Conditioned Air Takes Undisputed Title

JULY 12 - Conditioned Air 19, Bob Smith Ford 6: With the depletion of the Conditioned Air pitching staff due to vacations, spot-starter Michele Talak earned her first victory, collecting six strikeouts along the way. The loss was pocketed by Steve Tallat, who had four strikeouts. Don Bottles, Mark Bernotas and Matt May all had homeruns for Conditioned Air while Dave Hoetzlein contributed a triple and single. A no-hit bid was broken up by Bob Smith's Bob O'Neil, who punched a single.

JULY 14 - Conditioned Air 7, Devine 3: Conditioned Air survived the scrappy Devine squad by the slim margin of 7-3. The win was claimed by rookie Mark Bernotas and the loss was accepted by Joey Nellis, who struck out four. Joey helped himself by rapping a triple in the losing effort. For Con Air, Don Bottles and Matt May each had two hits, while Sean Mullen continued his stretch drive heroics by adding a triple. The game was very close due to the play of the Devine outfield, which made four fine defensive plays.

JULY 17 - Conditioned Air 18, Nellis Sports Center 1: Conditioned Air added another notch in their win column by no-hitting Nellis Sports by a score of 18-1. Don Bottles picked up the win. When Donny left the game in the third inning, he left a no-hitter in the hands of Goose Sickman. The Goose was prepared and had no trouble in preserving the masterpiece. Mark Bernotas went 5-5, Michele Talak contributed two hits as did Sean Mullen and Dan Duffy. Brian McElhone added an extra spark for Con Air by laying down a beautiful bunt for a single. Ryan Dunlap was the losing pitcher in a four strikeout effort.

JULY 19 - Conditioned Air 14, Boulevard Men's Shop 4: In a heated struggle for first place in the second half, Conditioned Air beat Men's Shop by a score of 14-7. The winning pitcher was none other than Donny Bottles, while the loss was pinned on fireballer Mark Jennings, who struck out six. The key hits for Con Air were drilled by Donny Bottles and Sean Mullen, with two hits apiece. Men's Shop was led by Chris McLane and Mark Jennings with two hits apiece. Jennings had a homerun.

By winning this contest, Conditioned Air clinched the second half crown, making them the undisputed champions of the Brookline Minor League. The team had already clinched the first half title. Congratulations are in order for Con Air manager Dan Tarr, who won the title in his second year as skipper.

* Reprinted from The Brookline Journal - July 29, 1982 *

Brookline Minor League Champions

Conditioned Air, under the direction of second year manager Dan Tarr, won the Brookline Minor League Championship when they beat Men's Shop 14-7 on July 19.

The victory gave the second half crown to Con Air, and since they already owned the first half title, they were undisputed champions of the league.

The team was led by the pitching, hitting and fielding of 10-year old sensation Don Bottles. Key hits were consistently delivered by Clutch Mullen, Matt May, Mark (Animal) Bernotas, Dan Duffy and John Robinson.

The defense was upheld by Rich Stoker, Marc (Ears) Jester, Billy Moore, hustling Brian McElhone and versatile Tony Acquaro.

Goose Sickman stalked the mound throughout the year and became a household word when he introduced the "Goose Ball," a devastating change-up. The team was led by the duo of Dave Hoetzlein and Michelle Talak, model captains of the team both on the field and off.

First year sponsor Bob Beiler was an active part of the team affairs and this provided extra incentive for the team. Dan Tarr extends his thanks to coaches Scott Smith and Tim Tarr for a job well done.

* Reprinted from The Brookline Journal - August 5, 1982 *