OLEAN NATIONALS—TRIBUTE TO ORGANIZATION OF ‘APP’ DRISCOLL
The Olean baseball Nationals of the 1930’s just grew and grew. From humble beginnings in North Olean, the Nationals under James F. (App) Driscoll, became a power in semi-pro baseball throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. Many still talk of the torrid Nationals, Wellsville Sinclair, Nationals; Smethport Quaker State Nationals, Buffalo Karts diamond rivalries. And, it was because of interest in the Nationals that the first step toward formation of the PONY Baseball League was taken. It was an exhibition between Driscoll’s crew and the St. Louis Cardinals in the summer of 1938, which laid the seed of a PONY Circuit. The following year the PONY was in operation and the Oilers took over Bradner Stadium.
The Nationals, at their peak, were well-coordinated, talented clubs that operated in 1936-37-38. The games with Wellsville and Smethport packed Bradner Stadium, Smethport’s McCoy Field and Wellsville’s Tullar Field. The period of the Nationals could be pegged from 1932 through 1938, --player personnel changes were made constant but the strong man, throughout, was manager Driscoll. He handled the scheduling, player signing, coaching and managing details. He had a genius for organizing that reflected in his Nationals. Through the opposition was bitter, in the end there was nothing but respect for the Nationals. A tribute to the organization job, accomplished by Driscoll.
The Nationals, when organized in 1931, were a homegrown product and the official name was Polish Nationals Alliance. Driscoll, Irishman through and through, organized the PNA team, which included a number of nationalities and denominations. All that mattered was who could handle the details the best. In that first year of the Nationals a number of fine amateur clubs vied for the mythical city championship. There were the Columbian Squires, Rogers Shoe Repair, Olean Times Athletics and St. Michael’s. It was an intense bitter rivalry that, looking back on the humorous side. But it was anything but funny in those years.
In 1932 the Polish Nationals were just the Nationals and they competed in the Allegany County Amateur League. That year Wellsville Sinclairs, with Moose Kizer, Jim Black, Peter Hollod, Mel Baker, Al Simmons, Ken Nicols, Lawlor, Johnny Peterson, Les Signor, Larry Weber, McNulty, George DeBarbeire among the squadmen, edged the Nationals for the loop title. The “32 Nationals included Norm Utecht, Fundy Slayer, Weenie Flynn, Skip Rucinski, Heinie Tamutus, Jim Marron, Corky Cornall, Abe Cottone, Frank Chipchak, Johnny Eaton, Milo Belvees, Paddy Ambrose, Tommy O’Haire, Danny Thomas, Howie Smith, Don Williams and Johnny Williams.
1934 saw the Nats play 38 league and non-league games, 21 of them were victories. That year the Nats, with Eddie Stavish and Johnny Martin pitching, blanked the league champs, Wellsville, twice in a twin bill.
In 1935-36, the Nationals were rated as one of the big three of area baseball powers. Smethport Quakers States and Wellsville Sinclairs being the other two. More that 4,000 payees turned out for the first game under the new floodlights in Bradner Stadium in 1935 with the Nats edging Wellsville, 1-0. That game saw Warren Lefty Walters, of Buffalo, gain the pitching nod over Moose Kizer. The proceeds of that game were turned over to the city by the Nationals to help defray the cost of the lights. That 1935 season saw the Nationals – Wellsville rivalry wax hot and heavy and the Wellsville daily newspaper added to the festivities with colorful accounts of the Nationals’ manager, Driscoll.
During 1936, Walters struck out 22 Geneva batsmen for Bradner Stadium record. That year, the biggest disappointment for the Nationals came when rain-washed out an important game with Wellsville. The day previous to the Wellsville game, the Nats were booked to meet the famed Homestead Grays. Sensing an excellent opportunity to throw a little oil upon the already heated rivalry with Wellsville, manager Driscoll, very quietly, arranged for the pitching services of the Grays’ number one pitcher, Ray Brown. However, the afternoon of the game, Wellsville sensed ‘deal’ and took advantage of a light rain to postpone the game.
The Nationals prospered in 1937 and the fame of such twirlers as Walters, Bill Keane, Chicky Cilcott, and Lefty Pflingster spread throughout the area. 1000 fans turned out to see the Nats drop a 3-1 decision to the Homestead Grays. The Nats lineup that year included: Bill Husband, Madigan, Johnny Labas, Dick Offenhamer, Bob Fuss, Utecht, Slayer, Dave Law, Keane, Coots Piechota, Harry Hogue, Ed Stavish and Jordan.
1938 was the last for the Nats. The exhibition with the St. Louis Cardinals marked the high spot of the season. With organization of the PONY in Autumn of “38, the Nats dropped out of practice.
Olean Nationals-1931 thru 1938
