Eric Albert Straub

Eric Albert Straub — known to everyone simply as Rick — passed away May 14, 2026 at the age of 80. Rick lived a life shaped by fierce competitiveness, a tireless dedication to teaching, and an unwavering love for baseball.

A catcher by trade and by temperament, Rick's playing career spanned four decades — from the late 1960s with Spring Grove and A&S Contractors, to the Hawks, and then Pleasureville in York County's Central League, competing well into the 2000s. He played thousands of games, traveled to national tournaments, and left a permanent mark on the league's record books as one of the Top 50 Hitters of All Time in the 80-year-old York Central League. In 2016, that legacy was formally recognized with his induction into the York Central League Baseball Hall of Fame.

But for Rick, playing was only half the story. He channeled a lifetime behind the plate into three books — Advanced Catching Techniques, Catcher Care, and Catching4Kids — and built a coaching platform, Catcher Guru, around a phrase he made his own: Pop Time.

Through his signature clinics and camps, he taught more than a thousand catchers of all ages how to receive, block, throw, and compete. Right up until the end, he was on the field, improving players and earning the admiration of coaches and parents who'd never seen the position taught quite like that.

Off the field, Rick was an IT and business professional who attended East Stroudsburg University, founder of Baseline Software Group, and a founding leader of the Baltimore IIBA chapter. Music ran deep in him — he loved the oldies of the '50s and '60s, a passion he shared eagerly with his kids. He was a devoted fan of Delbert McClinton, seeing him perform live multiple times over the years.

Rick is survived by his son Kurt Straub and wife Kristie of Perry Hall, MD; his son Andrew Straub of Towson, MD; his daughter Kelsey Phinazee and husband Kelvin of Coral Springs, FL; his grandchildren Ian, Evan, Avery, Aaliyah, Cameron, and Jack; his sisters JoAnne Harris of Ocean City, MD and Andrea Mikos and husband David of New Oxford, PA; and former spouses Rebecca Straub and Lyndyl Blais.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Anita Straub of Sykesville, MD.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to a youth baseball organization in Rick's memory.

He had a simple motto: "I can improve any catcher." He spent a lifetime proving it.