Read about the History of GersHkoff Baseball
And the Vital Role and impact that Gershkoff Auto Body
continues to have on our program.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS & GERSHKOFF FAMILIES
For your generosity and for helping make this a TRULY AMAZING EVENT!
Thank you for your generous donations and sponsorship towards our community program. We extend our heart-felt gratitude for your commitment to making our baseball program successful!
2024 Baseball season Forms
Each player must complete the following forms :
American Legion Code of Sportsmanship
I will:
- Keep the Rules;
- Keep Faith with my teammates;
- Keep my temper;
- Keep myself fit;
- Keep a Stout heart in defeat;
- Keep my pride under in victory;
- Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a Healthy body
PURPOSE & SCOPE of American Legion baseball
- To inculcate in youth a better understanding of the American way of life and to promote the principles of 100 percent Americanism.
- To instill in the nation’s youth a sincere desire to develop within themselves a feeling of citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty and team spirit.
- To aid in the improvement and development of the physical fitness of our country’s youth.
- To build for the nation’s future through our youth.
2024 GERSHKOFF TOURNAMENTS
19 U GERSHKOFF AUTO BODY
AUBURN POST 20 SENIOR AMERICAN LEGION
TOURNAMENT BASEBALL
COACHES
Dave Rathbun,
Advisory Associate Coach
d.rathbun@cox.net
Randy Stoloff,
Assistant Coach
Pitching Coach
randystoloff@gmail.com
Gershkoff autobody - elmwood sports
junior american legion
showcase baseball
17 U COACHES
Craig Zarrella, Head Coach,
Team Manager - Communications
Rick Nawrocki, Assistant Coach
Brian Davis, Assistant Coach
RANDY STOLOFF, ROVING PITCHING COACH
GERSHKOFF AUTO BODY
TOP NOTCH RENTALS
LIGHTNING ELITE
14U STAFF
David Schiappa, Head Coach
James Milano, Assistant Coach, Pitching Coach
Miguel Nunez, Assistant Coach
Frank Santo, Assistant Coach
Joseph Pizzuti, Team Manager,
Communication
INTRODUCING
Gershkoff TOP NOTCH
LIGHTNING ELITE
9U COACHES & STAFF
EDward tavarez, Head Coach
BRYAN LEVeillee, Assistant Coach
MATT MAZZOLA, Assistant Coach
ANDREA PICCIRILLO, Team Manager/Communication
9U PLAYERS & PARENTS helping the program
selling concessions at Cranston West Football games
ROSTER
an unforgettable
TEAM EXPERIENCE
OMAHA, NE
JUNE 2023
To Coach Schiappa,
We would like to formally thank Coach Schiappa for first taking my son Alex Ceseretti into the Legion program for the last four years. Alex has been playing for coach Schiappa for several years now within the Gershkoff Baseball Club. We can honestly say that this is a highly competitive program from the training, regular season play and travel tournaments. Coach Schiappa has always had a high regard for my son Alex, as when he was a sophomore invited him to play Senior Legion that season, along with being invited to play in a travel game at Dobbs field in Connecticut. We would like this opportunity to thank the Gershkoff Baseball program, along with Coach Schiappa who has taken Alex under his wing, especially this last year in order to get him ready to play baseball at the next level...placing Alex on the right path with a pitching coach, strength and conditioning program at Hops, etc... We owe a big gratitude to Coach Schiappa for paving the way for Alex to continue his baseball career at the college level.
Thank you Coach!
Alex, Don & Nancy Ceseretti
our program's vision
My vision as the Gershkoff General Manager is to give youth all ages an opportunity to keep players together as one community where they play together and form friendships and bonds throughout the year. This includes winter, high school, fall, and summer seasons. Give families the opportunity to afford a program that believes in helping to make players good citizens first, students second, and players third. We can never make promises but we will help everyone with their purpose whether that be attend college/work/military and possibly play baseball in college. We can reach out to schools and coaches and also showcase players as best we can. Biggest motto is we are coaches for life and will always be there to help players throughout their life. Additionally, we are beginning to help the youth of our community by running clinics to support young players as they begin their journey. Ultimately we want to help all of our community to be the best we can be.
"With each and everyday we all can take one step forward to achieve our potential."
