Bill Faticone
His menacing presence alone on the baseball and softball field atoned for opponents to buckle in sheer trepidation during the later 1960’s and 70’s. Add to that his slugging ability and speed, and 2003 Branford Sports Hall of Fame inductee Bill Faticone was known as one of the shoreline’s most prolific softball players.
A 1967 graduate of Branford High School, Bill Faticone was a two year varsity baseball player as an outfielder and pitcher. During these two seasons, he played with Branford Sports Hall of Famers Jerry Schmitz (’96), Ted Kaczynski (’99), Bruce Johnson (’00), and fellow inductee George Lepre, Jr. He was coached by Gerry Crotty (’00).
After high school, Bill attended the University of New Haven and became a pivotal athlete in the recreation spectrum. He played amateur softball for 27 years for several legendary teams. From 1969 to 1974, tonight’s inductee played for the Silver Dollar softball team which won five town championships and qualified for the ASA state tournament each year. One of his many highlights while playing for his team was a six homerun, 15 rbi game in the New London tournament. He hit a total of 15 homeruns in the tournament and was named tournament Most Valuable Player. His teammates that year included BSHOF inductees Jerry Schmitz, Bob Aguzzi (’99), Ron Tramantino (’03), and George Lepre.
In 1978 and 1979, he played for the New England Pilgrims of the American Professional Slo-Pitch League. His two year batting average was .462 and the team won the eastern division both years. His teammates included former Detriot Tiger Dick McKauliff and he played against former professional athletes Joe Pepitone, Norm Cash, Jim Northrop, and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson. Besides playing games throughout the cities in the league, the Pilgrims played at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium and New York’s Shea Stadium.
After 1979, Bill played for various softball teams including Branford’s Neal’s Flooring, that won 13 town championships, the 1989 New Haven ASA District championship and was runner-up in the 1989 Connecticut ASA tournament that qualified Neal’s to participate in the ASA Northeast Regional tournament. Bill’s teammate was 2001 inductee John Sobolewski (2001).
In the 1980’s, he owned and operated Shoreline Nautilus Fitness Center of Branford. He currently is the owner of Sunrise Builders of Branford and umpires men’s ASA softball league games. This lifelong resident of Branford is the husband to wife, Cynthia and father to children, Leslie and Lea.
