History Of Briarcliffe Athletic Association

The BAA is rich in both history and tradition and has a story to tell of which only fairy tales are made.

1957
- It all began when a few ambitious men from the Briarcliffe community decided to provide adult supervised recreation for boys between the ages of 7 and 18. Thus the Briarcliffe Father & Son AA was founded.

 Fields owned by the Philadelphia Suburban Water  Company and Darby Township were leased to the BFSAA at no cost to establish
three baseball diamonds known then as well as today as the Westbridge Field Complex. Originally the water company was going to put a water tower on that sight but due to friendly persuasion and the water company’s community mindedness that plan was averted.


1960
- The BFSAA was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in May of that year was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Established organizational  bylaws.

Three and one-half acres of land on Bartram Avenue were leased from Mrs. Catherine Delaney at an annual cost of $100
establishing three additional baseball fields known as the Rively Avenue Complex.

In the early years, over 500 boys participated in the baseball program comprising the American League (home was the Rively fields)
 and the National League (home was the Westbridge fields).

Inter-league play did not occur until the World Series at the end of the season.

1966
- Application was made and accepted for tax-exempt status from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

1969
- BFSAA purchased the entire property at 110 Bartram Avenue from Mrs. Delaney at a cost of $22,500 that included the fields, residence and garage. The purchase came with the stipulation that Mrs. Delaney would continue to reside there for life.
The garage still stands today as a reminder of what was here before.

The Briarcliffe Girls Athletic Association was  founded and offered softball programs to the girls of the Briarcliffe community.
Most of the games were played on fields contracted from the Southeast Delco school district. Through the years there have been many men and women that have spent countless hours of dedicated service to ensure that these programs would be available. 

1974
– Plans for construction of a 9600 square foot field house to be built on the site of Mrs. Delaney’s residence were begun. Agreement was made with Mrs. Delaney through her attorney that the planned facility would include an apartment, which would become her residence.

Commitment was made for the construction of a field house at a cost of $228,000. $98,000 was raised through fundraising
efforts and private donations. BFSAA assumed a mortgage in the amount of $130,000.

1976
– During the celebration of our nation’s bicentennial, BFSAA held the official dedication ceremony for the new field house. The new structure boasted a multi-purpose playing surface that was lined for volleyball, basketball and tennis. The facility also had two bathrooms; a large equipment room and a boxing ring. Tuesday night bingo became a weekly staple and remains today as one of the main
fundraisers to perpetuate the programs offered to the youth of the community. 
 
1977
– Mrs. Delaney lived in the apartment until she died at the age of 83. At that time the apartment was converted into a meeting room. The park was dedicated to her memory and kindness toward the youth of the Briarcliffe community.

1982
– BFSAA celebrated its 25th anniversary and the occasion was highlighted by the receipt of grants totaling $78,000 that was used to install/repair fencing on the fields; install  lighting on the Junior and Senior League baseball fields and pay off the balance
of the mortgage on the field house. 
 
1986
- The Baseball Training Leagues Field located by Rively Avenue was renamed Ruddle Field in memory of Frank Ruddle, who ran the baseball program out of his garage for many years. Frank was one of the pioneers of the organization. The “Ruddle Rule” was also established which ensured that every player on an intramural team would play a specific number of at bats and time in the field no matter what their skill level. 
 
1992
– After servicing the diversified activities in the field house for 16 years, the gym floor was replaced in April at a cost of $35,000. $9,000 was raised directly from the community in a campaign called “From the Ground Up”. A beautifully crafted plaque is displayed in the field house in memory of that effort.
 It was the year of BFSAA’s 35th anniversary so it was only fitting that an event of great significance should occur through the efforts of many  individuals and the support of our community, the Briarcliffe Father & Sons AA and the Briarcliffe Girls Athletic Association merged into what is now called:  The Briarcliffe Athletic Association.

This merger was unanimously approved by both organizations’ board of directors and solidified the programs that could be
offered to the youth of our community while saving on duplicated time and materials.

The original oil heating system was replaced with state of the art gas heaters while also adding air conditioning to the facility.
This allowed our bingo players who had to endure the heat of the summer to enjoy a much more comfortable environment.

A request was received and granted for the use of our facilities for a last weekend run for the presidency by President George
Bush. Although we are a non-political organization, we could not give up the opportunity to have one of our nation's presidents come to our community. From beginning to end it was one of the most awesome and professional displays we have ever seen as the advance team transformed our field house into a pressroom full of offices and phone lines as well as construct a stage outside for the event. 

1996
– Renaming of Reimann Field - The Board of Directors unanimously voted to rename the Junior League field Reimann Field because of Otto's lifetime contribution to "kids"

Otto’s philosophy can be summed up in one concise phrase: "Whatever is best for the kids.”

