Tag: mets

Stadium Series for Miracle League of Connecticut

Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is throwing our support behind The Miracle League of Connecticut, because every child deserves a chance to play.

Founded in 2012 and based in West Hartford, The Miracle League of Connecticut established the first baseball field in New England made for young athletes with special needs. A Miracle League field is handicapped friendly, without raised surfaces on the diamond. Opportunities to play have multiplied and The Miracle League of Connecticut now serves hundreds of athletes and their families. In addition to spring and fall baseball, this awesome organization provides programming like bike riding, swimming, bowling, dance and Brick Club (Lego).

Join us in supporting The Miracle League of Connecticut (https://www.miracleleaguect.org/) by donating or purchasing tickets to four GHTBL games at Dunkin’ Park

Monday, July 21, 2025
M&T Bank vs. South Windsor Phillies, 6 PM
Vernon Orioles vs. Bristol Greeners, 8 PM

Monday, July 23, 2025
East Hartford Jets vs. Middletown Mets, 6 PM
Record-Journal Expos vs. Rainbow Graphics, 8 PM

Location: Dunkin’ Park, 1214 Main Street Hartford, CT
Parking: LAZ, Hartford Parking Authority or street parking
Main gate: Opens at 5:30 PM each night
Admission:$10 per adult, free for kids 15 and under (each ticket grants access to all 4 games)**
Concessions: Available on the concourse behind home plate 
Sponsorships: $100 (Business announced at stadium and on social media)

**AFTER PURCHASING, YOUR TICKET(S) WILL BE SENT TO YOU VIA EMAIL. YOUR EMAIL CONFIRMATION IS YOUR TICKET. NOT ATTENDING? DONATIONS WELCOME.**

Thank you to the Hartford Yard Goats for hosting these benefit games year in and year out. For the last eight summers volunteers and donors have helped GHTBL raise the following for various non-profits: 

2017 – $5,641 to Hartford’s Camp Courant
2018 – $4,500 to CT Children’s Medical Center
2019 – $7,000 to MS4MS
2020 – $2,000 to Colt Park Foundation
2021 – $5,624 to Connecticut Cancer Foundation & Brian Peer Memorial Scholarship
2022 – $5,035 to Sandy Hook Promise
2023 – $4,000 to Hartford Police Athletic League
2024 – $4,950 to Various food banks in CT

Thank you in advance for helping us fundraise for another righteous cause.

See you at Dunkin’ Park!

GREATER HARTFORD TWILIGHT LEAGUE 
CONNECTICUT’S PREMIER SUMMER BASEBALL LEAGUE SINCE 1929 
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League preserves and promotes amateur baseball while supporting our community through charitable giving. 
2020 Ray McKenna Field East Hartford GHTBL Playoffs

Criscuolo vs. Pileski: GHTBL Stars Ready For July 2nd Matchup at McKenna Field

July 1, 2025 | by Jonathan Richter (jsrichter@ghbtl.org)

Tomorrow, July 2, the East Hartford Jets and Middletown Mets will face off at 7:00 PM in what might look like a typical GHTBL matchup, until you check the stat sheet.

The game features the league’s two top hitters: the Jets’ Jeff Criscuolo and the Mets’ Kyle Pileski. The last time these two met, Pileski stole the show by going 3-for-3 with a home run, double, and single. Criscuolo had a quieter, yet fine day, finishing 1-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch.

I had a chance to catch up with both Jeff Criscuolo and Kyle Pileski before Wednesday’s matchup. 

Jeff Criscuolo is your typical baseball player-manager. He’s been in the GHTBL since 2012, having played in the beginning with the Ferguson Waterworks, then three summers with Ulbrich Steel (now the Middletown Mets, coincidentally) and playing with the Jets since 2019. Paired with his veteran status is his impressive career .322 batting average. Currently through 14 games, he’s one of the league’s most complete hitters with a .356 batting average (ranked #5 currently) and only 7 strikeouts in 45 at-bats.

2019 Jeff Criscuolo GHTBL East Hartford Jets
Jeff Criscuolo fielding a ball in 2019

While there’s certainly a lot of baseball left to be played, Criscuolo is about to surpass his hit total from last year, and there’s no sign of him slowing down. He simply credits a return to basics. “I just try to keep it simple; pick up the ball early, stay back, and hit it where it’s pitched,” he said. Like many players in the GHTBL I have chatted with, he admits he’s never been one to check the stats page (“I never look at them, messes with my head too much”), Criscuolo admitted last season he was a bit too passive, falling behind in counts and letting good pitches go by. “I probably drew a lot of walks, but I also started guessing and chasing late in the year.”

