The Newington Capitols, A Twilight League Dynasty

What’s the best dynasty team in Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League history?

Let’s make the case for the Newington Capitols.

The “Caps” seized seven Season Titles and six Playoff Championships between 1987 and 1998. Their championship streak rivals the dominance of two other twilight league dynasties: Moriarty Brothers of Manchester (25 pennants) and the Vernon Orioles (18 pennants).* However Newington captured more pennants (13) in a shorter timespan than any team. A total of 16 Capitols have been inducted into the GHTBL Hall of Fame—a strong indication of the team’s success.

Clay Alston (left), Hartford Capitols, 1978.
Mark Snyder (right), Hartford Capitols, 1978.

Evolving from earlier clubs, the Caps played in Newington from 1982 to 2001. They were originally Hartford Insurance Group, who won GHTBL Season Titles in 1972 and 1973. The team rebranded as the Hartford Capitols (1978-1981), when most games were held at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Their true identity emerged after relocating to Newington under managers Robert “Bud” Lyons and GHTBL Hall of Fame inductee, Mike McDonald. When Dave Sacco took over as player-manager, Newington transformed from a competitive squad into a Twi-loop powerhouse.

1980 Moriarty Brothers Hartford Capitols
Steve Mooney (right), Hartford Capitols, 1980.

Sacco began managing the Caps in 1984, and he held the reins for 18 uninterrupted seasons. A master of recruiting and in-game strategy, he had the players to execute his vision. While earning the most all-time wins by any Caps pitcher, Sacco also managed the team to a remarkable streak of championships. Yet, the Caps were about more than just winning—they fostered a bond that extended beyond the diamond. Games became social events where families gathered, lifelong friendships were forged, and twilight legends were made.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1983-Jul-1-Newington-Capitols-Kurt-Washburn-GHTBL-Amateur-Baseball-1024x753.jpg
Kurt Washburn, Catcher, Newington Capitols, 1983.

One of Newington’s top hitters was outfielder Roberto Giansiracusa from the University of New Haven. He won the 1984 Batting Title, hitting .544—one of the highest averages in GHTBL history. The following year, he signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Giansiracusa was one of many elite athletes on the Capitols with collegiate and minor league baseball experience.

Roberto Giansiracusa, 1985.

Many of the Caps were stars in college, with several hailing from Central Connecticut State University. Among them were pitchers Dave Sacco, Jim Snediker, Joe Rich, and Jason Schuberth, along with position players Mark Marut, Dave Rose, Pete Bartlewski, Jamie Palmese, Steve Bennett, John Mayette, and Jason Maule. Marut, a standout first baseman, left a lasting legacy both with the Capitols and at CCSU, where he ranks sixth all-time in home runs and fourth in slugging percentage for the Blue Devils.

Dave Rose, 1986.

Caps left fielder Tom Meucci, a Jacksonville University alumnus, briefly emerged in the Baltimore Orioles organization. As a GHTBL All-Star, he consistently led the team in RBIs. Meucci and Sacco stood as the only players to compete every season for both the Hartford and Newington Capitols (1978–2001). The Caps featured Rich Hollfelder, an All-New England outfielder at Quinnipiac University, Mark Zaleski, a power-hitting catcher from Stetson University, Jeff Peak, a steady presence behind the plate of Western Connecticut State University and Peter Zabroski, a utility infielder out of University of Notre Dame, who played eight seasons through 1983.

Gino Caro (left) & Tom Meucci, 1986.

Capitols from Eastern Connecticut State University included shortstop Mike Mangiafico, catcher Joe DeLillo and a control pitcher named Matt Mailman. Mangiafico anchored the Caps’ infield as a tremendous defender, contact hitter and relief pitcher. Their top bullpen arm was Chris Hayes from UConn, who also appeared with the Adirondack Lumberjacks of the Northwest League. Inbound Caps of UConn Baseball included Scott Cormier, Jack Hurley, Mike Malley and Jeff Uccello of Newington, a gifted catcher who signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1996. Other UConn graduates were Uccello’s older brother, Greg Uccello as well as former Bulkeley High School Bulldog, Gino Caro.

Mike Malley tosses no-hitter, 1986.

Newington’s first GHTBL Playoff Championship came on August 17, 1987, at Moriarty Field in Manchester. Second baseman Gino Caro sealed the victory with two home runs off Malloves Jewelers pitcher Todd Mogren. Capitols ace Jim Snediker dominated, striking out eight over a complete game. As a former minor leaguer with the Boston Red Sox, Snediker finished the twilight season with 6-0 win-loss record and a 0.87 ERA. He displayed elite command of the strike zone and three a no-hitter against Katz Sports Shop a few years later.

Newington undefeated in the playoffs, 1987.
Gino Caro, 1987.
Tom Meucci (right), 1988.

