News | Pittsfield Colonials Baseball Team Blog

QUALBEN PITCHES COLONIALS TO VICTORY
Pittsfield, MA May 27, 2011: David Qualben pitched well into the eighth and Johnny Welch keyed the offense with a two-run homer as the Pittsfield Colonials picked up their first win of 2011, downing the New Jersey Jackals 5-2.

For the second straight night the Colonials scored in the first inning as Angel Molina singled home Matt Nandin for a 1-0 lead.

That lead would stand until the fourth inning when Mike Jones hit his second homer in as many nights, a two-run shot to give the Jackals a 2-1 lead.

The Colonials whisked the lead back in the bottom of the sixth as Johnny Welch connected on his first homer in a Pittsfield uniform, a two-run blast to left center for a 3-2 Colonials lead. Pittsfield would add to the lead in the seventh when Quentin Davis scored on an error and Matt Nandin scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 5-2.

David Qualben (1-0) picked up the win going 7.2 innings allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked none and struck out three. James Leverton (0-1) took the loss for NJ, despite allowing just two earned runs in six innings of work.

In addition to the offense for the Colonials from Welch, Billy Mottram had three hits for Pittsfield.

The rubber game of the series comes up on Saturday with a 12:30 first pitch. Miguel Flores will get the start for the Colonials against Chris Vasami. Grand Slam Boxing will also be part of the entertainment on Saturday night as at 7:30 p.m. Todd “The Punisher” Poulton will take on Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake in the main event.

COLONIALS DROP OPENER
Pittsfield, MA May 26, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials got off to a hot start, but were unable to sustain it as the New Jersey Jackals spoiled the Colonials home opener, downing Pittsfield 8-4.

Pittsfield scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first as Jerod Edmondson led off with a single, followed by a single by Matt Nandin to move Edmonson to third. Danny Bomback came to the plate and grounded a ball to second to score Edmondson for a 1-0 Colonials lead.

New Jersey came charging back and took the lead for good in the top of the second inning with five runs, keyed by a two-run homer from Mike Jones and a two-run double from Argenis Reyes to take a 5-1 lead. The Jackals would add three more in the seventh inning to push the lead to 8-1.

The Colonials would get one of the runs back in the bottom half of the inning as Scott Knazek lifted a homer over the rightfield fence to slice the New Jersey lead to 8-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Quentin Davis singled followed by an RBI double from Edmondson and an RBI single from Bomback to round out the scoring.

Isaac Pavlik (1-0) picked up the win for New Jersey with six innings of one run ball, striking out 10. Chad Paronto (0-1) took the loss for Pittsfield going six innings, only giving up runs in the five-run second.

Offensively, Angel Molina and Jerod Edmondson had two hits including a double for Pittsfield. T. J. Wink was also a bright spot for the Colonials, pitching a perfect eighth inning in his professional debut.

The two teams go at it again tomorrow as David Qualben goes for Pittsfield against James Leverton for New Jersey. It is a Fireworks Friday with a pyrotechnic extravaganza to follow the game. First pitch is set for 6:30.

COLONIALS BRING PARONTO HOME
Pittsfield, MA April 15, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials made a major move today, acquiring former Major League pitcher Chad Paronto to be a player/coach.

Paronto spent parts of seven seasons in the Big Leagues, most recently pitching with the Houston Astros in 2009. In 177 games he went 6-12 with a 4.32 ERA.

Joining the Colonials is a homecoming for the right-hander who went to UMass and grew up in Woodsville, NH. He currently makes his home in Pittsfield where his wife grew up.

“Chad knows he can still pitch in the Majors,” said Colonials manager Jamie Keefe. “He wants to stay closer to home to be with his family. We were happy to be able to afford him that opportunity.”

His two best years came with the Atlanta Braves in 2006 and 2007. Over those two seasons he made a combined 106 appearances going 5-4 with a 3.32 ERA,

The 6’5” hurler was Baltimore’s eighth round selection in the 1996 draft.

The Pittsfield Colonials will open up their second season on May 26 against the New Jersey Jackals. The Colonials will play 54 home games at Wahconah Park this season. For information on season tickets, the 1791 Club or partnerships with the Colonials, call 413-236-2961.

