2022 in Review - Thoughts and Games of the Year

So how to recap 2022. 

In was a pretty average year personally, but like every year, there are plenty of ups and downs. 

Work, which involves sports, coaching, and watching sports. Yeah, that's basically my life. 

I keep saying I am going to or at least want to blog more, but do you really care that I went to work, then likely went to a game or practice for a team? I'll answer that. No, you don't. So I need to find more interesting items to blog about. There's also certain work related items that I am just not going to write about. 

In professional local sports, Aaron Judge's homerun chase had to be the biggest story of 2022. It was both a Yankees and American League record that captivated the entire baseball world. 

For professional sports, there were not a lot of other highlights for 2022. At least there aren't a lot of highlights that come to my mind. We want drama in sports and that often brings us memories. Drama and history. 

On the downside for the year, there are many people I know who lost loved ones this year. There are many people dealing with many different life issues as well, who we think about. 

We are still dealing with COVID, although to a much less degree, thankfully. 

Hope everyone has a great New Years and a tremendous 2023. 

People talk about how things will change and hope they hope for things, but it really is just another day. It's a different year, but nothing will change unless you can make an effort. Just because the year changes, it doesn't automatically mean things will change. Actions are needed if you want things to change. Those actions don't have to happen just because the year is changing, they can happen any time. Yes, I realize how cliché this all sounds, but it is true. 

As is often the case, friendships were created and strengthened. 

On to 2023, but first, we look back at 2022....

We've done this on this blog before. I list/rank my top local sports moments of the year. This list below is only games I was in attendance for, in one form of another. 

I limited the list to 10 games, although I am sure there are games and moments I am missing. For example, I have nothing from the summer which consisted of Legion, Babe Ruth and Little League baseball. 

These are in no particular order. 

Vivona/Ludlowe baseball top Warde - May 9 

Ludlowe baseball comes from behind to defeat Warde 3-1 with Matt Vivona picking up a two-out bases clearing double in the sixth inning as the Falcons knocked off the Mustangs. You can hear Rob Adams's call of the game here. 

Cooper Dailey 38 to set Ludlowe school points record vs Maloney - February 26

In the final regular season game, Ludlowe's Cooper Dailey scored 38 points, including 20 in the first half, to set a new school record for points in a game. The previous high was 35 set by Kevin Bentivegna in 2011. 

Ryan Presiano buzzer-beater to help Prep beat NFA in state quarterfinals - March 14

Fairfield Prep's Ryan Presiano hit a buzzer beater to lift the Jesuits to a win over Norwich Free Academy. The play, and the call by Rob Adams on Local Live, as well as video's by Justin Devellis of News12 and Dan Gardella of GameTimeCT made it on ESPN's SportsCenter Top Plays. 

Warde baseball wins FCIAC Championship - May 26

Warde baseball repeated as the FCIAC Champion, as they defeated Westhill 4-1. 

Warde baseball wins state championship - June 11

After winning the FCIAC Championship, the Warde baseball team kept up their winning ways through the state playoffs and held on to defeat Southington 7-5 to capture the state title. 

Masuk vs Barlow in the SWC Semis - May 23

Getting a chance to see Matt Scott pitch in person, who was terrific, was awesome. A wild pitch was the difference as Musuk defeated Scott and Barlow to advance to the SWC Championship. Tremendous baseball game to watch and it was fun to go outside of the FCIAC. 

Warde vs Westhill baseball regular season game at Cubeta - April 29

It was one of the most hyped regular season games in recent memory. Kyle Kipp for Westhill vs Zach Broderick for Warde. The game more than lived up to the hype as it went nine innings with Warde coming away with a 2-1 win on a Griffin Polley bunt single that pushed across the tie-breaking run in the top of the ninth. 

*Wow, I have a lot of Warde baseball in here. As a Ludlowe baseball coach, not sure how I feel about this. 

Ludlowe softball wins FCIAC Championship - May 25 

Much like Warde baseball, the Ludlowe softball team won the FCIAC championship for the second year in a row. The Falcons defeated Danbury 2-0 in the championship. 

Greenwich football wins state championship - December 10

The Greenwich football team defeated Fairfield Prep 37-17 behind a strong effort on both sides of the ball from Charlie Dixon. Hear how Rob Adams and Chris Erway called it as heard on WGCH Radio. 

Ludlowe girls soccer defeats Warde in PK's in the FCIAC quarterfinals - October 28

After Warde defeated Ludlowe 4-0 in the regular season matchup, the Falcons got their revenge in the postseason. The game was tied at two through regulation and overtime, and then Ludlowe edged Warde 4-3 in penalty kicks to advance to the FCIAC semifinals. 

2022 Fairfield Holiday Tournaments

The week between Christmas and New Years often features many holiday tournaments across sports on the local scene. 

The 2022 Fairfield Prep Holiday Classic basketball tournament was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Fairfield. 

The tournament features the four high schools from Fairfield. Ludlowe, Warde, Notre Dame and Prep. 

After many years of the tournament being at Alumni Hall at Fairfield University and last year being at Warde, this was the first tournament in the new Leo D. Mahoney Arena at Fairfield Univ. 

The arena is really nice. I love the setup of the stands and how close the fans are to the action on the court. There was something special about Alumni Hall and the history there, but the new place will be great. I love that they have the history section, which highlights Alumni. 

As for the tournament, the first night saw Notre Dame defeat Ludlowe and Prep defeat Warde. 

Notre Dame downed Ludlowe 81-43 and Prep edged Warde 44-35. 

That set up a consolation game between the two public schools and a championship game between the private schools. 

Neither game of night two was close in score. Warde took down Ludlowe by 20, 55-35 and Notre Dame won the championship, defeating Prep 78-50. 

If you missed the games and want to re-watch, you can via Hudl and Prep TV with Rob Adams on the call. 

