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SEN. HARTLEY DONATES 130 CONNECTICUT COMMEMORATIVE STATE PINS TO CT FORCE BASEBALL TEAM AS THEY HIT THE NATIONAL STAGE

Waterbury, CT—State Senator Joan V. Hartley (D-Waterbury) recently paid a visit to CT Force, the East Shore’s 14 year old AAU travel baseball team, to donate 130 Connecticut commemorative state pins in anticipation of the national competition they will be playing in this weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The team will exchange the pins with players from other states during the opening ceremonies of the tournament.

 

“To have a group of talented student athletes representing Connecticut on the national stage is something to be very proud of,” said Sen. Hartley. “It was a tremendous honor to visit the team at the field and see how gifted these athletes are. I wish the team luck in the national tournament and I am sure all of them have a bright future ahead.”

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“It was a great opportunity to have the players on the team meet Senator Hartley,” said Bob Bartoli, head coach of the team. “For her to take time out of her schedule to come down to the field and spend some time with us was really appreciated.”

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In April, team member Michael Keating reached out to Sen. Hartley informing her about the national tournament and how during the opening ceremonies the teams trade pins with players from other states.

 

He asked Sen. Hartley where he could purchase Connecticut state pins for his entire team because of the support the team has shown him and his family while they went through a serious family medical situation.

 

After Michaels compelling request, Sen. Hartley decided to purchase 130 pins for the entire team.  

 

“I am so thankful that Senator Hartley was able to take time out of her busy schedule to help my son’s baseball team before they head off to the National Tournament,” said Kelly Keating, mother of Michael Keating. “I really appreciate her thoughtfulness in wishing the team good luck and also in obtaining the state pins for the players to trade during opening ceremonies.  The team, which has been like a family to my son, is very excited, and we are very grateful that Senator Hartley was able to help us all out.”

 

The team will face other teams from 25 different states in the national tournament this weekend in Myrtle Beach.

 

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