For the last half-century Dennis Baker has been affiliated with the Tri-Valley League as an educator, administrator and coach.  The spring of 2023 will mark his 51st season as a head varsity high school coach — currently as a the Bellingham High School softball coach. For 25 seasons, Coach Baker was a fixture in TVL baseball dugouts.  Following a ten year stint at Bellingham High School, Dennis spent the next 15 seasons leading the Ashland Clocker program.  His career accomplishments include over 200 victories, four TVL titles, several TVL league Coach of the Year awards and the 1990 Boston Globe Coach of the Year. Former players speak of his passion, character and ability to teach. Dennis improved the scholastic sports experience for hundreds of young men and women throughout the Metrowest area as both a coach and an athletic director.

Thomas Brassil has been a fixture at Holyoke High School. He has made countless contributions to the sport of high school baseball and under his leadership from 1990-2016 consistently sustained success. Tom’s Holyoke teams were represented in the state tournament 23 times and amassed 327 wins during his tenure.  The win totals, while impressive, tell very little about Coach Brassil’s success.  In speaking to opposing coaches, it was clear that the respect he earned from players and peers alike was significant.  In addition to his obvious success on the diamond, he led the school’s girl’s varsity basketball program to incredible heights for nearly three decades.  Tom also served as a physical education teacher for over 35 years.  The number of lives impacted by his tutelage and dedication is extraordinary.

For the past two decades, Coach Lambert has led the Xaverian Brothers High School varsity baseball to unprecedented heights in the school’s fabled sports history.  In 2004, his third season as varsity head coach, Gerry led the Hawks to the D1 state baseball championship. It was an early sign of things to come.  Over the next 18 years, Xaverian would remain a perennial power in Massachusetts baseball.  That success would include winning the highly competitive Catholic Conference four times, capturing four South Sectional sectional titles and an amazing three state MIAA championships. All told, Coach Lambert has 264 wins and counting. Coach Lambert treats his players and opponents with respect, and maintains a perspective that doesn’t waiver in success or defeat.  Gerry has also served as a long time MBCA executive board member and his contributions to high school baseball in Massachusetts have been considerable.