Memorial Day 2024

The Ludlowe HS band at the Fairfield Memorial Day parade. 

Memorial Day 2024. 

The weather forecast was not great and seemed to be getting worse. However, the Fairfield parade was still on. We went down and watched. 

Nice to see the school bands, sports teams and scout groups, among others. 

More importantly, the veterans and first responders who were walking and a part of the parade. 

The Warde band

Besides that, it was a lowkey day. No high school baseball as the weather cancelled practice. (Back tomorrow as the state tournament begins as we host Simsbury at 3:30pm). 

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I watched The Tillman Story on Amazon Prime about former NFL player Pat Tillman, who gave up his NFL career to serve his country, and ultimately lost his life. 

It's a sad story of loss, but even sadder how the family was lied to and still does not definitively know if Pat was shot by friendly fire, or by the opposition. 

The film documents his football career, his decision to enlist, his death and the impact thereafter. 

Very powerful. 

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I know there are graphics out there, but so many people confuse the different days. They either don't care, don't understand, or a combination of both, the true meaning of Memorial Day and the difference between the holidays. 

Memorial Day - Honoring those who lost their lives serving the country

Veterans Day - Honoring all those who served

Armed Forces Day - Honoring those currently serving 

Today, we think about those who lost their lives defending our country and protecting our freedom. 

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The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A minor league affiliate of the Yankees, had their game televised on the YES Network this afternoon. 

The Renegades faced off with the Aberdeen Ironbirds with Aberdeen coming out on top by a 9-4 score. 

I tuned in for a large chunk of the game, mostly to watch the camera work of Sean Adams, who was on the high home camera for the broadcast. Sean works for the Renegades as a regular camera operator. Very cool to see him get his work on YES. Terrific work. 

The YES Network view of the high-home camera

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Some more photos from today's Fairfield Memorial Day parade. 

Champions Crowned

Trumbull celebrates the title

This is championship week around spring high school sports in Connecticut. 

On Wednesday, the FCIAC crowned champions in baseball, softball boys' volleyball and girls' lacrosse. 

Congrats to Trumbull, Ludlowe, Ridgefield and New Canaan, respectively. 

I went down to Cubeta to watch the baseball game and hang with Rob Adams as he called the game on Robcasting Radio. 

Trumbull defeated Wilton 7-1 behind a terrific pitching performance from the Eagles Ace, Trevor Schuelke. Schuelke threw a complete game, allowing just the one run (which came in the seventh) on six hits, while striking out eight, hitting one batter, and walking none. He was named FCIAC tournament MVP. 

I didn't really care too strongly who won. Two good programs led by two great coaches. That said, I am happy for all my friends in Trumbull who I have gotten to know through the Babe Ruth and Little League broadcasting. We've gotten to know the kids, families and coaches and the relationships don't end when the run each summer ends. It's also cool to see how the kids develop as ballplayers. 

As much talk about how much I love Fairfield, there's a lot to like about sports, and specifically baseball in the town of Trumbull. From their Little Leage programs to what Mike Buswell does with the Babe Ruth program, to Legion, through high school. These are great ballplayers, what seem to be great kids, who care about playing for each other and their town. I know I've talked about this before. Probably too many times. 

It's the first FCIAC Championship for Trumbull since 2012. Congrats to Phil Pacelli, Buddy Bray, and the entire staff. 

Coach Bray gets a championship as the head coach in basketball in the winter and now a championship as an assistant in the spring. 

It was also a great run for Wilton, as the Warriors beat the top seed, Warde, in the semifinal to advance to the championship. 

For Ludlowe softball, this was their fourth FCIAC Championship in a row. The Falcons defeated Ridgefield 5-2 behind a complete game from Alex Lewey, who was named FCIAC tournament MVP. Lewey has been a part of all four championships over her time at Ludlowe. 

Head Coach, Adam Laliberte, who was an assistant previously, gets the championship in his first year as head coach. 

More champions will be named in the league, then we will get into the state tournament. Before we know it, the spring season and the high school sports year will be over. 

Congrats to all the champions and best of luck to everyone going forward. 

Just Watching

Christian Smith batting for QU vs FFLD U 

I go to a lot of games, especially locally. 

At those games, depending on where, what my role is and who I am with, I am often doing something. 

One thing I am not good at doing is just watching. I am not good at standing and watching a game and just being a fan. I'm written about this before in the middle of other posts. 

There is no chance I am going to sit in the stands and watch a game. At least not for a very long period of time. I'd much prefer if I am watching to be leaning up against a fence, where I can walk, or pace, back and forth, depending on who is around and how the game is going. 

I normally have to either be talking to people, keeping score*/taking notes, Tweeting, broadcasting, coaching, or doing something to keep me involved in the game. This might come off as selfish that I need to be involved, but it's not intended to be that way. It's just the way I am. I enjoy the busyness, even if it's sometimes crazy and chaotic. 

*At times when I am not keeping score via either a book or GameChanger, I definitely have a hard time keeping track of exactly what has happened. When there are games, I am not doing anything, I feel lost. Even coaching, when there are a few times, I didn't do the book, I felt like something was missing. 

