Rochester Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Robert Kravetz was inducted into the Rochester Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 as a Contributor for Sports Administration and for athleticism. His unique resume covers many aspects of sports activities. Bob displays a deep passion for sports, children and community service.

Bob served on The Board of Directors of Pittsford Little League for ten years including one term as President (1991-1992), and Chief of Umpires in Pittsford for over five years. He was a professionally trained umpire by The Rochester District Umpires association in 1973. From 1989-1999, Bob ran Pittsford Little League umpiring clinics. In 2008, Bob has once again accepted a position on the Pittsford Little League Board, as their Historian.

In 1978-1979, Bob coached 13 and 14 year old boys in the Senior League in Fairport, N.Y. From 1986-1993, he coach boys Pittsford Little League and Senior League teams. He coached Pittsford girls for the span of fifteen years. He started with the lower age group 9-10 yrs. through the Pittsford Big League, 15-16 yr. old. Bob also coached the 17-18 year old girls Blazer’s ASA Softball in Pittsford, N.Y. for two years.

In Bob’s presidential tenure with Pittsford Little League, he created the first league for girls softball. By the third year, 450 girls participated each year, and for many years thereafter. After creating the Pittsford Girl’s program, Bob served as the General Manager of the Pittsford Senior Softball League and Coached the Senior Softball Tournament Team (1998-2000). Bob ran the first ten year of tryouts. He proudly created draft rules to ensure all teams had equal talent. In addition, Bob was the primary Softball Instructor of Penfield Softball Summer Camp 1995-1999 under Coach George Steitz. In 2008, Bob accepted the position of the New York District 4 Assistant Administrator for Softball in which he participated for one year.

As an umpire, Bob donated his time officiating nearly 500 games for Pittsford Hardball and Softball leagues. He also was the Umpire-in-Chief for Hardball and Softball for the National Youth Maccabi Games 1999, Rochester, N.Y. Furthermore, Mr. Kravetz was selected by Williamsport Baseball to Umpire the National Big League Softball Tournament, final game-home plate, Milford, Conn., in 1992. Bob was also honored to umpire for a Men’s league at Doubleday Field, Cooperstown, N.Y. and two games for the Pittsford Senior League at Red Wing Stadium.

Bob is a member of the American Society of Baseball Research (SABR). His first published book is titled, “Where Have You Gone Mickey Mantle?” (1996) resides in the Abner Double Day Library, Cooperstown, N.Y. His current manuscript, “Baby Boomer Baseball,” addresses the Golden Years of Baseball from 1950-1990. This work includes research on Mickey Mantle’s longest home runs. Bob consulted for the ESPN Sports Network on the “Mickey Mantle Classic Series,” in 2000.

His first publication permits Bob to participate in many community projects. Bob has helped raise funds for Fairport Baseball, Pittsford Little League, Cancer Action Inc., Children Awaiting Parents, and the U.S. Committee Sports for Israel. He has been a guest speaker at the Jewish Community Center Rochester, N.Y., Barnes and Noble, Pittsford,N.Y., the Phi Beta Kappa Society Buffalo, N.Y., Border’s Books Rochester, N.Y. and the Jackie Robinson/Citywide Holocaust Display 2001, Rochester, N.Y. Bob has been on various talk radio shows with the Chief Operating Officer of the Rochester Red Wings, Naomi Silver and nationally known columnist Curt Smith.

Bob is an active member of the “Hotstove” League in Rochester, N.Y. which supports the Challenger Baseball Game at Frontier Field, serving children with disabilities.

Since Bob’s induction into the Rochester Jewish Sport’s Hall of Fame, he has actively participated on the U.S. Committee Sports for Israel and Chairs the Honors Committee of the Rochester Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

During Bob’s sports career he has played hardball, softball, volleyball, racquetball and was a bowler. His hardball career started in the West Irondequoit Little League and continued at Irondequoit High School. Bob played third base in level “A” softball leagues for twenty years, and continues to play in recreational softball leagues today. He also played volleyball in inter city leagues and continues to play racquetball at the Jewish Community Center. Bob was an avid bowler carrying a 188 average.

Bob lives in Pittsford, N.Y. with his wife Jill. They have two grown children: Adam and Lauren.