Published: August 21, 2008 12:16 am            

Another franchise changes sponsors

The AAABA League will add a new team next season, and one of the existing franchises has landed a new sponsor.

“We’re going to have seven teams,” AAABA League Coordinator Dr. Robert Hartnett said Wednesday. “We’re still open to one more but they would have to come forward before the first of the year.”

Roxberry Creamery will be the new team. Sponsor Dave Gehlman said Chuck Erickson will be his manager.

“I’m right in their backyard. My business sits right there,” said Gehlman, whose ice cream specialty shop is next to Roxbury Park, within view of the AAABA League field there. “Plus, I’ve tried to help people all of my life. This is a great opportunity for the kids. My business is oriented around the kids. This is a great opportunity for myself to give back to the community. I found myself a good team manager and this was the time to do it.”

Gehlman said the Creamery will hold open tryouts on Sept. 13 (1 p.m.) at Roxbury.

“I’m very happy to add a team,” said Hartnett, who oversaw a six-team league this summer. “I’d love to see an eighth team come in. The more kids that get to play, that’s what it’s all about. Secondly, there is a lot of untapped talent out there.”

The 2008 regular-season runner-up Renegades will be under new sponsorship.

Dr. Richard Kastelic & Associates will sponsor the Berkley Hills Renegades.

“For the second year in a row our sponsor opted not to continue with the sponsorship,” said Roland Black, who managed the team known as GMI Renegades this past season. “He was traveling a lot and getting a lot of jobs out of town. He didn’t have the time for it. He really helped us and enabled us to function at this level all year.”

In 2007, the Renegades lost their sponsor during the preseason. ACRP took over the Renegades sponsorship that year. Black believes the team will have consistency now.

“We appreciate that Dr. Kastelic offered to take it over,” Black said. “He’s excited. He’s a huge baseball fan. He’s not only doing it for the Renegades but also for the AAABA League in Johnstown. We really wanted to get a Johnstown-based sponsor. He saved the day. He committed to a long-term sponsorship, which is huge. He wants to keep it going for a long time and that’s great.”

        

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