DIONICIO DEAL DONE, LYNCH LOCKED AND LOADED
Cannons 2006 Roster Nearly Complete, Opening Day Four Weeks Away
West Hartford, CT (AP)--Another important step in the assembly of a championship-caliber club for the upcoming A Division season was completed on Saturday as the West Hartford Cannons officially announced the signings of Leo Dionicio and Mark Lynch at 4:00 p.m. (EST). The Cannons now have a total of sixteen roster invitees prepared to start the season with the big league ball club (Andy Borst and John Giudice have yet to ink deals for the 2006 campaign though management is still optimistic that both can be signed before the April 11 deadline).
Dionicio, the thirty-six year old slugger from the Dominican Republic, finalized the terms of his contract late Thursday evening and a collective sigh of relief rippled from Cannon Yards to the far reaches of West Hartford. "Leo is a leader both on and off the field," said Assistant Manager Mike Weber. "His value to the team is immeasurable and he provides added pop to an already potent Cannons line-up. Leo's been huge for us and he was an integral part of the 2005 championship run. We're really excited to have him back on board." Dionicio expressed his feelings in a prepared statement: "I'm so happy because the Cannons experience has been the best thing to happen to me as a baseball player. My love for the Cannons is immense. I'm really motivated to play and show the other A Division teams that we are the real deal. 2006 is going to be special." Dionicio has been hotly pursued by rival teams during the past two off-seasons but management has found a way to lock up the Latin Lothario each year. Dionicio batted .417 in both the regular- and post-seasons and was the team's regular-season leader in home runs (3), RBI (15) and slugging percentage (.667)...he also led the ball club with 24 at bats and 10 hits (tying Tom Luby) in the post-season. A fan favorite from Day One, Dionicio was the recipient of the 2005 Silver Slugger Award and was voted 2005's Sexiest Cannon Alive (some staunch competition has been added for this season so a title defense will be tough for the Dominican Dreamboat). Dionicio's #5 replica jerseys have been flying off the racks since word was leaked that the Gringo from Santo Domingo was expected to return.
Mark Lynch, a home-grown thirty-six year old recruit, signed a two-year deal with the team late last week (terms were not disclosed). Lynch will be used primarily as a catcher (Steve Markie's busy summer schedule makes this acquisition all the more important) though he will see action at a number of other positions throughout the season. Close personal friend Mike Calabrese said, "Mark is a great pick-up for us. He's a solid player and a stand-up clubhouse guy. He is a perfect fit for this team and I expect big things from him." When reached for comment, Lynch stated, "I'm excited to be a Cannon. West Hartford is the CNMSBL's most storied franchise and I am honored to be a part of it all. The A Division is going to have its hands full this season. It should be a great ride." The 2006 recruiting class (along with Lynch the Cannons have signed Jason Maule and Brian Pinney and hope to get a commitment from Giudice before the season begins) is the most highly touted group to enter the league this season and in terms of overall talent it rivals the rookie-rich classes of 2002 (Tom Bogiatzis, Luby, Kevin McGann, Ed Poland) and 2005 (Chris Barsa, Calabrese and Dionicio), the building blocks for last season's title run. Manager Matt Celio added, "These guys can flat out play and if they give us the spark that the 2005 class provided, as I fully expect them to, then we will be a tough team to beat this season. I love our chances." Lynch will wear #11 in Cannon Red.
Cannons News and Notes: Kevin and Heather McGann welcomed their third child on March 20 (Colin Edward); McGann recently celebrated his 42nd birthday; Mike and Debbie Weber announced that they are expecting their second child in late September; the 2006 Tees and More order was picked up late last week (a t-shirt order will be placed in the very near future); at the third CNMSBL winter meeting on March 14, it was announced that the Lakeville Yankees have decided to fold (the decision became final at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday morning), making the A Division a seven-team league and significantly altering this season's schedule (Opening Day has been moved up a week, open dates have been implemented, etc.)...the new 2006 West Hartford Cannons schedule can be seen in its entirety at whcannons.blogspot.com.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
CANNONS TO MAKE MEMORIAL DAY MARCH
Team Invited to Participate in West Hartford's Annual Parade
West Hartford, CT (AP)--In a press release issued from World Headquarters earlier today, management officially announced that the Cannons have been invited to participate in West Hartford's 2006 Memorial Day parade (scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.) on Monday, May 29. Richard Hennessey, the town's parade planner, was quoted as saying, "We will be glad to have the Cannons Men's Baseball Team join the parade this year." Hennessey also asked that the team's media relations department provide WHCT-TV (local cable channel #5) with pertinent background information for the tape to broadcast program that will air several times this summer and on into perpetuity. Manager Matt Celio commented: "Many of the players on our team are products of town baseball leagues and we remember fondly marching in the parade some twenty-five years ago. It will be a great honor to be a part of something so special. Something so American. Tossing gum to kids, kissing babies...just terrific. It will bring back marvelous memories, will allow us to give something back to the town and our many fans and will show the importance of baseball, regardless of age, in West Hartford's daily fabric." This is just one of many media-savvy moves that have been planned for the 2006 campaign. Along with the creation of whcannons.blogspot.com, The West Hartford News (along with eleven local area papers) has agreed in principle to publish an article about the team (a celebration of last season's epic championship run and this season's squad) and WHCT-TV has expressed interest in producing and airing a weekly call-in program dedicated entirely to Cannons Baseball. Finally, New Britain Rock Cats management has approached the team, hoping to honor the title-holders during an upcoming Rock Cats home game this summer. Assistant Director of Media Relations/Operations John Mancini has been integral to the buzz building around the Cannons this off-season and was formally commended by the team for his many off-season efforts (Mancini also agreed in principle to a one-year incentive-laden contract late Sunday afternoon).