“In my thirteen seasons with the Capitols, we were always a close knit team. We played for each other, and we cared about winning. Those championship seasons were the best summers of my life. We all remain in touch, and the great moments that we had as Capitols will forever keep us connected.”

Gino Caro
Mark Marut’s grand slam, 1988.
Mike Mangiafico (left), 1989.
Jim Snediker, 1989.

The Capitols had a breakout season in 1989, posting a 31-4-1 record. Mike Schweighoffer earned Most Valuable Pitcher after going 7-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Schweighoffer was coming off four seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and gave the Caps a massive boost. Meanwhile, Scott Cormier led the league in home runs, earned Most Versatile Player and shared the Regular Season co-MVP with Jeff Johnson of Moriarty Brothers.

Tom Meucci (left), 1989.

“I have nothing but great memories with the Capitols. Dave Sacco assembled a team of talented, competitive players who loved the game, played the right way and played hard. We had great chemistry, and Dave kept it fun and light-hearted. There was no other place like our dugout! But make no mistake, once we stepped between the lines it was all about competing and winning. We had a potent offense one through nine, a deep pitching staff and solid defense – a nice formula for consistent success. But far more important than the games, the W’s and the championships are the friendships I made from that team. Dave and many of my Capitols teammates are close friends of mine today.”

Mike Schweighoffer
Mike Schweighoffer
Newington Capitols, GHTBL Champions, 1989.

After a sole season with the Capitols in 1989, Basilio Ortiz was named GHTBL Rookie of Year. Ortiz was a Hartford native, a star player for Bulkeley High School, and fellow alumnus Gino Caro was helpful in recruiting him to the Caps. Ortiz had a marvelous career at Eastern Connecticut before embarking on a 7-year career and 47 home runs with the Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and Montreal Expos organizations.

Basilio Ortiz

Newington would claim three consecutive Season Titles and Playoff Championships from 1989 to 1991. While Giansiracusa and Cormier led the club in average and slugging during the season, the 1991 Playoff MVP went to Gino Caro, who notched 10 hits, including two doubles, three triples, a homer and eight RBI. The Regular Season and Playoff Championship three-peat tied a league record set by Moriarty Brothers (1969-1971) and later matched by the Vernon Orioles (2016-2018). Then the Caps added a fourth-straight Playoff Championship in 1992.

L to R: Bob Scagliarini & Dave Sacco, 1990.
Scott Cormier, 1990.

Their consecutive victories were especially impressive given the level of competition during the 1980s and 1990s. Back then, GHTBL permitted metal bats (until 2004), and every team featured collegiate standouts and local prospects. The Caps overpowered opponents with ear-ringing extra base hits and a durable pitching staff. Not only did they win games decisively, but they won in high pressure moments and they did so against perennial contenders for the league crown: Newman Lincoln-Mercury, Society for Savings, Malloves Jewelers, the East Hartford Jets, and the Vernon Orioles.

L-R: Dave Sacco, Mike Mangiafico, Bob Cogan & Roberto Giansiracusa, Newington Capitols, 1990.

“I like to think that I have confidence in the play I’m going to call. If it fails, I still think it’s the right call and I just live with it. I just had a feel for it.”

Dave Sacco, Player-Manager, “Mr. Newington Capitol”
Newington Capitols win Season Title, 1990.
Jeff Peak (left), 1990.
Gino Caro, 1991.
1991 Newington Capitols – Front row, L to R: Scott Cormier, Tom Meucci, Mike Mangiafico, Greg Uccello, Roberto Giansiracusa, Dave Rose, Pete Bartlewski, Kevin Beaudoin & Bob Scagliarini. Back row: Jack Hurley, Brian Driscoll, Jim Snediker, Dan Furst, Dave Sacco, Mark Marut, Todd Malinosky, Joe Rich, Gino Caro, Jeff Peak, Mike Schweighoffer & Bob Cogan.

In 1993, T.R. Marcinczyk suited up for a single summer with the Newington Capitols. Marcinczyk was a former Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (New Britain), who matriculated to Florida State University and University of Miami. Then he tore up the minors with the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins organizations, swatting 108 professional homers over six seasons. Towards the end of his career, Marcinczyk came home to play for the New Britain Rock Cats.

T.R. Marcinczyk

With a formidable heart of the batting order, the Caps secured two more Season Titles in 1994 and 1995. Veteran outfielders Scott Cormier, Kevin Beaudoin, and Brian Marshall were forces at the plate. Cormier, a 19-year mainstay for Newington, earned GHTBL Most Valuable Player honors in 1996 and 1998. Beaudoin, a member of Bill Holowaty’s Eastern Connecticut National Championship teams, grabbed GHTBL Playoff MVP in 1992 and 1998. Marshall headlined for University of New Haven before claiming a GHTBL Batting Title in 1995, a home run title in 1998, and a rare Triple Crown in 1999.

Dave Rose (right), 1992.
Kevin Beaudoin, 1993.
Jack Hurley, 1994.

Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, the Caps leaned on pitchers Joe Rich, Jack Hurley, Todd Malinosky, Larry Brooks, Frank John, Bob Cogan, Joe Schuberth and Jason Schuberth. As a newcomer to the team, Schuberth nabbed five league awards, including Rookie of the Year in 1994 and Most Valuable Pitcher honors in 1996 and 1998. Dave Sacco declared Schuberth to be the twilight league’s best arm.

Capitols shut out Newman, July, 7, 1995.

Another key addition was Chris Corkum, known for his baseball school in East Windsor. He provided the Caps with clutch at bats when Newington shared the Regular Season co-title with the East Hartford Jets in 1997. Then they swept the 1998 Regular Season and Playoff Tournament on Corkum’s championship-winning, pinch-hit single in the sixth inning against BankBoston.

Chris Corkum, 1995.
Jason Schuberth, 1996.
1997 Newington Capitols – Front row, L to R: Scott Cormier, Jason Schuberth, Joe DeLillo, Todd Malinosky, Marcel Schoen, Tom Meucci & Kevin Beaudoin. Back row: Jamie Palmese, Jack Hurley, Ted Gregorski, Brian Marshall, Steve Bennett, Dave Sacco, Glen Klare & Mike Mangiafico.
GHTBL Standings, 1997.

When age finally took its toll, the Capitols gradually came to an end. They hung up their spikes in 2001, though the team’s legacy had already been solidified. Their meteoric rise was arguably the hottest streak of any twilight team. The Caps fielded a mix of pro-caliber players and local diehards who elevated the reputation of the league. Today, they are celebrated as one of the GHTBL’s all-time dynasties.

Jack Hurley pitching for Newington Capitols, 1998.
Capitols share Season Title with East Hartford Jets, 1998.

“The baseball was great. It’s amazing how massive a part of our lives it was. But, the best part of the Capitols by far, was the closeness, camaraderie and the lifelong friendships we all developed. There were other great teams, but we were the envy of the league in how tight knit we were as a group. Our closeness continues to this day.”

Dave Sacco, Player-Manager, “Mr. Newington Capitol”
Newington Capitols Pitching Staff, L to R: Jack Hurley, Jason Schuberth, Larry Brooks, Dave Sacco, Chris Hayes and Curt Sinatro, 1999.


The Newington Capitols had a 347-201-22 (win-loss-tie) record in 20 Regular Seasons record, a .609 winning percentage:

  • 1982: 12-9-3
  • 1983: 14-10
  • 1984: 17-5-2s
  • 1985: 10-14-2
  • 1986: 14-15-1
  • 1987: 20-8-2
  • 1988: 11-9-3
  • 1989: 26-3-1
  • 1990: 20-5-1
  • 1991: 20-10-2
  • 1992 16-15-1
  • 1993: 20-10-1
  • 1994: 19-9
  • 1995: 20-6-1
  • 1996 14-16
  • 1997: 23-5-2
  • 1998: 21-9
  • 1999: 19-13
  • 2000 17-16
  • 2001: 14-14

*Since 1929, only a handful of GHTBL clubs have won multiple Season Titles and Playoff Championships. Winning is tough, but winning pennants repeatedly is tougher. Among the hundreds of teams to enter the twilight league, about a dozen, including the Newington Capitols, can be considered dynasties. The following teams have captured more than five pennants:

Moriarty Brothers (1956-1989)
Season Titles: 12x (1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1988)
Playoff Championships: 13x (1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1988)
Total: 25

Vernon Orioles (1966-present)
Season Titles: 11x (2004, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Playoff Championships: 7x (1996, 1999, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024)
Total: 18

Newington Capitols (1980-2001)
Season Titles: 7x (1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998)
Playoff Championships: 6x (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998)
Total: 13

East Hartford Jets (1970-present)
Season Titles: 5x (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2022)
Playoff Championships: 4x (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Total: 9

Bristol Merchants (2001-2011)
Season Titles: 5x (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)
Playoff Championships: 4x (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009)
Total: 9

Hamilton Standard (1955-2022)
Season Titles: 3x (1958, 1962, 1963)
Playoff Championships: 5x (1955, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1966)
Total: 8

Newman Lincoln-Mercury (1990-2003)
Season Titles: 3x (1999, 2000, 2003)
Playoff Championships: 4x (1994, 1995, 1997, 2003)
Total: 7

Society for Savings (1976-1993)
Season Titles: 3x (1979, 1983, 1984)
Playoff Championships: 4x (1982, 1983, 1985, 1993)
Total: 7

People’s Bank (2000-2022)
Season Titles: 3x (2001, 2007, 2011)
Playoff Championships: 4x (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)
Total: 7

Pratt & Whitney Aircraft (1947-1960)
Season Titles: 3x (1953, 1954, 1955)
Playoff Championships: 3x (1953, 1954, 1957)
Total: 6

View GHTBL Champions here: GHTBL.org/Champions

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