Category: ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch

1965 held at Maumee, Ohio

Champion – Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (54-7)
Runner Up – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky (87-11)

Skip Hogan Athletic Club won this championship in dominating fashion, with tremendous defense and the pitching of Lou DelMastro. Skip’s defeated a great Swing Inn team from Cleveland in the winner’s bracket final 6-2 behind 2 home runs from Paul Tomasovich.

Swing Inn then lost the loser’s bracket final to Gatliff’s 13-5 to finish 3rd. In the championship, that wasn’t even close, Skip’s exploded for 9 home runs in the 23-7 Championship Game victory. They scored 9 runs in the second inning. Bill Downey started it off with a 3-run Homer.

Jimmy Watts had a 2-run homer and Bill Hopkins and George Siford also hit homers in the inning. Bill Hopkins, George Siford and Bill Downey all hit 2 home runs in the game, while Jimmy Wallace, Joe ‘Bull’ Yimen and Paul Tomasovich also hit home runs. Skip AC had 25 hits during the game and their cause was helped by the fact Gatliff committed 5 errors.

Ageless Myron Reinhardt hit .770 (17-22) to lead the Gatliff team, somehow, he was left off the All America team. MVP Pitcher Lou Delmastro upped his ASA National Championship record to 25-2 with this 7-0 performance.

Skip’s were 26-6 in their Pittsburgh Metro League and 18-1 in tournament play for a 54-7 total record.

• MVP – Lou DelMastro, Skip Hogan Athletic Club
• HR Leaders – Jack Goodrich, Swing Inn – 5
• HR Leaders – Don Hansen, Chadwick Construction – 5
• HR Leaders – Bob Auten, Monroe Bombers – 5
• HR Leaders – George Siford, Skip Hogan Athletic Club – 5
• HR Leaders – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogan Athletic Club – 5
• Batting Leader – Bob Auten, Monroe Bombers – .867

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lou Delmastro, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (7-0, 29 runs allowed in 7 games)
C – Ted Budny, Cactus Club
1B – Bob Auten, Monroe Bombers (13-15, .867, 5 HR)
IF – Hudson Knock, Gatliff’s Auto Sales
IF – Ron Kaintz, Skip Hogan Athletic Club
IF – Jack Goodrich, Swing Inn (5 HR)
IF – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogan Athletic Club(4 2B, 5 HR)
OF – Don Hansen, Chadwick Construction (5 HR)
OF – Dennis, DeLoria, Tirabassi Excavators
OF – George Siford, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (5 HR)
OF – Bob Black, Ready-Mix

OTHERS

Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff’s Auto Sales (17-22, .770)
Ray “Whitey” Brown, Gatliffs (14-28, 500)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, PA (7-0)
2. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (6-2)
3. Swing Inn, Cleveland, OH (6-2)
4. Tirabassi Excavators, Kenosha, WI (4-2)
5t. Cactus Club, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
5t. Vigilant AA, York, PA (5-2)
7t. Chadwick Construction, Meriden, CT (4-2)
7t. Millbury Old Time Inn, Millbury, MA (4-2)
9t. Seaport Inn, Toledo, OH (3-2)
9t. Gonzalez Mexican Foods, Richmond, CA (4-2)
9t. TWUA Textile Workers, Leaksville, NC (4-2)
9t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (5-2)
13t. Dick’s Market, Richmond-Oakland, CA (3-2)
13t. A.D. McCombs, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
13t. Stotz Garage, Valhalla, NY (3-2)
13t. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (2-2)
17t. Al’s Sports Center, Smithers, WV (3-2)
17t. Penn TV, Cranston, RI (3-2)
17t. Ready-Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (4-2)
17t. Fountain’s Marine, Savannah, GA (3-2)
17t. Duff’s/Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
17t. Beavercreek Merchants, Beavercreek, OH (2-2)
17t. Donaldsville Independents, New Orleans, LA (2-2)
25t. Falstaffers, Rock Hill, SC (1-2)
25t. Brookline BYMC Club, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
25t. Hays Trucking, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
25t. Foster Lumber Company, Dodge City, KS (1-2)
25t. Monroe Bombers, Monroe, MI (2-2)
25t. Musicaro Foods, Massapequa, NY (2-2)
25t. Hayes International, Birmingham, AL (1-2)
25t. Professor Erny’s Music, Lafayette, LA (1-2)
25t. East Toledo Independents, Toledo, OH (1-2)
33t. Family Tavern, Washington DC (2-2)
33t. Kelly’s Jet System, Richmond, VA (1-2)
33t. Pisut’s Funeral Home, Joliet-Chicago, IL (0-2)
33t. Del Campo Baking, Wilmington, DE (1-2)
33t. Polish Hall, Granite City, IL (0-2)
33t. John M. Forster Company, Rochester, NY (0-2)
33t. Lusardi’s Schaefer, Somerville, NJ (1-2)
33t. The Players Tavern, Tacoma, WA (0-2)
33t. Hillcrest Bowl, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
33t. M.B. Hagen Company, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
33t. Southern Bell Dairy, Danville, KY (0-2)
33t. Sperry Electric, Long Beach, MS (0-2)
33t. Lake Drive Liquors, Cocoa, FL (1-2)
33t. Beachcombers Drive-In, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
33t. Jo-Dog Manufacturing, Bedford, IN (0-2)
33t. Tasmanian Devils, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
49t. Cote St. Luc Leafs, Quebec, Canada (0-2)
49t. Trinity Lutheran, Atlanta, GA (1-2)
49t. McConaghy Drugs, Mobile, AL (0-2)
49t. Texas Club, Miles City, MT (0-2)
49t. Omaha Ace Roofing, Omaha, NE (0-2)
49t. Opalock Merchants, Miami, FL (0-2)

1964 held at Springfield, Ohio.