Today I went to watch Fairfield University vs Quinnipiac baseball at Fairfield U's Don ’63 and Chris ’88 Cook Field. ** I went to watch former Ludlowe baseball standout Christian Smith, who plays for Quinnipiac. While I stood down the left field line and talked with Ludlowe head coach Ken Geriak, I felt like it was hard to stand there and watch. 

Christian went 2-5, including a home run. Unfortunately, I got there late and missed the home run. Also, on the Quinnipiac team is former Warde baseball standout John Heitzman. Two tremendous people.  

The Bobcats came from behind to defeat the Stags 9-7, scoring four runs in the top of the ninth, in the regular season finale.  

**Fairfield University's Alumni Field was recently re-named the Don ’63 and Chris ’88 Cook Field after former Fairfield University Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Don Cook and his sone, the late Chris Cook, who was a baseball student-athlete for the Stags. Chris passed away in 2014 from Cancer. Read more from the Fairfield University website here. 

I always try to find games to go to, most of the time high school or youth, but I should try to find more local college games to do to. Whether that be Fairfield U or Sacred Heart, especially considering SHU is my alma mater. I feel like part of the reason I don't go to more games where I am not involved in, is just because of my struggle to be a fan. 

There will be more games to go to. 

Some I will be involved. Other I won't. 

I'll just watch. 

Little League Day

The Ludlowe team with the FALL players postgame (Stacey Scruggs Photo)

It was the second annual Fairfield American Little League (FALL) Day at Kiwanis Field in Fairfield on Wednesday as the Ludlowe baseball team hosted Stamford. 

Prior to the game, the little leaguers joined the Ludlowe team on the field for the National Anthem. Additionally, Seamus O'Neill of the Fairfield American's Red Storm Challenger Division threw out the ceremonial first pitch, caught by Ludlowe's Ben Crawford. 

Seamus O'Neill throwing out the first pitch (Art Cockerham Photo)

Following the game, the little leaguers came onto the field and were able to run the bases and get autographs from the Ludlowe players. 

In addition, the little leaguers, along with the Ludlowe players, were given t-shirts. Multiple designs of "Future Falcon" and a co-branded FALL/Ludlowe Baseball shirt. 

Thank you to everyone who was involved making the day happen. From Phil Veas, who is both a Ludlowe parent and FALL parent and board member, to Ludlowe parents Amy Crawford, Stacey Scruggs, and Jennifer Gibson. Thank you to Brian Markham from FALL Red Storm as well. 

Shoutout as well to Ludlowe head coach Ken Geriak for all his involvement and thank you to Stuart Kagel on the PA announcing. Sorry if I am leaving anyone out. 

There was also the Fire Engine Food Truck which was enjoyed by many. 

On the field, Ludlowe picked up a 5-1 win behind solid pitching from Spencer Bradley and Cooper Seek. At the plate, Gavin McGuire had the game-tying hit in a five-run fifth. The aforementioned Ben Crawford was 2-2 including the go-ahead two-run single. Liam Grady also had a two-run double to give the Falcons some breathing room. 

A great day all around and a special community day! 

Fairfield Baseball Showdown 2024 (One Town Classic)

This is rivalry week in the FCIAC for a lot of sports, including baseball. 

Well, Warde and Ludlowe faced off on Wednesday afternoon at Warde in their annual rivalry game. 

This rivalry has seen some great games the last couple of years and both teams came into the game in the midst of strong seasons. 

Warde came in with a record of 11-2, 6-2 in the FCIAC. Ludlowe was at 10-3, 5-3 in the league. 

Warde came away with a 4-0 victory in a game that was closer than that. 

Solid pitching from Austin Howard (6 1/3 shoutout innings with 10 strikeouts) and Grady Schopps (2/3 of an inning) for the Mustangs. The Ludlowe pitching was strong as well with Luke Stasko allowing four runs, but only two earned, over 5.1 and Joe Calabro coming in for the final 2/3 of the sixth. 

Offensively for Warde, Schopps and Carson Swaim had RBI singles while Carson Dodder and Kyle Justo had RBI doubles. 

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I have a love/hate relationship with this game. I can't wait for it, but when it's here, I can't wait for it to be over. Every Ludlowe/Warde game is tough working at both schools. Baseball is different than any other sport for me (including boys' basketball) since I'm part of the Ludlowe coaching staff and I always consider baseball my number one sport. Lots of great kids on both sides and that's the most important thing. 

Credit to Warde on the win. Proud of how our guys battled. Lots of great baseball in the town. 

Maybe we see each other again (possibly more than once) in the playoffs. 

I'll always bleed Ludlowe and everyone knows where my heart is, but I work at Warde too and have tons of respect for that program and what they have done these past few years. 

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Nice job by Warde baseball honoring the 10-year anniversary of 2014 FCIAC Championship team prior to the game. Having those players and coaches come back and be recognized is very cool. I love it when teams honor their past and I wish more did. 

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Ludlowe and Warde also faced each other in softball this afternoon. Ludlowe came away with the 4-3 victory at Dougiello Field.

The two schools play in lacrosse on Saturday at Ludlowe. The girls' game is set for 3:30pm and the boys' game for 5:30pm 

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It was also the spring pep rally at Ludlowe today. Nice work by all the teams and a great job by the Nest leaders running/organizing another event. Their final big event as Nest leaders with the school year winding down. Still many games to go, but the last big non-game event for The Nest. 

They have done a very good job this year with different events.