SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Cannons Congregate At Pazzo Café To Kick Off ’09 Season In Style With Fork Ball
Glastonbury, CT (AP)—“A bottle of red. A bottle of white. Whatever kind of mood you’re in tonight. I’ll meet you anytime you want at our Italian Restaurant.” Saturday evening saw several Connecticut Cannons gather for fine dining, drinks, and delightful discussion at Pazzo Café in Glastonbury for the 2009 edition of Fork Ball. Bill Balcerzak, Andy Borst, Matt Celio, Tom Clark, Mike McGann, Adam Pallone, Josh Svoboda, and Mike Weber were joined by John “The Cadaver” Mancini and the lovely Lady Cannons as the team celebrated the start of what most expect will be a special season for the citizens of Cannon Nation at this, the first foray into what should be a jam-packed off-field event calendar (not only did Celio announce the return of Italian-Fest, the in-season fraternal twin of Weber’s end-of-season Jocktoberfest, after a one-year hiatus, but Balcerzak, a self-styled “grill master,” told teammates he will add a summer cookout for the team…additional plans have not been announced though Web’s newly-built Berlin home will certainly be the site of several post-game spectaculars). “Without question, this is the biggest pre-campaign celebration we’ve had and ‘partying Cannon style’ is a integral part of each player’s contract,” Celio slurred to the scores of reporters stationed outside of World Headquarters following after dinner drinks at West Hartford’s Plan B with Borst and McGann. “Creating even greater camaraderie among our players is something management will focus more attention on in 2009: we believe this will translate to more wins on the field and I know it will give us some more Cannons Jeopardy! questions. We’ve built a team of great ballplayers but, more importantly, of even better people, solidifying the Connecticut Cannons status as the class organization in the CNMSBL. All that’s missing is an A Division championship… and we’ll have one of those in approximately six months…and several more over the next few years.” In eight weeks the Connecticut Cannons will celebrate an Opening Day sweep of the Winsted Rifles, the first steps in what will undoubtedly be a season-long march to greatness with the team’s first-ever title at the top level and the Andrew Clarke/Michael Clinton Trophy. On Saturday evening, the players received their marching orders in a grand slam get-together, closing down Pazzo’s in Fork Ball ’09. Ready, SET, GO CANNONS!
Winter Meeting News and Notes: Several onlookers thought Borst, scruffy in a 60’s-style “blouse” and glasses, resembled the late, great John Lennon; Balcerzak was “outted” by wife Jill who informed the team that nattily-clad Bill is indeed…a raging metrosexual; Borst asked “Mayor” McGann where Manville is located (“Mayor of Manville” is the nickname given to M-Mac last summer when he proved popular with countless males but less so with those of the fairer persuasion…the arrival of Melissa Lotstein on the scene may mean McGann will not seek re-election to this imaginary post)…the super utility player responded to the query by stating succinctly, “It’s two blocks to the east”…coincidentally these coordinates place one squarely at the offices of A Division President Mike Clinton; after some decidedly blue comedy about his weight loss and resulting improved love life (though this improvement decidedly took a hit last night after this colorfully explicit commentary), Celio—with unwilling help from teammates—drunk dialed many of the 2009 roster invitees, including a rambling all-Spanish message left for Leo “El Dominican Dreamboat” Dionicio”…the messed-up Manager made it his mission to finish every bottle of wine at his end of the table (many more than the choice “bottle of red, bottle of white” made famous in Billy Joel’s 1977 seven-plus minute spectacular that lent it’s name to this article’s title); Svoboda impressed his new team by attending the event even though he had another obligation; Clark was disappointed with his chocolate/raspberry dessert (recommended by Celio), wantonly desiring Pallone’s Chocolate Volcano; Weber and Borst had a heated discussion of the merits and demerits of organic and pesticide-free foods…Web also gave the post-meal inspiration speech; Chris Barsa was scheduled to attend but sent a text message on Saturday saying his date fell ill (the text message move has not been applied so deftly since Mike Calabrese retired from the team following the ’08 season…Cal was a referee for McGann’s Hall Warriors basketball game on Friday, an eventual loss to a strong Southington squad; Pallone’s wife and Cannons Fan of the Year frontrunner, Lauren, verbally committed to play softball with Audra Celio in Newington on Sundays this spring and summer; Balcerzak