Page 12 - Southen Exposure - August '22

Page 12, Southern Exposure

sports

Jupiter Senior Softball

Watching Senior Softball pitcher Mike Manasia in a
game last month seemed just like any other summer day.
He went seven innings and struck out six in sweltering
90-degree-plus temperature.
Except it wasn’t just any day, but his 90th birthday and
that earned him the distinction as the oldest player in the
55 and over Jupiter Senior Softball league. Teammates
helped him celebrate by singing Happy Birthday and
presenting him with a decorated cake. Manasia is known
as “everyone’s buddy” and is an inspiration to all. Rocco
Cambareri, who hosted a celebratory birthday lunch for
Manasia and friends, said, “He means a lot to the league,
to me and to everyone.”
Known as a tough competitor who goes after every
batter with the goal of getting them out, Manasia has been
playing in the senior league more than 20 years. Playing
three days a week “keeps my blood pumping,” he said.
As he enters his ninth decade, he feels fortunate to be
playing, having undergone heart and gall bladder surgery Guests at a birthday lunch for Mike Manasia were, left to right: Ron Bosco, Bob Coleman,
and surviving two bouts with bladder cancer over the Gary Davis, Tom Dolan, Ron Nolan, Host Rocco Cambareri, Barry Skolnik, Mike Manasia,
Mike Manasia admires his Vic Troiano, Ralph Randazzo, Dave Summers, Bob Davis, Tom Toner, Pete Pinello. Photo
90th birthday cake. Photo by by Mike Richmond
Club news Miriam Ruffolo

years. He is an Army veteran
of the Korean War where he
served with the 3rd Infantry
Historical Seeds Division.
A native of Brooklyn,
Of The Gardens N.Y., where he was born
July 11, 1932, Manasia is
retired from the retail and
wholesale meat business. He
served as meat director for
a supermarket chain and in
later years, as a meat trader.
The latter position earned
him the nickname “Chicken
Wings” from friends.
The year-round slow-
pitch softball program is
open to persons 55 and older Mike Manasia, center, thanks teammates for their birthday salute. Photo by Mike Richmond
and new players are sought
to fill out rosters for pickup games every Monday, well as for those desiring a more relaxed style of play. There
Wednesday and Friday morning. The league is sponsored is no upper age limit but most participants are in their 60s
by the nonprofit Jupiter Senior Softball Association in and 70s, some in their 80s, and Manasia, 90.
cooperation with the Town of Jupiter. Registration can be made online at www.leaguelineup.
Pappalardo Construction Co. was contracted to build the Players of all skill levels are welcome. The three division com/jssa. For more information contact Gary Newman at
Radisson Suite Hotel in 1987. The hotel opened in 1989, one format allows for games for more competitive players as (917) 623-0791.
of five hotels that were either under construction or completed
in Palm Beach Gardens during that year. The Radisson Hotel
was sold in the spring of 1995 and reopened as an Embassy
Suites hotel. It is located at 4350 PGA Boulevard, across the Susan Has Moved To A
street from the first hotel Pappalardo built in Palm Beach
Gardens. New Location!

For more seeds, see Images of America, Palm Beach
Gardens by Arcadia Publishing. The PBG Historical
Society’s mission is to collect, preserve and share the rich Androcles Hair Salon
history of the Gardens.
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