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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
Although the Tri-Town American Legion Baseball program hasn’t had much to celebrate on the diamond this summer, the team will be honored at the season-ending banquet July 27. The evening will feature guest speaker Dr. Robert LaRochelle.
Despite posting only two victories all season the young Tri-Towners led by coach Paul Faucher have held their heads high and played with high energy and enthusiasm every time they step on to the field. Bringing Dr. LaRochelle, a former Putnam resident, to banquet, is exactly the medicine this young group of players needs.
LaRochelle, a 1974 graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, is the pastor of the Congregational Church of Union. He assumed the position shortly after receiving his D. Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2007. But his position as pastor shouldn’t fool anyone, as LaRochelle also has an extensive background in baseball.
In January LaRochelle was honored by the American Legion State Baseball Committee when he was named the 2011 High School Coach of the Year. His coaching resume includes stints as baseball coach at East Catholic and South Windsor high schools and American Legion coach at Rockville and S. Windsor.
His coaching career goes back to his prep school days at Marianapolis, when he found time to serve as assistant coach at his alma mater St. Mary’s School prior to taking over the program from 1976 through 1979. During his tenure with the Crusaders he led the team to the QVJC Small School title in 1977. In 1975 he served as president of the Putnam Little League.
“Baseball and especially Legion ball has always been very special to me. At the LaRochelle home, summer is Legion baseball. It gives me an opportunity to work positively with young people,” said LaRochelle.
Since becoming a pastor, LaRochelle has proven instrumental in leading his little congregation to great heights, much the same as he’s done in the past with some of his baseball teams.
The banquet is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at American Legion Post #67 in Thompson and will feature a steak dinner served by noted area chef Buster Corey. The highlight of the evening is the awarding of the Rene “Doc” Desaulnier Award to a player who exemplifies the qualities espoused by the late Dr. Desaulnier and American Legion. The Coach Tom Auclair will go to the team’s Most Valuable Player, while the Joe Lindley Award will be presented to the player who demonstrated the most improvement over the course of the season. The Louis Bates Award is presented to a young player who contributes to the success of the team. The final award is the Executive Committee Award.
Plans for the evening are being coordinated by Diane Matteau and Doug Cutler. Tickets are available by calling 860 928-6772.