Carlton dedicates backstop for coach

Photos by Tom Rivers – Taylor, left, and Shawn Whittier say their father Scott loved sports and coaching kids in both baseball and football. A new backstop dedicated in memory of Scott Whittier was dedicated by the community on Thursday.

A plaque on the backstop notes that Scott Whittier, 44, played and coached the Carlton Clippers. It includes his saying, “Always Do Your Best.”

CARLTON – Scott Whittier played for the Carlton Clippers when he was a kid. When his sons were old enough to play, he was eager to volunteer as a coach for the Little League team.

“He loved sports and working with the kids,” said his son Shawn, 18.

“He was an all-around active guy,” said oldest son Taylor, 20.

For eight years Scott coached the Clippers. He also worked with youth football teams.

“He was very good with the kids,” said Dennis Jones, an assistant coach for the team the past 19 years. “He never singled out any kid. We worked with them all, each and every kid.”

Whittier was 44 when he died last May 13 on Mother’s Day. He fell three stories while doing a roofing job in Brockport, and died following complications from surgery, his family said.

On Thursday, the Carlton Clippers, community members and Whittier’s family dedicated a new backstop in memory of Whittier. A plaque on the fence lists Whittier’s popular saying to the team: “Always Do Your Best.”

Dennis Jones, an assistant coach for the Carlton Clippers for 19 years, leads the dedication program Thursday for the new backstop in memory of Scott Whittier.

The field behind the Carlton Recreation Hall on Route 98 has long needed a new backstop. Many foul balls passed over the top of the old fence and players had to retrieve them in the woods, sometimes brushing against poison ivy.

The new backstop has a crown on the top to help contain foul balls to the field.

Memorials for Whittier, as well as donations and a bowling tournament fund-raiser covered the cost for the project, which was spearheaded by Whittier’s fiancée Donna Hess.

“He loved to coach sports, whether football or baseball,” Hess said. “We wanted something that would be here for generations as a memorial. Scott played here and coached here, so it’s perfect.”

Bryan Caitlin, the team’s coach this year, said Whittier was well liked by players and their parents.

“He was a great guy who would do anything for you,” Caitlin told the crowd on Thursday. “It’s not easy to lose someone like that but he’s here everyday.”

The Carlton Clippers, community members and Scott Whittier’s family all gathered at the town park on Thursday evening to dedicate the new backstop. The old one is pictured in back.