Another Home Run

Dalton Carriker and proud grandfather Bill Carriker, CHS'54

Our own Bill Carriker's grandson Dalton scored another home run last Saturday night as he was honored as the Athlete of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus Ohio.









(Dalton Carriker, the guy who hit the home to win the 2007 Little League World Series!)




Other notables honored at the event were:

Illini Coach -Ron Zook. Buckeyes Running back -Beanie Wells and receiver -Brian
Hartline, Courtney Kupets -Female Athletic of year, Bob White -member of 57 Rose Bowl and many year All Pro honors, and Arian Foster -Tennessee running back.

Dalton and Jim Marshall (Ohio State 1957)


But I'm told that it was Dalton's speech that was the highlight of the banquet. Now that was his grandaddy Bill who told me that.


But I believe it. And so will you......after you read his speech!


Dalton Carriker: "Wow… First of all I’d like to thank the touch down club for this award. I am overwhelmed and humbled to be among of all these fine athletes.
Athletes are not usually known for their speaking ability, especially 13 year old athletes, so tonight I’ll just tell you from the heart how honored I am.

The past 6 months have been like a whirlwind for me. Who would have thought that one swing of the bat would have given me the opportunity to meet the president of the United States, barbeque with Georgia’s governor, travel to St. Louis to meet Albert Pulhos, appear on late night with David Letterman and take my position on the field at the Atlanta Braves stadium with Edgar Renteria.

Over the past six months I’ve met a lot of people and have been asked a lot of questions. The 2 most frequently asked questions are: What were you thinking when you stepped into the batter’s box…. Well, I first took a knee and asked the Lord for the power to get a hit to help my team… I wasn’t thinking about a homerun, just a hit …. The other question is… Did you know it was going out when you hit it? Well, for any of you that have ever hit a home run… Yeah I knew it was going out.

Finally, I’ll close with a quote from the famous baseball manager Billy Martin. He once said “There’s nothing greater in the world than when somebody on the team does something good and everybody gathers around to pat him on the back.” He’s right there is no greater feeling than having your teammates waiting at home plate to pat you on the back. And I know, like most of the athletes here tonight that the only reason that I am here today is because of 11 other players on my team. They are all heroes as far as I am concerned and I accept this award on behalf of the entire Southeast team! "

Thank You.



Dalton's speech was the hit of the banquet. Ohio States linebacker James Laurinaitis spoke after Dalton
and stated that it was not fair to have speak after that 13 year old. The house broke up.