Youngstown Babe Ruth all stars to play in World Series

Youngstown’s Babe Ruth 14-year-olds will play in Appleton, Wis.

YOUNGSTOWN — Terry Landis has been to five world series — as many as major league managers Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox and one fewer than Joe Torre’s six.

Until now.

No, he’s not a major league manager, but his players use the same 60-foot, 6-inch mound-to-plate distance and the same 90-foot base paths.

Landis’ sixth trip to a world series will take place starting Friday when his 14-year-old Youngstown team begins play in Appleton, Wis., in the Babe Ruth World Series.

Landis was with Youngstown all-star teams that reached the final stage in 1990 in Houma, La., then Seattle and New York and twice in Massachusetts.

Most recently, Landis managed the 15-year-old all-star team that finished third in Quincy, Mass., last summer.

At the same time, Anthony Raschilla was managing the 13-year-old all-star team that reached the elimination round of the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, N.Y., where it finished fifth.

Now, both Landis, who has been coaching in Youngstown Babe Ruth since 1976, and Raschilla, along with Bill DelSignore, are coaching Youngstown’s latest premier squad.

Eight players on the 2009 team were among last year’s 13-year olds who reached Jamestown: Robert Vargo, Dan Ferguson, Drew DelSignore, Michael Raschilla, Christopher Maze, Jacob Froats, Ryan Strollo and Vic Kuchmaner.

Youngstown all-star team newcomers are Michael Buchenic, Sean Coyne, Brandon Ritchie, Ian Simmons and Jake Stauffer. Buchenic, Coyne, Ritchie and Stauffer played in the league last year.

Landis noted that some players come to practices after working out with their school football teams.

During the regular season this summer, Landis managed the Rondinelli Tuxedo 14-15-year-old team, while Raschilla and DelSignore were his assistants.

By virtue of Rondinelli winning the championship, Landis was entitled to be all-star manager. He chose the 14-year-olds.

Part of his decision centered on player availability.

“Most 15-year-olds go to football and don’t want to play all-stars,” Landis said.

“I figured the 14-year-olds have a better shot to keep ballplayers,” he said.

“Some stayed, but most left. That’s why it was a no-brainer to go with the 14 all-stars.”

The team’s representative breakdown by sponsor: Astro Falcons (5), Rondinelli (4), Rizer Group Insurance (1), ACC/Extreme (old Triple Play) (1), Wharmby Sports (1) and Ironman Warehouse (1).

Other teams in the 10-team league were Slugger’s, Roth Brothers, Mahoning Valley Panthers and OTN Performance.

During the regular season, Babe Ruth adheres to American League rules, although the DH is not used in the postseason.

The all-stars were scheduled to leave for Appleton today, then play the first of four pool-play games starting Saturday at 5:30 against Eau Claire, Wis.

Youngstown’s other games will be against the Southeast regional champ, Middle Atlantic champion and Pacific Southwest champion.

After pool play, the 10 teams will be seeded. Bracket play will be single elimination.

During the world series banquet on Friday, the players will hear former Houston Astros standout Jeff Bagwell.

Youngstown breezed through the Ohio Valley Regional in Robinson, Ill., with a 5-0 record.

The first game was a 6-5 win over Southeast Kentucky, but the other four never went the full seven innings.

At the Ohio state tournament in Mount Vernon, Youngstown scored 60 runs in four games and only gave up one unearned run.

“We have outstanding hitting, both long-ball and base hitters,” Landis said. “We pound the ball. No pitcher has shut us down yet.”

The manager said that Ritchey, from Laurel, Pa., was clocked at 88 mph in the regionals.

The team’s top batting averages in the postseason are: Chris Maze .550; Jacob Froats (.679) and Dan Ferguson (.500).

“We try to utilize all the kids as much as we can,” Landis said. “That’s why we can put 13 players in different situations and they’ll do the job. Our guys are top-notch: good arms, good bats, good speed.”

Landis credits the Babe Ruth’s organization’s player-development philosophy for its success.

“We start at 13 and bring them up and, during the regular season, most 14-year-olds face 15s and get stronger.”

bassetti@vindy.com