The 30th season of the Connecticut Twilight League is now past the halfway point and the league is now entering the home stretch. The final Stretch of the season will be highlighted by our league’s CTL Summer Classic taking place on Saturday July 14th at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford. All 10 CTL teams play in one of 5 games on the amazing home of the Yard Goats, starting at 8am and game 5 tipping off at 6pm. The regular season ends Friday August 3rd,, with the playoffs starting August 6th. It has been a very eventful year so far for the league, and looks to be one of the best on record.

The 30th season has also included a good amount of change on the field and behind the scenes. The first change from previous years was the merger of the East Hartford Angels and Elmer’s Silver Bullets… into the new Elmer’s Angels. Ken Cook manages a very large roster of players from both teams, with support from the coaches from both teams. The second change is the CTL has added the new expansion team, the Singing Surgeons for their first year in the league, to fill in the vacant 10th league spot. The team is named in honor or the manager Greg Gallivan’s father who was at different points a talented operatic singer and also a lifelong surgeon. Greg’s team is based out of South Windsor, but due to field availability, has played many games elsewhere (Portland mostly), in his inaugural season. So far the team has struggled in the first year, but are hoping they can turn things around. Behind the scenes there have also been many changes. After a decade at the head of the league, CTL President Chris Barsa finally “retired” from active duty as head of the league and manager of the Indians. Strangely enough, Chris has been sighted at just about every single Indians game (in uniform and on the bench). As for the Board, Scott Dickens (the longtime Bristol Knights player-coach retired after last season) shifted to work behind the scenes as the new CTL President. In addition the league has added 2 new members to the CTL Board. Brian Timmes (manager of the Loco Perro Expos) comes aboard with many years of behind the scenes baseball experience and has made an immediate impact in many areas. Additionally, Ridges coach Todd daCunha has joins the board to take over for departing Brian LaRochelle and handles all the umpiring communication and contacts. Don Fodaski is still aboard as the treasurer and Ken Cook still is in charge of Rules and Stats. In addition, Zach Cloft and Chris McGrath have come aboard to help with the stat collection and organization. Lastly, the Connecticut Twilight League also had some changes with our playoffs. This year, we are playing the majority of our playoff schedule in Manchester at Mount Nebo, with our Best of 3 Championship series being played at Muzzy Field in Bristol. It will be a fitting and fantastic setting to close out the year in Mid August.

The year started off in April with the league’s yearly spring training exhibition game vs the New Britain Bees. Even though the CTL lost (as expected) to the paid professionals, it was as always a very well liked and well attended event. The  pitching was once again the strong point throughout most of the game, with solid performances turned in by Chris McGrath, Zach Cloft, and Ken Cook. The CTL is honored to be an official spring training and roster partner with the Bee’s and enjoy helping them in anyway we can. They are off to a great start this year as well and currently battling for first in the Atlantic League.

Now that the league is almost 2 months into playing for 2018, there is a good picture of where all the teams and divisions stand. The Eastern division has been very dynamic, with the 4 of the 5 teams in that division consistently swapping for the the top spot in the standings. The defending champ Chicago Sam’s Orioles, The Glastonbury Pirates, the PLAT Life (East Hampton) Royals, and the Loco Perro Expos have all spent time at the top of the standings. The Willimantic Ridges have played well also, even though not sharing that top spot at some point this year. Overall, the central division hasn’t been nearly as competitive as the East, but the Knights and Indians have been playing consistently well all year. At time Elmer’s has been formidable, but the Dodgers and expansion Surgeons have mostly struggled in 2018.

EASTERN DIVISION

Chicago Sam’s Orioles
The Orioles are surging midway through the year to jump back into first place in the Eastern Division. The team is very different from the team that won their first title in 2017 after the Orioles lost multiple key players, but have replaced them with very good new faces. Bobby Leeper has had potentially the best power hitting season in league history, hitting 6 home runs already this season. Additionally the Orioles offense has been powered by Zack LaRosa. On the pitching side, second year pitcher Liam Gallagher has had a great season, while orioles rookie pitcher Zack Sultar has been dominant at times. Additionally, two midseason pickups (Haydon Lockhart and Danny Roth) will help keep the orioles in contention heading into the home stretch.

