Euclid Boys League closes a winning season

Euclid Boys League (EBL) wrapped up another successful season of baseball in late July as over 200 area players and coaches finished off the regular season and playoff games. The league, which will celebrate its 60th season in 2012, has teams competing at various levels from age 5 through 12.

“We really had a great year this year,” said Anthony Stachnik, commissioner of the EBL. “Over the past few years, we’ve been able to stabilize the league from a financial standpoint, while giving our kids some great options for playing baseball right here in Euclid or in the surrounding area. When you look at how well our teams perform when competing against teams from other cities, you can see that Euclid is still a baseball powerhouse – and Euclid Boys League is at the center of building those skills.”

EBL now offers parents a variety of baseball options. The youngest players, ages 5-6, play the majority of their games in Euclid. A few years ago, the Boys League house (recreation) division joined the Western Reserve Baseball League, which comprises eight surrounding communities with greater than 20 teams in each division to allow kids the opportunity to stay and play games in Euclid or nearby communities. It continued the traditional All-Star program and added a travel baseball program to provide another playing option for the more competitive players at an affordable price. The league is also entering its third season of indoor winter training sessions.

Some of the many accomplishments of individual teams within the league this year include:

• 12U Travel Panthers, managed by Stachnik, capturing second place overall in the Great Lakes Baseball League with a 24-17 record and a first place finish in the 59th Annual Veteran’s Classic Tournament.
• Jack’s Transmission, managed by Ron Adkins, won the West Division of the Western Reserve Majors with a record of 12-3. 
• 10U Travel Panthers, managed by Doug Higham, posted a 23-17 record and took first place in the Wickliffe Baseball Tournament.
• 9U Travel Panthers, managed by Scott Brown, finished with a record of 17-16 including a strong showing at the Lancers Baseball Classic in Lewistown, New York.
• Euclid Phillies, managed by Rono Cremonese, finished 15-1-1 and won the World Series within the Western Reserve Minor Division for ages 9-10.
• Legends Photography Tigers, managed by Mark Bouffard, also won the World Series within the Western Reserve League by capturing the Mighty Mite (ages 7-8) Division. In that same division, Euclid Teacher’s Association Marlins, managed by Jim Brazytis, captured second place.
• The Euclid All Stars (ages 7-8) placed in three local tournaments.

Stachnik said the league is looking forward to next season as it prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the EBL. The league will kick off the celebration at its annual Boys League Night Out held in the spring. That community event is the one major fundraiser for the league.

“You look at our results – how our teams did against teams from surrounding communities or when our teams traveled outside the area, it’s clear that Euclid is developing a strong base of talent. Euclid has a great tradition in baseball and we are hoping for a season to remember again next year,” said Stachnik.