Family tragedy jolts Par-troy little leaguers

WHAT should be a week of joy turned tragic for Par-Troy East at the Little League World Series Sunday.

Joseph Kayal, the father-inlaw of manager Mike Ruggiero and grandfather of the team's star second baseman Dan Ruggiero, died after suffering a stroke Friday.

The Ruggieros were on their way back to New Jersey Sunday morning from Williamsport, Pa., but didn't make it before Kayal, 76, died. The elder Ruggiero learned of the stroke prior to the team’s first game Friday but didn’t tell his son until after PTE defeated Oregon Saturday night.

“Saturday was the highest of the highs and then this morning was the lowest of the lows,” Ruggiero said after returning to Williamsport Sunday. “We were almost there and it really (stunk). Dan’s handling it well. We’re going to go out there and get rallied up. Hopefully, our kids can react in the right way.”

Ruggiero was forced to mask his emotions for the sake of his son.

“My wife got me just outside the gate before the game,” he said. “She said, ‘Don’t tell Dan. I don’t want any of this to spread.’ I mean, we're at the World Series and it's tough. We kept it quiet until (Saturday) night after the game. We told the whole team then.” Still, it was difficult not to betray what had ocurred.

“I was at third base just before the game, alone with my thoughts,” Ruggiero said. “You knew he was fighting, but you knew it wasn't good. I don't like keeping stuff from my kids.”

Dan Ruggiero played a key part in Saturday night’s victory. Oregon had pulled within 5-4 in the second inning before Ruggiero fielded a grounder and made a perfect throw to catcher Anthony Scannelli to nail a runner at the plate. The next batter flied out and PTE went on to win, 10-4.

Today at 4 p.m. the Parsippany kids will attempt to continue through the loser’s bracket against a team from Petaluma, California.