Five headed for AAABA Hall of Fame

The AAABA Hall of Fame Class of 2001 includes two men who made an impact on the field and three major players in the tournament’s behind-the-scenes success and longevity. “I think we have five people that deserve to be in the Hall of Fame for what they’ve done and for their contributions to the AAABA Tournament,” said Jim McElroy of Brooklyn, a Hall of Fame committee member and past AAABA national committee president. “Each has contributed to the AAABA, there’s no question about it.”

The Class of 2001 will be honored on Aug. 4 during a banquet at Sunnehanna Country Club. U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, will be the featured speaker at the banquet.

Salem, 64, is an orthopaedic specialist from Southampton near Philadelphia. He played five seasons in the Johnstown Junior League (now named AAABA League) and in two AAABA Tournaments for the Westmont AC franchise that represented Johnstown.

In 1954, Salem batted a tournament-best .667 (8-for-12) in three games, a performance that still is tied for sixth all-time among the AAABA Tournament’s 56 batting champions. Salem is the only player from Johnstown to win the tournament batting crown. In his first tourney in 1953, Salem hit .380 with two homers.

Whitehurst, 37, was the 1984 AAABA Tournament Most Valuable Player on the national champion New Orleans team. The right-handed pitcher had one win and two saves in the tournament. Whitehurst pitched 19 2/3 innings and had a 1.83 ERA.

His endurance earned him respect and helped former manager Louis “Rags” Scheuer- mann’s NORD Boosters win the tournament championship by advancing through the loser’s bracket. Whitehurst beat powerhouse Baltimore in a complete game on Friday New Orleans had to win two games on Sunday, including a sec- ond meeting against Baltimore and a title contest against Maryland State, the only team to beat NORD.

Whitehurst tossed the final 3 2/3 innings for the save in a 9-7 victory over Baltimore in the morning, then threw three innings and recorded another save in an 8-3 win over Maryland State in the clincher.

Whitehurst played 10 major league seasons with the New York Mets (1989-92), San Diego Padres (1993-94) and New York Yankees (1996). His career record is 20-37 with three saves and a 4.02 ERA in 163 major league games. He currently is an assistant coach at the University of New Orleans, his alma mater.

Grenell, 57, has been a driving force the AAABA Tournament, serving as the Johnstown Oldtimers treasurer since 1981. Grenell’s marketing of the tournament brought AAABA local, regional and national acclaim. He worked at making the tournament an event with promotions such as the San Diego Chicken, Pittsburgh Pirates Parrot, skydivers, hot-air balloons, and some of the most dazzling fireworks displays Johnstown has seen. Grenell’s work as treasurer has enabled the tournament to thrive during difficult economic times.

Without a strong local representative, the AAABA Tournament would have difficulty surviving. Hartnett has served as the local AAABA League coordinator or commissioner for 21 seasons.

In 1966, Hartnett became sponsor of the former Hilltop Boys Club franchise in the Johnstown Junior League. Former city Mayor Herb Pfuhl appointed him as league commissioner in 1975. Hartnett was out of that post for several years before Pfuhl reappointed him in 1982. Hartnett served continuously from 1982 through 1995, then returned to the league as coordinator in 1998 after a two-year hiatus. He Is responsible for scheduling games, enforcing rules and overseeing operation of the league.

Past AAABA Tournament president Roger Tremaine of Westervifie, Ohio.

In 1977, Tremaine helped organize the Central Ohio Amateur Baseball Federation (COABF), which eventually joined the AAABA. Tremaine was named to the AAABA national committee and pushed for new franchise such as Chicago, Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus. He was appointed AAABA national committee president in 1992. Tremaine, 62, Incorporated a statistlcs program he developed into the AAABA Tournament and his computer skills recently brought the AAABA regional and national tournaments to the Internet.


Visit our advertisers.	(c) 2003 Michaels Computing Send Email To: webmaster@johnstownpa.com