The Zeniths built a roster from the area amateur teams,[9][10] including former San Francisco Giant minor-leaguer Joe Costello.
Carmen (.307, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs) struggled in the adjustment to professional play,[18][19][20] despite being the highest paid Zenith, and was released on July 31 when Rochester when the team was eliminated from the playoff picture.
The Milwaukee Schlitz would then beat the Kentucky Bourbons 5–3 in the APSPL World Series, broadcast nationwide on the new start-up sports network ESPN.
The Express limped to a 30–34 (.469) record[26][27] and would make a managerial change mid-season to try to stir the team, with Manager Mike Decillis returning full-time to playing field and second-baseman Don Fazio moving taking the reins.
[32][33][34][35][36] The Express came back from a 2-4 deficit in the series [37][38] and Pittsburgh was one win from the title with a 3-run lead heading to the bottom of the final inning in game 7.
[24][43] Schuster missed the playoffs as he was with the Alfred University football team as a Division III All-American 4th-year starting QB for the Saxons.
New England beat Rochester 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs where the Pilgrims lost to Kentucky 5–3 behind the bat of World Series MVP Greg Whitlock.
[49] The Express returned to Harris Whalen Park in Penfield for 1982 UPSL season[50] and also played some home games at Silver Stadium in the city of Rochester.
[53][54] Former Zenith first-baseman Cal Carmen is a member of the United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame.