Plymouth Whitemarsh High School baseball team honors 1976 players

A little bit of the magic of the 1976 Plymouth Whitemarsh High School baseball team rubbed off on the 2026 team as it battled against Hatboro-Horsham High School April 9. 

The Colonials prevailed over the Hatters in a 5-4 win, cheered on by PW players from the 1976 team who were in attendance as part of a 50th anniversary celebration. A pre-game ceremony was held to remember and honor the team, which had one of the most successful seasons in the first 20 years of Colonials baseball. The team had a 14-2 record in 1976, including a stretch of 10 wins in a row. In 455 total season at-bats, the Colonials compiled a .310 team batting average and outscored their opponents 101 to 50.

Members Butch Andrey, Jeff Biel, Mark Bill, Leo Bolger, Frank Carter, Ron Chelli, Larry Chylack, Dave Dougherty, Bob Graham, Tom Kopsie, Joe Loschiavo, Joe Maresca, Mark Rostick, and Ken Narciso were recognized on the field before the start of the April 9 game. Tribute was also paid to the late John Duda, who passed away in 2021 from ALS.

“We are probably the one team with the highest percentage of winning,” said Tom Kopsie. “Heck of a year.”

Mr. Kopsie, who is a frequent fan at PW games and whose son and daughter played for high school teams, said it means a lot to alumni like him to have events that bring old friends back together to reminisce.

“It’s wonderful,” he said.

Coach Chris Manero organized the event and said he wanted to recognize the team’s contributions. Even though the 1976 players didn’t win a championship or get their name on a banner in the gym, they have remained strong supporters of the high school baseball program.

“Many in this group have maintained strong ties to PW, and often come to support us at games throughout the season,” he said. “They have stayed connected to the community and are excited to be recognized 50 years after they took the field together.”