The All-Tournament team was named, with Ryan Torello getting named to the team from Ludlowe and Jack Plesser from Warde. For Prep their representative was Jamere Brown. Finally, for Notre Dame, it was Carmelo Ayala and Nate Charlot with Charlot being named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. 

I was on scorebook duties for all four games of the tournament, as the official scorer. I often do Ludlowe's book when the game is not at Ludlowe. Then, Tom Curran, AD at Prep, asked me if I wanted to do the Prep book for both of their games. It worked out that they didn't end of playing Ludlowe, so their was no conflict there. 

Their was also a JV boys tournament at Ludlowe, featuring the same four teams. That tournament is named after Walter Fitzgerald, who was a long-time Fairfield High School and Warde coach, who passed away in 2010 from cancer. 

Warde won the JV title, for the second year in a row. They defeated Notre Dame in the final.

In the girls tournament, Ludlowe defeated Warde for the championship. The girls tournament, which rotates between being hosted at Ludlowe and Warde, was hosted at Ludlowe this year. 

In addition to the two Fairfield public schools, the girls tournament currently features St. Paul Catholic out of Bristol and Staples. 

The tournament is named for Todd Burger, who was the former sports editor of the Fairfield Citizen, who passed away in 2006 from cancer.

To get to the final, Ludlowe defeated St. Paul, and Warde defeated Staples. 

In the consolation game, St. Paul took down Staples. 

The holiday tournaments are some of the best times of the season as it brings the town together and they are always a great atmosphere. 

Great work by everyone involved in putting on the tournaments. 

Sandy Hook - 10 Years Later

December 14, 2022. 

Ten years since the horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

Twenty-six lives lost. Twenty elementary age children. Six adults.  

Awful. 

Horrific. 

We all have stories of where we were and how the day went. 

For me, it was senior year of high school. In a high school 27 miles away. 

That day, I was on a field trip for a business class. We are at the Bridgeport Courthouse. 

We were taken on a tour of the courthouse where we were allowed. I remember we were sitting in the back of a courtroom where a case was going on.

One of the attorney's (I think the prosecution attorney) asked to talk to the judge. They went in the judge's chambers and talked and came out shortly after. The court proceedings ended for the day as the attorney had a child in nearby Monroe, and they were on lockdown. 

That was basically all we knew at that point. 

I don't remember what else we did at the courthouse, but I remember as we got back on the bus, we were getting information on our phones (at least I was) from various news outlets and other sources about what was going on in Newtown. 

We then went to Archie Moore's for lunch. (I think the statute of limitations is up and none of the teachers who were on the trip work at Ludlowe anymore, so I can say this.)

At Archie's, were were getting more information on our phones and from the TV in the restaurant. 

When we got back to school, classes were still happening and we weren't on lockdown, but there was in increased security and police presence. 

The school day ended and then there were decisions about sports to be made, 

As it was a Friday night, it was supposed to be a night of high school boys basketball. There was then the question of if we were going to play or not. 

For Ludlowe basketball, we were supposed to play St. Joseph in Trumbull. 

As the team manager, I remember getting messages from players, coaches and athletic dept. about what would go on. 

It was decided, that most games around the state, including ours, would be postponed, out of respect for the victims. We would practice, but it felt like it was more just because we felt we needed to be together. Teams are families and even though we weren't impacted directly, everyone was hurting but felt it was the right thing to do. 

I still feel like the right decisions were made, in my opinion. 

Yes, sports help with healing, but it's also about being respectful and realizing what is important. On that night, it was not sports. It was about spending time with family. 

We would play St. Joseph on Monday and honor the victims by wearing green (the color of Sandy Hook Elementary) as well as blue and yellow (the colors of Newtown), The players wore blue and yellow ribbons on their warmups and the staffs worse them on their shirts/jackets. 

I've definitely made this way to much about me when it didn't directly impact me, but we all have stories about this day and days like this. 

We remember those lost. The names. The stories. We honor those lost. We honor the survivors, We support the grievers. We make changes to keep people safe. We need to do more. We never forget. 

Cardinals Are The Champions

The Fall high school sports season came to a close on Saturday with the football state championships. 

Six championship games were played across two sites. Arute Field in New Britain, home of Central Connecticut football and Rentshler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, home of UConn football. 

I joined Rob Adams and Chris Erway as part of the WGCH crew for Greenwich and Fairfield Prep at The Rent. 

Greenwich came away with the state championship, defeating Prep 37-17. For the Cardinals, it's their ninth football championship. 

Turnovers were really the name of the game, as Prep turned the ball over six times (five interceptions and a fumble lost) and Greenwich did not turn the ball over once. 

Three of those five interceptions were picked off by Charlie Dixon, including one which he returned for a touchdown. Dixon also had five catches offensively. 

Rob and Chris did a tremendous job on the broadcast. Yes, they were calling it for WGCH out of Greenwich, but they have affiliation with both schools and both towns, and they called an extremely fair game.  

I tried to do stats for them. It did not go well. I need to learn a better way to do stats for football, because whenever I try, it never works out well. Wish I could figure it out because I know it would make be more valuable. Of course, I Tweeted and tried to promote the game and the broadcast. I also tried to take some photos. 

Thanks to John Holt at the CIAC for welcoming us and for answering our questions. 

It was a fun day with lots of laughs. Great experience. Thanks to Rob for asking me to join him and Chris. 

Photo: John Holt/CIAC

Despite the loss, it was a tremendous season for Prep. A team that started 1-3 and then finished the regular season with six straight wins to get in the playoffs. The Jesuits were playing the season in honor of their teammate Jimmy McGrath, who died in May. 

Congrats to all the state champions who were crowned on Saturday in football, and this Fall across all sports. Happy for friends who are coaches, including Dan Farina at New Canaan and Tommy Howell at Joel Barlow, who each won football championships as assistant coaches. 

