When town semipro baseball rivalries were popular like Jakes vs. Sacred Heart in ’52

Contributed Photos – Jake’s Dyna Service captured the Medina village semi pro baseball championship in 1952 by downing rival Sacred Heart 4-1. The Jake’s lineup included, in front, George Hotchkiss, Lou Foreman, Manager Ken Moriarty, Neil Kemp and Gary Thompson. In the middle row are Warren “Burr” Breed, Roger Houseman, Chuck Montgomery, Francis “Fats” Piedmont and Ted Coates. In the back row are Scorekeeper John Coleman, Herb Eick, Merle Fredericks, Bruno Pacini, Bill Hickey and Howie Bathrick.

For many decades semi pro baseball rivalries between town teams was very popular among local sports fans and the 1952 rivalry between the Jake’s Dyna Service and Sacred Heart teams is a prime example.

The Jake’s team, which previously had been sponsored by the Vets Club since 1946, bested Sacred Heart 4-1 to capture the Medina village championship that summer.

Some 400 fans filled the bleachers at Vets Park for the contest which saw Jake’s score solo runs in four innings all gained by Sacred Heart errors.

Chuck Montgomery banged out a pair of doubles for Jake’s which also got two hits from both Roger Houseman and Herb Eick.

John Hydock had two hits for Sacred Heart.

Bill Fox went the distance on the mound for Jake’s scattering 6 hits and striking out 10.

The Hearts did gain a bit of revenge by nipping Jake’s 10-9 in a “consolation game” rematch a week later.

Sacred Heart did have a big regular season capturing the Genesee Town League championship with a 10-2 record.

The Hearts locked up the league title with a regular season ending 13-8 victory over Alabama.

Rich Turoski hit a home run and Don Bensley banged out three hits for the Hearts which also got two hits each from Dayton Garling, Howie Bathrick, Hydock and Walt Waniecki.

Bathrick picked up the win on the mound registering 11 strikeouts.

However, Alabama avenged that loss by downing Sacred Heart twice by scores of 6-4 and 5-2 to claim the league playoff championship.

Sacred Heart also had a big year capturing the Genesee Town League regular season championship. The Hearts lineup included, in front, Rich Turoski, Bernard Dujenski, Don Bensley, Joe Maryjanowski and Business Manager Ray Matusak. In the middle row are William Board Jr., Ed Jablonski, Dayton Garling, Manager Tom Maryjanowski and John Wright. In the back row are John Hydock, Ray Janalkowski, Walt Waniecki, Dan Hall and Howie Bathrick.