Arthur L. “Buck” Keen was a fan of kids and was known locally as “Uncle Buck” to many Knox County youths. Keen’s background as an athlete – honored at Johnsville High School, a stint in the Cincinnati Reds system and a championship Go Cart racer and engine builder -- and his support of the Mount Vernon High School and Highland High School baseball programs was well-known.
After Keen passed away, Dec. 6, 2021, his wife, Juanita Keen, envisioned and helped establish two scholarships in “Buck’s" honor. One went to Mount Vernon High School, and was won by Marcus Bradley (see Mount Vernon News, July 27, 2022 edition). The other scholarship was developed for Highland High School and was earned by Fighting Scots' senior student-athlete Rider Minnick.
Minnick, a Highland senior shortstop and pitcher, and a Mount Vernon Nazarene University commit, was named Mount Vernon News Athlete of the Week in April for belting a two-out double in the fourth and a two-out grand slam in the fifth against Marion Harding, while delivering five solid innings on the slab, allowing only two hits, two unearned runs and one walk while striking out eight to earn the win.
“Rider was selected for the Keen Award based on his passion and hard work toward baseball and the Highland baseball program,” Highland baseball coach Donnie Kline said.
Minnick was named to the Central District's first team (infielder) in 2021 and '22; was named First Team All-League (KMAC in 2021 and MOAC in '22) and was All-Ohio honorable mention in '22. He was twice a District and League Player of the Year finalist, and made Second Team All-Ohio in 2021.
The Fighting Scots’ leadoff hitter, Minnick finished with a .381 batting average, 25 RBIs and 32 runs scored. Minnick tied the school record with 49 hits in 2021.
Minnick was “the best defensive player I have ever coached and solidified a defense that went 48-12 in two years,” Kline said.
As a pitcher, Minnick went 5-1 with one save and 59 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
Kline said Minnick is a leader with a lofty skill set.
“Rider is the quarterback of our infield. He possesses good natural instincts and an advanced skill set that make him an elite-level defender,” Kline said. “Offensively, he is the spark plug that ignites our offense and has been our lead-off hitter for three years.
"He will not be outworked,” said Kline. “He is the proverbial cage rat that can never get enough swings in. He is a great kid and natural leader in our program."
The award, conceptualized by Juanita Keen, was funded by donations from Buck Keen’s friends, family and Highland baseball program supporters. Buck Keen got the nickname "Uncle Buck" for his spending time with the Highland H.S. baseball kids as he watched and counseled his grand-nephew, Gar Keen. Gar Keen's teammates asked him who that knowledegable baseball guy was and they were told, "That's Uncle Buck," and the nickname stuck.
“We are proud that Rider has been awarded this scholarship, as he exemplifies the way that baseball should be played at Highland,” Kline said. “Much like Highland Hall of Famer Gar Keen, grand-nephew of Buck Keen, Rider pushes himself and his teammates to be their best. It has been fun watching him develop as a ball player and young man, and we wish him the best in his academic and athletic career at Mount Vernon Nazarene University."
