Born on October 13, 1954 in Hartford, Connecticut, Pizzanello is one Hartford’s top catchers of all-time. He led Hartford to Connecticut’s Little League championship in 1967. Pizzanello was a star catcher for the city’s Jaycee Courant and American Legion programs. He was captain of the Bulkeley High School varsity baseball team, named All-CDC catcher and graduated in 1972. At Eastern Connecticut State University, Pizzanello was elected captain, played in two DIII National Championships, selected to the All-New England Team and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1976. During this time, he played summer ball in the GHTBL from 1971 to 1989, mostly with the Vernon Orioles. In 1977, he was signed to catch for Nettuno of the Italian Baseball League. After his professional stint, Pizzanello focused on coaching in the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut including Little League, Jaycee Courant, Senior League and American Legion. He worked for 37 years at Hartford Insurance Company and IBM in information technology and technical services. In 2017, after being inducted into the Bulkeley High School Athletic Hall of Fame, he became the first manager of the South Windsor Phillies club and won the 2020 GHTBL Regular Season championship. He lives in Eastford, Connecticut with his wife Charlene and have three children.