The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Siena back to the grind with New Britain Bees
NEWBRITAIN — Vinny Siena doesn’t mince words when he recalls the feeling of being released by the New Britain Bees at the end of their spring training in late April.
“It was tough, it (stunk),” the former UConn and Amity High star said.
Siena tried to find another independent league team to hook up with, but by that time, just about every roster was set. So, he continued to stay in shape at The Grind Baseball and Softball Training facility in Orange, while also working there — and coaching a 14U baseball team.
“I tried to stay ready,” he noted. “Staying in shape and preparing for possibly getting a call wasn’t something I felt I was wasting my time (on).”
For one, Siena knew he was enrolling back in classes at UConn in the fall to continue to work towards his sociology degree, and possibly help out Jim Penders with the Huskies’ baseball team in any way possible. Plus, he has a good relationship with the Bees’ front office, after playing 73 games there last season and knew a roster spot or two would open up somewhere along the way, as it does every summer.
Sure enough, about a week ago, Siena rejoined the Bees. He’s 2for10 in his first five games back as he gets reacclimated to live pitching for the first time since the end of last season.
“I’ll just continue to work, hopefully string some hits together and get on a roll, and see where it goes from there” Siena said after a recent game at New Britain Stadium.
However things work out the rest of this summer for Siena, he’s got a lot to look forward to. He’s two semesters shy of his degree at UConn, and the New York Mets will help pay his tuition, as part of the agreement he reached with the team after being selected in the 14th round of the 2015 MLB draft following his junior season at UConn.
Siena has had some informal conversations with Penders about helping the UConn baseball team in any way he can — working with infielders, hitters, throwing batting practice, etc.
“After [running] practices at The Grind, my BP arm is there,” he quipped.
Siena continues to be amazed at what Penders has accomplishes at UConn, and believes the future will be even better.
“They’re gonna get a brandnew stadium, and it’s gonna make them even more dangerous,” he noted. “It’s gonna be real fun to watch.”
Whether with his alma mater or elsewhere, Siena believes coaching is in his future.
“I’ve learned a lot over the past few years, and at UConn,” he said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot, hittingwise. I’d really like to pass that down to some guys, hopefully help them out with their future adn see where it goes from there.”
Until then, Siena will continue to make the 35minute drive from his Woodbridge home and keep grinding as a New Britain Bee.
“I felt like it was worth it to stay in shape, just in case,” he said. “And here I am now.”
‘A’-LIST BEES
A pair of players with Connecticut ties were among the Bees’ four players selected to play in the 2019 Atlantic League AllStar Game.
Darien’s Devin Burke and former Southern Connecticut State standout Jim Fuller join infielder Jonathan Galvez and catcher Logan Moore on the Liberty Division for Wednesday’s game in York, PA.
Burke, a righthander, is currently in his second season with the Bees. In 14 appearances (five starts), he owns a 3.09 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched. Burke, who pitched at Duke and Virginia Tech, pitched for the New Britain Rock Cats in 2015 and with the Hartford Yard Goats the following season.
Fuller, in his second year with New Britain and third in the Atlantic League, has appeared in 27 games for the Bees, compiling a 1.27 ERA with 33 strikeouts and nine saves over the course of 28.1 innings of work. Fuller was a 21stround draft pick by the Mets out of SCSU in 2008 and pitched eight seasons in the minors, reaching as high as Triple A in 2015 and 2016.
OLT RELEASED
The news wasn’t as good recently for another former UConn standout playing in the independent leagues. Branford’s Mike Olt was released by the Long Island Ducks on June 20. The former UConn star is said to be considering an offer to play professionally in Mexico.