Alpha Phi Delta Brooklyn Alumni Club

On Columbus Day weekend 31 brothers, with their families and friends (100 people in all!), gathered in Cooperstown, New York to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the BAC softball team. What a weekend!

It started out with an informal gathering Friday night as we got the chance to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. Notably, Albie Parisi and his son trekked in from California, Paul Bonzani from Vermont, Jimmy Sloan and family from Maryland and Tony Ceraso and family from Florida!

Since Mother Nature didn't cooperate on Saturday morning, we all took in the Hall of Fame, the shops of Cooperstown and had a great time running into people all day on Main St, Cooperstown!

Saturday night we had a dinner where all those who've played on the team were introduced, souvenirs handed out, the greatest moments in team history were announced, manager Joe Caldarella was honored and a new version of "Talkin' Baseball" written by Joe Narciso was performed for the first time.

As if Saturday night hadn't been enough fun, we capped off the weekend by playing a baseball game on hallowed Doubleday field (pictured above). 48 brothers, friends and kids got a chance to play on the same field where Ruth, Dimaggio, Mantle, Costanza, and Mays have!

Check out the latest KLEOS On Line to not only read about the goings on in Alpha Phi Delta Nationally, but read the great article on the BAC 25th Anniversary Cooperstown Trip! John Russo continues to do a tremendous job with this well written and informative publication that is worth reading cover to cover.

For a sample of photos taken by Emil Coscarelli, check out the BAC/Team Photos section. Also read what those who attended had to say about the Cooperstown reunion in the Guestbook! For some new pictures on ShutterFly that you can order,
click here!

Three short months from now many of us will be experiencing our 'Field of Dreams' - playing ball on a historic, major league ball field in Cooperstown with our closest friends and family (one of the attendees, Dominique Iacovelli (7) proudly displays her Future APD shirt). What once seemed so far away is getting very near so here is the latest on the trip:

* First of all, the response level has been great - we have 36 brothers that reserved a hotel room, and with family members, total attendees are around 120. There is still time, however, to join us! Call now or contact Joe for more information!

* For all those coming, we need the names of those who are attending with you, ages of children, who intends to play (children 12 or older can play). Please let Joe Caldarella know ASAP.

* Check out the BAC Photos ... we have now posted over 50 photos on the site covering 1977 to the present (thanks to Janet Caldarella, Emil Coscarelli and Joe Nunziata). If you have pictures, let our site administrator, Mike Iacovelli know and we will add them.

* We've made a lot of progress on the weekend events thanks mostly to Ralphie Parmegiani and Joe Narciso. Friday night we rented a nearby Veteran's Hall from 7pm thru midnight. We'll have snacks and a cash bar available. The idea is to gather after dinner and catch up with old friends. The game on Saturday morning is a baseball game (they do not allow softball). It will be a fun game - we have several guys who volunteered to pitch batting practice speed - between the current team and the old-timers. All equipment will be provided except gloves, cups and cleats/sneakers. Bring your old uniforms if you can find them and they still fit. Saturday Night features a buffet dinner at the same Veteran's Hall for a bargain price of $20 per person. We have some special surprises in store for the dinner such as awards, the top ten moments in BAC history, the BAC softball team of the Century, a group picture, etc. Sunday afternoon we have the field again for another round of reliving our past. Again, details are on the web site.

* There is a cost to renting the field, purchasing liability insurance required by Cooperstown, and paying for the town umpires - it's a union shop! We decided to cap the cost at $50 per brother who plays - the Club will fund the balance for equipment, gifts, friday nights' hall rental, etc. The actual amount will depend on the # of brothers playing, but will not be more than $50.

The final details have been taken care of, so those of you who are still undecided should just do it - make the reservation and join your 35 fraternity brothers and their families: Best Western 607-547-9439 (mention APD). You can cancel up to 48 hours before hand. Here are the details:

Friday Night, October 11 (8 PM to 11 PM):
Many of us will be checking in Friday and we will meet at Cooperstown Veteran's Hall. We will have some complimentary snacks and beverages available for those who wish to hang out on the first night for a bit. Directions to the Cooperstown Veteran's Hall at 60 Main Street:
Turn right out of Best Western parking lot onto Route 28 - go approximately 4 miles until you come to the stop light (the only one in town). Turn right at the light onto Main Street. The Hall is about 3/10 of a mile.

