nothin “We’re Bringing Home The Gold!” | New Haven Independent

We’re Bringing Home The Gold!”

A team of young Elm City baseball players are carrying the hopes of their city Wednesday to New Britain, where they plan to show off their skills at this year’s Nutmeg State Games.

The Elm City Hawks got a big send-off Tuesday at City Hall from a baseball cap-wearing Mayor Toni Harp. The team will represent the city in the statewide games, which are the largest Olympic-style amateur multi-sport sporting event in Connecticut.

Markeshia Ricks Photo

Touting the importance of young people having the opportunity to be outside and working together as a team, Harp told the players that they are figuratively carrying New Haven’s battle flag on the baseball fields of New Britain.”

City Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett applied a little more direct pressure: I expect nothing less than a championship trophy upon your return.”

Bartlett said the real hope is that the team will do so well that the city could field more teams, and individuals too, in other sports for future state games. He called the Nutmeg Games a great opportunity to expose amateur athletes from the city to athletic scouts and sports companies and to meet other young people from across the state.

Ana and Bill Winn (pictured) have been involved in Babe Ruth League baseball for more than 13 years. Ana said she scouts for talented young people to play on teams, while her husband Bill, and Dave Setzer help the children sharpen their skills.

She encouraged New Haveners to support the team in New Britain at Sage Park where they will play their first game at 7:30 p.m. Remember the talented youth, who have the talent, the drive and the desire to one day play in the major league,” she said.

Todd Howell, owner of construction company N.E.S.A.I.M. and team sponsor, summed up everyone’s goal best: We’re bringing home the gold.”

The Elm City Hawks come from every part of the city, and their names are as follows: Talvin Rodgers, 18; Luis Galavza, 16; Kyle Bates, 18; Arnaldo Rodriguez, 17; Joshua Colon, 17; Jose Colon, 15; Jensey Padilla, 17; Matt Avitabile, 18; Edgar Diaz, 16; Jorge Nieves, 17; Malik Nieves, 18; Jullian Lowery, 18; Melvin Mujica, 18; Jose Calcaño, 19; Reynaldo Duprey, 16; and honorary team member Hailey Howell, 11.

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