LOWER BURRELL -- The sight of baseball players running through town in full uniform was a common sight for residents of Arnold in the 1960s. Because its home field in the Valley Camp section of the city didn't have locker room facilities, the Arnold High School baseball team would dress at the school along Alcoa Drive and charge down the hill in time for their games. In 1965, the Arnold Lions continued running all the way through the playoffs and the WPIAL championship game. On June 15, Arnold upset Beaver Falls at Forbes Field, 11-1. Reminiscing about the memorable season flowed Friday night as the Arnold Class of '65 held its reunion at American Legion Post 868. The highlight of the night was the presentation of the WPIAL trophy to head coach Jim Marino, who also was in attendence. The trophy had been cast aside in a storage area by Valley High School officials, so team members thought it would be best to surprise the coach with the trophy. "Where did you get this?" Marino exclaimed as the trophy was pulled out a box along with other items such as an orange and blue shirt commemorating Arnold baseball. Marino, who retired as an educator in 1982, is still appreciative of his players' efforts. "I think the key to that team was us having three or four players who could play two or three different positions without losing anything," Marino said. "These guys were very coachable, and I'm glad so many of them showed up tonight." Marino said he didn't have to do a lot of hollering, but there were rules to follow. For instance, the players had to, indeed, run to the field and arrive at a certain time to ensure no one would stop at Suzy's or any of the other stores en route for a pre-game treat. Arnold got a taste of what was to come with a successful 1964 season where the team gave up only four runs during section play. Sports at Arnold were supplemented by the arrival of students from Lower Burrell. In the 1964-65 school year, Burrell High School had just junior and sophomore classes, and seniors had a choice of going to either Arnold or Kiski Area. "We were all good friends in Burrell, so the majority of us who played sports and grew up together went to Arnold," said catcher John Mazur, who later coached Valley High School baseball. "There was never a problem of the Arnold kids accepting us, we were part of the school," Mazur added. Only section winners made the playoffs at that time, and Joe Unites pitched a no-hitter in the regular season finale against Har-Brack. Victories followed against Greensburg, North Hills and Gateway in the playoffs, before the Lions defeated Beaver Falls.

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