Matt Agostinelli (Greece Athena/St. Bonaventure): A two-time All-County Player of the Year and Class AA MVP, Agostinelli helped Greece Athena to back-to-back Class AA titles in 2001 and 2002. The ’02 Athena squad advanced to the NYS semifinals. A three-year varsity player, Agostinelli garnered First Team All-State in 2002. He was a National Honor Society member and won the Principal’s Scholar-Athlete Award in 2002. Agostinelli went on to play four years at St. Bonaventure University where he earned Second Team Atlantic-10 and was named to the 2006 Atlantic 10 All-Tournament team. He went on to play professional baseball in Italy and was a member of the 2007 Italian National Baseball team.
Greg Constantino (Canandaigua/St. Bonaventure/St. John Fisher): A two-time First Team Finger Lakes East performer, helped Canandaigua to the 1995 Class AAA championship. He continued his career at St. Bonaventure and later St. John Fisher. He hit .405 in 1997 and represented Fisher on the 1997 All-Region team and played in the NYS All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. Also in 1997, he was named to the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) All-Star game. Constantino hit .478 in 1998 and was named to the Empire 8 All-Conference team as well as All-Region and All-State. As a member of the Rome Indians, he garnered repeat NYCBL All-Star honors in 1998 and ’99. He hit .501 in 2000 with Fisher to earn All-Empire 8. He signed with the Johnstown Johnnies of the Frontier League in 2001 and was the first United States citizen to sign with the Niagara Stars of the Can-Am League in 2002. He later inked contracts with Bologna Mariners and San Marino Expos. He was an All-Tournament team member of the European Cup in 2003 when he hit .504. He represented Italy in the 2004 Summer Olympics at Athens.
Eddie Lee (Madison/Monroe Community College/University of South Alabama): Lee played three years of varsity baseball at Madison High where he earned the 1975 All-City MVP. He garnered American Legion MVP honors in 1974 and hit .467 during the 1975 American Amateur Baseball Congress season. Lee continued his career at Monroe Community College and earned All-Region, All-District and All-American honors helping the Tribunes to the 1978 National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. He set a then-program, single-season record with 24 stolen bases. He went on to play for hall-of-fame head coach Eddie Stanky at the University of South Alabama and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1979. He was a Carolina League All-Star in 1980 with Winston-Salem in 1980. A member of the MCC Athletics Hall of Fame, Lee has coached Franklin High School baseball for 35 years including the 2017 team that won the Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) championship.
R.D. Long (Bishop Kearney/Webster Thomas/Arizona/Houston): Long led Bishop Kearney to three-straight City Catholic League championships (1986, 1987 and 1988) before transferring to Webster Thomas where he helped that program to the 1989 Class AAA crown. A Super 15 and All Greater-Rochester selection in both baseball and basketball in 1988 and ’89, he set a New York state high school record with 56 consecutive stolen bases. Long also helped Rayson-Miller Post to the 1986 District 7 American Legion championship. He received 22 Division I scholarships and went to play at the University of Arizona from 1989 to 1991 before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Houston. Cleveland chose Long in the 1989 MLB Draft and the New York Yankees selected him in the 1992 amateur draft. He played with the Oneonta Yankees in 1992 and Greensboro Hornets in 1993. He was part of the Tampa Yankees that won the 1994 Florida State League High-A championship and went on to Double-A Norwich and eventually Columbus of the Triple-A International League where he was part of the 1996 Governors’ Cup champions. Long retired as a Columbus Clipper at Frontier Field in 1997. He founded a youth development program – Mind, Body and Soul – in 2002.
Rich Pilliter (Aquinas): Pilliter guided Aquinas to 308 wins, 14 City-Catholic League titles and two sectional championships (1979 and 1984) over a 22-year career. Pilliter, who passed away in 1996, was named City-Catholic League Coach of the Year on numerous occasions.
Steve Wintermute (Irondequoit/Monroe Community College/Northern Kentucky): Wintermute compiled a 28-2 record on the mound over a three-year varsity career in which he helped Irondequoit (which was 66-6 during that stretch) to sectional championships in 1985, ’86 and ’87. He combined on a no-hitter with his brother, Jim, while at Irondequoit. He went on to Monroe Community College where he was part of the 1989 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series that finished with a 32-3 record. He hit .447 that year and was named an All-American and MCC Male Athlete of the Year the following season. Wintermute went on to Northern Kentucky University where he earned All-Conference honors in 1991 when he hit .348.
