Bob Romano’s long and successful run as the field manager of Arlington’s American Legion summer baseball team has ended.
Romano coached the team for 13 years. In all, he coached American Legion baseball for 38 seasons, doing so in Massachusetts from 1987 to 2010 before moving to Arlington and leading the Post 139 team.
Romano had planned to coach the team again this summer, having already done all of the preseason planning, like setting up a roster and securing field assignments. He changed his mind, and also stepped down as the team’s administrator because of some previous issues with state American Legion administrators, that were not baseball related.
“I’m going to walk away on my terms, and the biggest thing and bottom line is the kids will be playing Legion baseball in Arlington this summer, and I got that all set up,” Romano said.
After Post 139 decided not to sponsor a Legion team this summer, Romano helped find a new sponsor in Post 1995. Then he began the work on the team’s administrative details, mainly getting a full roster of players.
Replacing Romano as field manager will be his longtime former assistant coach Jason Moccia. That announcement was confirmed by District 17 commissioner Mike Farabaugh. Scott Nathanson, new to Legion baseball, will be Arlington’s assistant coach.
“Jason knows the players and Legion baseball and he will do a good job,” Romano said.
American Legion state baseball commissioner Jim Grenier praised Romano for his time and dedicated work for Arlington.
“Bob ran a very good program and his organization always was tremendous,” Grenier said. “I will miss him and our long conversations about Legion baseball. He did a lot for American Legion baseball.”
For two seasons in recent years, Romano also was the local District 17’s commissioner, while still managing Post 139.
As Post 139’s manager, Romano’s team won 165 games, one District 17 tournament championship, was second in that competition three times and earned state tournament berths the past three seasons, reaching the semifinals last summer. His final 2023 team finished 15-8.
Arlington’s overall playoff record under Romano was 14-10.
The 2024 summer Legion season begins in early June. The Arlington team will be one of eight in the District 17. Arlington plays its home games at Wakefield High School.
Following the district tournament is the state tourney, this year hosted by Chesapeake Post 280. Three teams from District 17 may earn state berths.