and Clark made their feelings felt about Mark Lynch, who earlier this week announced his retirement from the Connecticut Cannons: Clark quipped, “Lynch is a p***y, plain and simple. We don't need to beg him to play. He's not good enough, nor is he dependable which is my biggest issue. I pitched to four different catchers during my first four starts with the Cannons in 2008 [Connecticut has Kevin Quinn, Steve Markie and Andy Borst as backstops for the upcoming campaign].” Balcerzak fondly recalled, “As far as Lynch goes, I won't ever forget one of the Sunday afternoons I saw him last summer. We had just finished playing two games in 95° heat. He was in the parking lot of CVS sporting sandals and eating ice cream with his girlfriend. Oh, and there was no sign of his phantom foot injury or even a mild limp.”; Jason Maule has promised to pursue pitcher John Mayette…other Cannons, including Balcerzak and Pallone, gave glowing testimonials in favor of the prospect and Pallone offered his services in order to help the team sign the starter; Glastonbury is the site of the CNMSBL’s annual Step Up to the Plate Charity Baseball Marathon, to be held from Friday, May 22 to Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Riverfront Field.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
MY CRUDDY VALENTINE
Snow Squalls, Slick Roads Spoil Latest CNMSBL Winter Meeting
Avon, CT (AP)—A bit of a letdown describes things best. Like a late-arriving Hallmark card or half-price chocolate heart, Wednesday, February 18 marked the third of five Connecticut North Men’s Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) winter meetings at the Italian Club in affluent Avon, Connecticut. A mix of snow and rain fell for the better portion of the afternoon making driving conditions treacherous, especially for teams traveling from the far reaches of the state, conspiring to create the most poorly attended meeting in recent memory. Paperwork and bill payments were once again the main topics of discussion, though only a handful of the leagues’ twenty-four mangers braved the elements to make an appearance and place baseball orders (A Division President and Glastonbury G-Men Manager Mike Clinton was on vacation so Cannons management met briefly with representatives from Eastern Connecticut, Marlborough, and Windsor before departing).
“Even though the wintry weather dampened our stadium, we won’t let it dampen our spirits,” stated Manager Matt Celio from Cannons World Headquarters on Thursday morning. “Opening Day (a home date against fierce rivals the Winsted Rifles on Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m.) is quickly approaching. Fifty-nine days and counting and the excitement level surrounding this team and this season is palpable. As always, the Connecticut Cannons have worked tirelessly to make off-season improvements to a team that was one out away from our first finals berth. We positioned ourselves perfectly in free agency (P Juan Checo and IF Josh Svoboda have committed for the upcoming campaign and only need to finalize their deals…the team is also involved in talks with pitcher—and personal friend of Jason Maule—John Mayette while contract negotiations continue with P Bill Gills), we’re getting healthy (Celio suffered no permanent brain damage—though many would argue to the contrary and perhaps could make a case for prior impairment—from a recent concussion and the corpulent coach has dropped more than forty pounds since the start of ’09, allowing him to test his tweaked hamstring at a recent combine at Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, P Tom Clark’s fatigued right arm is well-rested, Checo’s knee is nearing one hundred percent, and IF Tom Luby expects to take batting practice in the near future after back surgery), and we’ve regrettably released a few players (Mark Lynch and John Mancini will not return to the team in 2009). These additions and subtractions are going to pay immediate and long-term dividends by giving us more flexibility, both offensively and defensively. We’ve not only improved on paper—many pre-season publications have picked the Cannons to win the A Division this year—but in the clubhouse as well. Other teams stood pat this off-season while the Cannons have again addressed areas of concern. We’re deeper, younger, quicker, more athletic, and there is a renewed commitment to excellence. We’ve spent a lot of money on contracts but we’ve believed since our earliest days in 2001 if the team isn’t getting better then we’re getting worse. The Connecticut Cannons are a stronger team today than at any time since we’ve played in the A Division. This is an investment in our future, both short- and long-term. It’s definitely an exciting time to be a part of Cannon Nation. Bring on the Rifles and everyone after!”
