Greater Akron AA Baseball League
Greater Akron AA League Mission Statement:
The Greater Akron AA Baseball League is a non-profit organization operating to enrich the experience of 18 & over baseball players in the Greater Akron area. Providing an affordable and competitive playing atmosphere for aspiring, college, ex-college, and ex-professional baseball players that want to continue to play baseball at the highest level. Offering teams and players the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, and national level. While at the same time, the AA League administrators, teams, managers, and players will continue to carry on the rich tradition and history of our predecessors. 
   

Greater Akron AA League

1675 E Main St. Box 142

Kent, OH 44240

akronaabaseball@yahoo.com

AA League Awards


As a nod to the great players of the Akron AA League, some of the awards given out to AA players every season have been named after AA League Greats. Each year, the awards are presented to the players at the annual Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Our list is not nearly complete, but we are working on getting a comprehensive list.

Frank Garcia MVP Award

 

Garcia

Frank Garcia MVP’s The prestigious Frank Garcia MVP was awarded to the AA League’s top player every season. The award was named after Akron great Frank Garcia, who also played and managed in the AA League for many seasons. Although his career was cut short in 1950 at the relatively young age of 38 due to a back injury, this great player lived long enough to see his teams become perhaps the best in the history of Akron sandlot baseball. Garcia was player/manager on teams that won four AA League titles and four Ohio Amateur Baseball Congress crowns. Twice his teams came within a victory of capturing the AABC National Championship in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1945, he led the Akron Orphans to the NABF national championship--earning the most outstanding player of the tournament in the process. As a player he was good enough to be signed by three major league clubs--the Yankees, Phillies and Cardinals. He even had a fling with pro basketball with the old Cleveland Alleman Transfers. His name lives on today--on the award that goes to the annual winner of the AA League's MVP.

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

Notes 

2011

Phil Smith

Portage South

C

.489 BA, 22H, 5 2B, 3 3B, HR, 18 RBI

2010

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks 

1B/3B

.441 BA, 30H, 5 2B, 7 HR, 35 RBI

2009

Danny Campfield

Portage South

OF

.466 BA, 34H, 10 2B, 16 RBI

 

Craig Knott

Canton-Akron Legend

2B

.408 BA, 31H, 11 2B, 26 RBI

2008

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

.508 BA, 40H, 10 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI,  30 SB

2007

Ron Spears 

Sharon Center 

SS 

.465 BA, 33H, 19 RBI

2006

Jeff Forbes 

Canton-Akron Legend 

OF/P 

.500 BA, 41 H, 26 RBI, 14 SB, 3-1 record, 0.98 ERA 

2005

Jesse Michel 

Portage South 

OF/P 

.437 BA, 10 2B, 34 R, 33 RBI, 5-0 record 

1994

Jeff Fisher 

C&P Sales 

2B 

.469 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 31 R 

1993

Matt Dennison 

C&P Sales 

1B 

.437 BA, 34 R, 9 2B, 34 RBI 

1992

Dave Layton 

Akron Peppers 

1B 

.444 BA, 8 HR, 39 RBI 

 

Brian Butash 

Valle Builders 

.484, 4 HR, 24 RBI 

1991

Roger Begue 

Crockers 

10-3 record 

 

Mark Dean 

C&P Sales 

SS 

.477 BA 

1990

Scott Jalowiec 

Wadsworth 

OF 

6 HR 

 

Jeff Rollyson 

C&P Sales 

INF 

.432 BA, 37 Runs scored 

1989

John Mast 

Wooster 

OF 

.467 BA, 8 HR, 47 RBI 

 

Brian Williams

Wadsworth 

.480 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBI 

1988

Rod Rickert 

Manfield Cherokee 

DH 

.500 BA, 13 HR, 57 RBI, Triple Crown 

1987

TJ Myers 

Tallmadge Stars 

P/OF 

4-2, 2.06 ERA, .393 BA 

 

Dave Weithman 

Mansfield 

6-1, 3.55 ERA 

 

Scott Wightman 

Akron Omnicor 

OF 

.481 BA, 25 RBI 

1986

Dan Rizzo 

C&P Sales 

OF 

 

 

Ron Piekarski 

C&P Sales 

 

 

Byron Strum 

Akron Omnicor 

MGR. 

