Farmingdale’s Over the Hill Gang (OTHG) softball league began its 40th year of play with a full slate of games on Friday, April 17. For the past four decades, OTHG players have relived their youth for a few hours every Friday Allen Park while raising ten of thousands of dollars for local charities.
Opening night was very good to the team with a new sponsor, Legends on Broadway. Legends remained steady throughout the game scoring at least three runs in every inning winning 29-6 in a run-rule shortened 7 innings against Changing Times Pub. Steve Fanelli who went 5 for 5 with a HR and 5 RBIs, John Compitello, who was 3 for 5 and 5 RBIs and making his debut in the OTHG, Josh Malone going 2 for 3 and 3 RBIs. Multi-hit games from almost every player created a nice start for Legends on Broadway for the 2015 season.
Bar-Boy opened the season with an impressive 13-10 win over against Sal’s Place. BB set the pace in the 1st inning with 5 runs and also plated another big 5 runs in the 8th. Ken Kuzma went 2 for 2 with 4 Grand-Slam, Frank Badalamenti went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Jayson Cinnelli went 2 for 4 including 1 HR and 3RBIs, Lino Raspanti went 3 for 4, John Czarnecki went 1 for 4 1 RBI, Darrin Simons went 1 for 3, Joe Badalamenti went 2 for 4, and Ken Kohlmann and Tom Gemma both went 2 for 3, Mike Frain went 1 for 3. Bar-Boy welcomes Giuseppe (JOE) Badalamenti to the team and looks forward to having him around for many years to come.
The final game on the 90-foot diamond was very emotional for both teams. Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology recently lost beloved teammate Richie D’Amico. Richie’s sudden death is an excruciating blow to the Farmingdale community where he lived his entire life. Before the game, dozens of players from all teams gathered across the infield to pay tribute to a great man. He will be remembered for many things, but especially for his love of life. Richie’s post game cigar and weekly rundown of the best area restaurants will be etched in their memories forever. The game was secondary, but featured two pitchers who loved Richie dearly, his brother-in-law Bobby Schubert and long-time friend Jack Brosnan. Special thanks to the D’Amico family and their friends for coming down to watch. Thanks also to the ZP alumni who came down and to all the guys on McCourt & Trudden for their compassion and comforting words during a very tough night. ZP will play the 2015 season in memory of Richie.