Champion – Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (69-11)
Runner Up – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky (70-21)

In a National Championship that featured a couple of great comebacks in the history of this event, Musicaro jumped out to an 11-5 lead on homers from Jim Galloway, Oscar Steadman and Lou Russo (3 hits in that game), Zeke Sinicola also had 3 hits for Musicaro’s – everybody at the tournament thought it was going to be a Musicaro-Gatliff championship matchup …. But, Gatliff come back in their usual way and scored 7 runs in the 5th inning to eventually win 13-11.

In the final, Skips came came twice in the last two innings. Trailing 12-7 in the bottom of the 6th, the Skips scored 6 runs, highlighted by Paul Tomasovich’s (Tomasovich had 2 HR in the game) homer to give his team a 13-12 lead.

Gatliff’s came back with 4 runs in the top of the 7th behind Bob Harrison’s HR (That was Harrison’s 3rd of the game) to take a 16-13 lead. Skips pushed across 2 runs with a series of hits and with 2 outs, up comes George Siford of Skip’s to pinch hit with with 2 runners on base.

Siford hits a dramatic walk off 3-run homer to give Skip’s the championship 18-16 over Gatliff.

Lost in all the commotion was the incredible feat pulled off by TWUA’s Don Arndt, as he had a weekend for the ages. It was stated that he started the tournament with 22 consecutive hits. He finished up 24-26 for a .923 average and also was the Home Run leader with 10. He was also walked intentionally 9 times.

• MVP – Paul Tomasovich, Skip AC
• HR Leader – Don Arndt, TWUA – 10
• Batting Leader – Don Arndt, TWUA – .923

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lou DelMastro, Skip Athletic Club
C – Hudson Knock, Gatliff Auto Sales
1B – Barry Norman, Gatliff Auto Sales
2B – Ray “Whitey” Brown, Gatliff Auto Sales (14-28, .500)
3B – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Athletic Club (17-24, .708, 7 HR, 2 2B, 4 3B)
SS – Mike Kovach, Skip Athletic Club
OF – Oscar Steadman, Musicaro’s
OF – Clint Boisel, Hudepohl Beer
OF – Bob Harrison, Gatliff Auto Sales (7 HR)
OF – Jim Galloway, Musicaro’s

OTHERS

Don Arndt, TWUA (24-26, .923, 10 HR, 2 2B, 4 3B, 9 Intentional Walks, 33-35 on base – OB% of .943) – Set new national tournament batting record

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Skip Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, PA (6-0)
2. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (6-2)
3. Musicaro Foods, Massapequa, NY (6-2)
4. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (6-2)
5t. TWUA Textile Workers, Leaksville, NC (5-2)
5t. Tom Sweeney’s Pontiac, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
7t. Hudepohl Beer, Springfield, OH (4-2)
7t. Duff’s, Minneapolis, MN (4-2)
9t. Cities Service, Milwaukee, WI (4-2)
9t. Ready Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (4-2)
9t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. John M. Forster Company, Rochester, NY (3-2)
13t. Fox Lake, Chicago Metro, IL (3-2)
13t. Ragusa Market, Gretna-New Orleans, LA (3-2)
13t. Stubbs Howe Company, Savannah, GA (3-2)
13t. Olden AA, Trenton, NJ (2-2)
17t. Krivan Club, Springdale, PA (2-2)
17t. Christy’s Eggs, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
17t. Tom Benson Chevy, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
17t. Pizza Hut, Hutchinson, KS (2-2)
17t. Quinn Packing, Providence, RI (2-2)
17t. Caruso Florist, Washington DC (2-2)
17t. Rockledge Electric, Cocoa, FL (2-2)
17t. Farmers Merchants Bank, Breaux Bridge, LA (2-2)
25t. Mira’s Cafe, Bellvue, OH (2-2)
25t. Quality Aluminum, Coldwater, MI (2-2)
25t. Rueter’s, St. Louis Park, MN (2-2)
25t. Strand Tavern, Waukesha, WI (2-2)
25t. Park Lumber, Bremerton, WA (2-2)
25t. May Avenue Methodist, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
25t. Spengler Dawes, Granite City, IL (1-2)
25t. Venice Cafe, Boston, MA (1-2)
33t. Tucci & Sons, Tacoma, WA (1-2)
33t. Cavalier AC, Petersburg, VA (1-2)
33t. Assembly of God, Mesa, AZ (1-2)
33t. Schubert’s, Indianapolis, IN (0-2)
33t. Red Bull Transfer, Omaha, NE (0-2)
33t. St. Anthony’s, Wilmington, DE (0-2)
33t. McConaghy Drugs, Mobile, AL (0-2)
33t. Stotz Garage, Valhalla, NY (0-2)
33t. Strats, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
33t. Dorothy’s Lounge, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
33t. Top Hatters, Bickmore-Clay, WV (0-2)
33t. Surfside, Restaurant, Fairfield, CT (0-2)
33t. North St. Paul VFW, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
33t. Millbury Old Time Inn, Millbury, MA (0-2)
33t. Bill’s Tavern, Evansville, IN (0-2)
33t. Plaza Gardens, Toledo, OH (0-2)
49t. Canister Stores, Whitley City, KY (0-2)
49t. Cafe Ideal, Miami, FL (0-2)

1963 held at Jones Beach, New York

Champion – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky (56-6)
Runner Up – Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (62-13)

