Published: July 23, 2009 11:55 pm      

Mike Mastovich | Principle’s ‘old-school’ manager adapts

Tony Joseph’s AAABA roots extend back more than 50 years, so one might think the Principle Development manager is too “seasoned” to learn new ways.

Not so.

At least not from Joseph’s perspective.

A player on the locally legendary Johnstown Hahn Packing team that finished second to Washington in the 1956 AAABA Tournament, Joseph was competing in what then was known as the Johnstown Junior League decades before any of his current players were born. He managed in the league at various tenures since the 1960s.

Joseph might be called “old-school” and some of his sayings and mannerisms might seem out of place to a younger generation more accustomed to watching major leaguers making one-handed catches, unveiling outrageous home-run trots or charging the mound in retaliation for being hit by a pitch.

But it was Joseph’s willingness to adapt that might have saved Principle’s season.

His team clinched third place with a 7-1 win over Roxberry Creamery on Wednesday at the Point.

Principle closed on a 14-4 run to finish 22-17. Not bad considering Principle Development was 8-13 on June 24 and had been on the wrong side of several blowout losses.

“I was really honest with them,” Joseph said. “We sat down and I said, ‘Guys, we have a communications problem here. I’m old enough to be your grandfathers. I’m old enough to be all the coaches’ fathers.’ I said, ‘I can’t change 20 players, so I guess at 71 I’m going to have to change a little bit.’ They picked up on that and have been playing good ever since.”

The Berkley Hills Renegades also finished strong, going 13-6 down the stretch after opening 7-13. Overall, the Renegades finished 20-19 and in fourth place.

Principle and the Renegades completed their seasons in

39 games because their make-up game from Monday night’s rainout was canceled due to the fact it had no bearing on the standings.

•••

Marley and T-shirts: City of Johnstown Recreation Director Cliff Kitner said today’s playoff games will include a “Kids Day” theme.

As has been the case throughout the season, kids pay no admission for the games.

Additionally, “Marley” the mascot of the Johnstown Jets Junior A hockey team will be present to toss T-shirts to fans and interact with the kids in between games.

Kids also will have an opportunity to run the bases on the field and meet AAABA League players, Kitner said.

“Kids will be able to come out on the field and get to meet and greet players and they can get autographs,” Kitner said. “The mascot will be there both games and hang out with the kids.”

Ticket prices for the playoffs are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, an increase of $1.

•••

Alumni showing: Former Delweld slugger Casey Long is on a short list of local players to appear in four AAABA Tournaments. But once Long’s career in the league ended six years ago, the Greater Johnstown/

Pitt-Johnstown product didn’t quit playing.

Long recently earned the Rinaldo Lovisa Award as the top home run-hitter in the Indiana County League, an unlimited age loop. Long won for the fourth straight year as his Creekside team claimed the ICL regular-season title for a fourth straight time.

Among the other former AAABA League or Johnstown Junior League players Long listed on the Creekside roster are Rick Roberts (Forest Hills High, Principle Development); Adam Fairman (Marion Center/Galliker’s); Matt Minor (Forest Hills/NORAC); Jake Oswalt (Forest Hills/Martella’s); Durrel Hutzell-Ellis (Johns-

town/Delweld); Brandon Varmecky (Johnstown

/Delweld); Tim Freshour (Richland/Delweld) and Joe Vitko (Central Cambria/Pepsi-Cola). Eddie Sotorokis (Bedford High) also is on the team.

•••

Big Ben: Conemaugh Township/UPJ graduate Ben Watkins is out to a strong start with the Class A Staten Island Yankees in the New York-Penn League. The former Martella’s/Johnstown Grays pitcher is 2-0 with a

2.04 ERA in 172/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 10 games, all in relief.

Watkins was drafted in the 40th round after completing his senior season at UPJ. Like Long, he played in four AAABA Tournaments.



Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.