Cannons News and Notes: The Town of West Hartford informed Cannons management that youth baseball games will not be scheduled at Cannon Yards on the five dates the team has provided. Tom Carson, President of the West Hartford Babe Ruth League, was quoted as saying, he "hopes the Cannons have a great season." Fourteen of eighteen roster invitees for the 2006 season have submitted their paperwork (ten of eighteen have also made a monetary commitment). The third Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14 (7:00 p.m.) at Kenney's in Hartford (the team hopes to have all paperwork accounted for at that date and time). Assistant Manager Mike Weber announced a second party to be held at his home in Newington on June 18 (in addition to the end-of-year extravaganza that he will host after the season). The party schedule (along with the team's game schedule) can be found at whcannons.blogspot.com.
Team Invited to Participate in West Hartford's Annual Parade
West Hartford, CT (AP)--In a press release issued from World Headquarters earlier today, management officially announced that the Cannons have been invited to participate in West Hartford's 2006 Memorial Day parade (scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.) on Monday, May 29. Richard Hennessey, the town's parade planner, was quoted as saying, "We will be glad to have the Cannons Men's Baseball Team join the parade this year." Hennessey also asked that the team's media relations department provide WHCT-TV (local cable channel #5) with pertinent background information for the tape to broadcast program that will air several times this summer and on into perpetuity. Manager Matt Celio commented: "Many of the players on our team are products of town baseball leagues and we remember fondly marching in the parade some twenty-five years ago. It will be a great honor to be a part of something so special. Something so American. Tossing gum to kids, kissing babies...just terrific. It will bring back marvelous memories, will allow us to give something back to the town and our many fans and will show the importance of baseball, regardless of age, in West Hartford's daily fabric." This is just one of many media-savvy moves that have been planned for the 2006 campaign. Along with the creation of whcannons.blogspot.com, The West Hartford News (along with eleven local area papers) has agreed in principle to publish an article about the team (a celebration of last season's epic championship run and this season's squad) and WHCT-TV has expressed interest in producing and airing a weekly call-in program dedicated entirely to Cannons Baseball. Finally, New Britain Rock Cats management has approached the team, hoping to honor the title-holders during an upcoming Rock Cats home game this summer. Assistant Director of Media Relations/Operations John Mancini has been integral to the buzz building around the Cannons this off-season and was formally commended by the team for his many off-season efforts (Mancini also agreed in principle to a one-year incentive-laden contract late Sunday afternoon).
Cannons News and Notes: The Town of West Hartford informed Cannons management that youth baseball games will not be scheduled at Cannon Yards on the five dates the team has provided. Tom Carson, President of the West Hartford Babe Ruth League, was quoted as saying, he "hopes the Cannons have a great season." Fourteen of eighteen roster invitees for the 2006 season have submitted their paperwork (ten of eighteen have also made a monetary commitment). The third Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14 (7:00 p.m.) at Kenney's in Hartford (the team hopes to have all paperwork accounted for at that date and time). Assistant Manager Mike Weber announced a second party to be held at his home in Newington on June 18 (in addition to the end-of-year extravaganza that he will host after the season). The party schedule (along with the team's game schedule) can be found at whcannons.blogspot.com.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
WEST HARTFORD CANNONS 2006 TEAM SCHEDULE
(all home games are highlighted in red and scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. at Cannon Yards)
4/30/2006
Open Date
5/7/2006
H
Newington (Game One: 3-2 L in eight innings; Game Two: 7-4 W)
5/13/2006
A
Bristol (Rain Out)
5/14/2006
Mother's Day Weekend...Open Date
5/21/2006
A
Manchester (Game One: 2-1 L; Game Two: 2-1 L in nine innings)
5/28/2006
Memorial Day Weekend...Open Date
6/4/2006
H
Glastonbury (Rain Out)
6/11/2006
A
Marlborough (Game One: 5-1 L; Game Two: 8-1 L)
6/18/2006
H
Windsor
6/25/2006
H
Bristol
7/2/2006
Independence Weekend...Open Date
7/9/2006
Open Date
7/16/2006
A
Newington...followed immediately by Patenaude's Porno Pool Party 2: Electric Boogaloo
7/23/2006
H
Manchester
7/30/2006
A
Glastonbury
8/4/2006!
