Coginchaug Little League was recognized with Honorable Mention for 2012 ‘League of the Year’ as awarded by Kyle Muncy, District Administrator for Connecticut District 9 Little League. District 9 includes leagues throughout Middlesex County along with Madison and Guilford leagues.
The award is based on a combination of successes on the field during District and State tournament play, and contributions by the league in support of hosting tournaments and other District activities.
District 9 had one of its most successful years ever in tournament play with three teams advancing to Section 2 championship games and one team reaching the Connecticut State finals.
Coginchaug had a particularly strong year in 2012. Our Juniors softball team, coached by Helen Larkin, won the District 9 title, and 11 year old baseball team, coached by Ken Vallone captured both District 9 and State Section 2 championships. Overall, Coginchaug teams finished 25-10 (0.714 pct) combined in tournament play during summer all-stars. Coginchaug also placed two teams in the majors District 9 fall tournament quarterfinals and one advanced to the semi-final game out of 30 teams overall. The combined records of CLL teams in the fall majors tournament was 7-4 (0.636 pct).
CLL was offered host duties for 3 all-star tournaments in 2012, including pool play for 10 year softball, 11 year baseball and 12 year baseball levels, along with district semis and finals for the 10 and 11 year olds. A total of 31 games overall. CLL also hosted a total of 16 fall majors and minors baseball tournament games.
"It can be a real challenge to host so many tournament games in just a two week window in early July," according to Scott Strang, who along with Rick Quirk and Tom Wenchell split the Site-Director duties for the summer games hosted in Durham. "We need up to a dozen staff on hand to take care of the fields, the concessions, and everything to make sure the visiting teams are well cared for. From parents, to coaches to our many board members, I can’t thank our league volunteers enough for all of their help, and I know District 9 appreciates it also.”
The task got harder in late June when District 9 moved the 10 year softball tournament from East Hampton to Durham due to a repaving of the lot at East Hampton School where Seamster Park fields are located. ‘Suddenly we had 4 games to host each night instead of 2’ said Strang. ‘Fortunately coach Tim McDermott and our 10 year softball team kept it exciting, going 4-0 in the pool play before losing a close one in the semifinals 8-7 to Guilford’
Guilford was awarded 2012 D9 League of the year. Guilford’s 12 year old baseball team won the district title, and was narrowly defeated in the Section 2 championship game. Guilford also hosted 34 tournament games in 2012.
Andre Paradis of Portland LL was awarded D9 Volunteer of the year for his efforts in support of Junior and Senior level baseball at the District and State levels. Coginchaug does not offer Junior or Senior level baseball as Babe Ruth baseball in Durham and Middlefield covers play for the 13-18 year old age group.
D9 Umpire of the year went to Tim Fisher, while Steve Wexell of Clinton Little League received the D9 Officer of the Year honor.
