NEAA Wraps up 2015 Season with an All Star Game

On Friday, June 26th the NEAA celebrated our annual All-star game.  The game was played in honor of the memory of long time NEAA Coach, Director and President Joseph “Coach Dom” Campochiaro.   The day started off with the 6 Minor League teams playing their final games. There were 3 games for ages 6 to 8 played. After each of the games the coaches for each team presented their players with medals for their accomplishments throughout the season.

     After the Minors games the celebration began with pizza, soft drinks and snacks for everyone who attended.  Pizza was provided at a reduced price from Phil Frattarolli of Ducali’s Pizzeria. Drinks and chips were donated by Star Market on Boylston Street near Fenway Park.  Snacks were donated by Mike Giannasoli and Rep Michlewitz.  The program was created and printed by the Post Gazette Newspaper.

     At 7pm a special ceremony to honor Coach Dom was held with his wife Marie, 2 sons – Domenic and Chris and Grandaughter Brianna. Ted Tomasone of the NEAA spoke on behalf of the Board and NEAA President Louie Cavagnaro.  Representative Michlewitz spoke highly of Dom and of our program and thanked all the coaches for their tireless efforts throughout the season.  Maddie Heath, a student at NEMPAC, sang the National Anthem. Brianna threw out the first pitch of the All-star game.

All Star Game sponsors were: Patrick and Lori McMahon, Robert DelloRusso, Sal Bartolo, Salon Mira Bella, Eric Howard, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Councilor Sal LaMattina, Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, Societa Di San Giuseppe, The Griffin Family: Tim, Becca and Kids, Kenny’s Lock, Greg Everett, Waterfront Café, Annette and Rocco Zagarella, Friends of the North End, Victor Passacantilli, Frank and Connie Iudiciani, Post Gazette Newspaper, Vincent and Denise Sablone, Amici Restaurant, Lynn Bova, Tim Head, Star Market, Ducali Pizzeria, Eric Marberblatt, Boston Harbor Cruises, Carl Ameno, Nolan Previte, Marie McBride and Bill Moscarelli.

A tremendous game was played by the East (Domenic) and West (Campochiaro) All-Stars. The East won the game 10 to 5.  A great end to a fabulous season.  There will be more NEAA baseball for this age group. The Mayors Cup Tournament and the Inner City League through July and part of August.

The NEAA Dodgers, consisting of 4 teams between the ages of 13 to 21 play in 3 separate leagues, RBI, Lou Tompkins and the Base, will also play through August. All in all the NEAA has over 225 children playing baseball this season.

     The T-Ball program run by Jim Carey, Sean Hennessey, Matt Ginsberg and Scott Whelan, held their Awards Ceremony and Family Wiffle Ball Game. There are over 60 children in the program. They will continue to play through July on Saturday mornings after taking a break on July 4th. This is tremendously popular program for 4 and 5 year olds.

At the conclusion of the All Star Game MVP awards were given out as follows:

East MVP: Peter Shea

East Runner-Up MVP: JP Anderson

West MVP: Charlie Griffin

West Runner-Up MVP: Colom Vraible

Defensive Player of the Game: Ryan Maziarka

Two sets of Red Sox tickets were raffled off for free to participating players paid by game sponsors.  Players on each team were also given a special All Star hat.

At the conclusion of the game, Commissioner Ralph Martignetti and the coaches gave out the team trophies to the players on the Cubs, Cardinals, Tigers and the 2015 NEAA Playoff Champion Indians.

Special Awards were also given out by Martignetti in the folowing categories:

League MVP: Joseph Bova – Cubs

Playoff MVP: Liam Riley – Indians

Pitcher of the Year: Charlie Griffin – Indians

Rookie of the Year: Sean Leetch – Tigers

Sportsman of the Year: JP Anderson – Cubs

Coach of the Year Luigi Natale – Tigers

Each team had one player chosen by their coach for the Uncle Fred Carangelo Award:

Cubs: William White

Indians: Michael Detemple

Cardinals: Steven Griffin

Tigers: Carlo Crocini

The season was a great success and the NEAA appreciates all the efforts of the players and the support of their parents.  The organization is especially grateful to all the volunteer coaches, assistants, instructors and the commissioner.  Special thanks to pre-season Instructor Chuck Bilikas who practices for a few weeks with all the players and coaches.

     Major team sponsors: St. Agrippina Feast Society, St. Anthony’s Feast Society, Regional Review Newspaper and Tomasone Club.  North End Against Drugs sponsored the entire Minor League program. Gary Pedi of Lavanderia and Mike’s Pastry made generous donations to help defray the cost of the uniforms.

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