WWW.ELLWOODCITYBASEBALL.COM
MEMORIES OF EWING PARK BASEBALL COMPLEX ON 1OOTH ANNIVERSARY
EMAIL YOUR MEMORIES TO ECABF@YAHOO.COM
1954
I wanted to play in the Ellwood City Little League. For whatever reason, I was told I wasn't allowed. At the end of the season, we entered a Little League team from Wampum with Wilmington in the Ellwood City Little League Tournament. We were tied with Ellwood City going into the bottom of the last inning of the championship game. I hit a home run to win the game and the tournament. I got even.
Richie Allen
Wampum, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City and the Lawrence All-Stars met in the championship game of the 3rd Ellwood City Little League Tournament at Ewing Park on August 20, 1954. After three scoreless innings, the Lawrence All-Stars scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Ellwood City rallied in the top of the sixth inning for four runs to tie the game at 4-4. Future Major League Baseball seven-time All-Star Richie Allen led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run over the right field fence to give the Lawrence All-Stars a 5-4 win and the tournament title.
*********
1966
I have many fond memories of both playing and coaching at Ewing Park. One of those exciting times occurred on June 2, 1966. Both Ellwood and Riverside had won their respective sections and were to meet in the first round of the playoffs. I was in my first year as a teacher at Riverside and offered my services as a volunteer coach for then Head Coach Ed Ellenich. It was decided that since the schools were so close that the game would be played at Ewing Park. It was so crowded that the athletic directors from both schools were called upon to walk up and down the foul lines at the end of each inning and move the fans back so they wouldn't interfere with the game. Rich Bartolomeo pitched for Ellwood with Ray Ott throwing for the Panthers. The game was scoreless for seven innings. Finally in the eighth inning Jim Potter blasted a triple with two runners on and Ellwood outlasted Riverside for a 3-0 win. Even though we lost, it was a fun game that featured great pitching and defense and two teams who passionately wanted to beat their rivals.
Dan Oliastro
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City met Riverside in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs at Ewing Park before over 2,000 fans on June 2, 1966. Ellwood City's Rich Bartolomeo allowed one hit and Riverside's Ray Ott scattered four hits in a scoreless duel through seven innings. Ellwood City finally broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Bartolomeo reached on an error and Pat Pietrandrea bunted for a single. Rich Potter followed with a two-run triple to deep centerfield to break the scoreless tie and give Ellwood City a 2-0 lead. Jim DeMark followed with another triple to up the lead to 3-0. Bartolomeo retired Riverside in order to seal the victory.
**********
1971
A memorable game for me was the game we clinched the conference in 1971 against Beaver Falls. What made it so special was that it was Coach Spellman's 300th win. It wasn't necessarily one of the best played games but it was special.
Jeff Potter
Odenton, Maryland
Ellwood City defeated Beaver Falls, 9-4, to win the Section 5 Championship om May 22, 1971. The victory gives Head Coach Bill Spellman his 300th victory against 75 losses. With the victory, Spellman won his 11th section title in 18 years. Jeff Potter picked up the victory on the mound. Potter, John Kish and Ed Prence each singled twice for the Wolverines.
*************
1962
The game against Fred Klages in 1962-intensity off the chart.
Jim Bukac
Oil City, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City met Ambridge at Ewing Park in a key Section 5 High School battle on May 2, 1962. Fred Klages, Ambridge's senior pitcher, would be pitching in the major leagues four years later. Bob Poholsky, Ellwood City's sophomore hurler, would pitch the Wolverines to the WPIAL title that season. Both pitchers took no-hitters into the fifth inning. The game remained scoreless entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Klages started the seventh inning with his fourth straight strikeout. Ellwood City's Trippy Blythe followed with a single and Jim Bukac singled Blythe to second base. Toy Laitenen singled to right field scoring Blythe to give Elwood City the 1-0 victory. Winning pitcher Poholsky allowed two hits and fanned 11 batters. Klages surrendered four hits and struck out seven.
***********
1973
Colt League Finals. Reds-Cubs. Ejections. Lights off. Unreal.