 He was interested not only in how the children developed athletically, but also intellectually, as evidenced by the chess club
and tournaments he organized as well as the time he spent volunteering as a math tutor in the William Penn School  District.
Otto felt that by participating in as many sports as possible, a child would learn the value of friendship and cooperation. In addition to participating in most of the high profile sports in his younger days, he was an avid fisherman and a dedicated boxing fan. His enthusiasm for boxing culminated in organizing and monitoring the Briarcliffe youth boxing program which was highlighted by a personal visit from Randall“Tex” Cobb the former heavyweight contender.

He was also convinced that God played a major part in everyone’s daily life, therefore his religious convictions were as strong as his love of sports. He attended Mass regularly. Even when he became too ill to walk or drive, someone would drop him off at church on Sunday  morning, or he would have a priest come to the house. He also managed to spend a weekend each year on a religious retreat.

He could have coined the phrase: “You play with the cards you’re dealt.” Despite two serious accidents that left him severely handicapped and in pain more often than not, and the illness that eventually claimed his life, Otto was always upbeat and
cheerful. He very rarely discussed his condition or the circumstances that led to it. On the contrary, he frequently expressed compassion for those less fortunate than him and generously supported those organizations that aid the needy and disadvantaged.

1998
– At one of our Awards’ Banquets, we were approached by a parent who asked about the possibility of starting an in-line hockey program for our boys and girls. We sent a team of board members to see one of these programs in operation at the local YMCA and that visit along with the awareness that so many children were playing this sport in the streets of our community, we decided to actively pursue the addition of this new program. The league was initially started using the facility at Crescent Park with the
cooperation of the Darby Township Administrators and the success of that started us thinking about “The Field Of Dreams”. 
 
The Briarcliffe Youth Group was given official status by the BAA Board of Directors.

1999
– Planning for the Field Of Dreams project was as much fun as it was frustrating. Unless you have worked on a project of such magnitude one could never appreciate the amount of time and effort that is required by so many people to “get it right”. The original estimate for the project came in at $469,000. When you were allowed to start dreaming, it climbed quickly to over $800,000. The plan was to level the entire complex allowing for a “run-off” water drainage system; move two ball fields; addition of: two in-line skating rinks; state-of-the-art snack stand; two handicap accessible restrooms; lighting to all venues; surveillance lights; wireless
scoreboards at all venues; bleachers; water fountains in dugout areas; electrical access behind ball field pitching mounds; sound systems at each venue; storage shed and more parking spaces.

Renovated the field house kitchen with state-of-the-art equipment and renovated the Board Room.

2000
- Although the “Ceremonial”  ground breaking for the “Field Of Dreams” project happened on May 7, 2000, the real work started in July once the baseball season was over. Contractors came in with the heavy equipment and the old complex melted into obscurity. The work was scheduled to be completed by the 2001 Baseball / Softball season. 

First Otto Reimann Scholarship -Three scholarships were awarded in memory of one of our original charter members because Otto’s saying,“Anything for the kids” is what our organization should be about – the Board of Directors approved establishing a committee each year to receive applications and award academic scholarships in Otto’s name. 
 
Upgraded to a state-of-the-art sound system in the field house.

2002
– Opening Day 2000. The grand opening of our new facilities ¢highlighted this year's opening day. Besides honoring the dedication of our firefighters, law enforcement personnel and EMT’s in the aftermath of September 11th, we threw out the balls for the first time on our “Field Of Dreams”.  Games were played throughout the day as well as the championship hockey games on
our new rinks. If one would look at the architecture’s preliminary sketch and the complex now in place one would see that the dream has positively become a reality.

2003
– Snack Stand Grand Opening. Finally………………After a 16 year run at the “Blue & Gold” snack stand, Ginger and Evie are back at it again in after a one year absence due to the relocation and construction of their new facility. This state-of-the-art building has sinks
with “running” hot water; gas fryers; popcorn machine; coffee maker, hot dog machine; fountain sodas and all the other treats the kids love. The snack stand has always been a volunteer effort and we welcome all our parents and fans to come out and join the effort. All proceeds from the snack stand benefit all the social and athletic programs offered by the organization.

The  Presidents - Past & Present
Briarcliffe Father & Sons AA

Mike DiPaola            1958 -  1962

Bill  Shoop               1963 – 1964

Mike DiPaola            1965 – 1968

Steve Capelli           1969 – 1974

John Crossan          1975 – 1980

Frank Frustillo, Jr  1981 – 1981

John Crossan          1982 – 1982

Bill Kearns              1983 – 1984

Joe Graziano          1985 – 1986

Barry Merlino         1987 – 1992

 
Briarcliffe Girls AA

Mary Long               1970 – 1973

Don Schlosser         1974 - 1974

Trudy  Cook             1975 - 1976

Helen Hart               1977 - 1978

Joan Ranalli              1979 - 1982

Artie Gray                1983 - 1984

Kay Meng                  1985 - 1987
 
Mary Lee                  1988 - 1990
 
Sue Blong                  1991 - 1992

 
 
 
Briarcliffe Athletic Association
 
John Crossan         1993 - 1994 
 
Tom McCausland     1995 - 1998

 Barry Merlino       1999 – 2008
 
Bob DiCrecchio      2008 – Present