Bransfield’s legacy to be celebrated during twinbill

There will be a lot going on Sunday at Palmer Field, all in the name of baseball and the voice of Middletown Post 75, Jim Bransfield.

First, an American Legion state tournament berth is at stake for the 75ers when they take on Madison in a Zone 3 doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m.

Then, as part of Fan Appreciation Day, Post 75 will celebrate the legacy of Bransfield with a dedication of the baseball and football press boxes during a break between games, at approximately noontime.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew and others, including Post 75 commander Larry Riley, will speak before the unveiling of “Jim & Dana Bransfield Press Box” signage on both the baseball and football sides of Palmer Field.

Jim Bransfield, who died five months ago following a brief illness, covered the 75ers for the Press every summer from 1968 through 2017. He was the PA announcer for football games at Palmer Field each fall as well, taught high school social studies for three decades before retiring and was a devoted fan of the Yankees. His teenage son, Dana, who died in 1990, was memorialized with a plaque inside the baseball press box.

On Sunday, their names will be joined together for all to see.

“Jim Bransfield was Middletown American Legion baseball,” 75ers coach Jay Famiglietti said. “His voice and his songs … he is certainly missed. He’s very missed. Hopefully, he is looking down on us Sunday. We need to take two.”

Middletown and Guilford are both 14-12 in Zone 3 and jockeying for the last two of the zone’s four playoff berths at the 19U level. Cheshire (22-1) and Southington (17-7) will be Zone 3’s top two seeds.

The 75ers and Guilford split their four-game season series, and should they finish tied in the zone, Guilford would get the No. 3 seed by a lottery tiebreaker. Guilford plays single games at

Southington on Saturday and Sunday. Should Middletown sweep Madison (6-16 heading into a Friday night game versus Cheshire) and Guilford lose one, the 75ers would lock up the higher seed.

Meanwhile, Meriden (13-13) is fifth in the zone.

With single games against Cheshire on Saturday and Sunday, Post 45 could complicate the zone race if it wins out, Guilford wins out and Middletown is swept.

But the 75ers know they can control their fate by playing good ball against Madison.

“For the kids, the message is, ‘Let’s take care of our business,’” Famiglietti said. “We want to win two and hope for the No. 3 seed.”

Post 75 is 5-3 in July and has won three of four since being swept by Cheshire last Saturday. Cheshire is the class of the zone — the high school team won a state title in June — winning 21 straight going into the weekend.

“The team right now is unified and it’s being led by its veteran leadership,” Famiglietti said. “We’re ready to go (beat) Madison as a team.”

The 75ers play their final regular-season game against Tri-County of Zone 7 on Monday night at 8 at Palmer Field. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for what will be “Meet The Players Night.” State tournament matchups likely will be known late next week.