Shelton National Little League Manager 'Always Out to Have Fun' During His Days at Andrew Warde High School

Ed Szymansky was "always out to have fun" during his days at Andrew Warde High School. At least that's what former classmate and fellow Class of 1976 Crimson Eagle Tommy DeLaurentis recalls about the manager of the Shelton National Little League team.

"(He was) just a fun guy to hang out with," said DeLaurentis about Szymansky, who married classmate Janet Criscione and now manages his son, Jake (seen below), at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

"I can't ever remember him being in a bad mood," DeLaurentis remembered. However, that may not have been the case following yesterday's 3-1 loss to Waipio, Hawaii, in the first game of the series in front of 5,700 fans at Volunteer Stadium.

Szymansky declined to participate in Little League's official press conference after his team's first loss since July 20. The game was tied, 1-1, before an 85-minute rain delay halted the action. After play was resumed, Waipio scored two runs on a wild pitch and home run to secure the victory. It was only Shelton's second loss in 19 games this Summer.

So, what was Szymansky like during his days at Andrew Warde High School? "Eddie, Mark Vida, Brett Peters, and I were inseparable (during our) senior year," said DeLaurentis. "We had a great time. Our favorite sport was frisbee."

DeLaurentis, pictured in the adjacent 1976 Flame yearbook photo, remembers playing a few pick-up games with Szymansky, but doesn't recollect the future Little League manager being a baseball fanatic.

"We did play some basketball at Holland Hill School together," he recalled, "but I never heard Ed ever mention anything about baseball! I know his son (Jake) plays on the Shelton team, so maybe that's how Ed got involved."

He added, "Eddie was always out to have fun, and we always had a blast together. There are so many great, fun stories to mention. Eddie had an interest in cars and has owned his own body shop for the last 20 years."

DeLaurentis still has a hard time believing his high school buddy is coaching baseball on national television. "When I first saw Ed Szymansky coach, it didn't click (that it was my high school friend) because he really wasn't sports orientated. When I realized it was the Ed Szymansky that I hung out with, I was extremely proud of him," he admitted.

"I thought what a great accomplishment it is just to get to play in a Little League World Series, and what a great experience to share with your son! The one thing I'm sure of, win or lose, Eddie will have fun."

Ed, Jake, and the rest of the New England Regional champions play their second game this afternoon against Canyon Lake, Rapid City, South Dakota at 3:30 at historic Lamade Stadium. The game will be nationally televised by ABC and locally on WTNH-TV, channel 8.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".