Bernie Ratto – Father to Krusi Farm System

PlayBall! is sad to report the passing of lifetime Alamedan, friend of the parks, and the man in the blue Colombo bakery truck – Bernie Ratto. Bernie was the devoted husband of wife Tina, and father of three famous Krusi Colts: Doug, Don and Steve Ratto.

Bernie loved the game of baseball and obviously instilled that in each of his sons. More than a few sandwiches were doled out to hungry park rats in the Ratto family home on Post Street, just a Dean Henry pop fly away from Krusi Park.

Services were held on Saturday, January 15, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Alameda’s East End. A full house, including many former park rats, paid their respects.

God speed Bernie, and thanks for being one of the many park parents who kept us all out of Sing Sing.

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The Outer Park Limits

No adjustment of your computer monitor is necessary. Do not attempt to change the screen. We are now in control.

You love the Krusi Colts. You love the Krusi Colts. You love the Krusi Colts.

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Jeff Branchaud

Park Director

Tours of Duty: Longfellow, Woodstock, Krusi Park (1982-1984)

Outside of his stellar accomplishments as a playground supervisor, poor Jeff is related by marriage to former Chronicle sports columnist Ray Ratto, the latest star of Comcast SportsNet. Jeff, we’re all wondering… does Ray say the Thanksgiving blessing at the family gathering, and if so, is the turkey cold by the time he finishes? Just kidding Ray, we’ll take you any day over Tim McCarver.

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Rick Fenstermaker – Century Man

Park Director

Rick contacted PlayBall! to let us know that he’ll be returning to his old Washington Park domain for the All-Parks Reunion. And he did! Rick is male park director #100 on our all-time roster!

Rick coached the 1972 Little Coast Nationals All-Star squad, along with Steve Weiss. Rick’s brother Gary, is also on the all-time park director roster.

Tours of Duty: Washington, Longfellow, Edison, Krusi, Franklin

Rick Fenstermaker in 1972 (J. Johnson photo)

Rick minus the sideburns in 2010 (Photo by Mina)

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Roster Moves

Roster Wire for April 14, 2010:

Ronny Farris – Godfrey

Mickey Fox – McKinley

Mark Galletto – Krusi

Bill George – Franklin

Bill Orr – Rittler

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Faces and Names

Occassionally, the Times Star’s original PlayBall! supplement would feature photos of players without identifying the park they were associated with. This is understandable as the staff was often busy tracking the island’s social whirl or an upcoming fall fashion line to be unveiled at Alburt’s Menswear or Goldmans. The photo below is one such example.

This shot, captured by the Amazing Acamar, features exciting action from the 1973 Junior Girls All-Star softball game. We see Carol Tkotch stirring up her home Krusi Park infield as Leila Lugdasmer stretches to snare the ball for an out. Unfortunately, we have precious little information beyond this. So park rats, help us out.

What park did Leila play for? And, was she on the victorious North squad that tallied ten runs, or the South nine who failed to push across anyone across the plate in this summer classic? The City Desk editors at PlayBall! – Alameda’s Sandlot Blog anxiously await your input.

Photo by Acamar - Kodachromic Man of Mystery

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Cut-offs, Cleats and Klune

Photo credit: Bordanaro and Zarcone

The staff at PlayBall! would not consider the attire being sported by McKinley’s John Klune as optimum for baseball. Cleats and cut-off Levis were not a common sight on Alameda’s sandlots, but temperatures on this July day in 1970 may have warranted drastic measures. The question comes to mind, did John, the son of Vitus and Mary Klune of Buena Vista Avenue and a student at St. Joseph’s Grammar School, slide into any bases that day?  No blood on those knees nor raspberries are visible on Klunes limbs.

The Bears would ultimately lose a close one to Krusi 3-1, notching their fourth “L” of the year. Meanwhile, Colt catcher Burt Soffiotto would aid pitcher Mike Cooper’s six-innings of shutout baseball by blasting a home run in the sixth. Host Krusi (4-0) would remain undefeated along with the other Midget League leaders, Washington and Godfrey. Bear hurler Raphael Cornejo would go down as the losing pitcher of record.

As for John, after this tilt he probably headed to Alameda’s network of saltwater lagoons for a refreshing dip in his drip-dry uniform.

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Who Are We?

This photo, from a Midget League game in 1972, prominently features three individuals who’s names should be familiar to many who participated in the ARPD programs during the decade.

Photo: Bordanaro and Zarcone)

We had a number of contestants all trying to correctly identify our mystery mugs. No one person was able to come up with all three names, however, Tony Reid (Franklin), Gary Silverman (Godfrey) and John Canalin (Longfellow) have teamed up to put a name to each physique.

Charging down the first base line is Morris Bonadona of the Godfrey Gophers. Leaning for the throw is Jamie Hayame of the McKinley Bears. And preparing to make the call is stalwart ARPD umpire, Mike Benesh, who would go on to star as a backstop for the Encinal Jets. Few know that “Ben” was also an ice hockey player in the local rec leagues.

The two questions that remain are: 1) Did Mo beat the throw? (Hmm. Doubtful, unless jamie muffed the play.); 2) How will Tony, Gary and John share this week’s prize of one pair of athletic tube socks? (Suggestion: Tony gets them on Sunday/Monday. Jamie on Tuesday/Wednesday. John on Thursday/Friday. They get washed by Doris Sullivan down at Woodstock on Saturday.) Thanks to everyone who posted an entry.

This week’s Who Are We? Quiz was brought to you by Alameda’s emporium for unparalleled value and savings, the Super 88 Store.

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“Simpson” Scores!

Will umpire Steve Choy make the correct call? (Photo: Acamar)

ARPD umpire Steve Choy has a perfect view as Rittler catcher Leon Santos tries to apply a tag on the Krusi runner. It’s clear from this photo that “Cap Simpson” was safe, forever verifying that Choy made the correct call. Unfortunately for the host Colts, this run was not enough as Santos and his Rittler teammates would win the PeeWee League championship game 9-4.

But that’s not the whole story associated with this Acamar photo that first appeared in the Alameda Times Star on August 27, 1973. Although the runner in the photo was identified in the original caption as “Cap Simpson”, the Krusi Colts had no one by that name on their PeeWee roster, or in the official box score! It’s been widely rumored, and since verified by former park rat Gary Berti, that fictitious names were occasionally created to assist journalists in crafting the weekly PlayBall! supplement. A scandalous practice indeed!

Since the guiding principle of truth in journalism must be upheld, the dedicated staff of PlayBall! – Alameda’s Sandlot Blog have researched the matter to bring you, our loyal readers, the real answer. Here is what we have discovered:

Four runs were scored that day by the Colts. Two by shortstop Rick Murray. One each for Larry Delau and first baseman Scott Wisenbach. Additional research found photographic evidence that both Murray and Delau were wearing Oakland A’s caps that day… however, the runner in the photo was also wearing black Converse All-Star lowtops. Murray was wearing Adidas! Thus, Dr. Watson, we conclude that the mysterious “Cap Simpson” is actually… Colt rightfielder Larry Delau!

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Marc Hansen

Park Director

Marc Hansen in 1973 (Photo: Acamar)

Mark had a big summer at Krusi Park in 1973. He led the Colt’s Little Coast entry to a championship, while his Pee-Wee Leaguers were runners-up.

Tours of Duty: Krusi (1973), Godfrey (1974)

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