Brookline Little Leaguers Move Into Interdistrict Competition.

Brookline's Little Leaguers were moving into interdistrict competition enroute to the annual World Series at Williamsport, Pa, as the Journal went to press.

Manager Ang Masullo's Little Leaguers, already the District 4 champions (Pittsburgh), were closing in on the Western Pennsylvania final as they tangled with Clarksville, the Greene County champion.

Clint (Big Bo) Burton's 11-strikout 5-hit pitching, along with a pair of two-run homers by catcher Tim (Big Blue) Gremba and solo shots by Johnny Boyle and Bobby Beveridge, routed Bon Air-Knoxville, 15-3, in the District 4 final.

Other Brookline batting stars: Burton, who drove in three runs with four singles; Bobby Forster, who slapped two doubles and dres a walk; Bobby Frey, who reached base four times on two singles and two walks; Gremba, who in addition to his two homers added a single and a walk; Danny Haley, who doubled and walked.

Burton was coasting with a 15-1 lead when he eased up on a pair of 0-2 pitches to yield homeruns to Bon Air-Knoxville's Clarence Blakemoor and Joe McTall. Both came with the sacks empty. They were the only homers allowed by Burton all season. Big Bo topped off the lopsided victory by fanning the final six BAK batters enroute to his 2nd tournament victory. Previously he had stopped Southside in the District 4 opener and his mound partner Ray-Ray Benvenuti stopped Beechview, 7-1, in the second game. Burton's season record, including All-Star competition, is 11-0, and Benvenuti has six wins to go with two losses.

* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - August 1, 1974 *

Brookline Little Leaguers Are Eliminated At Clarksville.

Ray Benvenuti, a 12 year old righthander who can play any baseball position, and play it brilliantly, is only a grade school student. But on Tuesday, July 30, at Clarksville, Pa., Ray-Ray, as he is familiarly known to Brookline Little League fans, gave it the old college try.

Young Rays best, however, wasn't sufficient and Clarksville eliminated Brookline's District 4 (Pittsburgh) champions, 3-2, from the annual quest for the World Series championship at Williamsport. It wasn't Ray-Ray's fault. He struck out 10, hit one batter, issued only one walk and pitched a 4-hitter, with 2 of Clarksville's 3 runs scoring on errors.

Johnny Boyle offered indications that Brookline, a slugging machine under Manager Ang Masullo in 3 previous victories, might pull it out for Ray as he bombed a homer, his 3rd in 4 tournament games, deep over the right-center fence. The round-tripper made the score 3-2.

But it wasn't to be as Brookline stranded 11 base-runners, 5 in the last two innings. Brookline had the bases packed in the 6th and final frame as Tim Gremba drew a walk, Brian Phillips popped out, and both Bobby Forster and John O'Toole drew walks. Carmen Tripodi batted for Bobby Frey and went down swinging for the second out. Brookline then exited the tournament action as Johnny Miller struck out to end the contest.

Brookline's eleven stranded runners, to Clarksville's five, was the story. Clarksville pitcher Mike Devecka gave up four hits and struck out eight, but he walked seven and hit one batter. For Brookline, Bobby Beveridge swatted two singles, Brian Phillips had one, and Boyle's homer rounded out the batting assault.

Manager Ang Masullo's 1974 squad resembled the old New York Yankee powerhouses as it outslugged and outpitched three city rivals en route to the District 4 championship.

Brookline, with Brian Phillips swatting a grand slam, Ray Benvenuti connecting with 1 on and Clint Burton twirling tough in the clutch before Johnny Miller came on in relief, toppled Southside, 9-5, on July 15. Burton struck out nine and walked only one.

Benvenuti whiffed eight and tossed a 2-hitter as Brookline slammed Beechview, 7-1, on July 19, with Johnny Boyle belting a two-run homer and Bobby Frey rapping three singles in 3 trips.

Burton came back to chuck a 5-hitter and fan 11 as Brookline bombed Bon Air-Knoxville, 15-3, notching the city championship (District 4) on July 22. Tim Gremba hammered a pair of homers while Johnny Boyle and Bobby Beveridge also cleared the outfield fences. At bat, Burton had four hits and Frey reached base four times on 2 singles and 2 walks.

Then came Clarksville.

* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - August 8, 1974 *

Little League All-Stars Move Up Tournament Ladder.

Brookline's best were equal to the challenge and as a result the Little League All-Stars advanced to the "Round of 16" in the Robinson Township Lions Invitation Tournament.

Clint Burton, who is undefeated with a LL pitching record of 12-0, fanned 13 and pitched a 2-hitter as the All-Stars whipped Bellevue-Avalon 3-1 in the first round of the 32-team tournament.

Brian Phillips sparked Brookline's 3-run first inning with a 2-run double and scored himself on Tim Gremba's RBI single. Bobby Frey and Ray Benvenuti also drilled singles for the winners.

But it was Burton who was the "boy of the hour". He used an assortment of palm balls, curve balls and fast balls to keep the Bellevue-Avalon batters off balance. B-A's only run was unearned.

Meanwhile, his mound rival, 6'2" Keith Keir, struck out 10, walked two, both of which led to runs, and twirled a 4-hitter.

Manager Ang Masullo, who just missed by a gnat's eyelash of guiding Brookline to the state semi-finals in the Williamsport tournament, had his charges pointing at West View-Ross, a team that eliminated defending champion Sto-Rox, 5-0, in the first round, as the Journal went to press.

NOTE: Brookline's All-Stars lost to West View, ending their post-season run.

* Reprinted from the Brookline Journal - August 15, 1974 *