Italian-Fest 2006
8/6/2006
H
Marlborough
8/13/2006
A
Windsor
8/19-20/2006
Playoffs
8/26-27/2006
Playoffs
(all home games are highlighted in red and scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. at Cannon Yards)
4/30/2006
Open Date
5/7/2006
H
Newington (Game One: 3-2 L in eight innings; Game Two: 7-4 W)
5/13/2006
A
Bristol (Rain Out)
5/14/2006
Mother's Day Weekend...Open Date
5/21/2006
A
Manchester (Game One: 2-1 L; Game Two: 2-1 L in nine innings)
5/28/2006
Memorial Day Weekend...Open Date
6/4/2006
H
Glastonbury (Rain Out)
6/11/2006
A
Marlborough (Game One: 5-1 L; Game Two: 8-1 L)
6/18/2006
H
Windsor
6/25/2006
H
Bristol
7/2/2006
Independence Weekend...Open Date
7/9/2006
Open Date
7/16/2006
A
Newington...followed immediately by Patenaude's Porno Pool Party 2: Electric Boogaloo
7/23/2006
H
Manchester
7/30/2006
A
Glastonbury
8/4/2006!
Italian-Fest 2006
8/6/2006
H
Marlborough
8/13/2006
A
Windsor
8/19-20/2006
Playoffs
8/26-27/2006
Playoffs
DIONICIO DROPS BY
Arrives Unannounced at World Headquarters, Announces 2006 Intentions
West Hartford, CT (AP)--All it took was the turn of a single calendar page. As frigid February passed to the Madness of March (and the soon-to-be official arrival of Spring, the yearly occurrence that means lengthening hours of daylight, red-breasted robins in the yard and West Hartford Cannons Baseball), the Dominican Dandy Leo Dionicio dropped by Cannons World Headquarters late Wednesday evening to officially announce his intentions to play with West Hartford for the 2006 season. Though hotly pursued by the Hartford Mets of the Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League's B Division, Dionicio decided like a DR Dorothy that there truly is "no place like home." When asked to comment as a small fan club cheered enthusiastically Dionicio stated, "There's no reason to leave the Cannons. This is my team and this is our time." Manager Matt Celio was stunned for the second time in the past few weeks. "The [Tom] Bogiatzis announcement really threw me for a loop. It was totally unexpected. It's nice to turn the tables on fate a bit and to be surprised with some great news for the franchise. Leo is vastly important to us both on and off the field. I'm glad we ordered that #5 hat!" Dionicio, the recipient of the Cannons Silver Slugger Award in 2005, had twenty hits (including a team-leading three taters) and was tops on the team in RBI (15) and slugging percentage (.667) in his first full season in Cannon Red. He also added another ten hits in the playoffs (good for a share of the club lead with Tom Luby). He was one of only two players to hit over .400 in both the regular- and post-season (Steve Markie was the other), becoming the first Cannon rookie to accomplish the feat. The cosmic tumblers are turning once again in West Hartford's favor. As Dionicio so prophetically pontificated in 2005, "All it takes is one Dominican to win a championship." The Cannons have reached their Caribbean quota: an A Division title can't be far behind.
Arrives Unannounced at World Headquarters, Announces 2006 Intentions
West Hartford, CT (AP)--All it took was the turn of a single calendar page. As frigid February passed to the Madness of March (and the soon-to-be official arrival of Spring, the yearly occurrence that means lengthening hours of daylight, red-breasted robins in the yard and West Hartford Cannons Baseball), the Dominican Dandy Leo Dionicio dropped by Cannons World Headquarters late Wednesday evening to officially announce his intentions to play with West Hartford for the 2006 season. Though hotly pursued by the Hartford Mets of the Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League's B Division, Dionicio decided like a DR Dorothy that there truly is "no place like home." When asked to comment as a small fan club cheered enthusiastically Dionicio stated, "There's no reason to leave the Cannons. This is my team and this is our time." Manager Matt Celio was stunned for the second time in the past few weeks. "The [Tom] Bogiatzis announcement really threw me for a loop. It was totally unexpected. It's nice to turn the tables on fate a bit and to be surprised with some great news for the franchise. Leo is vastly important to us both on and off the field. I'm glad we ordered that #5 hat!" Dionicio, the recipient of the Cannons Silver Slugger Award in 2005, had twenty hits (including a team-leading three taters) and was tops on the team in RBI (15) and slugging percentage (.667) in his first full season in Cannon Red. He also added another ten hits in the playoffs (good for a share of the club lead with Tom Luby). He was one of only two players to hit over .400 in both the regular- and post-season (Steve Markie was the other), becoming the first Cannon rookie to accomplish the feat. The cosmic tumblers are turning once again in West Hartford's favor. As Dionicio so prophetically pontificated in 2005, "All it takes is one Dominican to win a championship." The Cannons have reached their Caribbean quota: an A Division title can't be far behind.
