NEWS

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- Beginning with the 2022 season, the NECBL will consist of three divisions - the Coastal, the North, and the West divisions. The West consists of four teams, including the Bristol Blues, the Danbury Westerners, the North Adams SteepleCats, and the Valley Blue Sox.

Bristol Blues
The Bristol Blues were founded in 2015, making them the second newest franchise in the NECBL (Upper Valley, 2016). The team initially played in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League before moving to the NECBL for the 2020 season. The Blues are based out of Bristol, Conn. where they play home games at Muzzy Field. The Blues are welcoming a new field manager for the 2022 season, Tim Binkoski. Binkoski has a history in the NECBL as he acted as an assistant coach for the Mystic Schooners in 2012. He also played at Quinnipiac University, where he was named NEC Player of the Year in 2007 and is the school's only baseball Division 1 All-American. Binkoski also spent time in the Philadelphia Phillies organization before becoming a head coach and director of operations for the North Haven American Legion – Post 76 Legion Baseball Program. The Blues will largely have a new roster of players for 2022 with only two players returning from the 2021 season. Junior catcher Tyson Cooper from Penn State returns to the Blues for the 2022 season along with senior pitcher Jack Moore who comes back to the NECBL from Emory University. The Bristol Blues kick-off regular season play with an away matchup against the North Adams SteepleCats on Tuesday, June 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Blues then play their home opener on Thursday, June 9, against the Danbury Westerners also beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Danbury Westerners
The Danbury Westerners are one the oldest active teams in the NECBL with their inaugural season taking place in 1995. The Westerners are the reigning NECBL champions, winning their first championship during the 2021 season when they defeated the North Shore Navigators in a two-game sweep. The Westerners are based out of Danbury Connecticut where they play their home games at Roger Park. After acting as the Westerners' hitting coach in the 2018-19 seasons, Ian Ratchford was named team manager for the 2021 season. Ratchford is a former player for Danbury, suiting up for the Westerners in 2012. He is assisted by hitting coach Bobby Rodriguez and assistant coaches, Dean White and Conor Farrell. The Westerners welcome back four members of their pitching staff, including Sean Hogan out of Williams College, Noah Jensen from Elon University, Renn Lints of Bucknell University, and Kyle Roche, who pitched at Franklin & Marshall College. Danbury also welcomes back center fielder Henry Strmecki, who batted .375 and hit four home runs in the 2021 NECBL playoffs to help lead the Westerners to their first-ever championship victory, The Danbury Westerners open the 2022 season with a home game against the Ocean State Waves on Tuesday, June 7, starting at 6:30 p.m.

North Adams SteepleCats
The North Adams SteepleCats were founded in 2002 and are based in North Adams, Mass. where they play their home games at Joe Wolfe Field. The SteepleCats welcome Austin Straub as the new manager for the start of the 2022 season. Straub had a successful playing career at Keystone College, where he also began his coaching career. Straub has prior experience in the NECBL, where he was a member of the Danbury Westerners coaching staff in 2014. Straub is assisted by Devin Lewis, Curran Shane, and Paul Procopio. North Adams welcomes back two members of its pitching staff, including Butler University senior Cory Bosecker and the senior from Gettysburg College, Nathan Masteralexis. Both will look to provide value on the mound for the SteepleCats. The North Adams SteepleCats start off the 2022 season with a home opener against division rivals Bristol Blues on Tuesday, June 7, first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Valley Blue Sox
The Valley Blue Sox are based in Holyoke, Mass. and play at Mackenzie Stadium. Founded in 2001 as the Concord Quarry Dogs, the team eventually moved to Holyoke in 2007 and adopted the name Blue Sox. The Blue Sox have won two NECBL Championships, winning the title in consecutive years in 2017 and 2018. The Blue Sox, under head coach Pedro Santiago, welcome back three returners including junior pitcher Andrew Sears from Rhode Island College and senior pitcher Michael Volgende out of Tufts University. Infielder Michael Casaleggio from Palm Beach Atlantic College also returns for the Blue Sox, playing third base and shortstop. The Valley Blue Sox begin the regular season with a road game against the Marthas Vineyard Sharks on Tuesday, June 7, starting at 6:35 p.m.