Driving force is beaming as Hall inducts 15th class

Sports

Related Photos

George Arcurio Jr. stands inside the AAABA Hall of Fame at the Point Stadium in Johnstown earlier this week. Dave Lloyd

Discussion

August 9, 2008

By MIKE MASTOVICH The Tribune-Democrat Sat Aug 09, 2008, 12:17 AM EDT

George Arcurio Jr. will watch with pride tonight as the AAABA Hall of Fame inducts its 15th class at the Pasquerilla Conference Center.

Arcurio envisioned a AAABA Hall of Fame years before he was inducted into the inaugural Class of 1994.

In his 28th consecutive year as president of the Johnstown Oldtimers, Arcurio was a driving force in the creation of the hall of fame and had a role in establishing a permanent home for the hall in one of the buildings behind the right-field bleachers at Point Stadium.

“I am very proud of the Hall of Fame,” said Arcurio, 78. “No. 1, we’ve got the only amateur baseball tournament like this with 64 years. No. 2, when the players come here, the Oldtimers pick up the tab for everything.

“In other cities they have to pay to go into a tournament. Here, they live like they’re in the Waldorf-Astoria,” Arcurio added, referring to the luxurious New York City hotel.

Tonight, the Hall will welcome Johnstown’s Dee Dee Osborne, the successful former manager and GM; former New Orleans MVP Wayne Pietri; and former Philadelphia standout Ruben Amaro Jr. Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bob Friend will be the featured speaker.

Osborne led local AAABA teams to 541 regular-season wins, 11 straight regular-season titles and four AAABA Tournaments in 21 seasons as a manager or general manager. He said none of that would have been possible without the dedication of Arcurio and the Oldtimers.

“(Tonight) there will be a table of my former kids who went on to play in college, the pros and even the majors,” Osborne said. “I’m going to have them stand up. It will be an honor to introduce those kids to Junior. That would be the best honor we could bestow on him.”

Among those former AAABA stars who will attend as Osborne’s guests are Joe Vitko, Mike Holtz, John Rocco, Eric Dinyar, Ross Kott, Quenteen Robinson, Jimmy Mayer and current Delweld GM Chris DelSignore and manager Rick Roberts. Gene Pentz, another former major leaguer who once helped Osborne as a coach, also will be present.

“Some 400 kids went through and played professional baseball after the AAABA Tournament,” Osborne said. “Without Junor and the committee that wouldn’t be possible. Junior is the past, present and still the future face of the AAABA.”

Former New Orleans manager Joe Scheuermann, a member of the Class of 2007, appreciates the Hall and its many historic photographs, baseballs, bats, trophies, tournament programs and other memorabilia.

“It’s a very nice tribute to the people who have dedicated themselves to the tournament as well as the guys who’ve had great tournaments in Johnstown,” Scheuermann said.

Arcurio’s next goal is to make the Hall of Fame exhibit more accessible to the public. The room typically is open before and during tournament games.

“There is a lot of history to see,” Arcurio said. “We have books, photos and memorabilia from years past. The remodeling job has really been terrific.

“I wish more people would see it. There have been a lot of added attractions. People who come in from out of town can’t get over what they see. We want to keep this going so that when we’re dead and gone people still will be able to come in here and see it. This is always a great asset to the people of this city. Everywhere you go, you mention the AAABA and people know about it.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Sports

Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
Bedford was making its fifth straight appearance in the PIAA Class AA Dual-Meet Championships on Thursday.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:

February 9, 2012
High School Basketball in Brief
A closer look at Thursday's boys and girls high school basketball games:

February 9, 2012
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Stressing his ties to the organization and his reverence for its tradition, Todd Haley was officially introduced today as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Winter Classic matchup set: Red Wings and Maple Leafs to play at Big House
Next year’s Winter Classic could set an attendance record.

February 9, 2012
UVA murder case: Officer describes beaten, bruised lacrosse player
The first officer to arrive at the apartment of a slain University of Virginia lacrosse player says he thought he was responding to an alcohol overdose but quickly discovered the woman had been bruised and bloodied.

February 9, 2012
Cabrera-Bello shoots 63 in Dubai; McIlroy 3 back
Rafael Cabrera-Bello made nine birdies in his first 11 holes to finish at 9-under 63 today for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

February 9, 2012
Ex-Steeler Holmes staying with Jets
A clause in receiver Santonio Holmes’ five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets, signed last offseason, kicked in Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Sports Headlines

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Sports

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Driving force is beaming as Hall inducts 15th class

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Contact Us