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History of Colonie Little League Charles Thum got three hits and Joe DiGiulia got two to lead Rutland Lumber past Tim’s Trotters, 6-5 in the first Colonie Little League game on June 4, 1955. The game was played at Exchange Park just off of Wolf Road where DeNooyer Chevrolet is currently located, on land owned by the Bergbold family. In the second game of the day, Tom Burns pitched a one-hitter to lead Tobin Packing to a 5-0 victory over Greenhouse. Tobin went on to win the league championship that first year with a 12-6 record. Rutland Lumber and Greenhouse tied for second with 11-7 records. Tim’s Trotters finished last with a 2-16 record. Players on Tobin’s championship team included Ronnie Beecher, John Hotaling, Bernard Scranton, Frank Myers, Tim Dennis, Henry Denis, Bobby Foggo, Dick Johnson, Gerald Bylsma, Larry Tull, Art Waugh, Wally Burns and Bill Giering. Richard Waugh managed the team and was assisted by coaches Erlane Carroll and William Stevens. Bob Gidley managed Rutland Lumber, Frank Maguire managed Greenhouse and Ed Coughtry managed Tim’s Trotters. Colonie Little League applied for and received its first charter from Little League Baseball Incorporated on May 23, 1955. Albert Foreman was the first President of the league. Other officers included Jack Weininger, Vice President; Rudolph Gross, Secretary; and Joseph Smith, Treasure. In 1956 Tim’s Trotters won the league championship. This time it took a play-off game win over Tobin’s to determine the champion. Stan Ravish pitched a two-hitter for Tim’s in the play-off game. Joe Pappa hit a home run for the winners. Tim’s finished with a 12-7 record. In 1960 Redwood Lanes replaced Rutland Lumber as a major team sponsor. Colonie won its first District 13 12-year old all star title that year and became the first District 13 team to participate in the New York State Little League Tournament. Players on the 1960 12-year old all star team included Jay Hinds, Mike Hart, Marty Sebast, Paul Aussicker, Lenny Boni, Dave Paul, Gary Reynolds, Vince Stitzer, John Gulliver, Steve Kretzer, Jerry Anson, Steve Prue, Lee McGrath, Jim MacDonald and Bob Doyle. The team was managed by Jack Hinds along with Coach Dan Ryan. In 1961 the league expanded to six Major division teams with the addition of Colonie Elks and Dewey’s Diner as sponsors. Colonie Elks currently is a team sponsor and has sponsored a team in Colonie Little League for 50 straight years. Colonie won the District 13 12-year old all-star title for a second time in 1963. In 1967, under the direction of Fred McDonald, League President, Colonie moved to new facilities at Cook Park in the village of Colonie. The facility now includes five baseball diamonds, two concession stands, a batting cage and a pavilion. The fields and the facilities were built and are currently maintained by volunteers. The league expanded to 8 Major division teams in 1971. It currently has 6 Major teams. In 1972 through 1974 Colonie won three consecutive District Championships. The 1973 team went on to win the Sectional, State and Eastern Regional tournament and competed in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The players on that team included Mark Friss, Curtis Benedetto, Allan Haskell, Tim Coyne, Dave Jackson, Thomas Kenna, Gary Krueger, Anthony Kuchis, William Lovely, John Miller, Don Putnam, Bruce Roeser, Jim Flood, Vince Agneta and Dave Dixon. Bob Friss managed the team with assistance from coaches Don Roland and Tony Agneta. Colonie has won the District 13 12-year old all-star title 33 times. They have won the Section title 13 times and have won five State Championships (1973, 1980, 1987, 2004, and 2014). In 1973 Colonie won the East Region championship and competed in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 2014 the tournament format changed from a District tournament to a sub-sectional tournament. Districts 11, 12 and 13 competed in the Northern Division of the Sub-sectional. Colonie won the Division in 2014.