The 2004 Victor Blue Devils were the first Section V squad to win a New York state title. After defeating Batavia (9-1) to take the sectional crown, Victor went on the beat Albion of Section VI (9-0), Section III champ Westhill (2-1) in the state semifinals and Our Lady of Lourdes (11-3) in the Class A state final. The Finger Lakes East champions, who finished 23-2, set program marks for winning percentage (.869), batting average (.402), on-base percentage (.541), runs scored (267), hits (311), home runs in a game (3), doubles (60), RBI (226), grand slams (3), hit by pitch (39), sacrifices (19) and double plays (17).
CLASS OF 2024
Jason Bunting (Greece Athena) -- A First-Team All-County selection in 1988, Bunting helped Greece Athena to what was then the program's second sectional championship. He returned to his alma mater and guided the Trojans to four more sectional titles and three regional championships clinching three appearances in the state semifinals over a 25-year head coaching career. Bunting's Athena squads won 357 games and advanced to sectional finals on 10 different occasions. He was named Coach of the Year six times. Bunting served as a Section V class coordinator for five years and is currently the Section V Baseball Coordinator.
David Dasch (Cardinal Mooney/Ithaca College) -- A three-time All-City-Catholic performer at shortstop, Dasch led Cardinal Mooney to Class AAA sectional championships in 1980 and 1982. Named the Cardinal Mooney Athlete of the Year in 1982, Dasch continued his academic and athletic careers at Ithaca College where he helped the Bombers to four NCAA Division III postseason appearances including two trips to Division III World Series. Ithaca finished third in 1985 and was the national finalist in 1986. Dasch set Ithaca program records for runs scored and hits. His .407 career batting average ranks fifth all-time in the Ithaca record books. A three-time First Team All-Conference performer, he was named conference Rookie of the Year his freshman year and Player of the Year the next season. Dasch was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 1985 MLB draft and the Minnesota Twins in 1986 draft. He went on to play in the Twins farm system. In 2011, Ithaca College inducted Dasch into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
Andrew Parrino (Brockport/LeMoyne College) -- Parrino garnered Tournament MVP honors in 2004 when he led Brockport to its second straight sectional title. A two-time Monroe County Player of the Year, Parrino earned All-County honors in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and nine varsity letters (baseball-5, volleyball-3 and basketball-1) during his scholastic career. He went on to play at Le Moyne College where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. San Diego selected Parrino in the 26th round of the 2007 draft, and he made his major-league debut with the Padres in 2007. He became the first position player from Section V to start an MLB game in more than 80 years. Parrino went on to play with the Oakland Athletics. He also spent time in the farm systems of the Texas Rangers as well as the Chicago White Sox and also represented Team USA in 2015.
Andy Steinorth (Webster/St. Bonaventure) -- Steinorth logged a 31-5 career record over three seasons at Webster including 13-0 mark in 1992. Twice he was named Monroe Country Division 1 Player of the Year (1992, 1993). His 8-1 record in the postseason helped Webster to three straight appearances in the sectional finals and back-to-back sectional championships in '92 and '93. He continued his career at St. Bonaventure and helped the Bonnies to their first postseason berth in 1994 when he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team. Steinorth garnered Most Outstanding Pitcher of the 1995 Atlantic 10 tournament. He is tied for the Bonaventure program record for career wins and complete games. He is top five in career strikeouts.
Carm Urzetta (East Rochester/Bishop Kearney/St. Bonaventure) -- Urzetta played at East Rochester High School from 1959 to 1961 and earned First Team All-County honors before continuing his career at St. Bonaventure University where he was he was a three-time First Team All-ECAC performer. After college, he returned to Rochester. He compiled a record of 288-118 as head coach of Bishop Kearney High School from 1972-1987. His teams won seven City-Catholic championships and the 1974 Section V Class AAA title - the first private school to to win a championship in Section V history. He was named City-Catholic Coach of the Year in 1974, '76, '79 and '87. He also served as the Kearney's varsity basketball coach from 1967-1975 and is a member of the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame. Urzetta worked as a high school and college basketball official from 1966-2009. He was named to the Frontier Walk of Fame in 2018.
