Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo, right, rallies his team during opening day ceremonies for the Union City Little League April 16 at the Joe Joy Complex on Morris Street. PHOTO BY KEN MORSE

Opening day also marked the 28th season at their current location the Joe Joy Complex on Morris Street behind City Hill Middle School.

U.C.L.L. president John McSweeney addressed the crowd introducing the local dignitaries Deputy Mayor Tammath Rossi, state Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, District III Little League Director Wendell Stieber and state Sen. Joan Hartley, who were on hand to celebrate the event.

“I would like to thank our board of directors for all the time and effort they put into this organization,” McSweeney said. “It’s all for the kids and we are excited to begin another season here at the Union City Little League.”

To the left of home plate was a sign proclaiming the Junior softball team as the 2010 Connecticut District III Champions.
As each team was announced they raced in from the outfield to the cheers of the crowd. Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo charged to the mound with his team the Rays waving their caps to the crowd.

The Union City Little League program has over 350 kids in the program with divisions for Tee-Ball, coach pitch softball and baseball, Minor League softball, AAA Minor League baseball, Junior softball and Major softball and baseball divisions.

One young Met can barely contain his excitement during opening day ceremonies for the Union City Little League April 16. PHOTO BY KEN MORSE

“We have been really busy,” said Al Terry the umpire-in-chief and the cook of the day, along with board member Ricky Cool.

“In one hour we sold out of five dozen bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches. Now we are on to the hot dogs and hamburgers.”

It was a fun-filled day for all and the opening day ceremonies concluded with a double header to kick off the season.

Naugatuck police responded to a call reporting a suspicious person around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Police found the boy, whose name could not be released, near the intersection of Calvin and High Streets in the Union City area with a stab wound from what Administrative Lieut. Robert Harrison described as an “unknown-type instrument.” Harrison added the weapon was not a knife but something smaller.

The victim claimed he had been walking home when he was approached by two males who stabbed him in the chest for no apparent reason, police said. The victim said he was not robbed.

Naugatuck police continue to investigate the incident.

The North Main Street café hosted an art exhibition Sunday to preview a larger exhibition scheduled for Sept. 11 at the Naugatuck Historical Society.

“It was literally thrown together in two or three weeks,” Bellemare said of the preview art show, which also included wine and cheese as well as live music. “I didn’t expect much. We’re trying to really get people to see how nice this area is. We’re trying to get some more people to rent down here—I’m the only one here. It’s a nice little block. It’s just like art—it needs to be dressed up a little and given some color and attitude, that’s all.”

The exhibition was organized by Bellemare and artist Lewis Dube, who is also putting together next weekend’s show at the historical society.

“When Lewis came walking in, he presented me with one of his paintings and it was pretty cool,” Bellemare said. “So I said I would display one or two of them around the restaurant, and we kept talking, and it evolved into its own little world. I’m excited to look around and see the art, people, and energy. That’s what it’s all about for me.”

“People love art,” Dube explained. “People are here because there’s wine and food and music and art. They come and see it’s fantastic and don’t want to leave. I’m an artist and love to have my work shown. There’s a void that needs to be filled in the community, so I’m trying to do that and I’m taking some other people with me.”

Dozens of people turned out to the café to enjoy the atmosphere, art by about a dozen artists, and live music, including the jazz group Marcel and Beyond the Sun.

“It’s been pretty much a packed house—young, old, and in between,” said Andy Kulmann, a regular patron of Reynold’s Café. “I think it’s absolutely terrific—it’s like blue-collar artwork. Who would think an art exhibit in Union City would attract people to little old Reynold’s Café?”

Many people were attracted, something that is encouraging to borough officials who want to see Union City make a comeback.

“I think it’s fantastic for Union City,” Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo said. “It’s a fantastic display of our artistic community. It’s an opportunity for a great longtime business like Reynold’s Café to showcase its new space. The renovations in this facility are great.”

