Vernon Orioles Going To Bat For Community

Aug 14 7:00 PM Palmer Field Graphics 5 M&T Bank 8	Aug 15 7:00 PM Palmer Field M&T Bank 5 Jets 0	Aug 16 7:00 PM Palmer Field M&T Bank 2 Jets 8	Aug 18 6:30 PM Ceppa Field West Haven Twilight League 4 GHTBL All-Stars 6	Aug 19 1:30 PM Fussenich Park GHTBL All-Stars 17 CTL All-Stars 1	Aug 20 11:00 AM Muzzy Field GHTBL All-Stars 7 West Haven Twilight League 2	May 23 6:00 PM Frank J. McCoy Field Orioles Phillies	May 23 7:00 PM McKenna Field Jets Expos	May 23 7:00 PM Northwest Park Graphics Greeners	May 28 6:00 PM Frank J. McCoy Field Orioles Jets	May 28 7:00 PM Ceppa Field Expos Greeners	May 29 7:00 PM McKenna Field Jets Phillies

The Vernon Orioles have continued their community involvement this year.

VERNON, CT — At a recent game, the Vernon Oriole family had Carol Hartmann throw out the ceremonial first pitch to remember and honor her son Brenden Mailloux, an outstanding Rockville baseball player.

In 2010, the Hartmann family lost a beloved family member, Brenden. He was was the son of Carol Hartmann and Len Mailloux, and grandson of Russell Hartmann of the beloved Hartmann’s Supermarket in town. Brenden died unexpectedly in 2010.

The family wanted to do something in Brenden’s memory and felt that contributing to improvements to McCoy Field, known as the Home of the Vernon Orioles, was a fitting choice to honor Brenden and benefit current and future ball players.

Carol Hartmann throws out the first pitch, McCoy Field, 2022.

Brenden grew up playing baseball from Little League to All-Stars, to JC Courant League, Rockville High School Varsity, and American Legion. He was a skilled player and loved the game. His special talent was his glove at first base. He played many games on McCoy field.

The Family is thrilled that the Vernon Orioles and other teams are benefitting from the improvements made. The outfield was named as the Brenden Mailloux Alley, which is located on the scoreboard.

“The Vernon Orioles Family would like to thank the Hartmann Family for their generous donation. McCoy Field is one of the premier fields in the league,” Orioles officials said [led by Manager Jack Ceppetelli, Kevin Powell and Steve Krajewski].

Brendan Mailloux Alley at McCoy Field, Vernon, CT.

The Vernon Orioles Family remembered and honored a fellow Oriole, Steve Czyz by having his daughter Kat throw the Ceremonial first pitch against Rainbow Graphics. Steve played shortstop for the Orioles from 1993 to 2000. In that time, he played on two championship teams, 1996 and 1999. He was also named to numerous All-Star teams throughout his career.

Steve grew up in Ellington and played for Ellington High School’s baseball team. He then went on to play college ball at Western New England. Steve died in 2015 at age 44. The Orioles donate each year to the Steve Czyz Scholarship Fund that goes to an Ellington High School student.

In April of this year, the Orioles made Kat Czyz, an honorary Vernon Oriole. Kat is a sophomore at Ellington High School, plays softball and has led the Knights to the NCCC Championship. She plays for the CT Bomber Travel Team, coaches an Ellington Little League team and plays Volleyball for Ellington High School.