Author: Weston Ulbrich

by Weston Ulbrich

GHTBL Seeks 4th Win Versus CTL at New Britain Stadium

All Star Game to be held on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

The 2018 GHTBL vs. CTL All Star Game will be played at New Britain Stadium on Sunday, August 19th at 8 PM under the lights. 

The game will take place immediately following the New Britain Bees vs. Long Island Ducks matchup at 5 PM.

The GHTBL All Star team will be selected at the end of the Regular Season. Representing players will seek to claim victory over the Connecticut Twilight League All Star team for the 4th straight game (4 of 4). The first All Star matchup between the two leagues was in 2015 and since then the game has showcased some of the best local ballplayers in the state of Connecticut.

We look forward to your attendance!
 – Tickets will be $10 per person
 – Free for kids 14 and under

by Weston Ulbrich

August 3-11: Playoffs at Trinity College

Double-elimination tournament to be hosted at Trinity’s turf baseball facility in Hartford.

Games to be played on August 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 (if needed) at Trinity College, 300 Summit St, Hartford, CT 06106

– Tickets will be $10 per person at the gate for all fans.
– Players, Managers, League Officials, and Volunteers are free.
– A food truck will be in attendance to serve as concessions. 

Note to players and managers:
To be eligible for playoffs, players need 5 total appearances in 5 separate/individual games as either a position player or a pitcher. For example, 3 pitching appearances in 3 games and 2 appearances at First Base in 2 games equals a total of 5 appearances. 

by Weston Ulbrich

GHTBL Raises $4,500 for CT Children’s Medical Center

The Hartford Yard Goats and Dunkin’ Donuts Park hosted the Twi-loop’s Charity Series.

The Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League achieved the 2nd Annual Charity Series at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22. 

8 teams made up of current and former college ballplayers as well as several ex-professionals competed under the lights. 

Adult fans paid $10 at the Main Gate and helped us raise $4,500 to be donated to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

(Pictured above – L to R: Wes Ulbrich, GHTBL Secretary and Bill Holowaty, GHTBL President present a check to Nicholas Giampetruzzi of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.)

Thank you to all of the friends, family, and fans who came out to the ballpark and we hope to see you again throughout the 2018 season and for next year’s Charity Series.

All the best,

Bill Holowaty
GHTBL President

by Weston Ulbrich

Charity Series at Dunkin’ Donuts Park

4 GHTBL games to benefit Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to be held June 21 and 22.

June 21st and June 22nd – first pitch at 6:10 PM each night.

The GHTBL Charity Series will feature a pair of doubleheaders on back-to-back nights to raise funds for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

 South Windsor Phillies East Hartford Jets6:10 PM EDT 
06/21/18
 Rainbow Graphics Vernon Orioles8:00 PM EDT 
06/21/18
 People’s United Bank Middletown Outlaws6:10 PM EDT 
06/22/18
 Record-Journal Expos Ulbrich Clippers8:00 PM EDT 
06/22/18

Tickets are $10.00 per person; free entry for kids 14 and under.
Reserve tickets or pay at the Main Gate – 1214 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Event open to the public; tickets valid for any and all games. 

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE TICKETS

Thank you to the Hartford Yard Goats for facilitating our stadium rental.

We’ll see you at the ballpark for this great cause!

by Weston Ulbrich

Jack Patterson & Zac Susi Selected in MLB Draft

GHTBL Alumni matriculate to professional baseball.

Jack Patterson (Suffield, Conn.) – currently pitching for the Vernon Orioles selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round (968th overall)

High School: Suffield Academy
College: Bryant –After going 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA as a true freshman in 2014, Patterson missed most of 2015 and all of 2016 before returning to the diamond in 2016. What has followed is one of the most impressive two-year runs for a left-handed pitcher in program history.

Patterson went 4-0 with three saves and a 2.90 ERA as a redshirt junior before cementing himself as the best left-handed power pitcher in program history this spring. He became just the second pitcher in program history to strikeout 100+ batters in a single season and allowed just 75 hits in 82 innings on his way to Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. This spring, he recorded six quality starts, threw Bryant’s first nine-inning complete-game shutout since 2014 and struck out 10+ batters on four occasions.

Jack Patterson, Bryant Baseball, 2018.

Zac Susi (Southington, Conn.) – former catcher for Rainbow Graphics franchise selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round (354th overall).

High School: Southington High
College: University of Connecticut – Susi, 21, has been a three-year starter at UConn since graduating Southington High in 2015, where the left-handed slugger was a two-time All-State backstop. He has been UConn’s primary catcher the last three seasons. He started 41 games as a freshman. As a sophomore, he hit .286 and started 56 games and was named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List.

In 2017, Zac played 57 games and started 56 behind the plate as the Huskies primary catcher. He hit .286 on the year and was second on the team with 61 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs and was second on the team with 40 RBI. Susi led the team with 27 walks and had a .362 on base percentage. He also had a team-leading 15 RBIs in the seventh inning or later. Behind the plate, he threw out 15 base runners attempting to steal.

