Fourth of July Extravaganza

The Tri-State Baseball League “all-stars” will take on the Torrington Titans of the FCBL in a ‘Fourth of July’ game at Fuessenich Park – game time is 7pm. The mid-summer classic will include a Public Home Run Derby that will begin at 3pm sharp for the first 50 registered participants (anyone from the Public or the Tri-State Baseball League is welcome to participate) with the winner joining the Tri-State ‘selected’ stars and Titans players in the Main Home Run Derby beginning at 4:15pm. Fee for the Public Home Run Derby is $10 (for 10 swings) with all monies donated to the Campership Fund. Two Tri-State players (Bethlehem Plowboy Sergeant Jon Conlin and Brass City Brew Corporal Jeff Fonti) will throw out the first pitch.
Sergeant Jonathon Conlin served in Akashat, Iraq with the 1^st Battalion 25^th Marines 1^st Marine Division from May of 2008 through March of 2009 and then served again in Marjeh Afghanistan from August of 2011 through January of 2012. Jon has been a long time member of the Bethlehem Plowboys Tri-State Baseball League team. Corporal Jeffrey Fonti joined the Marine Corps in October of 2008 and was deployed to Iraq in May of 2009 where he served as a gunner until January of 2010 and then returned home where he was ceremoniously promoted to Corporal. Jeff was recalled overseas in May of 2011 where he served the roles of Billet as Platoon Load Master and Navigation Vehicle Gunner in Afghanistan until his return in April of 2012. Jeff has been a long time member of the Brass City Brew Tri-State Baseball League team. A military helicopter will ‘hover’ over Fuessenich Park and drop the two baseballs that will be used by Sgt. Conlin and Cpl. Fonti for the first-pitch ceremony.
Former Negro Baseball League player Gilbert Black will be in attendance to sign autographs and display his baseball memorabilia from the 1950’s. Black played with or against players whom helped break the color barrier in Major League Baseball such as Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Choo-Choo Coleman, Roy Campanella, Robin Roberts, and Jackie Robinson just to name a few. Today he is a spokes-person for Negro League conventions held all across the country.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Owl Creek Band. To register for the Public Home Run Derby contact the Torrington Park Dept or Ed Gadomski.