40 Years On, Storybook Babe Ruth Squad Huddles Again

This weekend, the Piedmont Club will host a 40-year reunion for the Darien All-Star baseball team that advanced to the 1970 13-15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Brawley, Calif.

As of late last week, 10 players had committed to make the trip to Darien, some of them coming from as far as California.

The Darien squad, which won the state and New England titles, was captained by Jim Costello, managed by the late Jack Seyferth, and coached the late Al Vasone and Mike Tracy Sr.

Other team members included Steve Seyferth, Jim Case, Mike Tracy, Steve Wright, Scott McArthur, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ed Nadriczny, John Risola, Tim McAuliffe, Scott Harrington, Jeff Bruno, Steve LaCount, Bill Harford, and Bill Zech. One other member of the team—Ron Austin—has passed away.

In the Connecticut state tournament, Darien defeated Ridgefield, Stamford National, Stamford American, Westport, North Haven, and Vernon to win the title.

Four more wins followed in the New England Regionals in South Burlington, Vt. with Darien besting Puerto Rico, 8-5, in the final to punch its ticket to the World Series.

Darien opened play in the World Series with a 2-1 win over host California, but then fell to Pine Bluff Arkansas, 3-2.

After rebounding with an 8-4 victory over Centralia, Wash., to advance to the semifinals, Darien was eliminated by eventual champion Ewing Township, N.J., 3-2. The defeat left Darien with a 2-2 record in the World Series.

The players will gather at the Piedmont Club Saturday at 8 p.m.