The Harbor Krakens Claim Their Second Straight Hamptons Adult Hardball League Title

After two exciting days of baseball, the Harbor Krakens have once again earned the honor of Hamptons Adult Hardball Summer League Champs.

“That was the best two-game stretch for both teams,” said Krakens first baseman Nick Dombkowski. “We played unbelievable. Pitching was great. Just all around nerve-wracking.”

Game one was one for the books. On Saturday, July 23, the Krakens and East End Ospreys, who made their HAH debut this year, took the field at Bridgehampton High School for what turned into an epic extra innings pitchers’ duel. Both the Ospreys’ Leo Santiago and Krakens’ Dr. Stephen Petruccelli impressively pitched the entire game. In the end, the Krakens scored the game winning run in the 10th inning, taking game one, 8-7.

“A great year by all teams,” Krakens manager Tim Pilinko said. “Definitely a fun series. Great pitching by all pitchers, both games. It was amazing.”

The best-of-three series continued on Sunday, June 24, with game two at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. With an 8-4 win, the Krakens clinched the 2022 Summer HAH Championship and will keep ownership of the Hamptons Adult Hardball Championship Belt for another season.

“The league and level of competition has grown just in the first two seasons,” Ospreys Manager Michael Chiarello noted. “It’s exciting to be part of this, and be able to build a team of guys looking to play hard each week.”

“The level of play from last year to this year is by far 10 times better,” Dombkowski echoed.

To get to the championship series, the top-seeded Krakens defeated the fourth-seeded Sag Harbor Royals in the playoffs, while the third-seeded Ospreys beat the second-seeded Southampton Brewers.

“Congratulations goes out to the Krakens,” said Pete Barylski, HAH co-founder and Brewers manager. “A great championship series. Pitching in game one was amazing — with both pitchers going 10 innings each. The Ospreys were in game two right to the end, with the tying run at home plate.”

HAH is a 30-and-over wood bat baseball league. The league’s second summer season featured the 2021 Champs Harbor Krakens, managed by Tim Pilinko, Southampton Brewers, managed by HAH Co-Founder Pete Barylski, Sag Harbor Royals, managed by HAH Co-Founder Jim Kinnier, and the East End Ospreys, managed by Michael Chiarello.

“Every week, I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field,” Chiarello said. “There’s a great group of guys on each team that bring a fun, but competitive atmosphere, every game.”

With the summer season over, HAH is gearing up to launch its inaugural fall season. Players interested in joining a team or starting a team can register on the league’s website.

“We anticipate a fall season starting up in September,” Barylski added.

For more information, visit hamptonsadulthardball.com or follow HamptonsAdultHardball on Instagram.