COLONIALS TO HOLD DANCE TEAM AUDITIONS
Dance Team and Anthem Auditions April 2nd
Pittsfield, MA March 28, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials are pleased to announce auditions for the Colonials Dance Team. As the Pittsfield Colonials gear up for their second season at Wahconah Park plans are in place for many new and exciting things.

The Colonial Dance Team Auditions will be held at St. Joseph’s High School on Maplewood Avenue, from 3pm – 7pm and will follow National Anthem Auditions that will take place from 1pm – 3pm. The Dance Team will be managed and choreographed by Kathy Jo Grover, who has an extensive history in entertainment in Berkshire County. All who audition must be at least 18 years of age. “We don’t want to discourage anyone from trying out. If you can dance that is what we care about,” said Kathy Jo Grover. The Colonials have not set a maximum age, a weight or height requirement and do not require any professional dance experience.

All dancers will be asked to learn a 16 measure routine that they will repeat a few times during the audition process. In addition to the choreographed routine, those who are auditioning will have a chance to showcase their individual talents. Dancers are expected to be dressed ready to dance when they arrive.

The Dance Team will be made up of 10 ladies who will entertain at Wahconah Park throughout the season. They will also be available for community events and various business and social occasions.

COLONIALS SIGN DICE K
Pittsfield, MA March 18, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials are excited to announce the signing of Japanese pitcher Daisuke Yasui for the 2011 season.

Yasui pitched last season for the Bricqueville Sluggers in the French Baseball League where he had no record and a 3.19 ERA in 12 games. In 93 innings, we walked just seven batters and struck out an eye-popping 103.

The 30-year old, right-handed, submariner has professional experience stateside with the Texarkana Gunslingers of the Continental Baseball League where in 2009, he went 0-1 in 10 games with a 6.35 ERA. He continued to show an ability to confuse hitters, striking out 10 in 11.1 innings of work.

The well-traveled Yasui has also pitched professionally for three seasons in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League, pitching with Indios Del Boer in 2006 and then with Fieras Del San Fernando from 2006-2008.

COLONIALS SIGN STRONACH
Pittsfield, MA February 28, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials announced today that they have signed Haverhill, MA native Tim Stronach.

Stronach spent four years in the New York Mets system, twice reaching as high as the St. Lucie Mets (Florida State League – A+). Splitting time between the bullpen and the starting rotation in the Mets organization, Stronach went 18-22 with a 4.49 ERA.

The 22nd round selection by New York (NL) in the 2006 draft out of Worcester State College, the 6’5” right-hander’s best season came in 2007 with the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn – A-) where he went 4-2 in 19 games (two starts) with a 3.41 ERA. He also allowed just one homer that season in 31.2 innings.

Overall in his career, Stronach has surrendered just 25 long balls in over 300 innings.

Stronach has the distinction of being the First WSC (now Worcester State University) player ever selected in the MLB draft. In his final two seasons with the Lancers, the righty struck out an impressive 131 batters in 116.2 IP. His best season was in 2005 when he went 6-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 13 games (five starts). In that season he struck out 60 batters and walked just 11 in 51.1 innings of work.

PITTSFIELD COLONIALS TO DEDICATE 54 GAMES TO LOCAL NON FOR PROFITS
Pittsfield, MA January 26, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials play 54 Home games and want to partner with 54 local charities in the 2011 baseball season. They are already in the planning stages with a few local Non For Profits and are perusing more.

“We will be working with each Non For Profit to help raise money, raise awareness and to educate our fans at each one of our home games” says Heather Cachat Director of Community Relations.

The Colonials are looking for Non For Profits to team up with over the summer. The Colonials can help each organization raise money toward their cause, raise awareness for an illness, educate and entertain the community, and very possibly…. Save lives.

Organizations can set up informational areas inside and outside the ballpark gates. There will be a “Non-For-Profit of the Game” booth set up, much like Lucy’s booth from the Peanuts. Groups can sign people up for classes, treatments, to join a walk, a team, or to hand out information to people attending the games.

Last year the Colonials Partnered with Walk to Defeat ALS, Rotary International, The Jimmy Fund, Various Cancer Organizations just to name a few.

For more information on how to partner with the Pittsfield Colonials please contact Buddy at 781.888.0284 or by emailing buddy@pittfieldcolonials.com. Dates will fill up fast.

