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Conventional wisdom states good things come to those who wait. This year’s Delaware Valley Senators proved that prosperity can likewise visit those whom fate has not given a lengthy delay. The team’s 7- and 8-year-olds began what they hope will be a prolonged relationship with success, capturing a pair of tournament crowns and finishing as runners-up in their 12-team league.
Together since December, the squad conducted scrimmages in March, with competition beginning a month later. From April through July, its dozen members, who play their home games at Barry Playground, 18th and Johnston streets, compiled a 39-6 mark.
With one exception, the boys reside in South Philadelphia, and most call the Whitman section home. Coach Ken Bergmann, a Whitman resident, constructed the team mostly through word of mouth and enlisted Neumann-Goretti coach Lou Spadaccini to assist in preparing the youngsters for their first taste of fast-pitch competition.
“There was an application fee for registering a team, and parents raised the money,” Bergmann said of lumping his unit, which included his 8-year-old son Deen, into a league that contained a Port Richmond team, as well as representatives from Delaware County and New Jersey. “All of the guys came right from a T-ball league and were looking to emulate their older brothers and cousins[on the 10- and 12-year-old teams].”
When winter practices near Neumann-Goretti’s field at 26th and Moore streets yielded to live contests, Bergmann and Spadaccini’s troops began a journey that could lead to district play and a shot at the Little League World Series.
“As the season approached, we expected to compete and just have fun, but the kids had something else in mind,” Spadaccini, whose 7-year-old son Nicky offered his talents to the team, said.
That “something else” included a march through the Tri-State Elite League — based out of Sewell, N.J. — and distinction as champions of the Memorial Day Voorhees Tournament and July’s Drexel Hill Tournament.
“Winning Drexel Hill is definitely our biggest accomplishment so far,” Bergmann said earlier this month as the team enjoyed a light practice. “We want to think this is only the beginning. At 10, they can start competing in districts, and two years later they could be in Williamsport for the Series.”
IF THE BOYS, who all play multiple positions, need to make the 180-mile trek to the site of the Little League World Series, they will simply be continuing an established life of travel. They have made numerous trips to Delaware County and South Jersey, locations where they have formed strong rivalries, and a stop in Allentown.
“With travel, we often have 14-hour days,” Bergmann noted.
Such durations have only intensified the bonds that the boys have started at school and on the field.
“I love the travel,” 8-year-old Gaetan Grandelli, of Front and Ritner streets, said. “Allentown was really fun.”
Grandelli has a brother on a 12-year-old team and aspires to be like him.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Bergmann said. “These guys think the 12-year-olds are gods.”
With their success, perhaps the younger brothers could be minor deities.
“I’ve coached and played a long time around here, and I’ve never been around kids like these, who truly epitomize what South Philly is all about,” Lou Spadaccini said.
“We all work hard together,” Nicky Spadaccini, of the 2600 block of South Iseminger Street, added. “We’re like brothers.”
The younger Spadaccini’s attitude has infected the team so much that every member expects to return next year. For 7-year old Gavin Verbitski, being back will mean continuing to improve his reactions to live pitching.
“I like hitting normal pitches more than hitting off a tee,” the resident of Front and Jackson streets said.
“Fast pitches are much more fun,” Deen Bergmann said. “The faster they come in, the faster they go out.”
“We’re readying them for the next level, whatever that is,” Bergmann said. “If they want to play for Lou [at Neumann-Goretti], they know what they’ll need to do.”
For his vision, Bergmann has earned Spadaccini’s praise and respect.
“Ken deserves the credit for his commitment and dedication to these kids and their families,” the former St. John Neumann and Temple University slugger said.
With just the right amount of South Philadelphia bravado, Bergmann and Spadaccini’s players have started their careers on winning notes. The fall will have them playing football and soccer, but winter workouts will soon be upon them. Spadaccini knows they will be ready.
“These kids will never back down. They’ll play anybody anywhere. They’ll play on a rooftop if they have to. ” Spadaccini said.
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