Tom Wight (Bolivar-Richburg/Caledonia-Mumford) -- Wight taught at three school districts over a 38-year career. As head coach at Caledonia-Mumford from 1981 to 1989, he guided the Raiders to sectional finals appearances in 1981 and 1989. Later he served in the same role at at Bolivar-Richburg from 1996-2002. He compiled a 114-37 record with the Allegany County school and three straight sectional championship game appearances including titles in 2000 and 2002. Wight's 2002 Bolivar-Richburg squad won the Class C Far Regional championship to clinch a spot in the NYS semifinals. He was named Section V Baseball Class C Coach of the Year in 2000 and Allegany County Athletic Association Paul Viena Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2002. He served on the Section V Baseball Executive Committee as web manager for 12 years and developed the Section V Baseball website. He served as Section V Class C coordinator and Section V Baseball assistant coordinator. Wight was the Director of Athletics at Bolivar-Richburg for 17 years during which time he was named Section V Class C Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year in 1987 and the Great 8 Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year in 2008. He also served as the assistant coach for Bolivar-Richburg softball and helped those team to state championship game appearances in 2004, 2006 and 2008 including the 2006 state championship team. Wight also taught at Churchville-Chili from 1989-1995 where he was head coach of the varsity Boys' Basketball and varsity Girls' Tennis programs as well as an assistant with the football program. Wight was named to the Allegany County Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2024.
CLASS OF 2023
Dave Brust (Cardinal Mooney/Monroe Community College/Ball State University) - Brust earned All-Greater Rochester honors under the late Ed Nietopski at Mooney High School (1983-85), a fellow Section V Hall of Fame member. After high school, Brust garnered third team NJCAA All-American honors on the diamond while playing for H. David Chamberlain at MCC. He went on to Ball State University where he was a team captain and MVP for two years as well as an All-Mid-American Conference selection in 1989 when he hit .342 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI. Brust played three years in the Atlanta Braves' organization including two under former Boston Red Sox skipper Grady Little. Currently the head coach at MCC, Brust has guided the Tribunes to three (2016, '18 and '19) NJCAA World Series appearances in his 10 years at the helm and has been named East District Division II Coach of the Year on three separate occasions.
Rich Gill (Andover High School) - Gill's Andover teams won 17 league championships and two sectional titles (1984 and '87) during his 38 years guiding the Panthers. His 1984 team went undefeated and eventually won 32 consecutive games. Andover reached the sectional finals five times from 1983 to 1987. The Panthers went on to win six straight league titles from 2006-2011 under Gill.
Ed LaRock (Sodus High School) - LaRock led Sodus to seven Wayne County League titles and one sectional championship in his 27 years as head coach. The Spartans won 200 games under La Rock including the 1982 Class B crown. LaRock also served as head coach for the Sodus boys' basketball team. Former assistant coach Tom Miller and niece Kim Stanfield accepted the honor for LaRock.
Pete Palermo (McQuaid Jesuit/Monroe Community College/Jacksonville University) - A team MVP in 1980 and 1981, Palermo logged an 18-3 record on the mound while hitting .391 for McQuaid. He went on to pitch a year at Eckerd College before transferring to Monroe CC and then Jacksonville University where he was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 1985. A 7th-round selection of the San Francisco Giants in 1983, Palermo signed with Baltimore in 1985 and spent four years in the Orioles' organization. The right-hander eventually pitched for Bravos Leon of the Mexican League. Palermo served as a volunteer assistant coach with McQuaid from 2010-2015.
CLASS OF 2022
Pat Atwell (Andover) - A four-time Allegany County All-Star from 1976-1979 and league MVP in 1978, Atwell compiled a 17-9 high school career record with a batting average of .485. He went on to star at Salem College (West Virginia) and he was named Outstanding Freshman in 1980 as well as team MVP in 1982. He led the Cook Inlet Bucs of the Alaska Baseball League in home runs in the summer of 1981 before settling into a coaching career that saw him earn Great Lakes Valley Coach of the Year twice (1997 and 1999) at Quincy University. His 1999 team ranked as high as third in the nation. Atwell is currently the Director of Athletics at NAIA Culver-Stockton College.
Jim Billitier (Edison Tech) - An umpire in the inaugural New York State Class A Championship game, Billitier went on to serve as Section V rules interpreter for 40 years. He is a member of the Rochester Umpires Association, the ECAC College Umpires Association and Women's College Fast Pitch Association with nearly 60 years of experience behind the plate. He was a four-year performer on the diamond at Edison where he was also a Section V Wrestling champion.
