In 1977, former star catcher at Bulkeley High School and Eastern Connecticut State University, Ron Pizzanello, signed a professional baseball contract. He did so with the Colombo Nettuno team of the Italian Baseball League (now known as Serie A1). At the time of his signing, Pizzanello played for the Vernon Orioles of the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League managed by Frank McCoy. After playing in Italy, he returned to the Vernon Orioles franchise as the team’s backstop.
After a battle with diabetes that claimed both of his lower legs, Pizzanello has persevered. He was a successful American Legion baseball for South Windsor in the 1990’s and 2000’s. In 2018, Pizzanello came back to the GHTBL as manager of the South Windsor Phillies franchise. Also supporting the team with Pizzanello is Reading Phillies Hall of Fame inductee, Gary Burnham Jr who serves as the team’s General Manager. The team’s sponsor is Tony Desmond of Allstate Insurance – South Windsor.
GHTBL Career
- West Hartford Merchants, 1974
- Vernon Orioles, 1975
- East Hartford Merchants, 1976
- Vernon Orioles, 1978 – 1989
- South Windsor Phillies (Manager), 2018 – present
Awards & Accomplishments
- Little League Connecticut State Champions, Hartford All Stars
- All City Baseball Catcher, Bulkeley High School, 1971-72
- All Conference, Bulkeley High School, 1971-72
- Captain Bulkeley Varsity Baseball
- All-Conference Wrestler, Second Team
- Received a degree from Eastern Connecticut State University
- Starting varsity catcher, ECSU Baseball, 1974-76
- Elected Captain, ECSU Baseball, 1976
- All-New England Second Team Catcher, ECSU Baseball, 1976
- Inducted into the Bulkeley High School Hall of Fame, 2017
- 2020 GHTBL Regular Season Title
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