Leo Squinn One of City's Versatile Athletes

One of Jamestown's finest and most versatile athletes was and still is Leo Squinn, president of the Jamestown Bowling Association. When you look back into the records, you find Squinn's name as a top-notcher in baseball, basketball, football, softball, boxing and bowling.

Leo is in his sixth year at the helm of the local bowling association.

"My biggest thrill since being the prexy was being able to present Ray Lawyer with a gold ring for his 300 game last bowling season," he told the writer.

Besides holding the president's seat in the local bowling association, Squinny is also chairman of the Moose Lodge bowling activities, a prime mover in the Moose Intercity League, and tournament chairman of the City Bowling Tournament.

This year, Leo rolls twice a week on the Playdium alleys. On Tuesday evenings, he blasts the pins for Martine's Restaurant in the Classic League and on Wednesday nights, he tosses the big marble for the Moose Lodge in the Fraternal League. He averages about 180 in both loops.

Getting back to his younger days, Leo made his start in athletics when he was nine years old. He started in baseball. Living on College Street near the high school, he joined the Junior Campus nine, holding down third base.

Managing the Junior Campus team was Charley Demarco. One member of the outfit was Sammy Greenberg. Sammy became one of the outstanding tennis players in this section and later became a member of the Ohio State University varsity tennis team.

Later, Leo performed with many local diamond clubs. He played with the Twentieth Century nine, two of his teammates being George and the late Andy Jackson; the Holy Name Society; Noah's Ark; Burgeson Firestones; A.A. Shephard nine with a roster of such notables as Joe Nagle, Walt Black, George Goodell, Walt Brown and Jim Kote.

He also starred with the Jamestown Spiders managed by the late Billy Webb and Lehman Peterson; Hope's Windows, led by Lefty Harold Pratt; the Aero Supply team of Corry, Pa., with such local stars as Morrie Mistretta, Mal Vandewark, Punxy Oliver, Goodell and Kote.

In later years, he was a member of Thore Carlson's Vikings and in 1944, he was selected to go to Wichita, Kans., with the Jamestown Boosters Club, piloted by Joe Nagle. The Boosters had captured the New York State semi-professional crown, which qualified them for the National Semi-Pro Congress Tournament.

Squinny managed the Marlin-Rockwell club in the City Muny Double A League last year.

Leo was a headliner for the Liberty AC gridders in the City Football League and the independent football circles years ago. Although football didn't flourish in this town like baseball, it came close at times. One season the Liberty footballers went through an undefeated season, winning both trhe city and county titles. Leo was one of the stalwarts of this eleven.

Notables on the Liberty team were Dick McVay, one-time Jamestown High School quarterback; Tommy Gregoris, one of the all-time high school ends; Roccie Malpede, whose broken field running kept the Red and Green fans cheering; Steve Stillwell and Buster Angelo.

When softball was at its peak in this city, Squinny played with the Flickinger's club in the old Jamestown Journal League. Luminaries on the team were Sam Forscey, probably the city's ace of softball aces, Joe Piatz, Rog Forscey and Frank Domenico. They captured the city title when softball was tops in sports entertainment in this city.

Championship teams and Leo seem to go hand in hand. He lent his service to the AC Spera Drugs club in the YMCA Community Basketball League. The casabamen carried home one title. Members on the cage team with Squinny were Monte Paterniti, Bobbie Tabone and Sam Fashano.

The city bowling prexy has been prominent as a player and official in league bowling for the past 17 years. He broke into league competition with the Marlin-Rockwell team in the old Factory League. Some of the clubs with which he has performed were Davis-Randolph in the Merchants League, Post-Journal in the Knights of Columbus League, Independent Merchants in the Factory League, and Marlin-Rockwell in the Manufacturer's League.

Long as he has been a figure in the local sports scene, he hoots at the idea of quitting.

"What? Quit now? Why, I'm only 39 years old. I'm just getting my second wind," he says with a grin.