After Gatliff’s had dismantled Skip Hogan’s 15-2 in the winner’s bracket final, the Pittsburgh squad came back to defeat the defending national champs, East Side Sporting Goods of Detroit 5-2 in the loser’s bracket final. This gave them another crack at Galiff’s. Skip Hogan won he first final 16-6 as they hit 6 home runs in the game. Jimmy Watts had 2 HRs and 2 doubles, Bill Downey also had 2 homers, including 4 RBI. Pitcher Lou DelMastro had a double, triple and a 3-run homer, good for 5 RBI. Ron Diulus had the other homer. After a 10 minute break, Gatliff’s came out. Bob Harrison of Gatliff hit home runs in his first two at bats, giving them a 3-0 lead. The Hogans came back with hits from Mike Kovach and Paul Tomasovach. Joe Bull Yimin scored them both with a double. After Ron Diulus hit a single, moving Yimin to third, while Dilius went to second on the throw, Louie DelMastro scored them both with a hit to make the score 4-3 in favor of Hogan’s (DelMastro collected 7 RBIs in the two championship games). In the 5th inning, Skip Hogan’s made 3 errors and Bob Harrison scored the last two runners of the inning to give Gatliff a 9-4 lead. Tomasovich hit a 2-run HR in the 6th, but it wasn’t enough as Gatliff won the title 9-6. For Pittsburgh, Jimmy Watts had 5 HR on the Tournament. The legendary Myron Reinhardt was awarded the MVP award for his clutch hitting and overall excellence and leadership.

• MVP – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff Auto Sales (16-30, .533, 4 HR)
• HR Leaders – Lou Russo, Musicaro Foods (13-21, .619) – 6
• HR Leaders – Jim Galloway, Musicaro Foods (15-24, .625) – 6
• Batting Leader – James Mortl, Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee (18-25) – .720
• Outstanding Defensive Player – Ken Bryson, Sills Sports Shop, Miami

1963 ASA MEN’S OPEN SLOW PITCH ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM

P – Lou Delmastro, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (6-2)
C – Lou Russo, Musicaro’s (13-21, .619, 6 HR)
C – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff Auto Sales (16-30, .533, 4 HR)
1B – Jim Galloway, Musicaro’s (15-24, .625, 6 HR)
2B – Don Whitford, Gatliff Auto Sales
3B – Bill Shuman, Karp Motors
SS – George Caloia, East Side Sports
OF – Jimmy Watts, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (5 HR)
OF – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogan Athletic Club
OF – Emelio Zeke Sinicola, Musicaro’s (10-20, .500 3 HR)
OF – Walt Roeckers, Bud’s Cafe
OF – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto Sales (14-27, .519, 2 HR)

OTHERS

James Mortl, Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee (18-25, .720)
Jim Puckett, East Side Sports (17-26, .654, 1 HR)
Bill Downey, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (15-23, .652, 4 HR)
F. Battista, Bill Elliott’s (16-25, .640, 1 HR)
Paul Nutley, Bud’s Cafe (14-22, .636)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (16-28, .571)
Paul Nutley, Bud’s Cafe (14-22, .636)
Ron Diulis, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (8-13, .615, 1 HR)
Bill Armfield, TWUA (6-10, .600)
Gene Cupertino, Lud & Angie’s (7-12, .583, 2 HR)
Frank Frietag, Strand Tavern (11-19, .579)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (16-28, .571)
Stan Smiley, Cote Saint Luc (6-11, .545)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (7-1)
2. Skip & Hogan A.C., Pittsburgh, PA (7-2)
3. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (6-2)
4. Musicaro Foods, Massapequa Park, NY (5-2)
5t. Bill Elliott’s, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
5t. Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
7t. Karp Motors, Savannah, GA (5-2)
7t. Hamilton Tailors, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
9t. TWUA Textile Workers, Leaksville, NC (4-2)
9t. Quinn Packing, Providence, RI (3-2)
9t. Lach’s Bar, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Sills Sporting Goods, Hialeah-Miami, FL (2-2)
13t. Strand Tavern, Waukesha, WI (4-2)
13t. Homer’s Boys, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. VFW-World War Vets, Parkersburg, WV (2-2)
17t. Polish Hall, Madison, IL (3-2)
17t. Cote Saint Luc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2-2)
17t. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, St- Louis, MO (2-2)
17t. Earl’s Furniture, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Dick’s Market, Richmond, CA (2-2)
17t. Silver Springs Sports, Washington, DC (1-2)
17t. DeLoe’s Recreation, Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
17t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
25t. Bernson Silk Mills, Buena Vista, VA (2-2)
25t. Local #20, Toledo, OH (2-2)
25t. St. Anthony’s, Wilmington, DE (1-2)
25t. Club 149, Trenton, NJ (1-2)
25t. Grande-Leah, New Kensington, PA (1-2)
25t. Indiana Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
25t. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. St. Charles Ramblers, New Orleans, LA (0-2)
33t. Stotz Garage, Valhalla, NY (1-2)
33t. Mt. Carmel Rec, Worcester, MA (1-2)
33t. Trio’s Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (1-2)
33t. Professor Erny’s Music, Lafayette, LA (0-2)
33t. Ted’s Portway, Richfield, MN (0-2)
33t. Thompson State Builders, Cocoa, FL (0-2)
33t. Burgies, Davis-Sacramento, CA (0-2)
33t. Troubadours Social Club, Boston, MA (0-2)
33t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (0-2)
33t. Monroe Greenhouse, Monroe, MI (0-2)
33t. Babylon Republican Club, Babylon, NY (0-2)
33t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (0-2)
33t. Fox Lake Merchants, Chicago, IL (0-2)
33t. Al Green’s Tavern, Rochester, NY (0-2)

1961 held at Louisville, Kentucky

Champion – Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Plateau Athletic Club, New York City, New York (68-9)

Hamilton Tailors eliminated Gatliff’s 11-1 behind Sam Minitti’s Pitching. Then the Tailors had to win both games in the finals to repeat as ASA Open National Champions.

