Stepping Up to the Plate

Pictured: Brother Lester Gaunt; his wife, Johanna; daughter, Camilla; and son, Bennett

2025 was a busy year for Brothers Lester Gaunt and Jim Novak. The two men from neighboring Masonic lodges were involved in coaching the Johnstown-area girls’ softball team that went on to win the Little League Softball World Series, the first time for Pennsylvania in almost 50 years.

Pennsylvania’s West Suburban Little League squad, made up of 12 girls ages 10-12, picked up a 1-0 win over Floyd Knobs, Indiana’s squad, in Greenville, NC. The regional and world tournaments were broadcast live on ESPN. The state’s loyal sports fans enjoyed tuning in for all the local and national media coverage.

“Winning was a big, proud moment,” said Lester, head coach of the league and a member of Summit Lodge No. 312, Ebensburg. “It was nice to see the young ladies work hard and be rewarded for it. When we won, all the coaches ran out on the field and celebrated with them. I took a step back and walked away to soak up the moment, realizing it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. In that moment, I felt like a spectator, not a coach.”

The road to winning the national championship is a hard one. Players participate in smaller tournaments before heading to the state tournament in Nanticoke. If they win that game, they become Team Pennsylvania, representing the state in the regional tournament in Bristol, CT. After winning that, they become the Mid-Atlantic Team and then travel to Greenville to compete for the World Series title.

“I think they got so far because they are a good team,” Lester said. “They were also good teammates. They supported each other. It’s a long journey. So many things have to go right, and the games are longer. You just keep ‘grinding’ through it. You play a lot of games to get to the end.”

In addition to his two assistant coaches, Lester received support from Jim, Acacia Lodge No. 355, Blairsville, who helps coach the Keystone Raptors, a fast-pitch travel softball team in the area. They originally crossed paths when their respective travel teams played against each other. Jim’s granddaughter, Adalyn, and Lester’s youngest daughter, Camilla, were teammates on the World Series team.

“When we first met, we were not Masons, but I believe our bond is stronger now because of Freemasonry,” Jim said.

Jim has been a Mason for five years. He tries to instill the virtues he learned in Freemasonry into his role coaching young people, including demonstrating respect for the game, the umpires, their teammates and themselves.

“It’s the brotherly love part of it,” he said. “The values we believe in, we try to instill into our girls, not just for softball, but for their futures. We strive to preach the values of being a good person, not just good at softball. That carries into their lives and future decisions.”

Lester, a 15-year softball coach and a Mason for a little over a year, agreed with Jim. He said he’s eager to become more active in his lodge, now that he has fewer coaching commitments (he’s a postmaster by day). His father, Telesfor Gaunt, Sr., was a member of Cambria Lodge No. 378.

“Since my father’s passing, becoming a Mason was the one thing I wanted to do, especially because he was so proud of it,” Lester said. “Hopefully, he’s looking down and is proud of me.”

Brother Tim Washko, Summit Lodge No. 312, also assisted Lester and Jim in their endeavors. He opened his indoor practice facility, Double Play, to the World Series team during their season. The Keystone Raptors travel team still practices weekly at the Ebensburg building. Many of the girls were members of both teams.

“We offer the closest thing to the real game batting experience that you can get,” Tim said. “I was a signer for Lester to become a Mason. My wife and I also attended the World Series. I enjoy helping fellow brothers who coach these girls to achieve their goals. It’s such a good feeling.”