Bill Bowe (Canandaigua, McQuaid Jesuit) - As head coach of Canandaigua, Bowe won four league titles and three sectional championships while compiling a record of 240-102 from 1990 to 2004. He went on McQuaid where his 2005 Jesuit Knights team set a Section V record with 26 consecutive wins. Bowe went 68-13 at McQuaid with one sectional title and three league titles. A former Finger Lakes Baseball League Chairman and Section V Baseball coordinator, Bowe is currently in his second stint as Section V Baseball Assistant Coordinator.
Matt Dryer (McQuaid Jesuit) - A 1997 USA Today High School All-American at McQuaid Jesuit, Dryer was was first drafted in 1998 by the San Francisco Giants and again in 2002 by the National League West club. In between, Dryer played with 2001 National Champion University of Miami Hurricanes. He signed and played four seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system. He was a Midwest League All-Star in 2004 with Palm Beach and in 2005 led the Cardinals' minor leagues in home runs and RBI. Dryer went on to play two years with the York Revolution and earned Atlantic League All-Star honors in 2007. Twice he was named All-State during his time at McQuaid. Dryer currently owns and operates Diamond Pro - a local baseball academy that teaches young players the game.
Brian Dupra (Greece Athena) - A three-time MLB Draft selection, Dupra eventually spent seven seasons in professional baseball. The 2007 AGR and NYS High School Gatorade Player of the Year posted a 9-1 record his senior season at Greece Athena. He finished with 93 strikeouts, eight walks and an ERA of 0.29. Dupra went on to pitch four years at the University of Notre Dame where he was named team captain in 2010 and 2011. He helped the Harwich Mariners to the 2008 Cape Cod League title. The Texas Rangers selected Dupra out of high school, and the Detroit Tigers after his junior year of college before the Washington Nationals selected him in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. Dupra pitched his entire career in Nationals' system.
John Hayes (Lyndonville) - Hayes guided Lyndonville to nine Genesee Region titles and four Section V championships. He was named league Coach of the Year on six occasions and earned Class D honor in 1996. His teams compiled a sectional record of 37-12 and overall record of 269-192. A former member of the Section V Baseball Executive Committee, Hayes also served as the Genesee Region League Baseball Coordinator. The gymnasium at Lyndonville was named in his honor and he was also inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.
Dennis Miles (Wellsville, Avoca-Prattsburgh) - An inductee to the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, Miles holds Section V records for career coaching wins (749), championships (13) and Coach of the Year honors (8). The 1993 NYS Class Coach of the Year, he ranks second all-time in the state for career victories. From 2000-2005, Miles guided the Western Team to four gold medals and one bronze in the Empire State Games. More than 70 of his former players have gone on to play at the collegiate level. Miles also served as the head coach of Wellsville Nitros in the New York Collegiate Baseball League and is currently an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds.
CLASS OF 2019
Mike Fennell - 1976-1978 Catcher and First Baseman at Fairport High School; 1977 All-County First Baseman, Section V and Monroe County Champions; 1978-1982 Catcher and First Baseman at LeMoyne College, 1982-Selected as catcher on the Baseball Coaches Association All-American Team; 1982-Drafted in the 11th round by the New York Yankees, played five seasons in the minor leagues ending with the Columbus Clippers in 1986 followed by 3 seasons as the bull pen catcher with the Yankees. Coaching: 1992-2002 McQuaid Jesuit, Section V titles 2001 and 2002, Coach of the year award-1997 and 1999. The award went to the entire coaching staff in 2001. Received the Major Donald Hollender Award for Courage in 2001 and in 2002 the James P. Wilmot Onspiration Award for his ability to give help to other cancel patients.
David Ocorr - 1943-1947 Four year starter at Irondequoit High School, multi-sport athlete, All-County baseball in 1946 and 1947; 1947-1951 four year starter at University if Rochester, (never missed an inning) Captain-1951; Signed with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1951 and played in South Atlantic and Canandian-American League before enlisting in the Navy during the Korean War, played and managed baseball teams while in the service; 1963-1964 part-time Scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers; 1980 General Manager for the Rochester Red Wings. Coaching: 1955-1968 Baseball Coach at the University of Rochester where he was the Athletic Director from 1974-1981; 1969-1974 Baseball Coach at the Universiy of Scranton where he was also Athletic Director during those same years; 1982-1988 Dean and Vice-President at St. John Fisher; received several awards for his contribution to baseball as a player, coach and athletic director.