Sam Minnitti pitched a 5-2 victory in the first game and also hit a 3-run home run to win the game in the 7th inning. Then he came back and pitched 3-hit shutout against the powerful New York City team to clinch the championship 2-0. Minnitti gave up only 7 total hits in both games. He also went 7-1 overall as a pitcher and in 8 games, only gave up 22 runs, including a shutout and three 1-run games. Somehow he was not named the MVP.

Jim Harper of 4th place Ready-Mix from Knoxville was named MVP. Minnitti was named Most Valuable Pitcher. Counting the 1960 Nationals where he was 9-1, Minniti had a 16-2 pitching record in the back to back titles. Becoming only the second team to perform this feat.

Gatliff’s of Kentucky won two straight in 1956 and 57. Plateau AC won its first 5 games, defeating The Tailors along the way 9-8 to send them to the losers bracket. Plateau’s stars were Bob Beier and George O’Neill, who both started off the tournament with 8 straight hits and Morty Weinberg, who excelled in short field and hit 2 HR also.

• MVP – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete
• Most Valuable Pitcher Award – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors
• HR Leader – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – N/A
• Batting Leader – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto – .650

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors (7-1, pitching and 2 HR)
C – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – won award, even though his team finished 5th.
1B – Harry Phillips, Wilsman Trucking
2B – Bob Beier, Plateau AC
3B – Virgil Hoffman, Duffy’s Tavern
SS – Ron Cutter, Hamilton Tailors
SF – Mort Weinberg, Plateau AC (2 HR)
OF – Leo Wilham, Gatliff Auto Sales
OF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze
OF – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto Sales (13-20, .650)

OTHERS

Joe Okruhlica, Wilsman Trucking (11-21, .524, 10 Runs)
Jim Wessell, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 1 HR, 5 Runs)
Dick Bonar, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 3 HR, 8 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (7-1)
2. Plateau Athletic Club, Maspeth, New York, NY (5-2)
3. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (5-2)
4. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA 4-2
5t. Ready-Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (5-2)
5t. Wilsman’s Trucking, Hamilton, OH (5-2)
7t. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (4-2)
7t. Daly Drive-In, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. French Town Bar, Monroe, MI (4-2)
9t. Kelly’s Jet System Hamburger, Richmond, VA (4-2)
9t. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Johnson Construction Company, Macon, GA (2-2)
13t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Al’s Green Tavern, Rochester, NY (2-2)
13t. Mike’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. Freightways, Toledo, OH (2-2)
17t. Seawall Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (3-2)
17t. Mobile All-Stars, Mobile, AL (2-2)
17t. Otto Candies, New Orleans, LA (2-2)
17t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (1-2)
17t. Mt. Carmel, Worcester, MA (1-2)
17t. 5 and 10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Carter Sporting Goods, Tallahassee, FL (1-2)
17t. Field Shop, Miami, FL (1-2)
25t. Olden A.A., Trenton, NJ (2-2)
25t. Burch’s Blue Note, Hopkins, MN (1-2)
25t. Antonelli’s Restaurant, Warwick, RI (0-2)
25t. V&M Foods, Pass Christian, MS (0-2)
25t. Gold Bond Stamps, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. U.S. National Bank, Omaha, NE (0-2)
25t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (0-2)
25t. Tip Toe Inn, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
33t. Peterson’s, Big Bend, WI (0-2)
33t. Stan’s Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. Reno County, South Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
33t. Charlies Mustangs, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
33t. Dougies Restaurant, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
33t. Indiana Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)

1960 held at Toledo, Ohio

Champion – Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, Ohio

After being dropped to the loser’s bracket by losing to Sheffield 12-9, Hamilton Tailors had to win five straight games and did so with the pitching of Sam Minniti, defense of Third Baseman, Don Sawyer (who made diving grabs to rob Sheffield of at least 4 hits). Sheffield defeated Buckhorn Cafe of Toledo in the winners bracket final 16-7. Hamilton Tailors came back to eliminate Buckhorn 16-5 in the semi-final to set the stage for the championship against Sheffield Bronze. With Sam Minniti on the mound, The Tailors defeated Sheffield twice; 12-4 and then 17-2 to claim the title.

Bernie Roeckers was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI in the final game. Sam Minniti surrendered 14 runs in the five straight wins to the title after the loss to Sheffield. Including the 12 runs he gave up to Sheffield in the loss, Minniti gave up just 41 runs in the 10 games. He was 9-1 in the tournament.

• MVP – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors
• HR Leader – Denny Braun, Sheffield Bronze – 6
• Batting Leader – Paul Nutley, Hamilton Tailoring – .667

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors (9-1, pitched 5-hitter in championship, gave up only 43 runs in 10 games)
C – Ed French, Hamilton Tailors
1B – Jim Desmond, Buckhorn Cafe
2B -Bernie Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors
3B -Don Rardin, Yorkshire Restaurant
SS -Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogans
OF – Paul Nutley, Hamilton Tailoring (18-27, .667)
OF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze
OF – Denny Braun, Sheffield Bronze (6 HR)
OF – Charlie Conley, Yorkshire Restaurant

