Occidental
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Occidental Post 651
Area: Sonoma (Occidental)
Year: 1947
Description: Town's semi-pro team was sponsored by local American Legion Post 651. Nicknamed "The Fighting Irish" (more Italians than Irish), the team finished in 4th place in the Sonoma County League, which also included Healdsburg Prune Packers, Geyserville Oaks, Sebastopol Merchants, Crown Machine Works (Santa Rosa), V.F.W. post (Santa Rosa) and Petaluma Leghorns.
Picture was taken at old grammar school playground-baseball field which had an all-dirt diamond with right field running uphill, providing possible home field advantage!
See pitched roof of old school house in upper right hand corner.
Back row (left to right): Humbert Panizzera (ump), Dan V. Gonnella (ump), Bruno Mazzotti, Dana Gonnella, Dario Montafi, Charlie Kelly, Ned Fiori, Ben Gonnella (sponsor), Joe Gonnella (sponsor)
Front row (left to right): Joe Lunardi, Lewis Pelliti, Alvin Panelli, Chester Marra, Lou Gonnella (player mgr), Joe Danizzera, George Fiori (sponsor)
Back of each player's uniform had name of local merchant sponsor.
