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The AAABA Tournament Players Banquet and Pairings Program brought 250 people to the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center Sunday night.
The teams enjoyed a meal by Joey Del’s 2001 Caterers and emcee Mike Mastovich, sports writer of The Tribune-Democrat, talked about the tournament’s role in the city and especially at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point, which celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 5, 2026. The AAABA Tournament has been contested with Johnstown as the host city in 79 of the 81 events, including this year.
City of Johnstown Manager Art Martynuska spoke during the banquet and emphasized the bond between the host city and the tournament. Johnstown Chief of Police Mark Britton also attended.
Also making remarks were AAABA Executive Director Bob Mingo of Youngstown and Johnstown Oldtimers Baseball Association President George Arcurio III.
Buffalo’s Jay Elliot, AAABA National Tournament Chairman, oversaw the Pool Play pairings of teams in the Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket. The iconic “bingo cage,” which has been a part of the pairings since the beginning, was spun to drop numerical balls that corresponded with slots on the bracket.
The first three days of the schedule were determined. Managers flipped coins to decide home and visitors in their respective games.