Tag: american legion

by Weston Ulbrich

Honoring Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League honors the legacy of every United States military service member who made the ultimate sacrifice. Since the forming of our nation, soldiers have fought for freedom and justice. This most somber of national holidays is a reminder to be grateful for those who defended America.

After all, our way of life hinges on the valorous acts of military servicemen and women. Because of their unwavering commitment to duty, millions of Americans prosper today. Due to the significance of our fallen heroes, communities like Greater Hartford can have trivial things like amateur baseball. GHTBL players, coaches and league officials express our sincere gratitude this Memorial Day.

by Weston Ulbrich

Hardball For Heroes at Palmer Field

4 games to benefit the American Legion on Sunday, June 13, 2021.

  • 8 GHTBL teams* will play 4 games in a single day at Palmer Field to benefit the American Legion. 
     
  • $10 tickets are being sold at Malloves Jewelers at 404 Main Street Middletown, CT and will be available at the main gate on the day of the event.
     
  • Free for all veterans, military service members and kids 14 and under.

RECAP: Fans and donors allowed the GHTBL to donate $750 to the American Legion of Middletown Post 75.

*On the same day, the Vernon Orioles will take on the South Windsor Phillies at Henry Park in Vernon at 5 PM, where fans will be asked to donate to the cause.

by Weston Ulbrich

Twilight League Raises Funds for U.S. Veterans

Hardball for Heroes a success at Palmer Field.

On Sunday, July 14th at Palmer Field in Middletown, Connecticut, the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League hosted four benefit games at an event dubbed Hardball for Heroes.  A ceremonial first pitch was thrown from the pitcher’s mound by Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Ken McClellan, a combat veteran of the Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

In Game #1, the Vernon Orioles pulled off a comeback win over the East Hartford Jets by score of 7-6. Zach Donahue earned the complete game win for the O’s while the Halpin brothers, Jack and Ian stood out at the plate by bating home key RBI.

Game #2 featured the first place Record-Journal Expos and Tom Abbruzzese’s People’s United Bank club.  Justin Morhardt held the Expos at bay with a strong performance on the mound. Though the Expos proved to be victorious with a score of 2-1 thanks to a complete game effort by A.J. Hendrickson a game-tying home run blasted by Kyle Hartenstein and a walk-off single by Hector Gonzalez. 

The results of Game #3 were again decided by one run when Ulbrich Steel managed to tame Rainbow Graphics by a final of 3 to 2.  Matt Goldman earned the complete game win for Steel but was touched by an Evan Chamberlain homer to left. Late in the contest, Pete Barrows narrowly crossed the plate after a Rainbow passed ball. 

Game #4 witnessed a much improved Malloves Jewelers handling the South Windsor Phillies by a final score of 7-3.  Marvin Gorgas drilled a home run off of Phillies starting pitcher Shane Bogli in the 3rd inning.  Jared Pflaumer smacked two doubles in the contest and Malloves starter Johnny Martin earned the win.

The games were close, well-played and for a good cause. We were proud to support those men and women of the American Legion who have honorably served our nation. By the end of the day, $750 was raised for the American Legion Post 75. The GHTBL looks forward to hosting another Hardball for Heroes charity event once again in 2020.

For a full photo album from this event, CLICK HERE.