The Party’s At Our House

The Washington Pirates, and their former leader Roger Alexander, look forward to hosting the first Alameda All-Parks Reunion.

SATURDAY, JULY 31 – 11:00 to 4:00 PM

1:00 PM – Official Welcome and Commemoration – Special recognitions for the late Curt Motton (former park rat, Encinal HS, Baltimore Orioles); and Sandy Bertero a career ARPD employee and memorable former park director.

Bring your memories, picnic lunch, lawn chairs, ice chest, and all the family units (those long suffering folks who’ve heard stories of your childhood sandlot heroics for the past 30 years or longer). It’s going to be a great day!

And now, here’s the “Rajah” and some of your Buccaneer hosts…

ARPD Midget League Champs in 1975 (Acamar photo)

Top Row: Tony Reyes, Mike McGreaney, Tony Tramble, Park Director Roger Alexander, Marvin White, Butch Buchanan, Ben Brieger, Roger Viray, Rich Garcia, Chuck Contaxis.

Bottom Row: Can you name us?

Read Full Post »

Bucs on Top in 1973

Here are the 1973 ARPD Midget League Champion – Washington Pirates

Photo by Acamar

Front Row: Andy Garcia, Robert Jackson, Frank Groves, Rodney Rodgriguez, Joe Inocenio, Jeff Mims,

Back Row: Larry Wayne (coach), Mark Soots, Jim Flood, Alan Beck, Steve Gutierrez, Larry Scott, Ken Cranberry

Congrats to the 8-1 Pirates, wherever you are. Do you think Kenny Cranberry joined the military? Looks like he’s already standing at attention.

Read Full Post »

Caps Off

Soots breaks up with Ogden in Little Coast action (Photo: Acamar)

Pirate Mark Soots lost his cap as he slid hard into Jerry Ogden while attempting to break up the double play. Although Soots did his job in preventing the Godfrey shortstop from pegging the runner at first, host Washington lost the game game 6-3. Godfrey’s victory in late July kept the Gophers atop the Little Coast standings with a perfect 7-0 record.

Two other teams were also perfect at this point in 1975. Both Edison and Longfellow were 0-7. Ouch! I wonder who won that Clash of the Titans?

Read Full Post »

Todd Forbes

Park Director

Todd led the Washington Pirates to a Midget League title in 1969.

Tours of Duty: Washington (1969)

Read Full Post »

7th Inning Stretch – 1970.2

Photo credit: Bordanaro and Zarcone

Back on June 23, 2009, PlayBall! called attention to the left field scoreboard at Krusi Park’s Diamond #3 (parallel to Otis Drive). This reporter’s feeble memory couldn’t recall anyone ever using the various park scoreboards for purposes other than hijinx and taboo gymnastics. I’m pleased to report that definitive proof of such activity has now been discovered.

Notice all this photo from July, 1970, has to offer. First, we see Pirate infielder Marvin White eagerly anticipating a batted ball from this day’s opponents, the Godfrey Rodents.

Second, Marvin is wearing the common attire for this era: the ubiquitous black Converse All-Star low tops, a white t-shirt underneath his Washington Pirate t-shirt, and of course, blue jeans (possibly purchased at J.C. Penney’s located at Alameda’s South Shore Shopping Center or perhaps the Navy Exchange at NAS ALameda). Young Mr. White also appears to be sporting an Oakland A’s cap. Judging by the style, his brim was likely procured at an A’s Cap Day.

And lastly, something of greater relevance to this posting, please note what is lurking in the background of the photo… several park rats sitting atop Washington Park’s left field scoreboard actually posting the game score! Yes faithful readers, the ARPD park leagues did use the green wooden structures for the intended purpose of tracking the score.

Read Full Post »

No-Hitter!

To celebrate the unbelievable no-hit game thrown by the Giants Jonathan Sanchez, PlayBall! Alameda’s Sandlot Blog commemorates another no-no in history. This one from the ARPD Park League vault.

In June 1970, the Washington Pirates squared off against the Lincoln Lions in an early eason Little Coast game. On the mound for Lincoln was Terry White, the former Franklin Eagles star. Taking the hill for the Bucs was pitching ace Larry Groves. 

Terry White struck out five Pirate batters, but nine walks and timely Washington hitting unraveled his effort. In the end it was Larry Groves who’s great command throughout the day led to twelve K’s and only four walks en route to the 6-0 No-Hit victory! Ken Money and Packy Bosworth were on the receiving end for Groves marvelous seven inning effort.

Photo: Bordanaro & Zarcone

Much like Sanchez’ gem, the only real threat for Groves came in the final stanza. Lincoln’s lead-off  batter, Dave Marlow, drew a walk followed by a Washington miscue that allowed the Lion runner to advance to third. In a thrilling attempt to steal home, Marlow was tagged out at the plate thus preserving the shutout. Jerry Jordan and Tom Ravey were the hitting stars for Washington, as each contributed key doubles.

Over the years, the late Larry Groves remained an outstanding pitcher in the park leagues and beyond with outstanding control and a blazing fast ball. 

Caps off to the Giants Jonathan Sanchez and ARPD All-Star Larry Groves!