George Valesente - 1958-1962 Multi-Sport athlete at Mynderse Academy, All WFL junior and senior year; 1963-1966 Ithaca College-lettered in Soccer, Basketball and Baseball playing on NCAA playoff teams in all sports; spent four seasons in the minors, advancing as far as the Triple A level with the Buffalo Bisons in 1969. Coaching: 41st season at Ithaca College in 2019 with an overall record of 1,132-505-8; Overall record as head coach in 45 seasons 1,162-528-8; Two time National Champions in 1980 and 1988; 10 World Series appearance and 33 NCAA berths; His teams have never had a losing season; 27 league titles and 15 if the 18 Empire 8 title; Coached 30 All-Americans and 42 players who have signed with the pros; Has received numerous coaching awards at the local, regional, and national levels.
CLASS OF 2018
Dave Allen - Dave was a multi-sport athlete at Greece Athena High School where he was an outstanding pitcher on the baseball team from 1985-1987. He earned First Team All-County and All Greater Rochester honors in each of those years. Dave threw three no hitters and one perfect game during the three seasons. He helped his team earn the Sectional Championship in 1985. In 1987 Dave was named the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year. He also excelled in football achieving All-County and AGR honors while being selected to participate in the Eddie Meath All Star game his senior year. Dave earned two varsity letters in basketball.
In 1987 Dave was drafted in the ninth round by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school. He played for a total of seven years in the minor league system. Dave continues to contribute to baseball in Section V by helping to develop young players. He shares his baseball expertise as a Little League and American Legion coach.
James DeBell - Jim was a multi-sport athlete at Franklin High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. Upon graduation in 1946 he went on to SUNY Brockport graduating in 1951. While there Jim was a member of the football, soccer, and baseball programs. He earned a Masters degree in Health and Physical Education in 1956 at Brockport.
Jim’s coaching career began at Charlotte High School where he was the JV and Varsity coach from 1953-1958. While at Jefferson High School from 1959-1988, Jim was the Varsity baseball coach and Athletic Director. His teams won six City Championships and four Section V Class A titles accumulating more than 400 wins during those years. Jim also was honored several times as City Coach of the Year.
As head baseball coach at SUNY Brockport from 1989-1996, Jim’s teams accumulated 87 wins and achieved three SUNYAC titles in 1991,1992, and 1994. He was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 1992 and concluded his career at Brockport as second in all time wins. Jim was inducted into the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jim served Section V in several administrative capacities most notably as the president of Section V from 1978-1984. He taught coaching certification classes at BOCES for more than 25 years and was a Korean War Veteran.
“If you like kids they feel it…I always treat them like they are my family.” -Jim DeBell
Roger Sawyer - Roger was a multi-sport athlete at Mt. Morris Central School where he played football, basketball, baseball, and table tennis. He was an outstanding pitcher on the Varsity baseball team for three years from 1950-52. After high school Roger signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization where he played from 1952-1958. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1958 where he served six months in the honor guard. While in the Army he continued playing baseball. In 1959 the Army baseball team won the overall championship with Roger as the winning pitcher in the final game. In 1959 following his military service he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and played his final professional season with the Tulsa Oilers. In 1962 Roger enrolled at Ohio State University where he played table tennis. He finished as runner up in the Big 10 table tennis championship as a freshman. Roger was inducted into the Mt. Morris Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
William "Billy" Rouse - A 1962 graduate of Rush-Henrietta, Billy was an outstanding pitcher and outfielder on the Varsity baseball team. He threw seven no hitters and five one hitters during his career. Billy finished his four year high school career with a 22-6 record and an ERA of 1.90. At the age of 16, as a sophomore, he pitched five no hitters in one season which is the New York State record. Billy was the only unanimous selection to the Times Union All County A League Baseball Team at the conclusion of that sophomore season. In 1962 he was drafted by the Houston Colt 45’s and played in their minor league organization for three years. Billy played on the 1977 World Series winning Mazzola-Castle softball team and was inducted into the Rochester Softball Hall of Fame.
CLASS OF 2017
Peter Agostinelli - 1985-87 Pitcher/Outfielder at Brockport High School; 1988 MCC; 1989 Brevard Community College; 1990-92 University of South Carolina-Upstate; 1992 signed with Philadelphia Phillies and played for four seasons.
Rick Czajkowski - 1988 graduate of Bath-Haverling High School; Shortstop on varsity baseball team from 1986-88; drafted by the Houston Astros in 1988 but accepted a scholarship at Ohio University where he played from 1988-92.
