MARTELLA'S PHARMACY

August 1, 2000 The 2000 season will be looked back on as a springboard to the future for the Johnstown Grays. Despite a slow start, the Grays were part of one of the best playoff races in league history. The Grays started off the season by beating Harbrack twice. Then, Galliker's swept the Grays, leaving the Grays' record at 2-3. The Grays took four of their next five games before dropping two to Seward VFW to leave them at 6-6. After knocking off the Galleria twice, the Grays split games with Delweld, Harbrack, and Assure to put their record at 11-9. According to Grays' manager Chris Pfeil, "We knew at that point we were at the crossroads of our season. We knew we would have to start playing more consistantly to make a run at the playoffs." The Grays started their post season run with a come from behind, 3-2, win over Galliker's. After knocking off the Galleria, the Grays pulled off two dramatic wins over Wise Trailer Sales to push their record to 15-9. The Grays swept a two game set with Assure and knocked off Delweld to put their record at 18-9. Pfeil said, "Our guys put it all on the line. We played solid baseball and got a few breaks, and the next thing you know we were in control of our own playoff destiny." However, the Grays collapsed the last week of the season. The Grays lost six of seven to fall just short of the playoffs. Pfeil commented, " I think it was a combination of things. We were on such an emotional roller coaster ride and when things started going bad, they went real bad. The schedule down the stretch was not to our advantage. We played eight games against the playoff teams in six days. We just ran out of gas." The Grays finished their second season with a record of 20-15. Pfeil added, "I'm proud of our guys. We're all disappointed we missed the playoffs. All we wanted was a chance to control our own destiny at the end and we got it. We just came up a little short. We really closed the gap this season and proved we are going to be a title contender in this league for a long time." The Grays will lose four players from their 2000 squad. Greg Holtz, John Bradley, Matt Hull, and Donnie Miller all were 20 years old. Pfeil noted, "They will all be missed. They've done so much for this franchise and I want to thank them for having the faith in us when we were just getting started. They played major roles in laying the foundation for the future. I just wish they would have gotten a chance to reap some of the rewards." The Grays will now look ahead to the 2001 season. "There's no time off. The recruiting war is just beginning. We have a great group returning and if we can sign a few key players we expect to be there at the end next year," Pfeil said.

May 15, 2000 The Johnstown Grays return 13 players from last year's team. The Grays finished in fifth place with a record of 12-18 during thier inaugural season under manager Chris Pfeil. According to Pfeil, "We gained some valuable experience last year. Hopefully our guys will take that experience and build off of it for this season." The Grays open the 2000 season with a three game series against Harbrack State. They will open up on May 23 at 6:00 p.m. at UPJ. Pfeil commented, "We are hoping to get off to a quick start and build off it the entire season. The league is solid from top to bottom, so we have to be prepared every night. The Grays will call on Greg Holtz, 20, and Jason Wos, 19, at first base. Holtz has had a solid AAABA League career and brings experience to the lineup. He will also be used in the designated hitter role and on the mound in relief. Wos adds an offensive spark and speed to the team. He played last year in the American Legion for Conemaugh Valley. Wos also can play the outfield and catch. Matt Hull (SS) and Matt Perry (2B) return to anchor the middle infield. Hull, 20, returns as the leading run scorer (18) and was second on the team with 13 RBI. Perry, 19, hit .304 last year and had a .944 fielding average. Both are sound defensive players and are a solid double play combination. Kerry Pfeil, 19, and Steve Siembak, 18, both return as valuable utility men for the Grays. Pfeil can play all nine positions and will allow flexibility in the lineup. Siembak is a big bat and can play third base and will see time in the outfield. Both will me major contributors on the pitching staff. Matt Eppley, 18, will handle the hot corner for the Grays in 2000. Eppley is explosive at the plate and will be counted on to spark the offense. He also has experience in the outfield. Drew Waligora, 17, will add depth at third base. Waligora provides power from the left side of the plate and will also see time at designated hitter and on the mound in his rookie season. The Grays return both of their catchers from last year. Pete Vuckovich, 19, is a solid defensive player and controls the pitching staff of the Grays. He will be called on to drive in runs at the plate. Tim Regan, 18, had a solid rookie year last season. Regan is developing into a solid catcher and has good strength at the plate. The outfield will be anchored by Ryan Unger in centerfield. Unger, 18, has great speed and controls the outfield well. He came on to provide a late season spark last year and hit .302 with 12 RBI for the season. John Bradley, 20, will make the move from third base to the outfield. Bradley led the team with 14 RBI last season. He is a big threat at the plate and has tremendous speed. He will also see time as a designated hitter and is a starting pitcher. Liren Hardison, 19, comes to the Grays from Conemaugh Valley American Legion. Hardison has a rifle from the outfield and has good speed. He will also be used out of the bullpen. Jarod Latch, 19, returns for his third AAABA season. Latch hit over .300 last year for the Grays. He is a solid contact hitter and is sound defensively. Dave Holtz, 18, will also by battling for time in the outfield. Holtz is a solid left handed stick and will be a huge contributor on the mound. Tyler Maluchnik, 17, is a tough out from the left side. Maluchnik will provide speed off of the bench and will be counted on to contribute in his rookie season. He will also see time out of the bullpen. The Grays will call on Jason Merriman, 19, to throw opening day. Merriman is a hard thrower, who was 8-0 for Conemaugh Valley Legion last year. He has a good arsenal of breaking pitches that keeps hitters guessing at the plate. Donnie Miller, 20, played the last two seasons for Sani-Dairy. Miller will throw the second game of the season. Miller keeps hitters off balance and brings playoff experience to the staff. Jabbar Brown, 17, will also be in the starting rotation. Brown was named Honarable Mention All-State last year as a sophomore for Bishop McCort and is considered one of the best pitchers in the area. According to Grays' manager Chris Pfeil, "I'm really excited about this group of guys. I feel we have good team chemistry and are focused on our goal of reaching the playoffs." Pfeil added, "The strength of this team is definately the speed. We should be able to keep opposing defenses off balance with the amount of speed we have. Defensively, we feel we are going to be able to cover a lot of ground and take pressure off of our pitchers." The Grays also will rely on their depth. Pfeil said, "From top to bottom we have guys that can play the game. Each player knows their role and as long as they contribute when we call on them, we will win our share of games." Pfeil will be assisted by Brian Gennett, Pat Hollern, and Chris Zakraysek. Larry Pfeil is the General Manager of the Grays. The Johnstown Grays are sponsored by Denny Altimore and Dr. Thomas and Debbie Cardellino.

