The honorees: Pictured are (from left) Florence Simpson, Holly Schell, Jim Bruce and Frank Steiner. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTO
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association recently honored former athletes Jim Bruce and Frank Steiner, along with college softball sensation Holly Schell, with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award.
The group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet four times a year at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Meanwhile, the Oldtimers presented a special award in memory of Larry Simpson, a former outstanding softball pitcher from Port Richmond who is a member of the Philadelphia Softball Hall of Fame. Simpson, who also served as commissioner of the Max Myers Softball League, died in April. His wife, Florence, and son, Larry Jr., accepted the award.
Bruce, a Northeast High School graduate, starred in football, baseball and softball for many years.
Steiner played baseball at Father Judge High School and later in the Detroit Tigers organization and in the Pen-Del League.
Schell, a graduate of Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, N.J., was a four-year star in softball at Immaculata University. As a senior, she was named Colonial States Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She owns many of the Mighty Macs’ offensive records.
Schell graduated with a 3.98 grade point average. She majored in elementary/special education, with a concentration in English. She is an assistant coach at Swarthmore College. Renee Clarke, the head coach at Swarthmore, attended the Aug. 13 luncheon.
Schell offers private softball lessons. Call 856–889–4468 or email manager@wtsportscomplex.com
The William “Pickles” Kennedy Award is named in memory of a former star basketball player at Abraham Lincoln High School and Temple University. Kennedy spent a year with the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, then played minor league baseball for several years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Among those attending the luncheon were Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player; Joe Scarpati, a former pro football player best known as the holder for Tom Dempsey’s then-NFL-record 63-yard field goal in 1970; and Sean Landeta, who punted for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Stars.
The Oldtimers also are promoting an upcoming amateur boxing show at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Ten bouts will take place on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Bouts will feature Harrowgate Boxing Club vs. Holy Family Boxing Club, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Call John Gallagher at 215–465–1778 or Charley Sgrillo at 267–237–0746.
The next Oldtimers luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Lunch costs $11.
For information on the group, call Chuck Newns (215–612–0476), Ron Fritz (215–491–9380), Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