Pep Johnson - Multi-sport athlete at Batavia High School where he returned to teach physical education after graduating for SUNY Brockport. Coached baseball at Batavia from 1973-1998 where his teams won several league and sectional championships. .
Richard Reynolds - 1950 graduate of Brockport High School; drafted by the Cleveland Indians playing one year for the Batavia Clippers; enlisted in the Marines in 1952; returned to SUNY Brockport to earn Bachelors and Masters degrees; coached baseball at Kendall High School for 21 years; also coached basketball and was the Athletic Director at Kendall for many years.
Richard Smith - Pitcher at Irondequoit High School graduating in 1985; 1985-1989 University of Maryland; after graduation he joined the Baltimore Orioles organization; continues to contribute to baseball through youth programs in Penfield.
CLASS OF 2016
David Maine - Dave was a multi-sport athlete at Lyons Central School where he played Varsity baseball for three years prior to graduating in 1962. He went on to play at Providence College during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. After college Dave began his coaching career at Red Jacket Central School where he coached for 32 years at the Varsity level after a year as the JV coach. As head coach, Dave's teams compiled a 354-178 record while finishing as Finger Lakes West Champions ten times. His teams won Section V titles five times in 1974, 1976, 1989, 1998, and 1999. Coach Maine was awarded Section V Class C Coach of the Year in 1998 and became a member of the Red Jacket Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2006 he entered the Lyons Athletic Hall of Fame. He is currently in his eighth year as assistant baseball coach at Canandaigua Academy.
Jim Mitchell - Jim was an outstanding shortstop on the Varsity Baseball team during his four years at Cardinal Mooney High School, 1969-1973. He was named to the All-City Catholic Baseball Team each of those years. In 1974 Jim signed with the Los Angeles Dodger organization. He was first assigned to play in the Northwest League with the Bellingham Dodgers where he was a middle infielder. That same season Jim was promoted to the Bakersfield Dodgers in the California League. Jim later signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played in the New York Penn League with the Niagara Falls Pirates.
Ronald Mapes - Ron Mapes was a three sport athlete and a premier pitcher at Lyndonville from 1952-1955. He led his baseball teams to four consecutive league championships and two Section V Championships during his tenure. As a pitcher he was 30-3 including eight career no-hit, no-run wins, nine one-hitters, and one perfect game. The eight no-hitters place him first in the Section V and New York State baseball record books. Ron faced 822 batters in his career, striking out 441 of them. In the 1955 season Ron threw three no-hitters. These accomplishments place him in the record books for Section V and New York State. From Lyndonville, Ron signed with the New York Yankee organization and was assigned to St. Petersburg where he played one year with the Saints of the Florida State League. He continued to play town team ball for Lyndonville in the Niagara Suburban League following his years with the Yankees.
Peter Dawes - Pete was an outstanding catcher on the Charlotte High School Varsity baseball team from 1973-1976. He earned First Team All-City Catholic League Catcher honors for three consecutive years, 1974-1976. Pete went on to Monroe Community College (1977-1978) where he has the distinction of catching two back to back no hitters in both seasons which is a national record. In 1978 Pete garnered First Team NJCAA catching honors for the New York Penn Conference, Region III, and the Northeast District. He was the 1978 NJCAA Region III and ABCA Northeast District Player of the Year as well as being rewarded with NJCAA and ABCA First Team All American honors. In 1987 Pete was selected to the MCC Sports Hall of Fame. Pete was the starting catcher at Florida International University in 1979-1980. He was named the 1980 NCAA Division II All-South District Team catcher and was selected to the All-Tournament team in the 1980 NCAA Division II World Series. As an assistant coach at MCC for 27 years, Pete helped develop several players who went on to pro careers. He also coached at the University of Rochester for three seasons as well as volunteering with several area Section V teams. Pete's contributions to Section V Baseball include many clinics and camps. He developed the MCC Catching Camp which was the first of its kind in the country.
