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Braking News: The Off-Season
October 26 - The Stratford Brakettes recently completed their 77th season of women’s fastpitch softball with a third-place finish in the 2023 Women’s Major Softball (WMS) National Championship. First-year Manager Lauren Pitney’s club finished the season with a 22-8 record and looks to return a strong core for 2024.
The Central (New) Jersey Lightning clinched this year’s WMS title on August 6th at DeLuca Field with an 8-4 win over the Stripes & Strikes (PA), becoming just the fourth team to win the championship in the tournament’s 15-year history. The New York City Havoc won the inaugural title in 2009, while the St. Louis Saints captured the trophy in 2017. Stripes & Strikes have now finished runners-up the last two seasons.
While the Brakettes have won the other 12 WMS championships, there will be little time to rest this off-season in hopes of returning the WMS hardware to Stratford. The Lightning will be primed to defend their title in 2024, while Stripes & Strikes will be vying for a potential third-straight title game visit. The Junior Brakettes, as well as Rapids Softball (CT), Kaboom Softball (NJ), Maryland Chill, and Mid-Hudson (NY) Mustangs enjoyed strong showings in 2023 and hope to improve on their finishes.
The Brakettes’ franchise is still feeling the void of legendary GM Bob Baird, who passed away last December 31st of interstitial lung disease after a long battle with leukemia. Baird was honored by the team in Stratford on July 8th before the night’s doubleheader with the Massachusetts Drifters. Pre-recorded tributes by players and coaches were played over the PA, as well as speeches from Baird’s longtime partner-in-softball John Stratton, former Raybestos Cardinal Ken Bruno, and Bob’s son, Rob Baird, who succeeded his father as the Brakettes GM.
Big Bob was also honored this off-season by the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame, with their annual program at the Aquaturf in Southington on September 10th being dedicated in his memory.
Former Brakette star pitcher Rachele Fico (Stratford Brakettes 2008-2012, NPF Akron Racers/Chicago Bandits 2013-2019) was among those inducted that night into the CT Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame, as was fellow former Brakette pitcher Allyson Fournier (Stratford Brakettes 2014, NPF Pennsylvania Rebellion 2015). Former NPF Connecticut Brakettes Assistant Coach Julie Brzezinski (2006), and long-time umpire of Brakette games, Michael Giorgetti, were also inducted.
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| Rachele Fico, Allyson Fournier, Julie Brzezinski |
Jessica Dempsey and Cliff LaRose |
The evening also served as a public welcoming for great friend of softball and former Brakettes Umpire-in-Chief Cliff LaRose, whose continued improvement from a life-threatening infection and subsequent leg amputation warmed the hearts of all in attendance. Cliff is awaiting a prosthetic and continues his rehabilitation in Hamden and prays for a return to DeLuca Field in 2024. Friends of Cliff are welcome to contact him at: clarose1@aol.com. Keep up the great work, Cliff!
The biggest event of the 2023-24 Brakettes off-season happens on Saturday, October 28th, as longtime Brakettes Manager John Stratton is being inducted into the National ASA/USA Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. The event is being livestreamed here, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for pictures from induction weekend! Coming soon…
Stratton also enjoyed a triumphant tribute at DeLuca Field by the Brakettes and company on June 24th. National ASA/International ISF Hall of Famer and former Brakette Diane “Schuie” Schumacher led the way with fond recollections of her playing years working with John. Former Raybestos Cardinal Ken Bruno and Brakettes GM Rob Baird also shared stories about Stratton and those whose lives he’s touched during his illustrious career.
Stratton guided the Brakettes to 17 National championships, including five ASA and 12 Women's Major Softball crowns. Stratton’s record as Brakettes Manager was 1,492-141 record (91.3 winning percentage), which included two perfect seasons… 2011 (63-0) and 2013 (68-0). Stratton and the Brakettes also enjoyed an unprecedented 168-game winning streak from 2010-2012.
The Junior Brakettes will again be managed by Mary Sciglimpaglia-Brainard in 2024 and assisted by Rob Sciglimpaglia. The coaching staff have received 13 commitments for the upcoming season and are looking to fill a few more spots. Contact: maryscig22@gmail.com for more information if you or someone you know is interested.
“Joan Joyce! The Musical!” recently wrapped up an October run of 20 shows at the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury. It was the second theater to host the critically acclaimed musical, which celebrates the life and lasting impact of the trailblazing former Brakettes star. The play follows Joan’s career from her childhood to the Brakettes, to her pro softball and golf careers, and coaching at Florida Atlantic University.
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Left photo above, left to right- Joan’s niece, Meghan Joyce Bolesta, plus John Stratton and former Raybestos Brakette catcher Barbara Clark (1970-1978) were included in a pre-show panel, along with the co-writer of the musical, Lauren Salatto-Rosenay. Right photo- Former Brakettes Peggy Kellers (left) and Linda Finelli were speakers at a recent performance.
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The Brakettes Broadcast Crew, led by Will Gallagher and Moe Scioletti, took on a new challenge this past spring by webcasting all home Stratford High School softball games at brakettes.com. The SWC (South West Conference) softball playoffs were also hosted at DeLuca, with live webcast again provided by the Brakettes.
The Brakettes hope to increase local webcasts going forward on brakettes.com as part of a Stratford community outreach initiative and will provide the live broadcast for this Thanksgiving’s Stratford vs. Bunnell football game. Select Stratford High School home baseball games from Penders Field will also be carried by the Brakettes in 2024.
The Brakettes recently celebrated a new addition at DeLuca Hall of Fame Field… an amazing new scoreboard from Northeast Scoreboards (see article below). Both the Stratford Brakettes and Stratford H.S. Red Devils will benefit from the new scoreboard, which was purchased by the Stratford Brakettes.
The total cost of the scoreboard was over $27,000, including its physical installation and the removal of the old scoreboard.
We would like to thank several generous fans who have donated recently to help defray the costs of the scoreboard project, including former Brakette pitcher Brandice Balschmiter (2006-2008, 2010-2018) Billy Green, Edward Agvent, and Dave Schroder.
The Stratford Brakettes are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity, and all donations are fully tax-deductible.
To donate via Venmo: @Brakettes-Inc
Checks can be made out to “Brakettes Inc.” and sent to:
Brakettes Softball
185 Lordship Road
Stratford, CT 06615
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