TCB Directors

BOB HETU

General Manager

Bob founded Team Connecticut Baseball in 1994. The organization that began with one 13u team in 1994 grown to 20 teams in 2008. Bob has coached on 3 TCB National Championship teams, 1994, 1997, and 1999. He is the current General Manager of TCB and is also the President of the Connecticut Baseball Academy, a major sponsor of TCB. In his 14 years of coaching with TCB, Hetu has coached a number of players that have played both professionally and collegiately. The first TCB 13u team had 4 future draft picks, including Wendell Anderson, Steve Bray, Brett Burnham, and Adam Greenberg.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

18 & Under Directors

DAN KENNEDY

18 & Under Director

Coach Kennedy spent 10 years as the Head Coach of the 18 & under American team and enters his 12th year as the TCB 18 & under Director.  He started the 18 & under program in 1996 and has compiled a lifetime record of 353 wins, 162 losses, and 2 ties. In his 10 years of coaching the 18 & under Americans, Dan saw a number of his players drafted and go on to college careers. Three of Kennedy's most prominent players include: Jamie D'Antona, who went to Wake Forest and got TCB's first Major League hit in 2008; Steve Bray, who was a 2008 Triple-A All-Star; and Adam Greenberg who had the first appearance in an MLB game by a TCB alum with the Cubs.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

PAT HALL

18 & Under Director

Pat is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. Pat is currently in his 1st year as an Assistantant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Central Connecticut State University. Pat spent the past four years as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Fairfield University. Prior to Fairfield, Pat spent four years as the Pitching Coach at the University of Bridgeport.  The 2001 season saw his pitching staff lead their conference in lowest team E.R.A.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

MIKE LEVANDOWSKI

18 & Under Director

Mike is going on his 11th season of coaching in 2008. He has coached at all age levels from 13 & under to 18 & under and is also a Director of the 18 & under program, coordinating recruiting as well as National Fall Tournament teams. Under his guidance, TCB has recruited players for various teams and tournaments that have signed National Letters of Intent to such schools as Auburn, Boston College, Brown, Connecticut, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Elon, Florida International, Harvard, Kansas, Marist, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon State, Seton Hall, Stanford, Tampa, UNC-Charlotte, Vermont, Western Kentucky, Wofford, and many others.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

15 & Under Directors

MIKE BELLANTUONO

15 & Under Director Blaze Division

Mike has over 20 years of youth league coaching experience, including 5 Top Ten National Finishes. Mike co-founded the Connecticut Blaze in 1997 and in 2008, the Connecticut Blaze have joined the TCB program. Bellantuono also coached his team to the 1998 National Sportsmanship Award. He has coached teams to numerous Triple Crown Championships and 3 Connecticut AAU State Championships.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

BOB HETU

15 & Under Director Hartford Division

Bob founded Team Connecticut Baseball in 1994. The organization that began with one 13u team in 1994 grown to 20 teams in 2008. Bob has coached on 3 TCB National Championship teams, 1994, 1997, and 1999. He is the current General Manager of TCB and is also the President of the Connecticut Baseball Academy, a major sponsor of TCB. In his 14 years of coaching with TCB, Hetu has coached a number of players that have played both professionally and collegiately. The first TCB 13u team had 4 future draft picks, including Wendell Anderson, Steve Bray, Brett Burnham, and Adam Greenberg.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

KEVIN HUBER

15 & Under Director South Division

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.  As a former University of Bridgeport standout Kevin currently ranks among UB's all-time leader in all offensive categories. Kevin is the founder of the Connecticut Blue Jays Baseball Club.  Kevin has guided many AAU baseball teams to Top 10 finishes in AAU National Tournaments including the 2008 AAU 15u National Championship. Kevin's 2007 14-U Squad was eliminated in Medal Play by the eventual National Champions after a grueling extra inning game.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

12 & Under Directors

MATT MANDERS

12 & Under Director

Matt is entering his first season with Team Connecticut Baseball starting in November of 2008. He is originally from Avon, Massachusetts, where he attended Blue Hills Technical High School in Canton, Massachusetts. Manders played his collegiate ball at Massasoit Community College. Matt has 9 years of indoor facility experience with camps and clinics at the South Shore Baseball Club in Hingham, Massachusetts.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

TCB Coaches

18 & Under Americans Coaching Staff

MIKE McGUIRE

18 & Under Americans Manager

Mike enters his 7^th year with TCB in 2008. Mike began coaching with TCB in 2002 as head coach of the 16u Nationals. In 2006, Mike was named the head coach of the 18u Americans. He held the same title in 2007 and will once again in 2008.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