Glastonbury Pirates
The Glastonbury Pirates have had an up-and-down start to the 2018 season with a 7-8 record. Offensively the Pirates are led by Dan Baccaro (.385 BA & 3 doubles), Evan Chamberlin (.357 BA), & Bill Eller (.308 BA & 5 RBI). Josue Lopez has also been a major contributor, filling in to catch 7 games so far this year while maintaining his offensive performance (.275 BA & team leading 11 H). New-comer Xavier Quinones has brought outstanding defensive play at Shortstop and has provided a spark on the base paths (8 SB). Zach Cloft, Brandon Lagueux, & Mike Baccaro have carried the load on the mound, combining for a 2.87 ERA and accounting for 84 of the teams 106 IP. With a 2-5 record in 1-run games, the Pirates hope to have some better luck in the 2nd half of the season and finish 2018 strong.

Loco Perro Expos
The Loco Perro Expos were 7-5-1 at the half way point of the season. The Expos started off slow this season with a 2-4 record and then suffered a big loss, losing Matt Sevigny to a significant injury. However, the team rallied to go 5-1-1 in a stretch since Matt’s injury and have put themselves in a good position in the standings at the half way point. New players, Mike Morgan, batting .387 and tied for the league in stolen bases, Drew Huff, batting .400, along with Brandon LaChance batting .304 have helped during their rookie campaigns. Returning players such as John Silvestri (2-1 with a 1.58 ERA), Jon Comer, batting .333 and CJ Ryan, batting .314 continue to show veteran leadership. The Expos are hoping to get back Matt from injury on July 14th, just in time for the CTL Summer Classic and make a run for a top seed in the East division in the second half of the season. 

PLAT Life (East Hampton) Royals
The PLAT Life Royals are off to a strong start to the 2018 season with a 9-5 record. This is more impressive when considering the  Royals’ 2017 CTL Cy Young award pitcher, Troy DeLeon is out for the season with an injury. A few players have started strong offensively, including Kenny Noyola, Jakari Pellegrini, and Jeff Durso. All three players have a Homerun each. Adam Michaud and Jakari Pellegrini are carrying the load from a pitching standpoint, combining for 8 of the team’s 9 wins on the season. The second half of the season will find the Royals challenged by a tough schedule on the road, but they are confident they will finish the season above .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Willimantic Ridges Report
Through the mid-way point of the season the Ridges find themselves fighting to stay out of the elimination bracket.  Pitching has been a bright spot for the Ridges so far, with Pete Moulin as one of the league leaders in strikeouts with 40, and veteran Dan Livingston throwing a no-hitter versus the expansion Surgeons.  Of the five wins the Ridges have, four of them have come via shutout. On the offensive side, Dan Samociuk, Corey Vogt and Jack Risley are all batting over .300.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Bristol Knights
The Bristol Knights are putting up another great regular season in 2018, even with many changes to the team itself. The Knights lead the Central Division thanks to the teams stellar pitching, usually solid defense, and much improved offense. The team has been running extremely well behind the leadership of Rick Barrett, Chris McGrath, Earl Oakes, Steve Clout, and Kyle Lentini… who each have stepped up in their own ways with the limited availability of manager Brian LaRochelle (who is moving to Boston this summer). On the mound, the team returns southpaw Chris McGrath as the anchor of the Knights pitching staff. In the offseason the Knights lost their other two talented lefties, Nick DiTaranto and Mike Castellani (who is now playing professionally in the Frontier League). Additionally, the Knights lost veteran pitcher and 1B Earl Oakes in mid June to an injury that may sideline him the rest of the year. The team has found pitching in other places. Rick Barrett has returned to the mound with great results so far in 2018. Nick Dzioba has been a huge contributor, while currently currently leading the league in ERA. Additionally, the Knights picked up former Avon Old Farms and minor league pitcher Neil Kozikowski who has been very dominant in multiple starts as he stretches out for a playoff run. On offense, many long time Knights are having strong seasons at the plate. Rick Barrett, Kyle Lentini, Julio Ortiz-Rivera, Steve Clout, Marco Ross, Earl Oakes (before his injury), Tommy Stagis, and Rex Cone are all having solid seasons at the plate. The breakout offense star on the team has been Georgie Santiago, the Knights first year outfielder who is currently leading the league in batting and has been a weapon on the basepaths. Additionally the Knights recently picked up Bristol Central and Framingham State outfielder/firstbaseman Kyle Pileski, who will bring some additional offense with the loss of Earl. The Knights are hoping to once again turn regular season success into a long playoff run and 5th league championship in August.

