TriTown

American 

Legion 

Baseball 

initiating 

Hall of Fame

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

The TriTown American Legion Baseball program has been in existence for approximately 50 years.  During its long history the program has turned out a number of very successful players as well as enjoying the luxury of having some outstanding coaches.  Additionally the program has been the beneficiary of the work of individuals who have contributed time, energy and financial support to the program.

An idea was hatched a couple years ago by Joe Lindley and Ron Coderre, two members of the current program’s executive committee to create a TriTown American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.  The idea came to fruition in the past few months when the pair engaged the services of three individuals who were closely connected to the program over the years.

Coderre and Lindley contacted former longtime coach Tom Auclair, former Board 8 umpire Stan Lesniewski and former TriTown standout Brian Murphy, enlisting their services on the selection committee.  The group put together the by-laws of the organization and has been meeting to select the initial class of entrants.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame will be to recognize the extraordinary baseball tradition of the program and those individuals who have assisted in making it successful.  The group is seeking nominations from former players, coaches, parents or community individuals familiar with the program.

Information regarding the criteria and eligibility can be secured by sending requests for a nomination form or a name to American Legion Post #13, Attn: TTAL Baseball Hall of Fame Committee, P.O. Box 123, Putnam, CT 06260-0123.

“After much discussion and planning we felt it was time to honor those individuals who have been the backbone of the TriTown American Legion Baseball program.  We’re hoping that the idea catches on and people will send nominations of those they feel are worthy of entry into the Hall,” said Lindley.

The committee is expecting to select the initial group soon.  They plan on honoring those individuals at the TriTown American Legion Baseball season ending awards banquet on July 22.

“This Hall of Fame will not only honor individuals from the past but it will also help in connecting today’s players with those who are part of the history of the program.  Hopefully it will give players coming through the program something to strive for in the future,” said Coderre.