Winter sports are already underway, but now it's full speed onto basketball, maybe some hockey and maybe even watching some wrestling. 

2022 Thanksgiving Football

Thanksgiving means Ludlowe vs Warde in football. 

This year, the game was held at Ludlowe. The Mustangs came in with a 5-4 record, while the Falcons came in with a record of 4-5. 

I once again, as I have all season, had scoreboard duties. For a game like this, there's so many people I know (I was told by Rob Adams the other day that I should run for First Selectman.) I was able to see a lot of people pre-game, halftime and postgame, but not as much as normal, or really as much as I might like. 

But I was working so I had a job to do...the scoreboard. 

I do more that that, because I'm too nice and I care too much. 

In terms of the game, the first half did not see much offense. 

Ludlowe got on the board with 8:46 to go in the first quarter. Jack Ransome punched it in from a yard out and Caleb McNeil's kick put the Falcons up 7-0. The Ransome run was set up by a few long run's from Aaron Field. 

The game would say 7-0 through the first half, Ludlowe had chances to extend the lead and Warde had chances of their own, but turnovers hurt both teams ability to score. 

With 8:25 left in the third, Michael Palladino took the direct snap and ran in around the left side from seven yards out to extend the Ludlowe lead to 14-0. 

Warde came right back down the field and answered. Charlie Gulbin connected with Will Rottkamp on the five-yard score to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 5:34 left in the third. 

We would head to the fourth quarter, with Ludlowe ahead 14-7. 

Warde would not go away. The Mustangs cut the deficit to one, 14-13 when Gulbin found TJ Sinis for the 10-yard touchdown. The Mustangs would go for two and convert as the Gulbin to Sinis connection worked again to give Warde a 15-14 lead with 9:27 to play. 

Ludlowe re-took the lead with 8:13 left. Field ran in from 25-yards out. The two-point try was no good but Ludlowe led 20-15. 

After an interception by Field on the defensive end, he iced the game with a 74-yard run with 4:41 remaining. Field ran in the two-point try to extend the Ludlowe lead to 28-15. 

Ludlowe would retain the Gallagher-Banyas Trophy. The Falcons have now won two in a row against the Mustangs, three in a row if you count the private league of 2020. If you don't count 2020, Warde leads the post-Fairfield High series 10-7. 

Field was named the Ludlowe game MVP, while Sinis took home the honor for the Mustangs. The MVP award is presented by the Fairfield Rotary Club. As part of the award, each recipient gets a $1,000 scholarship. 

Doing the clock all year was a different experience. Fun at times frustrating at others. Had fun with Phil Simpson, who was doing PA all year, in the booth. We worked well together, helping each other out, and just having conversations when we could also. I also had fun with some of the other people in the booth, like the Ludlowe players who were filming the game. Thank you guys for your help as spotters on plays. 

Finally, a shout out to Kyle Geriak for a tremendous job singing the National Anthem at a number of games, including teaming up with the band for today's Anthem. 

On to winter sports, especially basketball for me. 

JFK - 59 Years Later

When I was younger, I had a fascination with US President's and specifically, John F. Kennedy. 

I am not sure why, but I read books and did other research on him. I even remember doing a project on him for a class. 

Today, November 22, is the anniversary of JKF's assassination. I have watched many videos about day, November 22, 1963 and the events that happened in Dallas, Texas and around the country that day and the days that followed. 

The details can be found in many places across the internet and in books. Lee Harvey Oswald in the Texas School Book Depository Building. 

From the videos of the car and the motorcade prior to the assassination, to the famous picture of Jackie Kennedy leaning over JFK's body. 

Then you have the video of Walter Cronkite on CBS announcing President Kennedy's death. 

Later on, you have such pictures of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in as president while on Air Force One with Jackie standing beside him. 

Then, at JFK's funeral, you have the image of JFK Jr. saluting his father's casket. 

Such iconic images and videos. 

JKF was a controversial president, like so many. That can probably be said for every politician. Some people liked him, others did not. 

From the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missle Crisis, to his work with the Civil Rights movement, any many other things, JFK was involved in a lot, both good and bad, especially considering the fact that he did not serve a full term. 

Many politicians and influential people have a famous speech, or famous speeches, and specific lines in those speeches, some which become iconic. 

For me with JFK it will always be the part of his inaugural address on January 20, 1961 with his line of "My fellow Americans, ask not what the country can do for you, Ask what you can do for the country."  

November 22, 1963 goes along with those other days in our country where you know what it is. It goes along with December 7, 1941 and June 6, 1944 and more recently September 11, 2001. 

A bad day, but a day that changed this history of the country. 

A Day of Listening

Today was a day of doing a lot of listening. 

Listening to people talk. 

Listening to presentations. 

Two important talks that are totally different. 

Both have a sports aspect but not the main aspect. 

First, this afternoon, it was listening to John Trautwein speak at Ludlowe on the loss of his son to suicide and the importance of Life Teammates. If you want to learn more about John's story and his foundation, Will To Live Foundation, visit will-to-live.org. 

John also spoke at Warde this morning. He has come to both Fairfield schools a couple of times over the last few years. His talk impacts everyone differently, and has had a greater impact on the Warde community and the entire Fairfield community when then-Warde student Kevin Kuczo died by suicide on February 4, 2021. 

Kevin's father, Jim, who has a foundation of his own Kevin's Afterglow, spoke prior to John's presentation and introduced John. Both gentleman who have lost their sons have tried to help others not have to go through what they dealt with. Both of their missions are around the way people live their lives and how to make sure everyone is supported. 

It was very important and powerful. Mental heath and suicide has unfortunately become very prevalent the in recent years. John and Jim, among others, are working to break the stigma and help others. 