Brickhouse Indians
Coming off 2017 and the worst season in the history of the Indians team, major changes had to be made.  With lots of players retiring, the Brickhouse Indians needed new talent.  Due to a trade with CS Orioles, the Indians were able to rebuild with some great local New Britain players as well as new guys from around the state.  All are new to CTL and the rebuilt Indians team is excited to prove themselves.  Already more than doubling team wins from all last year, the Indians are starting to gel and play well together. Picking each other up, staying positive and hustling all the time, has the team playing great baseball.  With the added pitching of John Amendola, Mike Lord and Griffin Bremer, the Brickhouse Indians, led by new manager Keith Echevarria hope to make a deep playoff run in August.

Elmer’s Angels
The Elmer’s Angels are at their halfway point in the season at 6-5-2.  After the merger of the two veteran teams in early 2018, the group was theoretically loaded with talent. The team is pleased with their record, given the game to game full roster inconsistency, and a combined 9 rainouts/cancellations.  Nick Magoulas has led the team offensivively with 10 hits 4 2Bs 2 HR 9 RBI.  Perennial all stars Scott Kelleher (9 hits), Russell LaFleur (8hits), and Ken Cook (7 hits) are just behind Nick for the team lead. The pitching staff of 11 different arms to have thrown so far has been carried by Ken Cook (8 appearances in 11 GP).  Other arms with quality outings so far include AJ Lowers, Taylor Kosakowski, Nico DeNovellis, LaFleur and Kelleher. The second half of the season will be busy every week with 3 games per week for the final month of the season leading up to the playoffs.

Wethersfield Dodgers
The Wethersfield Dodgers are building on their first season and playoff win last year with improved team-stats across the board in 2018. The Dodgers starting rotation has a 2.60 ERA through mid-season and have racked up 7 CG across 15 outings. Owner/Manager Christian Spuches leads the offense with a .462 AVG, .571 OBP, and 1.021 OPS and the offense as a whole has caught fire hitting .316 over their last 7 games. The team has lost many close games in its second year and continues to improve and get better as the season progresses.

Singing Surgeons
The Singing Surgeons are excited to be an expansion team in the CTL and are appreciative of the warm welcome they have received from all of the teams in the League. The Surgeons look forward to long term success in the League for many years to come. The team has worked hard and started to gel during the first half of the season and looks to show that improvement in the standings during the second half of the season. An expansion team is sure to face trials and tribulations along the way while it gets familiar with the league. That was definitely true when team captain Michael Bond was lost for the year during the second game of the season with hit by pitch broken hand. In his absence, other players have started to develop and show they will be a force to be reckoned with. Jacob Winakor has emerged as an all-around talent and leadoff man in the lineup. While playing spectacular defense in Centerfield, Jacob is hitting over .300 and provided one of the highlights of the season with a successful steal of home. Zach Hunt has proven himself to be the ace of the pitching staff and recorded the first win in Singing Surgeon’s history. Manny Sandoval and Yuri Gloumakov have steadily improved as the season has progressed. They have both proven themselves to be middle of the lineup guys and team leaders as well. Greg Gallivan has provided solid contributions both offensively and defensively. As a coach, Greg, and assistant coach Justin Brunetti, are happy to see that 20 guys who did not know each other when the season began have become a team with passion. The future of the Singing Surgeons looks bright as the team improves during each week. While more and more talent is constantly being added to the team, the Singing Surgeon’s should hit many high notes soon.