CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANFORD, CT - 2010 AMERICAN LEGION NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONS - GOOD LUCK IN SPOKANE, WA ! ... AND TO RUNNER-UP EAST LONGMEADOW, MA FOR ONE HECK OF A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME !

 



Mr. Middletown American Legion Baseball ...

The soul of William “Bill” Joseph Pomfret was called home to God on Thursday afternoon, July 1, 2010, after 93 years of a long life, well lived. He was born in Hartford on May 16, 1917, to Michael Henry and Anna (Walsh) Pomfret, both of whom immigrated to Connecticut from County Cork, Ireland. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a communicant of St. John’s Church in Middletown. He was a member of various veterans service organizations: VFW Post 583, Catholic War Veterans Post 1166-CT, American Legion-Milardo Wilcox Post 75, where he served as a member and was the past state commander, the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada - United States Unit, 40 &8 Voiture No. 1128, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission and Board of Trustees of the Rocky Hill Veterans Hospital. Bill was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Middletown, the Middletown B.P.O. Elks Lodge 771 and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3. He received the Distinguished Citizen Award for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, was the founding member and past president of the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame, was the past president of Ahern Whalen Baseball League and also coached the St. John’s Basketball team, the American Legion Post 75 Basketball team and a member of the American Legion Hall of Fame. He was active in all aspects of the American Legion at local, state and national levels, including Department of Connecticut Commander in 1992, and was the heart and soul of the Middletown Post 75 baseball program for the last 45 years. Bill was well known for his many years of dedicated service, understanding and compassion for the needs of veterans and their dependents.


 

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By JIM BRANSFIELD --- Middletown Press Correspondent --- Published: Thursday, June 11, 2009

The National American Legion has awarded the 2010 Northeast Regional American Legion Baseball Tournament to Middletown.

Under the American Legion’s policy of awarding all of the states in a region the tournament in sequence, Massachusetts was due to receive the 2010 bid.

However, according to Legion sources, there were no towns in the Bay State willing to take the tournament. Thus Middletown made a bid and it was accepted.

“I think it’s a good thing, said longtime Legion baseball official Bill Pomfret. “We’ve been known for running tournaments well here, so I’m happy that we have the tournament next year. It’s good for the city.

Middletown has hosted numerous state and regional tournaments. The city has also hosted two Legion World Series in 1988 and 1999. The 1988 Series drew more than 22,000 fans and the 1999 event drew more than 17,000.

Middletown has played in several regional tournaments. The Post 75ers won state championships in 1965, 1968, 1979 and 1992 and played in regional tournaments in each of those years.

In 1965, Middletown lost the final game to Berlin, N.H., 8-5. Middletown lost in three games in both Middletown in 1968 and again in three games in Milford, Mass. in 1979. Middletown made the semifinals in Montpelier, VT. in 1992, where it lost to Utica, N.Y.

The advantage that comes to the city that hosts the regional is that the host team gets an automatic bid to the regional. Thus next year’s Middletown team will be in the regional.

It’s rare — but not unknown — that a host team wins the regional. Last summer, Bristol hosted the regional and won the Northeast title and went to the World Series in Shelby, N.C.

In 1995, Middletown won the Zone 3 title, but was eliminated from the state tournament with a 2-2 record. Yet the regional was in Middletown and the 75ers nearly won the event, losing to Portland, Me., 3-1, in the championship game.

Middletown also advanced to the title game in 1970 as host team, losing to Manchester, N.H., 2-1, in 10 innings.

Teams in the Northeast Regional include the state champions from the six New England states — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut — plus the host team and either the state champion from New Jersey or the runner-up, whichever is closer to Middletown.

The Regional tournament will be played Aug. 5-9, 2010.

Middletown will host part of the State Legion tournament this summer from July 25-29.

     


We're trying to get photos of ALL the past Northeast Regionals held in Middletown, especially the programs from the 1968, 1970 and 1973 programs. If you can help please email the webmaster by clicking here and I'll make arrangements to borrow whatever you have and return it promptly.                Thanks in advance.


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