The speaker this evening at Warde, on a much different topic, was Wayne Mazzoni, to talk about college athletic recruiting. The event was a joint effort between both Warde and Ludlowe's athletic department's as well as both school's student services department's. 

Wayne is formerly an assistant baseball coach at Sacred Heart University and does many talks about recruiting. 

It was really informative and very down to earth. I hope all the student-athletes who were there got something out of it. There were athletes from both schools and multiple sports there. 

Wayne gave information for both the parents and students and was also interactive and answered many questions from those in attendance. 

The presentation was directed for the students and parents, but I felt as a high school coach and someone who works in athletics in the school, it was also good for me (and all coaches) to hear to help the student-athletes as they prepare for life after high school. 

I definitely learned and realized things.

You can learn more about Wayne and his services at WayneMazzoni.com

Overall, it was a day of listening and learning. 

Warde Football Saturday Afternoon

I've had multiple people tell me this Fall that I need to come to a Warde football game. 

Now, I don't actually NEED to come, but people say I should since I go to all of the Ludlowe games. My actual job doesn't require me to go to games, but I am a sports person. However, I can pick and choose what games I go to, especially for ones I am not working in some capacity (tickets, scoreboard, etc.) 

With Ludlowe's game moved from Friday to Thursday and Warde's game moved from Friday to Saturday this week, I was able to attend both. 

When I showed up to Warde, wearing a Warde Athletics t-shirt, people were surprised to see me. Even more surprised I think to see my in red. 

I also got yelled at/questioned by multiple Ludlowe people for my shirt. I work at both schools, people! Yes, I am at Ludlowe a lot more for games and I did go to Ludlowe, but I still will support Warde. 

I mean, why not go? It was a nice day out (it was a shorts day in November) and a good day for football. In addition, Warde was playing New Canaan, where Dan Farina, who's a good friend, as well as someone who works in the Athletic Dept. at Ludlowe, is the offensive coordinator. 

I stood with some Warde people for the first half, and then hung in the stands with some friends of Dan. 

As I often say, I'm not great at sitting in the stands watching a game. Then again, we were talking so it wasn't as odd. I also figure I was just there to watch the game, not work it, so by being in the stands, I could just watch. 

The game did not go in favor of the home team, as New Canaan came away with the 41-14 victory. 

New Canaan took a 7-0 lead after a quarter and a 27-7 lead at halftime. The Rams finished the half strong with a long field goal and a fumble returned for a touchdown in the last 10 seconds of the half. The Mustangs touchdown came on a QB keeper from the one-inch line by Charlie Gulbin. 

New Canaan tacked on two more scores in the third quarter, before Warde got a touchdown in the fourth, as Gulbin connected with Lucas Coleman from three yards out. 

Warde currently sits with a 5-4 record, heading into the Thanksgiving matchup with Ludlowe. A Mustang win will have them finish with a winning record. Ludlowe, who beat Central on Thursday, needs a win to finish with a .500 record. 

A Different Kind Of Football

I was asked to work a football game tonight. A different kind of football than what I am used to. Futbol. Soccer. 

Ole Football Club, CT, as is their name on their Instagram, played Santa Cruz out of Massachusetts in the UPSL New England Conference Final. 

The game was held at Warde High School and some of the coaches of Ole are Warde soccer coaches. They asked if someone could do the scoreboard, so I was asked if I wanted to do it. 

Sure, good opportunity for a number of reasons. 

Make some money and learn some things. Also, some responsibility. 

Before getting to the field, I honestly had no idea the age group of players. I was sort of thinking it was "men's league" team even though I knew it was associated with Ole. It turns out from seeing the game and looking at social media, it was college age athletes, or thereabout. 

I had to open up and close the press box. I also had to set up the scoreboard. I've done the scoreboard at Warde a couple of times before, but it was always set up for me beforehand. I had to set it up and get it all working, and then remind myself how to actually work it. A few minutes and I was good. 

I was also asked about announcing the starting lineups. Yeah, no chance. Sorry. Nobody would want that and there was no way I was going to be able to pronounce the names correctly. 

One thing with doing the scoreboard, for each half, I was told to stop the clock with two minutes left in the period and the rest of time time would be kept on the field. 

From what a couple of parents told me, it's so that the time can be exact and then they can add the stoppage time to each period where it's needed. This was weird for me, but it makes sense. It's just tough because nobody knows how much time is actually left in the period. I am sure if you understand soccer better than I do (not hard), you have a better understanding of this. 

It was a terrific game. 

It was nil-nil at halftime (look at me using soccer terms) before Ole scored in the second half to take the lead. Santa Cruz then scored with little time left to tie the game at one apiece. 

Santa Cruz came away with the victory in penalty kicks, after the game was tied at the end of 90 minutes of regulation and then two 15 minute overtime periods. 

Santa Cruz celebrates the victory

Look, I am not a huge soccer fan, but a love drama in sports and I can have an appreciation for great, hard fought sports action. That's what we watched tonight. Watching more high school soccer, I have come to understand it more, and that has helped me appreciate it more.  

Good game tonight. Good experience. 

Choose Your Words And Actions Wisely

I root for a lot of teams where I could be called a front-runner. 

Yankees, Packers, Duke basketball, Florida football, etc. 

The Brooklyn Nets are not one of them. Yes, I have liked them since they were in New Jersey. 

They have been a dysfunctional franchise for many years. 

For the most part, it has been because of their on-court performance, including a 12-70 season in 2009-2010, 

Now, it's becoming  off-court, organizational issues. 

A lot of it, going back to last season, stems around Kyrie Irving. 

First, it was Irving not being able to play most of the 2021-2022 season due the the fact that he wouldn't get the COVID vaccine. 

In the off-season, there were talks of both Irving and Kevin Durant wanted to be traded. Neither of that happened. 

This season got underway and the Nets got off to a slow start. 

