North Adams, MA – The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) is proud to announce that Gregg Hunt of the Bristol Blues was voted as the Joel Cooney Manager of the Year by peer managers around the league, as well as Joseph LaSaponara as the Umpire of the Year for the 2025 season. 

The 2025 campaign marked Hunt’s first behind the Bristol bench. Yet, he wasted no time in finding success, guiding the Blues to a 27-17 record, good enough for second place in the South Division. Unfortunately, Bristol did not see the same results in the postseason, falling to the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks in two games in the first round.

Hunt’s efforts left a noticeable impact on the players, according to Bristol General Manager Jordan Scheiner.

“Gregg's passions for player development and competition blended perfectly this summer to create a very positive environment for our players and organization as a whole,” Scheiner said. 

Although he is in his first season with the Blues, Hunt is a veteran of the NECBL. Before Bristol, Hunt served as the manager of the now-defunct Torrington Twisters before joining the Manchester Silkworms for their final season. Hunt also served as the NECBL’s deputy commissioner since 2013.

LaSaponara, apart of the United Collegiate Umpires organization, is a beloved member of the NECBL community. Only two umpires received votes for the award, with LaSaponara taking home 11 of the 13 total. 

“Joe is one of the most dedicated umpires that we have on our staff,” said Chris Marshall, president of the United Collegiate Umpires. “[He’s] always willing to travel at a second's notice when needed. His hard work, passion for umpiring and the game are on display nightly throughout the NECBL."

LaSaponara has enjoyed a successful 21-year career as an umpire, beginning with high school and now working with all levels of college. He works all over the northeast during his summers, including the past five with the NECBL. He currently resides in Hopewell Junction, NY, with his wife and three children. 

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 New England League started play in 1994 and has sent over 230 alumni to the Major Leagues with nearly 30 alumni taken in the first round of the MLB Draft. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on X/Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.