History of Colonie Little League
Charles Thum got three hits and Joe DiGiulia got two to lead Rutland Lumber past Tim’s Trotters, 6-5 in the first Colonie Little League game on June 4, 1955. The game was played at Exchange Park just off of Wolf Road where DeNooyer Chevrolet is currently located, on land owned by the Bergbold family. In the second game of the day, Tom Burns pitched a one-hitter to lead Tobin Packing to a 5-0 victory over Greenhouse. 

Tobin went on to win the league championship that first year with a 12-6 record. Rutland Lumber and Greenhouse tied for second with 11-7 records. Tim’s Trotters finished last with a 2-16 record. Players on Tobin’s championship team included Ronnie Beecher, John Hotaling, Bernard Scranton, Frank Myers, Tim Dennis, Henry Denis, Bobby Foggo, Dick Johnson, Gerald Bylsma, Larry Tull, Art Waugh, Wally Burns and Bill Giering. Richard Waugh managed the team and was assisted by coaches Erlane Carroll and William Stevens. Bob Gidley managed Rutland Lumber, Frank Maguire managed Greenhouse and Ed Coughtry managed Tim’s Trotters.

Colonie Little League applied for and received its first charter from Little League Baseball Incorporated on May 23, 1955. Albert Foreman was the first President of the league. Other officers included Jack Weininger, Vice President; Rudolph Gross, Secretary; and Joseph Smith, Treasure. 

In 1956 Tim’s Trotters won the league championship. This time it took a play-off game win over Tobin’s to determine the champion. Stan Ravish pitched a two-hitter for Tim’s in the play-off game. Joe Pappa hit a home run for the winners. Tim’s finished with a 12-7 record.

In 1960 Redwood Lanes replaced Rutland Lumber as a major team sponsor. Colonie won its first District 13 12-year old all star title that year and became the first District 13 team to participate in the New York State Little League Tournament. Players on the 1960 12-year old all star team included Jay Hinds, Mike Hart, Marty Sebast, Paul Aussicker, Lenny Boni, Dave Paul, Gary Reynolds, Vince Stitzer, John Gulliver, Steve Kretzer, Jerry Anson, Steve Prue, Lee McGrath, Jim MacDonald and Bob Doyle. The team was managed by Jack Hinds along with coach Dan Ryan.

In 1961 the league expanded to six Major division teams with the addition of Colonie Elks and Dewey’s Diner as sponsors. Colonie Elks currently is a team sponsor and has sponsored a team in Colonie Little League for 43 straight years.

Colonie won the District 13 12-year old all-star title for a second time in 1963.

In 1967, under the direction of Fred McDonald, League President, Colonie moved to new facilities at Cook Park in the village of Colonie. The facility now includes five baseball diamonds, two concession stands, a batting cage and a pavilion. The fields and the facilities were built and are currently maintained by volunteers.

The league expanded to 8 Major division teams in 1971.

In 1972 through 1974 Colonie won three consecutive District Championships. The 1973 team went on to win the Sectional, State and Eastern Regional tournament and competed in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The players on that team included Mark Friss, Curtis Benedetto, Allan Haskell, Tim Coyne, Dave Jackson, Thomas Kenna, Gary Krueger, Anthony Kuchis, William Lovely, John Miller, Don Putnam, Bruce Roeser, Jim Flood, Vince Agneta and Dave Dixon. Bob Friss managed the team with assistance from coaches Bruce Roeser and Tony Agneta.

Colonie has won the District 13 12-year old all-star title 25 times including 17 of the last 20 years. They have won the Section title 10 times and have won three State Championships (1973, 1980, 1987).

In 1999 Colonie served as host for the New York State 10-year old Tournament. Colonie’s 10-year old all-star teams have competed in three State tournaments (1998, 1999 and 2002) and won the state tournament in 1998.

In 1997 Colonie began a “Fall Ball” league. This is primarily an instructional league that ran from early August through the beginning of October. Approximately 160 boys and girls participate in this program.

In 2000, Colonie Little League expanded to 10 Major division teams. In addition to those previously mentioned, major division team sponsors over the years have included Crisafulli Builders, JT Garry, Devito’s Restaurant (now Truman’s Restaurant), Andy’s Hardware, Village Pharmacy (now J & T Associates), The Schenectady Gazette (now The Daily Gazette), Burger King, Vellano Brothers, L-Kens Drive In, Colonie Mechanical Contractors, VFW, and DC Pizza.

A Board of Directors that includes approximately 60 volunteers runs the League. A League Parent Auxiliary operates the concession stands during the season and provides other support to the Board. Joe Pavone is the current League President and Debbie Marchicini is the Parent Auxiliary President. Previous League Presidents have included:

Al Foreman (1955)
Earl Rose (1956-1957)
Fred McDonald (1958-1967)
Ron Westfall (1968-1969)
Joe Nagle (1970-1971)
Jose Sampson (1972)
Bob Ginnelly (1973 and 1975)
Joe Therien (1974)
Jack Walsh (1976-1977)
Bob Caulford (1978-1982)
Mike Margiotta (1982-1986)
Frank Porcaro (1987-1988)
Dennis Mihalski (1989-1990)
Tom Mahoney (1991-1997)
Chuck VanderVolgen (1998)
Joe Pavone (1999-Present)

Of particular note are two Board members that have completed 32 years of service with Colonie Little League. Jack Walsh and Frank Porcaro became involved with Colonie Little League in 1971. As a father of four daughters and no sons, Frank Porcaro never had any of his kids compete in Colonie Little League. Jack Walsh managed his two sons when they were in the league. He is currently the longest serving manager in the league having managed a major division team continuously since 1984. Other current Board members with over 10 years of service include Kevin Kopach, Joe Trimarchi, Dan Ferraro, Paul Ford, Milt Schmidt and Bill Monthie.

The league consists of approximately 525 players on approximately 48 teams each year competing in T-Ball (5-6 year-olds), Junior Pee Wee (7 year-olds), Pee Wee (8-9 year-olds), Intermediates (10-12 year-olds) and Majors (9-12 year-olds). Additionally, approximately 14 teams compete each year in the fall ball program.

Colonie Little League