West Haven Twilight League

HISTORY

How the West Haven Twilight League Got Started

This appeared in the New Haven Register May 30, 2005
Written by John Quinn
Elm City Clarion Editor

The Boys of Summer...

They've taken out the gloves, bats and balls again for another summer of our National Pastime. In years gone by the New Haven area has been the hub of such recreational sports activity and some fine Major league prospects have trotted the local base paths.

West Haven is one town that always fields the best. Aside from the semi-pro West Haven Sailors, memories go back to the still functioning Twilight League. Just a few weeks ago the West Haven Twilight League had a birthday. It also kicked off its 73rd season and is one of the oldest active leagues in the nation.

The Twilight League was founded on May 13, 1933 by a group of sportsmen kibitzing on a park bench on the West Haven green. Gathered for sports talk were the Metcalfe brothers Herb, Bob, and Ted, Johnny King, Ed Canavanm Hugh O'Neil, and legendary Eddie "Shrimp" Flynn. A few days later some 400 sports fans stormed the West Haven armory to elect the first slate of officers. The first president was railroad executive J. Frank Doolan. Gridiron legend Luke J. Crowe was elected Vice President; Ed Crowley, treasurer, and Shrimp Flynn served as secretary, publicity chief, and historian.

Parade of Champions

On May 18, 1933, Dolan, a former star player at the turn of the century, led a foot parade from the old Town Hall to Painter Park, where some 4,000 fans greeted the ballplayers. Flynn's Collegians with Eddie Lawson on the mound took on the town champs, the North Ends of manager Billy Fritz, in the first Twilight League contest. Sonny O'Brien twirled for the North Ends. Luke Crowe passed the hat. Nickels and dimes, even pennies dropped into it and the league was off and running.

The men who called the balls and strikes included Charles "Pop" O'Neil, Moose Miller, Hanley Schneer, Gus Howe, Jerry Griffin, Jim McDermott, John King, Frank Fitzgerald, and Harry Noyes Sr. Managers of the first teams were tavern owner Maurice "Moe" Quigley, Dennis Landino, Joe Morano, Mike Sansone, Harry Noyes Jr., Billy Fritz, and Frank McDonnell.

Famous stars in the old Twilight League were Albie Booth, Huck Finn, Dud Meyers, Frank Harlan, George Hearns, Bill Doherty, Ray Barrett, Joe Kelly, Dutch Miller, Harold Stretch, Frank Cooper, Bill Murphy, Jim Noyes, Earl Strong, Monty Barth, Joe Sedzek, Leon Jacobson, Dick Larke, Danny Lyons, Eddie Killian, Ed Francis, Chuck McDaniel, and Howie Hill. Most of the above are gone now, but for those still around the memory will always linger on. God Bless!

History :: Press :: Teams :: Schedule :: Stats :: Sponsorship :: Join :: Contact

The West Haven Twilight League, in our 77th Season!

Website Created by TN Integrated Solutions



HISTORY How the West Haven Twilight League Got Started This appeared in the New Haven Register May 30, 2005 Written by John Quinn Elm City Clarion Editor The Boys of Summer... They've taken out the gloves, bats and balls again for another summer of our National Pastime. In years gone by the New Haven area has been the hub of such recreational sports activity and some fine Major league prospects have trotted the local base paths. West Haven is one town that always fields the best. Aside from the semi-pro West Haven Sailors, memories go back to the still functioning Twilight League. Just a few weeks ago the West Haven Twilight League had a birthday. It also kicked off its 73rd season and is one of the oldest active leagues in the nation. The Twilight League was founded on May 13, 1933 by a group of sportsmen kibitzing on a park bench on the West Haven green. Gathered for sports talk were the Metcalfe brothers Herb, Bob, and Ted, Johnny King, Ed Canavanm Hugh O'Neil, and legendary Eddie "Shrimp" Flynn. A few days later some 400 sports fans stormed the West Haven armory to elect the first slate of officers. The first president was railroad executive J. Frank Doolan. Gridiron legend Luke J. Crowe was elected Vice President; Ed Crowley, treasurer, and Shrimp Flynn served as secretary, publicity chief, and historian. Parade of Champions On May 18, 1933, Dolan, a former star player at the turn of the century, led a foot parade from the old Town Hall to Painter Park, where some 4,000 fans greeted the ballplayers. Flynn's Collegians with Eddie Lawson on the mound took on the town champs, the North Ends of manager Billy Fritz, in the first Twilight League contest. Sonny O'Brien twirled for the North Ends. Luke Crowe passed the hat. Nickels and dimes, even pennies dropped into it and the league was off and running. The men who called the balls and strikes included Charles "Pop" O'Neil, Moose Miller, Hanley Schneer, Gus Howe, Jerry Griffin, Jim McDermott, John King, Frank Fitzgerald, and Harry Noyes Sr. Managers of the first teams were tavern owner Maurice "Moe" Quigley, Dennis Landino, Joe Morano, Mike Sansone, Harry Noyes Jr., Billy Fritz, and Frank McDonnell. Famous stars in the old Twilight League were Albie Booth, Huck Finn, Dud Meyers, Frank Harlan, George Hearns, Bill Doherty, Ray Barrett, Joe Kelly, Dutch Miller, Harold Stretch, Frank Cooper, Bill Murphy, Jim Noyes, Earl Strong, Monty Barth, Joe Sedzek, Leon Jacobson, Dick Larke, Danny Lyons, Eddie Killian, Ed Francis, Chuck McDaniel, and Howie Hill. Most of the above are gone now, but for those still around the memory will always linger on. God Bless! History :: Press :: Teams :: Schedule :: Stats :: Sponsorship :: Join :: Contact The West Haven Twilight League, in our 77th Season! Website Created by TN Integrated Solutions