Cranberry father, son help Team USA win international ball hockey title
It’s not how you start, but how you finish.
Mike Battista and his son, Jacob, both of Cranberry Township, know that better than anyone after their recent experience in Europe.
A general manager and center, respectively, for Team USA’s ball hockey team, they saw their squad lose its first two games in pool play by a combined score of 9-1 at the International Street Ball and Hockey Federation Men’s World Ball Hockey Championships, held June 20-28 in Ostrava, Czechia.
But the event concluded a week later with Team USA defeating the host country 2-1 in overtime to earn the gold medal.
“There was a lot of doubt that we could win it all,” Mike Battista said. “There was extreme energy involved, playing the host team in front of a couple thousand fans. It was very satisfying, seeing the team succeed.”
Jacob’s linemate, PJ Biagetti, scored the game-winner.
“I felt like I blacked out when he scored,” Jacob said. “In that moment, I couldn’t believe we had won.”
While a USA junior team won gold at the event in 2006, no USA men’s team had won it all until this year.
The tournament included 12 teams divided into two pools. Pool A included Canada, the USA, Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland and Finland.
Pool B consisted of India, the Caymen Islands, Great Britain, France, Germany and Austria.
“We went 2-3 in pool play, but all six teams from our pool advanced to the quarterfinals, only two from Pool B moved on,” Mike said. “Pool A was made up of much more established programs.
“Our last game in pool play was against Czechia. We lost, but just 1-0. That game instilled confidence in our team that we could compete with anybody. Canada and Czechia were heavy favorites.”
Team USA defeated Switzerland 5-1 in the quarterfinals and Canada 4-3 in the semifinals.
The championship game featured a clash in styles.
“The Czech team was much bigger than us, but we were faster, and playing on a big rink, we were able to use that to our advantage,“ Mike said.
Mike and Jacob Battista had both previously been to Slovakia and Czechia as a coach/general manager and player, respectively, for the tournament as part of USA junior teams.
For the USA men’s team, scouts attend a number of tournaments, held mostly in the northeastern part of the country, played by teams in USA Ball Hockey’s “A” circuit, before selections are made for Team USA’s roster.
Jacob Battista, 20, who tallied six assists in the world championships, plays for one of those teams, the Pittsburgh Gods.
“I got the call in October that I was picked for the team,” he said. “I knew it was a big opportunity. It’s a different skill level from juniors, and I tried to be in the best shape possible before leaving for Europe.
“Ball hockey is fast-paced, but along the boards, it gets pretty physical like ice hockey.”
Team USA was made up of 22 players ages 18-32 from a number of different states including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida.
“We got together for one two-day training camp in New Jersey back in April,” Jacob said. “We formed a good bond from the start, but with what we just accomplished, that bond is even stronger now.”
Mike Battista said interest in ball hockey in central Europe is on a different level.
“It’s massive over there,” he said. “Their teams are government-funded. Here, our players are responsible for all the costs from uniforms to airfare to hotel rooms to food. We try to get as much exposure for the sport as we can. It would be great to get help from sponsors.”
As for Jacob Battista, he’s not planning to leave the rink behind anytime soon.
“This is the form of hockey I’ve always played,” he said. “I remember playing with my neighbors when I was a kid. I’ll be playing as long as I’m able.”