This summer, Jeff flipped the switch. “I’m just more aggressive, ready to swing every pitch, every count. Trust the hands and pull the trigger.” So far, this new mindset is paying off.

But then Kyle Pileski wanted to become a Middletown Met. This is Pileski’s rookie year playing in the historic GHTBL, and despite the smaller sample size, he has a .478 batting average and leads the league with a .870 slugging percentage. He has not struck out in 23 at-bats, and when he makes contact, the ISO of .392 suggests that the baseball is not coming back.

When I inquired about Pileski’s approach at the plate, I got a hilarious yet serious reply of “Think home runs to center.” This is the only thing that’s been on his mind since college baseball to now. “Staying up the middle helps me handle outside pitches, fastballs or off-speed,” he explained. Instead of over-adjusting to a new league (Pileski also plays in the CTL), he trusts his instincts. “Whether a guy’s throwing 70 or 90, my plan doesn’t really change,” he said. “Just stay through the ball and let the bombs come.”

Kyle Pileski on base, ready.

As mentioned earlier, Pileski’s GHTBL rookie debut at Palmer Field was special, with a home run on the very first pitch he saw. “Obviously, pretty cool,” he said. Despite growing up in Connecticut, he hadn’t played much at Palmer, making the moment even more special. But to him, it wasn’t just about the final box score. “Even if I went 0 for 3 with three K’s, the guys on the Mets would’ve treated me the same,” he said, praising the close-knit Middletown roster.

Still, leaving a strong first impression and propelling the Mets on his season and GHTBL debut wasn’t lost on him. “At the end of the day, I’m just trying to help the guys win, whether that’s hitting a bomb or laying down a sac bunt.”

2025 Regular Season Schedule Posted

Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League will begin our 96th season in less than a month, and we are pleased to announce the 2025 Regular Season schedule. Eight returning teams will compete for supremacy, including last year’s Playoff Champions, the Vernon Orioles. It’s shaping up to be another barnburner of a summer.

Game dates are subject to change, as the natural elements are always a factor. Rain, rain, go away. Here’s the schedule, also found at GHTBL.org/schedule:

2025 Regular Season Schedule

2024 Playoffs to Decide Next Twi-Loop Champion

The 2024 edition of GHTBL’s double-elimination Playoff Tournament is set to start on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Two playing sites, Palmer Field in Middletown and McKenna Field in East Hartford, will host all teams in what could be a 14-game or 15-game tournament. Here is the current bracket as it stands now:

Updated 8/23/24

Check this page for regular updates to the bracket.


Congratulations to M&T Bank and Manager Tom Abbruzzese on winning the 2024 Regular Season Title!

Twilight’s 2024 Season Preview: Can Anyone Down the Jets?

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the GHTBL Regular Season will begin. Managers and players alike are itching to reunite with teammates at Connecticut’s top venues. Ranging from Palmer Field in Middletown to historic Muzzy Field in Bristol, the league has spared no expense in organizing top-notch baseball action at a semi-professional caliber. With the start of a new season, one question lingers: can anyone down the East Hartford Jets and stop them from winning a fifth consecutive Playoff Championship?

East Hartford Jets & Chris Kehoe, General Manager (right). Photo cred: Phil Ledwith

All eight returning clubs have been busy this offseason improving rosters and preparing to compete for both the Regular Season Title and Playoff Championship. It’s the opinion of this author that a pennant-winning club will require a combination of established veterans and young talent. Game one of Opening Day will feature the South Windsor Phillies against the Vernon Orioles at 6:00 PM McCoy Field in Vernon. Undoubtedly, the game will be witnessed by the home team’s “Left Field Legion” of diehard fans.

McCoy Field at Henry Park, Vernon, Connecticut.

The Vernon O’s, one of last year’s Regular Season co-champions, welcome the return of their offensive stars, especially 2023 GHTBL home run leader Peter Kelley. The Trubia brothers are back again. So is the O’s best all-around player and former minor leaguer, Jimmy Titus. The O’s will also feature Eastern Connecticut State University prospects, Alejandro Soriano and Hank Penders, in their second twi-loop campaign. Manager Jack Ceppetelli has headed the Orioles since 2002. Steve Krajewski, a former O’s skipper, is the current General Manager, while Kevin Powell serves as an Assistant GM and Bench Coach.