Tony Court
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
The Reds and Cubs met for the second game of the 11th Ellwood City Colt League Championship on July 31, 1973. Before the night ended, the game would be forfeited and the lights would be shut off in an attempt to clear Sanders Field. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "In a farce, labeled the Colt League championship, the Reds beat the Cubs 5-1 last night in a shortened four-inning game that was stopped when the Cubs left the field." The game ended when the Cubs left the field in protest after the ejection of a Cubs' player sitting on the bench by the plate umpire. After a season of turmoil, the Ellwood City Ledger closed their report with, "The Colt League season is over and it ended the way it probably started, with an argument."
************
1970
Wow. I can think of a lot of memories at Ewing Park. The first one that comes to mind is Ellwood City versus Beaver Falls in high school. Rich Lawson versus Hal McClain. May of 1970.
Chuck Nardone
Hopewell, Pennsylvania
Defending WPIAL champion Beaver Falls travelled to Ewing Park for a key Section 5 clash on May 7, 1970. In a battle of ace lefthanders, Ellwood City's Rich Lawson, a future minor league pitcher, and Beaver Falls' Hal McClain, a 4th round draft pick and future AAA pitcher, squared off at Sanders Field. Both pitchers had led their teams to WPIAL titles-Lawson in 1968 and McClain in 1969. The Ellwood City Ledger reported that, "Major league scouts were plentiful." Ellwood City defeated Beaver Falls, 4-0, on a two-hitter by Lawson. Ellwood City was led at the plate by Tony Pertile with a triple and single and Chuck Nardone with two singles and two RBI. Wayne Thornhill added two singles. Ellwood City eventually won the section and reached the WPIAL semi-finals.
**********
1990
Ellwood City's Little League World Series final inning comeback has to be the best memory ever.
Pat Boyle
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City reached the semi-finals of the Little League World Series Pennsylvania West Section tournament on August 1, 1990. With over 100 teams eliminated in western Pennsylvania, there remained just four teams in the single-elimination section tournament. Before one of the largest crowds in Ewing Park history, Edinboro Area held an 11-0 lead entering the bottom of the last inning. Ron Harper led off with a walk-the first of the game for Ellwood City. Tom Nulph singled and Matt Olayer walked to load the bases. An error scored Harper to make the score 11-1. Brad Welsh doubled in two runs to cut the deficit to 11-3. With one out, an error scored a run and two walks forced in a run to narrow the lead to 11-5. Edinboro Area relieved their pitcher and Zadock Dismuke smacked a grand slam over the right field fence to narrow the deficit to 11-9. Nulph singled but Edinboro Area got the next batter and were one out away from victory. Josh Murphy grounded to third base but the force at second base was late to bring the winning run to the plate. Edinboro Area brought in their third pitcher of the inning to face Welsh. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "In a finish that can only be called miraculous", Welsh smacked a game-winning three-run homer over the centerfield fence to give Ellwood City the incredible 12-11 victory. Ellwood City won the West Section over North Allegheny-Ingomar to advance to the state final. Ellwood City defeated Williamsport before losing to eventual national champion Shippensburg.
**********
2010
Winning the Little League championship with the Wolves in extra innings.
Joey Bellissimo
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
The Wolves won the 61st Ellwood City Little League Championship with a 5-4 win in eight innings over the Sons of Italy on July 6, 2010. In a back and forth affair in which the lead changed several times, the Wolves prevailed in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Sons of Italy erased a 2-1 deficit with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Austin Richard led off with a single and scored on Joey Bellissimo's double to tie the score at 3-3. After a scoreless seventh inning, River Kelly homered in the top of the eighth inning to give the Sons of Italy a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Wolves scored twice to win the title. Richard tripled in the tying run and Bellissimo singled Richard in to give the Wolves a 5-4 win and the championship.
**********
1974
Right at the top of my memories has to be Brian Conti knocking the lights out at Sanders Field. Its the first time I saw an outfielder running towards the infield on a ball hit over his head. He was running from the sparks shooting out from the wires.
