TEAM SPOTLIGHT - Softball Magazine

TEAM SPOTLIGHT: BACKOFFICE ASSOCIATES 70’S ALL STARS, CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS
managed the Team through 2004. Upon Harbeck’s retirement in 2004, Sullivan took over the reins as player/manager and in 2005, the team, then sponsored by Cape Cod
he BackOffice Associates 70+ All Stars completed its best seaFive Cent Savings Bank, completed its season by winning
son ever in 2008 by winning Senior Softball USA’s coveted Triple
the Winter Nationals in Fort Myers, Florida. With this major
Grand Slam in the 70 plus AA Division at the World
breaksthrough, a new air of confidence had developed.
Championships in Phoenix, Arizona. By winning the Eastern, National and
After a winning season in 2006, Cape Cod won the
World Championships in the same season, the team from Cape Cod,
Eastern and National Championships in 2007, faltering at
Massachusetts completed a storybook season in its eighth year of existhe World Championship. The team approached the 2008
tence. The team played in eight tournaments over all, won seven and
season with eight players still active from that 2005 squad,
placed second in the other. In concert with multiple local and regional doutogether with several key players added in ‘06 and ‘07. As a
ble-headers during the 2008 season, Cape
result of some retirements,
Cod completed the season with fifty-one wins
more roster spots were open
Vince
VanNorman
and nine losses.
for the 2008 season. Having
BackOffice is comprised of players from the
just turned 70, three new playCape Old Timers Softball league located on
ers from the Cape Old Timers
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The League has
League were added to the rosmore than 280 seniors involved in four age
ter. Chris Sweeney, a rangy
divisions, ranging from 57 to players over 80.
shortstop, hard hitting outfieldThe BackOffice roster is comprised strictly of
er-first baseman Joe Wignot
players from this local league and on a tryout
and new leadoff hitter and outbasis. Manager Dick Sullivan is quick to point
fielder Tony Fucci joined perenout that the team does absolutely no recruiting
nial all stars, Jim Parmelee,
of players from outside the Cape organization.
Vince Van Norman and Nate
On the other hand, SSUSA’s roster eligibility
Koppel, together with speedy
rules allow all teams to be comprised of playoutfielders Jack Ferrie, Hank
ers from contiguous States. “For us, this
Baldassarri and a roster of
would translate into our being able to recruit
skilled, dedicated players.
players from the New England States and New
JimVanBaalen, a post ‘05 addiYork. However, we remain a local group of
players who all live on Cape Cod. In tournaments, we play many teams who have players
from broad regions and States. Given these
challenges, we certainly take special pride in
our successful run,” said Sullivan.
The first Cape Cod 70+ travel team was
established in 2001 under Manager Maynard
Simpson who was also
Commissioner of the Cape
Tony Fucci
Old Timers Softball League at
that time. The team continued
to evolve over succeeding
years with varying levels of
success. Age and infirmity
have resulted in numerous
player changes up to the
present time. Player/Manager
Dick Sullivan, a retired college Dean, is the only current
member from that 2001 team.
During that ‘01 season, the
Cape Cod team placed second in the National
Championships held in
Canton, Michigan. This result
drew some attention, as prior
to that time, Cape Cod travel
teams had traditionally been
considered the doormats in
tournament play.
In succeeding years, varying degrees of success followed. The continued growth
as a competitive team was
spearheaded under the leadership of outstanding shortEd Demeo
stop Ralph Harbeck, who
Editorial Submitted by Dick Sullivan with Eric Adler of the Cape Cod Chronicle;
Photos Courtesy of Jack Eberhard and Dick Sullivan
T
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the bond of togetherness.
The mosaic was complete and the
season began with this special group
who were not only ball players, but
from all walks of life. None would
ever have met each other had it not
been for the medium of softball. The
fact that they are all from the same
geographic area, resulted in yearround friendships and social activities. This 2008 team represented
diverse backgrounds and experiences. They were retired teachers,
school administrators, businessmen,
a military fighter pilot, a plumber, civil
engineer, product services engineer,
insurance agent, automotive
researcher, a college Dean, a certified accountant, an assessor, a guidance counselor and a computer softBack Office Associates 70’s All Stars
ware manager.