- David Schiappa
program Accomplishments
Steve Gershkoff has sponsored our program for the past 30 years. He has helped to develop the program into one of the most iconic baseball programs in the Northeast.
GERSHKOFF BASEBALL EXPERIENCES
Testimonials
“Gershkoff Legion Baseball was not only great baseball but offered players experiences and opportunities on and off the field. The team brought together some of the best players throughout the community and represented Cranston in the state and country.”
-Tomas A. Barbieri, Former Parent
Past Principal Cranston High School West,
Current Principal Cranston High School East
“Playing on a legion baseball team affords players the opportunity to be on teams with players from different parts of their community, who they may not have the chance to play with on a regular basis. Legion teams also travel to different places for tournaments, which is also another great opportunity for the players."
-Jeannine-Nota Masse, Gershkoff Parent,
Cranston Public Schools Superintendent
“David runs a tremendous baseball program with Auburn Post 20. He is organized, enthusiastic & tries to create experiences for his players. To me, this is what American Legion Baseball is all about! It was a pleasure to have his team in Illinois & David's hospitality while we were Rhode Island was great. David's long-time commitment to American Legion Baseball & Rhode Island's youth is an example for other programs across the country to emulate.”
-Jim Zacharewicz
Moline, IL Post #246
“Throughout my three years playing for legion under Coach Schiappa I had many great experiences along with my teammates. I had the opportunity to play + compete with my “rivals” from Cranston East and travel to both Nashville and Alaska. The time together with my teammates and coaches not only made us more successful on the baseball field, but brought us together as a Cranston community.”
-Tom Barbieri, Former Gershkoff Player,
Currently plays at Endicott College
“Our family’s experience with Cranston’s legion baseball program, Gershkoff Auto Body, was instrumental in the development and advancement of our baseball careers. It was an honor to represent our hometown on a nightly basis and play alongside other great players from Cranston. Playing for Gershkoff Auto Body allowed us to improve our skills and compete at a high level. To this day, we still cherish the memories we made winning championships and playing against teams from all across the country. We wouldn’t have wanted to play anywhere else.”
Matt Pagano, Former Gershkoff player,
Played at Marist College
Anthony Pagano, Former Gershkoff player,
Played at Stonehill College
Mike Pagano, Former Gershkoff Parent,
Member-Association Baseball
Umpires of Rhode Island (AURI)
since 2019
“I have been a supporter of the Auburn Post 20 baseball program under the leadership of coach Dave Schiappa. Paying for equipment, uniforms and travel is not easy. The young men participating benefit in many ways from the program. My donation is a great return on investment to help the program continue to thrive and grow. I encourage you to consider giving at your level of comfort.”
-Mark Ross, Retired businessman, active supporter of nonprofit organizations
who help those in need of assistance.
“David Schiappa runs a great organization with very organized tournaments and a team which is perpetually competitive in the leagues they play in!”
-Steve Minicucci, JD,
Former Gershkoff Parent
“Coach Schiappa is one of the best when it comes to organizing. He brings in the correct people to push his players to the best of their abilities. Coach Schiappa strives to teach his players responsibility, respect, and discipline. If you want the best for your child, look no further than Coach Schiappa.”
-Scott Malloy, Former American Legion
Board of Directors and
league umpire assignor.
Former MLB umpire, current
collegiate and high school board
certified umpire.
“As a parent of two sons that played American Legion Baseball for Gershkoff Auto Body Post #20, I was always impressed with the quality of baseball played year in and year out! Both of my sons learned many lessons on the ball field about competing, succeeding, failing, Teamwork and never given up!”
“As parents my wife and I will always be grateful to Coach Dave S. for the time and commitment he has given to Legion Baseball!”
- Chris Hopkins, Former Gershkoff Parent and Assistant Coach,
Former Director of Special Olympics RI
“Dave Schiappa is a husband, dad, son, and almost as importantly, a coach. A coach is a teacher of the basic fundamentals of the sport ( baseball ). His real job, and this is where Dave excels, is teaching young men and women that knowledge, respect and always learning is the path to being a productive adult. Dave sets examples as an educator and coach that will last his players a lifetime.”
