Cene Park to host 28 Class B teams across three flights

May 28, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

League’s 18-U season

set to open in Struthers

STRUTHERS

The Class B baseball season gets under way today with 10 teams in its 18-U division ready to kick-off play at Bob Cene Park.

The league’s 68th consecutive season includes 28 overall teams in its three overall classifications with 10 teams each forming the 18-U and 16-U division, and eight squads comprising its 14-U division.

The 16-U and 14-U divisions have already begun play.

“With 28 total teams, we’re as strong as we have ever been. We adopted the 14-U division four years ago and all three divisions have been very successful, not just locally and regionally but on the national stage and at World Series time as well,” league president Scott Ruark said. “It’s all about the kids having an opportunity to play baseball and that is what we are providing. Our three fields are in excellent shape and we’re anticipating a great summer of diamond competition.”

The 18-U circuit includes defending champion Astro Falcons, managed by Andy Timko, who has piloted teams to seven of the last 10 league crowns with four of the last five coming while at the helm of the Falcons.

He also managed the Class B all-star team that won the Palomino North regional and finished third at the World Series in Compton, Calif.

“The strength of our team this year is our pitching staff,” Timko said. “We only return three starters that were position players, but feel as though we’ve bolstered our lineup with some position players that can contribute immediately.”

Timko’s staff includes Ohio State commit Michael McDonough, Jared Burkert, who is headed to Oakland University, Vinny Lucente (Mercyhurst), Frank Fraschetti, Jared Kapturasky (Mercyhurst), and Rich Serignese (California, Pa.).

Kapturasky, who also plays outfield, multiple position player Noah Laster and infielder Matt Gibson are the three returning starters with Jack Anderson (Northwestern University), Crew Cohoes (Campbell University), Joe Gunn (Ball State), Tyler Cannon and Erick Taylor newcomers vying for time.

Creekside Fitness tied Astro Falcons for the regular season title (both went 23-4) last year and will be coached this season by Bubba Boughner, who moves up from their 16-U team.

Other teams and their managers include Avalanche (Don Zeisler), Baird Brothers (Cliff Phillips), Dura-Edge (Terry Dobson), Knightline Embroidery (Tom Otto), Roby Lee’s Restaurant (Jim Foster), Roth Brothers (Mike Cefalde), SBA Aces (Rob Walker) and South Side Recycling (Robbie Tamburro).

“We have a lot of players that hail from an eight-county area, which stretches from northeastern Ohio and into western Pennsylvania,” said Class B vice-president Ken Quinn. “All three leagues will be very competitive with plenty of parity so any team can win it all.”

The league has also committed to hosting eight tournaments, including the Triple Crown Tournament for 16-U and 14-U players from June 2-5, and the Bob Cene Memorial Tournament from June 23-26.

“We drew 24 teams a year ago for our Bob Cene tourney and are currently at 23 committed this year so we are right on track,” Quinn said. “Teams from Columbus, Cleveland, Michigan and Philadelphia are making the trek to our park in order to compete.”

Prior to the Bob Cene Memorial Tournament on June 22, the park is also hosting a Summer Invitational Baseball Showcase with Ed Santa, a Colorado Rockies scout.

Other tournaments scheduled for Bob Cene Park include both the NABF Sophomore and Junior regional (July 7-10), NABF Senior regional (July 14-17), NABF Senior World Series (July 21-14), Palomino 18-U Zone Tournament (July 28-30) with the winner advancing to Santa Clara, Calif., and Colt Zone 15-U (July 29-31).