Family affair on the diamond

By John Bassetti

Youngstown’s 13-year-old Babe Ruth team will play in the World Series.

YOUNGSTOWN — For all you ultra-dads who follow your son’s activities, pitch-by-pitch, out-by-out and inning-by-inning, eat your hearts out.

Anthony Raschilla is in the enviable position of managing his son — and 14 other boys — in a world series: the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series.

Michael Raschilla is an infielder for Youngstown’s 13-year-old all-star team that will play in Jamestown, N.Y., from Saturday through Aug. 23.

Anthony Raschilla was an assistant coach with the 14-year-olds two years ago when Youngstown finished third in the World Series in North Carolina. Raschilla’s older son, Anthony, was on that Joe Shrodek-managed team in 2006.

That’s a good track record for Raschilla and his sons, but it’s not uncommon for area coaches to be rewarded by their talented rosters.

Last year, Youngstown’s 15-year-old team was a regional runner-up and, in 2003, Youngstown’s 13-year-old all-stars went to the Babe Ruth World Series in Arkansas and made the final four.

Last year’s 13-year-old team qualified for the World Series in Virginia.

Thus, this season marks the third World Series trip for Youngstown’s 13s.

Coupled with Youngstown’s 14-year-olds headed to Massachusetts, 2008 represents the first time two local teams are World Series-bound.

The World Series representation doesn’t stop there.

Tony Gorvet managed 15-year-olds who won a Babe Ruth World Series championship in Houma, Miss., in 1990 and Al Franceschelli’s team of 14-year-olds won the crown in Quincy, Mass., in 2004.

Over the last 20 years, Youngstown teams have been the ones to beat at the state level, regardless of age group.

“I’m excited for the kids, who have an oppportunity to continue their season and play in the World Series,” said Anthony Raschilla, a mechanical engineer for Delphi/Packard.

This year’s 13-year-old team went 8-0 through state and regional competition to advance to Jamestown, where the teens will play at the home of the Jamestown Jammers of the New York-Penn League.

“Since mid-July the kids have practiced very hard. They hit the ball well and play very good, defensively, but it’s their commitment to playing baseball that’s impressive. Plus, they have fun doing it.

“The payoff was winning the state tournament and also competing and winning the regional.”

At the regional in Dodgeville, Wis., Youngstown beat Eau Claire, Wis.; Jasper, Ind.; Owensboro, Ky.; and Lexington, Ky.

In the semifinal game against Jasper, Vic Kuchmaner’s three-run homer in semifinal game put Raschilla’s team over the top.

Raschilla’s pitching staff comprises Christopher Maze, Danny Ferguson, Robert Vargo and Danny Marker. Kuchmaner, Troy Parks, Brendan Cope and Robert Vargo were players of game in Dodgeville.

Brendan Cope batted 12 for 17 at the regional.

Michael Raschilla, who will be an eighth-grader at Warren JFK Junior High (old Blessed Sacrament), plays second and third base and also catches.

Of 15 players, there’s an equal mix from Trumbull and Mahoning counties and two from within the Youngstown division’s western Pennsylvania boundary.

The all-stars, who play in an eight-team league with a 60-foot pitching distance and 90 foot bases, were selected from four teams: Astros Falcons, Rondinelli, Triple Play and Mahoning Valley Panthers.

Cope, Ferguson, Marker, Mike Raschilla and Drew Delsignore were five Rondinelli roster players managed by Anthony Raschilla in the regular season.

Eight of the 10 teams at the World Series will represent different regions. Others are host Jamestown and the New York state champion.

The cost of transportation to Jamestown is picked up by Babe Ruth headquarters, but the players are housed by host families.

Four of Raschilla’s players go to Howland schools, two are from Canfield, one is from Boardman and others live in Austintown, Hubbard, Mineral Ridge, Niles, New Wilmington, Girard, North Lima and Poland.

Rondinelli was regular-season champion, but Astros won the playoffs. Most of the games were at Joe Koch Field in Austintown . Some were at Borts in Youngstown.

Assisting Raschilla are Bill Delsignore of North Lima and Jim Parks of Boardman.

bassetti@vindy.com