In the Dover area there are few names more synonymous with baseball than Zach Carter’s.

    From his time as a player dating back to the 1960s up to today as a coach and contributor to the game, Carter has given tons back to the baseball community.

    And for that, he, along with six other Delawareans who have played a role in the state’s baseball world, was inducted into the Delaware Baseball Hall of Fame June 9, at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown.

    The seven new members to the HOF were announced before the Blue/Gold All-Star Game, and Delaware Baseball Coaches Association Executive Director Bob Colburn said Carter was more than deserving of the honor.

    The nine-person selection committee voted Carter in after more than 2/3 of its members decided met all the criteria for membership.

    “One of the things we’re looking for is the strong Delaware connection,” he said. “The second thing we’re looking for is someone who has contributed to baseball at some level in the state.

    “We’re trying to recognize people that put their heart and soul into this, and Zach Carter has done that.”

    Colburn added that Carter’s ties to Delaware baseball are wide ranging, from player, to coach to contributor.

    Not only does Carter have a history as one of the state’s top players in his day, but he also has been a coach at many levels as well as helped the Dover Little League with some much needed renovations.

    “He played at Wesley and Dover High, and he also played in the semi-pro league,” Colburn said. “The other thing is that he was very active in the Dover Little League program and was instrumental in bringing American Legion ball back to central Delaware.

    “He was also a person that was a leader in the construction of the Dover Little League complex. Once he got finished playing he kept contributing.”

    The semi-pro league Colburn referred to, Carter said, was the Parkway league that was based out of Wilmington.

    He played second base in the league from 1968 to 1982, before hanging up his cleats to focus on coaching.

    Though Carter said he preferred playing to coaching and managing — he currently is the manager of the Fox Post No. 2 team in the American Legion Baseball League — he’s enjoyed the benefits of coaching through the years.

    “It’s a great satisfaction to see people grow,” he said. “You see these players grow, whether it’s success at the college or professional level, or to be productive in society. That’s the best thing.”

    Carter said he plans on continuing to play a key role in Delaware baseball, and that he was surprised to find out he’d be honored with the Hall of Fame.

    However, he said he’s always tried to be the best he could when it came to baseball, whether playing or coaching, which he thinks is what got him the notice.

    “It’s a great honor,” Carter said. “You want to be successful with what you do. And it’s something I hope to continue on with.”

Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com