Team called
out in Vermont
Program cut hits
south ballplayers
When the University of Vermont baseball team made its annual pilgrimage to Little Fenway Wiffle Ball in Essex, Vt., a one-fourth scale replica of the Red Sox stadium, the three players hailing from Milton, Mass., dominated play.
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"We were all on the same team," recalled UVM sophomore shortstop Matt Duffy, referring to junior pitcher Tom Kelly and freshman infielder James Katsiroubas, former teammates on the Milton Post 114 American Legion team that won the 2006 Northeast title. Duffy and Katsiroubas were also teammates at Milton High, while Kelly played at Catholic Memorial.
"It's known throughout the entire team that there's something about Milton Wiffle ball. That's what we grew up doing."
The Milton trio, however, will not be able to defend their self-proclaimed Wiffle ball crown next season, nor make a return to the American East playoffs with the rest of their Catamount teammates.
In late February, UVM officials cut a program that dates back to 1888, as well as the school's softball program, as part of a universitywide budget management plan. Facing a $1.1 million gap between projected revenues and expenses for next season, UVM cut the athletic department's general fund by 6.5 percent.
The news was an especially tough blow for the baseball team's 22-year head coach, Bill Currier, who guided the Cats to a 22-33 mark and the third round of the America East playoffs.
"He's had such a tremendous career," said senior pitcher Justin Albert of Hull, who hopes to be selected in next week's Major League Baseball draft. "Initially that was one of the first feelings I felt: grief for Coach. He's been beloved by the school and town [of Burlington] forever. It's so unfortunate they cut him short."
The news was a devastating blow to the Cats, who spiraled to a dismal 0-11 start. The decision also put 11 freshmen, seven sophomores, and five juniors back into the recruiting pool, competing with current high school seniors for roster spots. The NCAA allowed other schools to contact UVM players immediately and waived the rule that forces transfer players to sit out a year.
While Katsiroubas is transferring to the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, a Division 2 program, Kelly will stay at Vermont. A transfer from Suffolk University, he will accept the university's offer, which is allowing players to retain their scholarship and study at UVM.
In April, the hard-hitting Duffy signed with the University of Tennessee, leaving as the program's last America East batting champion. In addition to his .388 average, he also tied the program's single-season home run record (13), while also setting new marks in RBIs (57) and runs scored (57).
"[Playing at Tennessee is] a good situation but it's obviously not my first choice to have to leave Vermont," Duffy continued. "It's a terrible situation with what's happened here. At the same time, you have to take the good with the bad and look at it in a positive light."
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Duffy was also courted by Virginia Tech and Auburn but was sold on Tennessee after one visit to Knoxville. Other players were not as fortunate.
"I want to help them, more or less be their agent, and the guy who helps them get to another place," Currier said. "But it's also difficult having to send these kids off to other places. You're happy for them, but it's also like selling each piece of furniture in a house; you have a story about each piece."
This season was especially difficult for Katsiroubas, who was just starting his Division 1 career.
"I didn't let it ruin everything," said Katsiroubas, a third baseman who committed to UMass-Lowell after also considering Northeastern University. "It was just another issue you have to deal with and get through. It's life."
He has dealt with adversity before. His father, James Sr., who taught him the game as a child, died of a heart attack at age 54, when Katsiroubas was a sophomore in high school.
And while his story might put baseball in perspective, it will still be hard for Kelly this fall when he returns to campus solely as a student.
"It's kind of weird because baseball is something I've associated with my entire life," said Kelly, who compiled a 4-5 record with a 5.43 earned-run average in 15 appearances this season. "I've always thought of myself as a baseball player. It puts a different perspective on everything."
Kelly's college career and Milton's pipeline to UVM might be closed, but Currier said he will continue to tap the talent in the South Shore at whatever school he lands at next.
"All four of those guys have been quality players, helping us draw other kids out of that area," Currier said. "It was short-lived but it was a good linkage of good talent from that area. Wherever I go from here, hopefully we can keep that up."
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