Lou Sbarra
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
The lights went out at Ewing Park on June 7, 1974. Literally. In the middle of a North County League game, Ellwood City's Brian Conti put the lights out at Sanders Field. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "Charlie Maggi, who occasionally pipes music over the loud speakers, would have done well to have played Handel's Music for Royal Fireworks. Conti hit the wires between the 325 and 350 poles in left with a towering drive that stopped the 14-0 trouncing of Rockwell." Conti led Ellwood City with a homer and single, Lou Sbarra tripled twice, Dave Bender tripled and singled, Don Wick doubled and singled and Bob Beltz singled twice.
**********
1962
It would be the no-hitter I pitched against the Rotary when I was 12 years old. That would have been 1962. Struck out 16 out of 18 batters and got two infield outs.
Jerry Bukac
Charleston, West Virginia
On June 8, 1962 Jerry Bukac threw a perfect game, 18 batters up and 18 batters down, for the Kiwanis in an 8-0 shutout over Rotary. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "that Jerry Bukac is a candidate for baseball's Hall of Fame and he's only 12 years old. The 'Larsen of the Little League' is a natural on ability." The first nine Rotary batters were strikeout victims. Only a groundout to first base in the fourth inning and a ground out to second base were the only putouts.
**********
1999
My favorite memory honestly may be when Danny Mancini got the championship winning hit for the Elks. He was so excited and I was never happier for anyone in my life to that point.
B.J. Boyle
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
The Elks and The Wolves, tied at one win apiece, met in the third game of the 50th Ellwood City Little League Championship on July 15, 1999. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "A large crowd filled the stands and the surrounding area at Freidhoff Field." The Wolves scored a run in the second inning and the Elks tied the score with a run in the bottom of the third inning. The score remained tied at 1-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. Frank Lemmon reached first base on a fielder's choice with one out. Dan Mancini hit a line drive triple in to the right field corner. Third base coach B.J. Boyle waved Lemmon in from first base to give the Elks a 2-1 win and the championship.
**********
1972
Coming back from a four-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Local 1220 the best-of-three series over Northeastern. We were considered the underdogs in this series. The game was won on a squeeze play.
Jeff Foley
Butler, Pennsylvania
Local 1220 and Northeastern met in the 22nd Ellwood City Pony League Championship deciding game at Sanders Field on August 5, 1972. With the series tied one game apiece, Northeastern held a 6-3 lead entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Mark Loccisano led off the inning for Local 1220 with a walk. After a fielder's choice, Jeff Foley and C.J. Stein singled to load the bases. Marty Conti followed with a single to score Loccisano and Foley to cut the deficit to 6-5. Dave Gaibis followed with a single scoring Stein to tie the score at 6-6 with Conti advancing to third base. Brad Miles singled scoring Conti to give Local 1220 the win and the championship.
**********
1958
Winning the American Legion title. We got a man on in the 7th and bunted him to 2nd. I hit a ball way over the leftfielder's head for a walk off single. Love to beat New Castle!
Ron Mazzano
Dana Point, California
Ellwood City and New Castle met for the Lawrence County American Legion title on July 23, 1958. New Castle had won the county championship every year in the decade. New Castle also reached the state finals twice in the past five years. Ellwood City won the first game of the best-of-three series, 2-0, at Flaherty Field on a two-hit shutout by Ron Hughes. The second game was at Ewing Park and New Castle scored twice in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Ellwood City scored a run in the first inning and a run in the second inning to tie the score at 2-2. New Castle took the lead with a run in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Ellwood City knotted the score, 3-3, with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Hughes led off with a walk and stole second base. Ron Mazzano followed with a long blast scoring Hughes with the game-winning run. The 4-3 victory gave Ellwood City the American Legion title.
***********
2010
Wow, that's a tough one. I'd have to say Riverside versus Quaker Valley in the championship game of the Little League Tournament. Before the game one of Quaker Valley's players whose father was in the Air Force Reserves had his crew of fighter pilots fly over the field. With the score tied late in the game Riverside catcher Braden Bentel hit a home run and Riverside won the championship. I've umpired a lot of good games but that one stands out.