Honored for his Administrative Work 

1985

Joe Nauer 

C&P Sales 

11-0, 1.20 ERA, 153 K's 

1984

Ed Vargo 

Akron Omnicor 

OF 

.439 BA, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 21 SB, Triple Crown Winner 

1983

Jeff Tabaka 

Field Falcons 

Went on to pitch in the Major Leagues 

 

Jeff Brown 

Field Falcons 

SS 

 

1982

Doug Gruber 

Crocker's

6-2 record

1981

Winston Austin 

Forest City 

C/1B 

2nd Garcia Award 

1980

Bobby Baker 

Forest City 

3B 

 

1979

Rudy Donatelli 

Forest City 

1B 

 

1978

Scott Fletcher 

Akron Insulating 

SS 

Would go on to play 15 season in the Majors 

1977

Tim Justice 

Eaton Sports Pride 

 

1976

John Rasicci 

Akron Insulating 

OF 

 

1975

Winston Austin 

Eaton Sports Pride 

C/1B 

.360 BA, 9 HR, 40 H 

1974

Dave Kerestly

Eaton Sports Pride 

OF 

 

1973

Scott Carnes

Eaton Sports Pride

SS

 

1972

Don Croskey

Eaton Sports Pride

OF

 

1971

John Pangle

Eaton Sports Pride

P

 

1970

Jerry Johnson 

Akron Peppers 

 

1969

Jack Bisesi 

Weather-Seal 

SS 

Led league with .434 BA 

1968

Dick Lui

Black Labels

3B

 

 

Jim Olsen

Airmatic Valve

P

 

1967

Jeff Hogan 

Black Labels 

SS 

 

1966

George Nichols

Norton Seath-Seal 

3B 

 

 

Carl Rakich

Azar-Denholm 

 

 

1965

Art Kusnyer 

Azar-Denholm 

Went on to play in the Majors 

1964

Rick Handy 

Black Labels 

INF 

 

1963

Linc Hakim, Jr. 

Black Labels 

1B 

 

 

Jim Barton

Nino's Lounge 

 

1962

Ray Glinsky 

Black Labels 

 

1961

Carl Kramer 

Kramer Autos 

 

Sponsor 

1960

Don Lombardi 

Black Labels 

 

1959

Pete Baltic 

 

 

1958

Mike Grimm 

Krispy Kreme 

OF 

.420 BA 

1957

Dave Young 

Krispy Kreme 

 

1956

Dean Dutton 

Krispy Kreme 

OF 

 

 

Dave Young Pitcher of the Year

 

Dave Young

Dave Young Pitcher of the Year

He has excelled both as a player and manager in baseball. Dave starred at Akron East High School, Akron U, and for 21 years in the AA League. He currently is at Tallmadge High where he has spent 23 years as coach of the Blue Devils, in route to becoming the winningest baseball coach in Greater Akron history with over 375 victories. A southpaw pitcher, Young struck out 325 - 115 in one season (1959), and had an amazing 1.13 ERA over his UA career (1956-59)-- all-time records to this day. His AA career, which saw him selected on the All-Star team 15 consecutive years, began in 1954 with the State Road Merchants. The next six years he led Krispy Kreme to three League titles and then joined Black Label where he helped the Tramonte Beermen win eight championships in nine seasons. During that period, Young went 5-1/2 seasons (1961-66) without losing a League contest-- firing two no-hitters in that stretch. He also helped Wayne Knoll Farms and Eaton Sports Pride win three more League titles.

