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CBC celebrates winning Little League teams
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A large cupcake cake honoring the Canfield Baseball Club’s four winning 2014 Little League teams said it all at a ceremony and celebration for the teams and the community on Sept. 6
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.From left, members of the Canfield Baseball Club’s 12U girls softball district team, 10U girls softball district team, 10U boys district team and 12U boys district team were recognized at a ceremony and celebration by the City of Canfield, Canfield Township and the club for their 2014 championship seasons Sept. 6.
By ABBY SLANKER
With great fanfare, including a police and fire truck escort complete with flashing lights and blaring sirens, the City of Canfield, Canfield Township and Canfield Baseball Club celebrated the outstanding achievements of the four winning 2014 Little League teams Sept. 6.
The four teams paraded in pick-up trucks, sandwiched between Canfield Joint Fire District trucks, to a community-wide ceremony at McCune Baseball Park. The city, township and club recognized the 12U boys district team, the 12U girls softball district team, the 10U boys district team and the 10U girls softball district team.
The 12U boys district team won the District 2 title at the Fields of Dreams in Boardman, and then moved on to win the 2014 State Tournament in Cambridge, Ohio. The team then advanced to the Regional Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., where they made it to the semifinals. The team, under Manager George Beck, consisted of Seth Velker, Richie Hofus, Dom Pilloli, Jimmy Maass, Walt Sweeney, Cole Rothbauer, Brayden Beck, Evan Skripac, Cole Morrell, Brandon Mikos, Ethan Fletcher, McCoy Watkins and Jake Kowal. Coaches were Tim Rothbauer, Mark Velker, Derick Fletcher and Jeff Kowal.
The 12U girls softball district team won the District 2 title at the Fields of Dreams in Boardman, and advanced to the State Tournament in Ashtabula. Team members included, Madi Kelly, Mia Flak, Brooke Crissman, Madison Impton, Gwen Lesnansky, Mary Gomez, Jenna Troxil, Alexis Mettille, Aiden Orlovsky, Kaili Gross, Emily Smith and was managed by John Gomez with coaches Ray Orlovsky and Mike Kelly.
The 10U boys district team won the District 2 title at the Fields of Dreams in Boardman, and advanced to the State Tournament in Bryan, Ohio, where they were crowned the 2014 State Tournament Champions. The team, under Manager Kevin Burdette, included Josh Juliano, Ben Slanker, Tony Pannunzio, Landon Beidelschies, Gianni Gaetano, Colin Burdette, Ryan Petro, Chris Altiere, Jake Grdic, Nick Hewko, Alex Rothwell and Drew Carrocce. Coaches were Jim Petro and Tony Pannunzio.
The 10U girls softball district team won the District 2 title at the Fields of Dreams in Boardman, and moved on to win the State Tournament, also in Boardman. Team members included Alaina Havrilla, Emma Castronova, Kylie Ciccolelli, Lauren Fitzgerald, Bridgett Kelly, Bayann Jadallah, Sarah Ferraro, Mia O’Palick, Sydney Angelo, Parker Wilkins, Erin Chaplow, Elizabeth Ferraro. Team manager was Marty Fitzgerald and coaches were Mike Kelly and Dante Castronova.
The ceremony, which was attended by City Council members Chuck Tieche and Don Dragish and Township Trustees Marie Cartwright and Brian Governor, started with a welcome by Mark Velker, Canfield Baseball Club vice president of boys baseball.
“On behalf of the Canfield Baseball Club board, I would like thank everyone for coming out today. I would also like to thank the Canfield police and fire departments for their help today. It is a special time for our club. Also, thank you to the parents who support our athletes all year long,” Velker said.
Velker then handed the floor over to Cartwright, who read a proclamation from the township which recognized the four 2014 championship teams and declared Sept. 6 Canfield Baseball Club Day.
“The enthusiasm here is overwhelming,” Cartwright declared.
On behalf of Canfield Mayor Bernie Kosar, Sr., Tieche also presented a proclamation honoring the four championship teams and also declared Sept. 6 Canfield Baseball Club Day.
“The mayor and members of council applaud the players, coaches, parents and the Canfield Baseball Club board,” Tieche said.
The four team managers, Beck, Burdette, Gomez and Fitzgerald, then took their turns at the microphone and said a few words about each of their teams and introduced the players to the crowd.
As the ceremony ended, a disc jockey played music and the crowd ate a dinner of pasta, meatballs, chicken, pizza and salad. A large cupcake cake honoring the teams was served as dessert.
Canfield Baseball Club board members Mary Beidelschies and Dave Wilkeson organized the event.