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July 6, 2005

OCYAA completes 50th season of youth baseball

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


When the Ocean City Youth Athletic Association began conducting baseball games for young players in the spring of 1956 there was no minor league. And the games were played on what is now a soccer field at Sixth Street and Bay Avenue.

There was a record set in that first year that undoubtedly still stands today – 11 triples in one season. It was set by a future sportswriter and broadcaster whose name, coincidentally, is on this column.

Now, when you think of a player who hits a lot of triples, you think of Juan Pierre, Tony Womack, Jimmy Rollins or Willie Wilson. Guys with a great deal of speed. That was not the case here. There was no outfield fence at the field that year and the ball would roll once it cleared the outfielders. And this future writer had enough speed to get to third base but not always (there were also three home runs) quite enough speed to get home before the ball was returned to the infield.

When the fence went up the following year, that triples mark seemed to be a record for the ages.

That first year of the OCYAA started on Memorial Day. All of the teams paraded, in full uniform, as part of the holiday parade, lining up at the end for municipal ceremonies on Wesley Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

After the ceremonies, all the teams marched up Sixth Street to the field where Mayor Edward Bowker tossed out the first ball. After that, the Lions and Exchange, the teams that played in the first game of the opening doubleheader, warmed up. The other two teams were bused to the Legion Hall for hot dogs and sodas.

The Lions (my team) rallied to beat the Exchange, 14-7, in the first game, scoring eight times in the fourth inning. The big hit was a grand slam home run by Jack Mathis. In the second game, Kiwanis pitcher Bill Hammersley tossed a no-hitter for a 3-0 win over St. Augustine, which got strong pitching from John Burch.

The season would continue until mid August. Teams were allowed to add new players for the second half of the season, giving vacationers a chance to join in the fun. The league could continue longer because there were only a few all star games then and not as many activities drawing on the time of a 12 year old and his family.

The lineups that season were filled with familiar names. Among them were Hammersley, Mathis, Burch, Butch Krattenmaker, Bob Spence, John Cranston, Randy Fox, John Stull, Bob Townsend, Jack Hollingshead, Harry Smith, John Herrington, Charles Mumford, Alan McNelis and Harry Bakley, to name just a few.

Six years later, back with the OCYAA as coach of the league all star team, there was the opportunity to coach Larry Masi, Bruce Beaver, Mike Pritchett, Dave Faragher, Terry Howell, Bob Glaspey, Bob Ordille and John Huff, among others. Huff, who just coached his Athletics team to the 2005 OCYAA major league championship, batted .077 on that all star team, going one for 13. He did, however, lead the team in stolen bases.

The following year, Huff improved to .215 and Beaver hit a solid .360 for the all stars, leading that team in runs, hits, RBIs, doubles and home runs. They were joined by players like Howell, Faragher, Doug Jones, Mike Tolson, Walt McLaughlin, Tim O’Shea (he hit an even .200), Mike DiMeglio, Skip Given and Wayne Winn.

In later years, through the OCYAA, we had the chance to work with many more future leaders of the community. Lee Allen, Ken Ferrier, Walt Tucker (he hit .216 in 1964), Mike Cunningham, Mike Gill, Jim Dattilo, Don Hamilton, Glenn Wiesenthal, Tom Kravitz, Mike Costanza, Danny Town, Glenn Darby, Bill Struckell, Rich Krattenmaker, Guy Gargan, Harry Vanderslice, Larry Pashley, Dave Andrews, Leon Costello, Mark Kemenosh, Ed Wisham, Jesse Briglia, Gerry Raab, Dave Slaughter, Jim Mott, Steve Booth, Al Burch, Mike Annarelli, Joe Longo and Craig Graham are among many names that jump out of those scorebooks.

Throughout its 50 years, thousands more have spent a couple nights a week during their 10th, 11th and 12th summers to play a little baseball. Some went on to play in high school, a few even in college. Most of them rarely played again. But the experience was filled with memories.

As you read some of the names here, you probably flash back to an easier time. As time passes, even the tough losses become good memories.

This year, we have all read about Sean Herron, Luke Bachich, John Huff, James Plourde, Josh Handshaw and Connor Brady. And girls, not a part of the OCYAA until the 1980s, are contributing - witness Meredith Miedema and Briana Graham, along with many others this season.

Years down the road, when they have carved out their place in society, they will also look back on their days in the OCYAA with pride and pleasant memories.

This was the 50th season of OCYAA baseball, though next May actually marks the 50th anniversary. It is a time for all involved over five decades to reflect with pride on the positive impact the association has had on Ocean City’s young people.

And the fact that nobody will ever break that triples record!



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