-Steve Gershkoff, Former Parent and Manager
30-year Team Sponsor
“Playing for Coach Schiappa helped me grow as both a baseball player and a person. Thanks to Coach Schiappa’s efforts, I was fortunate enough to compete against the best talent in the state and travel to multiple states around the country to participate in various tournaments. Legion baseball provided me with memories and life skills that I will always carry with me, and it’s one of the reasons I decided to come back as a Coach in the league. I highly recommend any baseball player who loves and is committed to the game to play Legion Baseball.”
-Ryan Long, former Gershkoff Player
Current Portsmouth High School and
R and R Post 7 American Legion
Baseball Coach Newport, RI
“David is the ultimate competitor but with a sense of humor and respect in every aspect of his demeanor”
-Frank Devall Former Gershkoff Coach
Current Riverside Post 10 Junior
American Legion Assistant Coach,
Dean of Students Mount Hope High School
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summer
2023
COLLEGE
WORLD
SERIES
June 21 - 26
Omaha, Nebraska
Hotel accomodations
World series
omaha information
Gershkoff Baseball traveled to 26 states together, always bonding as a group building memories and creating lifelong friendships. Experiences that Gershkoff Baseball players had - include but are not limited to - visiting the Rocky Mountains, watching the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Whitesox, Washington Nationals, and Colorado Rockies from their home stadiums.
In addition, some players had the opportunity to watch their local Cranston star play for South Carolina in the finals of the College World Series.
From the Mall of America - to the Field of Dreams in Iowa - and from Disney's World Wide of Sports to encountering the wild moose of the Alaskan fields - these are monumental experiences that will never be forgotten.
Highlighted in Blue are all the states we have traveled .
We have many more adventures planned for our Gershkoff Baseball community.
Check out our Gershkoff Alumni that went on to play college baseball
Featured is Matt Pagano on ESPN playing for Division I Marist College.
ANother amazing Gershkoff Alumni Thomas Barbieri Jr.
Thomas is currently a senior playing for Endicott College hits two home runs in one game.
Click below to watch
THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR Top Notch Rentals
Gershkoff Lightning Elite GOLF TOURNAMENT
GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE SPONSORS
for all you did to help the Gershkoff Auburn Post 20
American Legion Baseball Program
Mark & Donna Ross
David C. DiMaio
Tax & Accounting Services
401-316-2834
www.topnotchrentalsri.com
Eric & Kathy James
Thank you to our sponsors, especially Next Home Ocean State Realty Group &
Funny 4 Funds for an amazing night of laughter!
SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS
Dinner, lunch, ice cream and golf towels provided by:
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
Toray Plastics
Dilanna Foodservice & Paper Products
Elmwood Sports
THANK you to Coach Ceseretti & to all who came out to support our program!
Many Thanks
FOR A Top Notch
Golf Tournament at
Cranston Country Club
Special Thanks To
Diamond Sponsor: Top Notch Rentals
Gold Sponsors: Mark and Donna Ross
Tasca Automotive Group
Silver Sponsor: Roseland Wealth Mgt.
Bronze Sponsors: Elite Lawn Care
Erica and Kathy James
Jewel Stash
Faithful Diamond
Thank you to Top Notch Rentals owner Andrea Piccirillo, parents
Julie Iannatti, and Karli Pizzuti who spent countless hours coordinated our event as well as all our volunteers and parents !!!
GO GERSHKOFF !!!
Thank you to all our additional sponsors for making our fundraisers a huge success!
We want to especially thank sponsors
for their generosity in supporting our upcoming events.
Also, we want to thank the Cranston Country Club for supporting our organization in helping to defray costs to fundraise for our events.
We want to thank additional community contributors Mark Ross, Dr. Peter Simon, Elmwood Sports Center, Aaron Simon of Roseland Wealth Management , Kathy Autiello of Elle Salon and Spa, Senator Frank Lombardi, and Steve Merolla of the ACT Foundation.
Steve Gershkoff
Founder and Sponsor of Gershkoff Baseball
David Schiappa
General Manager and Director of Baseball Operations Gershkoff/Auburn Post 20 Baseball
Contact David Schiappa
with any questions or to request
further information about the program
phone: 401 - 742-1135
Email: daveschiappa@gmail.com
Dennis Ratcliffe
Auburn Post 20 Commander
Marcel D'Auteuil
Auburn Post 20 Adjunct
Andrea Piccirillo Vlaun
Web Designer
2023
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