The 2005 Oxford Leader sponsored ORBA Philly’s won the 10-year-old division and Town Championship for the second year in a row with 14 wins and 0 losses.
‘You have backed a great group of kids once again,? commented Head Coach Fred Censullo.
The Philly’s went 12-0 on the regular season and won two games in a row to take the town championship. The undefeated Philly’s were coached by Censullo, first base coach Mike Betke, third base coach Mike Michalski, pitching coach Mike Hazelwood and bench coach and statistician Greg Brooks.
‘We coach by committee,? said coach Betke. ‘Mike Hazelwood handles the pitching rotation, Mike Michalski runs the offense, coach Brooks organizes the bench during the game and coach Fred sets up multiple practice stations that maximize the time allowed to teach these youngsters and help them play to their potential.?
‘We never forget why these kids are here…to have fun,? said coach Censullo.
By giving them every opportunity to play their best, you give them the opportunity to win games. Although winning isn’t everything, in their undefeated season these youngsters were very gracious about how they acted when they would go up on a team.
‘We never pile on the score, we never run on a pass ball if we are up by 10 runs,? said Mike Censullo, shortstop for the Philly’s. ‘We are also learning good sportsmanship.?
This years team scored 153 runs and had 24 runs scored against them. The pitching was ‘what got it done? according to Hazelwood. His pitching staff attended clinics over the past fall and winter and learned the finer points from Milt Wilcox, a former two World Series game winner for the Tigers in 1984.
Mark ‘Lefty? Hazelwood, Mike ‘Senior Smoke? Censullo and Robbie ‘Crusher? Betke each pitched two innings per game. Their ERA per two innings pitched is under .056. The Philly’s pitching was complemented with an outstanding cast of players who got it done defensively and offensively.
Coach Censullo said that they believe in teaching the fundamentals, repeating them over and over again in a very positively reinforced environment. Building muscle memory by asking a player ‘how does that feel?? when he has hit the ball well or fielded the ball well. They concentrate on the positive and the results speak for themselves–two Town Championships–back to back.
Thanks to the parents for giving us the opportunity to work with their kids and teach them the FUNdamentals of baseball. Thanks to The Oxford Leader for their sponsorship.

Members of the ORBA Philly’s include:
Right fielder: Andrew ‘Speedy? Estrada
Left fielder and back up catcher: Brian ‘Big B? Brougham
Third baseman, left fielder and pitcher: Ryan ‘Goose? Meyers
Left center fielder and short stop: Mike ‘Michelob? McCormick
Right center fielder: Ricky ‘Mad Dog? Devorak
Third baseman and left fielder: Scott ‘Stoobie Doo? Stubenrauch
Second baseman and right center fielder: Scotty ‘Beam me up Scotty? Michalski
Short stop, pitcher and catcher: Mike ‘Senior Smoke? Censullo.
First baseman, pitcher and catcher: Robbie ‘Crusher? Betke
Pitcher, third baseman and first baseman: Mark ‘Lefty? Hazelwood
Third baseman, left center fielder, catcher, short stop and pitcher: Noah ‘Rabbit? Brooks.