Published: August 16, 2009 12:08 am      

Longtime AAABA treasurer offers emotional farewell

After 40 years as treasurer of the Johnstown Oldtimers Baseball Association, Dennis Grenell will retire at the conclusion of the 65th AAABA Tournament.

Grenell, who traditionally does pregame introductions for the Johnstown entry’s night games at Point Stadium, officially made the announcement Friday in front of an estimated crowd of 6,000 attending Delweld’s game against Martella’s Pharmacy.

An emotional Grenell thanked the fans and tournament organizers before walking off the field.

“Denny had one of the best marketing minds this area ever saw,” said George Arcurio III, president of the Johnstown Oldtimers. “He could come up with an idea in a matter of a minute with no problem at all. He was responsible for some of the greatest promotions in this area, especially after the 1977 Flood.

“He’s done a great job of keeping the financial end of the AAABA and the Johnstown Oldtimers in order forever.”

In addition to his duties as treasurer, Grenell also was key in bringing in some of the tournament’s best promotions, especially during the 1980s and 1990s when the San Diego Chicken, Pirates Parrot and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute squad made appearances.

“Denny was responsible for some of the big ones going the whole way back to when we brought in (former Pirates legendary radio announcers) Bob Prince and Nellie King, many of the great fireworks displays we had, the lighting of the torch on the 50th anniversary, the San Diego Chicken and the Pirates Parrot years ago,” Arcurio said.

“The promotions that we had were super through the years. The Army Golden Knights was something I’ll never forget. The parachutists landed on first, second and third base and then when the final guy landed right on home plate, wow.”

Grenell was inducted into the AAABA Hall of Fame in 2001.



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Like father, like son: Two former New Orleans pitchers with championship rings will watch their sons attempt to win another title for the Boosters today.

Ricky Pursell pitched on the 1984 NORD team that celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. A salesman for a chemical manufacturer in New Orleans, Pursell threw in relief for the 1984 team that beat Maryland State for the crown.

His son, Ryan, is a pitcher/outfielder on the current team. The younger Pursell is making his first trip to Johnstown a memorable one.

“The fact that my son was able to make the team brought back memories from 25 years ago that I’ll never forget,” said Ricky Pursell after watching New Orleans beat previously undefeated New Brunswick 14-0 on Saturday at the Point. “Just the tradition of being in Johnstown, a baseball town, and everyone involved in the city. You played for the love of the game. That’s something that Johnstown brings out in you. I think the same thing is going to happen to these kids. They’re never going to forget the memories they have in 2009.”

Paul Zimmerman pitched in two games for New Orleans during the 1971 championship run. He threw a seven-hitter in a 10-2 win over Zanesville and was part of the championship win over Detroit.

Paul’s son, Joe, pitches and plays infield for the Boosters.

“It means an awful lot,” Paul Zimmerman said of his son maintaining the tradition. “The people of Johnstown do it great year after year. It’s such a traditional tournament that we wouldn’t miss it. I have a bit of pride in the fact that my son was able to participate the last three years.”



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Slow starters: While most managers would prefer to get off to a strong start in the AAABA Tournament, recent history shows it’s not a prerequisite to success.

In winning the previous six championships, Baltimore never did. In fact, the Youse’s Maryland Orioles teams managed by Dean Albany lost on the first or second day of the tournament five times.

New Orleans, which will play either Brooklyn or New Brunswick for the title today, lost to New Brunswick in Monday’s opening game. Since then the Boosters have reeled off five consecutive victories.

“After we lost that first game, we really sat down and had a good heart-to-heart with everybody,” New Orleans manager Bill Babin said. “That’s what we said our goal was, to get back to the championship game. Now we’re here, and hopefully we’ll be fortunate enough to take that next step.”