The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association handed out four awards.
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association recently honored two people with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award and presented two special awards.
Receiving the Pickles Kennedy Award were Gertrude (Alderfer) Benner, a former all-around athlete who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and Bruce Fleming, a former basketball and soccer player who graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School before competing at Lafayette and Temple.
The Pickles Kennedy Award is named in memory of a former star basketball player at Lincoln and Temple. Kennedy spent a year with the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, then played minor league baseball for several years in the Pirates organization.
The Charles “Chuck” Newns Recognition Award went to the Marine Corps League All Divisions Detachment, which led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem. The group meets monthly at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.
The Frank F. Russo Humanitarian Award went to Team Randi’s for raising money for patient care and research of pancreatic cancer. Accepting the award were owners Randi and Jim D’Amico and hostess Jodi McIntyre.
Among those attending the luncheon were Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player; 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; Sean Landeta, who punted for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Stars; Jeff Manto, who played baseball at Temple and in the major leagues for the Phillies and seven other teams and was the hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox; Ken Dunek, who played basketball and football at Memphis State and was a tight end for the Eagles and the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars of the USFL; George Winslow, a former punter for La Salle High School, Wisconsin, Villanova, the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints whose son, Ryan, punts for the University of Pittsburgh; and Dick Richards, a star football and baseball player at West Chester who is best known as the original drummer for Bill Haley & His Comets, whose smash hit was Rock Around the Clock.
In his remarks, Landeta noted that the next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 14, at noon, and he hopes it serves as a celebration of the Eagles winning Super Bowl LII.
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. Lunch costs $11.
For information on the group, call Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
