Western Wayne hosts inaugural alumni baseball game

VARDEN — This past weekend, local baseball fans were treated to the first installment of what many hope will become an annual tradition.

Western Wayne varsity skipper John Boandl spent several months organizing the inaugural Wildcat Alumni Game, an event he envisioned would be equal parts fun, nostalgic and competitive.

“I came up with the idea as a fundraiser for the baseball program,” Coach Boandl said. “I thought it would be a great way to catch up with everybody. All the donations would go toward equipment, trips, warm-up gear and stuff like that.”

As it turned out, the idea was well-received right from the start. Players from as far back as the 1990s embraced the plan and signed up to participate.

Then, on an unusually warm April afternoon, they took the field before a large and enthusiastic crowd. Sadly, the rains came after just four innings, but everyone left feeling upbeat and entertained.

“We had a great turnout of both players and fans,” Coach Boandl said. “It was a lot of fun and we raised over $400 for the kids.”

Turn back the clock

Saturday’s game got underway at 1 p.m. on the Western Wayne High School diamond.

Fans lined the field in anticipation of an unique event, a ballgame featuring local legends up against today’s top players.

The “Old Guys” team was managed by Joe Romanowski.

A former longtime Wildcat baseball coach, Romanowski is currently the girls varsity softball skipper. His roster, which consisted of many players he once mentored, included: Waldemar Gonzalez Jr., Jeremy Palko, Drew Boandl, Justin Kromko, Jason Kromko, Greg Martin, Mark Bell, Kyle Rizzi, Paul Gregorski, JD Hunter, John Boandl, Lenny Wargo.

The “Young Guys” squad was overseen by Western Wayne senior standout Dustin Ferraro. His team consisted of: Zane Janiszewski, Matt Stone, Josh Harrison, Harry Harrison, Brandon Garnett, TImmy Smith, Mike McDonald, Ryan Gissinger, Nick Griffin, Tyler Bagnick.

It didn’t take long for the “Old Guys” to start giving the “Young Guys” a little bit of a baseball lesson. Thanks to key basehits from Greg Martin, Paul Gregorski and Jeremy Palko, the graybeards eventually powered their way to a 7-2 victory.

Perhaps fittingly, Boandl broke the game open with a booming double to the wall in right center. Two runners scampered home and essentially put things out of reach.

Crafty southpaw Kyle Rizzi drew the starting nod for Coach Romanowski’s squad and eventually earned the win. A 2000 Western Wayne graduate, Rizzi went on to pitch collegiately for Lackawanna, Edinboro and East Stroudsburg.

“It was an absolute blast!” Kyle exclaimed. “Being able to play with all my former teammates meant a lot. I think us older guys played better than the casual spectator and younger alumni expected.

“It's always fun to be able to get an inning or two in pitching when possible, even if recovery isn't what it used to be. I’m looking forward to being able to do it again next year.”

Palko was behind the plate, catching Rizzi along with Martin and Bell in relief. He is a 2004 graduate who went on to play for the Honesdale Ramblers in Collegiate Summer Baseball League action.

“It was nice catching up and sharing old stories from our playing days,” Jeremy said. “And, it was a lot of fun playing against a group of younger guys who didn't really know much about us.

“We showed them that we still got it. I caught all four innings and it was like riding a bike for the most part. Hopefully this continues to grow and become a new tradition.”

Past, present, future

Dustin Ferraro led the “Young Guys” contingent and genuinely enjoyed going up against some of the program’s legends.

A senior pitcher on this year’s varsity squad, Ferraro is a talented multi-sport standout who also excels in basketball and soccer.

“It was a very fun experience for us,” Dustin said. “And the older guys who participated it seemed like they had a lot of fun also, getting to be together again.”

Matt Stone and Zane Janiszewski played key roles. Stone toed the rubber as his team’s starting pitcher. Janiszewski came on in relief and also ignited the offense with a pair of base knocks.

In the end, though, experience triumphed over youth and a good time was had by all.

“I think the older guys put on a pretty good show,” Coach Boandl said. “That’s a pretty stacked roster. Great pitching and really good defense. They’ve still got it!”

For his part, Ferraro hopes that the tradition takes root.

“I would like to maybe even play in it myself against some of the guys,” Dustin said. “I think it would be really fun.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Western Wayne baseball team organizes first-ever alumni game