“There are a lot of people who have thought this part of town would never come back,” said Mike Ciacciarella, second deputy mayor and chairman of the Union City Revitalization Committee. “We need a good draw in this area, and we’re hoping something like this can be it. You need a good draw for a good revitalization so people will come out. Hopefully we can draw people from not only Naugatuck but surrounding towns. It’s been a little struggle with the economy, but we’ve made progress.”

Organizers of the art exhibition hope the success of Sunday’s event translates into a good turnout at the larger show on Sept. 11. That exhibit will showcase more art in addition to food and live music, including a performance by opera singer Marianna Vagnini.

“We asked her to perform for us and she’s so excited about it,” Dube said. “It’s like this stuff wants to happen. Everything’s going so well.”

“This is the kind of attraction that draws people,” Mezzo said. “People are looking for entertainment. Events like this can help spur other economic activity in the area. I think that the challenge is to translate a single event into ongoing activities. I think we take for granted the fabulous artistic contributions of our community.”

The area is one that is special to Bellemare, even though she’s not from the borough.

“My grandmother, Harriet Rosa, ran this restaurant for over 60 years, and it’s been in my family for over 100 years,” Bellemare said. “It survived the Flood of ‘55, so it’s really long-term family history. When [Rosa] passed away a few years ago, it was left to me to keep this place running.”

The place is running, and well at that.”

Bellemare hopes Reynold’s Café can be a cornerstone to the revitalization of the Union City subdivision.

“We’re trying to revitalize the entire area,” Bellemare said. “There has been a lot of help from the community. The area isn’t run down, but it hasn’t gotten a lot of love. We’re trying to make this place feel like it’s more than just a hole in the wall with a bunch of drunk people. It’s really like our own little Cheers.”

Union City brought the tying run to the plate in its last at bat, but Black Rock of Bridgeport held on for a 6-3 win and advanced to the state title round that begins this weekend. The loss ended Union City’s post-season run, which included a district championship and two victories in the sectional round.

After taking early leads in its first two sectional games, Union City fell behind early against Black Rock in this pivotal third game. Black Rock, the District 11 champion, scored once in the first and twice in the third to take a 3-1 lead and take control of the game after three innings.

“That might have been the biggest inning of the day,” Union City manager Steve Litke said. “We still never thought we were out of it.”

Perhaps the turning point of the game came in the fifth, when Black Rock’s Karla Grajeda drove in two runs with a line-drive single to right to score Alayne Martinez and Iman Ross. The runs came off of Danielle Bombardier, who came on in relief of Sam Hilse.

“That really broke it open,” Black Rock manger Brandon Medina said of Grajeda’s hit.  “That was really a huge hit.”

Bombardier allowed one more run in the seventh, but was otherwise solid.

“She throws the ball hard,” Litke said of Bombardier.  “She throws harder than most girls.”

It was Union City’s bats that took a while to heat up.

Sydney Cotto jump-started Union City’s offense in the sixth with a leadoff single.  Bombardier and Kayla Rotatori followed with walks to load the bases.

Black Rock starter Rachel Landlock induced a popup from Nicole Lopes to get the first out. Jordyn Sigetti drew a walk and forced in a run to cut the deficit to 5-2. However, Union City was unable to capitalize the rest of the frame.

“She consistently throws strikes and lets her defense work for her,” Black Rock manager Brandon Medina said of Landock.  “We’re here this far because of Rachel.”

Landock helped herself in the seventh at the plate to secure an insurance run.

With Grajeda on third and one out, Landock dropped a bunt that was fielded by Cotto, who attempted to make a play at first. Landock beat out a close play and Grajeda scored to give Black Rock a 6-2 lead.

Union City didn’t quit.

Sandra Marques began the final inning with a base hit to left. With the rally underway, Hilse lined a single down the left-field line.

Brianna Britto, the No. 2 hitter in U.C.’s lineup, hit a sharp grounder to Grajeda, Black Rock’s shortstop, who made a nifty play and attempted to tag Marques and missed.  Grajeda completed the play to narrowly get Britto at first.