Susi earned All-Star status with the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He played in 23 games and hit .276 with 20 hits, three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and scored 12 runs. Zac is the son of John Susi, Head Baseball Coach at Western Connecticut State University and

Zac Susi (right), UConn Baseball, 2018.
by Weston Ulbrich

Season to Feature the Top Venues in Connecticut

GHTBL’s 90th anniversary year to open on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

President’s Note – Season Preview:

The GHTBL is set to open at 6 PM, Tuesday, May 29th in Vernon, CT at Frank McCoy Stadium at Henry Park in a matchup between 2017 champs, the Vernon Orioles versus the Playoff Tournament runner-ups, the Record-Journal Expos. An Opening Day ceremony with take place before first pitch. 

2018 marks the 90th year of the GHTBL and to celebrate this milestone, 8 franchises will enter the league to play a pure and fast brand of baseball that our league has been known for. GHTBL plays the game of baseball as it was intended to be played; hitting nine batters, using wood bats, and no video replays or pitch clocks.

Current and former college ballplayers as well as a several future and former professional players will take to the field to compete in 24 Regular Season games followed by our annual double elimination Playoff Tournament.

Throughout the 2018 Regular Season and Playoff Tournament our league has scheduled games to be played at best baseball fields in the Greater Hartford area. On Thursday, July 21 and 22 each GHTBL franchise will play a game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford for a special Charity Series fundraiser for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Then the Ulbrich Clippers will host People’s United Bank at New Britain Stadium on Wednesday, July 25th.

From August 2-11, our Playoff Tournament will be held once again at Trinity College on their new turf ballpark. On Sunday, August 18th, we will host Connecticut Twilight League at New Britain Stadium for an All-Star game between our two leagues. 

Our 90th anniversary is turning out to be a highly anticipated year for the GHTBL and we’re pleased to have you be a part of it as a fan, players, parents, family and friends. 

All the best,

Bill Holowaty 
GHTBL President

by Weston Ulbrich

Rainbow Graphics to Sponsor Oldest Twi Team

The franchise traces back to 1935, joining GHTBL in 1956.

Manchester, Connecticut – Rainbow Graphics of 118 Adams Street in Manchester owned by Fred Kask has become the sponsor of the former Marlborough Braves team who played their 2017 home games at West Road Memorial Field in Marlborough under the direction of their Player-Manager, Mark DiTommaso. Mark will lead the newly named Rainbow Graphics ball club into the 2018 GHTBL Regular Season, carrying on an long held tradition.

Not only is the GHTBL in its 90th year of play this season, but this Manchester-based franchise also has its own extensive history:

Before Rainbow Graphics, Marlborough Braves, and Foss Insurance, heavy-hitting player-manager, Gene Johnson led the Newman Lincoln-Mercury squad of the same franchise during the 90’s winning multiple championships. Gene Johnson’s legendary amateur and pro career, however he began his GHTBL career on a team that preceded Newman Lincoln-Mercury called Moriarty Brothers.

In 1933, two local businessmen and brothers, Matthew and Maurice Moriarty established a gasoline/service station in Manchester on the northeast corner of Center and Broad streets. The family was especially interested in the game of baseball and Matthew was known around town as an avid sportsman and fan of the game. In the summer of 1935, Matt sponsored his own team under the name of his business, “Moriarty Brothers” and entered them into the Manchester Twilight League. His club was the fastest, and had the best hitting lineup, therefore earning the nickname the “Comets” to local fans. The franchise then became a semi-pro team during the 1940’s and the roster was comprised of the best ballplayers in the Manchester area during that time. 

Eventually, Moriarty Brothers evolved into a car dealership and service center and their baseball club joined the GHTBL in 1956. The club was a formidable contender for championship titles year after year thanks to some top talent like former minor leaguers Pete Sala, Leo Veleas, Lev Spencer, and of course the one and only “Godfather of the GHTBL” Gene Johnson. The franchise is now the GHTBL’s longest running after 62 years but it’s also the winningest franchise in league history with a combined total of 35 regular season and playoff championships.

Best of luck to the new Rainbow Graphics team who will now carry the banner for this historic twilight franchise!

by Weston Ulbrich

World Series Club Features Bobby Valentine

Bobby V reminiscences about baseball in West Hartford.

Stamford, Connecticut, native Bobby Valentine has not been following baseball as much this past couple of months due to his nonstop busy schedule, however, he made time to visit West Hartford to speak to the World Series Club about the common passion everyone in the room shares: baseball.

“This is the baseball time of the year. Some people here love the sport of baseball and they asked if I can come up and I said absolutely. For a free meal I’d do anything,” Valentine said with a grin. “I just wanted to get into the game with the crowd and answer their questions about what we all love and it’s the game of baseball.”

Valentine, 67, was introduced by his former player, Gary Burnham Jr., who played under Valentine in 2009 in Japan. To this day, both men remain close and, for Burnham, it was a no-brainer to introduce his former manager.

“I built a great relationship with him and now he’s just really a great friend,” Burnham said. “I am just super happy to be here and it’s an honor for me to introduce such a great guy.”

This is not the first time Valentine has spoken to the organization; he has made two prior visits in the 1970s and ’80s. However, baseball was different then and he is intrigued to see the new direction MLB is taking with the implementation rules to speed up place.

