Cards hosting Day of Baseball in memory of Jarrett Costanzo
The 18-and-under (18U) Southern Tier Cardinals are hosting a Day of Baseball in memory of Jarrett Costanzo at George Murray field in Smethport on Saturday. Jarrett, the son of Angelo and Michelle Costanzo of Kane, was six when he passed in 2013.
The team that includes Jarrett's brother Jake and players from Mckean, Elk, and Potter Counties, will play a doubleheader with Pleasantville starting at 1:30 p.m. Following the action, players will compete in a home run derby.
In the past, Southern Tier, managed by Dick Ognen, hosted the Jbird Wood Bat Classic in honor of Jarrett. With the tourney not possible this year, the manager wanted to carry on the tradition, so he organized Saturday's event.
"Not being able to hold the tournament, we wanted to honor Jerrett's memory, so we decided to put the Day of Baseball together. It's something very special to us," Ognen said.
In a past interview, Michelle Costanzo talked about how the team's nickname – the Cardinals
- came about.
"The team is named for our Jarrett. His nickname is Jay Bird. He had blazing red hair, and a cardinal represents loved ones who have passed. They represent love and devotion, and it all seemed to fit."
The Cards defeated Pleasantville 4-2 to claim last year's Classic.
With the players ineligible due to age next year, Saturday's games will end an era for the Cardinals.
"At practice the other night, I said this is our last practice together," the Southern Tier Manager said. "This will be it for this group that includes my son (Alex) and guys I've had the pleasure to coach over the past four years."
During the summer, the Cards have been traveling to 18U tourneys. Among the highlights was bouncing back from an opening loss to win four straight games to capture the Northeast Baseball Tournament in Ohio in July.
Among those donning Cardinal colors this season, along with Costanzo and Ognen are Andy Jekielek, Harley Morris,
Justin Peterson, Luke Ely, and Shane Ackley from Kane and Collin Porter and Jefferson Freeburg from Wilcox. Ridgway's Domenic Allegretto played in the Northeast tourney. Others include Kam Rounsville, Tanyon Brown, Tre Slawson, Cole Szuba, Bretton Mcdowell, and Tucker St Peter. In addition, Brandon Higley from Smethport will play in the twin-bill.
The games could be the last as manager for Ognen.
"You should never say never, but this will probably be it for me. I can't say enough about how much joy and fun these kids have been."
The manager said parents have been a key to the team's success.
"Every year when I do this, people tell me parents have to be the worst part of it. Well, that's not true with this group at all. These parents have been wonderful and supportive, and it carries over in every aspect when you have that."
Miker Hill, Johnsonburg Rams manager Mike Porter, and Travis
Brown will assist on Saturday.
Ognen reflected on the help he's had.
"Miker's a great coach and an even better person. This doesn't happen without him."
The manager said Brown "is a great coach with a great mind" and credits him with organizing the team when most organized baseball was canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020.
Ognen said over the years, Port has been a "great help and a pleasure to work with."
The manager also mentioned Brick Burdick for his work in the past.
"I've been lucky and blessed to have such good people helping," he said.