TRADITION

Hello Everyone, Thank you for taking the time to view our website and look through the various pages. As I enter my 34th year of coaching, 31st with TRADITION, I realize that I get a little more nostalgic every year. Sometimes we dwell on negative issues. Disagreements with leaders of state organizations, with certain athletic directors or one particular superintendent might make us shake our heads. But it is more important to dwell on the positive. Over 30 years, this coach would not do anything different. There is no way to thank the many people who have enhanced my life in sports over that time. From the family that supported my obsession with starting my own team after my senior year in high school, to the parent or player who said a kind word; every moment of this journey has been worth it. What started out as "Piazza's Girls" became "Bolio's", and helped build what is "TRADITION" today. It has been a fun ride, whether it has been the Trojans of Lyman Hall, the Blue Knights of Southington, or the Eagles of Trumbull, plus all the other high schools to wear the summer travel shirts. Yes, the championships and victories were rewarding. But you learn that there is much more than proving that you know how to coach. There was the custodian who climbed on the roof to get the expensive game balls out of the gutter without being asked. There were the people who donated so that some wild bearded coach could bring his team to Hawaii to take on the Japanese. There were many people without children on the teams that mowed fields, raked dirt and spent a lazy Sunday afternoon on the field right next to you picking up papers and policing the grounds. As we start the 34th year of doing this, the old body gets tired a little more easily. And the times have changed in many ways. But the old sport of softball still brings a smile to the face and a little bit of hop in the step. The Alumni page list has been put together by one coach's old memory. Please tell me if I omitted you. I will apologize and correct my error. Each and every one of you has helped to shape my life. I appreciated it 30 years ago and I appreciate it now. If I can give you a bit of advice from an old, veteran coach, please do your best but have fun. This is not about scholarships. Parents, be supportive of all players. Try not to be selfish. We have seen many players and families pass through this program. The most successful ones in softball and in life were the ones who worked to "Be the Best Player You Can Be" but also to "Think of Your Teammates Before Yourself". Loyalty from coaches can be measured by the volunteer effort we make to teach your child the skills of softball and also remind them of the importance of teamwork in life. It is not measured by innings played or batting averages. Stats fade quickly, character lasts a lifetime. Parents of every team, you are all good people. You have given your child the opportunity to take part in all these programs. It is not their right. It is a privilege that you have generously provided. But stay positive, do not gripe in the stands. Do not think that your child is the best or the only player on the field. Together, coaches, parents, players and fans can have a great time if your ultimate objective is to have fun. We all need more of that in our lives. So, come out and watch another version of our TRADITION team this summer. In spite of what some of those negative people say, our team, past and present, will remain a family. I wish all of you could have the chance to experience what I have been lucky enough to feel. Thank you everyone, you know who you are. You are all in my lifetime Hall of Fame. Thanks for the memories...............Coach Piazza

1)All Games have 90 minute time limit, except finals...No new inning after 80 minutes. 2)Four game guarantee unless inclement weather. Every effort will be made to groom fields to playable condition. No refunds for teams dropping out. Two games or more, no refund.We have had rain at our tournaments in the past and have always prepared the fields to complete the tournament. But no one can play in driving rainstorms, because safety is our first priority, which has happened once. 3)Birth Certificates and Proof of Insurance, on request. 4)You may make recruitment books of individual player profiles and leave them at the college coaches tent. 4)Home team by coin flip. Team listed first in the schedule will sit in thirdbase dugout. 5)Please clean dugouts of cups, papers, bottles, etc. for the benefit of the team that follows your game. Thank you. 6)Team uniforms required. 7)You may bring your own refreshments on the site but there will also be a concession stand available as well as College Coaches/Souvenir tent next to field #6 toward the back of the complex. 8)There is no charge for fans to attend the games. 9)All teams will play on Friday night. Every effort will be made to give you a fair and reasonable schedule to be seen by college coaches. However, we can not arrange the schedule for the benefit of any one team. Please be flexible. 10) PONY Mercy rules in effect. 11) We will use PONY rule book. 12)We will have an individual showcase on Thursday, July 8 at Pragemann from 9 to 3pm 13)Respect the umpires who give back to the game in the summer. UIC's are Carl Pignone, Al Vasquez and Mike Raccio. 14)All your scores should be reported immediately to the info desk by the winning team. Send a runner. 15)Coaches reponsibility to check Pool Results for Sunday playing time. We cannot call 80 teams. Check the website www.traditionsoftball.com for questions about inclement weather or results.

