The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc., will hold its 16th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at The Woodwinds in Branford.

 The eight individuals being honored in the Class of 2024 have contributed to area baseball in a variety of ways.

The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

Pete Civitello (North Haven HS ‘94; Albertus Magnus College ‘98) coached Guilford High School to the 2007 CIAC Class L championship. An all-conference pitcher at Albertus Magnus College, he has coached several age groups in the area for more than 20 years. He is the co-owner of the Northeast Clutch travel program.
Mark Consorte (Notre Dame HS-West Haven ’88; Wesleyan University ‘92) is the all-time home run leader at Wesleyan University. An all-state player at Notre Dame High of West Haven and a Division III All-New England selection at Wesleyan, he played in the West Haven Twilight League for 32 years.
Joe Lizza (Derby HS ’95; University of New Haven ‘99) was a two-time all-state selection for Derby High School. As a freshman, he was the starting catcher for Derby’s 1992 Class S title team. Lizza enjoyed a four-year career at the University of New Haven and is the co-owner of the soon-to-open Housatonic Athletic and Wellness Center.
Michael Moras (Amity Regional HS ’04; University of New Haven ‘08) was a 20th round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2008 and played five professional seasons. A four-year starting catcher at UNH, he is the Chargers’ all-time RBI leader and was a Third-Team All-American as a senior. He is the owner and operator of The Grind Baseball and Softball Training Facility in Orange.
Tim Shea (Notre Dame HS-West Haven ’82; Southern Connecticut State University ‘87) is the all-time leader in coaching victories at Southern Connecticut State University with 567. Since 2002, he has guided the Owls to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the D-II World Series.
Vin Siena Jr. (West Haven HS ‘82; Quinnipiac University ‘86) graduated as the all-time home run leader at Quinnipiac University and still sits third on the QU career list. He played 25 years in the West Haven Twilight League, winning three MVP awards and five league championships.

The SCDC will also hand out its two annual honors, the Andrew Gassira Memorial Umpire Award and the Tony Mentone Memorial Distinguished Service Award, at the dinner. Both recipients are considered members of the Hall of Fame.

Frank Pallone of Shelton will be presented the Gassira Award. A 30-year member and past president of the Greater New Haven Baseball Umpires Association, Pallone chairs the Fairfield County Chapter of Approved Baseball Umpires’ Better Officiating Committee. He is a graduate of Bunnell High of Stratford and attended Central Connecticut State University.

Matthew Mentone of Durham, the SCDC’s longtime treasurer, will receive the club’s award named after his late father. The younger Mentone is a coach in Southington South Little League and a former volunteer in the Hamden Fathers Baseball/Softball Association. A Hamden native, he is a 1999 graduate of the University of New Haven.

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The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame honors those who have made a significant impact  to the game of baseball in the local area. The Hall of Fame includes players, coaches, umpires, broadcasters, journalists and community volunteers.  The HOF dinner is held annually in October, and features our inductees, as well as the Mentone Distinguished Service Award and the Gassira Memorial Umpire Award. Requirements for the hall include people who support our mission of fostering and promoting the game of baseball in the local area.

Tickets are $60 per person. TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.  Thank you for everyone's support! 

* Venmo (@SCDC-1) and note for whom you're attending

* To pay by credit/debit, use the Buy HOF Tickets link

* To pay by check/money order, email rmentone@comcast.net

Tickets are paperless and your name will be on a list at the door. Sales close on 10/16. 

2024 Dinner is Wednesday, October 23 @ The Woodwinds, Branford, CT.  5:30 p.m.