CLEARFIELD – Seven-plus decades of Clearfield Area High School baseball history have been highlighted by many sparkling pitching performances, including a goodly number of no-hitters.
But one brilliant seven-inning effort remains unparalleled.
On Tuesday, May 20, 1970, senior Bill Putt was called on by head coach Harold Wilson for just his second start of the season.
The lanky right-hander proceeded to etch his name in Bison lore by hurling a perfect game against Philipsburg-Osceola for a 3-0 win at the Driving Park.
According to The Progress account, Putt blended a sharp-breaking curve with his fastball to silence the Mounties in a fast-paced duel with Jim Slabon that lasted only 1:25.
Approximately four dozen fans witnessed the classic in which the 21 Mountie batters saw only 73 pitches, with 56 of them strikes.
Putt, who went to a three-ball count twice, registered nine strikeouts.
First baseman Jon Henry and shortstop Bill Elridge were credited with handling tough chances, and catcher Dusty Lansberry crashed into the screen to catch a foul pop in the last inning to help preserve the perfecto.
Current Bison head coach Sid Lansberry, who took the reins in 1972, was a volunteer assistant for Wilson and Don Turley that year.
“I didn’t even realize what was going on until the fifth or sixth inning,” he recalled. “I could see the kids starting to whisper to each other on the bench.
“You never want to say anything out loud. That’s always been a baseball tradition. And it’s still that way. When a guy has a no-hitter going, everybody avoids him. They don’t want to jinx him by bringing it up.”
Lansberry admitted he wasn’t aware the Mounties did not have a runner until the game was over.
“It was so fast for seven innings, and Slabon pitched a pretty good game, too.”
“I think it’s bigger now than it was back then. As time goes on, the fact that nobody else did it makes it so special.”
Putt’s feat will be commemorated with a presentation of a plaque by the Clearfield Baseball Association at the sixth annual Bison Baseball Alumni Weekend.
The 1970, 1980 and 1990 teams, all champions, will be recognized on the anniversaries of their accomplishments.
Putt will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the 11:45 a.m. Oldtimers Game Saturday at the Lawrence Township Recreation Park Field.
Preceding the five-inning game with a two-hour time limit will be an Oldtimers Home Run Derby at 11.
The Youngsters Home Run Derby is set for 2 p.m. with the six-inning Youngsters Game’s first pitch slated for 2:30.
Participants will gather at the former Adventure Park for dinner at approximately 6.
Also planned are a golf outing Friday afternoon and batting practice Friday evening.
Putt, who posted a 4-0 record, was one of three starting pitchers who compiled an unbelievable earned run average for a team that survived two playoff games to win the Moshannon Valley League title after finishing in a three-way tie with Curwensville and Moshannon Valley.
A week after his perfect game, Putt three-hit Moshannon Valley for a 3-0 win to send the Bisons to the MVL championship game, and ace Tom Kirsch brought the title to Clearfield with a 5-1 win over Curwensville.
A 5-3 win over Marion Center in the District 6 Tournament opener inflated Putt’s ERA to 0.72 for 29 innings.
Kirsch (5-3) had a 0.49 ERA for 57 innings, while Elridge (4-0) didn’t allow any earned runs in 28 innings.
Combined, the trio struck out 148 and surrendered only 62 hits and 18 walks.
Dan Witherow pitched two hitless, scoreless innings that gave the mound staff a composite 0.42 ERA.
The 1970 team lost 3-1 to Bald Eagle Area in the second round of the D-6 playoffs to finish 13-3.
The 1980 and 1990 teams won District 9 championships. They were 20-12 and 17-6, respectively.