Cupid called: Valentine’s Day ’09 has come and gone. Patches of grass are apparent everywhere one looks and we are just over a month away from the beginning of spring. In a little more than eight weeks the Connecticut Cannons will once again take the diamond in pursuit of the ultimate prize: the Andrew Clarke/Michael Clinton Trophy. There is only one word the Nation wants to see on its collective Necco Conversational Heart in 2009: Champions. In the immortal words of Bill Balcerzak, “EXPECT TO WIN!”
Winter Meeting News and Notes: 2009’s Fork Ball is scheduled for this Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Glastonbury’s Pazzo Café…Cannons expected to be in attendance—with their significant others—include: Bill Balcerzak, Chris Barsa, Andy Borst, Celio, Tom Clark, Mike McGann, Adam Pallone, Svoboda, and Mike Weber (Luby may meet members of the team for after dinner drinks); Balcerzak had Clark, Leo Dionicio, and McGann to his Hartford home for the Syracuse/UCONN game last week; Gills and wife Julie are expecting their second child in July; Lynch had until midnight on Sunday to agree in principle to a one-year incentive-laden contract extension but instead decided to test the waters of the waiver wire: “I've decided that I will not be playing with the Cannons this summer. In brief, my decision was based upon the level of monetary commitment versus the amount of playing time this would potentially equate to. There are too many other opportunities to play baseball for me to ignore. I had fun while I was around and I hope the Cannons enjoy success during the 2009 season.”…Celio informed Lynch in January that the catcher position has become a strength for the Cannons, with the emergence of Kevin Quinn along with the steady contributions of Steve Markie and Borst, and that the oft-injured backstop would have to compete for the job…Lynchie rejected this challenge to man up and instead asked to be removed from future e-mails…Quinn almost immediately claimed #11 as his own, simply stating, “Hells yeah, baby!” (with Lynch and Mancini moving on, the team has rid itself of two known non-drinkers, a move Weber has supported for years: “Prohibition has been repealed!”); Jack Vanasse has joined Audra Celio as Cannons representatives on the CNMSBL’s Step Up to the Plate Charity Baseball Marathon committee (his two cousins, both suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, will throw out the ceremonial first pitches on Friday, May 22 at the third incarnation of the event); a possible cage session at Drew McDowell’s sports complex has been put forth for Sunday with Celio, Vanasse, and Weber expressing early interest; President Clarke brought a sample on the team’s new navy tops to Wednesday’s meeting, leaving Celio fairly impressed: “These uniforms are a flash back to our original jerseys and provide a major marketing opportunity for the Cannons. Some finishing touches need to be made but I think the team and our fans are going to love them (Chief Umpire Mike Lombardo approved the new design saying, “The Cannons are going to look sharp and that is the first step in playing sharp,” attributing his paraphrase to Ricardo Montalbán rather than Fernando Lamas…this is Montalbán’s second mention in News and Notes this season…Luby stated he felt good post-surgery “despite the recent passing of Vincent Ludwig,” Mr. Roarke’s Naked Gun character); Celio’s portrayal of Coach Jack Bolton, father of basketball star Troy, in the Sedgwick production of Disney’s High School Musical begins in just more than a month…the show opens in late March and ends after a run of seven shows in early April; Borst has approached several teammates in an attempt to establish a new Board of Directors for Urban Oaks, the New Britain organic farm where the “Father of Cannons Baseball” works (Celio, McGann, Weber, and Kevin McGann all received offers); the fourth league meeting will be held in one month, on March 18.