Ory Mee - A Falconer, New York native, Ory was a multi-sport athlete in high school (1963-1967), at Jamestown Community College (1967-1970) and SUNY Brockport (1970-1972). He went on to teach physical education and coached baseball, basketball, and swimming at Hilton Central School. Ory coached baseball at Hilton for 31 years, 18 at the Varsity level. His 1997 team won the Western Regional title and went on to the Final Four in the first year of Section V's participation in the New York State tournament. After retiring from Hilton, Ory returned to The College at Brockport as an assistant baseball coach for nine years (2007-2015). Ory served as the Monroe County Baseball Coordinator from 1998-2013 and was a member of the Section V Executive Committee from 1998-2012. He initiated the organization of the Western New York Baseball Showcase, the first of its kind in the area, which promoted area baseball talent. Coach Mee was inducted into the Hilton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
CLASS OF 2015
Chris Burdick (Cardinal Mooney 1983-85) - Pitcher/Outfield – 1986-89 University of Maryland; Democrat & Chronicle Player of the Year; Greece Athlete of the Year 1985.
Alan Drechsler (Greece Olympia 1970-71) - Pitcher/First Base – Player soccer & basketball; 1972 MCC Pitcher/First Base; Winning Pitcher Region 3 Championship game & winning homerun; 1972 Signed with Pittsburgh Pirates; 1973 signed by Baltimore Orioles.
Paul Goeggelman (John Marshall High 1971-71) - Player – 1973-75 Charlotte High School: 1976-77 MCC; 1978-79 University of Colorado; 1980-81 Newark Co-Pilots NYP; Pitching coach High School.
Tim Redding (Churchville-Chili 1994-96) - Pitcher – 1997 - MCC Pitcher; 1997 Drafted by the Astros; Pitched for the Astros, Mets, Yankees, Nationals; Minor League Coach.
Donald Chichester (Mount Morris High School 1950-79) - Coach – 30 years 28 winning records; 16 Livingston County Titles; AD for 30 yrs.; also coached Baseball; Baseball chairman for Livingston County Athletic Association for many years.
Ron Rucker (East Rochester High School 1967-2000) - Coach – 33 years coaching total; Includes 6 sectional titles; also coached football for 26 years.
Harold "Chic" Schum (Spencerport 1935-43) - Coach — Joined Navy in 1944-46; returned to coach 1946-58; won several Monroe County Titles; also coached basketball and soccer for many years.
CLASS OF 2014
John Bachman (Edison Tech 1964-67) - Catcher/Pitcher – Also Basketball; 1967-71 Mets organization; worked with Penfield recreation for years.
Joe Brown (Canandaigua Academy 1982-86) - SS/Pitcher – Ithaca 1986-90 D III National Champs; 1991 GA Assistant Coach Miami Ohio U; 1992-99 NCBL Ithaca Lakes; Assistant Coach Cortland 2000-Current Coach @ Cortland; National Division III Champs 2015.
Jim Burke (Cohocton 1959) - Player – Lead them to Sectional title; 1964-68 Pitcher/outfielder at Arkansas State lead team to College World Series 1968 finished third; Coach @ Prattsburgh 26 years. 12 league titles, 11 sectional games with 4 titles; Section V Assistant Baseball Coordinator 1982-1998; Coordinator 1999-2004 2006-2012.
Ralph Clapp (Rush Henrietta 1966-67) - Player – 1969-70 MCC; 1971-72 Bowling Green; coach at Bowling Green 1 year; Rush Henrietta 1973-76; Pittsford Mendon 1976-1990; Honeoye Falls-Lima 1991- 2009.
Tom McManis (Gates Chili 1971-2000) - Coach – 30 years 28 winning seasons; 430-226 record; 13 Monroe County Division Titles; 5 Sectional finals.
Terry Quinn (Brockport 1957-61) - Player – Baseball-Basketball-Football; Monroe County Champs 1959-61; Pitching record for High School & Legion 65-5; Ithaca 1962; 1962-64 New York Yankees Organization.
George Steitz (Pal-Mac & Penfield) - Coach — Baseball, Basketball & Soccer; in 28 years at Penfield no losing seasons; orverall 451-169 baseball record; Was also the National High School Soccer Coach of the year in 1984; Finishing with over 400 wins in soccer.
CLASS OF 2013
Scott Delgatti - 1972 graduate of Cardinal Mooney high school, 1974 Monroe Community College, played five years in the Yankees organization.
Dave Lanning - Coach at Fairport high school 1971-96 Assistant coach at RIT 2001-2002, at St. John Fisher 2004-2010. 467 wins at Fairport, 14 Divisional Titles three Section V Titles.
Cory Mee - 1988 graduate of Hilton high school, 1992 University of Norte Dame, 1992 Dodgers organization, Assistant coach RIT 1994, Notre Dame 1994-99, Michigan State 2000-2004, Head coach University of Toledo 2004 to current, Mid-American Coach of the Year 2012.
