It was quite a summer for Manalapan Township baseball. In the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth National Baseball tournaments, its teams won District 11 titles in the 9-, 10-, 13-, 14- and 15- year-old divisions. Additionally, the 14- year-olds won the States and the 9-, 10- and 13-year-olds all made it to the playoff rounds in the State championships.
The Manalapan 13-year-old Babe Ruth team’s unbreakable determination and commitment to teamwork could have brought only two things: success and the enjoyment of playing the great game of baseball. In a three-week span, they enjoyed a District 11 Babe Ruth title and a shot at the Northern New Jersey State title by making the state playoffs (only the top three teams of nine make it to the playoffs).
Coach Bill Schirmacher pointed to the team’s unselfishness as being key.
“Teamwork and a genuine commitment to each other started the first minutes of the first practice,” he said. “The players were asked to look around at their teammates and then, after a minute, walk quickly to a position that would help the team and not necessarily a position that would be the best for them. They did, and from that point on, myself and fellow coaches Joe Cardella and Bill Dery were blown away by their unselfish display of sportsmanship and their ability to step it up. A good team became a great team.”
In Districts, the Manalapan stars went 4-1 during pool play. Their loss (score: 6-5) came at the hands of a strong Hazlet team that they would later face and beat (score: 6-5) in the district championship game.
The team was led by the strong hitting of Thomas Barber (two home runs), Brian Lamboy (10 runs scored), Bill Dery (eight RBIs), Billy Gulino (five doubles) and Pete Aricola (one home run).
Manalapan had a deep pitching staff, and all hurled some great games, led by Denis Hernandez, Michael Cardella, Anthony Cardinale, Joseph Serrapica and Michael “Scooter” Schirmacher. They had a combined earned run average of just 2.15. Defense wins championships, and it played a big role in Manalapan’s championship run. Anthony Piscitello (second base), Dakota Sagnelli (catcher) and Sean Tobin (right field) were solid in the field, making the plays when called upon.
“While we came up a little short in the State championship, as a team we exceeded our expectations and as a team we won and lost our battles on the field,” said Schirmacher. “This could not have been done without the great coaching of Joe Cardella and Bill Dery, the support of great parents, and an understanding wife (Karen). All of the players should be very proud of themselves.”
They will have a memory for a lifetime, not just three weeks.