Read Full Post »

The Screwgee

Washington Park pitcher John Childs appears to be throwing a screwball against his Midget League opponents. Judging by the casual positioning of Pirate shortstop John Mendoza and second sacker Larry Lopez, their hurler must have had his “good stuff” going.

Photo credit: Bordanaro and Zarcone

Childs and the Washington Nine were victorious that July afternoon back in 1970, beating Boys Club 1-0. John scored the only run of the game after his backstop, Robert Orbeta, singled to put him in scoring position. That was followed by Mike Walls dribbler to third enabling Childs to advance and slide safely under a good throw to the plate.

Read Full Post »

All-Time Washington Pirates Roster

217 former Pirates have been identified so far. Who are we missing? If you know of someone who should be included among the Washington roster, please leave a comment.

THE BOYS (177)

A – Bob Allegrotti, Mark Allegrotti, John Anderson

B – Bill Baker, Darrin Banks, Ken Banks, Kevin Bayver, Alan Beck, Gene Bellvomini, Jon Bergeron, Tim Bergeron, David Bonini, Larry Bosworth, Packy Bosworth, Eric Bradley, Ken Bradley, Ben Bregier, James Brown, Butch Buchanan, Kevin Buchanan

C – Nick Cabral, Don Callahan, Bob Cantano, Ron Cantano, Eddie Childers, John Childs, Chuck Contaxis, Ken Cranberry, Ray Crawford, Rich Crawford, Eric Cross, Tony Cummings

D - Mike Dalisay, Monty Derhak, Rick Delmore, Carl Dice, Mike Donson, Dan Dozier

E – Marty Estigoy, Ken Eudy

F – Chris Fassiotto, Gene Fassiotto, John Fernandez, Rich Fernandez, Gary Fenstermaker, Rick Fenstermaker, Gary Ferguson, Jeff Flood, Jim Flood, Rich Flores, Kevin Floyd, Tom Foster, Rick Fountain

G - Nico Gallegos, Andy Garcia, Rich Garcia, Mark Good, Glen Grady, Calvin Green, Calvin Gregory, Donald Grout, Ed Groves, Don Groves, Frank Groves, Larry Groves, Steve Gutierrez

H – Jeff Harless, Dan Harrison, Mike Harrison, Rick Haynes, Rusty Henschel, Tracy Hunsacker

I – Joe Inocencio, Roy Insco

J – Percy Jackson, Robert Jackson, Ron James, Jeff Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Bob Jones, Jerry Jordan

K – Frank Kellar, Willis Kellar, Rick Keller, Walter Knezeak, Paul Knott, Joe Kosmicky

L – Bob Leach, Bob Lentz, Mark Lind, Jack Lomba, Larry Lopez, Paul Lowe, Charles Lucero, Steve Lucero

M – Andy Malanche, Mario Mariani, Glen Mares, Ken Mares, Blaine Marsh, Steve Marsh, Steve Massie, James McCleve, Mike McCrea, Mike McGreaney, Terry McKenzie, Doug McLair, David McLank, John Mendoza, Jeff Mims, Jesse Mims, Byron Miranda, Louis Miranda, Ricky Montes

N – Rob Neill, Steve Nelson, Tim Nelson, Doug Nereu, Mike Nereu, Rick Nereu

O – Chuck Ojeda, Robert Orbeta, Rick Ortega, Steve Ortega

P – John Pamiroyan, Nick Pedroni, Pat Pedroni, Lloyd Pochette, Billy Porter

R – Bill Rancher, Tony Rascon, Tom Ravey, Tony Reyes, Willie Reyes, Pat Rivas, Jim Rivera, Rodney Rodriguez, Eddie Rose, Marvin Rosenthal

S – Tony San Nicolas, Steve Sanchez, Larry Scott, Kris Shaffer, Frank Smith, Mark Soots, Frank Spaniol, Jim Spence, Clifford Spinola, Gary Sue, Ted Sutton, todd Sutton

T – Tony Tramble, Jean Trey, Jesse Turpin

U – Greg Unger

V – Frank Vaca, David Vierra, Mark Vierra, Roger Viray

W – Clint Wade, Edwin Wade, Joe Wade, Steve Walder, Alvin Walker, Mike Walls, Jim Weirth, Mike Wenzel, Billy Westernoff, Marvin White, Tom White, David Wong, James Wren

Y – Bill Yarbrough, Gregg Young

THE GIRLS (40)

A - Kelly Alves, Kim Alves, Mary Apodaca, Lupe Apodaca

B – Robin Billings, Kathie Bosworth, Cindy Bruce, Sabrina Burhanan

C – Wendy Cabral, Sheri Cannon, Octavia Childs, Susan Clark

D – Lisa Dewitt, Maggie Diamont

E – Dolores Elysio

F – Lani Fleming, Donna Ford

G – Terri Gonzalez, Christina Gregory, Pam Groves

H – Janie Holt

J – Carol Jones, Tanya Jones

L – Zerlyn Lauda, Cathi Lisanti, Angelia Longmeir

M – Michelle Mitchell, Tony Mitchell, Rosa Montez

N – Liz Nava, Jan Neil

O – Carla Owens

P – Judy Pape

R – Kim Regan

S – Diane Saxton, Whitney Sullivan, Delia Sutton

T – Lisa Thomas

W – Joan Weirth, Sheila Weirth

Read Full Post »