Timeless talents: The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association honored Frank Corkery (left), 84, and Joe Regan (right), 76, with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTO
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association last month honored two people with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award.
The honorees were:
• Joe Regan, 76, an Olney High School graduate who managed, owned and tended bar at Regan’s on the Boulevard for more than 57 years. Over the years, Regan sponsored and coached many softball, football and basketball teams. He’s been inducted into the Philadelphia Softball Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia All-Star Chapter of the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. On Labor Day weekend 2002, his team won the ASA/NASF Class B Modified national fast-pitch softball championship, the first Pennsylvania team to do so.
• Frank Corkery, 84, a North Catholic graduate who played and coached football, basketball, baseball and fast-pitch softball. He was introduced by Larry Conti, a North Catholic graduate and former teacher at the school who also coached college baseball and basketball. Corkery, who turns 85 next month, still referees basketball games.
In addition, certificates were given to the families of Jim Davidson, John Press and Charles Miller, all of whom passed away recently.
The Oldtimers group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet four times a year at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
The William “Pickles” Kennedy Award is named in memory of a former star basketball player at Abraham Lincoln High School and Temple University. Kennedy spent a year with the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, then played minor league baseball for several years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Among those attending the May 13 luncheon were Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player; Doug Clemens, a former Phillies outfielder; Joe Scarpati, a former pro football player best known as the holder for Tom Dempsey’s then-NFL-record 63-yard field goal in 1970; Skip Wilson, the retired longtime baseball coach at Temple; Sean Landeta, who punted for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Stars; and Liz Ennis, widow of Del Ennis, who grew up on Godfrey Avenue in Crescentville and went on to play Major League Baseball and be named Rookie of the Year and to three all-star teams as an outfielder for the Phillies, Cardinals, Reds and White Sox from 1946–59.
Landeta, who also punted for the New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, expressed confidence in Eagles coach Chip Kelly in response to a question about the team losing some stars in the off-season.
“Chip wants to win badly, and hopefully, they will,” he said.
Landeta said he is rooting for newly signed Eagles quarterback Tim Tebow.
“I hope the young man finds a spot,” he said.
Landeta also applauded the NFL’s four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his alleged role in a scheme to deflate game-day footballs. The Patriots were also fined $1 million and will lose their 2016 first-round draft choice.
“I think they got the ruling right,” Landeta said.
The remaining 2015 Oldtimers luncheons will be at noon on the following Wednesdays: Aug. 12 and Nov. 11. Lunch costs $11.
For in-form-a-tion on the group, call Chuck Newns (215–612–0476), Ron Fritz (215–491–9380), Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or vis-it www.batsandballs.org ••