PETE ZABROSKI

18 & Under Americans Pitching Coach

In 11 years with TCB as an assistant coach/pitching coach, Pete's teams had 6 Top Ten National Finishes. Coach Zabroski was inducted to the Hartford Public High School Hall of Fame as part of the 4th Class in 2006. In August of 2007, he was inducted as a coach into TCB's inaugural Hall of Fame class.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

MIKE McGUIRE, Jr

18 & Under Americans Assistant Coach

Mike McGuire Jr. joins the Team Connecticut Baseball staff after completing a standout 4 year career at Division I St. Peters College. Mike finished his career as the school's all-time RBI leader, walks leader, the all time leader in at-bats, plate appearances, games played, games started and was second all time in hits, doubles and home runs.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

18 & Under Nationals Coaching Staff

DAVE CARUSO

18 & Under Nationals Manager

PAUL FREDETTE

18 & Under Nationals Assistant Coach

Paul joined the Team Connecticut staff in 2001 as head coach of 12 & under team.  In 2002, he joined the 18 Americans Staff as outfield instructor and first base coach helping lead the team to 2nd, 7th, and 5th place finishes nationally in 2002, 2003, and 2004 respectfully.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

SHANE LeGARE

18 & Under Nationals Assistant Coach

Bio Coming Soon!

GENE CARUSO

18 & Under Nationals Assistant Coach

18 & Under Blue Jays Coaching Staff

ADAM TARASKA

18 & Under Blue Jays Manager

Coach Adam Taraska begins his first year as an assistant at Iona College. He will work with the Pitchers and assist in recruiting for the Gaels. He moves to Iona after spending 2008 at Caldwell College. 2009 will be Taraska's seventh season with TCB.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

16 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

MARK MICHAUD

16 & Under Hartford Manager

MATT PINDAR

16 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

16 & Under South Red Coaching Staff

BRIAN HUBER

16 & Under South Red Manager

Coach Brian Huber brings a fire and intensity not matched by many young coaches.  Brian spent time as a player at both Briarcliffe College and Cortland State. Brian has coached in the TCB Program since 2001, serving the last two years as the manager of the 18u Nationals.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

PAT HALL

15 & Under South Red Pitching Coach

Pat is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. Pat is currently in his 1st year as an Assistantant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Central Connecticut State University. Pat spent the past four years as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Fairfield University. Prior to Fairfield, Pat spent four years as the Pitching Coach at the University of Bridgeport.  The 2001 season saw his pitching staff lead their conference in lowest team E.R.A.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

NICK LAICO

16 & Under South Red Assistant Coach

16 & Under South Black Coaching Staff

ROB GIGUERE

16 & Under South Black Manager

Rob enters his 4th season with TCB in 2008. He has worked with various AAU teams since 2001 as well as 3 years at Joel Barlow High School. Since joining TCB, Giguere has been a coach on an AAU State Championship Team and a Top 10 National Finish.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

STEVE DeCROSTA

16 & Under South Black Assistant Coach

Steve enters his 2nd season with TCB in 2009. He has worked with various AAU teams since 2001, coaching spring and fall seasons. A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Steve was a key member of the 2001 NCAA Regional Tournament Team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

15 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

GARY DIAZ

15 & Under Hartford Manager

Gary Diaz is going into his fourth year of coaching for TCB. He is entering his first season as the 15u head coach after spending three seasons as an assistant with the 18u Americans team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

MIKE LEVANDOWSKI

15 & Under Hartford Pitching Coach

Mike is going on his 11th season of coaching in 2008. He has coached at all age levels from 13 & under to 18 & under and is also a Director of the 18 & under program, coordinating recruiting as well as National Fall Tournament teams. Under his guidance, TCB has recruited players for various teams and tournaments that have signed National Letters of Intent to such schools as Auburn, Boston College, Brown, Connecticut, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Elon, Florida International, Harvard, Kansas, Marist, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon State, Seton Hall, Stanford, Tampa, UNC-Charlotte, Vermont, Western Kentucky, Wofford, and many others.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

TOM DELLER

15 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

Tom Deller enters his first year coaching with TCB in 2009. Coach Deller is entering his 13th year as head baseball coach at Naugatuck High School, in Naugatuck, Connecticut, where he was selected as the ABCA 2004 Regional High School Coach of the Year.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

