Ridgefield Teens Play Post-Season Baseball

Many members of Ridgefield High School's baseball team are playing for the Ridgefield American Legion Post 78  junior club this summer.

Ridgefield is the defending state champion in the junior division, for which players 17 and under are eligible. Last season, the team advanced to the American Junior Legion Mid-Atlantic Regional. 

This year's squad has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in defense of its state crown, falling to the .500 mark (4-4) following Saturday's 8-5 loss to a Darien/New Canaan combined team. 

Ridgefield, which competes in Connecticut Zone IV, plays a 27-game schedule through late July.

Post 78 got down early Saturday, trailing 4-1 after three innings,  but managed to close the gap to 6-5 in the sixth.

Post 78 still had a chance to win the game despite giving up two runs in the top of the seventh, loading the bases in its last at-bat with only one out. But a pop up and groundout ended Ridgefield's hopes.

Head coach Tony Forcelli and two assistants—his son Tim Forcelli and Kyle Miller—watch over the troops.

"The team is still working out its positions and waiting for some additional players to finish classes and join the team," the elder Forcelli said.

During Saturday's game, Tony Forcelli constantly tutored the players on positioning, what to look for in the field and what to expect on each pitch, then explained why he was giving those instructions.

Ridgefield starting pitcher Devin Martin held his own despite giving up four early runs.

"It was amazing that Martin began to throw harder as the game wore on," Forcelli continued. "You don't usually see that."

Also playing for Post 78 are Ridgefield High School varsity players Mike Devivo and Pete Conroy along with Kyle DeLeon, Kenny Ducey, Joe McClellan, Chris Andry, Brad Rosenfield, Jeff Rohrer, Bryce Maher, Collin O'Meara and Jason Mara.

Ridgefield is back in action on Monday at Greenwich (5:30 p.m.).  

The other posts in Zone IV, a 10-team group, include Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Trumbull, Westport, Wilton and Weston.