Gymnasium. (Photo contributed)

J.A. Happ attended Peru Catholic School (PCS) from preschool through eighth grade, graduating in 1997. He honed his basketball skills in the PCS gym that would lead to him becoming the all-time leading scorer in school history at St. Bede Academy.

Happ, a star pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, came full circle when he returned home over the holidays to help with a baseball clinic at PCS, which also took the moment to re-dedicate the gym to be named as the J.A. Happ Gymnasium.

“It was really a special moment to go back to PCS. I can remember being so excited when the gym was being built, and for it to now have my name on it is really something I’ll forever be proud of,” Happ said. “I was happy to go back and have a fun day with the students and make a donation to help such an important part of my childhood.”

PCS Principal Amy Perona said the dedication day was an exclusive day for the PCS students and families as well as members of the Happ family. The baseball clinic included a short two-inning baseball game where Happ pitched to the kids. There was also a short Q&A session, capped off by an autograph and photograph session for the kids with the big league star.

Happ had a breakout year for the Blue Jays in 2016. The 34-year-old, left-hander posted a career-best 20-4 record with a 3.18 ERA, finishing sixth in the Cy Young balloting for the American League.

PCS updated Happ’s win total on its marquee each step along the way to 20 during the season.

There’s not too many better ways to spend the holidays than in the gym with baseballs and bats in hand in the eyes of some local baseball minds. St. Bede varsity baseball coach Bill Booker said he enjoyed the clinic just as much as the kids did.

“It was really nice to make the connection and talk some baseball,” Booker said. “I haven’t seen J.A. since high school, except on TV of course. What a class act and nice guy. Such a great role model from the Illinois Valley.”

Booker said Happ even joked about the Bruins’ famous hidden ball trick from the 2015 state tournament and how many of his big league teammates saw it.

Happ was accompanied by fellow St. Bede/Northwestern alums and former pros Joe Perona (Tigers organization) and Neil Piacenti (White Sox).

• Blast from the past: While on the baseball beat, I wanted to add one note to my column looking back on the top sports moment from 2016. I would say that Bryant Eustice’s grand slam in the Bruins 11-0 sectional semifinal win over Beecher was the most surprising single play of the year, considering he had not homered during the season prior to that at-bat.

Ironically, coach Booker considered going with a squeeze bunt before giving Eustice the green light.

• Sports weekend: Local bowling and wrestling fans will be in heaven this weekend. The Princeton Bowling Association marks its 60th anniversary of its Masters Tournament at Pin Splitter Lanes Saturday and Sunday. Across town, PHS will host its annual Lyle King Princeton Invitational wrestling tournament, bringing in some of the top talent around the state — 33 teams in all.

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com.