Craig Boots
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Riverside and Quaker Valley met in the championship game of the 59th Ellwood City Little League Tournament on July 30, 2010. Quaker Valley held a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning. Ian Senior smacked a two -run homer to tie the game at 4-4. Quaker Valley got the next two batters out. Jason Dambach singled and Michael Boswell hit a book rule double to place runners on second and third base, Braden Bentel followed with a three-run homer to give Riverside a 7-4 lead. Riverside added another run and won the title.
**********
1966
I can remember in Colt League championship, I played for the Reds and my cousin, Bob Babcock, played for the Cubs. My grandmother, who lived on Foch Street just beyond left field, used to watch us play from the porch. At the time we played, there was no fence to interfere with her view. Prior to the game both myself and Butch as he was often called were both at Grandma's house. I can remember Butch writing on a small blackboard in her kitchen that the Cubs were going to win and I said yeah, we'll see. Well, I lined a pitch into the gap and scored two runs. And we ended up winning the game by a run. Later in the game, Butch hit me with a pitch and you could see the stitching marks on my chest.
Stan Conti
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
The Reds and the Cubs met in the opening game of the 4th Ellwood City Colt League Championship Series on August 8, 1966. After the Cubs failed to score in the top of the first inning, the Reds scored twice in their half of the inning to take the lead. Future major league pitcher, Bob Babcock, was the pitcher for the Cubs. Babcock walked Andy Newton and with one out Ray Smith smacked a single. Stan Conti followed by ripping a triple into right centerfield scoring Newton and Smith to give the Reds a 2-0 lead. The Reds added another run in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. The Cubs scored twice in the sixth inning and with the bases loaded, Conti relieved on the mound for the Reds. Conti retired the next two batters and threw a scoreless seventh inning to seal the victory. Don Wick was the winning pitcher for the Reds and Conti nailed down the save.
*****************
1982
We were tied for first place with Beaver for first place. We win the game we win the section and go to the playoffs. May of 1982. Down by one run. Two outs. 0-2 count. I hit a home run to tie the game. We lost in extra innings.
Mike Hufnagel
Portersville, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City and Beaver met for the Section 2 title on May 18, 1982. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "the crowd of several hundred,(was) the most in years at a Wolverine baseball game." Ellwood City jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first inning. Mike Hugnagel led off with a walk, Dean Vandevort doubled and Carl Stoops was walked intentionally. An error on a double-play ball allowed two runs to score to give Ellwood City a 2-0 lead. Beaver tied the score in the top of the third inning at 2-2 with two runs. Ellwood City regained the lead in the third inning. Hufnagel doubled and went to third base on a fly out. On a groundout in the infield, Hufnagel eluded the tag at the plate to give Ellwood City a 3-2 lead. Beaver tied the score in the fifth inning at 3-3 and the game went into extra innings. Beaver scored in the top of the eighth inning to take a 4-3 lead. After two outs, Ellwood City was down its last out with Hufnagel at the plate. The odds of tying the score were long with Beaver ace John Burkett on the mound. Burkett, a future Major League Baseball all-star, would be a San Francisco Giants' pitcher five years later. The odds for a tie got even longer when Hufnagel fell behind 0-2 in the count. But Hufnagel belted the next pitch over the centerfield fence to tie the score at 4-4. However, Jim Hummel hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning to give Beaver a 7-4 victory and the section title.
**********
1966
I have so many memories of games at Ewing Park. I remember the playoff game between Ellwood City and Riverside very well. My main memory is of the huge crowd and how tough it was to keep them from the field of play. The Lincoln High School athletic director and I had an argument about the lack of crowd control. Right after I had written up the game for the Ledger I took off for Haverford College for a friend's graduation. I almost fell asleep on the turnpike in eastern Pennsylvania. You do crazy things when your young.
Turk Pierce
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City met Riverside in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs at Ewing Park before over 2,000 fans on June 2, 1966. Ellwood City's Rich Bartolomeo allowed one hit and Riverside's Ray Ott scattered four hits in a scoreless duel through seven innings. Ellwood City finally broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Bartolomeo reached on an error and Pat Pietrandrea bunted for a single. Rich Potter followed with a two-run triple to deep centerfield to break the scoreless tie and give Ellwood City a 2-0 lead. Jim DeMark followed with another triple to up the lead to 3-0. Bartolomeo retired Riverside in order to seal the victory.
