By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Woodstock resident Rick Dion.  The April weather, which is more like February, has Dion on edge as he’s itching to get out to his favorite place Quinnatisset Country Club.  Have patience, Rick, soon this chilly weather will be only a memory.

In baseball the shortstop is one of the most important cogs in the success of any team.  That position is involved in so many crucial aspects of the game, making that individual an indispensable asset.

The Town of Plainfield lost its shortstop on Tuesday, April 5 with the shocking news of the death of longtime resident Albert “Bert” Brunsdon.  

As a young man growing up in the Sterling, Brunsdon was recognized as one of the area’s superior athletes.  Emerging on the scene at Plainfield High School he made an immediate impact on the success of the school’s athletic programs during every season of the year.  Brunsdon was a four-sport athlete who was especially adept on the baseball diamond.  His prowess as an infielder led to a tryout with the former Boston Braves, that’s how highly touted Brunsdon was as a player.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, Brunsdon returned to the Plainfield area where he quickly became recognized as one of the region’s best softball players.  He became a mainstay of the Melody Inn softball team that played in the vaunted Norwich Fast Pitch League.  Brunsdon teamed with such notables as George Dropo, Taz Simons, Gerry “Hooker” Carroll, Wayne Irons and the Lukin brothers, George, Pete and Nick.  Lifelong buddies, this group competed together on the diamond until their tired legs told them it was time to hang up the spikes.

Brunsdon’s other passion was politics, where he served as the Second Selectman for the Town of Plainfield for 24 years, until his untimely death at age 89.  He also held down the positions of Registrar of Voters, Justice of the Peace and member of the Democratic Town Committee.  Regardless of which party was in power, the popular and likeable Brunsdon always was a favorite to win re-election.

He was truly the town’s SHORTSTOP, covering a large amount of territory for the people of Plainfield.

Later in life, Brunsdon didn’t slow down, he simply shifted gears.  He became an avid golfer and as his grandchildren grew older he became their biggest fan.  He turned to umpiring and coaching in the youth leagues of the area.

“Bert” Brunsdon and I enjoyed a unique friendship dating back to the early 1960s when we played softball together.  Later in life we often met at political affairs or community social events.  Always a gentleman, Brunsdon was interested in where life had taken me.  That’s the kind of man he was, a true friend.

Plainfield will miss its shortstop.  Friends and acquaintances will always have great memories of Brunsdon when they get together to talk sports and politics.  And at this very moment Albert “Bert” Brunsdon is someplace in heaven talking sports and all things Plainfield as he’s reunited with his softball buddies, Dropo, Simons, Carroll and others.

Bridgeport All Star Game 

Beckons PSA Mustang…

One of the most prestigious postseason schoolboy basketball games is the Jewish Community Center (JCC) School Boy All Star Classic, held annually in Bridgeport.  This year’s contest took place on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. at Cardinal Sheehan Center.  Included on the Connecticut roster was Putnam Science Academy senior Tyreek Perkins, the 6-foot, 2-inch combo guard who hails from New Haven.

Perkins, who’ll be returning to the 18 Maple St. campus in September as a postgraduate student, is deserving of his spot on the team that will square off against the Westchester New York Boys team.

Perkins enjoyed an outstanding season this year for coach Tom Espinosa’s 37-4 Mustangs.  He started 37 of the team’s 41 games averaging 6.7 points per game.  His value to the high-scoring offensive unit was also felt in various other categories.  

The New Haven product was described by coach Espinosa as “the best on ball defender in the program.”  In addition he corralled 2.7 rebounds and dished out 2.4 assists per contest, all while nabbing 45 steals.

Perkins is also a stellar performer in the classroom where he is an Honor Roll student.  During the first quarter of the Academic year, he was voted Student of the Quarter by the PSA faculty.

Final Four Attendee…

Danielson attorney Nicholas Scola was one of the 70,000 plus people in attendance at the NCAA Final Four, which recently concluded in Houston.  Scola came back to the area with a bagful of memories and photos thanks to the VIP package his wife presented him as a gift.

While at the weekend festivities, Scola had the opportunity to meet and have his photo taken with many of the past heroes of the Final Four, including the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwan, Ed Pinckney and Shaquille O’Neal.  

One of Scola’s most treasured moments was meeting and spending time with former St. Bernard High School star and Mystic native Harold Pressley.  The current resident of Sacramento, Calif., was one of the stars in the 1986 NCAA Championship victory pulled off when the underdog Villanova Wildcats, coached by the legendary Rollie Massimino, upset favored Georgetown University.  Needless to say Pressley was all smiles as Villanova once again won the NCAA Championship on a last second shot.

Calling All Co-Ed 

Softball Players…

Putnam Recreation Director Willie Bousquet is putting out the call for a team of 12 co-ed softball players for the 2016 season that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 4.  The season runs through early August.

The Co-Ed League, which consists of teams composed of six men and six women, plays using ASA rules.  Games are played every Wednesday evening at Tarr Park on the corner of Providence and School streets in Putnam.  Games are scheduled for 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.  The entry fee is $420 per team. Anyone interested in entering a team should contact Bousquet at the Putnam Recreation Department in the Putnam Town Hall at 126 Church St. or by calling 860-963-6811.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “It’s still god sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.” Mark Twain

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