Saints credit success to 's philosophy By Lee Strong Saints to the Wayne Finger Lakes League Staff writer title. GENEVA — In professional , a While working for the Geneva Police dynasty usually begins because of trades Department, Pane coached Little League for key players, or a healthy farm system, and Babe Ruth. When he took over the or because an owner is not afraid to spend Saints in 1982, he found himself coaching money for needed personnel. a number of players he'd guided in youth In the local high school scene, a baseball baseball. Many of those players grew up in dynasty began with an early morning visit the same neighborhood, and the size of to the Geneva police station in 1981. DeSales helped to foster an attitude of Frank Pane Sr., the former night captain closeness, noted Jim Vedora, a current for the Geneva Police Department, was on member of the team. duty when Dave Pratt, who was coaching "We're all like family," Vedora re­ DeSales' baseball team at the time, came marked. into the station at about 2 a.m. The team is "like a family" in more Pratt said that he wouldn't be able to ways than one. In addition to coaching his Babette G. Augustin/Staff photographer coach the Saints for the first few games of two sons — Mike, who pitched from 1982 Coach Frank Pane Sr.'s arrival in 1982 keyed a rise in the DeSales baseball the season because he had to work. Pratt to 1986, and Frank Jr., a junior on program that in nine years has produced four sectional titles. asked Pane — who had coached baseball at the current squad — the eldest Pane is also working with Pane Sr. and French. ed that the opposing pitcher came off the the Little League and Babe Ruth levels — if the uncle to twins Jim and Joe Vedora, Mruczek said that one attribute that has mound toward the first base side. The he would take his place as coach for a few their older brother Steve (graduated in helped Pane Sr. succeed as a coach is his Saints bunted twice in the game — both games. 1989), Bill Sweeney (a sophomore pitcher ability to judge a player's potential. times up the third base line — and die Pane took over the Saints the very next on the team), and Ron Cecere (also a 1989 "I really believe we get the maximum batters got on base each time. grad). day. They won their first two games of the out of our players," Pane Sr. said. He ex­ It is subtle things such as those that turn season under Pane before Pratt returned. In Throughout his playing career, Pane Sr. plained mat he tries to discover each good teams into winners, Pane Sr. ac­ 1982, Pane took over as head coach. was a good defensive player whp could player's abilities, and then to place the knowledged. And the players are aware of also hit. During his first year as a head The two games that Pane coached were players in situations where they can best it. perhaps a foretaste of what was to come. coach, he realized that he needed help with use those abilities. With Pane in charge over the next nine pitching. In 1983, he asked Pete French, a "Our kids know that our philosophy is, The head coach said he always tries to be 'We'll give you a chance to win,'" the years, the Saints compiled an incredible pitcher for DeSales rival Waterloo in the fair with his players. He tells them from 107-32 record. In his first full season as late 1950s, for help. head coach observed. "They know if they die beginning of the season what he thinks lose a game it's because the other team was coach, DeSales advanced to the Section 5, French, who works for the United States they can do, and he tries to make sure that Class C semifinals. - Post Office in Geneva, readily agreed. A better. It's not because the coaching will each player feels as if he is part of the beat them." / In 1984, the Saints won the title. veteran of semi-, team. Since that championship season, the French kept up on the latest pitching trends The result of Pane's coaching techniques Beating the Saints has been a problem for Saints have added sectional titles in 1988, and came in with a simple philosophy. is good team spirit, observed Mike other teams in recent years. Next season, 1989 and 1990. They currently own a 40- "The biggest factor is I make them throw Bucklin, who played for die Saints from DeSales will try to set a Section 5 record game winning streak dating back to the strikes," French said. And the way to 1983 to 1986. "They're probably the ... by winning four .consecutive sectional 1988 season. throw strikes, he continued, is to master best coaches in the whole area," he said. titles. The Saints are also looking to extend Not bad for a school which has no budget the mechanics. "They make you enjoy the game. They their winning streak. for athletic teams. In fact, the school Many of the came to the team make you want to play.'' Jim Vedora said the players want to keep doesn't pay salaries to its three baseball without proper coaching, French said, so Athletic success has also helped to en­ the winning streak alive. He noted, coaches — Pane, Pete French and Steve he began to work with them as freshman. courage a sense of pride, Bucklin noted. however, diat even if DeSales should lose, Mruczek. Jim Vedora was one of those pitchers. "People, look at us and say, 'They're playing for the school's three,coaches will According