Back Row left to right: J. Wignot, J. Parmelee, N. Koppel, C. Sweeney, M. Onnembo,
The team was also committed to
T. Fucci, W. Page, T. Fazio, R. Parsons; Front Row left to right: J. Ferrie, B. Powers,
community service and pledged as a
H. Baldassarri, V. VanNorman, R. Sullivan, E. Demeo, J. VanBaalen
group to work on a housing project
for Habitat for Humanity during the
tion, was a versatile outfielder, infielder whose hustle and consistent hitting,
Spring of 2009. Some individual volunteer efforts
would prove to be a key player in 2008. Outfielder turned pitcher Mike Onnembo,
include the following: Jim VanBaalen is President of
also a strong hitter, veteran infielder with game savvy Tom Fazio and versatile
Friends of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.
infielder Ed Demeo, another post ‘05 addition, with his strong arm and solid bat,
Bill Page and his wife have been with Habitat for
were all returning. Bob Parsons, designated hitter known as ‘Mr. Clutch’ was
Humanity and have traveled worldwide on projects
back, together with starter/reliever Steve Ramsay and catcher/third baseman
with service for victims of Katrina as well. Joe Wignot
Dan James. Consummate team player and outstanding first baseman Ed
is a tax counselor for the joint IRS/AARP helping senGorrigan would anchor the infield until health issues put him on the shelf for the
ior citizens; Jim Parmelee is a volunteer for Friends of
Phoenix trip.
the Cape Cod National Seashore. Dick Sullivan is
With the roster now in place, the stage was set for the 2008 season. The
Founder and President Emeritus of the Cape Cod
average age of the team was now seventy-three, evidencing a blend of veterans
Division of the March of Dimes Birth Defects
and newcomers ready for the 70+ AA Division on a regional and national scale.
Foundation. Jack Ferrie is a volunteer for the local
Just as the season was about to commence, the former sponsor for seven
food pantry and Hank Baldassarri is a member of the
years informed the team that they were unable to continue. At that point,
Dennis Recreation Commission. All BackOffice
BackOffice Associates, an international computer firm with its main office in
Associate team members are contributing to the wellHarwich on Cape Cod, stepped up to the plate and became the team’s sponsor.
being of the Cape Cod community in a variety of
Their enthusiastic support and commitment fit right into the developing mosaic
for a special season. At the very outset, CEO Patricia Kennedy, upon
Mike Onnembo (l); Dick Sullivan (r)
recommendation by Director of
Marketing John Kelly, pledged her
support. New uniforms and travel
bags arrived shortly thereafter. Entry
fees would be paid. Outfielder Jack
Ferrie, retired from the FAA as an air
traffic controller and supervisor,
would continue as business manager, making all travel reservations and
lodging arrangements. The goal was
to insure the team would travel as a
group and stay as a group. Even dinner reservations were to be for the
entire team and those stalwart wives
who traveled with the team. Bernie
Powers would return as Assistant
Field Manager, bringing a wealth of
baseball and softball experience with
him. Bill Page, a West Pointer and
retired fighter pilot with the US Air
Force returned as the number one
pitcher. The entire team pledged to
meet weekly from the first day of
practice through the entire season,
to not only work out, but to continue
Softball Magazine Issue 2 2009 • Page 65
TEAM SPOTLIGHT: BACK OFFICE ASSOCIATES 70’S ALL STARS, CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS
“The Lady and the Champs”
The Team presenting the World Championship trophy to CEO Trish Kennedy at BackOffice Associates Headquarters.
Trish is thanked by Bill Page (left) and Dick Sullivan (right)
ways.
The 2008 season began with high expectations. Up first was the New
England Softball Classic in North Branford, Connecticut in mid May.
After a slow start, the team asserted itself and swept through the
remainder of the tournament and defeated a strong Rhode Island Post
56 team in a slugfest to win the championship. With the win, BackOffice
Associates earned an automatic bid to the National Championships in
Phoenix,, Arizona to take place in October of 2008. Two weeks later, the
team traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts for the Memorial Day
Classic. Cape Cod finished the round robin affair with a 5 and 1 record,
as did the Syracuse Cyclones, with whom they shared the title.