“I think the game should be quicker,” Valentine said. “You know all these mound visits are probably going to be the things of the past and all we have to do is have the younger generation understand the competition.”

Valentine says during his managing career, he did not believe in mound visits and had his pitching coach go to the mound to speak to his pitchers. If Valentine had to count, he says he probably made 10 mound visits during his professional managerial career.

Valentine, like other baseball junkies, is also looking forward to the new Yankees slugging tandem of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton and the potential of what the two sluggers can produce. The Connecticut native also expects the new Yankee skipper Aaron Boone, who he worked with for two years at ESPN, to excel under pressure in New York.

On the other side of the Boston/New York rivalry, Valentine expressed mixed feelings on the Red Sox signing J.D. Martinez.

“Well, I think if he is healthy, he is the necessary piece to that puzzle. I think if he was left-handed he’d fit a lot better than him being right-handed,” Valentine said.

For Len Montanari, who has been a member of the World Series Club for 15 years, said it was a treat for people like Valentine to come to their meetings and reveal the insights of the shenanigans that happened behind the closed doors.

“For a baseball fan in the winter, it is like going through withdrawal,” Montanari said. “(Valentine) is a very colorful guy and he has an extraordinary history. He was fired by George Bush while at Texas, its fun to hear the backstory about things like that.” 

Although Valentine’s passion for baseball continues, he remains focused on his tenure as Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University.

– Written by Kimberly Pena, Hartford Courant

League Notes

– Gary Burnham Jr. is now the GM of the newest team in the GHTBL, the South Windsor Phillies and the league is ecstatic to have him involved. Gary owns a property management business and has a family of five of his own who live in South Windsor.

– Special thanks from the GHTBL goes out to the Worlds Series Club, especially to Tim Brennan, his family and the Montanari Family.

by Weston Ulbrich

Expansion Announced: South Windsor Phillies

South Windsor Phillies to be 8th GHTBL franchise.

On behalf of the GHTBL, I am pleased to announce the addition of another franchise into our historic baseball league. The league is excited to welcome a South Windsor franchise back to the GHTBL. A team called Mr. G’s of South Windsor last played twilight baseball in 2006.

Now the league an eighth team in the South Windsor Phillies and will be led by a former professional player and longtime GHTBL player and contributor, Gary Burnham Jr.  Gary’s hails from South Windsor, and is one of the best hitters to ever come out of the Greater Hartford area. 

Burnham is a minor league Hall of Fame inductee (Reading Phillies) and will be general manager of the South Windsor franchise. Gary played AAA baseball in four different organizations before signing to play Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. His brother Brett Burnham also played GHTBL and minor league baseball with the San Diego Padres after an outstanding collegiate career at Auburn University and the University of Connecticut.

Gary Burnham Jr. Reading Phillies, Eastern League (AA).

Manager of the South Windsor Phillies will be Ron Pizzanello. He is a GHTBL alumnus and a former catcher who played professional baseball in Italy. Pizzanello will bring his experience and his passion (big Red Sox fan) for the game to the league. We are lucky to have him.

Ron Pizzanello featured in Hartford Courant, 1971.

League Notes:

1st Annual GHTBL Golf Tournament & Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

by Weston Ulbrich

Pete Naktenis, Hartford’s Major League Southpaw

Peter “Lefty” Naktenis was the first Hartford Twilight League player to advance to Major League Baseball. Naktenis was born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1914. Soon after his birth, the Naktenis family moved to Manchester, Connecticut. He grew up to be a talented pitcher at Hartford Public High School, and set the state record for strikeouts in a season. As a young pitching phenom, he dominated the Hartford Twilight League during the summer months. At 18 years old, Naktenis pitched well for the Frederick Raff team in the summer of 1932.

Peter “Lefty” Naktenis, 1932.

The following summer he hurled for the Mayflower Sales team, who became champions of Hartford Twilight League. Naktenis pitched a no-hitter in the 1933 championship series against Charlie Repass of the Home Circle team, winning 4 to 0. In his second game of the day, Naktenis took the mound again and beat crosstown rival, Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor, a hard-throwing right hander from Bulkeley High School. Taylor, who later became a Negro League star and Naktenis would become two of Hartford’s greatest pitchers.

Pete Naktenis toss no-hitter in Hartford Twilight League, September 3, 1933.

The 6’1” Pete Naktenis was highly sought after by professional teams, but he would take the advice of a Philadelphia Athletics scout and attend college instead. After graduating from Duke University in 1936, he signed his first professional contract to pitch for Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. Naktenis made his major league debut for the Athletics that same year at age 22. He played in seven games and compiled an 0-1 record, allowing 24 hits and 26 runs with 18 strikeouts.

Philadelphia Athletics sign Pete Naktenis, June 13, 1936.

However, Naktenis ended up spending most of his time in the minor leagues. In 1937, he competed in the New York-Pennsylvania League, pitching for the Binghamton Triplets of the New York Yankees organization. The following year he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and pitched well for their minor league team, the Albany Senators of the Eastern League . Naktenis didn’t compile eye-popping numbers, but he many memories.

