PLAY BALL! Vintage Baseball teams to compete on Field of Dreams for Scholarship Fund

WATERTOWN – Deland Field will travel back in time this weekend for a vintage baseball game to raise money for a local scholarship.

The Wethersfield Red Onions will take on the Watertown Chiefs in a special fundraising event for the Guy Buzzannco Memorial Scholarship on Saturday, Oct. 14.

The family-friendly event will feature food, fun, and vintage team Red Onions vs. the homegrown line-up of the Chiefs, with the latter lead by Watertown Fire Chief, Larry Black, as team manager, and Watertown Police Chief John Gavallas, as coach.

Buzzannco, who passed away in 2014, was the former chairman of the Board of Education. He volunteered at countless activities in Watertown and Oakville schools and community activities, was active in his church, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, aiding in the construction of a Waterbury home. Buzzannco was the recipient of the 2015 Phil Berchonak Memorial Award given by Water-Oak Circle of Sports.

“Guy always made his decisions for the best interest of all the children,” said his wife, Beth Buzzannco of Watertown, of her late husband’s contributions to the town, both as a Board of Ed member as well community member. “He went to every activity from planting flowers and robotics events to pancake breakfasts and car washes, as well as volunteering in computer lab. He wanted to see and touch the entire school community to help with whatever he could.”

The Guy Buzzannco Memorial Scholarship, established in 2015, is awarded each spring to a Watertown High School senior who displays humanitarian values, character and a commitment to serving others. Proceeds from the event benefit the annual scholarship.

The Red Onion Base Ball Club plays the game by the rules of 1864, and back in that era, baseball was, indeed, spelled “base ball.” Under the retro rules, batters are called “strikers,” fielders don’t wear gloves and a ball caught on a bounce is an out. The pitcher throws the ball underhanded and from 45 feet away.

Majorie Adams, the great-granddaughter of Doc Adams, will be at the event to greet fans. Doc Adams is credited by historians to as “first among the Fathers of baseball.” In addition to playing the sport for decades, he created the shortstop position, was an umpire, led the rules and regulations committee of the National Association of Base Ball Players, manufactured baseballs and oversaw bat production.

Event emcee, John Elliott will entertain the crowd throughout the event. Frankie’s will offer an array of food and drinks during the event. Be the Match, a bone-marrow matching organization, will be on hand. Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute will offer health screening information.

Special event baseball caps will also be on sale during the event.

Tickets are $10, with a family maximum set at $30. Tickets are available in advance or at the gate. All proceeds will benefit the Guy Buzzannco Memorial Scholarship.

Gates and concessions open at 10 a.m., followed by the opening ceremonies and game at 11 a.m. Deland Field is located at 85 Echo Lake Road, Watertown. Parking is available in the Siemon Company parking lot across the street.

For more information, find the “Buzzannco Scholarship Vintage Baseball Game” event page on Facebook, or call/text Kellie at 203-910-0475.