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (9-1)
2. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
3. Buckhorn Cafe, Toledo, OH (4-2)
4. Nassau Merchants, Maspeth, NY (5-2)
5t. Hogan A.C, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5t. Textile Workers TWUA, Leaksville, NC (4-2)
7t. Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, KY (4-2)
7t. Gatliff Motors, Newport, KY (4-2)
9t. Maizie’s Gasiorowski’s, Toledo, OH (2-2)
9t. Sox Inn, Detroit, MI (2-2)
9t. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (2-2)
9t. Buddies Sporting Goods, Tallahassee, FL (2-2)
13t. Sill’s Sport Shop, Miami, FL (2-2)
13t. St. Louis Park Drug, St. Louis Park, MN (2-2)
13t. Cantwell Home Improvement, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
13t. Star Drive-In, New Orleans, LA (1-2)
17t. Black Bear Beverages, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Schroeder’s Bunny Acres, Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
17t. Tobin’s, Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA (1-2)
17t. Olden A.A., Trenton, NJ (1-2)
17t. Sunbeam Bread, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Northern Scrap Iron, Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
17t. Pagliacci, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
25t. New-Mo Tavern, Oakland, CA (0-2)
25t. Schubert Garage, Indianapolis, IN (0-2)
25t. Richmond Rebels, Richmond, VA (0-2)
25t. Smithfield Fire Company, Greenville, RI (0-2)
25t. Edgemere Lodge, Edgemere, MA (0-2)
25t. Bud and Al’s Service, Waukesha, WI (0-2)
25t. Wesley UM Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)

1959 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, Kentucky
Runner Up – Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, Kentucky

Yorkshire won their first two games, then lost to Grande-Caruso of PA 11-2. They then won the next seven straight games behind the pitching of Walt Wherry, who only surrendered 27 runs in the final 7 games of the tournament.

In the losers bracket semi final, Yorkshire came back to win in dramatic fashion as Don Rardin’s 3 run homer late in the game, beat Sheffield Bronze 3-2. They then got their revenge on the Grande-Caruso squad with a 6-4 win in the losers bracket final then had to defeat undefeated Duffy’s twice. Duffy’s had beaten New Kensington’s Grande-Caruso 8-6 as Ish Cornett’s home run with brother Al Cornett aboard iced the game in the last inning.

Yorkshire Restaurant became the first team in the history of the Slow Pitch Nationals to come through the losers bracket and win the title. The first final was over quick as Yorkshire won 11-1.

In the 10-6 final, Yorkshire jumped out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back as Myron Reinhardt delivered a 2-run homer with Rardin aboard. This was followed by consecutive doubles by Walt Wherry and Bill Beiger, along with singles from Coleman Arthur, Tom Kuhlman and Ralph Champman for 3 more runs. Wherry had a single, double and a triple in the game, while Reinhardt had a Homer and 2 singles. Yorkshire picked up Myron Reninardt and Walt Wherry from Gatliff for the Nationals.

• MVP – Walt Wherry, Yorkshire Restaurant
• HR Leader – George Rosewicz, Grande Caruso – 4
• Batting Leader – Richard Rader, Sunbeam Sandwich – .833

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Walt Wherry, Yorkshire (7-0 Pitching and 12-27, .444, HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
P – Chuck Jacobs, Sheffield Bronze (Pitched 2 shutouts, 3-14, .214, )
C – Jack Bickerstaff, McAdenville Reds (11-25, .440, HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
1B – Robert Kranscik, Grande-Caruso (11-26, .423, HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
2B – Don Rardin, Yorkshire  (20-34, .588, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs)
3B – Ray “Whitey” Brown, Yorkshire (11-31, .355, HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
SS – Michael “Dick” Batten, Grande-Caruso (4-16, .250, 1 Run)
SF – Andy “YaYa” Massetta, Sheffield (8-18, .444, HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
LF – Ishmeal Cornett, Duffy’s (11-26, .423, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)
CF – Myron Reinhardt, Yorkshire (7-21, .333, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs – played with injury and had to sit out some games)
RF – Austin “Al” Cornett, Duffy’s (10-27, .370, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)

BATTING LEADERS (15 at bat minimum)

Richard Rader, Sunbeam Sandwich (15-18, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs) – .833 – Set the national tournament batting record
Irv Adams, East Side Sports (13-18, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs) – .733
Nolan Shepard, Bob Reese Ford (12-18, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs) – .667
Don Rardin, Yorkshire (20-34, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs) – .588
Art Falsetti, Grande Caruso (10-17, 2 RBI, 5 Runs) – .588
Carroll Beale, McAdenville (13-23, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs) – .565
Ted Burliend, Waljo Builders (10-18, 1 RBI, 6 Runs) – .556
Clint Boisel, Sunbeam (11-20, 1 HR, 6 RBI) – .550
Jim Passabet, Waljo (8-15, 3 RBI, 5 Runs) – .533
Ron Elkind, Ghize (10-19, 1 HR, 6 RBI) – .526
Mason Leeper, McAdenville (15-29, 7 RBI, 5 Runs) – .517
Dave Stucky, Sunbeam (10-20, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs) – .500
Cotton Perrin, Electric Motor Service (9-18, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – .500
John Stariha, Krivan (8-16, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs) – .500

