2018 APBA Convention: Four inducted to APBA HOF and Greg Wells seems unstoppable in tourney play

According to the APBA Newsletter, a total of 65 APBA fans attended the 2018 National APBA Convention in Alpharetta, Georgia on June 21-24.

A LOT of congratulations are in order.

Tourney winners

First, it seems like the Wells Dynasty is alive kicking.  Greg Wells won the APBA Baseball tourney with the 1905 Giants over Steve Ryan’s 1998 Braves.  Deadball wins again.  Between Greg and his son Brian, this is the fourth time someone from the Wells clan has won the national baseball tournament.

Greg wasn’t done there.  He was the champ in the APBA Hockey tournament as well.  He won it all with the 1955-56 Montreal Canadiens in a two-game match over Chuck Sorce’s 1981-1982 Islanders.  This has been Chuck’s third year in a row that he’s been runner-up so he’ll be chomping at the bit next year, I’m sure.

Congrats to Bob Corsarie whose 2014 Patriots won over Mike Harlowe’s 1992 Buffalo Bills in overtime.  The Bills play bridesmaid once more.  Mike “Pengy” David won the APBA Golf with Sam Snead who went six under.

Former APBA Journal editor Eric Naftaly took first place in the 8 furlong APBA Alpharetta Derby with his thoroughbred Colin.  In the APBA Soccer tournament, Jack Dolan’s 2016-2017 Manchester City team defeated John Cochrane’s 2015-2016 Tottenham on kicks after 0-0 regulation tie.

Finally, John Duke (who by the way is no stranger to APBA tournaments; he’s won two himself) made a good choice in picking 1961 Yogi Berra for the Homerun Derby.  Yogi bested Joe Sweeney’s 1962 Willie Mays by a 15-6 margin.

Congratulations to all!!

Hall of Fame Inductees

Each year, APBA inducts those who have contributed to the game’s success to the APBA Hall of Fame.  From the newsletter, here are the 2018 inductees and their bios:

• Charlie Fouche – Alternative school teacher, APBA classroom use, APBA Negro League card developer, and donations to the Negro Hall of Fame.

• Todd Radom – Logo developer for APBA and several pro sport leagues and many professional sport teams and author of “Winning Ugly”.

• Brian Cavanaugh – Teacher/mentor, Counselor Bridesburg Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and Robert Henry Tournament Coordinator.

• John “The Cooler” Kalous – Ball Stat Expert, U-Tube video producer, long-Time APBA player, and Ball Stat leader following the passing of his mentor Mr. Pete Habel.

I know two of these individuals personally and both are excellent choices.  John Kalous, a Prairieland tournament participant, is a champion of APBA.  He’s done his best to get me to come to the National Convention (I’ll make it some year, I promise!).  And Brian Cavanaugh has done what we all espouse is so important to the game.  He’s literally introduced the game to young people.

Congratulations to Charlie, Todd, John and Brian!!

Current members of the APBA Hall of Fame

I didn’t make it to Alpharetta but from the writeup in the newsletter, it looked like everyone had a good time.  The 2019 National APBA Convention date has already been set, by the way.  It will take place June 20-23, 2019 in Alpharetta, Georgia.