RICH LEVANDOWSKI

15 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

15 & Under South Coaching Staff

KEVIN HUBER

15 & Under South Manager

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.  As a former University of Bridgeport standout Kevin currently ranks among UB's all-time leader in all offensive categories. Kevin is the founder of the Connecticut Blue Jays Baseball Club.  Kevin has guided many AAU baseball teams to Top 10 finishes in AAU National Tournaments including the 2008 AAU 15u National Championship. Kevin's 2007 14-U Squad was eliminated in Medal Play by the eventual National Champions after a grueling extra inning game.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

ERIC AUGUST

15 & Under South Assistant Coach

Coach Eric August joined the Blue Jay organization in 2008 and brought with him a vast amount of coaching experience primarily at the high school varsity level.  Coach August is entering his sixth year as the pitching coach for Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Connecticut.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

MIKE SIKSAY

15 & Under South Assistant Coach

Bio Coming Soon!

15 & Under Blaze Coaching Staff

DENNIS RIOUX

15 & Under Blaze Manager

WENDELL ANDERSON

15 & Under Blaze Assistant Coach

14 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

RICH ARMSTRONG

14 & Under Hartford Manager

BILL NARDI

14 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

Coach Nardi will be entering his 11^th year of affiliation with Team Connecticut and CBA in 2008. He has worked in the 13 & 14 year old programs in both Assistant & Head Coaching capacities and has worked numerous clinics and Advanced Camps during his tenure.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

ERIC ROSARIO

14 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

14 & Under South Coaching Staff

MARK JURCZAK

14 & Under South Manager

Mark is entering his fifth year and tenth season coaching for the Blue Jays.  He has been coaching at the AAU level and instructing baseball for over 8 years. Mark played his collegiate ball as a pitcher at the University of Bridgeport.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

BOBBY COTE

14 & Under South Assistant Coach

Bob has been with the Team Connecticut Blue Jays since 2003.  In that time Bob has coached every level from 13-18. Bob was the pitching coach on the 15u 2005 club that placed 3rd Nationally.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

ADAM PRATSON

14 & Under South Assistant Coach

Bio Coming Soon!

14 & Under Blaze Coaching Staff

BRIAN ROONEY

14 & Under Blaze Manager

KYLE WELLINGTON

14 & Under Blaze Assistant Coach

MATT GOMES

14 & Under Blaze Assistant Coach

13 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

BOB HETU

13 & Under Hartford Manager

Bob founded Team Connecticut Baseball in 1994. The organization that began with one 13u team in 1994 grown to 20 teams in 2008. Bob has coached on 3 TCB National Championship teams, 1994, 1997, and 1999. He is the current General Manager of TCB and is also the President of the Connecticut Baseball Academy, a major sponsor of TCB. In his 14 years of coaching with TCB, Hetu has coached a number of players that have played both professionally and collegiately. The first TCB 13u team had 4 future draft picks, including Wendell Anderson, Steve Bray, Brett Burnham, and Adam Greenberg.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JOE CONTI

13 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

SHANE RISEDORF

13 & Under Hartford Assistant Coach

13 & Under South Coaching Staff

STEVE ANAGNOSTOU

13 & Under South Manager

Coach Anagnostou has been with the program for 3 seasons.  He spent the 2007 summer season with the 13u South club. Steve spent the summer of 2006 with the Hartford 16u team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JOE CANTONE

13 & Under South Assistant Coach

Joe spent 2 years at CCRI where he was all Conference his freshman and sophomore years and 2^nd team NJCAA All America as a sophomore.  From there Joe went to University of New Haven where he set the single season hits and doubles records in 2003.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

13 & Under Blaze Coaching Staff

CHRIS GALVIN

13 & Under Blaze Manager

CORY RIOUX

13 & Under Blaze Assistant Coach

12 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

BOB LINNELL

12 & Under Hartford Coach

BILL NOWAK

12 & Under Hartford Coach

11 & Under Hartford Americans Coaching Staff

VICTOR MANGOME

11 & Under Hartford Americans Coach

JASON DOODY

11 & Under Hartford Americans Coach

11 & Under Hartford Nationals Coaching Staff

STEVE BATES

11 & Under Hartford Nationals Coach

MATT MANDERS

11 & Under Hartford Nationals Coach

Matt is entering his first season with Team Connecticut Baseball starting in November of 2008. He is originally from Avon, Massachusetts, where he attended Blue Hills Technical High School in Canton, Massachusetts. Manders played his collegiate ball at Massasoit Community College. Matt has 9 years of indoor facility experience with camps and clinics at the South Shore Baseball Club in Hingham, Massachusetts.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

10 & Under Hartford Coaching Staff

GLENN ROWLAND

10 & Under Hartford Coach

JUNIOR RODRIGUEZ

10 & Under Hartford Coach

DAN PINION

10 & Under Hartford Coach

Additional Coaching Staff

MATT BROWN

Matt Brown was born in Huntington Beach, California before moving to Niwot, Colorado. As a player, Brown was a key element to the Niwot High School three-time state champion team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JIM DeFELICE

ROB DOWLING

Coach Dowling joined the Team Connecticut staff for the 2005 season. He spent the 2005 season with the 16u Hartford team. In 2007, he was an assistant coach with the 15u Hartford team. He is currently the head varsity baseball coach at Avon Old Farms School in Avon, CT.

