Midgets learn big lessons
Since beginning his coaching career 11 years ago, Steve Monteleone has coached thousands of players.
Since first walking the sidelines as a Butler Area Midget Football League coach in 1995, Monteleone, who is now an assistant coach at Butler High School, has watched as those players have grown, moving through the high school ranks.
But for Monteleone, coaching the 9- to 14-year-olds the sport of football is about more than just the game.
In a league that increased in popularity over the years, Monteleone has helped teach the players about more than football. In a sport where a running back's success hinges on the offensive line and the quarterback reliant on the wide receivers, players learn more than just counter plays and go routes.
Many of the children — even those standing on the sideline — learn teamwork, sportsmanship and hard work through the league, he said.
"Football's not an easy game, especially when you're getting your head smashed in," the Golden Tornado assistant coach said.
Originally founded in 1948 as the Butler Midget Football League by A. Gerald Cappezzuti with four teams, the league has grown to include areas outside of the city.
Changing with the area, the league expanded to seven teams in 1962, with cheerleading squads added in 1971.
But as population and interest in the sport changed, so did the size of the league and team boundaries.
Now, six teams — the Penn Street Cardinals, Meridian Raiders, East Side Mustangs, Center Township Rams, East Butler Bulldogs and South Butler Wildcats — battle each year for the league title.
The league has three divisions for each team, mighty mites, junior varsity and varsity.
Last season, Monteleone said a record-high 525 boys and girls signed up to play in the league, an increase from the league's previous record of 470 the year before.
Monteleone attributes the leagues success to more than just the popularity of football, citing the league's leadership over the past 60 years.
People such as Mike Kelly, who was a former player in the league; Bob Zavacky; Pat Coyle; Red Slater; Greg Brown, and Harry Leyland were instrumental to helping BAMFL grow over six decades.
"Guys like that, that's the reason why the league survived," Monteleone said.And it's through the league that some future college and NFL players first strapped on helmets and shoulder pads.The league's alumni includes Terry Hanratty, Rich Saul, Ron Saul, William Saul, and Scott Milanovich. They all ended up playing in the NFL.Other players, such as current BAMFL coach Kelly, eventually went on to play football at the college level.But other former midget league players, such as Matt Clement, have found success in other sports. He played for the South Butler Wildcats.But Clement became a baseball pitcher and moved into the major leagues. He has played with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.BAMFL is just one of the midget leagues in the county.Groups in Saxonburg, Mars as well as the Seneca Valley and Moniteau school districts also field midget teams, meaning thousands of boys and girls take to the gridiron each fall.Like many coaches, Monteleone recalls some of his former players who have successfully continued their athletic careers since leaving the league.Three players, Spencer Crouse, Calvin Littlejohn and Tim Madigan, stood out in the coach's mind as players who have made Monteleone proud.Crouse went on to play hockey for Butler High School; Littlejohn played Butler High football and excelled as a long jumper on the school's track team; and Madigan went on to play basketball for the Golden Tornadoes.But Monteleone said many of his former players have made him proud, both on and off of the field."We've had may kids come through the program who are great kids," he said.