to Pane, who is now Under French, Vedora — who described winners.'" have left a mark on die players — a Geneva's chief of police, those factors himself as "wild" when he first began pit­ Pane Sr. acknowledged pride in his abil­ philosophy not only about baseball, but have actually helped make the program so ching at DeSales — learned to use more of ity to coach. In this year's sectional title about life. successful. rnVlegs and back when he pitched. The game, for example, the coaching staff had ' 'You gotta go out and play your hardest, "The kids know that we're not getting DeSales hurler also learned to disguise his noticed that Canaseraga's didn't even if you're losing by 10 (runs)," paid," he said. "They know we're there pitches, and he developed an arsenal that have a strong throwing arm so the Saints Vedora said. "Never stop doing your because we love baseball and because we includes not only a fast ball and a curve stole eight bases. The coaches also observ­ best." love DeSales." ball, but also a split-fingered fast ball and a For Pane, the two loves began early in change-up. life. A Geneva native, he played Little Vedora was 9-0 this past season. He St. John Fisher plans League and American Legion baseball. He threw back-to-back no-hitters, and was the summer basketball camp also played in the semi-professional winning pitcher in the Class D sectional ROCHESTER - St. John Fisher Col­ George Hooks Wiltsey League against championship game against Canaseraga, lege Is sow accepting registrations for such future professional baseball players as 5-3, on June 9. hs summer basketball camp. . Billy Connors (currently the New York The third member of the DeSales the camp, which will be led by Yankees' pitching coach) and pitcher Pat coaching staff, Mruczek, joined the pro­ Rochester-area high school coaches and Dobson. * gram in 1986. Although Mruczek admitted college players, is designed for boys Pane played high school ball at DeSales. that he played little organized baseball in and girls aged eight to 18, Hie program City-Catholic League During his senior year in 1960, he led the his youth, he had learned a great deal from ' will be offered in two sessions: June 25- names baseball all-stars IIIIIIII—mmm l&aodiuly 2-6, as well as Juh/°ii3 and ROCHESTER — Players from the "'Julpi6-tft.• - ' ^ -v:SP^:?&&'4d®£*-'. Bishop Kearney baseball team LOCKER(7&C.08M, SPORTS Daily' programs dominated selections to the City- Hr». If on.-Prl. lOam-Spm; Sat. lOam-Spm hours- ofifuhdametr _ i Catholic League all-star team, as league TEAM UNIFORMS * EQUIPMENT-NEW * USED ICE SKATES pfey'J In ad$tfeffifti»fisl coaches tabbed six Kings to the squad. Soccer • Baseball • Hockey • Lacrosse ' preseji^-inore:' Kearney inMelder David Armanini, We received 1 correct entry identify­ The winner was M. Barney •ten-" outfielders Rene Ingoglia and Brian ing Yugoslavia as the country the U.S. Rochester. 3'HSoh.'*8»M6achr two-week session is beat to win the men's basketball gold Sergeant, designated hitter Tom medal at the 1976 Olympics. CDORTS TRIVIA •S'I4CK j-siKso h O'Brien, pitchers Steve Miner and Mar­ For information or to fegisterl call ty Alexander were ail named to the Di­ This week's question: Name: 716/385-8309.- >"*•*:.>,;*'•'," vision II team. Coach Art Carlisi was Address: ND'S named coach of die year in Division II. Nolan Ryan recently pitched his In addition to winning their division, 6th no-hitter! What team did he City: State: ELMIRA ..the Kings also captured die league title pitch his first no-hitter against? Zip Code:. School's Mike with a perfect 10-0 mark against league the Elmira Kiwanis Club's School: 'rivals. Kearney (17-6) earned the sec­ of the year..-..;; ond seed in the Section 5 Class AA j Rules: Bennett, a jii /tournament, where the Kings fell in the J Each week, the Catholic Courier, in conjunction with Locker Room basketball and baseball for Notre Dame. semifinals to Eastridge, 4-3, on June 5. I Sports will feature a Sports Trivia contest. All you have to do to enter.is A fullback for the Division IV champi­ Aquinas Institute infielders Darren answer the question, fill in your name and address and the school you The Catholic Courier on football team, he was named Section Diehl and Alan Schlageter, and catcher Iattend (if applicable), cut out the coupon and send it in to the Catholic I Courier. If more than one correct entry is received, a drawing will be Sports Trivia 4's most valuable player. In basketball, Brendan Pickett were also named to the held and one winning entry will be drawn. he averaged 14.9 points per game and Division II team. If -yours is the winning entry, you will be mailed a certificate 1150 Buffalo Rd. Iredeemabl e for $10.00 OFF any purchase of $25.00 or more at Locker snared 151 rebounds for the Section 4, McQuaid infielder Matt Palmisano as •Room Sports, 560 W. Ridge Rd. Rochester, NT 14624 Class C champion Crusaders. Bennett well as outfielders Brent Voci and Andy ! All entries must be received within seven days of this paper's issue was also me No. 1 pitcher on the sec- •data winning names and answers will be printed the week following Dvooch woe tabbed to the Division I •each drawing. I championship baseball I all-star squad. ,-•

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