Whiffinâ?? for Joe Rubino

The inaugural Curt Hannon Whiffle Ball Tournament was played last Sunday at the West Pittston Little League to benefit Joe Rubino and his family. Rubino, a father of three and a West Pittston Little League dad, was critically injured on June 13 while working on a construction project outside of the General Hospital. Rubino, and another worker for Panzitta Construction, were hit by a vehicle driven by an elderly woman. Rubino suffered multiple injuries including a cervical fracture, and a torn diaphragm, but the worse of them was a life-threatening crushed pelvis.

After the accident, 10 to 15 families from West Pittston, where Rubino has lived all his life, came together to form the Joe Rubino Foundation to help Rubino and his family - wife, Mary; daughter, Joelle, 25; and sons John, 13 and Nick, 11.

Members of the group describe Rubino as a hard-working dedicated family man.

The group raised $4,200 with a coin drop on June 30. The tournament added substantially to that fund. Over 20 five-person teams played in the tourney

The Whiffle Ball Tournament was for age bracket teams in 7-9, 10-13, and 14-adult divisions.

The tournament is named for Curt Hannon, a former West Pittston Little League president, who died in 2011.