2022 Preview
The Tri-State Baseball League will feature 13 teams in the 2022 season but say good-bye to one of its long-time members, the Torrington Rebels. The historic franchise won eight World Series titles in the 90s’ and early 2000s’ lead by Hall of Famers Chris Clark, Scott Arigoni, Darrin Gould, Dave Boucino, Rich Thomson, Rich Scott and Bill Quarteiro. Torrington will still be represented by the Torrington Twisters (Team MVP David Stranger) who enter their second season in the Tri-State Baseball League. Tri-State will open its arms and welcome two new teams to the circuit as the Brass City Vipers (coached by Daniel Perez) and the Naugatuck Nightmare (coached by Angel Valentin) play their inaugural season in 2022.
Sunday May 22 is slated for opening day as the Tri-Town Trojans return to defend their title, following an emotional season that was dedicated to former Trojan player Joe Bunnell. Tri-Town has now been to eight World Series since 2010, winning three league championships. Team MVP Colby Bunnell (brother of Joe) returns with one of the best pitching staffs in the league led by Miles Scribner, Dan Livingston, and Bobby Chatfield.
Hot on the Trojans trail will be the Amenia Monarchs, who have been a part of the league since its birth in 1934 when it was known as the Inter-State League before the inception of the Tri-State Baseball League in 1968. Amenia finished third in the standings last year under the guidance of long time standout and head coach Tommy Downey Jr and were led offensively by Will Perrotti with a very young and talented team. Also looking to take aim at the title will be the Wolcott Scrappers led by silver slugger award winner Matt Warren, Blasius Chevrolet (Team MVP Eric Rovenetti) led by head coach Paul Novakowski, Bethlehem Plowboys with offensive sparkplug Jon Wilson and the Winsted Whalers led by brothers Luke and Mitchell Gryniuk, whom all finished in the top half of the league standings in 2021. The Terryville Black Sox will play their 2022 season in the Connecticut Twilight League.
Looking for their first-ever World Series appearance in the Tri-State League, the Southington Gamecocks (Team MVP Matt Hochberg), Burlington Hunters (Team MVP Steve Caruso), Canton Crushers (Team MVP Jimmy Spirito), and Thunder Ducks (Team MVP Tyler Pelletier) round out the competitive league with hopes of playing baseball into the playoff month of August. The Tri-State World Series dates are set for August 14-16. Tri-State Commissioner Ed Gadomski will serve as the tourney director, along side field coordinators Ray Brown and Tony Santoro as the Stan Musial East Coast World Series returns to Waterbury, CT from August 11 – August 14. A home run derby is being planned for opening night on Thursday August 11. All games in the tournament will be played at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury and Fuessenich Park in Torrington.