Local media on Cape Cod began to follow the team more closely and
the Cape community was taking notice. From then on, the momentum
continued into Raleigh, North Carolina, even with some key players
missing, Cape Cod was designated the winner. The Ocean State Classic
in Warwick, Rhode Island in August was won even after BackOffice fell
behind, losing early games. It was beginning to feel that this group was
going to will itself to win regardless of the situation. Then came the
annual Cape Cod Classic in September featuring fifteen teams from
throughout the Northeast. This was a chance to play at home. As the
tournament opened, hopes ran high until a team from Long Island, New
York, in the opening game of the three day event, shut down the
BackOffice. Not to be denied, the team settled down and won six
straight games including a tense, well played final with the talent laden
Syracuse Cyclones. The game was played before a large and boisterous
group of Cape Cod supporters. There was a spontaneous, celebratory
dinner party right afterwards at a local restaurant with the team still in
uniform.
Now, all roads would lead to Phoenix for the National and World
Championships. Preparations began almost immediately. A team of
younger players from the Old Timers League was organized by member
Tom O’Rourke and provided spirited opposition in a series of practice
games. Then it was off to Phoenix in mid October with sixteen players
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Joe Wignot
Bernie Powers
injuries, and kept spirits high. They were an integral part of this odyssey.
Upon returning to Cape Cod from Phoenix, BackOffice was featured on
local radio and in the newspapers. A luncheon at the Chatham Squire
Restaurant was followed by a reception given by BackOffice Associates.
Dick Sullivan had several speaking engagements with senior citizens’
organizations as Cape Cod has a significant retired population. These
engagements provide a forum to promote the human rewards to seniors
for involvement in sports and recreational activities. In particular, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, wholesome recreation, competition, travel and
socialization represent positive outcomes, participation in senior softball
and this team provided a clear example of those rewards.
Perhaps this championship season can be summarized by the human
factors well beyond the physical performances. “Did we simply have better
talent? Not at all,” posed Manager Dick Sullivan. “Players were selected on
the basis of team chemistry and camaraderie rather than by skill alone.
This was an amazing year by an
amazing group.” To quote All
Tournament infielder Nate Koppel,
“Winning is wonderful, but the relationships we have cannot be replaced
and will last as long as we do.”
Now it’s on to 2009 and hope
springs eternal as BackOffice moves
up to the highly competitive AAA
Division. Regardless of what happens
in 2009 and beyond, no one can ever
take away the magical season of 2008
for BackOffice Associates from Cape
Cod.
and eight wives. On the first
day, BackOffice Associates,
as Eastern US champion,
Jim Parmelee
was scheduled to play the
Western US champion,
Wintercrest from Utah in one
game… winner take all, for
the National championship.
After three close, back and
forth innings, Cape Cod’s
bats came to life and exploded for five runs in the fourth
to break the game open for
the win. The first mission was
accomplished.
Everyone stayed focused
and BackOffice started play
in the World Championship
AA bracket. Fresh off the
National Championship,
Cape Cod proceeded to win
five games in a row, to reach
the championship game.
There was one to go. This
was uncharted territory for
the Cape Cod team. The
opponent was a strong Colorado Cougars team. In a game which featured solid
pitching and outstanding defense by both teams, Cape Cod found itself on the short
end of a 5-2 score and it was getting late. Picking up a single run in the fourth, a two
out-two run rally in the fifth inning tied the game Then, in the last of the sixth, with
two outs, Joe Wignot singled in the go ahead run from third. There was one inning to
go. A lead off double in the seventh inning put the tying run on second. Page then
slammed the door; the runner stayed on second, game over. The possible dream
became a reality and the celebration began. As Dick Sullivan was quoted in the Cape
Cod Chronicle, “We didn’t even need the plane to fly home.” The Triple Grand Slam
was coming home to Cape Cod. They won as a team, would not be denied and willed
themselves to win. Five players were named to the All Tournament Team including
Jim Parmelee, Chris Sweeney, Jim VanBaalen, Joe Wignot and Nate Koppel. Bill
Page was voted MVP by the team. Every man on the roster contributed to the championship and the All Tournament Team representatives could have been the entire
roster.
Each step of the way, at least eight wives traveled with the team and in Phoenix
they shared in the victory. They were vocal cheerleaders, washed uniforms, tended to
Bill Page
Softball Magazine Issue 2 2009 • Page 67