Six men that have grown synonymous with AAABA baseball on a national level were inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
And each was focused, not on the present, but the past.
Zanesville’s Doug Pollock, Buffalo’s John Lawler, the Leone brothers – Vincent, Dominic and Tony – and Johnstown native Mike Mastovich all looked to the history of the league, and what impact those that have gone before have had.
The six were honored in front of more than 570 people at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown, on the eve of tonight’s pairing banquet, and Monday’s opening-round games.
Al Oliver, a member of the 1971 world champion Pittsburgh Pirates, was the principle speaker and state Education Secretary Jerry Zahorchak introduced the guests of honor, the 1956 national runner-up Hahn Packing team, as well as the inductees.
Lawler, currently the president of the Buffalo franchise, looked out into the audience and spoke of how important Johnstown has been to the tournament, which enters its 62nd year.
“I just want to show my appreciation to the people of Johnstown,” said Lawler, who has been with the Buffalo franchise for 22 years. “Without you, there is no AAABA tournament. You make us look good.”
Pollock traced his involvement and support of the league back to the efforts of Olin Taylor, Tom Checkush, Robert Wolfe and Jim Wright.
“Zanesville and Johnstown are so closely intertwined,” said Pollock, who has managed the Junior Pioneers for 27 seasons. “When you come here to Johns-town, it’s like being at home.”
The Leone brothers were represented by Dominic’s son, Dominic. The three brothers sponsored Baltimore’s entry into the tournament for 20 years, beginning in 1952, and frequently brought in teams from around the country to play exhibitions before heading back to the brothers’ cafe for home-cooked spaghetti and meatballs.
“This team was truly a family affair,” the younger Dominic Leone said. “Johnstown has been a second home for many of the Leone family.”
Vincent, now 84, made the trip to Johnstown, and was in the audience as his nephew spoke. Brothers Dominic and Anthony are now deceased.
The Leone teams ran up a record of 1,365-189, won four championships and finished as runners-up three times.
Mastovich, who has covered the AAABA tournament for 20 years for The Tribune-Democrat, shared memories of time spent talking to AAABA veterans, many of which went on to prominent careers in baseball but could quickly recall minute details of their time in Johnstown.
“I grew up going to those games,” Mastovich said after the banquet. “There’s something about it. Your parents take you and teach you about it, or your friends. What I did, as soon as my daughter was born, she went to at least one game a year, even when she was in a stroller. Now my boys, I’m trying to get them involved and keep the tradition going.”
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