LV Men’s Senior League still alive and well
With this spring’s arrival of the new Lehigh Valley Baseball League, which features many former members of the Lehigh Valley Men’s Senior Baseball League, many have wondered what’s up with the LVMSBL.
According to new and former president Ernest “Turk” Starniri, the LVMSBL is still alive and kicking.
It’s in its 31st season, but this year he said it is a nonprofit league with teams in the 25, 40 and 55-and-over divisions with planned expansion next year.
“I began as a player in 1988, became a board member in 1990 and eventually served as president for 10 years and then relinquished my duties for a health reason,” Starniri said. “But I was never far away from the game as a coach.”
Starniri said he was contacted by Steve Sigler, president and founder of the national Men’s Senior Baseball League, and asked to once again lead the LVMSBL in 2019 and beyond.
“Many things have changed over the years but with the help of several key players and coaches, the league continues to offer a competitive baseball league for several age groups,” Starniri said. “We have outstanding sponsors, teams and coaches and their positive input and suggestions were a valuable asset to me. We also thank the Bethlehem Umpires Association and assignor Hal Grahn for their cooperation.”
Teams and coaches in the 21-team include:
25&Over American League: Volpe’s Orioles (Jim Reagle); Northampton Kids (Vinnie Eiden); Cardinals (Al Saveri); Black Sox (Jon Wagner); Bethlehem Cyclones (Rob Pandolfo). 25&Over National League:
Gators (Drew Lingle); Emmaus A’s (Eric Focht); Thunder (Matthew Twietmeyer); F.O.P. White Sox (Nick Lerch); Mount Bethel Pirates (Vinny Tango).
55&Over National: Red Sox (Mark Brosky); Emmaus Dodgers (Dick Prue); Pints and Pies Moondogs (Turk Starniri); New Jersey Bucks (Joe Vallely).
55&Over American: Tacos and Tequila Giants (Lou Tita); Slate Belt Patriots (Joe Magluilo); Kings (Chuck Lopez); Reigelsville Reds (Greg Stokes).
40&Over Division: Rockies (Don Buskirk); Diamondbacks (Brian Stine); Mudcats (Keith Hawk).
Starniri emphasized: “We have kept the cost of participation and membership in the Lehigh Valley MSBL to a minimum and all teams have eagerly embraced the nonprofit structure.”
Starniri added that during its early years the MSBL board believed in giving back to the community with its “50 Hours of Baseball” charity marathon. Over the years, donations have exceeded $250,000 to local organizations.
Starniri said “50 hours” was renamed the Diamond Dreams Charity Marathon with the majority of the player donations going to the Miracle League of Northampton County in Palmer Township.
The marathon weekend will be held at Easton’s Hackett Park July 26-28.
The over-55 all-star game starts the weekend off Friday night with the over-25 game to follow on Saturday afternoon.
Starniri said new players are still encouraged to join teams in any of the divisions.
Go to lehighvalleymsbl.org or email estar@rcn.com if interested.