2001 FINAL STANDINGS 32- 3 x-Galliker's 23-11 x-Delweld 19-16 x-Johnstown Grays 17-18 x-Assure Home Equity 10-24 Harbrack State 3-32 Galleria x-clinched playoff berth

July 28, 2001 The Johnstown AAABA League has announced the award winners for the 2001 Season. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Greg Visnick, Galliker's Other Nominees: Anthony Ragliani (Delweld), Ryan Unger (Johnstown Grays), Eric Macha (Assure), Chris Minarcin (Harbrack), Scott Goss (Galleria) MOST VALUABLE PITCHER: Anthony Zambotti, Galliker's Other Nominees: Bobby Saddler (Galliker's), Kane Stein (Galliker's), Matt Bonin (Galliker's), Dave Sube (Delweld), Randy Dicken (Delweld), Marc Rager (Delweld), Kip Watkins (Johnstown Grays), Jason Merriman (Johnstown Grays), Mike Polinsky (Assure), Chris Minarcin (Harbrack) ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Anthony Raglani, Delweld Other Nominees: Matt Maropis (Delweld), Tyler Wise (Delweld), Adam Miscik (Johnstown Grays), Jeremy Shaffer (Johnstown Grays), Scott Goss (Galleria) ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Mike Cardamone, Johnstown Grays Other Nominees: Aaron Lantzy (Delweld), Sam McCarthy (Delweld), Brandon Shipley (Galleria) 2001 FIRST TEAM ALL AAABA LEAGUE Catcher-Bobby Ritter, Galliker's Catcher-Tanner Kamalsky, Delweld First Base-Brendan Porter, Galliker's Second Base-Matt Perry, Johnstown Grays Shortstop-Ryan Miscik, Johnstown Grays Third Base-Casey Long, Delweld Outfield-Ryan Unger, Johnstown Grays Outfield-Adam Fairman, Galliker's Outfield-Josh Rearick, Delweld Designated Hitter-Steve Siembak, Johnstown Grays Utility Player-Rick Baxter, Galliker's Starting Pitcher-Bobby Saddler, Galliker's Starting Pitcher-Kane Stein, Galliker's Starting Pitcher-Kip Watkins, Johnstown Grays Starting Pitcher-Randy Dicken, Delweld Starting Pitcher-Dave Sube, Delweld Starting Pitcher-Mike Polinsky, Assure Relief Pitcher-Aaron Lantzy, Delweld

The All-American Amateur Baseball Association was established in 1944 and has become one of the most respected amateur baseball organizations in the nation. The national tournament, held each August, is considered to be the World Series of amateur baseball in America. The National AAABA Tournament is sponsored by the Johnstown Oldtimers Baseball Association. The national tournament has been held in Johnstown 72 of the 74 years. In 1946, the tournament was held in Washington, D.C. and the 1977 Johnstown Flood forced the tournament that year to be played in Altoona, PA. The national tournament draws college and professional scouts from all over the nation. In the past 73 years, over 400 players who have played in the AAABA Tournament have reached the Major Leagues. Countless others have made it to the minor leagues. Teams from around the nation battle through league play and regional tournaments to qualify for the 16-team national championship tournament held each August in Johnstown. The Baltimore franchise has won the national championship 29 times. New Orleans is second with 15 titles. Washington, D.C. (10), Detroit (7), and Brooklyn (4) round out the top five. Johnstown has won the tournament one time, when Martella's Pharmacy claimed the title in 2018. The league champion of the Johnstown Collegiate League serves as the host team for the national tournament and receives an automatic berth each year. The City of Johnstown has long supported the AAABA Tournament. The Johnstown franchise plays their games in front of crowds that exceed 8,000 fans that fill the Point Stadium to cheer on the local representative. The Johnstown AAABA League is comprised of four teams that play a 27-game regular season. The top four teams qualify for the league playoffs. The first place team plays the fourth place team and the second place team plays the third place team in a Best-of-Five Semifinal Series. The semifinal winners meet in a Best-of-5 Championship Series for the right to represent Johnstown in the national tournament.