Ukrainian Boy Hurls No-Hitter To Win Championship (09/24/60)

Ukrainian Boy Hurls No-Hitter To Win Championship

By Al Yaremko

The first Ukrainian to pitch an no-hit no-run game and thereby win a world's baseball championship for his team is twelve-year-old Joseph Mormello, Jr.

This stellar performance was televised nationally because it was for the Little League baseball championship of America. It was played in Williamsport, Pa. on August 27 between Levittown, Pa. is between Philadelphia and Trenton and is the new Little League baseball champion as a result of the brilliant hurling of this Ukrainian boy who allowed no hits, no runs, truck out 13 batters in this six-inning game and helped his team score by belting a homer in the first frame with a mate abroad to give Levittown a neat 5-0 victory and remain undefeated.

I spoke with the boy by phone and he said he is Ukrainian. His mother then took the phone and confirmed this fact, adding that her maiden name was Julia Matkowska and she lived at 302 Delancy Street in Philadelphia. In her youth she was an acrobat, tumbler and dancer. Her husband played semi-pro ball and his father has been the president of the Ukrainian Club of South Philadelphia for the past several years. Little Joe attends Wm. Penn Jr. H. S. in Fairless Hills, Pa. They reside at 91 Bald Cypress Lane in Levittown, Pa. Mrs. Mormello said that the entire Levittown team will soon be on Ed Sullivan's television show. I suggested that if occasion presents itself, to let it be known that he is of Ukrainian descent.

Let us hope the boy becomes a great baseball star by 1968!

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