2024 55+ Cactus
North Bay Cubs 10, Lehigh Valley Hurricanes 5
*Editor’s note: Robert Tosti, Cubs team member, supplied the propelling summary below regarding their recent 55+ Cactus division MSBL World Series Championship. It is not your usual game summary but I didn’t want to edit his story whatsoever. Please enjoy Robert’s insightful and moving accounting.
Unique Set of Motivating Circumstances Propel North Bay Cubs of the Redwood Empire Baseball League (REBL) to a 9-0 Record and the 2024 55+ World Series Cactus League Title
Motivation comes in many forms. It can be deeply emotional, highly inspirational, forged through lifelong friendships, driven by exemplary leadership, or simply borne from the perseverance required to achieve a common goal.
Emotional Motivation: “Win It All… for Alva”
Emotional motivation for the North Bay Cubs arrived in the form of a selfless act from a dying woman. On October 18th, Alva Higgs was rushed to a Santa Rosa hospital feeling weak and short of breath. Her son, Albert Higgs—Cubs team captain and star player—immediately rushed home to be at her bedside the night before the 55+ Cactus League tournament began. Tests would soon reveal Alva had stage 4 lung cancer.
Albert spent the next 48 hours at the hospital, holding Alva’s hand, consulting with medical staff, and consoling devastated family and friends. His mother was frail, and her prognosis was grim, but Alva had been incredibly strong her entire life. She raised Albert alone, working endless hours as a teacher at multiple schools to ensure he could pursue his athletic dreams—dreams that eventually led him to play professional football.
Early on the Cubs’ second tournament day, Alva woke Albert from one of his few moments of sleep. She looked him in the eyes and said, “I worked all those jobs since you were little so you could play any ball, any time you wanted. Go back to Arizona, play ball with your team, and tell them to win it all!”
Albert returned in time for the third game of the tournament, sharing the heartbreaking news of his mother’s health—and her powerful message. He went on to close out that game and finished six others, including the championship at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Batting close to .500 for the tournament, he had two game-winning hits and led the team in RBIs.
“I knew Albert would return. He’s strong,” said childhood friend and Cubs Manager Alfonso ‘Fonzo’ Roman. “Now everyone knows where that strength comes from. We won this one for Alva.”
Inspirational Motivation: A Teammate Who Refused to Be Limited
Wayne Pellitier supplied another potent source of inspiration. In the 2023 MSBL World Series, Wayne injured his foot in what seemed like routine play. The injury appeared minor at first, but persistent pain—and his wife’s urging—drove him to seek medical advice. A doctor informed him that a staph infection had infiltrated his left tibia, requiring an amputation just below the knee.
Undeterred, Wayne was fitted for a prosthetic leg within weeks. He learned to walk again and was already looking ahead to Opening Day of the 2024 REBL season. He made his return with a bang, throwing a complete-game gem against the defending league champion Black Sox.
Wayne’s story only got better. In the 2024 MSBL World Series, he pitched, batted, and played defense for three teams in the 35+, 45+, and 55+ divisions.
“Wayne is superhuman,” said Rick Cantor, Game 5 starter and REBL Commissioner. “He plays as if nothing has changed. He never complains about pain or the discomfort of his prosthetic. He wants no recognition. He asks for no special treatment. He just goes out there and performs.”
In the 55+ Cactus League, Wayne was the Cubs’ Game 1 starter at Tempe Diablo, throwing seven innings en route to the win. He also started the first playoff game, sparking the team to a hard-fought victory. Over the tournament, he pitched, played multiple innings on defense, batted .500, and finished with a 1.000 OPS.
Exemplary Leadership: “He Was Flawless”
Leadership is defined as the ability to guide, influence, and motivate others to achieve a common goal. No more fitting description exists for how Manager Alfonso ‘Fonzo’ Roman steered the North Bay Cubs during the World Series. Guiding a team of grown men is never easy; influencing them to buy into a tournament strategy is even harder. Motivating them? Nearly impossible. Yet Fonzo did all of this and then some—almost single handedly.
“He was flawless,” said Mark Pennewell, the Game 3 starter. “His lineup card was perfect for every game. He didn’t make a single error setting the defense, handling base running, substitutions, or those last-minute changes in the box. The only mistake he made all week was allowing me to steal Tosti’s #3 jersey and not letting me give it back to him. Trust me, that’s the last guy you want to upset. He’ll find ways to get you back that you wouldn’t expect. He scares me.”
Perseverance: The Fuel for Victory
The strength that arises from perseverance can build a team’s confidence, motivate it, and help it reach lofty goals. For more than three decades, members of the North Bay Cubs pursued the elusive dream of a title. This unfulfilled ambition became a driving force behind their success.
They came from behind in five of their nine games and fought off late-inning challenges on multiple occasions. Every pitcher went deep into their starts, with three complete games thrown, including a semifinal shutout by Barney Kaufmen. Hitters battled every time they stepped into the box. The defense was consistently on point. Team spirit never faltered. Not a single Cub gave up—ever.
“There’s no quit in this dog!” declared catcher JJ Marek, summing up the team’s perseverance. “Every single Cub performed when called upon. Every single Cub had an impact at bat or in the field. There were so many individual contributions that I can’t single out any individual accomplishment. It was the true definition of a team victory.”
The Crowning Moment
With unwavering leadership, deep fraternal bonds, a roller-coaster of emotions, and an inspiration to exceed all expectations, the North Bay Cubs claimed the 2024 Cactus Division 55+ title. Twenty-two MSBL Championship Rings and one MSBL World Series trophy now proudly reside in California’s Wine Country with the Redwood Empire Baseball League.
“I have never been so excited for a $200 paperweight in my entire life,” quipped first baseman and cleanup hitter Malcolm Jordan, referring to the World Series ring. “I’ve been at this for so long. It’s about damn time.”
For Alva Higgs.