Snow Squalls, Slick Roads Spoil Latest CNMSBL Winter Meeting
Avon, CT (AP)—A bit of a letdown describes things best. Like a late-arriving Hallmark card or half-price chocolate heart, Wednesday, February 18 marked the third of five Connecticut North Men’s Senior Baseball League (CNMSBL) winter meetings at the Italian Club in affluent Avon, Connecticut. A mix of snow and rain fell for the better portion of the afternoon making driving conditions treacherous, especially for teams traveling from the far reaches of the state, conspiring to create the most poorly attended meeting in recent memory. Paperwork and bill payments were once again the main topics of discussion, though only a handful of the leagues’ twenty-four mangers braved the elements to make an appearance and place baseball orders (A Division President and Glastonbury G-Men Manager Mike Clinton was on vacation so Cannons management met briefly with representatives from Eastern Connecticut, Marlborough, and Windsor before departing).
“Even though the wintry weather dampened our stadium, we won’t let it dampen our spirits,” stated Manager Matt Celio from Cannons World Headquarters on Thursday morning. “Opening Day (a home date against fierce rivals the Winsted Rifles on Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m.) is quickly approaching. Fifty-nine days and counting and the excitement level surrounding this team and this season is palpable. As always, the Connecticut Cannons have worked tirelessly to make off-season improvements to a team that was one out away from our first finals berth. We positioned ourselves perfectly in free agency (P Juan Checo and IF Josh Svoboda have committed for the upcoming campaign and only need to finalize their deals…the team is also involved in talks with pitcher—and personal friend of Jason Maule—John Mayette while contract negotiations continue with P Bill Gills), we’re getting healthy (Celio suffered no permanent brain damage—though many would argue to the contrary and perhaps could make a case for prior impairment—from a recent concussion and the corpulent coach has dropped more than forty pounds since the start of ’09, allowing him to test his tweaked hamstring at a recent combine at Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, P Tom Clark’s fatigued right arm is well-rested, Checo’s knee is nearing one hundred percent, and IF Tom Luby expects to take batting practice in the near future after back surgery), and we’ve regrettably released a few players (Mark Lynch and John Mancini will not return to the team in 2009). These additions and subtractions are going to pay immediate and long-term dividends by giving us more flexibility, both offensively and defensively. We’ve not only improved on paper—many pre-season publications have picked the Cannons to win the A Division this year—but in the clubhouse as well. Other teams stood pat this off-season while the Cannons have again addressed areas of concern. We’re deeper, younger, quicker, more athletic, and there is a renewed commitment to excellence. We’ve spent a lot of money on contracts but we’ve believed since our earliest days in 2001 if the team isn’t getting better then we’re getting worse. The Connecticut Cannons are a stronger team today than at any time since we’ve played in the A Division. This is an investment in our future, both short- and long-term. It’s definitely an exciting time to be a part of Cannon Nation. Bring on the Rifles and everyone after!”
Cupid called: Valentine’s Day ’09 has come and gone. Patches of grass are apparent everywhere one looks and we are just over a month away from the beginning of spring. In a little more than eight weeks the Connecticut Cannons will once again take the diamond in pursuit of the ultimate prize: the Andrew Clarke/Michael Clinton Trophy. There is only one word the Nation wants to see on its collective Necco Conversational Heart in 2009: Champions. In the immortal words of Bill Balcerzak, “EXPECT TO WIN!”
