Summer league baseball swings into action

LITCHFIELD — The Tri-State Baseball League entered its 91st season this past May.

The historic league features players aged 16 and up from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

The games are played with wooden bats and provide spectators a free opportunity to watch competitive baseball in local parks on both weekdays and weekends.

Games last either seven or nine innings, depending on factors such as day of the week, and have a combination of strong high schoolers, college players and even players who were drafted to the majors. The games make for a fun yet competitive environment and are open to spectators to come and watch.

In Northwest Connecticut, athletes play for the Tri-Town Trojans: a club trying for its fifth consecutive league championship.

The team is coached by Housatonic Valley Regional High School varsity baseball head coach Bobby Chatfield. Willy Yahn, an HVRHS alum previously drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, plays infield for the reigning champs.

The Trojans hosted the Bethlehem Plowboys on Sunday, June 29, at Community Field in Litchfield.

The Trojans and Plowboys have a storied past and have faced off in the league final series each of the past three years. The rivalry was palpable in their most recent meeting.

Tri-Town prevailed in the hard-fought game with a final score of 9-7. The Plowboys started to mount a comeback near the end, scoring four runs in the final inning. But it was too little, too late.

Bethlehem disputed some calls with the umpires and became visibly frustrated. The Trojans maintained the poise of four-time champions, seemingly enjoying the match on a beautiful Sunday morning as they earned the win.

After the result, Tri-Town advanced to a record of 6-1 and Bethlehem moved to 8-3.

On the New York side of the border, the Amenia Monarchs play at Doc Bartlett Field in Beekman Park.

In a game against the Winsted Whalers Sunday, June 29, Amenia won a 9-0 shutout and gained some much needed momentum after a close 2-0 loss earlier in the week against the Valley Kraken.

For schedules and info, visit tristatebaseballct.com