With runners on second and third and two outs, Cotto smashed a grounder between first and second, which was fielded by right fielder Jocelyn Bousigout, who threw a strike to first to record the out.  Marques scored on the play to cut the deficit to 6-3 and Martinez came on in relief to record the final out.

“We work on that in practice,” Medina said.  “She picked it up and threw it.  It was all muscle memory.  You practice how you play.”

Medina came away impressed with Union City.

“We had to play an almost perfect game to beat them,” Medina said.  “And if we didn’t, we would have lost.”

Litke said he and the coaching staff were proud of the Union City team.

“We were one good inning away from making it to the state finals,” Litke said.  “I can’t say enough about how hard they played.”

Cambrelen belted a two-out, pinch hit, game-tying single in the top of the sixth to lead the Union City Little League 11 and 12-year-old all-stars to a 4-3 victory over Prospect last Saturday at the Joe Joy Complex. The victory advanced Union City into the winner’s bracket of the District III Little League Tournament.

The hit capped a come-from-behind win for Union City, which trailed 3-2 entering the sixth. It all started with Andrew Rivera, who lined a one-out double to left-center.

“He comes off the bench, up there with an 0-2 count, and smacks a base hit,” UCLL manager Dennis Sigetti said of Cambrelen. “That was just a great play.”

With two outs, Dakota Sigetti kept the rally alive with a single and took second on a throw home.  With two runners in scoring position, Cambrelen struck a single off Prospect reliever Zach Crowell between third and short to plate Rivera and tie the game at three.

Sigetti scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball and gave UCLL the lead.

“That (comeback) was just incredible,” Dennis Sigetti said.

Prospect had taken the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth.  Mike Tuohy, who belted a solo homer to left-center in the first, singled and eventually scored on a sac fly by Will Flormann.

Later in the inning, Tyler Boisvert scored Coby Vaccarelli on an RBI-ground out.

Union City scored first in the top of the third on a Kyle Torok RBI-single that scored Evan Pelliccia, who began the rally with a two-out single and reached second on an error.

Runs were difficult to come by thanks to solid starting pitching on both sides.

Rivera struck out 10 in five and two-thirds innings, gave up three runs and recorded the win. Pelliccia came on to get the one-out save in the sixth.

“One word – fantastic,” Dennis Sigetti said of Rivera.  “He had his speed and control.  (Tuohy) had a beautiful shot, a homer, and that was really it.”

Boisvert, the Prospect starter, was equal to Rivera.  He struck out 11 in five and two-thirds and allowed three runs, but was forced to come out of the game with two outs in the sixth after hitting the maximum pitch count, 85, allowed in Little League.

“Tyler was great” said Prospect manager Larry Fitzgerald.  “We were hoping to get him through the sixth inning with 85 pitches; he just didn’t make it.”

Union City defeated Ansonia on Monday, and will face its cross-town rival Peter J. Foley Little League on Friday night at Sunnyside Field in Shelton at 5:30 p.m. Foley advanced on Monday with a 14-0 over Ansonia on Monday in Naugatuck (see story at left).

“Our kids played well, and their kids played well,” Fitzgerald said of Saturday’s game.  “They deserved to win because they got the hit when they needed it. But a 4-3 all-star game in Little League is a great game.”

Prospect is scheduled to face the Beacon Falls all-stars Wednesday in an elimination game in Beacon Falls.

The Marlins won the Union City Little League Major Boys’ championship for the second consecutive season, thanks to a timely pitching performance from Dykes, who had not started a game on the mound all season. The Marlins beat the Yankees, 3-2, in the “if game” of the UCLL post-season tournament.

Dykes tossed a complete game and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth after Matt Johnson singled to left.

“He was unbelievable,” said Dennis Sigetti, the Marlins head coach, about Dykes. “Especially for a kid that hasn’t pitched that much. Ryan stepped up and he wanted the ball.”

It took a great performance to top the pesky Yankees, who entered the tournament as the No. 3-seed. The Yankees had to beat the second-seeded Phillies and the Marlins in back-to-back games to win the title—and they almost did it.