Manager Ron Pizzanello and his South Windsor Phillies seek to take down the O’s in game one, though Vernon is tough place to win. The Phillies are headlined by moundsmen Luke Mathewson and Trevor Moulton as well as longtime outfielder Jack Petrozza. Successful newcomers from last season, Justin Oquendo and Javier Irizarry, are returning for their second year. A rookie addition to South Windsor is Kaden Murphy, a pitcher from University of Saint Joseph. Gary Burnham Jr. has stayed aboard as General Manager and hitting guru.

That same Thursday night the Record-Journal Expos will travel to McKenna Field to face the East Hartford Jets, and over in Manchester at Northwest Park, the Bristol Greeners look to steal an early win against Rainbow Graphics. Both games begin at 7:00 PM.

The Jets hope to continue their dynasty with infielders Corey Plasky and Jeff Criscuolo, who have been as lineup linchpins in on both sides of the ball. Plasky earned the Most Valuable Playoff Batter award back in August of ’23. Criscuolo will reprise his role as player-manager and Chris Kehoe, who’s been a part of the Jets since 1991, remains General Manager.

Major contributors of East Hartford’s dynasty-run have been Jimmy Schult and Taylor Kosakowski. Both men have signaled their retirement from the league or at least a role reduction. Schult played 5 GHTBL seasons as two-way all-star solely for the Jets and was probably their best all-around player. Kosakowski started his twilight career in 2007 and won 2 Regular Season titles and 7 Playoff championships.

East Hartford’s opening day opponent, the Record-Journal Expos, expect to play spoilers with an experience pitching rotation. This consists of 2023 innings leader JD Tyler, their former player-manager Charlie Hesseltine, and AJ Hendrickson, their current player-manager who’s planning a return to the mound after being injured last year. Other returners are: Kyle Hartenstein, Ben Schulz, Max Giacco, Hector Gonzalez and Jason Sullivan.

Over in Bristol, the Greeners are improving. Manager Trevor Mays has established a core of younger players and new recruits. Veteran Greeners include Jon Pierce at first base, AJ Lorenzetti in the outfield, and Trevor Nohilly and Kenny Knox on the mound. New Greeners include Eric Corhouse and Jacoby Banks. Bristol’s home ballpark at Muzzy Field is both a fan and player favorite, hosting some of the largest turnouts of the Regular Season.

Heading east of the Connecticut River, the Rainbow Graphics are formidable both offensively and defensively. Tyler Repoli, Most Valuable Player of ’23, leads the offensive charge for the Graphics. Their pitching staff is headed by veterans Evan Chamberlain and Travis Salois. With a recent Liberty League championship at Ithaca College under his belt, twi-loop sophomore John Griffin is expected to pitch at an even higher level than last season. Outfielders Mark DiTomasso and Eric Brainard are planning comeback seasons with Rainbow in ’24.

M&T Bank, last season’s postseason runner-up, wants to end this summer with some hardware. They start on May 31, 2024, armed with a dominant pitching staff, including the likes of Brandon Fry, Camden Murphy, and Matt Smith. Line drive-hitting outfielder Shaun Callahan is coming off of a recent NE10 Conference Championship with the University of New Haven. Manager Tom Abbruzzese is set to guide his team in his 49th season coaching the “Bankers” franchise. New additions include Gianni Zarrilli Jr. and Tim Pfaffenbichler.

With far less experience in the league, the Middletown Mets are seeking to improve upon their inaugural campaign. The Mets offense features two impressive GHTBL sophomores, 2023 Rookie of the Year Will Kleinhenz and Albertus Magnus graduate Ron Losacano. With a bolstered pitching staff and mainstays like Alex Koletar and side-armer Dan Livingston, the Mets seek to cause problems for opposing clubs. Livingston has pitched in the GHTBL for the last 25 years.

Dan Livingston earns a GHTBL win, Hartford Courant, June 30, 1999.

