It was fun and games for members of the Connecticut Twilight League on June 17 at Martin Park in East Hartford.
Sure, there was competition. It was, after all, the league’s first of what they hope will be many home run derbys.
Travis Mistretta of the hometown East Hartford Angels bested Kez Douglas of the Brickhouse Indians 4-3 in the final. Mistretta and Douglas each homered seven times in the opening round to reach the final.
You can see photos and videos from the event on the Connecticut Twilight League website.
Several of the Bristol Knights had a big influence on the event. Scott Dickens, a league Vice President and Website Designer/Master, helped put the event together, along with President Chris Barsa, Vice President (Stats/Rules Keeper) Ken Cook, Rick Barrett, Mike D’Antonio and Don Fodasky. Knights manager Brian LaRochelle pitched and caught, as did Fodasky and many others.
Barrett and D’Antonio (East Hartford Angels) helped get the event off the ground, and then competed in it. Also competing in the derby for the Knights were Rex Cone, Earl Oakes and Marco Ross.
Here’s the home run tally from the first derby, via the CTL website:
Travis Mistretta (Angels) — 11 total (7 first, 4 final) = champion
Kez Douglas (Indians) — 10 total (7 first, 3 final) = runner-up
John Kushman (Angels) — 6
Nate Narducci (Sam’s Orioles) — 6
Josue Lopez (Portland Panthers) — 3
Rex Cone (Knights) — 2
Rick Barrett (Knights) — 2
Russ LaFleur (Elmer’s Silver Bullets) — 2
Earl Oakes (Knights) — 1
Brian Kohn (Loco Perro Expos) — 1