BOGATZ BOWS OUT
"Mr. August" Unexpectedly Ends Cannons Career
West Hartford, CT (AP)--The state of Connecticut continues its thaw from winter storm Carson, yet a chill wind augured ill tidings in West Hartford today. As the start of the 2006 Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) approaches and the Cannons prepare for their first season in the league's A Division after being crowned the champions of the B Division in 2005, management issued a regrettable press release earlier this evening with the announcement of Tom Bogiatzis's retirement. Bogiatzis, the thirty-eight year-old utility player out of Middletown, finalized the move in a phone conversation late last week but it wasn't until 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday that the team officially confirmed the rumors that have been swirling around Cannon Yards for the past several weeks. "I was caught off guard," said Manager Matt Celio in his weekly conference call. "It goes without saying that the Cannons will not be the same without Tommy...you just can't replace a player of his caliber and character. Players come and go in this league but this one really hurts. Tom is a team-first kind of guy and he'll always be remembered as an integral part of the greatest playoff run in the history of the game. I truly enjoyed our time both on and off the field and will miss it immensely. I'm glad we had the past four seasons in the sun together. Tom Bogiatzis will always be a West Hartford Cannon." Bogiatzis put together solid numbers over his Cannon career, compiling a .310 lifetime regular-season batting average (he is sixth on the team's all-time at-bat list with 171 and seventh with 57 hits; he is one of just five Cannons with a home run in both the regular- and post-season). However as each season stretched on, Tommy the Greek only got better, earning him the Jackson-esqe--Reggie, not Jason--title of "Mr. August." He is West Hartford's career leader in playoff batting average (.465) and slugging percentage (1.265) and ranks in the team's top five in nearly every other offensive category (at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, runs scored, runs batted in, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage; he also has the only grand slam in West Hartford's storied post-season history). Bogiatzis issued a statement through his representatives, saying that "the Cannons have been the best thing to happen to me over the past couple of years. This decision has been very difficult for me but I don't feel I can commit the time to the team because of other responsibilities and decisions I need to make in my life." Bogiatzis was named Cannons Teammate of the Year in 2004 and Co-Most Valuable Cannon of the 2005 Playoffs. A team spokesperson announced that West Hartford will re-name the post-season MVC Award in honor of Bogiatzis.
Cannons News and Notes: The team finalized a three-year contract with Mark Lynch earlier today (terms were not disclosed); he will wear #11...Cannons management has grown less optimistic that it will be able to re-sign third baseman Leo Dionicio (the two parties have had no contact since early February and the slugger is being heavily pursued by the B Division Mets; West Hartford has been trying to lock up the Dominican long-term since the end of last season but Dionicio expressed interest in testing the free agent market after a stellar 2005)...all four Mikes are officially under contract for the upcoming campaign with the signing of Mike McGann and Mike Patenaude earlier this week...Troy Barber joined the CNMSBL full time after spliting games between the Connecticut and North Carolina Men's Senior Baseball League's last season...the Opening Day (April 30) double header against the Newington Caps has been moved to Cannon Yards (the June 18 games will subsequently be moved to Newington).
"Mr. August" Unexpectedly Ends Cannons Career
West Hartford, CT (AP)--The state of Connecticut continues its thaw from winter storm Carson, yet a chill wind augured ill tidings in West Hartford today. As the start of the 2006 Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) approaches and the Cannons prepare for their first season in the league's A Division after being crowned the champions of the B Division in 2005, management issued a regrettable press release earlier this evening with the announcement of Tom Bogiatzis's retirement. Bogiatzis, the thirty-eight year-old utility player out of Middletown, finalized the move in a phone conversation late last week but it wasn't until 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday that the team officially confirmed the rumors that have been swirling around Cannon Yards for the past several weeks. "I was caught off guard," said Manager Matt Celio in his weekly conference call. "It goes without saying that the Cannons will not be the same without Tommy...you just can't replace a player of his caliber and character. Players come and go in this league but this one really hurts. Tom is a team-first kind of guy and he'll always be remembered as an integral part of the greatest playoff run in the history of the game. I truly enjoyed our time both on and off the field and will miss it immensely. I'm glad we had the past four seasons in the sun together. Tom Bogiatzis will always be a West Hartford Cannon." Bogiatzis put together solid numbers over his Cannon career, compiling a .310 lifetime regular-season batting average (he is sixth on the team's all-time at-bat list with 171 and seventh with 57 hits; he is one of just five Cannons with a home run in both the regular- and post-season). However as each season stretched on, Tommy the Greek only got better, earning him the Jackson-esqe--Reggie, not Jason--title of "Mr. August." He is West Hartford's career leader in playoff batting average (.465) and slugging percentage (1.265) and ranks in the team's top five in nearly every other offensive category (at-bats, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, runs scored, runs batted in, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage; he also has the only grand slam in West Hartford's storied post-season history). Bogiatzis issued a statement through his representatives, saying that "the Cannons have been the best thing to happen to me over the past couple of years. This decision has been very difficult for me but I don't feel I can commit the time to the team because of other responsibilities and decisions I need to make in my life." Bogiatzis was named Cannons Teammate of the Year in 2004 and Co-Most Valuable Cannon of the 2005 Playoffs. A team spokesperson announced that West Hartford will re-name the post-season MVC Award in honor of Bogiatzis.
