New Orleans assistant coach makes first Johnstown AAABA trip in 45 years
· Yahoo Sports
New Orleans assistant coach Nelson Graham hadn’t paced the dugout at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point in 45 years.
Visit forestarrow.rest for more information.
Back then, Graham played on the New Orleans Boosters teams managed by icon Louis “Rags” Scheuermann.
The 81st AAABA Tournament brought Graham back to Johnstown, and the 64-year-old has savored every moment as the Boosters advanced into the semifinal round via a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory over Johnstown-2 Martella’s Pharmacy Thursday afternoon at the Point.
“This is my first time back since 1981 and I’ve been dying to come back up here,” Graham said while watching a Wednesday afternoon game between Martella’s Pharmacy and the Brooklyn Nighthawks. “It’s some of the best baseball in the country. The town is electric this time of the year in Johnstown. It was when we came here to play, too.
“It was always an honor to play in the Point and I’m just happy to be back.”
Graham played in the 1980 and 1981 AAABA Tournaments as an 18- and 19-year-old. Back then, the age limit in the tournament was 19 years old.
His second year in the tournament, New Orleans reached the semifinal round, falling to Baltimore twice after previously defeating the powerhouse Johnny’s Auto Sales franchise earlier in the week.
The 1981 AAABA Tournament was the first event to utilize the two-bracket format.
Teams that had success the previous year landed in the upper bracket, and those with worse records were in the lower bracket – although as the host city Johnstown always had a spot in the lower bracket.
In 1981, Baltimore, Washington and New Orleans were in the upper bracket, and Detroit, the other team among what then was known as the tournament’s Big Four, played in the lower bracket.
“We beat the hell out of Baltimore, 23-11,” Graham said of a Day 3 contest on Aug. 19, 1981.
“I think all of our bats ran out of hits because they had to beat us twice to get to the championship, and they beat us twice, handily (8-4, 5-1)”
Baltimore beat Detroit 8-4 in the 1981 AAABA Tournament title game.
“I always remember the great times,” Graham said. “There are so many memories here for me. I’m just happy to be back.”
The current New Orleans Boosters team is 4-0 entering a Friday semifinal meeting against Maryland State Crabfest at Sargent’s Stadium.
Undefeated Buffalo (4-0) will face Johnstown Mainline Pharmacy at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point.
Graham assists veteran New Orleans manager Doug Faust, another former Boosters player and part of the Scheuermann legacy in the AAABA Tournament.
“Coach Rags was the greatest,” Graham said.
“He had great meetings before the games. He was always kind of low-key but he always knew how to get the best out of all of his players.
“He knew what each guy could do and he made sure they got it done.”
In 1981, Graham batted .316 in six AAABA games, collecting two doubles and six RBIs on a team that included Joe Scheuermann, Rags’ son and a future AAABA Hall of Fame manager with New Orleans. Graham played at Delgado Community College and Nicholls State University.
He served as a NCAA umpire in the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference for more than 30 years.
After his playing days, Graham spent 38 years as an technician for Schindler Elevator.
“I retired and I was bored so I went to work for the City of New Orleans as an elevator inspector,” Graham said.
“I’ve been coaching in the All American League for about 10 years now. I just love being around the kids. They keep me young.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.