By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Pomfret native Paul Nelson.  As a young man he went to Putnam High School when the Pomfret kids were a big part of Clipperland.  As a Clipper, Nelson was a stalwart on the athletic field for Putnam.  Today Nelson spends his time golfing, skiing and feeding his cows for the Pomfret Lions Cow Chip Bingo.

Fall Isn’t Only For Football

TriTown American Legion Baseball sponsored a fall baseball team composed primarily of players from the Jr. team sprinkled with a few talented players from the Danielson area.  The team, which was coached by Dan Durand, Mike Carignan, John Foucault and John Dovonvan enjoyed a successful season finishing in second place in the weekend league that was made up mostly of teams from Massachusetts.

The Towners played their home games at the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Field, which was in great condition thanks to the grooming of Romeo “Mush” Blain and his capable staff.  Members of the TriTown team included Jacob Guertin, Nicholas Foucault, Josh Allard and Zach Cutler from Putnam, Jared Carignan and Jared Durand of Ellis Tech, Joe Donovan and Ryan Gadoury of Tourtellotte and George Murphy of Marianapolis.  Also on the team were Eli Majek, J.P. Dufault, Evan Tremblay, Justin Soucy, Conor Hanlon and Noah and Logan Putnam.

Despite the fact that many of these young men were involved in their high school soccer and cross country programs, the coaching staff reports that each weekend an average of 12 to 15 players was on hand for the games.

“I’ve been involved coaching youngsters for 15 years.  This summer and fall was by far the most fun and enjoyment I’ve had working with these players.  All this thanks to the TriTown American Legion Baseball program,” said coach Foucault.

Baseball News from the Deep South 

John Smutnick, a guy who just doesn’t want to give up playing baseball, reports from Avon Park, Fla., (the Putnam of the South) that he recently concluded two weeks of play in the 2014 Roy Hobbs Baseball World Series.  The games were played at the spring training sites of major league teams in Fort Myers.

During the first week of competition Smutnick was a member of the Rhode Island Silver Foxes in the 65’s Division.  The highlight of the initial week was playing against former Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill “Space Man” Lee.  One of Smutnick’s teammates was Joe Castigleone, the radio voice of the Red Sox.

The second week Smutnick was part of the Springfield Ohio Midwest Nine, which competed in the 60’s Division.  During the two weeks of play, more than 30 teams from the United States and Canada were involved in the competition.  The teams that Smutnick was part of finished a respectable 3 – 3.  He was voted by his teammates as his team’s Most Valuable Player after posting a .500 batting average.  He played shortstop and was one of his team’s rubber armed pitchers.

Now that the Roy Hobbs Baseball World Series is over, Smutnick is retiring to the more sedate competition of softball and golf.  On the links, he’s playing every day with many of his cronies from Quinnatisset Country Club. 

World Baseball Coaches’ Convention Right Around the Corner

January may seem a distance off in the future but for baseball lovers it can’t come soon enough.  Despite cold temperatures and snow, Thursday, Friday and Saturday January 15, 16 and 17 the Mohegan Sun will once again host the World Baseball Coaches Convention, the brainchild of Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, former Red Sox catcher Roger Lafrancois and Andy Walker.

The trio has worked hard in putting together another all star lineup of presenters.  Among those who will be on hand are Jack Morris, retired ace of the Detroit Tigers and former Red Sox lefthander Bruce Hurst.  Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo and Atlanta Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer will also present.  Top collegiate coaches John Szefc of the University of Maryland and Georgia’s Scott Stricklin will also present on a variety of aspects of college baseball.

Adding a local flavor to the Convention, organizers have lined up three players from Eastern Connecticut as presenters.  Nick Ahmed, former UConn standout and current Arizona Diamondback’s shortstop, Eric Campbell former Norwich Free Academy and Boston College and current New York Mets utility infielder and Dominic Leone of the Seattle Mariners will all share their knowledge of the game.

The clinic also offers attendees access to almost 100 exhibitors featuring the latest baseball products.  This is three days of learning and networking that baseball junkies shouldn’t bypass.  To register or learn more, visit www.BaseballCoachesClinic.com or call 860 674-1500. 

Catching Up Wwth College Athletes

The college basketball season is now in full swing with preseason tourneys taking place in many exotic locations such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico.  Local colleges are enjoying their local versions of the preseason and getting into their conference schedules.

In a hotly contested contest Quinnipiac University was felled by the University of Hartford 54-50.  Former Marianapolis standout Ousman Drame continues his solid play for the Bobcats, as he posted a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds, prior to fouling out late in the game.  Ex- Putnam Science Academy big man Chaise Daniels was held scoreless by UHart in seven minutes of action.

In a contest at Worcester Polytechnic Institute a pair of former area stalwarts squared off.  WPI bested Worcester State University 70-52 in a cross-Worcester rivalry.  Ian Converse, the ex-Woodstock Academy great, now a sophomore at WPI contributed four points in the win.  On the opposite bench, 6-foot, 9-inch Paul Brooks, ex-PSA big man had eight points and led the Lancers in rebounding.

Late Season Stats

Plainfield’s Steve Jankowski continues to lead local quarterbacks in passing yardage with 1506 yards in the air.  Killingly’s Kyle Derosier has amassed 1385 yards.  Raif Santerre of the Quinebaug Valley Pride, is by far the rushing leader with 1401 rushing yards, while Killingly’s Michael Elsey leads area receivers with 612 receiving yards.

Once More for Old Time Sake

In the late 1940s Bill Kelleher was a standout running back and track star at Putnam High School.  He later went on to a track career at UConn, where he eventually became track coach under the legendary Bob Kennedy.  Today Kelleher is an assistant track coach at Wesleyan University.

Each year Kelleher quietly attends the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game between Killingly and Putnam (Quinebaug Valley Pride).  The weather may have snarled Kelleher’s plans this year but don’t be surprised if he finds a way to be in attendance.  Happy Thanksgiving, Bill as you reminisce about your days on the Putnam gridiron.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day …Never buy an article of clothing thinking it will fit if you lose a couple of pounds.

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