FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Field Manager Enters UASHF

Published on February 8, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


Avon, Oh- John Massarelli, the Lake Erie Crushers Field Manager, has been selected to the 2010 University of Akron Sports Hall of Fame (UASHF). This talented athlete, a member of the class of 1987, parlayed a three-year college playing career into the longest professional baseball career of any other University of Akron athlete.

John Massarelli lettered three years as a catcher in 1985-87. Although, he began his UA career rather slowly, batting only .204 while playing in 35 games his sophomore season, Massarelli displayed remarkable improvement in 1986. The native of Canton batted .283 in 55 games and showed good speed on the base paths as he stole 23 of 26 bases.

However, John's breakout year came in 1987 when he batted a team-leading .419 with 70 hits (14 doubles, two triples, seven homeruns), had 50 RBI's and stole a UA record-breaking 38 bases to earn the team's MVP award. That outstanding senior campaign earned Massarelli first team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors and a professional contract with the Houston Astros baseball organization. He spent 10 seasons playing as a catcher-outfielder in the minor leagues, including five in the AAA level, while carrying a .271 career batting average. He played on two AAA championship teams in 1991 and 1993.

Massarelli then launched a very successful managerial career with several Houston Astros' minor league clubs, making stops in the New York Penn League, the Class A Midwest League and the Carolina League. Of late, he has managed six seasons in the Frontier League. Currently, Massarelli is in his third season of managing the Lake Erie Crushers. The Crushers were an expansion team who he guided to the 2009 Frontier League Championship. Massarelli's managerial career has earned him seven divisional championships, twice manager of the year honors and 611 wins. He also owns and operates the Massarelli Baseball School in Akron. In 2005 John was inducted into the Stark County Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Massarelli and his wife, Kelly, a 1990 UA graduate, have a daughter, Noel, and reside in Massillon.

"We are very lucky to have John leading our ballplayers. He is a part of Ohio Baseball history and the organization is very proud of his accomplishments," said Crushers Owner Steven Edelson.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, OH. Beginning in 2010, All Pro Freight Stadium also became the home to the Cleveland State University baseball team. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 season are on sale now! For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.

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Frontier League Stories from February 8, 2011


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