Tag: vernon

by Weston Ulbrich

Tight Race in the Twi-Loop

Last night Jack Blake homered for the East Hartford Jets beating People’s United Bank 7-2. Cole Lalli earned his third win and the Jets moved to 5 and 1 on the year.

Having completed one third of the 2021 GHTBL Regular Season, the frontrunning East Hartford Jets and Vernon Orioles lead the standings.

The season title is very much up for grabs now that the Orioles have hit a 2-game skid. Meanwhile, Rainbow Graphics and South Windsor Phillies are lurking in a tie for third place.

Other honorable mention teams are Ulbrich Steel and Malloves Jewelers. So far shortstop, Sam DeMaio of Steel leads the league in hits and triples. Mike Munson has three homers for the Jewelers.

For all league wide statistics, go to GHTBL.org/stats.

by Weston Ulbrich

Twi-Loop is Off and Running

GHTBL completes first week without a hitch.

Amidst a global pandemic, the GHTBL is playing baseball in 2020. Our 12-game Regular Season schedule is underway and the first week has been completed. Managers, players and fans are excited to be back. Without any unforeseen hiccups or health scares, local amateur baseball looks like it is here to stay.

Most recently, GHTBL was featured by John Pierson of News Channel 8 Sports. He highlighted the league’s history and its prospects for the future. Gabby Lucivero of NBC Connecticut also interviewed Justin Morhardt of People’s United Bank and his family, who have a long baseball tradition in the Twilight League and professional baseball. 

Four notable minor league players have joined the league this season. Willy Yahn for People’s United Bank as well as Matt Cleveland, Jimmy Titus and Jack Patterson for the Vernon Orioles. A mix of young players and veterans will create great matchups all year long. 

Current college athletes in the GHTBL will be earning valuable experience this summer. Hard-throwing pitchers and fast paced games are the repetitions that players need to improve. The Twilight League is flooded with arms who throw over 88 MPH and pitcher’s duels are not uncommon. However, some teams like the Record-Journal Expos and the East Hartford Jets have managed to put up big run totals thus far.

The league, led by President Bill Holowaty, is proud to be playing the game we all love. Come on out and support baseball in Greater Hartford by attending a game. Regular Season admission is free. Our annual double-elimination playoff tournament is scheduled for early-to-mid August and will take place at McKenna Field in East Hartford and Ceppa Field in Meriden, Connecticut.

Stay tuned for more updates!

by Weston Ulbrich

2019 Twilight Season Set to Begin

Opening Day is May 28th, 6 PM, Henry Park, Vernon, CT.

More than 90 years of twilight baseball will continue this summer as our league gets the 2019 GHTBL season underway.  Reigning champions, the Vernon Orioles and their longtime manager, Jack Ceppetelli will face off against last year’s runner-up, Rainbow Graphics of Manchester. 

Rainbow Graphics and the Vernon Orioles have replenished their rosters with newly recruited collegiate athletes to play alongside veteran twilight leaguers.  Co-managers, Tyler Repoli and Ryan Pandolfi will step into leadership roles for Rainbow Graphics this season. 

Meanwhile, the Orioles will field familiar names like the Dan Trubia and Tony Trubia as well as their upstart second baseman, Zach Donahue who has recently committed to play baseball at the University of Connecticut under another GHTBL alum Head Coach, Jim Penders.

Opening Day schedule:
– Tuesday, May 28th
– Henry Park in Vernon, Connecticut, on Frank J. McCoy Field. 
– Opening Day presentation and ceremonial first pitch at 5:55 PM.
– Bill Holowaty, GHTBL President will be master of ceremonies. 
– Game time is scheduled for 6 PM.  

A special thanks goes to the Town of Vernon Parks and Recreation for their continued support and cooperation.  The Vernon Orioles have been proud to represent the Town of Vernon since 1966.

by Weston Ulbrich

2018 GHTBL Annual Award Winners Announced

Twilight players honored for their standout seasons.

The top GHTBL players and the best team, the Vernon Orioles separated themselves from the competition this season.

Here are the 2018 GHTBL Award Winners:

Frank McCoy Award – Most Valuable Player – Mark DiTommaso, OF, Rainbow Graphics

Mike Liappes Award – Most Valuable Pitcher – Charlie Hessletine, P, Record-Journal Expos

Ray McKenna Award – Player of the Year – Jonathan Walter, OF, Record-Journal Expos

Rev. Thomas Campion Award – Outstanding Playoffs Hitter – Dan Trubia, 3B, Vernon Orioles 

Mike Abbruzzese Award – Outstanding Playoffs Pitcher – Paul Dougan, P, Vernon Orioles 

Hal Lewis Award – Most Versatile Player – A.J. Hendrickson, P/OF, Record-Journal Expos

Gene Johnson Award – Regular Season Batting Title – Jonathan Walter, OF, Record-Journal Expos

Ralph Giansanti Sr. Award – Stolen Base Winner – Jonathan Walter, OF, Record-Journal Expos

Jack Repass Award – Gold Glove – Jeff Criscuolo, INF, Ulbrich Clippers

James Gallagher Award – Rookie of the Year – Jake Petrozza, OF, South Windsor Phillies 

Jake Banks Trophy – Regular Season Champion – Vernon Orioles, Jack Ceppetelli, Manager

Jack Rose Trophy – Playoff Champion – Vernon Orioles, Jack Ceppetelli, Manager

President’s Note:

Our successful 2018 season was a great milestone for the GHTBL. This past summer marked the 90th year of the league as the premier amateur league in Connecticut. The league hosted games at some of the best fields and stadiums in state and matriculated 3 players into the professional ranks. The running tally of GHTBL players who have played professional baseball is now 320.