 Year

Name

Team

Notes

2011

Walt Samson

Portage South

5-1, 1.58 ERA, 41 K's and only 5 BB

2010

Mike Grady

Alliance White PT

5-0, 0.00 ERA, 30 K's, 13 H

2009

Brian Lonjak

Northern Ohio Hurricanes

9-2, 0.41 ERA, 103 K's

2008

Matt Brumit

Canton-Akron Legend

5-0, 0.00 ERA, 53K's

2007

Dan Hepler

Randolph Reds

7-1, 1.21 ERA, 52 K's

2006

Nate Miller

Sharon Center

8-1, 1.11 ERA, 50 K's

2005

Walt Samson

Akron Storm

7-0, 1.29 ERA, 55 K's and only 4 BB 

 

  
Don Lombardi Rookie of the Year

 

Don Lombardi

Don Lombardi Rookie of the Year

A small guy in size only, Lombardi came up with the big plays and big hits for better than 15 years on the Akron sandlots. Emulating his brother, Dick, a charter member in the Hall of Fame, the talented, durable and spirited Lombardi began his AA career with Chester's Diner. Seasons with Krispy Kreme and Zoff Heating followed, before joining the Black Label squad that dominated the League throughout the 1960's. As a catcher, he handled pitchers with remarkable efficiency. Lombardi was named to the All-Star Team 12 consecutive years. That career was highlighted in 1960 when he batted .428 and earned the Frank Garcia Award. During his AA years he never hit under .300 and he never missed a regular season game on any level in his entire baseball career.

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

Notes 

2011

T.J. Deininger

Players i Bulls

C

.412 BA, 21 H, 5 2B, 2 3B, HR, 19 RBI

2010

Ronnie Harris

Canton Crew

1B

.426 BA, 26 H, 5 2B, 11 RBI

2009

Craig Knott

Canton-Akron Legend

2B

.408 BA, 31 H, 11 2B, 26 RBI

2008

Jeff Speck

Portage South

C/DH

.421 BA, 24 H, 3 2B

2007

Jimmy Jamieson

Portage South

SS

.400 BA., 26 H, 13 RBI, 9 SB 

1991

Scott Kaczmar

Wadsworth

OF

Hit 2 GSHR and drove in 12 runs in one game 

1990

Dan Heideman

Crockers

P

6-0 record, also won Garcia Award 

1984 

Ed Vargo 

Akron Omnicor 

OF 

 

1983 

Frank Stamms 

Akron Omnicor 

Went on to play in the NFL for the Rams & Browns 

 


Dave Layton Tournament MVP

The Dave Layton Tournament MVP is named after former Greater Akron AA Baseball star, Dave Layton.  Dave led the AA League in homeruns and runs batted in for 3 consecutive years (1992-94) and in average during the 1994 season.  He won the Frank Garcia MVP award in 1994 while hitting for the Triple Crown.  This award is given, annually, to the top performer in the Greater Akron AA Baseball League Tournament.

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

Notes 

2011 Mike Darrah Portage South OF/P Was 7-14, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI and 1-0
2010 Mike Grady Alliance White PT P Was 2-0 with 0.50 ERA, 15 K
2009 Allen James Akron Lasiks 3B Was 6-12, 3 2B, 2 3B, 5 R, 3 RBI

2008

Ryan Petrusky

Akron Lasiks

3B/P

Was 4-0 on the mound and also hit .471.

2007

Dan Hepler

Randolph

P

Was 2-0 with a 1.43 ERA

2006

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

Hit .486 with 6 RBI

2005

Jesse Michel

Portage South

OF/P

Hit .500 with 4 2B, 5 R and 6 RBI


All-Star Game MVP

This award is given to the top player in the Greater Akron AA Baseball Interleague All-Star Game.

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

Notes 

2011

Phil Smith

Portage South

DH/C 

Went 1-4 with a 3B, R and RBI 

2010

Ryan Baechel

B & B All Stars

OF

Went 1-2 with a R and SB 

2009

Danny Campfield

Portage South

OF

Went 2-2 with a RBI

 

Todd Blackmon

Alliance White PT

P

Had 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R and the Win.

2008

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks

3B

Went 3-4 with a 2B and 2 RBI.

2006

Rocky Pfisterer

Green Highlanders

OF

Went 2-5 with a 2B, 2 R and 2 RBI.

2005

Jeff Forbes

Canton-Akron Legend

1B

Went 2-2 with a 2B and a RBI.

Other Awards

Awards were also given out in other categories

Please note that not all of the information is complete. It will be filled in as the older records are uncovered. If you have any statistics or information that may be able to help us fill in the blanks of the Akron AA League's history, please email them to akronaabaseball@yahoo.com.