In the past week, things have gone from bad to worse. 

First, late last week, Irving Tweeted about an anti-sematic movie. 

Not a good look. At all. 

As a professional athlete, or a public figure in any area, you have to be very careful about what put on social media or what you do in your everyday life. 

You never know who is watching. 

You are a role model for fans, especially young fans. 

Steve Nash parted ways with the team after a 2-5 start on Tuesday. Initially, it was said that Nash was fired. Later, it was said to be a "mutual agreement."  

On Wednesday, a joint statement was released, saying that Kyrie and the Nets will work with the Anti-Defamation League. 

Also on Wednesday, The news came out that there are talks that the Nets are hiring Ime Udoka, who is suspended by the Celtics for having an "improper relationship" with someone in Boston's organization. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke on the Irving news earlier today, saying he was "disappointed" that Kyrie hasn't apologized. 

Then, Kyrie had a chance to apologize today and he basically says that he did nothing wrong. 

It's absolutely pathetic.  

Tonight, the Nets have suspended him "for at least five games." 

I wonder if we see Irving play for the Nets ever again. I sort of doubt it. 

What will this mean for Durant and the rest of the team? Will the break everything down. Time will tell. 

Obviously, the words and actions are far more important than the on-court product. 

Can you get any more dysfunctional than that? Some teams have tried, but it's really tough. 

I'll continue to be a Nets fan. One players beliefs and actions do not represent those of the entire team and the organization as a whole. The team has taken needed action. We will see what else transpires. 

Statement from the Brooklyn Nets pic.twitter.com/699px8XYpx

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 4, 2022

Friday Sports Frenzy

Friday was one of those fun days, at least for me, in working in local high school sports. 

The days are long, but I enjoy them. 

First up was a #OneTown FCIAC girls soccer quarterfinal matchup as Warde hosted Ludlowe in the fourth vs fifth seeded game at Tetreau-Davis Field. 

Personally, I wish Ludlowe and Warde didn't match up in the playoffs, because it's difficult for me working at both schools, but it's also great for the town. I feel like I say this same thing every time Ludlowe and Warde play. I was smart though, as I didn't wear anything Ludlowe or Warde. FCIAC hat with a Fairfield Babe Ruth sweatshirt and then a Fairfield Co-Op girls ice hockey jacket. I didn't feel like getting picked on from people at either school, depending on what I wore. 

I'm not a huge soccer person, but it was a terrific game played by both teams. Warde took an early 1-0 lead, Ludlowe tied it up, before Warde went ahead again before halftime. Then, Ludlowe tied it back up within the first 10 minutes of the second half. 

The game would remain tied through the rest of regulation. Thankfully, for someone like me who hates ties, there had to be a winner. 

The overtime rules for the playoffs were two ten minute periods played to their entirety (No sudden death/golden goal, whatever you want to call it). If the game is still tied, then the game would head to penalty kicks. 

Well, we game did in fact go to penalty kicks with Ludlowe coming out a winner, 4-3 in PK's. The game-winning PK was scored by sophomore Brooke Lynch. 

 

After 2-2 score, Ludlowe defeats Warde 4-3 in PK’s #ctgsoc @DaveRuden @GameTimeCT @fciac pic.twitter.com/4wFd40ide5

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) October 28, 2022

Ludlowe advances to the FCIAC semifinals where they will take on the top seed, St. Joseph, on Tuesday at 5pm at Warde. The Mustangs now await the state tournament. 

Next up for me on Friday was Ludlowe football, who was playing at Trumbull. 

Everyone knows I like to get everywhere early, so with the soccer game going so long, It was going to be tight to get to football on time. I initially thought I was going to have time to waste between the two games. 

Nope. I walked into Trumbull's McDougall Stadium with eight minutes to play in the first quarter, with the Eagles ahead 7-0. 

Ludlowe faces New Canaan next Friday at Dunning Stadium in New Canaan. The Falcons return home for a November 11 game against Bridgeport Central, before the Thanksgiving matchup with Warde, which takes place at Ludlowe this year. 

It was a crazy day and a long day, but it's days like this that I love. Even though all I was doing was Tweeting score updates and then writing this blog post, I sort of had that reporter/journalist feel in me, which I often miss. I didn't really have other responsibilities during the games (other than the Nest, which was small for both games) and since I knew people might be looking for score updates, I figured why not. Sorry to those whose Twitter feeds I cluttered. 

It will be a crazy week ahead with Ludlowe hosting the boys soccer semifinals and the girls volleyball semis and final and Warde hosting the girls soccer semifinals. 

Then it will be on to the state tournaments and fall sports will be over before we know it. 

Yankees Season Over

I'll admit, I feel a bit guilty writing this, as I know it will be similar to what Rob Adams wrote earlier on today’s edition of #Project365 (which has become project infinity) on his blog, Exit 55.

However, as a huge Yankees and sports fan, I feel like I want to write this.

Call it the end of season recap or just some random fans thoughts on the Yankees and the end of the season. 

The Yankees fell to the Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night as Houston completed the sweep.

The Yankees season comes to an end while the Astros will face the Phillies in the World Series. It’s tough to do, but I think I am rooting for the Phillies in the Fall Classic.

Congrats to the Astros on advancing, they were the better team in the series, and the better team all season. 

For the Yankees and Yankee fans, we got to see a season in which Aaron Judge made American League and Yankees history, but without a World Series Championship the season is not a success.

It was still a very good season.

The Yankees have not won a World Series (or been in the World Series) since 2009. For the Yankees, that’s a long time. Yes, we as fans are a bit spoiled. (I realize this with the Packers in football – that’s a different story.)

Now the questions begin. Will Judge re-sign? Will Aaron Boone be back? Will Brian Cashman be back? What other moves will the team make?

