New Haven Independent

Led by first baseman, Cesar Gutierrez (pictured), 19, this year’s team has all the talent to make a run at the state tournament and more. However, talent was never the problem with New Haven baseball. The problem was commitment, but this year’s team is fully committed and enthusiastic.

“We have everything. I really think this is the year,” said Gutierrez. “We don’t joke around and we have commitment. Everybody is dedicated to baseball, and we all love the game and try our hardest.”

Gutierrez is playing his third season for New Haven Legion, and has seen the good and bad with the team in the past. A rising sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University, Gutierrez realizes the responsibility that comes with being one of the oldest and most experienced players on the team.

“Everybody looks up to me because I have college experience,” said Gutierrez.

The team’s head coach, Dan Gleason, a New Haven police officer, also realizes the impact that Gutierrez has on the team.

“Cesar is like having another coach,” Gleason said.

This year’s team seems destined to do serious damage in the league with a very deep rotation led by rising Wilbur Cross High School senior Joe Neagle (pictured).

“I’ve been blessed with having all of these pitchers,” said Gleason.

To not make the tournament this year would be a major disappointment, as this year’s team is the strongest New Haven team top to bottom than any other team in New Haven’s past.

“Our goal is to win the division, get in the tournament and win the tournament,” Gleason said. ‘We have enough talent to win.”

Gleason looks to get everything he can out of his team and use all of their strengths.

“My goal is to make them all fundamentally sound and have a fast team, and use all of their talent,” said Gleason.

On Sunday the Legion team took its first step towards their goal as they beat Madison 10-5 in nine innings in an out of zone game at Amrhyn Field in New Haven. Neagle started the game and pitched two scoreless innings for New Haven.

In the first inning with two on, Gutierrez hit a towering three run home run to right field and New Haven would never look back. Dan Tilly, a senior at Career, helped avoid a big inning early in the game by throwing out a Madison runner at home to end the inning.

Henry Rivera, a senior at Wilbur Cross and also a slick fielding shortstop, pitched the last three innings of the game.