American Legion Baseball Promising
By Ken Lipshez | Sports Correspondent at June 14, 2024 | 8:30 am | Print
The flow of enthusiasm that coach Mike Torres generates for New Britain’s American Legion baseball program provides the kind of influence on the players that transcends the game.
Torres rejuvenated the program eight years ago and dubbed his team the Stingers. He also started a Stingers team in the Greater Hartford Twilight League for the older kids who still wanted to play. At the heart of Torres’ motivation is to use the game he loves to teach kids about life.
“I started in 2006 to give young men an opportunity to play at a higher level. Every year the challenge is getting the right guys, and we’ve always had the right guys,” he said.
“I enjoy it. I enjoy the challenges off the field as well, fielding calls from those interested in who’s coming out of our program, like college administrators. If a kid can’t get into college, there’s only so much I can do, but it’s evident that I’ve helped kids. Sometimes it’s worked, sometimes it hasn’t.”
With that philosophy at the core, Torres isn’t much for setting team achievement goals. He has a talented group of players and they’re all committed to hard work.
“From what I’ve seen from the week-and-a-half we’ve practiced and what I’m witnessing through the spring, we’ll be young and energetic and we’ll have fun. I’ll never put a [victory] number on it. I don’t know about other towns in Zone 7. We have a good challenge ahead. The guys respond well to instruction. We’ve got a game plan.”
PUT UP YOUR DUKES: Catcher Kevin Dukes is coming off his junior season at New Britain High with the skills and attitude that should make him a candidate to have an All-State caliber senior year and play in college.
With other baseball entities making their pitch to lure players away from the tradition of playing Legion ball, Torres was glad Dukes opted to stay in town. Perhaps the responsibility that Torres vows to give him made an impact.
“I’m impressed with him. I’m impressed with his knowledge of the game period,” Torres said. “One thing I told my catchers (Mike Dowling of Goodwin Tech is the other) is that you can call your own game. I have the utmost confidence in them. I’ve watched Dukes for the past two years. At this point, it’s good to hand responsibility to them.
“I think Kevin will be very good at that and Dowling has played at the Legion level and understands what needs to be done.”
SPEED AND DEFENSE: Defense and aggressive base running will highlight the offense. The Stingers boast strength up the middle with NBHS starter Nick Rodriguez at shortstop and former Hurricane Manny Gonzalez at second. Nestor Velazquez, fresh off a positive experience playing at the junior college level in upstate New York, is a skilled center fielder.
“He has a great leadoff presence, great base-stealing capabilities and great range in the outfield from left to right and going back,” Torres said. “And he’s being a mentor to some of the younger guys in the outfield, like Xavier Rivera and John Aleman.”
Eddie Kieltyka, who played his scholastic ball at Xavier, gives the Stingers a veteran presence at third base.
“He hits to all fields with authority,” Torres said.
Left-hander Mike Ortiz, another product of the Goodwin Tech program, will play first and will probably start the season opener on the mound.
HELP ON THE WAY: Torres is expecting some quality help from Miguel Sanchez, a starting pitcher and third baseman who is expected to arrive home from college in Florida soon.
“He’s an absolute gem, a great teammate,” Torres said.
Torres likes the passion displayed by Agustin Cruz, a Goodwin Tech outfielder and pitcher who changes speeds effectively. NBHS junior varsity player Raymond Custodia is in the rotation mix. Chase Morales adds supreme versatility with his ability to fill in virtually anywhere, including on the hill.
By handing a portion of game management to the players, Torres has established a climate conducive for growth both on the field and off. He discovered how well his methods work when 13 of his 15 players showed up June 10 to practice in spite of the inclement weather.
“I told them I have the utmost respect for all of you,” he said. “I’m not here to bark, yell at you and tell you your faults. That’s not the way I coach. I’m here to encourage you and entrust upon you to come through for the rest of us. I’ve had very good feedback.”
