Several awards were given out at the Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association.
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association earlier this month honored five people during its meeting at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Receiving the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award were Fred Dobisch and Joey Crawford.
Dobisch played baseball and basketball in the 1950s at Frankford High School and Temple University. He presented a dozen roses and a kiss to Joan, his wife of 62 years, at the Valentine’s Day luncheon.
Crawford was an NBA referee from 1977 to 2016, officiating 50 games in the finals.
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 Leo Carlin, who worked for the Eagles from 1960 to 2015. Carlin handled the ticket office for the Eagles when they played at Franklin Field, Veterans Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won the NFL championship in his first year on the job. He also oversaw ticket sales for the USFL champion Philadelphia Stars and the 1980 Winter Olympics. He is a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame. A graduate of the old St. Stephen Grammar School at Broad and Butler streets and St. Joseph’s Prep, he is also a member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Hall of Fame.
The Frank F. Russo Humanitarian Award went to Regina McGuckin for helping those in need move from dependency to self-sufficiency.
Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player, was honored for not missing a meeting in the 13-year history of the Oldtimers.
Among those attending the luncheon were 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; and former Phillies outfielder Doug Clemens.
The Oldtimers group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet four times a year at Randi’s. 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 ••
