2,550 Park Ballers and Counting!

Thanks to Gabriel Ponce for his recent Facebook post as it enabled this fine digital fish wrap to add yet another baseball player to the official PlayBall! record. Rusty Ladua you are forever part of ARPD Youth Baseball League lore! The addition of Rusty pushes the count of boys and girls who played either baseball or softball to 2,550. Launch the fireworks!

Here’s the photo from back in the day that Gabe surfaced for Longfellow Tigers everywhere to enjoy.

Speaking of Longfellow, don’t forget tomorrow’s Tiger Reunion. Phil Canalin is calling all Longfellow Park Rats to return to the old stomping ground on Saturday, June 10. Just like the old days there will be BBQ grilling, ceremonial games of catch (bring your glove), and a demonstration by John Canalin on how to slap the ball to right field and take two! Guaranteed to be a great time for all… even Washington Pirates like Rick Delmore!

 

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Chinese Manufacturing T-Shirt League Knock Off?

Tensions are escalating between Alameda and Beijing over reported spying.

The staff of PlayBall! Alameda’s Sandlot Blog are on high alert today after discovering that viewers in Hong Kong have been following this digital fish wrap for some time. Yes fellow park rats, Chinese knock-off manufacturers may be out to copy another piece of American greatness… Alameda’s legendary park league baseball!! Recent blog analytics show growing viewer activity originating from Hong Kong.

Philip Nitskopip, Assistant to the Associate Undersecretary of National Security told a gathering press at the Time Star Building, “We are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds. President Obama, the Joint Chiefs and Lil’ Arnerich have been briefed.”

In a recorded interview on Meet The Press, PlayBall! Minister of Bunting and Defense, John Canalin, said, “It’s an outrage! I’ve assembled teams of Longfellow Black-Ops Tigers and Woodstock Seals who at this very moment are headed towards the China Sea. We’re waiting for word from McGee’s… I mean the White House as to our next steps. God bless Alameda!”

 

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An Amazin’ Day

To quote the great Casey Stengel “It was amazin’!”

On behalf of the entire 2010 Alameda All Parks Reunion Team we want to thank everyone who made the event such a great day. True to form, West End hospitality welcomed hundreds of “kids” and family members back to their old ARPD stomping grounds for a day of happy memories. The common sentiment among all park rats and park directors in attendance can be summed up by the one question that all were asking: “When is the next one?”

A full recap of the days events is forthcoming, but we need a nap! You are all great people and we’re happy that no matter where you live today, Alamedans still have their sense of community… especially the park rats!

Kin Robles and John Canalin

El Presidente and The Chief of Staff (Photo courtesy of Lester Mina)

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Fee Wants You!

The Fleet Footed Feehan

Charlie Feehan looks like he means business when he says “I want to see wall-to-wall Franklin Eagles at the All-Parks Reunion next Saturday, July 31!! That means you, too, Bill Speier, even though you deserted your home park for Boys Club. I’ll forgive this traitorous act if you show up… maybe.”

Okay, Eagles. You heard “Fee”. Get your keysters down to Washington Park next weekend.

ATTENTION ALL PARKS: Folding tables and pop-ups are needed. Contact John Canalin or Adrienne Chaix-Alexander.

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Calling Mark Moser

Hey, Mark! You Rittler Wildcats need your help once again.

Mark Moser sporting white cleats and matching belt (Acamar photo)

Just like this great pick up you made on the diamond in 1974, your park needs someone to step up in the clutch as the All-Parks Reunion coordinator for Rittler. Come on guys, the job is easier than scooping up a Mark Ironside dribbler down the line.

All you have to do is hang the old Wildcat banner on the fence at Upper Washington. Make sure a couple of your park rats bring pop up tables. Maybe send an e-mail or two. It’s just that simple. Besides, you don’t want the ghost of Otto Rittler to start haunting your attic. Old Otto demands a good reunion presence from his namesakes. OH YEAH… did I mention that park coordinators get a FREE reunion t-shirt?

Just 16 more days until Alameda witnesses the return of the park rats! Contact John Canalin or PlayBall! today.

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“Ed” Calls Out Rittler

“What’s up with Rittler? I can’t believe no one has stepped up as a reunion coordinator for the Wildcats! What’s the deal Shahbazian? Dutcher? This is why I played for Franklin even though I lived next to Rittler.”

Joe Edwards – Franklin Eagles, Little Coast All-Star (1972)

Let the games begin. Will there be a counter from the mighty Wildcats? Who will have the biggest contingent of former park rats at the Alameda All-Parks Reunion on July 31 @ Washington Park? If anyone from Rittler (or McKinley, Edison, Mastick, Buena Vista, Estuary and Lincoln) wants to help out as a reunion coordinator, please contact PlayBall! or  John “Longfellow Rules” Canalin.

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Pirates Host First All-Parks Reunion

Washington batterymates discuss July 31 (Acamar photo)

Washington pitcher Jeff Harless and catcher Tony Rascom are shown discussing the upcoming All-Parks Reunion to be held on their home field.

“Just wait until those other park rats show up on our turf!”

“Yeah, Tony. We’ve got a reunion coordinator and everything. We’ll show them that Washington has always the mother of all parks.”

“So what do we do with the next batter?”

“Simple. Tell him to contact John Canalin and sign up as a reunion coordinator.”

“Okay, Jeff… but, uh… is that signal two fingers or three?”

So far we have reunion coordinators recruited for Washington, Woodstock, Franklin, Longfellow, Godfrey and Krusi Parks. No surprise that Pirate, Eagle, Tiger, Gopher and Colt pride is leading the rat pack!

It’s an easy job… REALLY! But we still need your help with Rittler, Lincoln, Edison, Buena Vista, Mastick, and McKinley (Gil Mora where are you?). Step up today and show your park colors. Contact John Canalin to learn more about being a reunion coordinator.

In the mean time, start getting those lawn chairs, potato salad, ice chests, and other picnic bling together. Order your commemorative t-shirts, now. The Alameda All-Parks Reunion at Washington Park is just 23 days away!

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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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Longfellow Park – The Stats

Longfellow Park

Park Opening: May 15, 1941

Named after: Longfellow School (Which was named after American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

Location: Bordered by Linden Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Haight Avenue

Baseball Diamond: (0) Multi-use grass field

Team Name: Tigers, Bengals (1950’s)

Championships

Bantam League: 1969

Pee Wee League: 1969, 1972

Midget League: 1972

Little Coast League: 1972

“The Fence” as it is today

There must be at least one Canalin hiding in this picture.

A gathering of Tigers back in the day (Photo courtesy of the Canalin family)

PARK DAYS

“Longfellow players were all line drive hitters because our practice field was so small. If you muscled up and hit the ball over the high fence in left and center field, the lady who lived on the other side would yell at us and keep the baseball.”

John Canalin

“It was always fun to see Ed Canalin and Dale Roth add their creative energy to Longfellow – We had a haunted house one year they designed for the whole city- loved that mummy!”

Cindi LaCroix

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