Cannons News and Notes: The team finalized a three-year contract with Mark Lynch earlier today (terms were not disclosed); he will wear #11...Cannons management has grown less optimistic that it will be able to re-sign third baseman Leo Dionicio (the two parties have had no contact since early February and the slugger is being heavily pursued by the B Division Mets; West Hartford has been trying to lock up the Dominican long-term since the end of last season but Dionicio expressed interest in testing the free agent market after a stellar 2005)...all four Mikes are officially under contract for the upcoming campaign with the signing of Mike McGann and Mike Patenaude earlier this week...Troy Barber joined the CNMSBL full time after spliting games between the Connecticut and North Carolina Men's Senior Baseball League's last season...the Opening Day (April 30) double header against the Newington Caps has been moved to Cannon Yards (the June 18 games will subsequently be moved to Newington).
CANNONS FIRE FIRST, FAST IN "A" FREE AGENT MARKET
Welcome Maule, Pinney to West Hartford; Take First Step Toward Title Defense
West Hartford, CT (AP)--"Feat to Repeat 2006" is in full swing. In a press release issued from Cannons World Headquarters at 6:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 3, the team announced the highly anticipated signings of Jason Maule and Brian Pinney for the 2006 campaign. Both players have been coveted by teams throughout the A Division of the Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) and each is said to be "very excited about joining a championship-caliber club like the Cannons." In this evening's "Hot Stove" segment on the Weber's Weekly radio program Assistant Manager Mike Weber said the acquisitions of the two prized players "puts [the Cannons] in the position to repeat as champions this year. Five-year plans are a thing of the past--referring to West Hartford's well-documented and widely emulated regimen of internal player development, timely trades and fruitful forays into the free agent market that resulted in a championship just five short years after the team's inception--and I know this ball club and its fan base expect nothing short of a title in 2006. The future is now."
Maule, a twenty-eight year old rubbery-legged racehorse out of Central Connecticut State University, was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1999 and spent time in the New York Yankees organization before signing with the Cannons. "The kid can play anywhere: infield, outfield, you name it," said an obviously excited Manager Matt Celio after a signed contract arrived at team headquarters via certified mail and team doctors gave Maule a clean bill of health. "Jason will do a great job of setting the table for us at the top and can drive in some of those big boys down at the bottom of the order. Our offense has been solid in the past but we've only begun to scratch the surface here. This guy is the real deal." Maule had a career year in the Battle Creek, Michigan Midwest League during the 2001 season posting a .347 batting average, with 101 hits, 143 runs scored and 56 stolen bases. More of the same is expected for West Hartford in the following months. When contacted for comment, Maule said, "I think the Cannons are the perfect fit for me. I'm very excited about the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise. It will be nice to put the pinstripes back on again." Maule will wear #1 in West Hartford.
Pinney, a prolific twenty-eight year old pitcher who also prospers at the plate, is a product of the Pro-Lab Indians pipeline that has delivered such stars as Chris Barsa and Leo Dionicio to West Hartford. In recent years the fire-baller Pinney has posted an ERA well below 2.00 while at the same time leading the Tribe in a number of offensive categories. His arm, added to the already impressive rotation of Mike Patenaude, Mike Calabrese and Eddie Poland, gives the Cannons four top-flight starters in a rotation that the experts at Baseball America have called "the best staff top to bottom in the CNMSBL. Period." Weber was quoted earlier this evening as saying, "getting either Pinney or Maule would have been a major coup for the Cannons. These guys were near or at the top of most CNMSBL team's positional depth charts this off-season. Getting them both is beyond big. It gives us our second straight A-rated rookie class and, more importantly, it means that West Hartford has become the choice for the league's high profile free agents. The quality of our club is unparalleled both on and off the field and the players we've been able to add over the past fourteen months are undeniable proof that the feeling among talent around the league is that the Cannons are the team to play for in Connecticut." Pinney, who will don #16 for the C's, in a written statement expressed his "extreme pleasure" in joining a team "with all the pieces in place to bring another championship banner to West Hartford."
Cannons News and Notes: West Hartford remains optimistic that it can negotiate deals with John "Juice" Giudice, a former farm hand in the Colorado Rockies system and Calabrese crony Mark Lynch...Kevin McGann, the 2005 Cannons Co-Defensive Player of the Year (an award he shared with his brother, Mike), signed a one-year deal with the team (terms were not disclosed though Cannons management has offered a long term deal that would keep McGann in West Hartford until his Hall of Fame career comes to a close)...Barsa inked a contract with the team on January 23...catcher Steve Markie agreed to a contract extension...in a recent interview in Male Fitness, Dionicio called the Cannons experience "the best thing that ever happened to [him] as a baseball player" and expressed his interest in signing a long-term deal with West Hartford despite recent pressure from the newly established Hartford Mets of the CNMSBL B Division...Dionicio, Celio, Poland and Calabrese all celebrated birthdays in January...Tom Bogiatzis and Weber both turn a year older this month...John Mancini closed on a house on Price Boulevard in West Hartford, the future site of many Cannon events...the team also officially announced the creation of the Mancini Mojo Award, presented to the player who brings certain immeasurable intangibles to the table each season...Jonathan Baldwin, Ricky Hartunian and Jason Jackson will not return to the team in 2006, though the club's Lifetime Achievement Award will still be named for the legendary JJax...season ticket packages go on sale Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. with purchases available on the Internet at whcannons.com or by phone at 800 CANNONS (226-6667).