The 2024 Regular Season will conclude with the Stadium Series 4 Food Banks at Dunkin’ Park. On August 1 and 2, all eight clubs will play at Connecticut’s signature minor league ballpark. Proceeds from theses games will be donated to support a local food bank designated by each GHTBL team. $830 has been raised (most contributors have come from Vernon’s “Left Field Legion”) Visit the donation page here: https://givebutter.com/ss4fb

Dunkin’ Park, Hartford, Connecticut.

Thank you to the fans, sponsors, players, managers, and families who support the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League. With your continued support, the summer of ’24 will be special.

Twi-Poll: Predict the 2024 Pennant Winners

Who's your pick for the 2024 Regular Season Title?Select one team
Who's your 2024 Playoff Championship pick?Select one team

Thanks for voting and we’ll see you at the park! …Especially Aug 1 & Aug 2 at Dunkin Park.

Let’s enjoy the competitive baseball, and a great start to the summer.

Eight Twi-Loop Clubs to Return This Year

With summer around the corner, the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is gearing up for our next Opening Day. Though an exact date has yet to be determined, you can expect more announcements as the schedule unfolds. Eight GHTBL franchises will return to action around late May of this year. The 2024 Regular Season should include another charity series at Dunkin’ Park. Each team will fundraise for a different food bank around the state. Read more about this effort called Stadium Series 4 Food Banks at Dunkin’ Park: Givebutter.com/ss4fb (more to come on this).

The twilight league continues to present a uniquely competitive experience for players of all ages. A mix of young and old teammates – local amateurs, college players, high school prospects, and ex-professionals – have developed talent, camaraderie and lifelong friendships. Deep into each season, teams seem to melt together in one way or another in pursuit of a common goal. To describe the GHTBL, one might say we’re a meritocracy operated by a large group of friends with help from umpires.

Peter Kelley, 1B, Vernon Orioles
GHTBL’s switch-hitting home run king of 2023.

Maybe that’s why GHTBL has staying power? For the last 95 years, the league has clung to a classic style of the game. Baseball purists seem to appreciate that the league requires nine players to a lineup while disallowing leniencies like metal bats, courtesy pinch-runners, and free-for-all substitutions. Whatever the reason, the tradition continues. After all, traditions are important, and they don’t go unrecognized. When a sport as beloved as baseball is played and witnessed in a pure form, virtually unchanged from years gone by, that’s something people can appreciate.

On behalf of President Holowaty and the Executive Committee, enjoy the rest of your off-season and here’s to another summer!

To apply for a roster spot, players are asked to fill out a Player Application found at GHTBL.org/join. Here’s a list of our current teams and managers:

League Management




MIDDLETOWN METS

Weston Ulbrich, General Manager

Ryan Ruggiero, Manager

Ed Ruggiero, Assistant Manager


RAINBOW GRAPHICS

Tyler Repoli, General Manager

Jason Valliere, Manager

Dan Steiner, Assistant Manager


RECORD-JOURNAL EXPOS

Charlie Hesseltine, General Manager

AJ Hendrickson, Manager

JD Tyler, Assistant Manager




GHTBL Executive Committee




Back in 1979, Gene Johnson of Moriarty Brothers in Manchester was bestowed with the “Player of the Half Century Award” by the GHTBL Hall of Fame. Here’s Gene (right) accepting the award from his teammate, Peter Sala (left).



GREATER
HARTFORD
TWILIGHT
BASEBALL
LEAGUE


DiPietro to Enter Berlin High School Hall of Fame

Soon-to-be Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Ryan DiPietro attended Eastern Connecticut State University, was drafted by both the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals. He later played in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League for five seasons with the Meriden Merchants franchise, now known as the Record-Journal Expos.

Published August 17, 2021 in the Record-Journal

The Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Aqua Turf. Leading up to the event, The Citizen is highlighting the accomplishments of the Hall of Fame Class of 2021. This week: Ryan DiPietro.

A member of the Class of 2002, DiPietro made an immediate impact on the baseball field. As a freshman in 1999, he stepped to the plate in the second round of the CIAC Class L state tournament and homered on the first pitch he saw. That also happened to be his very first varsity at-bat.

The Redcoats went on to claim the Class L crown, and DiPietro was on his way to legend status.

“My baseball roots are right here in Berlin,” DiPietro said. “We took pride in the success in town, Little League on up. And that 1999 state title team continued that tradition.”

Ryan DiPietro, 2001.

While DiPietro was a fine hitter and centerfielder, he is best known for his work on the mound. The lefty set BHS’s seven-inning  strikeout record (17), was 7-0 with a .085 ERA with two one-hitters as a junior and went 6-2 with a .050 ERA and 94 strikeouts as a senior.