Lot of questions to be answered. In the end, I think Judge, Boone and Cashman will all be back. The Yankees definitely have a lot of spots for improvement though.

They need pitching. They need hitters who are better situationally and don’t rely on the home run (although this could be a team philosophy thing) and they probably need better defensive players at some positions.

So yeah, I know for a team that made the league championship. This might sound crazy, but there is a lot of work to be done.

Were there decisions that Boone made that weren’t good, or at least I didn’t like? Yes. He is too “by the book” and analytical. Not that analytics are awful, but there needs to be a better blend of old school gut vs new school analytics.

The offseason begins now and once the World Series ends it will all ramp up.

We will see what happens.

It won’t be dull.

Oh, and Mets and Red Sox fans, focus on your teams. 

Controlling the Board

Taft Field at Ludlowe (Photo; Falcon Football/Facebook)

There are many people that fans at games can have a problem with. A couple of those people have jobs in the press box. Those are the PA announcer and the scoreboard operator. 

Well, I have a duty of being the scoreboard operator for the Ludlowe home football games at Taft Field this season (bring on the hate messages now). 

I've done the scoreboard for plenty of sports, most notably baseball and basketball, at many levels. I've even done it for sub-varsity football. However, doing running the scoreboard for a varsity football game is different. 

Overall through three games, I've learned that it's not too hard. Like anything, once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. Knowing the sport definitely is important, as you know things to look for.  

Oh, I've messed up. Luckily, it hasn't been that often and I haven't gotten yelled at. 

One of the things that makes football more difficult, at least for me, as opposed to say basketball, is being able to see the field. 

Being up in the press box, it's s decent way down to the field. Plus at night, with the glare sometimes from the lights, it's somewhat tough to see. 

There are many things needed to look for. You need to look at the signals from the officials, most notably when to start and stop the clock. You also need to see the down and distance, which is on the far side of the field. 

That being said, as I've done it more, I've gotten more comfortable. 

It's been fun in the booth with Phil Simpson doing PA alongside. We've also been joined in the booth by members of the Ludlowe team who are filming. Tonight, we had some of the Darien Athletic Foundation Media crew, led by Damian Andrew, who was broadcasting the game. Thanks, guys, for some of the corrections. 

It's been three games, and we have two left at home for the season. November 11 against Bridgeport Central and Thanksgiving morning for Warde. 

After that, we will be on to winter sports, including basketball. That's more my comfort zone. 

Sports Sunday

Just like when I wrote about "National Coaches Day" recently, today is another "day."

Today is "National Sports Day."

Why is it today? What does it really mean? Couldn't every day be "National Sports Day?" 

Well it basically is for this sports-crazed person. However, I felt as such as such a sports obsessed person, I would acknowledge it. 

Sports are my life. My work. My hobbies. 

It terms of sports today, it was mixed bag for my rooting interest. 

First, the Packers lost to the Jets. I hate losses, against anyone. However, the last two weeks, with the Packers losing to the Giants and Jets, it's even worse for those of us living in the NY-Metro area. 

Just having to hear it from Giants and Jets fans and hearing the talk radio and local TV talk about the Giants and Jets winning is not fun. Listening to the game today on the Jets radio network was very interesting every time something went in the Jets favor. 

The Packers are 3-3. Aaron Rodgers doesn't look like he has in past years. Looks like he has lost arm strength. He also doesn't have a great receiving core around him. 

Luckily, the running backs, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have had success. If not, it could be much worse for Green Bay.

The nightcap of my sports day was much better. 

The Yankees defeated the Guardians in game four of the American League Division Series to force a winner-take-all game five on Monday night. 

Gerrit Cole pitched like the ace he is supposed to be. The Yankees bullpen got it done (unlike game three). Harrison Bader had another home run and the Yankees offense did just enough. 

There has been a lot of talk about Bob Costas, who is calling the series for TBS. Personally, I like Costas. I like broadcasters telling stories. Sure, there has been some odd things he has said, but overall I think he has been pretty good. 

Nobody is going to be happy with any broadcaster. Some will talk too much, some will scream, some will be boring, some will exaggerate everything and so many other things people won't like. 

For me, the broadcaster should tell what is happening in the game and also be entertaining. However, I want to be understand what is being said/happening. Especially on radio, but even on TV. 

I went more into broadcasting here than I wanted to. This could be a whole separate blog post. 

Anyways, to quote Jack Buck (yes, Jack said it before his son, Joe), "we will see you tomorrow night" for game five. 

National Coaches Day

 

Every day of the year now is a "National something day." Some days are recognize for more than one item. 

Some of the National days are more significant and more recognized than others. Some are more fun and made up. 

Today, October 6, is National Coaches Day. According to nationaldaycalendar.com, National Coaches Day "honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best." 

So many coaches have been impactful to me in many ways. 

From the coaches who I played youth sports for. Baseball, basketball, even soccer. 

To the coaches who I managed high school baseball and basketball for. 

To the coaches I now coach with and work with. 

There are too many, especially while playing youth sports, to name. I don't want to forget anyone. 

I hope as a coach, I have made an impact on other coaches, the way they have made an impact I me. I hope I continue to. 

I hope as a coach I have and continue to have a positive impact on the student-athletes I coach. Both on field/in the gym and more importantly in life. 

Coaching is about much more than the X's and O's for what happens on the field or in the gym. It's about building lifelong friendships and making a positive impact on someone's life. So many people have been that for me, and I hope I have done that for others. 

It's about being there for and caring about others in tough times throughout life, as well as celebrating great moments. 

Yes, winning is fun. However, it's much more rewarding to have great people around you. Both fellow coaches and athletes. Being part of a team and coaches that ONLY care about winning can be unenjoyable also. 

I thank those coaches who I have had the honor and privilege of being coached by and coaching with, for teaching me so much, not just about sports, but life, and for a lot of them, becoming friends for life. 