Welcome Maule, Pinney to West Hartford; Take First Step Toward Title Defense
West Hartford, CT (AP)--"Feat to Repeat 2006" is in full swing. In a press release issued from Cannons World Headquarters at 6:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 3, the team announced the highly anticipated signings of Jason Maule and Brian Pinney for the 2006 campaign. Both players have been coveted by teams throughout the A Division of the Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) and each is said to be "very excited about joining a championship-caliber club like the Cannons." In this evening's "Hot Stove" segment on the Weber's Weekly radio program Assistant Manager Mike Weber said the acquisitions of the two prized players "puts [the Cannons] in the position to repeat as champions this year. Five-year plans are a thing of the past--referring to West Hartford's well-documented and widely emulated regimen of internal player development, timely trades and fruitful forays into the free agent market that resulted in a championship just five short years after the team's inception--and I know this ball club and its fan base expect nothing short of a title in 2006. The future is now."
Maule, a twenty-eight year old rubbery-legged racehorse out of Central Connecticut State University, was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1999 and spent time in the New York Yankees organization before signing with the Cannons. "The kid can play anywhere: infield, outfield, you name it," said an obviously excited Manager Matt Celio after a signed contract arrived at team headquarters via certified mail and team doctors gave Maule a clean bill of health. "Jason will do a great job of setting the table for us at the top and can drive in some of those big boys down at the bottom of the order. Our offense has been solid in the past but we've only begun to scratch the surface here. This guy is the real deal." Maule had a career year in the Battle Creek, Michigan Midwest League during the 2001 season posting a .347 batting average, with 101 hits, 143 runs scored and 56 stolen bases. More of the same is expected for West Hartford in the following months. When contacted for comment, Maule said, "I think the Cannons are the perfect fit for me. I'm very excited about the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise. It will be nice to put the pinstripes back on again." Maule will wear #1 in West Hartford.
Pinney, a prolific twenty-eight year old pitcher who also prospers at the plate, is a product of the Pro-Lab Indians pipeline that has delivered such stars as Chris Barsa and Leo Dionicio to West Hartford. In recent years the fire-baller Pinney has posted an ERA well below 2.00 while at the same time leading the Tribe in a number of offensive categories. His arm, added to the already impressive rotation of Mike Patenaude, Mike Calabrese and Eddie Poland, gives the Cannons four top-flight starters in a rotation that the experts at Baseball America have called "the best staff top to bottom in the CNMSBL. Period." Weber was quoted earlier this evening as saying, "getting either Pinney or Maule would have been a major coup for the Cannons. These guys were near or at the top of most CNMSBL team's positional depth charts this off-season. Getting them both is beyond big. It gives us our second straight A-rated rookie class and, more importantly, it means that West Hartford has become the choice for the league's high profile free agents. The quality of our club is unparalleled both on and off the field and the players we've been able to add over the past fourteen months are undeniable proof that the feeling among talent around the league is that the Cannons are the team to play for in Connecticut." Pinney, who will don #16 for the C's, in a written statement expressed his "extreme pleasure" in joining a team "with all the pieces in place to bring another championship banner to West Hartford."
Cannons News and Notes: West Hartford remains optimistic that it can negotiate deals with John "Juice" Giudice, a former farm hand in the Colorado Rockies system and Calabrese crony Mark Lynch...Kevin McGann, the 2005 Cannons Co-Defensive Player of the Year (an award he shared with his brother, Mike), signed a one-year deal with the team (terms were not disclosed though Cannons management has offered a long term deal that would keep McGann in West Hartford until his Hall of Fame career comes to a close)...Barsa inked a contract with the team on January 23...catcher Steve Markie agreed to a contract extension...in a recent interview in Male Fitness, Dionicio called the Cannons experience "the best thing that ever happened to [him] as a baseball player" and expressed his interest in signing a long-term deal with West Hartford despite recent pressure from the newly established Hartford Mets of the CNMSBL B Division...Dionicio, Celio, Poland and Calabrese all celebrated birthdays in January...Tom Bogiatzis and Weber both turn a year older this month...John Mancini closed on a house on Price Boulevard in West Hartford, the future site of many Cannon events...the team also officially announced the creation of the Mancini Mojo Award, presented to the player who brings certain immeasurable intangibles to the table each season...Jonathan Baldwin, Ricky Hartunian and Jason Jackson will not return to the team in 2006, though the club's Lifetime Achievement Award will still be named for the legendary JJax...season ticket packages go on sale Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. with purchases available on the Internet at whcannons.com or by phone at 800 CANNONS (226-6667).
CANNONS COME BACK AGAINST CARDS, CAPTURE CNMSBL B DIVISION CROWN
The 2005 Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) B Division Championship pitted the league's two best ball clubs against one another as the second-seeded West Hartford Cannons took on the top-seeded New Haven Cardinals. The teams met in the final weekend's winner’s bracket game. After beating the Cannons 13-6 on Saturday, August 20 the Cardinals advance to the title game needing only one more victory to be crowned champs while the Cannons needed to do the nearly impossible: win three straight over a twenty-four hour period, including two games against the Cardinals, in order to take the team's first postseason title since joining the league in 2001.