Steve Nichols - 1968 graduate of Gates Chili high school, 1969-70 Monroe Community College, 1971-72 Jacksonville University, had two no-hitters in 1968.
Ken O'Dea - Lima native, played 1935-38, Chicago Cubs, 1940-41 New York Giants, 1943-46 St Louis Cardinals, appeared in five World Series
35-38-42-43 & 44.
Phil O'Brien - 1962 graduate of Letchworth, 1962-66Detroit Tigers organization, 1966-67 Dodgers organization.
Barry Sheldon - 1967 graduate of Batavia high school, 1968-72 New Mexico Highlands University, drafted by the Mets, Tigers, Twins and 1st pick of Baltimore in 1972.
CLASS OF 2012
Leonard Caruso (Hornell) - Coach – Demanded excellence of his teams at Hornell for 28 seasons and usually received it. Hornell won 346 games under his guidance from 1971-98, including 4 Section V championships. Said to have "great discipline and respect for the game, which he taught his entire career.''
Thomas Falk (Aquinas) - Player – Aquinas first baseman talented enough to play for the Brockport Barons semi-professional team while a high school senior. Signed by the Detroit Tigers organization in 1948. Set a team record when he played 58 consecutive games without an error. Enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 and earned his college degree at the University of Detroit two years later.
Jim Greengrass (Addison) - Player – Outfielder who also lettered in football, basketball, plus track and field in Steuben County action.Signed by the New York Yankees organization at the age of 16. Served two years in the military before he returned to baseball and reached the major leagues in 1952 with the Cincinnati Reds. Also played for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Gary Junge (Rush-Henrietta) - Player – Elite pitcher at Rush-Henrietta in 1965-66. All-Section V selection in 1966 and two-time Monroe County league all-star. Went on to play four years at Clarkson University, before signed as a free agent to play in the Chicago Cubs organization. Coached American Legion teams 1993-2004. Board member of the Rush-Henrietta Athletic Association for decades.
Terry Murphy (Cardinal Mooney) - Player – Most Valuable Player of a 23-0 team his senior year. Second baseman hit. .587, 2 home runs, 4 triples and committed no errors. Two-time All-Catholic selection in baseball and basketball. Signed to play in the Saint Louis Cardinals organization. Also played in the minors for the Los Angeles Dodgers, before he officiated college basketball at all levels for 25 years.
Wally and Hans Blatter (Castle Hi-Tech Chemicals) - Contributors – In 1986 Wal founded Youth Baseball Week in Monroe County which was designed to recognize baseball excellence through the R-H Invitational, The Exceptional Seniors Double Header and the Youth Baseball Clinic. Hans has continued his father's legacy with Youth Baseball week and now sponsors the Section V Baseball Coach of the Year awards too.
Heinie Groh (Rochester) - Player – Grew up in the Rochester neighborhood known as Dutchtown and then went on to play 16 season of Major League Baseball. An infielder, he developed the bottle bat after he made his debut in the big leagues in 1912 with John McGraw's New York Giants. He moved on to Cincinnati Reds 1913 to 1921 and then back to the Giants until 1926. He hit over 300 four times and lead the National League in fielding percentage in five season.
CLASS OF 2011
Johnny Antonelli - a Jefferson graduate, won 21 games for the 1954 world champion New York Giants and had a huge impact in that year's World Series.
Mike Jones - was a high school All-American at Pittsford Sutherland and pitched with the strong Kansas City Royals teams of the early 1980s.
Bob Keegan - starred at Marshall before he arrived in the major leagues with the New York Yankees in 1953. Keegan, who also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, threw a no-hitter during his career.
Howie Krist - a Henrietta native, had three double-digit win totals as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1940s.
Ed Nietopski - coached teams at Brockport, Cardinal Mooney and Bishop Kearney to 705 wins and a total of four Section V titles in 42 seasons.
George Selkirk - who attended Edison, followed Babe Ruth in right field for the Yankees and played in six World Series.
Ken Slater - was a four-time Monroe County All-Star catcher at Irondequoit. After Slater's pro career, he coached Irondequoit for 33 seasons, during which he also was saluted for his administrative work.
Nick Urzetta - had some connection to baseball lasting from the 1920s to 2000, first as a player at East Rochester, then as a pro. He later umpired for more than 40 years and was a volunteer coach at East Rochester.