I remember one time in 1936 when I was with the A’s, I had my hair parted by a line shot off the bat of Joe Vosmik of the (Cleveland) Indians. The drive hit the button of my cap and the centerfielder picked up the ball on one short hop. A little lower and it would have parted me in half. That was what you would call a narrow escape.”

Pete Naktenis
Pete Naktenis, Pitcher, Philadelphia Athletics, 1936.

When his professional seasons were complete, Naktenis often returned to Hartford during the off-season and signed with the Savitt Gems. The Gems were a semi-pro team led by their owner, Bill Savitt and player-Manager, Jigger Farrell. Throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s Naktenis drew great crowds to Bulkeley Stadium for the Gems. “Lefty” made his first appearance for the Gems in Hartford on September 25, 1938. He delivered a complete game performance versus the Philadelphia Colored Giants, allowing just 3 hits and one unearned and leading the Savitt Gems to victory.

Naktenis pitches for the Savitt Gems, 1935.

In 1939, the southpaw from Connecticut logged three games in the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds. While property of the Reds, Naktenis found more competitive opportunities with the Savitt Gems. On September 24, 1939, he took the mound for the Gems against the Scranton Red Sox (previously known as the Scranton Miners) of the Eastern League. He out-pitched Mickey Harris and the Gems trounced Scranton by a score of 11 to 3.

Pete Naktenis, Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds, 1939.

In 1940 and 1941, Naktenis was a starter in the Reds organization with the Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association. His next minor league stop was with the 1942 Milwaukee Brewers led by Bill Veeck and Charlie Grimm, former big leaguers turned owners. During World War II, Naktenis returned home and gained employment at Colt Manufacturing to support the Am erican war effort. He continued to pitch on a part-time basis for the Hartford Senators, choosing to throw solely in home games. In 1944, he led Hartford to an Eastern League pennant title.

Pete Naktenis, Pitcher, Hartford Senators, 1943.
Naktenis scores for Hartford, 1944.
Pete Naktenis, Pitcher, Hartford Senators, 1944.

Naktenis retired after the 1945 season. He and his wife Kathleen became residents of Newington, Connecticut, where they raised three daughters. He continued to work in manufacturing and became president of Dean Machine Products in Manchester, Connecticut. Later in his life, Naktenis was inducted into the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League Hall of Fame and the Hartford Public High School Hall of Fame. He eventually moved south to Singer Island, Florida, in the 1980s. Peter “Lefty” Naktenis went to rest in eternal peace on August 1, 2007.

L to R: Johnny Taylor, Walter Elliot and Pete Naktenis, 1958.
Hartford Courant features Naktenis, August 22, 1976.

Sources:

1. Hartford Courant
2. Reading Times

by Weston Ulbrich

GHTBL All-Stars Top CTL 4-1 at Muzzy Field

GHTBL wins 3 of 3 matchups versus Connecticut Twilight League.

The GHTBL All-Stars shined bright on Monday night, defeating the Connecticut Twilight League All Stars 4-1 in 9 innings. Even though the game was tied 1-1 until the top of the ninth inning, the GHTBL boys of summer eventually claimed victory.

Chris Anselmo (Clippers) drove in the game winning run after Tyler Pina (People’s) was hit by a pitch and stole a base. Then Jeff Criscuolo (Clippers) hit a booming triple off the right field wall scoring Anselmo. Thad Zentek (People’s) had an RBI plating Criscuolo.

Dan Trubia (Vernon) had two hits, starting pitcher Brendan Smith (People’s), relievers James Davitt (Clippers), Travis Salois (Marlborough), and John Martin (Middletown) threw scoreless innings while Tyler Pogmore (Vernon) earned the save.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE GAME

by Weston Ulbrich

Orioles Win Championship, Continue Dominance

Jack Ceppetelli manages O’s to Second Straight Playoff Title.

The defending champion Vernon Orioles capped their playoff run on Saturday night at Trinity College with a 4-0 win over the Record-Journal Expos to take home another trophy. Jared Hyde threw 5 no-hit innings with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts to earn the victory before giving way to Tyler Pogmore, who allowed 2 hits with 1 strikeout in recording the final 6 outs to preserve the shutout.

Vernon took the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Alex Zachary stroked a leadoff ground-rule double to center field, stole third, and came home on a one out sacrifice fly by Wes Hurty. The Orioles added three more runs in the fifth. After a leadoff single by Zach Donahue, a walk to Dan Trubia and a wild pitch put runners at second and third with one out, Jack Halpin lined a single to left scoring two. Paul Dougan followed with a single to left to drive in Halpin.

The win was Vernon’s 5th in 5 days and second straight win over the Expos. The O’s avenged a 2-0 opening round loss, after which the Orioles outscored their opponents 32-2 in their run through the loser’s bracket. The Orioles, who finished the season with a combined record of 28-2. It addition to another Playoff Championship, Vernon won their fifth consecutive Regular Season Title.

Congratulations to the O’s!

by Weston Ulbrich

Expos, Outlaws Face Off in Winner’s Bracket

Both teams are 2-0 in the GHTBL Playoff Tournament.

