Jimmy “Scrap Iron” Fallabel
Category
2001About This Inductee
Fallabel, nickname “Scrap Iron” because of his aggressive style of play, is also an Army Combat veteran of World War II. While serving in the Army during World War II, Fallabel played for the GB-181 Battalion, 26th Division team at Camp Burlingame, Rhode Island. Following a transfer to the 77th Infantry Division, he played on teams in the South Pacific Theater of Operations.
A sergeant in the Army he was involved in the Pacific Theater invasions of Guam, Leyte in the Philippine Islands, Kerama, Phetla, Iwe Shima and Okinawa. His Decorations included Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Medical Medal, Bronze Arrowhead, three stars for Asiatic-Pacific Theater invasions, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Islands Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and honorable service labor decoration. Fallable played with Bonacci’s championship team and played effectively on the following championships teams: Barletta’s Grocers, Barletta’s Ready-Mix, Will’s Men’s Shop, Star Cleaners, Heights gun Club, Highway Trailer, Tung-Sol Electric, Uchno Plumbers, Hazleton Eagles, Gutsie’s Cafe (Mahanoy City), Hazle Vending, Sleeprite Corp. and Cusate’s Hotel. Fallabel not only played on four Cusate’s championship teams, but he also managed the teams.
He was the only softball player to be inducted into the YMCA Sports Hall of Fame up to the year 1977. He was inducted as lifetime gold Card member of the YMPA in 1985 and in 1987 was inducted into the ASA of Pennsylvania Softball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Involved in fast-pitch softball about 60 years, Fallabel was involved in the organization of Hazleton Little League. He served as player agent and volunteer umpire and was chosen to umpire a state playoff game. He was also involved in Hazleton Recreation Department sports. In basketball he played with Holy Rosary in the Catholic League, Superior Sleeprite in the Industrial League and with an Army team in Sapporo, Japan. Fallabel boxed Pacific Theater of Operations and in the Italo Bonacci League in Tresckow.
Fallabel is an usher at the Holy Rosary R.C. Church, He and his wife reside at 341 Samuels Ave. They have a daughter who resides in Arizona.