By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School football standout Russ Waters.  During his heyday on the gridiron, Waters was a hard charging fullback who was difficult to bring down.  Today he works out regularly to stay in shape for a variety of running events.

The Eastern Connecticut Board of Umpires held its annual end-of-year banquet Sept. 25.  As a change of pace (excuse the baseball pun) this year’s banquet was held at Dodd Stadium, home of the Connecticut Tigers.  The Tigers put the stadium lights on for the event, giving the large group of umps a great background in which to conduct its final business of the season.

The Board, which covers games in all of Eastern Connecticut from the Massachusetts border to the shoreline, had a definite northeastern Connecticut flavor.  Danielson native Sean Brennan, outgoing president served as the Master of Ceremonies.  He did his usual good job of reminding the audience that the current make-up of the Board should be thankful to those who came before them.  In particular he remembered the late Roger LaFrance, who for many years was the backbone of the organization and also his late dad, Ralph Brennan who served a President during his active days.

Brennan announced the new members of the Board of Directors that included Tom Hayden, who is the owner of Sweet Evalina’s Stand in Woodstock.  He also introduced noted retired umpires Walt Zadora of Danielson and Stan Lesniewski of Thompson.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of four very special awards that are named for former umpires.  The Richard “Dish” Marien Eastern Connecticut Conference Player Sportsmanship Award was presented by Marien to Plainfield High School graduate Mike Esposito, who pitched and hit the Panthers deep into the postseason this past spring.

The Roger LaFrance ECC Team Sportsmanship Award, which was presented by Roger LaFrancois Jr. in memory of his late father to Plainfield High School baseball coach Jason Chavairus.  Under Chavairus’ leadership the Panthers enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in the history of the program.

The Ralph Brennan American Legion Team Sportsmanship Award was presented by Sean Brennan to the Moosup American Legion team and its manager Joe Leo.  Bob Bogart accepted the award on behalf of Leo, who was unable to attend the festivities.

The Frank Slivenski American Legion Player Sportsmanship Award went to Troy Stefanski of the Ledyard-Pawcatuck team.

The guest speaker of the evening was Roger Bidwell, the 35-year coach of UConn  – Avery Point baseball team.  Bidwell reminded the gathering of the important role umpires play in the development of the young men who play baseball.  The evening concluded with the passing of the gavel from Brennan to incoming President Ed Nevins.

Hole – In – One?

Probably the greatest single achievement a golfer can accomplish in a career is to record a hole-in-one.  When the event occurs it’s usually celebrated with pats on the back and a few libations.  Pomfret resident Marc Archambault enjoyed the pleasure of recording the initial ace of his more than 35-year golf journey with hole-in-one on Saturday, September 25.

Archambault’s career shot came on the 156-yard, par-3, 3rd hole at Quinnatisset Country Club.  The signature hole plays entirely over water and is one of the most difficult holes of any Eastern Connecticut golf course.  Archambault used what he described as his “rescue” club and hit his favorite Titleist golf ball for “the shot.”  Coincidentally the hole has a memorial granite bench in memory of his late father A. Leon Archambault.  The bench is a gift to Quinnatisset CC from the friends and golfing partners of Leon Archambault.  

Unfortunately for Marc Archambault it was Saturday afternoon and there wasn’t much activity at the course.  He was playing alone, therefore he was unable to revel in the shot with anyone.  We all know he’s an honest golfer, so when you run into Archambault congratulate him and give him a reason to smile and enjoy the memory.

Jeter Weekend

The Boston Red Sox should be congratulated on the way they handled the final weekend series of the season with the New York Yankees, which of course was the final games of Derek Jeter’s 20-year hall of fame career.  In the future, much the same as with Ted Williams’s last game at Fenway Park, hundreds of thousands of people will proclaim they were present for the occasion.  We do know that only 36,000 fans were actually on hand.

Four Putnam residents can actually make the claim that they were present on Saturday to witness Jeter going 1-for-2 in a 10-4 Yankees’ loss to the Sox.  Pete and Maryann Pezanko and John and Lauren Dignam had primo seats right behind the Red Sox dugout.  According to the foursome, they and those seated in the area were entertained all game by injured Red Sox player Shane Victorino.

Carnival & Celebration

Generations Family Health Center is celebrating 30 years of caring for our community with a Carnival & Celebration at Killingly High School on Friday, October 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The evening will include games, food and prizes and feature former UConn women’s All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist Kara Walters as the guest speaker.     

 For tickets, sponsorship or information e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit genhealth.org/30. Admission is $20 prior to the event and $25 at the door.

Statistically Speaking

Plainfield High School quarterback Steve Jankowski has proven his value in leading the Panthers to a 3-0 start to the 2014 season.  Jankowski leads the area in touchdown passes with seven after three games.  He’s followed by Killingly’s Kyle Derosier who has four TD tosses.  Holden Cote of Woodstock, who was unheralded prior to the Centaurs win over St. Bernard/Norwich Tech, leads the area in rushing touchdowns with four.  Jankowski’s teammate Tyler Ballard tops area receivers with three touchdown catches.

Major League Playoff Representation

Eastern Connecticut will have its fair share of representation in the Major League Playoff Series that started on Tuesday, September 30.  When the Detroit Tigers play look for New London product Rajai Davis in the outfield and on the base paths.  Davis has enjoyed a banner season in the Motor City batting .283 in the regular season with 36 stolen bases.

You’ll have to look in the Los Angeles Angels dugout to spot utility infielder John McDonald of East Lyme.  Late in the game you’ll see Johnny Mac as a defensive replacement for Manager Mike Sciosa.  In the San Francisco Giants dugout you’ll find Colchester product Ron Wotus if you look closely.  He’s the bench coach for the Giants.

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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