OTHERS

George Rosewicz, Grande Caruso (9-22, .409, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
James Vieburg, Westrums (10-14, .714, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Joe Goodwin, Waljo Builders (9-14, .643, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 Run)
Steve Massong, Hamilton Tailors (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Dave Burke, Duffy’s (8-14, .571, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bernie Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors (4-8, .500, 4 Runs)
Sam Minnitti, Hamilton Tailors (4-8, .500, 2 Runs)
Ron Engler, Krivan Club (7-15, .467, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Dave Demko, Sheffield (9-20, .450, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Bill Campo, McAdenville (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (7-16, .438, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
Roy Lombardo, East Side Sports (8-19, .421, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Will Sasseville, Ghize Chevrolet (9-23, .391, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
JD McDonald, McAdenville (12-31, .387, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Charles Conley, Yorkshire (13-34, .382, 1 HR, 3 RBI)
Patsy Mastrocinque, Grande Caruso (8-21, .381, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)
George Coloia, East Side Sports (5-14, .357, 3 Runs)
Ron Annotico, Sheffield (6-17, .353, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bill Braden, Duffy’s (9-28, .321, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 Runs)
Tom Kuhlman, Yorkshire (7-26, .269, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Frank Matoh, Sheffield (5-20, .250, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Walt Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors (2-8, .250, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
George Corona, East Side Sports (4-17, .235, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, KY (9-1)
2. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (6-2)
3. Grande Caruso, New Kensington, PA (5-2)
4. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
5t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (6-2)
5t. Waljo Builders, Armonk, NY (4-2)
7t. Carney Auditors Bird Nest, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
9t. Ghize Chevrolet, Spencer, MA (4-2)
9t. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. Sox’s Inn, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. 5&10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
13t. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA (3-2)
13t. Electric Motor Service, Knoxville, TN (3-2)
13t. Bob Reese Motors, Toledo-Lucas County, MI (3-2)
13t. Sunbeam Sandwich Shop, Springfield, OH (3-2)
17t. Ed Tate Sporting Goods, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Wayne Lee’s Restaurant, Pascagoula, MS (1-2)
17t. Meneitos, Havana, Cuba (1-2)
17t. Viking A.C., Wantagh, NY (1-2)
17t. Fourth Avenue Office Sales, Fargo, ND (1-2)
17t. Colucci Tile, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
17t. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (1-2)
25t. Bernsen Silk Mills, Buena Vista, VA (1-2)
25t. Shaw Lounge, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
25t. Club 185, Columbus, OH (1-2)
25t. Stewart Truckers, Toledo, OH (1-2)
25t. Venus Beverage, Biloxi, MS (1-2)
25t. Kennedy Drugs, Savannah, GA (1-2)
25t. Cincy Mat Stoppers, Staten Island, NY (0-2)
25t. PNA #83, South Bend, IN (0-2)
33t. Contract Plating, Stratford, CT (0-2)
33t. Ted’s Portway, Richfield, MN (0-2)
33t. Emmanuel Restaurant, Rochester, NY (0-2)
33t. Douglas Tire Company, Providence, RI (0-2)
33t. Jednote #831, Tarentum, PA (0-2)
33t. Club Snafu, Sheboygan, WI (0-2)
33t. VFW Post #8006, Florence, MA (0-2)
33t. Capri Lounge, Trenton, NJ (0-2)

1957 held at McCarthy Field and Oakland Park in Toledo, Ohio on August 30-September 2.

Champion – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky
Runner Up – McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, North Carolina

Gatliffs started out winning five straight games including the winners bracket final. Vern Roberts won the first three games, Tom Imfeld won the fourth, then Roberts came back to win the winners bracket final to make Gatliffs the only undefeated team.

McAdenville pounded out 20 hits, including 5 HR (Bill Campo, Mason Leeper, Harold Helton, Red Jenkins and Carroll Beale) while defeating Lotus Club of Pittsburgh 18-12 in the losers bracket final. Then they came back and defeated ace hurler Vern Roberts and unbeaten Gatliffs 13-10 in the first championship game.

Gatliff’s came back with Tom Imfeld pitching again and won the final game 8-4. Myron Reinhardt started off the hitting barrage with a 2-run homer in the first inning. Three straight home runs followed off the bats of Dan Heilman, Ralph Bo Stutebeck and Alex Burhart.

Reinhardt later added another home run. He finished the last game 2-3 with 2 HR, 3 RBI and 2 Runs scored.

Red Jenkins pitched all 7 games for McAdenville.

Vern Roberts finished the tournament with a 4-1 pitching record. In a word of note, Frank Matoh of Sheffield Bronze set a tournament record by hitting 4 consecutive Home Runs in one game during Sheffield’s 19-7 win over the Staten Island Stoppers of NYC.

• MVP – No MVP Awarded (Many sources say Myron Reinhardt would have won easily leading Gatliffs to the title, batting .680  and winning the HR award)
• HR Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff’s Auto Sales – 8
• Batting Leader – Phil Perlongo, 5&10 Tap – .696

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Tom Imfeld, Gatliff Auto Sales (2-0)
P – Ray Red Jenkins, McAdenville Reds (5-2)
P – Phil Perlongo, 5&10 Tap (4-2 Pitching and 16-23, .696)
C – Joe Wooten, McAdenville Reds (12-24, .500, 3 HR)
C – Jim McKenzie, Lotus Club
IF – Don Whitford, Gatliff Auto Sales
IF – JD McDonald, McAdenville Reds
IF – John Henry, Gatliff Auto Sales
IF – John Beam, McAdenville Reds (2 HR)
IF – Harold Helton, McAdenville Reds (12-22, .545, HR)
OF – Joe Lacher, Lotus Club
OF – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff’s (17-25, .680, 8 HR)
OF – Jack Moser, 5&10 Tap
OF – Bob Fisher, Lotus Club
MGR – Al Brausch, Gatliff Auto Sales

