Torrington Titans Announce Special Celebrity Host for the 2011 All-Star Game

So when I heard there was going to be a "Special Guest Celebrity" hosting our big 4th of July All-Star spectacular I pretty much assumed that we got a a former big leaguer or even a local well known celebrity. I rejected the celebrity idea after only coming up with this guy as being from the local area...

Good Ol' Rip Torn

It came as a total shock to me when I received the press release saying our host for the festivities would be this man....

Are we really this desperate?

Here's the press release by the Torrington Titans printed by the Register Citizen on April 17, 2011:

In an interesting twist to the American tradition of baseball on the Fourth of July, the Torrington Titans are bringing in a special guest.

Former American Idol star, William Hung, will host the 4^th of July Bonanza at Fuessenich Park on July 4^th, 2011. Mr. Hung will perform his signature song that propelled him to stardom, “She Bangs” originally sung by Ricky Martin, as well as two to three other hits throughout the night. Once Mr. Hung has completed his performances for the evening, he will sign autographs and take pictures with his fans.

Hung, who you might remember for his “unique” performance on Fox’s American Idol reality show, which gives contestants a chance to be America’s next star, will be celebrating the 4^th of July with Titan fans in Torrington. Hung made a gallant effort at the American Idol crown but was eventually eliminated in the first round.

“We got the guy we want. His talent is remarkable, the energy that he brings is phenomenal and the Titans couldn’t be more honored that Mr. Hung is going to celebrate America’s birthday with us,” Mike O’Malley, GM of the Titans quoted.

After Mr. Hung’s run on American Idol, he has toured the country performing in many different venues and states. Hung recently performed “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” for the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be the first time that Mr. Hung will be performing in Torrington.

The Titans will play against a team of Tri-State League all-stars in an exhibition contest beginning at 6pm. A Home Run Derby is scheduled before the game beginning at 4pm with the teams comprised of sluggers from the Titans and Tri-State. Tri-State will also be bringing in a former star of its own.

Tri-State commissioner Ed Gadomski has announced that former New York Yankee Jim Bouton will pitch for the Tri-State side. A member of the 1962 World Series Champion team as well as a member of the 1963 All-Star team, Bouton has mastered the art of the knuckleball and still regularly pitches competitively. Bouton also wrote the popular baseball memoir ‘Ball Four’ “I feel very fortunate to have Jim at the ballpark on the 4^th. He is a great competitor and I’m excited that he is going to be on our side,” Gadomski stated.

“Jim Bouton played in the Tri-State League” said long-time Tri-Stater Gregg Hunt, who manages the Titans. “That’s certainly going to be interesting.” Hunt said it will be different for the college kids on the Titans to see the knuckleball in action. “I think it’s going to be a good night for both the Titans and the Tri-State League,” Hunt said.

A block party during the day will feature a performance by the ‘All in Band’ and there are discussions of a “patriotic pyrotechnics/light show” in the works following the game. The concessions will be open throughout the afternoon and evening.

General Admission for the day will be $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under with children 5 and under entering for free. Part of the proceeds will go to the United Way Campership Fund, which has partnered with the Titans and Tri-State for the day. Contact GM of the Titans Mike O’Malley at michaelkomalley@gmail.com for more information.

 I love how they hype up William Hung's "phenomenal energy" and that he will be signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans (all 2 of them). This should lead to an interesting day, one that I'm sure will not help with my alcohol addiction.


A special thanks does go out to the United Way for being part of this event where parts of our proceeds for the day's activities will go. Proceeds will help the United Way Campership Fund. This program gives out scholarships to 500 local youth so they can attend one session of summer camp this year.


I end you all on this note.....