**********
1972
Ewing Park and Sanders Field have always been a special place. I was fortunate to have played there as well as spent many summer evenings with friends as a spectator. As a youngster, racing others to the concession stand to get the box of numbers for sitting on the scoreboard to earn a snow cone for keeping score during a game was an honor and privilege. As a player on Post #157 American Legion team, I will never forget a summer evening in 1972 when we welcomed the Little Pirates to Sanders Field. The Little Pirates were riding the crest of a 16-game wining streak. When they left Ellwood that evening, they were suffering a two-game losing streak after being swept in a doubleheader by our team.
Curt Johns
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City Post #157 met the Little Pirates on June 28, 1972 for their annual visit to Ewing Park. The Little Pirates, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, drew the largest crowd of the year each season at Ewing Park. The Little Pirates entered Ewing Park with a 16-0 record. In the opening game, Ellwood City held a 3-0 lead after four innings. In the fifth and sixth innings, Ellwood City hung back-to-back 5's on the Sanders Field scoreboard on the way to a 13-0 victory. Winning pitcher Don Mancini scattered six hits over seven innings for Ellwood City. Rick Peterson, future minor league pitcher and New York Mets pitching coach, took the loss. Jeff Meehan drove in three runs with three singles and Mark Crofton had four RBI on two singles. Joe Mancini singled, walked twice and scored three runs and John Kish walked twice and scored three runs. Gary Ward and Randy DeLoia added singles. In the second game, Ellwood City scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to edge the Little Pirates, 2-1. Winning pitcher Jeff Potter picked up the victory with three scoreless innings of relief for Ellwood City. Kish led Ellwood City with a double and single. Ward singled twice and Curt Johns added a single. Ellwood City raised their record to 7-1 with the victory.
*********
1954
My top memory would have to be the no-hitter I threw in the Knee-Hi League. I was pitching for the Sons Of Italy. It was one of the first no-hitters in the league.
Judd "Ziggy "Liebendorfer
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
Judd "Ziggy" Liebendorfer fired a no-hitter on May 30, 1954 at the Ewing Park Baseball Field. The Ellwood City Ledger reported that "Ziggy, a left-handed first baseman-outfielder, always had a secret desire to be a pitcher. He worked a couple of games for the Little League Kiwanis and the Knee-Hi Sons of Italy but never as a starter and a finisher. Saturday he got a starting role and was around at the finish throwing the first no-hit, no-run game of the season." Liebendorfer led the Sons of Italy over the Frisco 49ers, 20-0. Liebendorfer also homered for the Sons of Italy.
*************
1965
One of my top memories was hitting the first home run at the new Little League Field in 1965. The players in the league raked the field before the season started to get rid of all the stones. It was a grand slam.
Joe Lamenza
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Joe Lamenza hit the first home run at the newly-constructed Ewing Park Little League Field on June 1, 1965. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, " Joe Lamenza had the honor of being the first player to homer in the new Little League Field at Ewing Park." Lamenza hit a grand slam and a single to lead the Legion to a 9-1 win over the Giants. In a game called after four innings due to rain, Lamenza was also the winning pitcher. He fired a one-hitter and fanning nine batters in for the Legion. The Little League Field is now Freidhoff Field, named after former commisioner Dick Freidhoff. Freidhoff Field has been the home of Ellwood City Little League for the past 57 years.
**********
1958
The memory that really sticks out is beating New Castle to win the Lawrence County American Legion title.
Dick Rosen
San Diego, California
Ellwood City and New Castle met for the Lawrence County American Legion title on July23, 1958. New Castle had won the county championship every year in the decade. New Castle also reached the state finals twice in the past five years. Ellwood City won the first game of the best-of-three series, 2-0, at Flaherty Field on a two-hit shutout by Ron Hughes. The second game was at Ewing Park and New Castle scored twice in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Ellwood City scored a run in the first inning and a run in the second inning to tie the score at 2-2. New Castle took the lead with a run in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Ellwood City knotted the score, 3-3, with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Hughes led off with a walk and stole second base. Ron Mazzano followed with a long blast scoring Hughes with the game-winning run. The 4-3 victory gave Ellwood City the American Legion title.
