Through the Lens (Have Radar Gun Will Travel)
Being defined as a professional in any category places you in an elite group. It generally recognizes that you are well versed, possess special skills and have a true love for what you are doing. John Rush is a person I have known for some years and I will have to say he fits my definition of a professional baseball scout. More than just a person with an eye for the game, he has it in his DNA. He recently explains that the love for the game began with his grandfather, passed onto his dad, and now he has it and has spent a lifetime honing that skill and love for America’s game. His son also has it, as he is playing college ball.
John began his life in New Martinsville where he has lived most of his life. His father Ed Rush, and mother Linda were also from the area. John’s dad encouraged him and helped to build these skills early on. When New Martinsville didn’t have a Tee-Ball League when John was 6, his dad took him to Paden City for a couple of years to gain early experience at hitting the ball. Hitting the ball was important back then, and still is. By the time John was eight, his dad had started a Tee-Ball program in town.
With that early desire for the game, John went on to play Babe Ruth and Legion Ball. His dad coached several of these teams. I ask what John remembered about those times. He laughed as he said, “Dust, I spent a lot of time riding a drag around ball fields.”
John explained that his dad’s love of the game began early, and his skills were refined when he played ball in the army. After returning from the army his dad went to work at PPG.
In 1994 tragedy struck John’s family. Ed and Linda had returned from watching a regional game. Ed parked the car in the garage and was distracted and forgot to turn off the family car. John lost his father, and nearly lost his mother.
John along with his family wanted to recognize his father’s love and contributions to the game and New Martinsville Baseball. The family set up a scholarship in the name of Edward Rush. Each year except for Covid years and a couple when the team had no seniors, the Rush family has awarded a scholarship to a player from Magnolia since 1994. Ed would have been proud to know that his legacy has helped so many.
John played baseball at Concord College and West Liberty. He attended college to become a teacher, because at the time you had to be a teacher to coach in high school. In 1985 John was a student teaching at John Marshall, and helped to coach when the team won the state title.
Next, he coached at Yeager High School for four years and then back to John Marshall. It looked as if John was on his way to a life in baseball, until as he described it, “Life came along. He got married and had a family. The money in teaching was not cutting it. So… I went to PPG Industries to work.”
John may have changed careers, but he still had a hand in the game. In 1998 through 2004 he helped with John Marshall’s teams while working 40 hours a week. He was then offered the head coaching job at Tyler Consolidated which he took on. Ohio Valley University called and wanted him to be their pitching coach. He also spent a couple years at Cameron.
I asked if he had ever given thought to the big leagues as a player? He smiled as he told me that he tried out for the Dodgers and gave that some time. And by chance while he was taking one of his players for a look at the Major League Scouting Bureau, his player told one of the coaches there, “You ought to see my coach pitch. They took a look at John and he never said what came of the tryout, except, “Life came along again.”
John knew his career in the plant was coming to an end, he wanted to try something different in the sport he loved. John had explained that he loved scouting talent and seeing the game from that point. But no one was knocking on his door asking for him to come play ball. So…he decided to send a letter to all thirty teams and basically say, “John Rush, Have a Radar Gun, Will Travel.” Sure enough he got a couple inquiry’s. Danny Seders from the LA Padres called while John was in Cleveland at an All-Stars Game. As they say, the rest is history.
I asked what you look for in players and do you have a region you watch. John explained that his area is the Mid-Atlantic Scouting Region. It is made up of Pennsylvania and WV. John, “Diamonds in the ruff are hard to find these days. With social media putting video out there of players for all to see, it is hard to find an unnoticed player.”
I asked “Is it like you see in the movies where a dozen scouts with radar guns and phones in their ears are lined up in the bleachers watching a player.” John laughed as he explained, “Yea, sometimes it is like that.”
John was recently named, “Associate Scout of the year in the Middle Atlantic Area.” This award is voted on by all thirty teams. He hopes the recognition it gives him will perhaps give him a chance to move up to the next level in the baseball scouting world.
John Rush comes from a long line of baseball diehards. His legacy is passing onto the next generation. He is one of those truly dedicated people who have given his life to the betterment of the game. As much by his own game play, but even more so by the advantages he has given so many young players. John would not tell me his batting average, but he did say, “If you can hit, I’ll find a place for you.” He also said in 1981 he was nine and was playing for Dave Cisar. John is a true professional who knows how to say, Play ball Through the Lens.