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The Boys of Mead: 2015 New Canaan Rams Baseball Preview

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The snack shack got back to business at Mead Park a couple weeks ago. Now the boys of the New Canaan Rams baseball program are getting ready to do the same. After a 2013 season that culminated in the program winning its first state championship since 1950, it was going to be tough for the 2014 Rams to follow such an act. But while 2014 didn’t include any championships (14-6, 12-6 FCIAC) it did feature continued development of some top talent and leaders that are ready to create their own story in 2015. That story begins with the team’s four senior co-captains: outfielder/pitcher Alex LaPolice, pitcher/outfielder David Giusti, shortstop Brandon Abate, and All-State catcher Zack Smith.

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VIDEO: New Canaan’s Curt Casali Hits Spring Training HR

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New Canaan’s Curt Casali Smacks Spring Training HR 3-18-15
Curt Casali hit a solo home run in Tampa Bay’s 9-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Spring Training action Wednesday afternoon. The blast, hit off MLB veteran Jeff Francis, was the first round-tripper of Casali’s career with the Rays and should help the New Canaan native’s chances of breaking camp with the big club once the regular season starts. Casali is now hitting .300 through six Grapefruit League games with Tampa Bay this spring. He is currently in a battle with teammate Bobby Wilson for the Rays’ backup catcher spot. Newly acquired Rene Rivera is projected to be the starter for Tampa Bay when the season begins on April 6th.

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Major Leaguer Curt Casali To Headline New Canaan Baseball Clinic

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Less than a week before Christmas and the exact day of winter’s official beginning is not exactly the time of year one has in mind when thinking baseball. That said, for New Canaan High School baseball’s varsity head coach Mitch Hoffman, there’s no time like the present to bring together New Canaan baseball’s past, present and future. On Saturday, Hoffman will host a baseball clinic for youth players of all ages. The clinic is particularly special as it will be headlined by New Canaan’s first major league player, Curt Casali of the Tampa Bay Rays. In addition to Casali, the clinic will be run by many former Rams who are now playing at the collegiate level.

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New Canaan’s Casali Suffers Concussion, Out for Rest of Season

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Curt Casali’s 2014 major league season came to a seemingly premature end Wednesday night in Boston. The Tampa Bay Rays catcher suffered a concussion after taking a foul tip off his mask against the Red Sox in Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. The 2007 New Canaan High School graduate left the game in the fourth inning, as Boston’s Rusney Castillo fouled two pitches off Casali’s facemask in a three-pitch span. The second tip knocked Casali out of the game and – most likely – the season. Casali became the first New Canaanite to make the major leagues when he was called up by the Rays in July.

Alan Haas

VIDEO: Locals Congratulate Curt Casali, New Canaan’s First Major Leaguer

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Here’s what newly retired Mark “2-5-0” Rearick had to say in a longtime townie Facebook group about Curt Casali, the former New Canaan High School Rams varsity baseball player under “Fiver” who on Friday made his Major League debut—the first New Canaanite ever to make The Show: “A fantastic moment for a most deserving young man.”

Beyond talent and diligence, Casali has earned a reputation for modesty, so we hope our video tribute above doesn’t embarrass the catcher. It’s just meant to say: We’re very proud back here in New Canaan—whether your career, Curt, encompasses 10 at-bats or 10 All Star games, you are our guy who made the bigs—and Saturday’s annual Sidewalk Sale afforded an opportunity to say so as a community. We went with a “tip of the cap”-style tribute for the Tampa Bay Rays catcher. RE59ECT to you, Curt, from some locals—some of whom will be known to you. Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer.