STELLAR SEASON

Kyle Cummings (HHS' 08) turned in a stellar season at Avery Point. Cummings batted over .400, and had 44 RBIs in 38 games. On defense he alternated between second base and shortstop.

CTSN.

I have complained about this station (channel HD 168), because it shows the same games over and over again. I must admit though that I never tire of watching the high school Class LL state hockey championship. I must have seen this game 10 times already.

DIAMOND CLUB.

The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club's annual Whitey Piurek "No I in Team" awards dinner for unselfish play was held at Monticello's Restaurant on June 7 Hamden's winner this year was Kingsley Birdsall (HHS' 09).

WHAT THE HEY.

What is going on with Quinnipiac athletics? Just a few short years ago they made a pledge to have a first class Division I program. Now they are eliminating sports.

They have built two new facilities and can't seem to find a place for volleyball? Court testimony also reveals they were playing games with a number of females playing at each team dictated by the administration. They have definitely sullied their program. If you had a daughter who was an athlete would you send her to Quinnipiac?

CELEBRATION.

On a beautiful spring evening, Hamden High celebrated its 2009 baseball season on senior night. Honored for their play were seniors Ben Klein, who will attend Bentley College, Sam DeCapua, who will attend Western Connecticut and Steve Teague, who will attend SCSU. Also, Max Ginter will go to Southern Vermont; Russ DeMatties, Newberry College, Dan Cusano ,University of Massachusetts; and KingsleyBirdsall, who will go to the University of New Hampshire. Dave Findley will attend Bridgeton Academy, a prep school in Maine.

Also honored was the 1989 Post 150 American Legion team that won the state title. This team is known as the "Iron 11.", even though they actually had 12 players, but one of them didn’t make the trip to the regional tournament. The team was coached by Bill Meinson, who now lives in Florida and Gus Melillo. The players on this team included Scott Burrell, who later signed a pro contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, who pitched and played the outfield. Also on the team were John Sullivan, left field, who is now a Hamden police officer; Ken Klee, a first baseman and pitcher who starred at the University of New Haven; Ted Blanchard, who was the catcher with the current. Hamden High baseball coach Tony DeAngelo who pitched and played the outfield.

Also, Eric Lichfield pitched and played the outfield; Joe Funaro, who played several years in the minor leagues was a second baseman; Tyson Case was the catcher and Chris Piscitelli.played third. University of New Haven star Mike Fiedler was the shortstop and left-hander Bill Farrell played first base and pitched; also Dave Kingsley was another pitcher.

Also honored that evening was Frank DeLucia, who coached Hamden Fathers Babe Ruth League and American Legion Post 88 for many years. The first base dugout was named in Frank's honor.