NEAA All Star game draws largest crowd ever

One of the largest crowds ever found their way to last week’s North End Athletic Association’s annual Little league All Star Game played at Langone Park on Commercial Street.

The traditional game saw the East All Stars come out swinging enroute to a nine inning 18-5 win over the West All Stars.

The popular game is played in Memory of Anthony Caggianelli who was actively involved as a player and NEAA supporter.

Eli Swab picked-up MVP honors for the East team with 3 hits, 3 runs and one inning of hitless pitching.

The East got major contributions from Anthony Freni (4 hits), Aaron Cronin (2 hits, 2 runs) and Zach Knopf (2 hits, 2 runs).

The defensive play of the game was turned in by Sean Byrne who ran down a deep fly ball and threw a strike to catcher Mike Perez nailing a West base runner attempting to tag up from third. It’s the second consecutive year that Byrne has captured the defensive play of the game award.

Nick Mustacchio with 2 hits and 1 run took MVP honors for the West team. TJ Shea had a hit for the West.

Before the game, NEAA Baseball Coordinator John Romano announced the Majors Co-commissioner Peter Sherin has resigned. Sherin has been an assistant and head coach and has always been a major part of the NEAA baseball program for many years, according to Romano.

Coaches Al Vilar and Ralph Martignetti took center stage and announced their respective All Star teams.

Local musician Jeremy Sarzana did a good job playing the National Anthem on his electric guitar.

Romano acknowledged the many sponsors that made the 2010 All Star Game possible…Lavanderia, Barbara Lewis, Farhad Aminpour & June Matte, Mrs. Gennari, Carrie Marchi, Phil & Mary Orlandella, Fred White, Carl Ameno, Joe Bono of Boston Pushcarts, Massimino’s City Shopper, Inc., Noelle Dye & Mark Swab, Anthony Freni, Fred Petrigno, David & Michael Szulc, Anthony J. Solimone, Thomas Goggin & Jodi Piazza.

The two major sponsors were Cerulli Associates and in memory of the deceased members of the Guarino and Vilar families.

The barbecue crew consisted of Mike Giannasoli, Damien Perez, Ralph Indrisano, Dick Runci and Vinny.