Hitting 

Batting Title

 Year

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

Avg. 

2011

Phil Smith

Portage South

C

.489

2010

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks

1B/3B

.441

2009

Danny Campfield

Portage South

OF

.466

2008

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

.508

2007

Rob Beahn

Akron A's

C

.500

2006

Jeff Forbes

Canton-Akron Legend

OF

.500

2005

Dan Herbert

Portage South

OF

.446

1994

Jeff Fisher

C&P Sales

SS

.469

1993

Pete Nardell

Hudson

C

.455

1992

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

.444

1991

Roger Morgan

Akron Peppers

OF

.536

1990

Jeff Rollyson

C&P Sales

OF

.432

1989

Mark Hubbard

Medina Players

 

.512

1988

Tony Cox

Pegasus Delivery

DH

.508

1984

Ed Vargo

Akron Omnicor

OF

.439

1982 

Ron Fraser 

Oakwood Bar 

 

.418

1981 

Winston Austin 

Crocker's 

C/1B 

.439

1975

Winston Austin 

Eaton  Sports Pride 

C/1B 

.360

1974

Winston Austin 

Eaton Sports Pride 

C/1B

 

1973

Winston Austin 

Eaton Sports Pride 

C/1B 

 

1970

Jim Workman 

Wayne Knolls Farm 

2B 

.390

1969 

Jack Bisesi 

Weather-Seal 

SS 

.434

Home Runs

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

HR 

2011

Rob Beahn 

Akron Lasiks

C/OF

2

 

Allen James

Akron Lasiks

3B

2

 

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks

1B/3B

2

 

Matt Kulick

Alliance White PT

C/3B

2

 

Andrew Saylor

Akron Lasiks

INF

2

2010

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks

1B/3B

7

2009

Phil Smith

Portage South

C

3

 

Mark Hayhurst

Team Diesel

OF

3

2008

Doug Yoder

Randolph Reds

1B

6

2007

Dan Walker

Ellet Shockers

1B

6

2006

Dan Herbert

Portage South

OF

7

2005

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

4

1994

Dave Layton

Wadsworth

1B

9

1993

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

6

 

Dave Lupo

C&P Sales

3B

6

 

Armand Mastantuono

C&P Sales

OF

6

1992

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

8

1990

Scott Jalowiec

Wadsworth

OF

6

1989

Mike O'Brien

Wooster

C

14

 1988

Rod Rickert 

Mansfield Cherokee 

 

13

1984 

Ed Vargo 

Akron Omnicor 

OF

5

1980 

Billy Baldwin 

Forest City 

OF

28

1976 

John Rasicci 

Akron Insulating 

OF

 

1975 

Winston Austin 

Eaton Sports Pride 

C

9

1968 

Art Welch 

Tramonte Black Labels 

 

17

 

RBI

 Year

Name 

Team 

Pos.

RBI

2011

Jimmy Jamieson

Portage South

SS

21

 

Matt Kulick

Alliance White PT

C/3B

21

2010

Casey Jirsa

Akron Lasiks

1B/3B

35

2009

Craig Knott

Canton-Akron Legend

2B

26

2008

Ryan Oldfield

Canton-Akron Legend

3B/C

28

2007

Doug Yoder

Randolph Reds

1B/3B

28

2006

Dan Herbert 

Portage South 

OF 

31

2005

Jesse Michel

Portage South

OF/3B

34

1994

Dave Layton

Wadsworth

1B

32

 

Jeff Fisher

C&P Sales

SS

32

1993

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

36

1992

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

39

1990

Mark Dean

C&P Sales

2B

30

1989

John Mast

Wooster

OF

47

1988

Rod Rickert

Mansfield Cherokee

DH

57

1984

Ed Vargo 

Akron Omnicor 

OF 

31

1983

Dan Costill 

Crocker's 

 

1982

Dan Costill 

Crocker's 

27

 