After defeating the Phillies, the Yankees beat the Marlins, 6-5, to force a winner-take-all game. And in the final game, the Yankees broke a scoreless tie in the fourth.

Alan Young singled home Patrick Hughes, who led off the fourth with a walk. In the bottom of the inning, the Marlins answered as Andrew Rivera blasted a solo homer to tie the score.

The Yanks regained the lead in the fifth, but not before the Marlins displayed some flashy defense. The combination of Hunter Allison (center field), Rivera (shortstop) and Cody Sigetti (catcher) completed a relay to the plate to stop the Yankees from taking the lead. However, with two outs and Corey Gros at second, Colin Sheedy delivered the go-ahead single to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Marlins took the lead back for good. Matt Festa and Dykes delivered singles, and after an error, advanced to second and third.

Festa scored on a passed ball, and Johnson singled home Dykes to give the Fish a 3-2 advantage.  It was a dramatic end to a memorable championship round.

The Yankees forced a final game thanks to some late-game heroics in the previous matchup with the Marlins. The Marlins took the lead in the fifth, and the Yankees fought back.

Tyler Suarez, who singled to begin the rally, eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Allison. Johnson also singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Rivera later added an RBI single to give the Marlins a 5-4 lead.

But the Yankees fought back.

Hughes tripled, and Toroked walk in the sixth. Young followed by reaching on an error that led to two runs, which gave the Yankees a 6-5 lead.

Hughes came in relief to earn the win for the Yanks, while Rivera pitched five innings for the Marlins.

“They never gave up,” Dennis Sigetti said of the Yankees. “They gave it 100 percent all the time.”

The Marlins finished the season with a record of 13-4.  The team was a mix of new and returning players, with seven players competing for the first time at the majors level.

“It was a great year,” Dennis Sigetti said.

The 61st season of Union City Little Leaue play began under sunny skies Saturday.

NAUGATUCK — There is something special about the sheer joy on the face of a child as he races around the baseball diamond, capturing the essence of America’s favorite pastime. An overflow crowd was on hand to help usher in the new baseball season at the Union City Little League complex Saturday, under bright, sunny skies.

As President John McSweeney introduced the players, by name, they ran in from the outfield, waving their caps to the cheering crowd. A host of dignitaries were on hand to help with the opening day festivities, including former major league ballplayer Candido ‘Candy’ Maldonato, who wished the youngsters well.

Maldonato began his 15-year major league career as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers and played for the 1989 National League champion San Francisco Giants and the 1992 World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays. In 1990, the outfielder had a career year, batting .273 with 22 home runs and 95 RBIs.

UCLL President John McSweeney and the league welcomed former major league outfielder Candy Maldonado to Saturday's opening ceremony.

The list of dignitaries helping to kick off the 61^st Union City Little League season also included Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo, who coaches one of the teams, Deputy Mayor Tamath Rossi, Naugatuck Housing Authority Executive Director Kevin Knowles, state Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, District III Little League Director Wendell Stieber and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

McSweeney recognized with a moment of silence three Naugatuck residents who have passed away since last year’s opening day celebration: Frank Johnson, Harold Litke and Dustin Diver.

Former Union City Little League President Mike Bisson came on to pay tribute to Dustin Diver, a former Naugatuck High School baseball captain and City Hill Middle School custodian, who died unexpectedly at age 31.

“Dustin was everything that Little League stands for,” Bisson said. “He was an inspirational character. He was the spirit of Little League. Dustin went on to play and coach at Southern Connecticut State University. He enjoyed every minute he was on the baseball field.

“Baseball goes a lot further than winning and losing. It’s about the love of the game, and that’s what Dustin had, a love for the game.”

After Stephanie Chandler sang the national anthem, DeLauro addressed the crowd and the Little Leaguers, as they sat on the infield.

“To quote Yogi Berra, Little League was created to keep parents off the street,” DeLauro said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

The Union City Little League consists of tee ball, coaches’-pitch softball and baseball, minor league softball, AAA minor league baseball, junior softball, and major softball and baseball divisions. More than 350 kids participate in the program.

