ROB BAIRD MAKES HIS PITCH, AND LESLIE MALERICH ACCEPTS

January 13, 2006 - Congratulations to Leslie Malerich and Rob Baird, who officially (finally!) became engaged on New Year's Day in Merrillville, Ind.

Rob, the son of Brakettes’ General Manager Bob Baird, and Leslie have been dating since 2001 when they first met at the Brakettes Refreshment Stand. Rob, who next summer will be the radio voice of the Connecticut Brakettes of the National Pro Fastpitch League, was running the refreshment stand when Malerich, an Indiana native and former Florida State University All-America pitcher, first played for the Brakettes.

After dating for four years, it took a three-month course at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting for Rob to finally ask the "right" question, which Leslie immediately accepted in her parent’s home just minutes after the stroke of midnight Saturday.

Rob taught music for three years in Bridgeport, CT, before he embarked on a new career in the broadcasting field, while Leslie substitute teaches in Stratford High School during the off-season. She will be playing with the Italian National Team for most of the 2006 season as she hopes to lead the team to a berth in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Malerich compiled a 15-3 record and a 0.57 ERA in 2005 with the Brakettes. Three of her victories were over NPF members New York Juggernaut, Texas Thunder and New England Riptide.

No date has been set, although Leslie hinted at 2007 in Indiana. Rumor has it that Rob’s dad is planning a wedding re-enactment at DeLuca Field. Whoever said the GM wasn’t a publicity hound?

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