OTHERS

Vern Roberts, Gatliff Auto Sales (4-1) pitching

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (6-1)
2. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (6-2)
3. Lotus Club, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
4. 5&10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (4-2)
5t. Westwood Merchants, Dayton, OH (4-2)
5t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
7t. Viking Insurance Agency Athletic Club, Wantagh, NY (3-2)
7t. Spot Tavern, Creighton, PA (3-2)
9t. Knoxville Police, Knoxville, TN (3-2)
9t. Cincy Mat Stoppers, Staten Island, NY (3-2)
9t. Rip’s All Stars, Detroit, MI (2-2)
9t. Macomber Inc., Canton, OH (2-2)
13t. Neighborhood Inn, Toledo, OH (2-2)
13t. Homer’s Boys, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. Ethiers Café, Worcester, MA (2-2)
13t. Hill City Club, Rome, GA (2-2)
17t. Armands, Sandusky, OH (1-2)
17t. Legion Post #435, Richfield, MN (1-2)
17t. Latonia A.C., Covington, KY (1-2)
17t. Dutt’s Drug, Akron, OH (1-2)
17t. Snafu Club, Sheboygan, WI (1-2)
17t. Country Charm, Toledo, OH (0-2)
17t. Ben’s Bar, Sidney, OH (0-2)
17t. T.T. Bearings,  Rochester, NY (0-2)
25t. Elks Club #295, Warren, OH (0-2)
25t. 2424 Club, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. Marion Grill, Columbus, OH (0-2)
25t. Rosmarin Reality, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
25t. Duraflex, Buena Vista, VA (0-2)

1956 held at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio on September 3-5.

Champion – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky (34-3)
Runner Up – Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, Kentucky (30-3)

Gatliff Auto beat West End Merchants from Jefferson County (Louisville Area) Kentucky 5-0 in the winners bracket final behind the shutout pitching of Vern Roberts. Defending champ Lang’s Pet Shop lost it’s first game to Pittsburgh’s Dormont Boosters 5-4 and stormed through the losers bracket winning 6 straight games then eliminating the West End Merchants of Jefferson County-Louisville, KY 9-6 for their seventh straight win and advanced to the finals.

Malio Valvano pitched all the games for Langs. They had to defeat Gatliff’s twice to win the title. Gatliff’s pitcher Vern Roberts made sure that didn’t happen as Gatliff’s dethroned Lang’s 2-1 in the Championship game. Vern Roberts helped his cause getting a hit and scoring a run.

Lou Smith had a big sac fly for Gatliff’s to score Gene Dittoe and Bill Bieger chipped in with 2 hits.

For Lang’s, Earl Berryman and Bo Stuntbeck both had doubles, with Berryman scoring the only run for Langs. Vern Roberts had 2 shutouts and surrendered only 17 runs in 5 games. Gatliff finished the season with only 3 defeats the entire year, all to Lang’s.

• MVP – Vern Roberts, Gatliff Auto Sales
• HR Leader – Lenny Roth, Helf Builders – 5
• Batting Leader – Earl Berryman, Lang’s Pet Shop – .615
• Manager – Al Brausch, Gatliff Auto Sales

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Vern Roberts, Gatliff Auto Sales (5-0 pitching, including 2 shutouts; gave up only 1 run in the two final games)
C – Bill Bieger, Gatliff Auto Sales
1B – Dick Hufnagel, Dormont Boosters
2B – Don Rardin, Gatliff Auto Sales
3B – Ray “Whitey” Brown, Lang’s Pet Shop (12-30, .400, 3 HR, 13 RBI)
SS – JD McDonald, McAdenville Reds
SF – Donnie Key, West End Merchants
OF – Hal Wiggins, Lang’s Pet Shop (17-30, .567)
OF – Earl Berryman, Lang’s Pet Shop (16-25, .615)
OF – Lenny Roth, Helf Builders (5 HR)
OF – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff Auto Sales

OTHERS

Malio Valvano (7-2) pitching

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (5-0)
2. Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, KY (7-2)
3. West End Merchants, Jefferson County, KY (4-2)
4. Dormont Boosters, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5t. Helf Builders, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
5t. Westwood Merchants, Dayton, OH (3-2)
7t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (3-2)
7t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Green Seven, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
9t. Jefferson Grill, Rochester, NY (2-2)
9t. Spot Tavern, Creighton, PA (2-2)
9t. Blue Grass Café, Louisville, KY (1-2)
13t. Dave’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. Rips All Stars, Detroit, MI (2-2)
13t. Roth Drugs, Canton, OH (1-2)
13t. West Park Methodist, Columbus, OH (1-2)
17t. Maltese Drug, Wantagh, NY (1-2)
17t. Cincy Matthews Stoppers, Staten Island, NY (1-2)
17t. Dutt’s Drug, Akron, OH (1-2)
17t. Elk’s Club, Warren, OH (1-2)
17t. Fire and Police, Rossville, GA (0-2)
17t. Eureka Bar, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
17t. Heilman Old Style Lagers, Sheboygan, WI (0-2)
17t. Exchange Club, Sandusky, OH (0-2)
25t. Green Oak Inn, Toledo, OH (0-2)
25t. General Shoe Corporation, Frankfort, KY (0-2)

Joe Gatliff Auto Sales

1955 held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, Kentucky
Runner Up – Tresler’s Comets, Cincinnati, Ohio

Lang’s Pet Shop defeated Tresler’s Comets 6-1 in the winners bracket final and watched as the Comets beat Rhodes-Garden Club of Pennsylvania 11-5. Rhodes had previously eliminated last year’s champ, Waldeck’s Tavern by a 13-6 score.

Tresler’s Comets then eliminated Rhodes-Garden 5-1 to get another crack at Lang’s. The Comets defeated Lang’s 7-6 behind the big bat of Jack Carmichael and then forced another game.

Lang’s prevailed in the final championship game 19-13. Paul Zembrodt was 3-4 with a triple, 2 HR and 5 RBI for Lang’s. Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Jack Nie and Gene Dittoe (2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI), also collected 3 hits apiece. Bill Zeigler smacked a 3-run homer to chip in for Lang’s. Ed Reuter (HR, 4 RBI) and Art Merten (3B, 3 RBI) led Tresler’s with 3 hits each. Jack Carmichael added 2 more hits, including a double and 2 RBI to complete an outstanding tournament performance. Lang’s pitcher Tom Infield won 5 straight including the winner’s bracket final giving up only 9 runs, he hurled 3 consecutive 1-Run games to the King Seat.