McSweeney cited the contributions of the many volunteers, including the board of directors, who give countless hours of their time to ensure the league’s continued success. Al Terry is one of those volunteers, working as the umpire-in-chief, and has been volunteering his time for more than 30 years.

Mezzo addressed the crowd and called baseball part of a special time in a child’s life. “These are the glory years,” he said. “These are the years that will help mold the character of these kids.”

A table to the left of the seated dignitaries held the trophies for the Union City Little League 9-10-year-old District III champions.

This marks the 27^th season that UCLL has been at its current site, the Joe Joy Complex on Morris Street, behind City Hill Middle School. The league concluded its opening day ceremony with a double-header on Frank Raucci Field.

The Union City Revitalization Subcommittee organized the volunteer cleanup day. Second Deputy Mayor Mike Ciacciarella, who chairs the subcommittee, said the event helped “create an awareness of Union City and its history.”

Republican Burgess Bob Neth lends a hand Saturday at the first Union City Cleanup day. Volunteers collected about 300 bags of litter and revamped flower planters in the area.

More than 125 volunteers were drawn to the event by the prospect of beautifying the district—if they weren’t enticed by the free refreshments donated by the local Coca-Cola branch and YoFarm Yogurt, in addition to local businesses and organizations like Rachel’s Bistro and Catering, The Dog Shack, the Naugatuck Merchants’ Association, Reynolds Café, the Prospect Street School PSA, and Girl Scout Troop 64525. Volunteers also had the opportunity to win door prizes from local businesses.

Terry Raimo of Flowers Plus on Rubber Avenue donated almost four dozen mums, and Jimmy Warren of Capital Heavy Hauling donated a truckload of fresh mulch for new plantings throughout the neighborhood.

“The donations from these two businesses were the crowning touch to our cleanup efforts,” said Anne Ciacciarella, who also commended participating members of the Naugatuck Garden Club and the Blight and Beautification Committee.

The Naugatuck Recycling Center provided bags, rubber gloves, litter sticks and traffic cones for the event, and the Naugatuck Police Department was on hand all day to make sure the volunteers stayed safe.

By the end of the day, some 300 bags of litter were collected, and planters along North Main Street and around Linden Park and Prospect Street School were full of new, freshly-planted flowers.

“What a fantastic day filled with work, community spirit and pride in our neighborhood” said Mike Ciacciarella. “It was a true effort of teamwork and together, we took the first step to making Union City come alive.”

Ciacciarella also said he spoke to several people who expressed interest in opening businesses in the nearly-vacant building on North Main Street.

“People were curious, now that we’ve beautified the area, why there aren’t many businesses in Union City … and what better place to open a business than Union City?” asked Ciacciarella, adding that he has been dealing with the owner of the building about its future.

Ciacciarella said there will be a subcommittee meeting in November to discuss the progress made so far. Attorney Kevin McSherry, pro bono legal counsel to the committee, has been preparing an ordinance establishing Union City as a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) that Ciacciarella hopes can be presented to the Board of Mayor and Burgesses by the end of the year. NRZ status is important to attracting and securing grant funding for municipal beautification and economic development projects.

Just last week, the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approved a bid of about $95,000 to D&P Construction of Trumbull for sidewalk replacements in Union City. Ciacciarella said the walks from the Old Corner Café all the way down to St. Mary’s Church will be replaced.

For more information on the Union City Revitalization project or to get involved, contact Mike Ciacciarella at 729-8886 or mikeciacciarella@yahoo.com or visit www.unioncityct.com.

According to a police department press release, three males in ski masks and dark clothing jumped the counter, emptied the registers, and sped off in a vehicle that’s been described as either an older, red Chevrolet Caprice or Ford Crown Victoria. The number of guns involved is unclear, as the police report says only “multiple handguns were involved in this incident.” No shots were fired.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Naugatuck Police Department Detective Bureau at 729-7106 or the main desk at 729-5222.