NEWS

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) is mourning the loss of Joseph Consentino, one of the most influential figures in the the 25-year history of the league, who passed on Friday.

Consentino, who was inducted into the NECBL Hall of Fame in 2011, was a true visionary who co-founded the NECBL in 1993 with former National League MVP George Foster. He envisioned a league that would bridge the gap between the Cape Cod Baseball League and the then-New York-based ACBL. His goal was to give student-athletes from the New England region a better chance to have their talents recognized by MLB scouts.

That dream would become a reality, and 25 years later, the “New England League” is more prosperous than ever, with nearly 150 alums reaching the Major League Baseball (MLB) ranks, including 13 who debuted in 2017 alone. What began as a five-team league with every franchise based out of Connecticut has become a 13-team league with reaches in all six New England states. More importantly, Consentino’s vision has led to baseball becoming an integral part of each of those 13 communities night in and night out each summer.

“There are no adequate words to describe the devastating news about our dear friend,” NECBL Commissioner Sean McGrath stated. “Joe has been a passionate and tireless advocate for this league since its inception, which he was directly responsible for. Joe has made many important contributions to our league in helping it evolve and grow into one of the most respected collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country.”

Consentino continued to provide the league with guidance and vision ever since its founding and was a major influence in how the league became what it is today. A former standout for St. John’s, Consentino played in the Boston Red Sox system in 1958. He was a longtime Ridgefield, Connecticut, resident, where he established and coached the Ridgefield Nighthawk Travel Team, as well as the American Legion Baseball program.

“The legacy Joe leaves is one that has touched thousands of aspiring baseball players – and even more citizens in our region – who come to our ballparks every summer to watch our teams,” McGrath continued. “He will be missed by the executives, past and present, who had the pleasure of working with him to make our league the best it can be. He was always someone that any of us could turn to for advice, guidance, and perspective. I personally will miss our check-ins and hearing his continued passion for this wonderful league.”

Consentino was an award-winning TV film producer/director and the recipient of three television EMMY Awards, an Academy Award “Short Film” nomination, the Toronto HOT DOCS Award and numerous TELLY and CABLE ACE television documentary awards.

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The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat college summer league that fields teams in all six New England states. Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the NECBL started play in 1994 and has sent over 140 alumni to the Major Leagues. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on Twitter and on Facebook