The Record-Journal Expos and the Middletown Outlaws have each won two straight playoff games to advance to the Winner’s Bracket. The Expos, led by Charlie Hesseltine and the Outlaws, managed by Tony Franco will match up for the fifth time this season.

Meanwhile, the Vernon Orioles and the Marlborough Braves will decide the winner of the Loser’s Bracket.

Best of luck to all remaining teams!

by Weston Ulbrich

Orioles Win 5th Straight Regular Season Title

The Vernon Orioles had a near perfect season.

The Vernon Orioles won their fifth consecutive Regular Season Title. 2017 was one of Vernon’s best years ever and one of the most dominating in GHTBL history. Stellar pitching and plenty of slugging led this Orioles team. Many congratulations to their longtime Manager, Jack Ceppetelli and veterans such as Nick Roy and Dan Trubia – both near the top of several batting categories this season. The Orioles enter the 2017 Playoff Tournament with a bye as the #1 seed. They will face the winner of the #4 seed Ulbrich Clippers vs. #5 seed Record-Journal Expos on 8 PM, Friday, August 4th at Trinity College.

Tony Trubia and Dan Trubia of the Vernon Orioles
by Weston Ulbrich

New Dates Announced for GHTBL Playoffs

August 3-11: 7-team double-elimination tournament.

Due to plenty of rainouts this summer, the 2017 GHTBL Playoff Tournament has been pushed back a few days to begin at 6 PM, Thursday, August 3.

The new turf ballpark at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, will be the perfect central location. It provides lights, seating for fans, as well as other modern amenities. The Fuego Picante food truck will serve as concessions.

This is the first time our postseason will be played in Hartford since the 70’s when the GHTBL playoffs were hosted at Dillon Stadium. As is tradition, the team who finishes first in the Regular Season will receive a First Round “bye” and will face the winner of the 4 vs. 5 seed (Game #1 of the Tournament). 

We hope to see you at the ballpark!

Murren Family Field at DiBenedetto Stadium at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, 2017.
by Weston Ulbrich

Playoffs at Trinity College Sponsored by Brialee

Brialee Family Campground is operated by former minor leaguer and GHTBL player, Brian Specyalski.

The GHTBL is proud to announce a special donation from our new 2017 Playoff Tournament Sponsor, Brialee Family Camping & Cabin Rentals, Inc.

Brialee is a family owned and operated business in Ashford, Connecticut. Former Hartford Twilight outfielder, Eastern Connecticut graduate and Minor Leaguer in the California Angels organization, Brian Specyalski is the managing family member of Brialee. Brian gave generously to the league that helped him to develop as a young man.

Brian Specyalski and Andy Baylock

The GHTBL is grateful to the entire Specyalski family for their generous contribution. The league will proudly represent the wonderful place that is Brialee Family Camping & Cabin Rentals!

Visit www.Brialee.com to learn more.

Brialee Campgrounds

As previously announced, Trinity College’s new baseball facility will be the venue for the 2017 GHTBL Playoff Tournament. Trinity has erected a spectacular turf field with a clay pitcher’s mound, stadium lighting and large dugouts. The venue will be great place to watch a playoff game.

President Holowaty and the entire GHTBL Executive Committee is ecstatic about this opportunity to showcase the league. The Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is going back to its roots in the City of Hartford.

We’ll see you at the ballpark for our double-elimination playoff tournament from August 3-13 (final date subject to change based on tournament outcomes).

by Weston Ulbrich

Morhardt Drafted in 22nd Round by Atlanta Braves

Justin Morhardt is the 25th GHTBL player to turn pro since 2010.

People’s United Bank slugger and Bryan College catcher, Justin Morhardt was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2017 MLB Draft (650th pick overall) by the Atlanta Braves.

Morhardt, who hails from Winsted, Connecticut, was a 2017 NAIA second-team All-America baseball player. In his junior year, Morhardt set Bryan College baseball records with 86 hits and a .439 batting average.

Those inflated totals went along with 12 home runs, 20 doubles, 47 walks (second most in Lions history) and 51 runs batted in this season. As the Appalachian Athletic Conference player of the year, Morhardt had an on-base percentage of .551 and a slugging percentage of .724 for the most prolific Bryan offense in school history. 

Justin, like his father Greg Morhardt, his uncle, Darryl Morhardt and his grandfather, Moe Morhardt, is the fourth member of his family to go from the GHTBL to professional baseball. Moe Morhardt broke into the majors as pitcher with the Chicago Cubs in the 1960s.

Congratulations to the entire Morhardt family and we wish Justin all the best in his new job and pro baseball career!

by Weston Ulbrich

Pros Playing Hartford Twilight Ball This Season

These GHTBL players have professional baseball experience.