**********
1966
I grew up in Ellwood City when baseball was everything. I lived next door to the Mancini's. We would meet everyday and find other kids in the neighborhood to start a ballgame. We played all day and if you were lucky your team had a game scheduled that evening and you got to play in Ewing Park. Every game in the park was a great memory. One of my best memories was in Little League. The first game I ever pitched I threw a no-hitter. Summer of 1966.
John Kish
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
The Legion defeated the Elks, 4-0, in the opening game of the Ellwood City Little League season on May 23, 1966. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "John Kish pitched a no-hit, no run game to give the Elks, the defending champions, last night in the lidlifter of the Ellwood City Little League. Kish struck out 10 and allowed only four men to reach base-two on walks, an error and a hit batsman." Mike Moczan doubled twice for the Legion and Kish and Ethan Cartwright added doubles. Scott Morris and Mark Wilson singled twice for the Lions.
**********
1957
The game that I remember the best is the American Legion All-Star Game at Ewing Park. I pitched the ninth inning against the Beaver County All-Stars and struck out the side. But by the time I got to throw in the ninth inning all the scouts had turned in their ballots and I didn't get picked for the All-West team.
Joe Raman
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
The annual American Legion District 26 All-Star Game between Beaver County and Lawrence-Butler Counties was held on July 25, 1957. Major league scouts from 12 teams conducted a two and one-half hour workout and observed the players during the game. Ellwood City's Joe Raman, Ron Hughes, Dave Florie and Bob Timmerman and Wampum's Harold Allen, Bob Mathews and Larry DeMaio were selected to participate in the game. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, " Raman, who was probably the outstanding pitching ace of this city's scholastic team the past two springs, hurled just one inning, the ninth. He struck out the three batters he faced on 12 pitches. " Hughes and Matthews were selected for the All-West Game.
**********
1966
Although there are many, many memories, the playoff game between Ellwood City and Riverside is a top memory.
Jim DeMark
Orlando, Florida
Ellwood City met Riverside in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs at Ewing Park before over 2,000 fans on June 2, 1966. Ellwood City's Rich Bartolomeo allowed one hit and Riverside's Ray Ott scattered four hits in a scoreless duel through seven innings. Ellwood City finally broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Bartolomeo reached on an error and Pat Pietrandrea bunted for a single. Rich Potter followed with a two-run triple to deep centerfield to break the scoreless tie and give Ellwood City a 2-0 lead. Jim DeMark followed with another triple to up the lead to 3-0. Bartolomeo retired Riverside in order to seal the victory.
**********
1957
The first memory that pops up is throwing a no-hitter when I was a junior for Lincoln High. I struck out 14 but I walked seven batters. we played on the practice field because our field was wet. We played on all grass that day.
Jim Navolio
Versailles, Kentucky
Jim Navolio threw a no-hitter for Ellwood City in a 6-1 win over Union at Ewing Park on April 3, 1957. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, " A new pitching standout looms on Ellwood City High School's baseball horizon today. Yesterday's snowy weather wasn't fit for ducks, but the fire-balling left-hander Jim Navolio tossed a six-inning no-hitter. The regular diamond was wet and muddy so the Wolverines topped Union on Ewing Park's practice field. Not a ball left the infield but four consecutive walks accounted for Union's only run." Jim Hughes led the Wolverines with three singles. Ron Mazzano singled twice and Bob Timmerman added a triple.
**********
1957
I was playing second base and Coach Spellman had taught us a hidden ball trick. When the infielder had the ball and play was stopped the infielder would go to the mound. Spellman taught us to slap our gloves together like we were giving the ball back to the pitcher. We were playing Aliquippa and Mike Ditka was on second base. I went to the mound and slapped gloves with pitcher Ronnie Hughes like I was putting the ball back in his glove. Instead I still had the ball in my glove and told the umpire I'm tagging Ditka when he gets off the bag. Well Ditka started to take his lead at second base and I went over and tagged him out.