Hits

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

H 

2011

Jimmy Jamieson

Portage South

SS

31

2010

Zac Barson

Alliance White PT

3B

34

2009

Jimmy Jamieson

Portage South

SS

36

2008

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

40

2007

Ron Spears

Sharon Center

SS

33

2006

Dan Herbert

Portage South

OF

42

2005

Jesse Michel

Portage South

OF/3B

45

1993

Matt Dennison

C&P Sales

1B

45

1992

Bill Hagey

C&P Sales

 

40

 

Dave Layton

Akron Peppers

1B

40

1982 

Chuck Consolo 

Stow Quality Cleaners 

 

43

1976

John Rasicci 

Akron Insulating 

OF 

 

 

Stolen Bases

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

Pos. 

SB 

2011

Matt Halata

Alliance White PT

OF

10

2010

Sam Crea

Portage South

OF

24

2009

Jamie Matvey

Akron Lasiks

OF

18

2008

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

30

2007

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

28

2006

Sam Crea

Sharon Center

OF

38

2005

Randy Wooten

Portage South

OF

19

1990

Russ Aquino

Copley

OF

32

1989

Russ Aquino

Copley

OF

27

1984

Ed Vargo

Akron Omnicor

OF

21

 1976

John Rasicci 

Akron Insulating 

OF 

 

 

Pitching 

Wins 

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

W 

2011

Walt Samson

Portage South

5-1

2010

Ryan Petrusky

Akron Lasiks

7-2

2009

Brian Lonjak

Northern Ohio Hurricanes

9-2

2008

Tyler Rost

Randolph Reds

6-1

2007

Dan Hepler

Randolph Reds

7-1

 

Walt Samson

Sharon Center

7-0

 

Mike Price

Portage South

7-1

2006

Nate Miller

Sharon Center

8-1

2005

Alan Frame

Sharon Center

8-1

1994

Roger Begue

C&P Sales

8-3

 

Glen Ryan

C&P Sales

8-3

1993

Todd Bucy

Wadsworth

11-0

1992

Roger Begue

C&P Sales

7-2

1991

Roger Begue

Crockers

10-3

1990

Dan Heideman

Crockers

6-0

 

Jay Stoner 

C&P Sales 

6-3

1988 

Roger Begue 

C&P Sales 

10-2

1985 

Joe Nauer 

C&P Sales 

11-0

1982

Doug Gruber 

Crocker's 

6-2

1981 

Doug Gruber 

Crocker's 

9-0

1979

Jerry Costigan 

Forest City 

12-0

1977 

Tom Wolford 

Akron Insulating 

15-0

1970 

Jerry Johnson 

Peppers 

12-0

1964 

Dave Young 

Tramonte Black Labels 

16-0

1963 

Dave Young 

Tramonte Black Labels 

15-0

1947

John Starkey

Akron Orphans

18-4

       

 

ERA

Year 

Name 

Team 

ERA 

2011

Mike Price

Portage South

0.64

2010

Mike Grady

Alliance White PT

0.00

2009

Brian Lonjak

Northern Ohio Hurricanes

0.41

2008

Matt Brumit

Canton-Akron Legend

0.00

2007

Matt Uy

Portage South

0.93

2006

Mark Bonfiglio

Portage South

0.92

2005

Bobby Cash

Akron A's

1.24

1993

Jay Stoner

C&P Sales

1.66

1990

Roger Begue

Crockers

1.50

1985

Joe Nauer

C&P Sales

1.20

1982 

John Sarver 

Stow Quality Cleaners 

1.42

1974

Jack Palmer

Flexi-Grip

1.21

 


Strikeouts

 

Year 

Name 

Team 

K 

2011

Walt Samson 

Portage South

41

2010

Brian Lonjak

Northern Ohio Hurricanes

50

2009

Brian Lonjak

Northern Ohio Hurricanes

103

2008

Matt Brumit

Canton-Akron Legend

53

2007

Dan Hepler

Randolph Reds

52

2006

Nate Miller

Sharon Center

50

2005

Steve Miller

Terry's Tire Town

64

1988

Roger Begue

C&P Sales

99

1985

Joe Nauer

C&P Sales

153

1974

Jack Palmer

Flexi-Grip

117