In 2015 the Colonie competed in the Southern Division which included District 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The State reverted back to 4 Sections in 2015, each divided into two Divisions. The winners of each Division advanced to the State Tournament In 1994 the New York State Little League began a Sectional and State tournament for the 9-10 year-old division. Colonie’s 9-10-year old all-star teams have competed in five State tournaments (1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2007) and won the state tournament in 1998, 2003 and 2007. Colonie has won the District 13 9-10 year-old tournament 26 times since 1972 and the Sectional championship five times since 1994. . In 1999 Colonie served as host for the New York State 9-10-year old Tournament. In 2004 New York State Little League began a Sectional and State Championship for the 10-11 year-olds. Colonie’s 11 year-old all-star team has won 8 District 13 championships, two Section championships and one State championship (2008) since 2004. Each year New York District 13 hosts a City-County Tournament. Regular season major division champs from each District 13 league compete in the tournament. Colonie has won the tournament 27 times since its inception in 1955. In 1997 Colonie began a “Fall Ball” league. This is primarily an instructional league that runs from early August through the beginning of October. Approximately 100 boys and girls participate in this program. In 2000, Colonie Little League expanded to 10 Major division teams. In addition to those previously mentioned, major division team sponsors over the years have included Crisafulli Builders, JT Garry, Devito’s Restaurant (now Truman’s Restaurant), Andy’s Hardware, Village Pharmacy (J & T Associates), The Schenectady Gazette (now The Daily Gazette), Burger King, Vellano Brothers, L-Kens Drive In, Colonie Mechanical Contractors, VFW, DC Pizza, Eastern Heating and Cooling, J M Schwarz and the 99 Restaurant. In 2004, the Major division was reduced to 9 teams and in 2005 the league went back to 8 Major division teams. In 2013 the Major Division was reduced to six teams. Also in 2004, Colonie Little League, in conjunction with New York District 13, began a Challenger Division. This Division is intended to provide opportunities for physically and mentally disabled kids to participate in Little League Baseball. Approximately 40 kids participated in the Challenger Division each year. A Board of Directors that includes approximately 80 volunteers runs the League. A League Parent Auxiliary operates the concession stands during the season and provides other support to the Board. Previous League Presidents and Parent Auxiliary Presidents have included: League Presidents Al Foreman (1955) Earl Rose (1956-1957) Fred McDonald (1958-1967) Ron Westfall (1968-1969) Joe Nagle (1970-1971) Jose Sampson (1972) Bob Ginnelly (1973 and 1975) Joe Therien (1974) Jack Walsh (1976-1977) Bob Caulford (1978-1982) Mike Margiotta (1982-1986) Frank Porcaro (1987-1988) Dennis Mihalski (1989-1990) Tom Mahoney (1991-1997) Chuck VanderVolgen (1998) Joe Pavone (1999-2006)
Parent Auxiliary Presidents Mrs. Nelson Wasserman (1955) Mrs. James Miner (1955) Mrs. Robert Gidley (1955) Lea Forenzo (1956-1959) Marge Whipple (1960-1962) Rose Petrecky (1963-1964) Ann Kuhn (1965) Angela McCauley (1966-1967) Nancy Krueger (1968) Joyce Rosenberg (1969) Ann Westfall (1970) Delores Greth (1971) Mina Roland (1972-1974) Joan Baker (1975-1976 and 1979-1981) Bev Roscoe (1977-1978) Linda Murphy (1982-1983)
Ed Pfaff (2007-2009 ) Frank Prevratil (2010- 2012) Jeff Coyle (2013 – 2015) William Newcomb (2016-Present)
Ann Lemerise (1983) Judi Forst (1985-1988) Mary Vennard (1989-1993) Michele Bashaw (1993-1995) Beth Allen (1996) Linda Kennedy (1996-1998) Lori White (1999) Michelle LeMorta (1999-2000) Pam Zovistoski (2001-2002) Deb Marchesini (2003) Kathy Wadsworth (2004-2005) Trish Westfall (2006) Valerie Morales (2007 ) Nancy Anderson (2008- 2009) Patti Kane (2010-2012) LoriAnn Kortarski (2013-Present
The league currently consists of approximately 400 baseball players on approximately 40 teams competing in Challenger, T-Ball, Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Intermediates and Majors. Additionally, approximately 10 teams compete each year in the fall ball program.