All Rise for 62

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Even non-baseball fans are aware of what Aaron Judge is doing. 

Well tonight, at 8:08pm on October, 4, 2022, Judge hit home run number 62 to pass Roger Maris and set the single season Yankees and American League home run record. 

Sixty-one years after Maris hit 61, Judge hits 62. 

It was almost a week between Judge hitting number 61 and number 62. But in the end, he got it done. You could see the pressure getting to him and the frustration mounting. 

The YES Network cameras even showed Judge slamming his helmet against the bat rack in Game one of Tuesday's doubleheader. 

Classy by Boone to let Judge take the field and then take him out to get the standing ovation from the fans in Texas and his teammates that he deserves. 

There has been much debate over the Major League home run record. 62 is now the "clean" record, but the overall record is Barry Bonds with 73. 

In fact, there are six seasons in which a single player has hit more than 62 home runs. Those were by Bonds, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. 

Look, we all know those others were not clean, however, that is still the Major League record. 

I am not saying what any of them, and others, have done, is right. It's still what that Major League Baseball says is the record. 

What Judge has done this season is incredible. It's not just the home runs, even though those are super impressive. 

He is currently (and will likely finish) second in the American League in batting average. He also leads the AL in runs batted in and is just behind Pete Alonso of the Mets for the RBI lead in all of baseball, as of Tuesday night. 

You add in the fact that he is a solid defender and has a terrifc arm, that just adds to his accomplishments. He has also shown the ability to play both right field and center field and make the back-and forth transition with ease. That's not easy for someone 6-7. 

He has also managed to stay healthy, which has allowed him to accomplish this feat. 

For me, this is the most impressive season I have ever seen. 

Yes, I was alive for Bonds, McGuire and Sosa but I was way too young to know what was going on or pay attention. It is must watch television when Judge comes up to the plate, especially as he got closer to number 60, then 61 and now 62. 

The other debate is Judge vs Shohei Ohtani for MVP. Some people say that because Ohtani pitches and hits and is having a very impressive season, he should be the MVP. 

However, Judge is having a historic season that we may never see again. 

Plus, it depends how you define MVP. Where would the Yankees be without Judge? Probably not winning the American League East. The Angels would still be a below .500 team with or without Ohtani. 

Ohtani is very special in his own right, as a dual-threat, but Judge is the most valuable. 

This is one of the moments where you will remember where you were were and who you were watching win. Sitting on my couch with my dad to my left. When Judge hit it, I raised my left arm and pumped my fist. 

No scream. 

No "Let's Go"!

Shocking calm. 

Excited, but calm. 

The home run chase has overshadowed what the Yankees were doing as a team and everything else that was going on, on the field. 

Hopefully, now that it's over, Judge can relax and help the Yankees make a postseason run and maybe even bring home championship number 28. 

Always Remember, Never Forget

The Twin Towers Tribute Lights

We all know what today is. So many people have written or talked about it over the years. 

September 11th, 2001 will never be forgotten. It's been 21 years and it's still remembered by so many. 

I know I've written many of these same thoughts on this blog over the last couple years, but I will do so again. 

I never met him, but I always think of Bobby Hughes, my cousin's cousin (too difficult to explain), who was working in the Twin Towers and lost his life that day. 

We watched the broadcast of the ceremony this morning where all the names of those lost are read, and the bells are rung. 

The six bell ringing signifies when the planes went into the Twin Towers, when the towers fell, when the plane went into the Pentagon and when the plane went down in the open field in Shanksville, PA. 

We saw Bobby's name flash on the screen. We then heard one of Bobby's sisters mention her brother later on in the ceremony as she was one of the readers of the names. 

We all have our memories of that day. Where we were. What we remember. 

I was six years old. I remember being in Ms. Kozlokowski's (Ms. K) first grade class at Riverfield School. We were in morning meeting when we first heard. 

Mrs. Breisler, one of the secretaries, came into the classroom to give Ms. K the news. I feel like there was an announcement made of school being dismissed early. 

The next part of the day I remember is getting out of school and being picked up by both my mom and dad. My dad normally would have been at work in Farmington, CT, but was out of work early, due to the circumstances. 

I don't remember much of the rest of the days or the days that followed. 

I do remember going to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2002 with Cub Scouts and standing on the observation deck and looking across the Hudson River at New York City and seeing the blue tribute lights where the towers stood. 

On days like today, I think about my Uncle Gary, who is now a retired Port Authority Police officer, who was part of the clean up and recovery at Ground Zero. I also think of my cousin, Kim, my Uncle's daughter, who is currently a Port Authority cop. 

I also think of those my Uncle worked with who lost their lives. I am currently wearing a t-shirt that lists the 37 PAPD members who lost their lives on 9/11. We of course think of everyone who lost their lives that day. 

No matter how great or how little we were directly impacted, the day and the events of the day have impacted all of us in the United States, and the impact is felt even more in the New York-Metro area. 

It's a significant day in our history. For people of my age, it's the first major US event we were alive for. It's our Pearl Harbor, as an example. It needs to be talked about. Students in school now need to be taught about it. 

Everyone talks about what the world was like on Sept. 12, 2001. When everyone cared for one another. Not that we ever want a situation like that again but we need to get back to that. The sense of community.  

I've probrly written more that I should have. Or more than I needed to. 

The bottom line....

We need to continue to honor those lost. We need to always remember. We need to Never Forget. 

Summer of Sports (What else would you expect)

Cubeta Stadium prior to Legion playoff game versus Stamford

So, the summer is basically over. I could have written this weeks ago, or I could wait to write this. It all depends on how you define the summer. Many people have unofficial ends of summer before the official end. 

