This league has had a long and interesting history, and recently we decided to enter into another era. Finally we have a name that is true to who we are, the Connecticut Twilight League. Yes its broad in scope, and we know there are a bunch of other leagues in this state (and no disrepect intended)… this name just fit us the best. We had been called Manchester Twilight League (or UBA Manchester Twilight League) since 2001. This name has slowly faded away from having any defined direct meaning for us. For many years we had a few teams based in the greater Manchester area. We had our league meetings in Main Pub in Manchester, and played our playoffs at both Mt. Nebo and Northwest Park in Manchester. Today, while we do have some players from the town on various teams, we don’t have a team directly calling Manchester home (but would welcome one). We’ve also played a lot of our playoffs in recent years in South Windsor, along with Manchester. Although Manchester is a fantastic town, we’ve felt that the name limited us a bit, and didn’t describe who we are. We are an array of teams, based out of Bristol, Willimantic, Newington/New Britain, Berlin/Cromwell, Glastonbury, East Hartford, West Hartford, Portland, East Hampton/Marlborough, and Moodus. Our league covers a large area of central Connecticut. We thought about other names… including Central Connecticut Twilight League and Nutmeg Twilight League, but after voting as a league with every team participating, Connecticut Twilight League won by a solid margin. So here we are, 10 teams strong as of now. Always looking to expand (to 12 or more)  if serious teams/groups of guys want in. IF any groups out there want to join us, NOW is the time to get in contact us. Same goes for individual players, if you want to play ball but don’t have a team, contact your local team or one of the leagues board (click to go to our contact page) and we can try and place you on a team. In a time where so many people seem to be leaving baseball for other sports, and so many teams have folded, we’ve found a way to grow and hope to continue doing so (knock on wood).

 

The full history of our league…

Founded In 1989, Dr Jim Hermanson formed a 4 team baseball league for employees of United Technologies Corporation called the United Technologies Corporation Baseball Association (UTCBA). The league had teams from Hamilton Standard, the United Technologies Research Center and 2 from Pratt & Whitney.  All games were played at Henry Park in Vernon, CT. In 1991, the league no longer required players to be UTC employees, changed its name to the United Baseball Association (UBA), took on sponsorship outside of UTC and expanded to 8 teams across 2 divisions. This format called for a 4 team competitive A Division and a recreational B division.  Games were played in Vernon, East Windsor, East Hartford and Manchester.

Over the next decade, the league expanded both in number teams and geography. In 2001, the UBA “A” division was renamed the UBA Manchester Twilight League. In 2003 the expansion Bristol Knights joined, followed in 2004 by the Wethersfield Royals (from the ashes of the old Bristol Brewers). The expansion Glastonbury Amateur Baseball and expansion Coventry joined in 2007. The Tri-County Twins and the Willimantic Ridges (the last team left from the Willimantic Twilight League) joined in 2008.  In 2009, following an administration split from the UBA “B” division, the UBA prefix was dropped from the league’s name and known only as the Manchester Twilight League as it is today. In 2010, Elmer’s and East Windsor joined up in, and the Loco Perro Expos and East Hartford Angels jumped aboard in 2011. .In 2013, the old UBA “B” division decided to fold and condense the 4 remaining teams down into 1 strong team, the Portland Panthers, and enter the MTL… along with the expansion Manchester Mayhem (but they only lasted one season). The Mayhem were soon thereafter replaced by the Moodus Nationals.  For many years in the early 2000’s this league hovered between 6-7 teams, but today we are 10 strong… and always looking to grow.

Recent History (since 2003)…

2014 – Bristol Knights defeated East Hartford Angels
(other teams: Glastonbury Pirates, Tunxis Grill Indians , Elmer’s, Willimantic Ridges, Loco Perro Expos, Portland Panthers, Chicago Sam’s Orioles, Moodus Nationals)

2013 – Glastonbury Pirates defeated Portland Panthers
(other teams: Bristol Knights, Rivals Indians , Elmer’s, East Hartford Angels, Willimantic Ridges, Tri-County Twins, Loco Perro Expos, Manchester Mayhem)

2012 – Elmer’s defeated Plaza Azteca Indians
(other teams: Bristol Knights, Glastonbury Pirates , East Hartford Angels, Willimantic Ridges, Tri-County Twins, Loco Perro Expos)

2011 – Bristol Knights defeated Elmer’s
(other teams: Newington Indians, Glastonbury Pirates , East Windsor, East Hartford Angels, Willimantic Ridges, Tri-County Twins, Loco Perro Expos)

2010 – Willimantic Ridges defeated Tri-County Twins
(other teams: Bristol Knights, Elmer’s, Newington Indians, Glastonbury Arrows , East Windsor, East Hartford Angels)

2009 – Willimantic Ridges defeated Glastonbury Amateur Baseball
(other teams: Bristol Knights, Wethersfield Royals, Newington Indians, Coventry Billy’s Baseball Cards, Tri-County Twins)

2008 – Wethersfield Royals defeated Willimantic Ridges
(other teams: Bristol Knights, Main Pub A’s, Glastonbury Amateur Baseball, Newington Indians, Coventry Billy’s Baseball Cards, Tri-County Twins)

2007 – Bristol Knights defeated Wethersfield Royals
(other teams: Main Pub A’s, Glastonbury Amateur Baseball, Newington Indians, Coventry Billy’s Baseball Cards)

2006 – Newington Indians defeated Bristol Knights
(other teams: Main Pub A’s, Evan’s Insurance, Wethersfield Royals, Manchester Rangers)

2005 – Evan’s Insurance defeated Wethersfield Royals
(other teams: New Britain Indians, Main Pub A’s, Bristol Knights, Manchester Rangers)

2004 – Manchester Rangers champions
(other teams: ProLab Indians, Manchester Slam, Main Pub A’s, Wethersfield Royals, Bristol Knights, Evan’s Insurance)

2003 – Manchester Rangers champions
(other teams: Bristol Brewers, Bristol Knights, Main Pub A’s, Evan’s Insurance, Grand Slam, Irish Insurance Indians)