The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association last week honored five people during its meeting at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Joe Grusemeyer received the Frank F. Russo Humanitarian Award for being a benefactor of the Wistar Institute, a biomedical research center at 36th and Spruce streets. Grusemeyer once played semi-pro baseball.
The Charles “Chuck” Newns Recognition Award went to Rich Lipinski, a Frankford native who has played baseball and softball throughout his adult life. He is commissioner of a softball league for men in their 60s and 70s. Games are played on fields on Holme Avenue from April through September. Call Lipinski at 215–537–0363 to join the league.
Receiving the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award were former Eagles middle linebacker Bill Bergey; Chalie Sgrillo, a former professional lightweight boxer and referee and current Harrowgate Boxing Club owner/operator; and Eddie Coyle Jr., a polio sufferer who was on the crew and football teams at Monsignor Bonner High School and who became a national champion powerlifter and a decorated athlete in competitions for the disabled.
The Pickles Kennedy Award is named in memory of a former star basketball player at Abraham 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.
Among those attending the luncheon were former Eagles Vince Papale, Sean Landeta and Joe Scarpati 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. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 14, at noon.
For information on the group, call Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
