Drifton complex

In 1975, Jake Kislan became a Commissioner for the AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOC. OF PA. The game of slow pitch softball became a popular game for adult men and women to play.
The teams grew in number and there were no fields available for them to compete on.
In 1978 Commissioner Jake Kislan, bought 20 acres of land in Drifton, PA., with the backing of State Commissioner Andrew S. Loechner, now Sectary General of the Olympics softball program.
Jake bought land that previously was the state gardens owned by the Coxes family.
This land had an abundance of top soil which was distributed on the fields in order to grow grass.
Mr. Loechner Persuaded the National Guard General to have the Hazleton Co. “C” Engineers to do the job of leveling the site. The job began on Nov 4th, 1978
The ASA OF PA. paid for the fuel that was used.
In Return, the soldiers of Company C. learned the trade of driving heavy duty equipment.
Jake appealed to local area business to ask for help from their companies.
The Barletta family donated an estimated $250,000.00 in materials, such as 800 yards of cement, thousands of tons of stone, equipment, all free of charge.

Joe Larock, of Valley Seeding Co., provided, free of charge, all 4 fields with seeding of grass.
Fritz Matinelli and Pagnotti Coal Co. donated both equipment and men to the project.
Tony Matz, Frank Aiello, and Bart Gongware donated their free time in wiring the four fields with Musto Lighting as the project director.
Maurice Molinaro of Star Cleaners also donated his services
Pete Haentjens, of Barrett- Haentjens donated 1000 ft of water pipe.
Genova Co. donated the entire quota of plastic pipe for the building.
Gene Bodgan, president of the Peoples Bank in Hazleton , funded the project with a loan of $500.000.00 .
The loan was paid off in 10 years.
In August of 1982 the complex doors were open and the first State tournament was played.
In Sept of 2005 the complex was re-dedicated the “ASA OF PA. Jake Kislan Softball Complex.”
Some historic events follow:
1988- Ramaz Goglidze, President of the USSR Baseball and Softball Federation and Prime Minister of Sports in the Province of Georgia, visited the complex. The Georgia Province produced 80 percent of the Soviet winners in the Olympic Games. As he was departing Drifton, Goglidze said that his goal was to build a similar complex in Georgia.
1990- Gov. Robert Casey visited the complex and was greeted by a large contingent of union officials , members and their families, in addition to numerous softball fans.
1994, Jake Kislan was asked by Andy Loechner , sect general of the USA Olympic committee to help get the game of softball started in the country of Poland. Jake raised over $80,000 of softball equipment that was sent to the softball officials of Poland. This was done with the help of the Greater Hazleton area Polonaise Society.
1996- US Olympic Girls Softball Team played four games in June , just prior to the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta. This very team went on to capture a gold medal. This sporting spectacle proved to be the greatest sporting event ever held in the Greater Hazleton Area.

2000- US Olympic Girls Softball Team played two games in June , just prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Australia. The team again went on to capture a gold medal. Once again, this sporting spectacle proved to be one of the greatest sporting events ever held in the Greater Hazleton Area.

· Luzerne County Commissioners granted the A S A 0f Pa. Jake Kislan Softball Complex a $750,000 Grant.
First Federal Charitable Foundation donated a $10,000.00 Grant
Governor Ed Rendell also provided a $150,000 Grant to the A S A 0f Pa. Jake Kislan Softball Complex
Jake Kislan, Vice President, stated that the money will be used for new field lighting, new fencing, new scoreboards, new building, up grating infields and parking lot.
Pete Andrasko is the appointed Complex Director
Andy Loechner A S A State Commissioner and ISF Secretary General stated that that the Drifton Complex will again host A S A championship tournaments and the Complex will also host teams from Europe. He stated that the Polish and Italian national teams will appear at the complex. He stated that ISF clinics will also be held at the complex.