Tradition Nationals Tuneup and College Showcase 18u/16u At least four games of softball against quality competition in front of invited college coaches. Tournament played at Pragemann Park in Wallingford/Yalesville, CT. All hotel and field directions can be found on the Tourn. Reg. Form web page for download. FORMAT Three games of pool play with some spacing between your games to give all college coaches in attendance a chance to catch your games. Guaranteed to play four different opponents in your first four games. Championship bracket on Sunday with crossover bracketing to avoid playing the same teams. This was popular last year. 18u Entries -first 18 teams paid are in 1. TRADITION 18u 2. Massachusetts Polar Crush 18u 3. Stratford Seahawks, CT 18u 4. Metro Boston Middlesex Krush 18u 5. Tornados Black 18u, NJ 6. Middlesex Madness 18u, NJ 7. Rhode Island Thunder 18u 8. Classic Commotion 18u, CT 9. Long Island Breakers 18u, NY 10.Legends, NY 18u 11.Tornados Gold 18u, NJ 12.Stamford Wildcats 18u, CT 13.Raiders 18u, MA 14.Xtreme Chaos 18u, CT 15.Challenge USA, NY 16.Worcester County Freedom 18u, MA 17.Hunt's Hurricanes 18u, NY 18.Westfield Whips, MA Waiting List - LI Mustangs, CT Charmers, MA BOBKATZ, Adironack Avalanche, NY, Stamford Chaos, CT, Long Island Express, NY 16u Entries - First 24 teams paid are in 1. TRADITION 16u, CT 2. Raiders 16u, MA 3. Brewster Rockets 16u, NY 4. wayne Wildcats 16u, NJ 5. Classic Commotion, CT 16u 6. CT Charmers 16u 7. RI Thunder Gold, 16u 8. LI Mustangs 16u, NY 9. Tri State Angels 16u, PA 10.RI Thunder Blue 16u 11.LI Riptide Blue 16u, NY 12.Jersey Charmers 16u, NJ 13.Jersey Nightmare 16u, NJ 14.LI Breakers 16u, NY 15.Clash 16u, NY 16.CT Bombers 16u, CT 17.LI Riptide Gold 16u, NY 18.LI Chargers 16u, NY 19.So. Maine Flame Gold 16u, ME 20.CT Eliminators Red 16u, CT 21.Worcester Country Freedom 16u 22.Ledyard Renegades 16u, CT 23.Black Ice, MA 24.CT. Tigers 16u, CT Waiting List - Stratford Seahawks, CT, MA BOBKATZ, Mohawk Valley Mad Dogs, NY, Stamford Wildcats 16u, CT, NJ Force

