Pirates Ride Wave to WPBA

PATTERSON—To be a great baseball team, you’ve got to have strong pitching above all. Add in some table setters, a few solid hitters and a strong defense, and you’ve got a recipe for a winner.

The Patterson Pirates celebrate after winning the WPBA 10U title recently. Skip Pearlman The Patterson Pirates 10-year-old baseball team had all of the above this summer – along with a strong coaching staff - and stayed hot from start to finish.

Patterson recently completed a 20-1 summer season that saw the team win the 10U American Division, and then storm their way into the overall championship game against New Castle, which they won by mercy rule.

Fittingly, it was team MVP Chris Palmiero who blasted a three-run homer than clinched the title for the Pirates in the championship game.

Even manager Dan Wilson admitted he wasn’t sure the Pirates would be this good.

Skip Pearlman Steve McAllister “You’ve got to be surprised any time you put up a record like that,” Wilson said. “We had a great group – they played well as a team, and we had great talent to have them play that well consistently. It was a special summer.”

Wilson said that having Carmel High varsity baseball manager Bob Shilling as an assistant with the team was also a big factor in the players’ development.

“Having Bob Shilling was tremendous for the kids,” Wilson said. “It was a unique situation… he brings so much to the kids, and I think that made a difference.”

Wilson also spoke about how the lack of egos made the team closer as a group.

“These kids were pretty special,” he said. “Palmiero, our MVP, was so selfless. You have to respect how he treats the kids – he has so much talent, and he never looks down at others. He’s a special kid, and I think the team was lucky to have him as a team mate.”

Skip Pearlman Parker Wilson The Pirates roster included Anthony Melchione at catcher, Chris Epp (1B), Kyle Shilling (2B), Brian Harlin (SS), Ryan Frey (3B), Steve McAllister (LF), Tim Catalano (CF), Parker Wilson (RF), Mike McCormack (EH) and utility man Bob Martin.

Palmiero (7-0), Evan Sinitsky (6-0), Frey (5-1) and Harlin were the teams pitchers.

“Pitching was everything,” Wilson said. “When you have 10-year-olds throwing strikes, it’s easy to compete. All year they were ahead in the count, and all four were impressive. Frey had a no-hitter, Palmiero had two no-hitters, and Sinitsky flirted with no-hitters, he had two one-hitters.”

And Patterson had the lineup – and the defense - to back up that pitching staff.

Skip Pearlman Evan Sinitsky “The kids all contributed at the plate,” Wilson said. “Palmiero was our mainstay, but every game we had a different hero knocking in runs. The bottom of the order was productive as often as the top was. Defensively, Shilling started the season with a broken wrist, but he came back strong. Epp at first was steady, Wilson made a number of outstanding plays in the outfield, and so did McAllister.”

Wilson expressed his gratitude to coach Bob Shilling, and to assistant coach Ray Frey.

“It was a very fun summer,” Wilson added. “I can’t wait for next year.”
Skip Pearlman Chris Palmiero
Skip Pearlman Ryan Shilling