Overall, the Bethlehem Shepherds have been a flourishing flock. They have made three World Series appearances and are among the most deeply rooted teams in the Good Fellowship Dartball League. In fact, when the expansion Meadow Hill Warriors team moved to Beacon in 1982, the Opening Night lineup was already sporting four future Hall of Famers: John Rotundo (1985); Vito DiCesare Sr. (1986); Vito DiCesare Jr. (1989) and Chris DiCesare (1998). Rotundo and eldest DiCesare had already logged in a combined total of 50 quality seasons playing for dynamos like Sacred Heart and going as far back as the 1940's.
From 1982 through 2007 over 2,000 games of darts were held at the Sargent Elementary School, including several mid-season Holiday Tournaments and All Star Games. In that time several players made names for themselves. The team's Captain for over 25 years, Vito DiCesare Jr., while being a productive hitter, also served as the league's Treasurer and was a frequent banquet speaker. Players like Mike Lewis and Phil Casey (both on the single) and Chris DiCesare (home runs) were in the process of setting several single-season league records. Other notable Warriors hitters: Joe Candela; Gene Piaquadio; Brian Mahan; Al Romano; Joe Supple and Russell Cullingham.
The team (re-named the Shepherds in 2007) currently plays at the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, thanks in large part to the efforts of James Henry. The team's co-founder, Vito DiCesare Jr., remains active and is the team's dynamic leadoff hitter. Mike Lewis lends his shooting skills - and his laid back persona - to the good fellowship while his older brother Alan, a 15-year veteran, continues his steady double shooting. New arrivals Rob Webb and Gary Tremper, both top performers from their previous teams, now assist Chris DiCesare in driving runs home. Long-time veteran standout Joe Rotunda adds that needed consistency to the attack, while making sure that the evening's refreshments are up to par. But the biggest news of all this past year was the emergence of a 14-year-old rookie named Matt DiCesare who joined the Shepherds in the fall. Matt represents an impressive fourth generation of 'DiCesares' (now spanning well over 60 years) who have given of themselves to the Good Fellowship Dartball League! Young players like Matt help to give their team - as well as the entire league - a leg up on what looks to be a rewarding and successful future.
