Windham Little League season opener reflects community support for baseball

Dairy Queen fifth-grader Cody Ruth slides across home plate
during a Windham Little League Opening Day game against
CR Tandberg on Saturday, April 30 at Ciccerone Field at
Lowell Farm in Windham.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

It’s officially baseball season and Saturday, April 30 began with an incredible showing of support for Windham Little League with many community members and a variety of teams who came to Ciccerone Field at Lowell Farm in Windham to celebrate opening day.

First to play were Majors Division teams CR Tandberg and Dairy Queen. Both teams played well, but in the end, CR Tandberg won 15-9.

Opening Day 2022 was extra special. The 2021 Windham Little League softball state champs were honored as the entire team was called to the field and wished good luck to all players as they continue their softball careers.

A new parking lot and road for umpire parking was recently added to the area around Ciccerone Field. This road will be called “Ciccerone Way” after Bill Ciccerone who works tirelessly to make sure Windham Little League has a nice field to play on.

Ciccerone is in his 22^nd year of maintaining this field. He started when his grandson was playing and after his grandson left, Ciccerone stayed.

“My payment is seeing the kids enjoy themselves on this field, having their names announced – they love it” said Ciccerone.

Ciccerone was also presented with two bats, one signed by Windham Little League baseball and one Windham Little League softball.

“It’s one huge honor and I thank them,” he said.

In the first inning, fifth-grader Brady Legere stole his way around the diamond and put CR Tandberg on the map.

CR Tandberg’s sixth-grader Ryder Lopes singled in the second inning. After six-grader Rocco DiDonato got on base, Lopes stole home.

Lopes said they all worked really hard which contributed to the win.

CR Tandberg sixth-grader Zach Gaudet walked in the third inning. Fifth-grader Ryan Manning doubled on a fly ball to left field; Gaudet scored. After two walks, Manning scored on a wild pitch. Lopes walked and the bases are loaded.

DiDonato walked and CR Tandberg led 5-0. Third-grader Cody Devoid walked and CR Tandberg scored.

But this game was far from over.

In the third inning, Dairy Queen sixth-grader Collin Lombard walked. Fifth-grader Troy Cunningham singled. Sixth-grader Jordan Tom walked, and Dairy Queen brought in two runs.

Dairy Queen Sixth-grader Jacob Burke hit a fly ball to center field and Tom scored. Burke scored after sixth-grader Beckett Bragnon got on base. It’s now 6-4, CR Tandberg.

The fourth inning brought a couple walks for CR Tandberg and a hit by Manning to drive in a run. CR Tandberg sixth-grader Chase Gagnon singled and fifth-grader Sullivan Nappi scored. Before the end of the inning, Manning crossed home plate.

Dairy Queen was not finished. After three walks in the fourth inning, sixth-grader Nick Wilden scored on a wild pitch and third-grader Jackson Zinchuk scored on a passed ball. Cunningham singled and Lombard scored; 9-7 CR Tandberg.

The fifth inning brought several runners across the plate for CR Tandberg.

Dairy Queen kept going; Burke and Bragnon both singled. Jacob scored. Bragnon scored.

“I think it was just a team effort,” said CR Tandberg coach Mike Manning. “We had a solid pitching performance behind Gaudet today. And for the most part, the team just played together. The kids are having fun, that’s the biggest part.” <