Dave Florie
Zelienople, Pennsylvania
Aliquippa handed Ellwood City their first Section 6 loss of the season, 3-0, on May 2, 1957. Pete Suder, son of major leaguer Pete Suder, Sr., threw a five-hit shutout against the Wolverines at Ewing Park. Future National League Football Hall Of Famer Mike Ditka and Suder led Aliquippa with two singles apiece. Although Aliquippa won the game, Ellwood City went on to capture the Section 6 title.
**********
1972
Oh wow...so many memories. #1 has to be the semi-final Colt League final game in 1972. The Astros, my team, versus the Cubs. I didn't even pitch in that game. The late Roland Stone, a little person, was put in as a pinch-hitter for the Cubs against our pitcher for the Astros, Turk Boariu. I was playing center field but was literally standing right behind second base-not expecting a long fly ball. Turk threw several strikes that were called balls by the umpire. Some were called too low-really? After the game, which we lost, I questioned the umpire (now a friend so let's leave his name out) and a fight ensued that cost me a place on the All-Star team after being named to it. Loved it-would not change a thing-except to have met the Reds in the finals. Sorry Cubbies-we win that game without the infamous "walk."
Keith Foley
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
The Cubs defeated the Astros, 3-2, in the third and final game of the Ellwood City Colt League semi-final series at Ewing Park on August 3, 1972. The win gave the Cubs the series, two games to one, and propelled them into the 10th Ellwood City Colt League Championship Series against the Reds. The Astros led 2-1 entering the seventh and final inning-just three outs from the victory and a trip to the title series. Cubs' pinch-hitter Roland Stone led off the top of the seventh inning with a walk. Dave Kaufmann pinch-ran for Stone and with one out, Dave Loccisano singled to center field sending Kaufmann to third base. Pinch-hitter Joe Funari followed with a double down the right-field line scoring Kaufmann to tie the score at 2-2. With two outs, Greg Silvestri singled in Funari to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead. But the Astros did not go quietly in the bottom half of the inning. The Astros loaded the bases with one out putting the tying run at third base and the winning run at second base. But second baseman Silvestri turned a sharp grounder into a force out at the plate and shortstop Marty Lample corralled a popup to end the threat and the game. Silvestri led the Cubs with a double, single and game-winning RBI. Keith Foley led the Astros with a long triple and single. Gary Fox was the winning pitcher with John Malutich gaining the save for the Cubs.
**********
1952
I have so many wonderful memories of Ewing Park. The game that first sticks out would be hitting three home runs in a Little League game.
Ron Hughes
Middleburg, FL
Ron Hughes became the first player in Ellwood City Little League history to hit three home runs in one game on June 4, 1952. Hughes smacked three home runs and a single as the Moose downed the Legion, 24-0.
**********
1980
I have many fond memories of playing at Ewing Park. Playing games there most of my career whether it be Pony, Colt, Legion, High School or North County- I always got especially pumped to take that field. A game under the lights at Ewing Park had a special quality and usually brought the best out of me personally. The atmosphere and the mystique just made you appreciate playing baseball. You see, growing up in Shenango Township, we played with teams in Ellwood City. The competition was top notch and we got to play against the best ballplayers that area had to offer. Some of the players would go on to play at at higher levels in the future. Playing against Ellwood City from Pony League to North County League and attempting to beat those guys with little success, I gave up and joined forces and played my final years with Ellwood City in the North County League. One of my most memorable moments I can recall didn't involve me at all. We were playing a night game and we had just nine players to start the game. One of players got into an argument with the home plate umpire and was ejected from the game. To avoid a forfeit until another player arrived, enter our beloved manager, Carmen Beatrice.. Our diminutive and bespectacled manager, already in his 60's, took a position in the outfield in his dress pants, white shirt and his dress shoes. When it came to his spot in the lineup we told him to stand as far away from the plate as possible to keep from getting hit by a pitch and just strike out. He was facing Dave Gee- a 25-year old quality pitcher from New Castle that could really throw. Carmen took the first two pitches as told. Gee wasn't throwing lollipops and was just looking to retire Carmen as fast as possible. But Carmen was a true competitor at heart and had to take a swing at the third pitch. But he didn't strike out-he grounded out. When returning to the dugout we made eye contact and by the look and smile he gave, well, you would have thought he hit a home run!
