HYBA's Staff Members
Our staff members have spent many years devoted to pursuing excellence in the game of baseball.
Here are a few of Highfield Youth Baseball Association's staff members:
Ron Zawrotuk (President) 
Ron graduated from Butler High School in 1965. He participated in Butler Jr. High Basketball, Midget Football and Butler High School Football. Ron also participated in summer baseball programs from 1959 through 1967 including Lyndora Little League, Butler Pony and Prep Leagues and the men's Eagle County Leagues. - Manager/Coach of the American Legion Post 778 from 1968-1975
- Assistant Coach for the Highfield Eagle County League (1977-78)
- Manager for the Butler Area Baseball League (1977-78)
- He and his brother Gene, organized Highfield Youth Baseball in 1980
- Coached in HYB from 1980 to the present time
- President of HYB from 1980-1992
- Manager of Lyndora American Legion (1981-1992)
- Manager/Coach of Tri-State Palomino (Lyndora Lancers) from 1990 to present
- Head Baseball Coach - Butler High School (1984-1993)
- Head Baseball Coach - Butler County Community College (1993-1995)
- Head Baseball Coach - Butler High School (1999-2005)
Highlights: - 1984 First Section Championship Butler High School since 1975
- 1984 Selected as Coach of the Year in Section
- 1984 Implemented Butler High School Junior Varsity Baseball Program
- Tied for Coach of the Year Award
- 1986 Section Champions - Butler High School
- 1987 Section Champions - Butler High School
- 1989 Implemented Butler Junior High School Baseball Program
- 1991 Section Champions - Butler High School
- 1991 Participated in the WPIAL Finals (Butler High School)
- 1991 Participated in the PIAA Finals (Butler High School)
- 1993 Player selected in the 3rd Round of Major League Draft by the San Diego Padres, traded to Florida Marlins and now pitching for the Chicago Cubs. This young man had several offers of full scholarships to Division I Colleges but opted to play in the major leagues and has been very successful in his career.
- 1993 Former high school player drafted and signed with Cincinnati Reds
- During tenure at Butler High School approximately 45 graduates/baseball players have gone on to play collegiate baseball.
Ron retired from Armco Steel (AK Steel) in January of 2004 and devotes much more time to baseball. He and his wife Cher reside in Butler, PA. They have two married sons and four grandchildren.
"I truly enjoy coaching baseball and working with the youth of our high school and community. It gives me satisfaction to see former players go on to play collegiate baseball. My happiest moment in baseball was to have one of my former baseball players drafted into the major league and become successful."
- Ron Zawrotuk
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Gene Zawrotuk (Vice President and Field Director)
Gene graduated from Butler High School in 1958. He played in the Butler Area Baseball program in its first Little League, Pony and Prep Leagues while growing up. He also took part in playing Jr County League before he entered the US Air Force serving at Otis AFB, MA then Japan. While enlisted, Gene played Squadron fast pitch softball. - Actively coaching for over 41 years
- Coached Lyndora Highfield Little League 1959-1962
- Formed & coached Lyn-Hi Cougars Pony League Team 1967-1980
- Gene & his brother Ron organized Highfield Youth Baseball in 1980
- Coaching in HYB system from 1980 to present
- Formulated, organized, and coached Mid-County Pony League 1990-1994
- Past President HYB - Board of Director
- Asst. Head Baseball Coach (Pitching Coach) Butler High School 1984-1993
- Asst. Coach of Tri-State Palomino (Lyndora Lancers) from 1990-2002
- Asst. Head Baseball Coach - Butler County Community College (Pitching Coach) 1993-1995
- Manager Butler Twp. Legion 1996 to present
- Butler Twp. Legion (formerly Lyndora Legion) as of 1998
- Asst. Head Baseball Coach (Pitching Coach) Butler High School 1999 to 2005
Highlights: - Won Butler County Pony/Colt League Championships 14 years in a row
- Won Babe Ruth Tourney - 1972
- Won Connie Mack Tourney - 1982
- Won Colt Tourney - 1983 & 1985
- Butler County American Legion Champs - 2004
As Assistant Coach and Pitching Coach: - 1984 - Asst. Coach First Section Championship BHS since 1975
- 1987/1988 - Assist Coach Section Championship BHS
- 1991 - Assist Coach Section Championship BHS
- 1991 - Assist Coach BHS - Participated in WPIAL/PIAA Finals
- Worked with brother Ronald during his baseball years whom got drafted and signed by Cincinnati Reds
- 1993 - Worked with Matt Clement, who played for Ron & I in our various programs and now is pitching for the Red Sox.
Gene retired from Armco Steel (AK Steel) January 31, 2002. He continues to devote time to baseball by giving mini-clinics and individual sessions. Gene and his wife Jeanne reside in Butler, PA. They have 2 sons and a daughter and 3 grandchildren.
"In all my years I have played for many good managers and coaches and have learned a great deal. I am glad to have the opportunity to pass this experience and knowledge on to the next generation of young players in hopes that someday they will make it either in sports or their life's work."
- Gene Zawrotuk
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Don Kildoo (Secretary/Treasurer)
Don Kildoo graduated from Butler High School in 1960. He was a member of the Army Reserves for six years. Don then went to work at Armco (now known as AK Steel) and spent 35 ½ years until his retirement in 1999.
Don has been affiliated with Highfield Youth Baseball for 22 years. During this time he has managed/coached and helped with T-Ball, Little League, Pony, Colt, Tri-State Palomino and Butler Township American Legion, all teams sponsored by Highfield Youth Baseball. He is the official scorekeeper for Butler Township American Legion under Gene Zawrotuk and also for the Butler High School Golden Tornados coached by Ron Zawrotuk.
Don has also for the past few years has volunteered his labor and helps maintain Sharkey, Highfield II, Little League and T-Ball fields for each and every game played at Highfield Park. In the evenings, he generously helps at Highfield Park Concession Stand waiting on customers. On Wednesday evenings you can find him at Highfield Community Center helping with our weekly Bingo/Small Games Night.
Don and wife Paula have two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren.
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For more information about the Highfield Youth Baseball Association staff or our programs, please contact us at 724-287-4401 or by
clicking here.