District 13 Champions 1958-2008 12-Year Old
11-Year Old
10-Year Old
City/County
District 13*
District 13*
District 13*
Year
District 13*
2015
Colonie
Colonie
Guilderland
Colonie
2014
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2013
Colonie
Colonie
Tri Village
Pine Bush National
2012
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush National
2011
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2010
Pine Bush National
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2009
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Colonie
2008
Tri Village National
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2007
Tri Village
Tri Village
Colonie
Pine Bush American
2006
Pine Bush National
Colonie
Tri Village
Pine Bush American
2005
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush National
2004
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush American
2003
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2002
Tri Village
Colonie
Pine Bush National
2001
Colonie
Pine Bush National
Colonie
2000
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Hudson Valley
1999
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1998
West Albany
Colonie
Pine Bush National
1997
Colonie
Tri Village
Colonie
1996
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Colonie
1995
Colonie
West Albany
Colonie
1994
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1993
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1992
Tri-Village
Colonie
Colonie
1991
Colonie
1990
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1989
Colonie
Colonie
Westland Hills
1988
Colonie
Colonie
Whitehall
1987
Colonie
National
Tri Village
1986
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1985
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1984
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1983
Colonie
Colonie
St Francis de Sales
1982
Albany National
Colonie
Colonie
1981
Whitehall
Colonie
Colonie
1980
Colonie
Whitehall
National
1979
Colonie
Colonie
Westland Hills
1978
Albany National
Colonie
Whitehall
1977
Colonie
1976
Whitehall
Whitehall
Colonie
1975
Whitehall
Colonie
Westland Hills
1974
Colonie
1973
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1972
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1971
Whitehall
National
1970
Albany National
Whitehall
1969
Albany American
Colonie
1968
Whitehall
Colonie
1967
Albany National
Hudson Valley
1966
Albany National
National
1965
Arbor Hill
Whitehall
1964
Albany National
Arbor Hill
1963
Colonie
Whitehall
Colonie
Colonie
Whitehall
1962
Westland Hills
National
1961
Westland Hills
National
1960
Colonie
National
1959
Whitehall
Westland Hills
Hudson Valley Hudson Valley 1957 (District 3) 1958
1956
National National
Whitehall (District 3)
Whitehall
Blue-East Region Champion Red-Section 2 Champion Green-NY State Champion In 2014 D-13, D-12 and D-11 combined for a single District Champion In 2015 D123 and D14 copmbined for a single District Champion
In 2015 the Colonie competed in the Southern Division which included District 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The State reverted back to 4 Sections in 2015, each divided into two Divisions. The winners of each Division advanced to the State Tournament In 1994 the New York State Little League began a Sectional and State tournament for the 9-10 year-old division. Colonie’s 9-10-year old all-star teams have competed in five State tournaments (1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2007) and won the state tournament in 1998, 2003 and 2007. Colonie has won the District 13 9-10 year-old tournament 26 times since 1972 and the Sectional championship five times since 1994. . In 1999 Colonie served as host for the New York State 9-10-year old Tournament. In 2004 New York State Little League began a Sectional and State Championship for the 10-11 year-olds. Colonie’s 11 year-old all-star team has won 8 District 13 championships, two Section championships and one State championship (2008) since 2004. Each year New York District 13 hosts a City-County Tournament. Regular season major division champs from each District 13 league compete in the tournament. Colonie has won the tournament 27 times since its inception in 1955. In 1997 Colonie began a “Fall Ball” league. This is primarily an instructional league that runs from early August through the beginning of October. Approximately 100 boys and girls participate in this program. In 2000, Colonie Little League expanded to 10 Major division teams. In addition to those previously mentioned, major division team sponsors over the years have included Crisafulli Builders, JT Garry, Devito’s Restaurant (now Truman’s Restaurant), Andy’s Hardware, Village Pharmacy (J & T Associates), The Schenectady Gazette (now The Daily Gazette), Burger King, Vellano Brothers, L-Kens Drive In, Colonie Mechanical Contractors, VFW, DC Pizza, Eastern Heating and Cooling, J M Schwarz and the 99 Restaurant. In 2004, the Major division was reduced to 9 teams and in 2005 the league went back to 8 Major division teams. In 2013 the Major Division was reduced to six teams. Also