Time for Baseball in Niles 1893-2007 By Roselyn Simini.
Last in a series of four articles that appeared in the 2007 Niles Historical Society newsletter. To join and help preserve and promote Niles History, call: 330544.2143

There was always time for baseball in our family. In 1939,my father, Rocco Simini, played for Rossi Undertaker National League Championship team. Whether playing on the fields in Niles or watching games, one thing is certain…there’s always time for baseball in Niles!

The team sponsor was Joseph Rossi and his son James was the batboy. Members of the team included:Andy Dorchalk, Jerome Cody, John Halko,Joseph Halko, Dom Lucarelli, Phil Butto, Guy Marino, Clem Flarey, Nick Flarey, Steve Gyonzois, Frank Martinko and Rocco Simini.

The 1962 Red Dragons qualified for State of Ohio Baseball Championship Game. The Red Dragonsinclude:Jim Berline, Jim Gatta, Frank Fuda,E. Harshman,Drake Markley, Carmen Vivolo, Tom

James, Ray Shoup, Bo Rein, Jim Seiber, B. Reynolds, Norm Coupland, Bill Gales, Rod Waddell, B.  were State Runnerups with the final score North Bend Taylor -7, Niles -2. Members of this team Shively, Joe DeChristofaro, and David Allen. The 1962 diamondmen played a grinding, 31 game schedule in the Mahoning Valley Baseball League . Team members Ray Shoup and Bo Rein
moved on to play college baseball for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In 1967, Shoup was named First Team All-America Outfielder at the college level. Robert “Bo “ Rein found time to play both baseball and football at Ohio State. He helped the Buckeyes win their only
NCAA title in 1966. After college, the Cleveland Indians drafted Rein. He was playing for the Portland Beavers, the Indians’ Triple-A farm team, when Achilles tendon and
hamstring problems ended his baseball career.

Famous Buckeye Coach Woody Hayes spoke at a Red Dragon football banquet and talked about baseball in Niles. Hayes praised Bo Rein as a football player, baseball player and college coach,
and he credited Mrs. Rein for finding time to play backyard baseball with Bo.

For one hundred years Niles has been the place to play baseball. In the early 1900’s, Charles Crow moved here from Coal Center, Pennsylvania to pitch and manage a baseball team. He was so popular as a pitcher and manager that people elected him Mayor of Niles. He was mayor from 1914-1924.

1917 was the first time that a Niles native was chosen to play baseball professionally for the American League. George Henry Burns, known as Tioga George and played for the pros from 1917-1929.

My father played baseball at Waddell Park , coached Burger King Little League and watched son
and grandson play there. Now, there is a bench overlooking the Waddell baseball fields with Rocco
Simini’s name on it.

Burger King Little League 1972. Coach Rocco Simini on the
far right. Team includes: Curtis Rein, Matt & John
Vulanich, Mark Powers, J. Brandt, Steven Latil. Assistant
coach: Ralph Dublikar