A Johnstown tradition: Edition 66

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August 8, 2010

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat The Tribune-Democrat Sun Aug 08, 2010, 01:00 AM EDT

— In the moments after his team won theJohnstown AAABA League playoffs, Delweld manager Chris DelSignore said: “This doesn’t get old.”

He was referring to the four straight championships Delweld has claimed – three with DelSignore in the dugout and one with him serving as general manager.

Beginning Monday, Delweld will again serve as host entry for the 16-team All American Amateur Baseball Association national tournament, with games at Point Stadium and other area fields.

Martella’s Pharmacy, 2010 Johnstown league regular-season winner and playoff runner-up, will also be in the AAABA tournament.

“I guess that it’s one of those things that the more things you get, the more you want,” DelSignore said.

And we agree.

Every year, the AAABA tournament brings activity, enjoyment and visitors to our region.

We love the day games at places such as Roxbury Park and St. Michael, and the night showdowns under the lights at the Point.

We welcome the visiting teams and their fans, who come to Johnstown from places such as Baltimore, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Toledo and New Orleans – home of the defending tournament champion Boosters.

We enjoy the pageantry and excitement of opening night, and the intensity as the week wears on.

This will be the 66th installment of the summer event that has seen numerous big-leaguers-to-be catch, throw and hit on the diamonds of Johnstown.

The AAABA alumni list reads like a who’s who of baseball lore: Al Kaline, Joe Torre, Orel Hershiser, Reggie Jackson, Barry Larkin, John Smoltz – and hometown hero Pete Vuckovich.

And the tournament owes its success to many individuals who have worked hard to keep it going – and keep it in Johnstown – down through more than six decades.

We wish the two local teams the best of luck.

Four times Johnstown teams have finished second in this tournament. But Johnstown has never taken the crown.

Perhaps it will be Delweld or Martella’s that celebrates at the end of the week.

“I know that we’re very capable of going in there and making a lot of noise,” Martella’s manager Chris Pfeil said after the playoffs.

“It’s a good baseball team here.”

Or perhaps one of the traditional powers – New Orleans or Baltimore – will claim the prize.

Regardless, we know the week ahead will bring great baseball and another opportunity to showcase Johnstown to the world.

Welcome back, AAABA tournament.

Truly, this doesn’t get old.

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A Johnstown tradition: Edition 66

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