Legion baseball teams – What a difference a year makes
PUTNAM — The Tri-Town American Legion Baseball Team, from Putnam, Thompson and Woodstock, recently celebrated the end of its season with a banquet July 27 at American Legion Post 67, N. Grosvenordale.
And according to Michael Rocchetti, post commander of Putnam’s Post 13, the team had a lot to celebrate: “Last year, they only fielded a Senior team in Eastern CT’s Zone 6 – but this year they had enough players to field a Junior team as well. And what a difference a year makes. Last year the senior team went 3-14 while this year they went 13-9. The new Junior team went 6-18 – but played much better than their record would indicate, and they showed a lot of potential.
According to Michael Merrill, the Tri-Town Baseball Committee chariman, “The Junior team includes mostly younger players, and they were competing against teams in a larger Central CT Zone 3 that had teams with more experienced players.” Merrill added: “We are so pleased to have so many talented young players who are interested in this program. We hope they come back next year!”
The guest speaker was Adam Goss – the baseball coach at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. He offered sage advice to the young players hoping to enter the realm of collegiate competition and beyond. He also noted that the demanding schedule of Legion Baseball, typically over 22 games in six weeks, helps prepare players for the equally demanding schedule of collegiate baseball. Afterwards, awards were presented to the coaches, volunteers, and players.
Commander Rocchetti praised the team: “There aren’t that many people who can throw, catch, and hit a baseball like these young men. They have a lot to be proud of. Baseball is such a great sport, and the lessons they learn playing baseball such as commitment, dedication, teamwork, discipline, diligence, sportsmanship and fair play, and the importance of developing your skills, will serve them well in almost any other future endeavor.”
Rocchetti also recognized the volunteer efforts of the Baseball Committee, the coaches and staff including Michael Merrill, Jason Akana, Brandon Carita, and Matt Amendola. “They are doing good work for our community, They are making a big difference in the lives of these young men. We are very proud of them and their team.” Michael Merrill also expressed gratitude for the generous support provided by the team’s many sponsors and friends in the local community – and to the parents of the players – who drove all over the state to attend games.

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19U Players
Bradley Blair, Ayden Brothers, William Bushey, Lucas Carita, Brady Devlin, Nicholas Devlin, Robert Dion, Robert Ellsworth, Brayden Hamlin, Sebastian Hanshaw (DR), Benjamin Kipp II, Tyler Koualty, Evan Mailloux (DR), Jacob Mailloux, Eric Mathewson, Riley O’Brien, Riley Sargent, Lyric Teevan (DR). Head Coach – Jason Akana, Assistant Coaches – Brandon Carita, John Merrill.

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17U Players
Ceydian Campos, Matthew Dearborn, Roan Donovan, William Ellsworth, Jeffrey Flagg, Gabriel Girard, Joseph Girard, Jax Golden, Benjamin Gustafson, Sebastian Hanshaw (DR), Evan Mailloux (DR), Hayden Maloney, Noah Pillsbury, Lyric Teevan (DR), Jacob Turner, Trevor Turner. Head Coach – Matthew Amendola, Assistant Coaches – Maxwell Racicot, Joseph Philbrick

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