Beech Tree News Network

Former Butler County High School baseball standout Keith Butler had his number retired prior to homecoming activities on Tuesday night at the Butler County High School Gymnasium.Keith is a 2007 graduate of Butler County High School, where he had a stellar baseball career, and finished with a 48-9 record on the mound. Keith helped lead the 2007 Bears to a 34-5 record and #17 state ranking (the highest in school history.) He finished the 07 season with a 14-1 record, 158 strikeouts, 3 no hitters, and a .630 batting average, all of which lead to the state that year. He is a four year All Region performer as well as a 2007 All State participant. He is currently in the top ten in 11 statistical categories, including leading the state in career wins (48) and career no hitters (7). His 14 wins in 07 is 3rd all-time for wins in a single season, .630 batting average is 4th all-time, and 3 no hitters that year ranks him 2nd all time for single season performances. Keith also ranks 3rd in career triples (17), and 5th in both career ERA (1.35) and single season strikeouts (158). He also ranks in the top 10 in career doubles (48) and single season triples (7) as well as career strikeouts (426). Keith attended Walbash Valley Community College on a baseball scholarship in the fall of 2007 and continued his success. In Spring 2009,Keith signed a letter of intent to play for baseball of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, but was drafted in the 24th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. His success has continued into the professional baseball level as he was named the Gulf Coast League Relief Pitcher of The Year in 2009, Cardinal Minor League Relief Pitcher of The Year in 2011, the #38 Top Prospect in the Cardinals Organization in 2012, and last season at Double A Springfield made both the Mid-Season All-Star game as well as the Post-Season All Stars. He was second in the Texas League in saves. Last winter, Keith was named to the St. Louis Cardinals 40 man Active Roster.