With students back in Fairfield schools tomorrow, it sort of feels like this is the end of the summer. I was working all summer for the first time since working in the schools. Even if I hadn't been, I still would have been back to work a week and a half ago as a 10 1/2 month employee. I'm excited for the students to be back. It's too quiet around the building(s)without them all summer. 

It was a summer of work and watching baseball. A lot of baseball. 

I already wrote about the communications work I did for Fairfield American Legion baseball.

Legion bucket hat for the win. 

Towards the end of that, I wrote a feature for the Fairfield Citizen/Hearst on members of Legion and former Warde players, Phil and Edmund Hogan. 

In between Legion, I joined Rob Adams for some little league baseball at Unity Park in Trumbull. We (well, mostly Rob and I just tag along) were asked to do Fairfield National little league baseball. We called a couple of their district games before they were eliminated, including some against Fairfield American. 

How Rob tries to keep the equipment (and himself) out of the rain 

Rob also did a Babe Ruth Championship game at Unity then Rob and I watched some of Fairfield American and Trumbull little league. It was a little weird watching the game as a spectator from the outfield. I am always used to doing something during a game. I'm not going to lie, I am not good at just watching a game. 

Everyone knows my passion for Fairfield sports so it was tough when Rob and I were standing amongst the Trumbull fans. After a couple innings, I had to go over to the Fairfield side, where I also got to chat with a number of people I know. 

A week or so later, I joined Rob for the Babe Ruth baseball New England Regional tournament at Trumbull High School. Always a blast doing those tournaments even if I had to bounce in and out do to work and some other commitments, including Legion. 

Unofficially "Rob's Corner" of the Trumbull HS press box

One of the great things about these tournaments is the relationships we make with families, those working the tournament (who are often families of players) and even sometimes, getting to know the athletes a bit. I know Rob had a few interactions with a couple of them, 

There was a little more baseball I watched also. I went over to Kiwanis a couple times to watch the Fairfield Nationals 13U travel team play. In one of the times I saw them, they played the CT Rage (formerly Fairfield Rage) which has many Fairfield kids on it. I went in large part because Ludlowe baseball head coach Ken Geriak mentioned it, as he's a coach and his son Tyler is on the team. 

One of the coaches of the Nationals is Carl Pavano. Yes, Carl Pavano the former Yankees pitcher, among other teams. 

It was also another year of coaching Ludlowe's JV summer league basketball team. It's an hour a week summer league game, but the competitor in me takes it way too seriously. I have a blast doing it but I also realize the players don't get the most teaching out of it they might with others. I'm not going to be giving them plays offensively to run. I want them to play hard, play defense, move the ball offensively and work to get the best possessions possible. My biggest thing is subs, timeouts, and trying to be a positive influence. I did not expect to write this whole long paragraph about this either. 

Sure, other things went on this summer, but are they worth getting into. Probably not, for a number of reasons. It was a fun, exciting summer for some, and a tougher summer for others. Or for many others, it was an average summer. So many factors and also point of view. 

Good luck to all the 2022 high school grads who are off to college or other post-high school plans. 

Excited for another year of high school sports. Lots of fall sports, then winter and spring and I am excited for all of it. However, personally, I am always extra excited for Ludlowe basketball and Ludlowe baseball. 

Let the school year begin. 

43 Years

There have been a number of baseball related items I could have written about this week. From Yankees Old Timers Day, to the anniversary of Thurman Munson's passing, to Vin Scully passing away. For one reason or another, I did not. However, August 6 is a day I didn't feel like I could not write about. 

Sure, you can find similar things written elsewhere, but I wanted to, and felt I should write about this. 

August 6, 1979 is a day Yankee fans and baseball fans know. At least the older ones who were around. Then there are people like me who know and care about baseball history. I also watch so many old games and highlights of old games. 

This was the date of what many people call "The Bobby Murcer Game."

 It was an emotional week for the Yankees with captain Thurman being killed in a plane crash on August 2. 

The Yankees honored Munson on August 3 with a pre-game ceremony. 

August 6 was the funeral for Munson, where Murcer was one of the eulogists of his friend. Murcer was one of two eulogists (2:25 of clip), along with Yankee teammate Lou Pinella (12:15 of clip). 

Murcer's famous line from his eulogy was "Thurman Munson wore the pinstripes as number 15, but in living, loving, and legend, history will forever remember my friend as number one."

That night, the Yankees were scheduled to play the Baltimore Orioles. There was a chance the Yankees were going to forfeit the game if they didn't get back from the funeral in time. However, they played. Diana Munson, Thurman's widow, told Yankees owner George Steinbrenner that they should play, that Thurman would want that. 

Manager Billy Martin was going to give Murcer the day off, but Murcer insisted on playing. He said he needed to play. 

He did not only play, he had a big game. He drove in all five runs, in a 5-4 Yankees win. 

In the seventh, down 4-0, Bobby lined a three-run home run to right field to cut the deficit to one. 

The game remained 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth. With the tying run at third and the winning run at second, Bobby stepped up to the plate. 

And delivered. 

Bobby lined a ball down the left field line off of Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez that scored Bucky Dent to tie the game and Willie Randolph crossed the plate with the winning run. 

Bobby talked about how he never used the bat he used in that game ever again. He gave it to Diana Munson,

August 6, 2008 was also the day of Murcer's memorial service, after he passed away on July 12 of that year. 

Bobby wasn't the greatest Yankee, but in a time of tragedy, this might have been Bobby's greatest Yankee moment. 

I hope you will reach and watch more about both Thurman and Bobby. I know I will be today. 

Here's the full game from August 6, 1979. 

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Howard Cosell is on the call of the game for ABC, along with Keith Jackson. I have a liking for Howard because my uncle has called me that. However, when we talk about crowd noise, Cosell does not go by that. He honestly talks way too much as he is making the call on the game winner. In a week in which we have honored Vin Scully, be like Vin. Call the play and then be quiet.