[Click here for Full Bio]

GARY HUNT

Coach Hunt enters his 12th year of affiliation with Team Connecticut and the Connecticut Baseball Academy. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee (Chairman), he has been a coach at various levels over this span of service.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

ANTHONY PLA

Coach Plá will begin his sixth season as a Team Connecticut Blue Jay coach.  Anthony is a former second baseman at the University of Bridgeport, where he batted over .300 for his career. In 2007, Anthony was the head coach of the 13-U south area team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JOHN STAVOLA

TCB Medical Staff

EASTERN CONNECTICUT HEALTH NETWORK

ECHN is affiliated with Team Connecticut Baseball as the official team provider of sports-injury and related health care services.

PETER J. KARL

ECHN President & CEO

Peter J. Karl joined Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) in July of 2004 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in December of 2004.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

KATLHEEN SIMS

ECHN Vice President of Operations

Kate is the Vice President of Operations at ECHN and is responsible for the overseeing the day-to-day operations, financial management, and short and long-term capital planning.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

FRED BAILEY, BS MA CSCS PTA

ECHN Director of Rehabilitation Services

Fred earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training, and his Masters’ degree in Exercise Physiology, both from the University of Connecticut.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

KENNETH ALLEYNE, MD

Eastern Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Fellowship-trained in sports medicine and shoulder and knee surgery, Dr. Alleyne treats problems in adults and children related to the body’s tendons, cartilage and ligaments.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

SCOTT A. BISSELL, MD

Sports Medicine Partners

A native of Tolland, Dr. Bissell has returned to the area and established his orthopedic practice. He is fellowship-trained in orthopedic sports medicine.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

VIPUL DUA, MD

Eastern Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Fellowship-trained in adult joint reconstructive surgery, Dr. Dua joined the eastern Connecticut practice of Drs. Alleyne and Johnson, relocating from the Bristol area.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JESSE EISLER, MD, PhD

Connecticut Back Center

With combined fellowship training in orthopedic and neuro-surgical spine surgery, care of the spine is Dr. Eisler’s area of special expertise. “Orthopedics is an area that combines many aspects of medicine, including neurology and the mechanical nature of the body,” he says.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

WELLS JACOBSON, MD

Manchester Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, PC

In 25 years of practice as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jacobson uses seasoned judgment when assessing orthopedic injuries. “I think it’s important to have a balanced view, to know when to operate and when not to operate,” he explains.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

DAVID JOHNSON, MD

Eastern Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Dr. Johnson is fellowship-trained in surgery of the shoulder, elbow and hand, but he also enjoys all aspects of orthopedic care, including sports medicine, joint replacement and fracture surgery in all age groups. He is currently a team physician for the Hartford Wolf Pack hockey team.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

SANJAY KUMAR, MD

Windham Orthopaedics, PC

Dr. Kumar treats problems in general orthopedics, including fracture care and total joint arthroplasty for arms, hips, knees, and legs. “The benefits that orthopedic surgeons can provide for people are very concrete,” he says.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

JAMES MAZZARA, MD

Connecticut Center for Orthopedic Surgery, LLC

After 16 years of practice, Dr. Mazzara most often treats injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, hand and knee. “Orthopedic surgeons have the ability to make a significant difference in someone’s life,” he says.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

MICHAEL PASSARETTI, MD

Manchester Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, PC

Dr. Passaretti has been performing hip and knee replacements for more than 30 years. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques and partial knee replacements that weren’t even imagined a decade ago.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

PEDRO ROMERO, MD

Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Dr. Romero specializes in the treatment of shoulder and hand injuries, as well as knee repairs and sports medicine. In practice for more than 20 years, he has seen his specialty evolve along with his patients’ desire to remain active and live independently for as long as possible.

[Click Here for Full Bio]

DANIEL VELTRI, MD

Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Veltri is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He began his sports medicine career working with the New York Giants and St. John’s University, then served in the Air Force as Chief of the Orthopedic Service at Luke AFB in Arizona.

[Click Here for Full Bio]