Ed Urian
New Castle, Pennsylvania
**********
1971
The 1971 American Legion game between Ellwood City and New Castle was the best baseball game that I ever played in. Both teams were 12-2 going into that game. Jeff Potter was a great pitcher but so was Wayne Alexander. I remember the game vividly. We had the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning and did not score. I didn't get many hits off of Jeff Potter in my career but I later doubled off of him into right centerfield. The game was scoreless through eight innings. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Bucky Kish hit one on the road and Robin Pontius drove him in. We ended up losing 1-0. It was a great game and one that I will always remember even though we were on the losing end.
Larry Kelly
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Ellwood City Post #157 and New Castle Post #343 met for first place in the Lawrence County American Legion League on July 23, 1971 at Sanders Field. This was the last year the league champion was decided by the team with the best regular season record. Both teams entered the game with 12-2 records and the winner would likely secure the title as the season came to a close. The matchup attracted major league scouts from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, New York Mets and the New York Yankees. In addition, Charles Gangaware, the chairman of the Pennsylvania American Legion, was in attendance from Harrisburg. The New Castle News reported, "A capacity crowd surrounded Sanders Field in Ewing Park to view Lawrence County American Legion League's top two hurlers, New Castle's Wayne Alexander and Ellwood City's Jeff Potter." New Castle loaded the bases with none out in the top of the first inning, but Potter fanned two batters and a pop-up ended the threat. New Castle threatened again in the third inning. Larry Kelly doubled to lead of the inning. Mark Hasson followed with a line drive that Ellwood City shortstop Gary Ward backhanded and turned into a double play to keep the game scoreless. Alexander was in complete command throughout the first seven innings. He struck out the first seven hitters and recorded 13 strikeouts through the first six innings. Ellwood City's Robin Pontius line drive single off the mound in the top of the seventh inning ended Alexander's no-hitter. The score remained deadlocked at 0-0 as the teams entered extra innings. Neither team scored in the eighth inning and New Castle failed to score in the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Ellwood City finally broke through with the game-winning run. John Kish led off the inning with a booming triple past the 350-foot pole in left-center field-the first Ellwood City runner to get past second base the entire game. Pontius followed with a line drive over New Castle leftfielder Craig Zeigler to score Kish to give Ellwood City the 1-0 victory. Winning pitcher Potter, who would be a six-round draft choice of the Chicago White Sox in 1972, ended with a three-hitter and 16 strikeouts. Losing pitcher Alexander ended with a three-hitter and 15 strikeouts. Pontius led Ellwood City with a double, single and the winning RBI. Kish tripled and scored the winning run. Kelly led New Castle with a double and Gary Schooley and Dennis Lewis added singles. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, "The major league scouts came, they saw, they got an eye-full...watching nearly three hours of possibly the finest struggle at spectator-filled Sanders Memorial Field this year."
1967
When I think of Ewing Park, my first memory is retiring the first 17 batters pitching for the Kiwanis against the Elks in Little League. My manager was Lou DiBiagio who took over for Frank Sanders who passed away. After retiring the first 17 batters, I walked two batters before striking out the final batter for a no-hitter.
Rich Herman
Clarion, Pennsylvania
Rick Herman almost threw a perfect game in the Ellwood City Little League on June 26, 1967. The Ellwood City Ledger reported, " Herman retired the first 17 batters he faced en route to a near perfect game as the Kiwanis shutout the Elks, 4-0, at Ewing Park. Herman faced 17 batters before issuing two walks in the top of the sixth inning. After losing his perfect game bid, Herman fanned the last batter to end the contest." Blake McKim and Herman singled in the bottom of the third inning and scored on a double by George Celli to give the Kiwanis a 2-0 lead. Kiwanis added two more unearned runs in the fifth inning to open a 4-0 lead. Winning pitcher Herman, backed by the errorless play of his defense, did not allow a ball to leave the infield and fanned nine batters.
Richie Allen reminisces about playing in 3rd Ellwood City Little League Tournament.