Tresler’s Comets played in the same league as Shield’s Realty, Waldeck’s Tavern, and the Cincinnati Firefighters.

• MVP – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
• HR Leader – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
• Batting Leader – Gene Dittoe, Lang’s Pet Shop –  .667
• Outstanding Pitcher Award – Tom Imfield, Lang’s Pet Shop

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Tom Imfield, Lang’s Pet Shop (6-1 record, gave up only 5 runs in the first 5 games)
C – Francis Scumaci, Continental Can
1B – Art Merten, Tresler’s Comets
2B – Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Lang’s Pet Shop
3B – Joe Ober, Tresler’s Comets
SS – Bob Trainor, Waldeck’s Tavern
SF – Ed Rueter, Tresler’s Comets
OF – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
OF – Walt Wherry, Lang’s Pet Shop
OF – Albert Tankosh, Rhodes-Garden Club
OF – Gene Dittoe, Lang’s Pet Shop (16-24, .667)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, KY (6-1)
2. Tresler’s Comets, Cincinnati, OH (6-2)
3. Rhodes-Garden Club, McKees Rocks, PA (4-2)
4. Continental Can, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
5t. Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
5t. Perry Social, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
7t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Oscar’s Alleys, Islip Terrace, NY (3-2)
9t. Delco DIAA, Dayton, OH (2-2)
9t. Jackie’s Bar, Detroit, MI (2-2)
9t. Maltese Drug, Wantagh, NY (2-2)
9t. Homestead Café, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
13t.Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
13t. Blue Grass Athletic Club, Louisville, KY (1-2)
13t. Fire and Police, Rossville, GA (1-2)
13t. Victory Club Rainbows, Middleton, CT (1-2)
17t. Oscar’s Boys, Louisville, KY (1-2)
17t. Packard Electric, Warren, OH (1-2)
17t. Steve Master’s Grill, Rochester, NY (0-2)
17t. Twin City Automatics, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
17t. Slovak Club, Glassmere, PA (0-2)
17t. First Baptist Church, Frankfort, KY (0-2)
17t. Baldwin Piano, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
17t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (0-2)

1954 held at Bonneycastle Field and Brown & Williamson Field in Louisville, Kentucky on September 4-6.

Champion – Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Waldeck’s Tavern won 6 straight games to capture the title, outscoring their opponents 82-36 along the way. They defeated Peerless Woolens of Georgia 32-7 in the winners bracket final behind the hitting of Jerry Huber, Fred Heimkreiter and John Drees, all of which had five hits. Drees getting a couple homers. Waldeck’s collected 38 hits in the contest. Waldeck’s then sat back and waited as last years runner-up, Pittsburgh National Fruit eliminated defending champs, Shields Contractors 5-4 and then disposed of Peerless Woolens 15-11 in the losers bracket final to get back to the finals. Waldeck’s Tavern proved to be too strong as it won final 13-7 hitting 8 HR, John Drees went 4 for 4 and hit 4 straight homers while Frank Hiemkrieter, Jim Trainor, Bob Trainor, and Frank Kramer each had 1 to back the pitching of Malio Valvano (Valvano surrendered only 31 runs in 6 games for Waldeck). Drees ended the tournament getting 9 straight hits, including 6 HR. Pittsburgh pitcher Tony Bova had 2 home runs in a losing cause for the Fruit Merchants. Mike Sabbio and Bruce Gilbert also hit HR for Pittsburgh. James Caldwell of Shields went 13-18 to lead the tournament in hitting. Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, delayed due to work commitments, only played the last two games for Shields, yet still made the All Tournament team as he went 6-9 with 3 HR and 2 doubles. Donnie Key of the Louisville Stars started the tournament with 8 straight hits, before going 2-4 with 2 HR in the third game.

Some sources say the MVP would have been Waldeck’s pitcher, Malio Valvano, pitching Waldeck’s to the title.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern
• Batting Leader – James Caldwell, Shields – .722
• Outstanding Pitcher Award – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern (6-1)
P – Tony Bova, National Fruit Merchants (6-2)
C – Fred Heimkreiter, Waldeck’s Tavern
1B – Don Heilman, Shield’s Realty
2B – Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Shield’s Realty (6-9, .667, 3 HR)
3B – Charles Geyer, Peerless Woolens
SS – Bob Trainor, Waldeck’s Tavern
OF – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Realty
OF – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern (9-9 with 6 HR in last 2 games)
OF – Walt Wherry, Keeneland Bar
OF – Donnie Key, Oertels Stars Brewers (10-15, .667, 2 HR)
MGR – Mike Waldeck, Waldeck’s Tavern

OTHERS

• James Caldwell, Shield’s Realty (13-18, .722)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH (6-0)
2. National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (6-2)
3. Peerless Woolens, Rossville, GA (3-2)
4. Shield’s Realty, Newport, KY (4-2)
5t. Keeneland Bar, Covington, KY (2-2)
5t. Fire Fighters, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
7t. Oertels Stars Brewers, Louisville, KY (3-2)
7t. Delco, Dayton, OH (2-2)
9t. Klug Trucking, Hamilton, OH (2-2)
9t. Sterling Sters, Louisville, KY (2-2)
9t. Early Times Distillers, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Continental Can, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
13t. Boisel Tire, Springfield, OH (0-2)
13t. Forks of Elkhorn, Frankfort, KY (0-2)
13t. RBM, Knoxville, TN (0-2)
13t. Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
17t. Twin City Automatics, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
17t. Schwedes/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)