Saturday October 12:
Breakfast - Everyone is on their own (continental breakfast included in Best Western).
Game - All players should meet at Doubleday field in town at 9:30 AM (game starts at 10). We will divide the players into 2 teams, and work everyone in and out of the game. All players will receive a commemorative T-shirt, and kids will receive a souvenir.
Afternoon - By 1 PM, we will be leaving the field. It is expected some people will visit the Hall, some will get lunch, some will do some shopping, antiquing or siteseeing, or just go back to the hotel and relax with an icepack and painkillers (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate).
Dinner at 7:30 PM - We are meeting back at the Vet Hall (see directions above) for a dinner for all guests, player introductions, reviews of the top ten moments, and some surprises for all! Dinner will be buffet style (casual) with soda, coffee, and dessert. A cash bar will be available.

Sunday October 12:
Wake up, pop some Motrin, and get ready for another game! We have the field from 10 AM to 1 PM for a second game. Many people are staying Sunday night, so this is a great day to renew old friendships and reminisce. Some are arranging golf for Monday morning - contact Pete Gaudiuso if interested.

Attendees Costs:
1) Player's fee - $50 per brother to cover overall event costs (field rental, insurance, equipment, umps, T-shirt, vet hall rental). Kids who are playing do not pay.
2) Saturday Dinner:
Brother & All Guests over 12: $25 Each
Children under 12: $10 Each
Kids under 2 (negotiable): Free
Examples:
* Iacovelli Family (Mike, Ro, 11, 9, 7 year olds) $50 Brother Fee + $50 (2 adults) + $30 (3 kids) = $130
* Ralph Preite and his son (7) $50 Brother Fee + $25 (1 adult) + $10 (1 child) = $ 85
* Anastasio Family (Neil, Cathy, three teenagers) $50 Brother Fee + $50 (2 adults) + $75 (3 over 12) = $175

Please mail a check payable to "Michael Iacovelli" to 40 Delwick Lane, New Providence, NJ 07974. We'd strongly prefer not to have to handle cash on the weekend, so if you forget to send your payment in advance, please bring a check to Cooperstown.

The year 2002 will mark the 25th consecutive year that the BAC has fielded a team in the Staten Island softball league. Through these years, 88 APD brothers (including many of you have played on the team.

Well, for the 25th anniversary we've reserved playing time on the historic Cooperstown Baseball Fields for the Columbus day weekend. What better way to celebrate than by having a friendly game of family baseball on the same field that so many Hall of Famers played.

Initial responses have been overwhelming!! Already reserved are Tony Amato, Neil Anastasio, Doug Awn, Paul Bonzani, Joe Caldarella, Lou Carbone, Tony Ceraso, Emil Coscarelli, Bobby Cucco, Rob DeMartini, Neil Falzarano, Charles Fiore, Pete Gaudiuso, Gene Gemelli, John Hogan, Mike Iacovelli, John Loddo, Mike Manniello, Frank Marino, Joe Narciso, Kevin Nolan, Tom Oftring, John Palamarik, Albie Parisi, Ralphie Parmegiani, Zeke Parmegiani, Leo Parmegiani, Steve Phelan, Lenny Plantemoli, Ralph Preite, Jim Scalfaro, Tony Siconolfi, Jimmy Sloan, Billy Weber, Bob Zeleny, and Phil Zito. This is over 110 people so far!

And those are just who committed to reserve a room! Others that are either likely to come or are considering the trip include Mark Failla, Tom Sclafani, Jeff Uliano, Dennis Argentieri, Pete Gibaldi, Steve Palermo, Joe Nunziata, Joe Logozzo, Tony Zumbo, Don Ferone, Pete Sparaco, Ed Urena, Steve Jones, Greg D'Avola, Scott Giammarino, Al Candela, Charlie Garbarino, Rob Nicotra, Bob Rubano and others every day!

Note that Albie Parisi is coming from California, Tony Ceraso from Florida, Jimmy Sloan from Virginia, Mark Failla from Ohio, and Paul Bonzani from Vermont!!!

If you would like to make a reservation, click on APD BAC Links on the left to get to the preferred hotel. There are numerous in the area.

Here's the plan so far:
Friday October 11: Welcome Room for brothers and their families to gather after they arrive. The time is still TBD, but will likely be around 8 PM or so, after dinner. Snacks, beverages, and many reunions!

Saturday October 12: 10 AM - 1 PM We have the field for 3 hours of baseball and surprises. After the game, families are free to explore the Hall of Fame, get lunch, relax at the hotel, or shop/sitesee in the area.

Saturday Night: Group Banquet Dinner. Time for all brothers and families to gather for an informal buffet dinner. Food, beverages, memorabilia from years of BAC events and softball games! Some surprises also.

Sunday October 13: 1 PM - 4 PM We have the baseball field reserved again for the die hards, including children over 12!

More Cooperstown Information?