WE are proud of our alumni and thank them for their years of participation in the TRADITION family. ALUMNI Please email info for a "Where Are They Now" update page to CoachPiaz@aol.com 1974-1979 Roberta Wachtelhausen - UCONN Donna Carini - University of Notre Dame Colleen Canning, Hope Wells, Bonnie Homich, Eileen Goodrich, Sheryl McNamara, Robin Vezina, Mary Read, Bernadette DeRoy, Janet DeNino, Lisa Smith, Lesley Knight 1980-1990 Lisa Gawlak, Brown University, Chris Wanner, Paige Kopcza, UMASS, Sue Pranulis, Keene State, Heather Dorsey, UMASS, Lisa Chuba, UMASS, Heather Pullen, SCSU, Dawn Lantiere, South Carolina, Amy Logan, Penn State, Sheila Engelhart, Boston College, Janine Bertolini, UCONN, Tracy Ciosek, Kerri Hanover, Cara Thorpe,University of Rhode Island, Debbie Larson, Jen Ciardullo, University of New Haven, Jeananne Esposito,Kelly Biggs, Terri Cronogue,CCSU, Dante Self, Ginny Adler, ECSU, Kathy Krol, Karen Sweezey, Wendy Greco, Corrine Greco, Laura Scinto, Chris D'Andrea, Chris Cweklinsky, Kim Civitillo, Kim Schmidt, University of New Haven, Karen Canavan, Yale University, Traci Canavan, Julie Baksa,UCONN, Maryanne Miranda, CCSU, Karen Miranda,CCSU, Karen Chuba, Kim Busillo, Mitchell College, Fran Ryan, Andrena Kumnick, Carolyn Kumnick, Sharon Wing, Darlene Falconeri, Janet Coderre,UCONN, Jeananne Esposito, Doreen Lumbra, Becky Hall, Kelly Gannon, Kim Hanks South Central,Kathleen Biggs, Carrie Brosnan, Rutgers,Carrie Silver, Amy Silver, Marci Poggio, Michelle Bowes, Shelly Hall, Kim Biggs, Denise Giannini, Debbie Charron, Barb Angiletta, Lisa Greco, Kathy LaFountain, Laura DeVit 1991-2000 Jen Hadley, UMASS, Betsy Wiaderski, University of New Haven, Andrea Marino, San Diego, Diana Fortin, Dana Passander, Quinnipiac, Maureen Hoag, SCSU, Kathleen Hoag, University of Notre Dame, Nicole deFau, University of Notre Dame, Melissa Walsh, WCSU, Wendy Urso, ECSU, Heather Brousseau, Hofstra, Kim Lynch, WCSU, Karyn Fortier, Sacred Heart, Amy Towles, Nebraska, Kerri Kroner, IONA & University of New Haven, Karolyn Andrews, CCSU, Mandy Simjian, UCONN, Sue Chymbor, URI, Jen Gombotz, Providence, Dana Kowalski, SCSU, Lynn Bender, Jennifer Nuzzo, Julie Soprano, Beckie Ribera, Erica Ribera, MaryClaire Sullivan, Tina Allen, Elena Mielcarz, Lesley Salokas, Lindsay Windish, Lisa Michetti, Laura Parrot, Alda Viglione,Utah, Karen Viglione, Chris Mattei, Kathy Mattei, Jessica Stalmach, Jill Hatch, Kyla Pitruzello, Denise Collins, Tabby Lyons, Carrie Perrigard, Kelly Belmont, Christy Dukehart, Tricia Mase, Pam Backes,Marist, Lisa Scirocco,URI, Jenn Castelhano,UCONN, Jenny Gawron,CCSU, Jackie Schienda,Boston University, Jennifer Lindsley, Wendy Coleman,Albertus, Nicole Roberts, Springfield College, Sheri Bak, Michelle Mrazik, Jessica Tuccio,University of New Haven, Julie Smart, Stacy Defaranos, Tammy Hackley,University of New Haven, Alicia Longobardi, Leslie Dunn, Jackie Jaskot, Katrina Papachristos, Jennifer Ingalls, Stacy Shreder, University of New Haven, Dawn Brint, Kristin Yale. 2000....on Meghan Doonan, University of Vermont & FAU, Elina Colon, University of New Haven, Ali Brander, CCSU, Lesley Ferrara, UMASS, Kristina Tolles, UCONN, Erica Pernell, UCONN, Kristie Rochette, University of Hartford, Katie Alteri, CCSU, Stephanie Volpe, CCSU, Jessica Sachs, Florida Atlantic University, Amanda Acampora, UMASS, Courtney Miniter, Southern Connecticut State University, Natalie Volpe, Brandeis, Stephanie Kowalec, CCSU, Kelly Anderson, Syracuse, Kristin Cholewinski, CCSU, Jamie Ludwig, Stonehill, Amanda DeMatteo, Salve Regina, Vicci Duane, Bryant, Jessica Almonte, UCONN, Brittany Glynn, University of Notre Dame, Brittany Forshaw, CCSU, Monica Savarese, SCSU, Amanda St. George, SCSU, Angie Atkins, Springfield, Aimee Cassella, Springfield, Amanda Genovese, Manhattan, Molly Babcock, Brooke Perrone, Holy Cross, Kierstin Pry, SCSU, Alyssa Skewes, Elms College, Kelly Wall, Quinnipiac University, Sarah Gates, St John Fisher, Steph Lavado, Keene State, Michelle Bolduc, Babson, Jess Gilbertie, Virginia Tech, Allie Ritacco, Fairfield University, Casey Sullivan, Tufts University, April Ghiroli, University of Pittsburgh, Lauren Richitelli.... COACHES Mickey Canning, Tom Struble, John Chesters, Mel Horowitz,Mike "Doc" Arico, Ron Biggs, Mark Moynihan, John Gawlak, Jr. John Gawlak III, Lisa Gawlak, Bruce Kroner, Bob Perrigard, Steve Hoag, Mike Civitillo, Bob Neubauer, George Engelhart, Gene Thorpe, Dave Hadley, Jim deFau, Jim Lindsay, Dennie Lewis, Dave Sachs, Lou "Mr. Candy" Sobel, Rich "Mr. Fluids" Mielcarz, Charlie Judge, Cris Lukas, John Rochette, Rick Bolduc, Lou "Street Walker Barbie", Savarese, Brian Forshaw, Lou Ghiroli, Chuck Davenport, Fran O'Keefe, Tom Wall, Angelo Formisano, Rick and Bob Arremony, Ray and Al Ramelli, Samantha Keltos, Jim Ryan, Ali Keltos, Greg Zaccaria, Jim Keltos, Tom Pia. SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Marcel Bizier and Discount Trophy, Dave Carpenter, Jim Ferguson, David Bolio

FYI - TRADITION has run its program for 27 years, taking the summers of 2000-2002 off. On returning, Coach Piazza, his coaches, and players will resume the team. In his absence, Coach Piazza gave permission to other coaches to use his team name in order for those coaches to have a better opportunity to recruit players for their team. Coach Piazza did not steal the TRADITION name, Coach Piazza created the TRADITION name. This August, the coaches had a one day tryout, published in the newspapers. The Original TRADITION team did not recruit players from other teams. I repeat, the Original TRADITION team did not recruit players from other teams. Players showed up of their own free will and enough players participated to run two programs, 16u and 18u. Let's remember that this game is for the girls and to have fun while learning. When you go around talking about the Original TRADITION team, why not get the facts straight. (Gosh, now I feel better)