Yeah they were already changing slowly and there was some big Pratt expansions around 2000 that skyrocketed the Change. But there was always a small contingent of Glastonbury wannabes in small towns like those too, granby was the same way.
That’s not fair to tony, Dan was one of the best players to come out the area in a while (him and pollack are the two best off the top of my head). Just a crazy natural athlete.
Rockville always had some talent when I played them. Cravenho could mash. Leonard was a good c. And there was a never ending line of kuckuchka brothers with sick breaking balls.
Plus the 8 foot 7 freeman who could pitch and was a good hoop player.
RHS took state in Class L in 2000 with Leonard winning Gatorade player of the year. Had a great career at UConn and had a couple good years in A and AA but never quite caught up to pro pitching and had a couple very unfortunate family events that derailed his career. Jeremy Freeman was definitely imposing on the Hill at like 6’8.
Playing little league at the time, guys like Cravenho and Leonard were killing and they were mini-celebrities. The baseball culture in that town was crazy at the time. Two huge little leagues and EVERYONE played.
My freshman year baseball season was 2003 and just being a little used JV pitcher was decent for clout around town/school. Guys like Freeman, Jamie Kukucka, and Mike Tingley (who may have been the best pitcher of all, Lefty who could bring it in the upper 80s when he was like 15) were on there way out and I’m not sure the baseball in that town has ever come back.
NOT TO TURN THIS THREAD INTO ANOTHER ROCKVILLE HIGH YEARBOOK