Tag: reds

Remembering Longtime Umpire, Dave Bindas

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of David Mark Bindas of Newington (September 23, 1955 – March 31, 2025), a beloved umpire known for his dedication to local baseball. For over 50 years, he called balls and strikes with remarkable resilience. Since the 1970s, he officiated the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League, NCAA baseball, the New England Collegiate Baseball League, high school and youth leagues, including American Legion and Jaycee-Courant.

Dave Bindas knocked out by thrown ball, American Legion state championship, 1987.

Known for his wisecracking personality, Dave Bindas began his umpiring career with a humorous twist. While playing varsity at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, he once argued a call with an umpire, shouting, “I’m going to become an umpire!” He did just that. At 18, he attended
Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Florida and then joined the Hartford Board of Umpires. He followed in the footsteps of his father, also a Hartford umpire, and the two shared the field, working games together.

Dave Bindas, Hartford Courant, 1990.

An avid Boston Red Sox fan, Bindas lived for baseball’s lighthearted moments, but he took umpiring seriously during the game. He was known for sprinting to a spot on the field to get a better view of a play. Everyone appreciated his hustle. For several years he mentored aspiring umpires by leading training classes for the Hartford Board. In the winter months, he ran up and down the basketball court officiating youth leagues in South Windsor. Perhaps he reffed basketball as training for his sprints on the baseball field.

In 2002, Bindas earned high praise from Jim Bransfield, a tough critic and sports writer for the Middletown Press:

“He’s a terrific umpire who hustles, is dedicated to his craft and for my money, is as good an umpire as there is around here.”

Jim Bransfield (1946-2018), Middletown Press
Dave Bindas umpires Class LL state championship, Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT, 2011.

Bindas’ most controversial moment came in the 2011 Class LL State Championship at Muzzy Field. With the game coming down to the wire between Southington High School and Newington High School, future major leaguer Sal Romano crashed a double that was supposed to score the winning run. However, Newington appealed to Bindas that the runner never touched home plate. He awarded the appeal and Newington ended up hoisting the trophy. His call made national news, and it became a subject of discussion between Cincinnati Reds announcers Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh when Romano was called up.

We think Bindas had the right call. See here: Home-Sick: Did Spruill’s Foot Actually Touch Home Plate? (Patch.com – Ken Lipshez)

Dave Bindas (center), Class LL state championship, Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT, 2011.

Since the 1970s, Dave Bindas has been a constant presence in the GHTBL, earning camaraderie and respect from players and managers alike. Ron Pizzanello, a former catcher for the Vernon Orioles and current manager of the South Windsor Phillies, developed a strong bond with Bindas over hundreds of games with him behind the plate. Similarly, Tom Abbruzzese, longtime manager of M&T Bank, shared a connection with Bindas, rooted in their respect for the game.

“David would often compliment players on their exceptional performances. That alone was impressive on his part. I can also testify to the uplifting words of support that he would often express, especially to new baseball managers fielding teams for the first time.”

Tom Abbruzzese, Manager, M&T Bank
Dave Bindas makes a call at the plate, Beehive Field, New Britain, CT, 2016.

GHTBL wishes to express our deepest condolences to the Bindas family and especially to his two brothers. Rest in Peace, Dave.

“If I miss one, I tell them.”

Dave Bindas
Dave Bindas (left) and Dave Carter, Connecticut Board of Approved Umpires, Hartford Chapter, 2019.

In memory of David Mark Bindas

Sources

  1. Blue Knights Lose Heartbreaker in 10, Patch.com, https://patch.com/connecticut/southington/blue-knights-lose-heartbreaker-in-10, 2011.
  2. Some Umps Need More Training, Middletown Press, https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Some-umps-need-more-training-11909272.php, 2003.
  3. Legion Assignment Makes His Season, Hartford Courant, 1990.

Rob Dibble Played Hartford Twilight Ball in ’83

Robert “Rob” Keith Dibble graduated from Southington High School in 1982 and was drafted in the 11th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of going pro, he enrolled at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. During the summer of 1983, he played in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League on the Katz Sports Shop club of Meriden, Connecticut. Shortly thereafter, Dibble was selected 20th overall in the 1st round of the MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase by the Cincinnati Reds.

As their closer, Dibble’s big right arm helped the Reds win a World Series in 1990. He was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1990 National League Championship Series (NLCS). He also earned a pair of MLB All-Star appearances in ‘90 and ‘91. Dibble was part of the Cincinnati bullpen nicknamed the “Nasty Boys” which included Norm Charlton and Randy Myers. After twelve professional seasons, Dibble finished his career as relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers.

He now hosts the Rob Dibble Show on 97.9 ESPN radio at studios in Hartford, Connecticut.