Matt Purnell

Team: Vernon Orioles
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
6-2, 210lb (188cm, 95kg)
Born: April 8, 1991 (Age: 26-064d)
School: Eastern Connecticut State University (Willimantic, CT

Kevin Rival

Team: Ulbrich Clippers
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
6-2, 220lb (188cm, 95kg)
Born: November 27, 1979 (Age: 37-196d) in New Britain, CT
School: Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, CT)

Tyler McIntyre

Team: Ulbrich Clippers
Positions: First Baseman and Rightfielder
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Right
6-4, 220lb (193cm, 99kg)
Born: April 10, 1990 (Age: 27-062d)
School: Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, CT)

James Kukucka

Team: Ulbrich Clippers
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
5-11, 225lb (180cm, 97kg)
Born: January 23, 1987 (Age: 30-139d)
School: Eastern Connecticut State University (Willimantic, CT)

John Kubachka

Team: People’s United Bank
Position: First Baseman
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
6-5, 240lb (196cm, 113kg)
Born: May 25, 1979 (Age: 38-017d)
School: Eastern Connecticut State University (Willimantic, CT)

Kevin Jefferis

Team: Marlborough Braves
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
6-1, 195lb (185cm, 88kg)
Born: April 23, 1991 (Age: 26-049d)
School: Western New England College (Springfield, MA)

Charlie Hesseltine

Team: Record-Journal Expos
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Left
5-11, 180lb (180cm, 81kg)
Born: January 19, 1985 (Age: 32-143d) in Meriden, CT
Draft: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 42nd round of the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft from Francis T Maloney HS (Meriden, CT).
High School: Francis T Maloney HS (Meriden, CT)

Kevin Putkonen

Team: East Hartford Jets
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Left
6-0, 205lb (183cm, 92kg)
Born: April 4, 1988 (Age: 29-068d)
High School: South Windsor High School

by Weston Ulbrich

Remembering Buzzy Levin, GHTBL Hall of Famer

Buzzy Levin, Malloves Jewelers of Middletown owner, was a generous GHTBL sponsor.

Jerome “Buzzy” Levin, 90, passed away in the early hours of June 2, 2017. His last days were spent in his hometown of Middletown, Connecticut, surrounded by his loving family, friends and the wonderful staff on the 7th floor of Middlesex Hospital. Buzzy was born on September 24, 1926, in Middletown where he lived alongside his beautiful wife of nearly 60 years, Harriet Levin. Buzzy believed in family and community above all from the very beginning.

Buzzy Levin

After enduring the loss of his father, Max Levin, at the young age of 13 and passing up the opportunity to play professional baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Buzzy took over the family business, Malloves Jewelers, from his mother, Beatrice Levin and his uncle, Joseph Levine, in 1957. Buzzy served as President of the business until 1992, when he handed over the reins to his son, Marc Levin. During his years of retirement in Florida, the Malloves staff, whom Buzzy thought of as family, welcomed him back with open arms to work in the store throughout the summer and Christmas holidays.

Whether Buzzy was volunteering as the bat boy for the Wesleyan baseball team under Jack Blott, playing semi-pro ball in the starting lineup for the Middletown Giants from 1941 until 1951, or earning himself one of three lifetime hole-in-ones on the golf course, Buzzy was happiest when a ball, bat and club were within reach. In 1948, alongside Bernie O’Rourke, Buzzy founded the Middletown Chapter of Little League baseball. Within 2 years of starting the first chapter in New England, they had 160 chapters up and running throughout the area.

Marc Levin & Buzzy Levin (right)

Buzzy served as the President of the Middletown Chapter for 7 years and the Little League District 9 Commissioner for 33 years, instituting a rule at both the local and national level which stated that every player on a team had to bat once and complete a full inning on the field, ensuring that all kids were given a fair chance to play the game he loved most. Buzzy was a lifetime member of the Middletown Little League Association.

After sponsoring a Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League from 1980 until 1993, Buzzy went on to help college players in the New England area compete on the same level as the players in the Cape Cod League by organizing the first New England Collegiate Baseball League and establishing a franchise in Middletown, for which he served as the General Manager for 8 years. Buzzy was the driving force behind the installation of lights at Palmer Field.

Buzzy proudly served on the Middletown Common Council from 1964 until 1975, playing a vocal role in every commission and committee during his 6 terms in office. He was a lifelong member of Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, the same synagogue his father rebuilt in 1929, where he followed in his father’s footsteps by assuming the role of President from 1969 to 1971.

Malloves Jewelers, 1990.

He was also a member of the Middletown Elks, the Kiwanis Club, the B’Nai B’rith, the Middletown Jaycees, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, the Connecticut Retail Jewelers Association (Vice President), the Middletown Transit Authority, the Middletown Park and Recreation Board (Chairman for 9 years), the Russell Library Building Committee and the Middletown High School Building Committee. In addition, he served as Corporator of both Middlesex Hospital and Liberty Bank, and sat on the Board of Home Bank. As someone who valued the importance of old friendships, Buzzy was instrumental in coordinating the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1944 reunions for over 65 years.

He was inducted into the Greater Hartford Twilight League Hall of Fame in 1987 for his contributions as a generous sponsor of the Malloves Jewelers franchise for 14 years. Buzzy was also inducted into the Xavier Hall of Honors in 1994, and the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He received the Connecticut Sports Writers Good Guy Award in 1988, the Middlesex County Chamber Distinguished Citizen Award in 1996, and the NECBL Executive of the Year Award in 2001.

