Even though Joe Ireland wasn’t a captain for the North Haven baseball team in his senior season, he was still a leader for the Indians based on the way he played. After contributing to North Haven’s Class L state title as a junior, Joe found a home as the club’s right fielder this spring and had an excellent campaign that culminated with a pair of major accolades. Joe, who batted .348 with an on-base percentage of .463, made the All-SCC Oronoque Team and was also voted as North Haven’s Most Valuable Player.

“It was really special,” says Joe. “I didn’t expect being named MVP or All-League. I thanked Coach DeMayo for nominating me for that.”

Indians’ Head Coach Bob DeMayo says that Joe impressed with the way he navigated right field at North Haven’s complex. DeMayo calls it “the sun field,” and the fact that Joe reeled in whatever came his way played a big part in him earning the team’s MVP Award.

“He played right field and people would say, ‘That’s not such a big deal. You put hitters in right field.’ However, right field at our field in the afternoon and the beginning of night games is brutal. It’s been an absolute disaster for us,” DeMayo says. “He would’ve played center field, but I was concerned about taking him out of right field because he proved he could catch a fly ball in the sun.”

Joe didn’t start playing the outfield until he was in the 8th grade, but he ultimately grew into the position—so to speak.

“It kind of worked out as I was growing and got taller and faster. It was definitely a little bit difficult going from infield or catcher to the outfield, but it just fit,” says Joe. “I really liked when I got to make one of those close plays or diving catches to save the team some runs. It gets everybody pumped up.”

Joe started a little slow at the plate this season before picking it up on his way to hitting two home runs with three triples and seven doubles. Joe’s best game came in a 5-4 victory at Torrington, where he homered, tripled, singled twice, and drove home the game-winning run.

“At the beginning of the season, I was in my own head and it definitely showed. I wasn’t making the best contact and then it all started to come together halfway through the year,” says Joe. “I just started to relax and every little bit just started adding up. It was partly the warmer weather and our team chemistry was building. We lost a lot of seniors from last year, so it took some time to get our legs going.”

Joe says he’s had great times as a member of the North Haven baseball program and no memory stands out more than when the Indians beat East Lyme to take the Class L title last year. Joe had a key sacrifice bunt that helped North Haven score a run in the 3-2 victory.

“It was insane. I can remember every little minute of the game, from the crowd to the lights. It was one of my favorite moments,” says Joe. “I loved at the very end, getting that last dog pile, jumping on everybody, going insane; not one face wasn’t lit up with happiness. It was surreal to run in from the outfield and join my teammates in that.”