PITTSFIELD COLONIALS TO DEDICATE 54 GAMES TO COUNTY NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Pittsfield, MA January 26, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials Professional Baseball Club, will play 54 regular season home games this upcoming season. The club intends to partner with 54 Berkshire County charities and not for profit 501-C’s. Each game will honor one these organizations.

The purpose of this initiative is to expose people to Wahconah Park and Colonial Baseball. We will assist in raising funds, create awareness of each participating group on that particular game day. The organization will be able to set up an informational booth at the park and the club will assist in organizing fund raising activities that day.

We are very happy to be able to give back to the community in this manner. We appreciate the great support the community has given to us. The dates will fill up very quickly; If your organization has interest in this program, please email Buddy at buddy@pittfieldcolonials.com to discuss.

VETERAN BROADCASTER TO CALL GAMES FOR COLONIALS
Pittsfield, MA January 24, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials are pleased to announce that award-winning broadcaster, Chad Cooper, will join the team for the 2011 season.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to become a part of the Colonials organization,” Cooper said.

The 2011 season will mark Cooper’s ninth in baseball and his eighth in the professional ranks. The winner of the 2005 Frontier League Broadcaster of the Year award, Cooper began his professional career in 2003 with the Evansville Otters. He has since worked for the Traverse City Beach Bums (2006, 2010), Vero Beach Devil Rays (2007), North Adams SteepleCats (2008) and Windy City ThunderBolts (2009). The veteran broadcaster spends his winters calling men’s and women’s basketball for The College of Saint Rose.

One of the things that Cooper is excited about is Pittsfield’s ballpark,

“It’s going to be a lot of fun getting to call Wahconah Park my home. In eight seasons, I’ve broadcast in a lot of different stadiums and there is nothing quite like the feel of an older ballpark. When places like that get packed, the atmosphere is intense. It’s one of the reasons that you get into a field like broadcasting.”

A native of Philadelphia, Cooper now makes his home in Albany, NY.

JAMIE KEEFE NAMED FIELD MANAGER
Pittsfield, MA January 14, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials are pleased to announce their upcoming schedule for the 2011 Season. In the 2010 Season at Wahconah Park 43 Regular Season Home games were played. The 2011 schedule calls for 54 Regular Season Home games to be played at Wahconah Park. The Canadian American League will also go from 6 to 8 teams this season. The teams are Les Quebec Capitales, The New Jersey Jackals, The Newark Bears, The Rockland Boulders, The New York Federals, The Worcester Tornadoes and the Brockton Rox.

Opening Day will be Thursday May 26th and will start of “Memorial Weekend Extravaganza” at Wahconah Park with our first Friday Night Firework show on the 27th. Saturday and Sunday will be games not to be missed!

Jamie Keefe will be taking over as Field Manager for the 2011 Season. He joined Coach Brian Daubach last season and helped coach the Colonials to the Championship. Keefe, who resides in South Deerfield, brings 19 years of baseball experience to the plate.

54 HOME GAMES, 8 TEAM LEAGUE
Pittsfield, MA January 12, 2011: The Pittsfield Colonials are pleased to announce their upcoming schedule for the 2011 Season. In the 2010 Season at Wahconah Park 43 Regular Season Home games were played. The 2011 schedule calls for 54 Regular Season Home games to be played at Wahconah Park. The Canadian American League will also go from 6 to 8 teams this season. The teams are Les Quebec Capitales, The New Jersey Jackals, The Newark Bears, The Rockland Boulders, The New York Federals, The Worcester Tornadoes and the Brockton Rox.

Every Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, every Friday Night will have fireworks, Father’s Day, Labor Day and 4th of July will all be played at home. Many of the games this year will have themes making the games even more fun for the fans. Some of the themes are Mardis Gras, 80’s Night, St. Patty’s Day, Latino Day, Facebook Free Day, Negro League Day, and Beach Party Day. Events during games will be Scout Night, Walk to Defeat ALS fundraiser, Jimmy Fund, and the Berkminster Dog Show.

Wahconah Park will also be home to Berkshire CountryFest on June 4th, Celebrity Boxing, Professional Wrestling, Kids Concert, and many others.