Winter Meeting News and Notes: 2009’s Fork Ball is scheduled for this Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Glastonbury’s Pazzo Café…Cannons expected to be in attendance—with their significant others—include: Bill Balcerzak, Chris Barsa, Andy Borst, Celio, Tom Clark, Mike McGann, Adam Pallone, Svoboda, and Mike Weber (Luby may meet members of the team for after dinner drinks); Balcerzak had Clark, Leo Dionicio, and McGann to his Hartford home for the Syracuse/UCONN game last week; Gills and wife Julie are expecting their second child in July; Lynch had until midnight on Sunday to agree in principle to a one-year incentive-laden contract extension but instead decided to test the waters of the waiver wire: “I've decided that I will not be playing with the Cannons this summer. In brief, my decision was based upon the level of monetary commitment versus the amount of playing time this would potentially equate to. There are too many other opportunities to play baseball for me to ignore. I had fun while I was around and I hope the Cannons enjoy success during the 2009 season.”…Celio informed Lynch in January that the catcher position has become a strength for the Cannons, with the emergence of Kevin Quinn along with the steady contributions of Steve Markie and Borst, and that the oft-injured backstop would have to compete for the job…Lynchie rejected this challenge to man up and instead asked to be removed from future e-mails…Quinn almost immediately claimed #11 as his own, simply stating, “Hells yeah, baby!” (with Lynch and Mancini moving on, the team has rid itself of two known non-drinkers, a move Weber has supported for years: “Prohibition has been repealed!”); Jack Vanasse has joined Audra Celio as Cannons representatives on the CNMSBL’s Step Up to the Plate Charity Baseball Marathon committee (his two cousins, both suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, will throw out the ceremonial first pitches on Friday, May 22 at the third incarnation of the event); a possible cage session at Drew McDowell’s sports complex has been put forth for Sunday with Celio, Vanasse, and Weber expressing early interest; President Clarke brought a sample on the team’s new navy tops to Wednesday’s meeting, leaving Celio fairly impressed: “These uniforms are a flash back to our original jerseys and provide a major marketing opportunity for the Cannons. Some finishing touches need to be made but I think the team and our fans are going to love them (Chief Umpire Mike Lombardo approved the new design saying, “The Cannons are going to look sharp and that is the first step in playing sharp,” attributing his paraphrase to Ricardo Montalbán rather than Fernando Lamas…this is Montalbán’s second mention in News and Notes this season…Luby stated he felt good post-surgery “despite the recent passing of Vincent Ludwig,” Mr. Roarke’s Naked Gun character); Celio’s portrayal of Coach Jack Bolton, father of basketball star Troy, in the Sedgwick production of Disney’s High School Musical begins in just more than a month…the show opens in late March and ends after a run of seven shows in early April; Borst has approached several teammates in an attempt to establish a new Board of Directors for Urban Oaks, the New Britain organic farm where the “Father of Cannons Baseball” works (Celio, McGann, Weber, and Kevin McGann all received offers); the fourth league meeting will be held in one month, on March 18.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
SUPERIORITY “COMPLEX”
If You Build It, Cannons Will Come: Batting Cage Operational On Premises Of McDowell Manor
Brookfield, CT (AP)—On Saturday, third-year Connecticut star Drew McDowell, a three-time team award winner and reigning playoff co-Most Valuable Cannon (with pitchers Tom Clark and Mike Patenaude), welcomed seven Cannons teammates to his palatial home in the swanky settlement of Brookfield for set up and swings in the much-discussed, long-anticipated batting cage built right on his posh property. D-Mac was joined by a pair of Killer Bs (job foreman Chris “T-Rex” Barsa and Andy “Father of Cannons Baseball” Borst), the Killer Cs (Manager Matt Celio, Juan Checo and Clark) and a WMD one didn’t need to take a trip to Baghdad, Iraq to observe in action (Assistant Manager Mike Weber, McDowell and Leo Dionicio). Celio spoke with members of the media after the team arrived back at Cannons World Headquarters in West Hartford on Saturday afternoon: “Winter meetings are one thing, but for me, this is the true start of the 2009 campaign, one that is shaping up to be our best ever. Only eleven weeks until the Opener (a re-match against the Winsted Rifles, who unceremoniously sent the Cannons packing from last year’s playoffs, awaits; this is the second straight season the CNMSBL has made this a first-weekend slugfest and the league’s ‘Games of the Week’). I know today’s hard work will pay off early and often in ’09. I’d love to see the team get some swings in on Saturdays and Sundays before the season starts to make sure we come out firing in April (the next visit has not yet been announced). I’m a firm believer in the tenet ‘good things happen to good people.’ Today the Cannons showed how much we care about our team and our teammates and this dedication and desire will undoubtedly go a long way toward a title in 2009. We’ve definitely got something special here.” After some individual touch up work after the team departed, McDowell added via e-mail, “Again, I really want to thank everyone…the seven guys were ‘real men’ today and I couldn’t have accomplished this without them. At this point, all the ropes are up and the seventy-two footers on top pull the net away from the five arcs. It looks real good and is ready for ‘prime time’ use. I look forward to everyone using it as much as possible before the season to get us ready. It’s time to ‘Play Ball!” As bitter cold January came to a close, the sights, sounds and even the smells of Connecticut Cannons Baseball were indeed back in full swing (Dionicio dropped wolf bait before getting in the Cannonmobile for the return trip…Checo immediately jumped in the front seat, refusing to sit “in the line of fire”). The sports complex is open and available for use, a move that should clearly allow the Cannons to experience a sense of superiority from April through end of August. The fuse is lit and the Cannons are on fire!