Malloves Jewelers baseball team, GHTBL

Upon retiring to Florida in 1992, Buzzy served as President of the Foxhollow Condominium Association and was elected to a seat on the Foxfire Country Club Board. Buzzy will be forever missed and his legacy carried on by his wife, Harriet, his children, Marc (Judith) Levin and Faith (Craig) Irwin, his grandchildren, Marissa and Billy Irwin, his three grand dogs, Maggie, Daisy and Willow, and his beloved Malloves family.

https://middlesexcountycf.org/ways-to-give/become-a-donor/fund-catalog/donor-advised/buzzy-harriet-levin-fund
Source: Jerome Levin Obituary (1926 – 2017) – Middletown, CT

by Weston Ulbrich

GHTBL All-Stars Stung by New Britain Bees, 18-6

After leading in the 6th inning, the amateurs eventually lose to the professionals.

The GHTBL All-Stars led by a handful of former professional ballplayers and several former NCAA athletes matched up against the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League on April 15th at New Britain Stadium. This pre-season exhibition served as an early start and a fun day for local fans. The final score was 18-6 in favor of the Bees, though the GHTBL All-Stars led 6-5 through six innings of play.

Wes Hurty, Catcher, GHTBL All Stars, 2017.

Vernon Orioles catcher, Wes Hurty had a good day with a run-scoring double. Ulbrich Clippers hurler, James Kukucka threw a perfect inning in relief and Manchester Braves pitcher and outfielder, Mark DiTommaso chipped in with an RBI single and a solid inning on the mound. Jack Ceppetelli, Manager of the 2016 Playoff and Regular Season Champions Vernon Orioles managed the GHTBL All-Stars.

A special thanks goes out to the Bees GM, Gerry Berthiaume and their Legal Counsel, Jamie Goldman for organizing the day.

by Weston Ulbrich

Andy Baylock Named GHTBL Vice President

Baylock returns to the Twilight League to lead by example.

Former UConn Baseball Head Coach, Andy Baylock has been named to the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League Executive Committee as Vice President. Baylock’s appointment adds another legendary coach to the league. He will work with President Bill Holowaty and the GHTBL Executive Committee to recruit and develop local ballplayers. “Andy Baseball” as he is known in some circles, was a catcher in the Hartford Twilight for the 1960 and 1961 Hamilton Standard teams. Baylock’s vast baseball experience and established reputation will add another invaluable guiding hand for the GHTBL in 2017.

1961 Hamilton Standard, GHTBL

Baylock is best known for his 24 year reign as Head Coach of UConn Huskies Baseball. There he moulded major league pitchers: Charles Nagy, Roberto Hernandez, and Pete Walker. He began his Huskies career as an assistant baseball coach in 1964 and became head coach in 1980. By 1987, Baylock won the Jack Butterfield Award bestowed by the New England Association of College Baseball Coaches for his unwavering dedication to college baseball.

He guided the Huskies to Big East Championships in 1990 and 1994 along with a trio of College World Series berths. Baylock retired from coaching in May of 2003 after posting a 556-492-8 career record. At the time of his retirement, he had personally coached 1,447 of the 2,327 games (62.2%) in UConn baseball history.  

L to R: Walt Dropo, Andy Baylock and Larry Panciera, 1983.

As a lifelong son of Connecticut, Baylock grew up in New Britain as a talented baseball and football player. A 1960 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, he captained the baseball and football teams and received the Gladstone Award: CCSU’s highest scholar-athlete award. He was later inducted into the Central Connecticut Hall of Fame in 1981. 

After graduating from CCSU, he traveled to the University of Michigan where Baylock earned his master’s degree while serving as a graduate assistant football and baseball coach. In 1962, he returned home to accept the head football coach for East Catholic High School in Manchester, Connecticut. He also had a successful stint as a professional football player with the Springfield Acorns of the Atlantic Coast Professional Football League from 1963 to 1965. He was later honored with induction into the East Catholic High School Hall of Fame. 

In 1997, Baylock was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Hall of Fame.  In the spring of 2008, he received recognitions for his outstanding contribution from both the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and the National Football Foundation’s Southeastern Connecticut Chapter. 

Andy Baylock, 1986.

Nowadays, Baylock is in his 14th year as the UConn football program’s Director of Football Alumni and Community Affairs. He serves as the team’s liaison both to professional scouts and the Connecticut high school coaches. He has been honored by several athletic organizations including an induction into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame (1996) – one of the seven Hall of Fames in which he has been enshrined. Baylock was also selected as the 2011 recipient of the ABCA/Wilson Lefty Gomez Award, the highest honor bestowed by the ABCA.

He has also been active on the international baseball scene as a distinguished pitching clinician, including serving as pitching coach for the 1985, 1988 and 1989 USA national teams and the Dutch national team in 1999. During this time, Coach Baylock led players such as Matt Williams, Mike McFarland, Jack McDowell, Kevin Brown, Alex Fernandez, Chuck Knoblauch, Mo Vaughn, Jeremy Burnitz and Joe Girardi. Throughout the 90’s, Baylock spent five summers a veteran pitching coach in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League.