In order to advance to the finals, West Hartford had to face the sixth-seeded Stafford Phillies in a Saturday afternoon elimination game. Pitcher Ed Poland (7 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 9 K, 4 BB) set the Phils down in order in the top of the first and the Cannons offense responded with five runs in the bottom half of the frame on their way to a comfortable 11-3 victory and a date with destiny in a rematch with the Cardinals.
West Hartford would rely on the weary wings of pitchers Mike Patenaude and Poland against the well-rested New Haven rotation on Championship Sunday, August 21. Patenaude (7 IP, 7 R, 5 ER, 10 H, 9 K, 4 BB), the forty-nine year old left-hander, took the mound on one day rest and confounded the Cardinals for a complete game win as the Cannons offense posted ten unanswered runs against the Cards, highlighted by back-to-back blasts in the fourth from shortstop Tom Luby--one of four homers he hit in the 2005 postseason--and centerfielder Poland. The game ended with a 10-7 West Hartford victory and after four months of baseball the season rested on a one game winner-take-all fight to determine league supremacy.
Poland, like his predecessor Patenaude, needed to throw the game of his life after topping the century mark in pitches just one day earlier. In the bottom of the first the thirty-one year old right-hander got two easy outs but before the inning was over the Cannons found themselves staring down a seven-run deficit. West Hartford chipped away at New Haven's lead with three runs in the second on an RBI single from Poland and a two-run basehit by Tom "Mr. August" Bogiatzis. The Cannons tied the score in the fourth on RBI singles from Andy Borst, Matt Celio and Luby and a run-scoring fielder's choice by Mike Weber, but the Cardinals responded with two runs of their own in the home half of the fourth on a pair of walks and three singles to make the score 9-7. Poland (6 IP, 9 R, 7 ER, 10 H, 5 K, 4 BB) dug down deep for a little something extra and limited the Cards to just two baserunners over the final three frames. In the top of the sixth, as storm clouds swirled ominously, Bogiatzis doubled home Poland and Mike McGann to knot the score at nine. Poland struck out two of the three batters he faced in the bottom of the sixth and as the teams headed to their respective dugouts the heavens opened up with a downpour of Biblical proportions that made the field unplayable and forced a continuation scheduled for the following weekend.
Play resumed seven days later on August 28 at New Haven's home field with the start of the seventh inning. The Cannons were silenced in the visitor's half bringing Patenaude to the mound for the fourth time in six playoff games. The Cardinals got a lead-off double, but catcher Steve Markie smothered a sacrifice bunt attempt and threw a perfect strike to third baseman Leo Dionicio (who had ten hits in 2005 postseason, tied for tops on the team), cutting down the lead runner and effectively ending the New Haven rally and Patenaude struck out the next two batters he faced. Then Markie singled to start the eighth, moved to second on a Chris Barsa sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a wild pitch. For the final time in 2005 Bogiatzis came through in the clutch, singling sharply to left for the go-ahead run. The first two Cardinal batters went in order in the home half of the eighth after a sliding stab and throw by second baseman Mike Calabrese and a pop-up to first baseman Barsa. Patenaude (2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 K, 0 BB) allowed a two-out infield single, but was able to induce a foul out to first to end the game. The heavens opened up yet again and the rain came coursing down. West Hartford had defeated New Haven 10-9 in an epic battle to secure their first CNMSBL title.
Six playoff games. Five wins. Four come-from-behind victories. Three elimination games. Two top teams battling for the title. One champion. Mission: Impossible? Mission: Accomplished. The West Hartford Cannons are the 2005 CNMSBL B Division Champions. CANNONS FOREVER!
Cannons Playoff News and Notes: Of Luby's ten postseason hits, eight of them went for extra bases (four doubles, four home runs); Markie led the team with a .600 batting average in postseason play; seven Cannons hit .400 or better during the playoffs (Bogiatzis, Celio, Dionicio, Luby, Markie, Kevin McGann, Poland) while ten Cannons hit over .300 (Borst, John Mancini, Weber); M. McGann led the Cannons with seven walks in the playoffs; Patenaude pitched 22 of the team's 43 playoff innings this season; Calabrese led the Cannons with a 1.75 ERA in the playoffs; Poland--eight for seventeen in 2005--moved into first-place on the Cannons career playoff list for hits (23); Borst is the Cannons all-time leader in postseason runs scored with seventeen; the team's six playoff homers (Luby: 4; Bogiatzis: 1; Poland: 1) matched 2005's regular season total; the Cannons batted .361 in this season's six playoff games, raising the team's lifetime playoff average ten points from .333 to .343; opponents hit .296 against the Cannons in the postseason; West Hartford averaged 8.2 runs per game in the playoffs while their opponents averaged 6.5 runs per contest; the Cannons finished the season at a CNMSBL-best 19-6 followed by the 16-6 New Haven Cardinals.
