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Bob Cene tournament set to begin
Showcase to show off local talent to scouts before games
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
The 5th Bob Cene Memorial Baseball Tournament gets underway Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with 15 teams set for pool play lasting through Sunday at Cene Park.
The 18U tournament includes all nine local Class B league teams with six teams from outside the Mahoning Valley comprising the remainder of the field.
Ed Santa, longtime Colorado Rockies scout, will get the day started with his summer invitational baseball showcase that will highlight pitchers and catchers during its morning session (8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.), and infielders and outfielders in the afternoon (12 noon to 4 p.m.).
Bob Beam and Steve Leslie serve as co-tournament directors.
“Last year the showcase attracted over 50 college and professional scouts,” Beam said. “When scouts come to our area looking for talent, it becomes attractive to players who are looking to go on to college and further their athletic and academic careers.
“During my time here as a player, coach, umpire and in my current role with the organization, Bob Cene, Sr. remains the epitome of area sandlot baseball. Everyone from the ground crew to Class B league president Scott Ruark who does the brackets and scheduling, to league administrator Kait Kelly, they all play a key part in making sure Mr. Cene’s vision and legacy remains alive. Since our first event, Bob’s son, Bob, Jr., and grandson, Ryan, have provided the resources to ensure this remains a first-class event and one of the very best sandlot tournaments around.”
Like Beam, Leslie has also served in multiple capacities within both the Class B league and Cene Park ranks.
“Bob Cene, Sr. was a special man and very important to not only me, but the many players, coaches and team owners who have made this league one of the best summer sandlot leagues in the state,” Leslie said. “Having played for and managed his teams over the years, it’s an honor to represent him. The Cene family is a very special family and I am glad that we can honor a man who genuinely loved and whose passion was baseball.”
The nine local teams set for action include current league leader Astro Falcons (14-2) and second-place Creekside Fitness (14-4), followed by Prospects, Dura Edge, Knightline Embroidery, Roth Brothers, Whiting Roll-offs, Avalanche and EagleWear, Inc.
Rounding out the field is Midwest Ironbirds, Springfield Armoloy, Highlands Legion, Lakes Area Dodgers, Steel City Select and Stark County Terriers.
The Astro Falcons last won in 2016 and are coached by Don Pletcher, who as manager of the former Baird Brothers franchise directed them to the last two Cene Memorial titles.
“We’re excited about this year’s tournament simply because we’re Astro Falcons and honors Bob Cene,” Pletcher said. “This tournament is about our namesake and founder. It’s our Holy Grail.”
Players to keep an eye on include second baseman-pitcher Chase Franken, a recent verbal commit to YSU, pitcher-outfielder Braeden Beck who sports a 2-0 mark and has yet to allow an earned run this summer, pitcher-infielder Andrew Russell, a 2020 Ohio University recruit and Boardman Spartans catcher Connor Miller, who has also played first base, third base and the outfield this season for Pletcher.
“Connor will do anything for the team if it will help them win,” Pletcher added. “If you have a good team then you need a Connor Miller on your roster.”
Terry Landis oversees the Creekside Fitness fortunes while T.C. Guarnieri is the Prospects manager.
“The Class B league is the elite sandlot league and Cene Park is the best of the best,” Guarnieri said. “We’re so appreciative of what the Cene Family has done and continues to do for area baseball.”
Prospects players include Guarnieri’s son, Nick, a catcher and Thiel College commit, and pitching workhorse Frankie Manios, who is headed to Westminster University in the fall.
Dura Edge and Knightline Embroidery each enter with 10-7 league marks, looking to make a deep tourney run.
“Bob Cene is the reason we have such great baseball in the Mahoning Valley,” Dura Edge manager Terry Dobson said. “It’s his legacy and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
Dura Edge players include former Poland Bulldogs shortstop and YSU recruit Braeden O’Shaughnessy, who is coming off an injury that has hampered him the first half of the campaign, third baseman Ty Robinson and pitcher-outfielder Juston Jones.
Tom Otto is the Knightline manager.
“I’m kind of like the dinosaur and remember when we played games at Pemberton Park, Oakland Field, Roosevelt Park and Hubbard High School,” Otto said. “What a way to celebrate this beautiful complex and honor Bob Cene with a tournament in his name.”
Knightline players include pitchers Jack Kartsonas and Tommy Pitko, catcher John Ritter and first baseman Zach Yaskulka.
Roth Brothers is managed by Mike Cefalde, Whiting Roll-offs by Rob Walker, Avalanche is coached by Don Zeisler while EagleWear, Inc. is led by Spencer Olesh.
Games get underway Thursday at 5:30 pm. on all three fields with the championship game slated for Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
The complete schedule can be found at www.youngstownclassb.com.