In 1991, he was awarded the Baseball Service Award by the New York Professional Baseball Committee. He has also been recognized by the University of Connecticut with the Albert Jorgensen Athletic Award given by the Alumni Association and the UConn Club Outstanding Contribution Award. He was awarded the 1985 Gold Key from the Connecticut Sportswriters’ Alliance for his years of service to Connecticut athletics. In 2002, sportswriters presented the veteran skipper with the Outstanding Contribution to New England Baseball Award. 

USA Baseball, 1990.

Adding to his accolades, Baylock served as chairman of the Division I Baseball Committee for the ABCA and chaired the Division I All-America Selection Committee. He is a past member of the NCAA Pro-Sport Liaison Committee. Baylock was the President of the BIG EAST Baseball Coaches’ Association and a member of the Executive Council of the New England Baseball Coaches’ Association.

Baylock’s knowledge of baseball traces back to a truly unique experience, as a state championship catcher with the New Britain High School Hurricanes in 1955. There he caught the mythical left-hander Steve Dalkowski, who in baseball lore, is believed by many to have thrown harder than anyone who ever lived.  

Today, Baylock serves in an advisory capacity as batting practice pitcher for the Connecticut Tigers of the Atlantic League. Baylock has been a fixture at Dodd Stadium for the last two decades. He has thrown batting practice to some of the best who ever played for the Norwich Navigators, Connecticut Defenders, and Connecticut Tigers.  

Andy Baylock, 2016.

Baylock has said that Nick Johnson was the best hitter he ever saw come through, but 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner was his favorite. “I love that kid,” Baylock once said of Baumgarner. “And he could hit, because he was always sneaking in the batting cage asking for another 50 or 60 swings when nobody was looking.”

Coach Baylock knows baseball better than most. His coaching philosophy has fostered the development of hundreds of great players on and off the field. “You have to be fun to be around,” Baylock has said about ballplayers. “It’s one of my basic things. Be good people, be dependable, be accountable, be responsible, be caring, be loyal, be self-disciplined, be respectful.” The GHTBL is grateful and honored to have Coach Baylock back in the league.

Here’s to YOU and many more years of success.

Sources:
1. University of Connecticut, Andy Baylock, Director of UConn Football Alumni/Community Affairs, https://uconnhuskies.com/staff-directory/andy-baylock/352.

2. Andy Baylock and His Gift, MLB.com, by Randy Brochu, August 31, 2015, https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-146517702.

3. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, July 26). Andy Baylock. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:49, April 17, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_Baylock&oldid=1167238711.

by Weston Ulbrich

Holowaty Named GHTBL President

“Attitude and effort are the keys to a successful life.”

Bill Holowaty

The Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is proud to announce the appointment of former Eastern Connecticut State University Head Baseball Coach, and 2015 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Bill Holowaty of Columbia, Connecticut, to role of League President. Holowaty, a resident of Columbia, Connecticut, is a baseball luminary and a veteran educator of the game.

As the winningest coach in the history of New England athletics, Holowaty earned the 11th most wins by a college baseball coach. In 45 years at ECSU, he compiled a 1404-525-7 record. He led Eastern to four NCAA Division III National Championships and was honored four times as the National Coach of the Year.  In addition to winning four national championships, ECSU posted 11 straight 30-win seasons from 2001 to 2011. He took the Warriors to the postseason 39 out of 45 seasons which amounted to 14 Division III College World Series appearances.

Bill Holowaty, former Eastern Connecticut State University Head Baseball Coach, 1986.

Holowaty created a new standard for college programs. He was an advocate in establishing the NCAA Division III Baseball College World Series in the mid-1970s. He coached in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham Anglers in 1973. He’s a past president of the American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA), and a longtime member of the ABCA All-America committee. Holowaty was a founder of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) and of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA). He is a member of both the NEIBA Hall of Fame and the ABCA Hall of Fame.

Though he retired from coaching in 2013, he has continued to teach baseball fundamentals at Holowaty Baseball Camp for 5-12 year old boys and girls in the spring and summer. His values are that of pure brand of baseball. He believes in hard work, hustle and a no-nonsense approach to the game; traits that translate into success on the field, in school, and in life.

Bill Holowaty, National College Baseball Hall of Fame, 2015.

The GHTBL is grateful to the Holowaty family for stepping up to the plate and taking on this leadership role. Over the years, Bill has been involved with the league in various capacities. In 1966 and 1967, a young Bill Holowaty played basketball for the Connecticut Huskies and then suited up in the Hartford Twilight during the summer. He was a first baseman for the Hamilton Standard team under player-manager Wally Widholm – a Former minor leaguer and GHTBL Hall of Fame Inductee. Holowaty attributes much of his success to what he learned from his two summers in the GHTBL with mentors like Widholm.

GHTBL Meeting at the Holowaty residence, 2017.

Holowaty would go on to a historic coaching career, but he continued to recruit from and send players to the GHTBL for more than 45 years. He coached several current GHTBL players at ESCU and in his baseball camps. As the new League President, Bill Holowaty brings invaluable connections, experience, new ideas, tradition, organization, a highly motivating spirit as we enter our 88th season in May of 2017.