The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-08
STRONG RIVALS PAIRED SUNDAY;
 AVICS VS. NAUGY

Larry Mullen, one of the most popular ball players in the 20-year history of the City Amateur league, will be honored at Hamilton park tomorrow afternoon on what should be the most thrilling twin bill of the current season with first place as the stakes. Men high in the city's civic life as well as hundreds of friends and admirers of Larry Mullen will be on hand to pay their respects to one of the best liked athletes who ever trod the Hamil- ton park greensward. Among those expected to take part in the fectivi- ties are Mayor John s. Monagan, Aldermanic President Patrick Shea, and many others. City Clerk Jo- seph Happy" Shea is chairman of the committee in charge of the Mullen testimonial
 The baseball side of the bill is anticipated the most interesting of the season with the three lead- ing teams, Tribune A. C., Wash ington Hills and Aviglianese A. C., all due to show. The feature game at 4 o'clock brings together "Packey" Shea's league leading Tribunes and Pat Quilter's Washington Hills, de- lending champs, and kho are at present tied for second place with the Aviglianese. Bill Stanton will handle the indicator with Leno Cas- taldo on the bases.
 The Hills-Tribes affair is due to show two of the strongest teams of the campaign, both clubs having travelled far and wide to line up a formidable aggregation for the con- test on which the title may hinge. The Tribes will be especially pre- pared for this "acid" test with lineup which will include Vic Rad- zevich and Gene Czaplicki, and possibly Lefty" Pezzulo, who is also slated to hurl for the Brasscos tonight. Reports from the Hill have 1t that Pat Quilter and the Hill board of strategy have also done little bolStering and are expected to come up with several new players who will help stamp the title de- lenders as capable of upsetting the Tribune powerhouse.
 Important Game
 A victory for the Tribes will give them a commanding lead in the race which enters the final round in another couple of weeks, or, a de- feat will drop them into tie with the Hills who at the moment are deadlocked for second with the fighting Aviglianese.
 The Avigs meet the Naugatuck Thomas club in the opener tomor- row which has been scheduled for l:30 in order to have the decks clear for the starting of the four o'clock Hills Tribes encounter on time. This game also means much to Tony Ro- maniello'S Italian lads who may yet be the team to beat in the final analysis. With such fine perform CTS from out-of- town in the lineup as the Alfone and Santillo brothers. Hank Doneski, and Teddy Grabeck, the Avigs followers are entertaining high hopes of championship this season.
 Otto McCanns Naugatuck entries, like so many of their predecessors, just can't seem to stand the gaff of the competition offered by local teams. The Tommies started off well but have hit the chutes and should not give the Avigs too much trouble tomorrow. Joe O'Conror will umpire behind the plate, Jim Mobile on the bases.
 Parade
 The testimonial to Larry Mullen will precede the 4 o'clock game and will be featured by parade of the players, guests, committeeman and officials, the raising of Old Glory, and music by the Fulton American band.
 The presentation committee in- cludes: Col. Jim Kiely and Charles J. Allen of the c. L. & P. Co.,; Roc- co P. Mara, Waterbury Tool Co.,; Pres. James Sheehan of the Tribune A. o; Joe Maloney of the Fire Dept; sports editors, Hark O'Donnell and Chick Kelley of the Republican-Am- erican and John Cluney of the Democrat: John "Rixey" Dwyer; John Skid" Dumschott of the Brooklyn A. C., and George Mulli-