in 2004, Colonie Little League, in conjunction with New York District 13, began a Challenger Division. This Division is intended to provide opportunities for physically and mentally disabled kids to participate in Little League Baseball. Approximately 40 kids participated in the Challenger Division each year. A Board of Directors that includes approximately 80 volunteers runs the League. A League Parent Auxiliary operates the concession stands during the season and provides other support to the Board. Previous League Presidents and Parent Auxiliary Presidents have included: League Presidents Al Foreman (1955) Earl Rose (1956-1957) Fred McDonald (1958-1967) Ron Westfall (1968-1969) Joe Nagle (1970-1971) Jose Sampson (1972) Bob Ginnelly (1973 and 1975) Joe Therien (1974) Jack Walsh (1976-1977) Bob Caulford (1978-1982) Mike Margiotta (1982-1986) Frank Porcaro (1987-1988) Dennis Mihalski (1989-1990) Tom Mahoney (1991-1997) Chuck VanderVolgen (1998) Joe Pavone (1999-2006)
Parent Auxiliary Presidents Mrs. Nelson Wasserman (1955) Mrs. James Miner (1955) Mrs. Robert Gidley (1955) Lea Forenzo (1956-1959) Marge Whipple (1960-1962) Rose Petrecky (1963-1964) Ann Kuhn (1965) Angela McCauley (1966-1967) Nancy Krueger (1968) Joyce Rosenberg (1969) Ann Westfall (1970) Delores Greth (1971) Mina Roland (1972-1974) Joan Baker (1975-1976 and 1979-1981) Bev Roscoe (1977-1978) Linda Murphy (1982-1983)
Ed Pfaff (2007-2009 ) Frank Prevratil (2010- 2012) Jeff Coyle (2013 – 2015) William Newcomb (2016-Present)
Ann Lemerise (1983) Judi Forst (1985-1988) Mary Vennard (1989-1993) Michele Bashaw (1993-1995) Beth Allen (1996) Linda Kennedy (1996-1998) Lori White (1999) Michelle LeMorta (1999-2000) Pam Zovistoski (2001-2002) Deb Marchesini (2003) Kathy Wadsworth (2004-2005) Trish Westfall (2006) Valerie Morales (2007 ) Nancy Anderson (2008- 2009) Patti Kane (2010-2012) LoriAnn Kortarski (2013-Present
The league currently consists of approximately 400 baseball players on approximately 40 teams competing in Challenger, T-Ball, Junior Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Intermediates and Majors. Additionally, approximately 10 teams compete each year in the fall ball program.
District 13 Champions 1958-2008 12-Year Old
11-Year Old
10-Year Old
City/County
District 13*
District 13*
District 13*
Year
District 13*
2015
Colonie
Colonie
Guilderland
Colonie
2014
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2013
Colonie
Colonie
Tri Village
Pine Bush National
2012
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush National
2011
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2010
Pine Bush National
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2009
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Colonie
2008
Tri Village National
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2007
Tri Village
Tri Village
Colonie
Pine Bush American
2006
Pine Bush National
Colonie
Tri Village
Pine Bush American
2005
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush National
2004
Colonie
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Pine Bush American
2003
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
2002
Tri Village
Colonie
Pine Bush National
2001
Colonie
Pine Bush National
Colonie
2000
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Hudson Valley
1999
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1998
West Albany
Colonie
Pine Bush National
1997
Colonie
Tri Village
Colonie
1996
Colonie
Pine Bush American
Colonie
1995
Colonie
West Albany
Colonie
1994
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1993
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1992
Tri-Village
Colonie
Colonie
1991
Colonie
1990
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1989
Colonie
Colonie
Westland Hills
1988
Colonie
Colonie
Whitehall
1987
Colonie
National
Tri Village
1986
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1985
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1984
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1983
Colonie
Colonie
St Francis de Sales
1982
Albany National
Colonie
Colonie
1981
Whitehall
Colonie
Colonie
1980
Colonie
Whitehall
National
1979
Colonie
Colonie
Westland Hills
1978
Albany National
Colonie
Whitehall
1977
Colonie
1976
Whitehall
Whitehall
Colonie
1975
Whitehall
Colonie
Westland Hills
1974
Colonie
1973
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1972
Colonie
Colonie
Colonie
1971
Whitehall
National
1970
Albany National
Whitehall
1969
Albany American
Colonie
1968
Whitehall
Colonie
1967
Albany National
Hudson Valley
1966
Albany National
National
1965
Arbor Hill
Whitehall
1964
Albany National
Arbor Hill
1963
Colonie
Whitehall
Colonie
Colonie
Whitehall
1962
Westland Hills
National
1961
Westland Hills
National
1960
Colonie
National
1959
Whitehall
Westland Hills
Hudson Valley Hudson Valley 1957 (District 3) 1958
1956
National National
Whitehall (District 3)
Whitehall
Blue-East Region Champion Red-Section 2 Champion Green-NY State Champion In 2014 D-13, D-12 and D-11 combined for a single District Champion In 2015 D123 and D14 copmbined for a single District Champion