If You Build It, Cannons Will Come: Batting Cage Operational On Premises Of McDowell Manor
Brookfield, CT (AP)—On Saturday, third-year Connecticut star Drew McDowell, a three-time team award winner and reigning playoff co-Most Valuable Cannon (with pitchers Tom Clark and Mike Patenaude), welcomed seven Cannons teammates to his palatial home in the swanky settlement of Brookfield for set up and swings in the much-discussed, long-anticipated batting cage built right on his posh property. D-Mac was joined by a pair of Killer Bs (job foreman Chris “T-Rex” Barsa and Andy “Father of Cannons Baseball” Borst), the Killer Cs (Manager Matt Celio, Juan Checo and Clark) and a WMD one didn’t need to take a trip to Baghdad, Iraq to observe in action (Assistant Manager Mike Weber, McDowell and Leo Dionicio). Celio spoke with members of the media after the team arrived back at Cannons World Headquarters in West Hartford on Saturday afternoon: “Winter meetings are one thing, but for me, this is the true start of the 2009 campaign, one that is shaping up to be our best ever. Only eleven weeks until the Opener (a re-match against the Winsted Rifles, who unceremoniously sent the Cannons packing from last year’s playoffs, awaits; this is the second straight season the CNMSBL has made this a first-weekend slugfest and the league’s ‘Games of the Week’). I know today’s hard work will pay off early and often in ’09. I’d love to see the team get some swings in on Saturdays and Sundays before the season starts to make sure we come out firing in April (the next visit has not yet been announced). I’m a firm believer in the tenet ‘good things happen to good people.’ Today the Cannons showed how much we care about our team and our teammates and this dedication and desire will undoubtedly go a long way toward a title in 2009. We’ve definitely got something special here.” After some individual touch up work after the team departed, McDowell added via e-mail, “Again, I really want to thank everyone…the seven guys were ‘real men’ today and I couldn’t have accomplished this without them. At this point, all the ropes are up and the seventy-two footers on top pull the net away from the five arcs. It looks real good and is ready for ‘prime time’ use. I look forward to everyone using it as much as possible before the season to get us ready. It’s time to ‘Play Ball!” As bitter cold January came to a close, the sights, sounds and even the smells of Connecticut Cannons Baseball were indeed back in full swing (Dionicio dropped wolf bait before getting in the Cannonmobile for the return trip…Checo immediately jumped in the front seat, refusing to sit “in the line of fire”). The sports complex is open and available for use, a move that should clearly allow the Cannons to experience a sense of superiority from April through end of August. The fuse is lit and the Cannons are on fire!
Batting Cage Brute Squad: Members of the Connecticut Cannons celebrate a job well done after a Saturday spent setting up the regulation batting cage at Drew McDowell’s Brookfield, CT home.
From L-R—Juan Checo, Chris Barsa, Tom Clark, Mike Weber, McDowell, Matt Celio and Leo Dionicio; not pictured—Andy Borst (AP Photo by Barbara McDowell).
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