DiPietro was an All-State and all-conference performer, and was selected MVP of the 2002 Senior All-Star game held at Fenway Park. Also in 2002, he led Berlin to the American Legion state championship, and was named tournament MVP.

DiPietro was selected by the the New York Mets in the 42nd round of the 2002 MLB draft, but he opted for college.

DiPietro would attend Eastern Connecticut State University, where he compiled a career record of 29-3 and, in 2004, helped propel ECSU to the national title game.

Ryan DiPietro, Pitcher, Eastern Connecticut, 2004.

A NCAA Division III All-American and Pitcher of the Year selection, DiPietro set ECSU records for strikeouts in a game (19), strikeouts in a season (162) and consecutive victories (19). He ranks second in career strikeouts (336) and starts in a season (15).

DiPietro was the sixth-round selection of the Kansas City Royals in 2005 and would play minor and independent league ball for seven years.

Ryan DiPietro, Pitcher, Burlington Bees, 2006.

DiPietro now works as an environmental inspector. He lives in Wallingford with his wife Rachel, sons Chase and Cal and daughter Hailey.

Also entering the Hall of Fame this year are Katelyn Zarotney (Class of 2010, basketball and volleyball), Max DeLorenzo (Class of 2010, football and basketball) and Cliff Landry (football and basketball coach 1954-61.)

Ryan DiPietro, Pitcher, Meriden Merchants, 2016.

The ceremony for the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 was called off due to the coronavirus, so it will be inducted along with the Class of 2021. The Class of 2020 includes Steve Baccaro (Class of 1947), Phil Perretta (Class of 1961), John Steurer (Class of 1980), Cynthia Gozzo Dastoli (Class of 1990), Robert Manzo (Class of 1990), Allison Murphy Semenuk (Class of 2002), Matt Carasiti (Class of 2009), and the 1999 and 2000 state championship wrestling teams.

Ryan DiPietro, Pitcher, Meriden Expos, 2016.

Jimmy Gonzalez, East Hartford’s Greatest

A young, talented catcher from East Hartford, Connecticut, named Jimmy Gonzalez caught the eyes of local scouts in his junior year at East Hartford High School. During the summer of 1991, Gonzalez was selected as the 40th player overall in the Major League Baseball Draft – a first round draft pick of the Houston Astros. He went on to play fourteen seasons in professional baseball with the San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos and New York Mets organizations. Gonzalez played with Mike Piazza, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada and Tony Gwynn. He was an understudy of Gary Carter and Dave Engle. He also spent 4 seasons of winter ball in the Dominican Republic, capturing two Caribbean Series championships.

Jimmy Gonzalez, Catcher, East Hartford High School, 1990.
Hartford Courant excerpt, 1991.
Jimmy Gonzalez, East Hartford High School, 1991.
Jimmy Gonzalez, East Hartford High School, 1991.
Jimmy Gonzalez, East Hartford High School, 1991.

Gonzalez is a graduate of the Major League Scout School and has worked with the Boson Red Sox as an Associate Scout. He has been a minor league manager in the Chicago Cubs organization for the past 6 seasons and was named Manager of the Year in the Midwest League in 2016. Most recently, Gonzalez was at the helm of the South Bend Cubs in 2018 but has since been promoted. Gonzalez was hired for the 2019 season as the new Manager of the Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League – the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

Jimmy Gonzalez Topps Stadium Club card, 1992.
Jimmy Gonzalez Topps Stadium Club card, 1992.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Catcher, Quad City River Bandits, 1993.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Houston Astros, Bowman card, 1993.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Houston Astros, Bowman card, 1993.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Catcher, Quad City River Bandits, 1993.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Catcher, Osceola Astros, 1994.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Catcher, Binghamton Mets, 2000.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager, South Bend Cubs, 2016.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager, South Bend Cubs, 2016.

Career stats – https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gonzal001jim

Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager, Tennessee Smokies, 2019.
Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager, Tennessee Smokies, 2019.

Jimmy Gonzalez, Manager, Tennessee Smokies, 2019.

Dom Amore: East Hartford’s Jimmy Gonzalez Was There At Right Time For Gleyber Torres – https://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/hc-sp-amore-column-gonzalez-0529-story.html