Next season, the GHTBL will seek to strengthen its current franchises and will explore opportunities for expansion. The league most recently had an Executive Committee meeting and has scheduled another meeting for November 4th at 5 PM in East Hartford. 

– Bill Holowaty, President

Visit our Instagram account @GHTBL for the latest updates and follow our blog “The Bat and Ball” on GHTBL.org for Greater Hartford’s historic baseball stories and tidbits.

by Weston Ulbrich

Vernon Wins 3rd Straight Playoff Championship

THE O’S DYNASTY CONTINUES.

Jack Ceppetelli and his Vernon Orioles have done it again. For the third consecutive year, Vernon has won the GHTBL Playoff Tournament. At Trinity College on Sunday, August 12th, Vernon toppled Rainbow Graphics in the final championship round with two wins: 3-1 and 7-1.  Strong pitching by Seth Sypniak and Matt Purnell overmatched the opposition while a barrage of hits came from the Dan Trubia and Tony Trubia. 

Earlier this year, Vernon also captured their sixth straight Regular Season title by finishing first in the standings. The franchise has transformed into a veritable dynasty in recent years. Solid defense and tough pitching have greatly contributed to the O’s success. Congratulations to the Vernon Orioles on their superior ball playing and their long run of success!

Many thanks go to our friends at Trinity College for hosting the league, Dan Saccu, our PA Announcer, and to Bill Holowaty, GHTBL President, Andy Baylock GHTBL Vice President, Tom Abbruzzese, Manager, People’s United Bank and Chris Kehoe, GHTBL Treasurer, for organizing and facilitating the playoff tournament.

by Weston Ulbrich

Season to Feature the Top Venues in Connecticut

GHTBL’s 90th anniversary year to open on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

President’s Note – Season Preview:

The GHTBL is set to open at 6 PM, Tuesday, May 29th in Vernon, CT at Frank McCoy Stadium at Henry Park in a matchup between 2017 champs, the Vernon Orioles versus the Playoff Tournament runner-ups, the Record-Journal Expos. An Opening Day ceremony with take place before first pitch. 

2018 marks the 90th year of the GHTBL and to celebrate this milestone, 8 franchises will enter the league to play a pure and fast brand of baseball that our league has been known for. GHTBL plays the game of baseball as it was intended to be played; hitting nine batters, using wood bats, and no video replays or pitch clocks.

Current and former college ballplayers as well as a several future and former professional players will take to the field to compete in 24 Regular Season games followed by our annual double elimination Playoff Tournament.

Throughout the 2018 Regular Season and Playoff Tournament our league has scheduled games to be played at best baseball fields in the Greater Hartford area. On Thursday, July 21 and 22 each GHTBL franchise will play a game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford for a special Charity Series fundraiser for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Then the Ulbrich Clippers will host People’s United Bank at New Britain Stadium on Wednesday, July 25th.

From August 2-11, our Playoff Tournament will be held once again at Trinity College on their new turf ballpark. On Sunday, August 18th, we will host Connecticut Twilight League at New Britain Stadium for an All-Star game between our two leagues. 

Our 90th anniversary is turning out to be a highly anticipated year for the GHTBL and we’re pleased to have you be a part of it as a fan, players, parents, family and friends. 

All the best,

Bill Holowaty 
GHTBL President

by Weston Ulbrich

GHTBL All-Stars Top CTL 4-1 at Muzzy Field

GHTBL wins 3 of 3 matchups versus Connecticut Twilight League.

The GHTBL All-Stars shined bright on Monday night, defeating the Connecticut Twilight League All Stars 4-1 in 9 innings. Even though the game was tied 1-1 until the top of the ninth inning, the GHTBL boys of summer eventually claimed victory.

Chris Anselmo (Clippers) drove in the game winning run after Tyler Pina (People’s) was hit by a pitch and stole a base. Then Jeff Criscuolo (Clippers) hit a booming triple off the right field wall scoring Anselmo. Thad Zentek (People’s) had an RBI plating Criscuolo.

Dan Trubia (Vernon) had two hits, starting pitcher Brendan Smith (People’s), relievers James Davitt (Clippers), Travis Salois (Marlborough), and John Martin (Middletown) threw scoreless innings while Tyler Pogmore (Vernon) earned the save.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE GAME