The 2005 Connecticut North Men's Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) B Division Championship pitted the league's two best ball clubs against one another as the second-seeded West Hartford Cannons took on the top-seeded New Haven Cardinals. The teams met in the final weekend's winner’s bracket game. After beating the Cannons 13-6 on Saturday, August 20 the Cardinals advance to the title game needing only one more victory to be crowned champs while the Cannons needed to do the nearly impossible: win three straight over a twenty-four hour period, including two games against the Cardinals, in order to take the team's first postseason title since joining the league in 2001.
In order to advance to the finals, West Hartford had to face the sixth-seeded Stafford Phillies in a Saturday afternoon elimination game. Pitcher Ed Poland (7 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 9 K, 4 BB) set the Phils down in order in the top of the first and the Cannons offense responded with five runs in the bottom half of the frame on their way to a comfortable 11-3 victory and a date with destiny in a rematch with the Cardinals.
West Hartford would rely on the weary wings of pitchers Mike Patenaude and Poland against the well-rested New Haven rotation on Championship Sunday, August 21. Patenaude (7 IP, 7 R, 5 ER, 10 H, 9 K, 4 BB), the forty-nine year old left-hander, took the mound on one day rest and confounded the Cardinals for a complete game win as the Cannons offense posted ten unanswered runs against the Cards, highlighted by back-to-back blasts in the fourth from shortstop Tom Luby--one of four homers he hit in the 2005 postseason--and centerfielder Poland. The game ended with a 10-7 West Hartford victory and after four months of baseball the season rested on a one game winner-take-all fight to determine league supremacy.
Poland, like his predecessor Patenaude, needed to throw the game of his life after topping the century mark in pitches just one day earlier. In the bottom of the first the thirty-one year old right-hander got two easy outs but before the inning was over the Cannons found themselves staring down a seven-run deficit. West Hartford chipped away at New Haven's lead with three runs in the second on an RBI single from Poland and a two-run basehit by Tom "Mr. August" Bogiatzis. The Cannons tied the score in the fourth on RBI singles from Andy Borst, Matt Celio and Luby and a run-scoring fielder's choice by Mike Weber, but the Cardinals responded with two runs of their own in the home half of the fourth on a pair of walks and three singles to make the score 9-7. Poland (6 IP, 9 R, 7 ER, 10 H, 5 K, 4 BB) dug down deep for a little something extra and limited the Cards to just two baserunners over the final three frames. In the top of the sixth, as storm clouds swirled ominously, Bogiatzis doubled home Poland and Mike McGann to knot the score at nine. Poland struck out two of the three batters he faced in the bottom of the sixth and as the teams headed to their respective dugouts the heavens opened up with a downpour of Biblical proportions that made the field unplayable and forced a continuation scheduled for the following weekend.
Play resumed seven days later on August 28 at New Haven's home field with the start of the seventh inning. The Cannons were silenced in the visitor's half bringing Patenaude to the mound for the fourth time in six playoff games. The Cardinals got a lead-off double, but catcher Steve Markie smothered a sacrifice bunt attempt and threw a perfect strike to third baseman Leo Dionicio (who had ten hits in 2005 postseason, tied for tops on the team), cutting down the lead runner and effectively ending the New Haven rally and Patenaude struck out the next two batters he faced. Then Markie singled to start the eighth, moved to second on a Chris Barsa sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a wild pitch. For the final time in 2005 Bogiatzis came through in the clutch, singling sharply to left for the go-ahead run. The first two Cardinal batters went in order in the home half of the eighth after a sliding stab and throw by second baseman Mike Calabrese and a pop-up to first baseman Barsa. Patenaude (2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 K, 0 BB) allowed a two-out infield single, but was able to induce a foul out to first to end the game. The heavens opened up yet again and the rain came coursing down. West Hartford had defeated New Haven 10-9 in an epic battle to secure their first CNMSBL title.
Six playoff games. Five wins. Four come-from-behind victories. Three elimination games. Two top teams battling for the title. One champion. Mission: Impossible? Mission: Accomplished. The West Hartford Cannons are the 2005 CNMSBL B Division Champions. CANNONS FOREVER!
Cannons Playoff News and Notes: Of Luby's ten postseason hits, eight of them went for extra bases (four doubles, four home runs); Markie led the team with a .600 batting average in postseason play; seven Cannons hit .400 or better during the playoffs (Bogiatzis, Celio, Dionicio, Luby, Markie, Kevin McGann, Poland) while ten Cannons hit over .300 (Borst, John Mancini, Weber); M. McGann led the Cannons with seven walks in the playoffs; Patenaude pitched 22 of the team's 43 playoff innings this season; Calabrese led the Cannons with a 1.75 ERA in the playoffs; Poland--eight for seventeen in 2005--moved into first-place on the Cannons career playoff list for hits (23); Borst is the Cannons all-time leader in postseason runs scored with seventeen; the team's six playoff homers (Luby: 4; Bogiatzis: 1; Poland: 1) matched 2005's regular season total; the Cannons batted .361 in this season's six playoff games, raising the team's lifetime playoff average ten points from .333 to .343; opponents hit .296 against the Cannons in the postseason; West Hartford averaged 8.2 runs per game in the playoffs while their opponents averaged 6.5 runs per contest; the Cannons finished the season at a CNMSBL-best 19-6 followed by the 16-6 New Haven Cardinals.
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