Rizzo to Succeed Moynihan with Pittsfield Baseball

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Pittsfield Public Schools announce Friday that Tom Rizzo has been appointed as the Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Pittsfield High School.

 

The Pittsfield resident takes over the program previously led by Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member, Bob Moynihan, who announced his retirement from coaching in September.

 

Rizzo, age 49, is a U.S. Air Force veteran that has been involved in the game of baseball for over 30 years and holds a Masters Degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The 1983 Taconic High School graduate was an All-Berkshire selection in baseball prior to continuing his academic and athletic career at North Adams State College in the mid-1980s. 

 

Under Coach Joe Zavattaro, Rizzo was a key member of the strong North Adams State teams that produced multiple professional players. Selected as a Division III All-American in 1987, Rizzo also played for the Harwich Mariners of the prestigious Cape Cod League that summer. An 18th round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 1988 MLB Draft, Rizzo spent two years (1988-1989) in the minors leagues as a middle infielder and a third season (1990) as a pitcher in the Braves organization.

 

Following his professional baseball career, Rizzo served in the U.S. Air Force, continued his education, and became a local business owner, all while staying involved in baseball in some capacity.  While stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Rizzo was also recruited to play for the Anchorage Bucs, a prestigious National Baseball Congress semi-pro team from 1992-1995.

 

Upon moving back to Berkshire County, he has become a business owner and has also served as an assistant baseball coach at MCLA for many years. Most recently, Rizzo managed the 2015 Pittsfield Babe Ruth All-Star Team to a state and regional championship this past summer, and led the team to the Babe Ruth World Series located in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

 

“I am excited about this opportunity,“ Rizzo said. “PHS has a proud baseball tradition that I expect to continue on and off the field”.

 

Known in the local baseball circles for his ability to teach the game and calm demeanor, Rizzo plans to emphasize players being able to execute the fundamentals and playing aggressively, while having a respect for the game and for what the program represents in our community.

 

Rizzo takes over for Bob Moynihan, who spent 37 years as a coach in the Pittsfield High School baseball program. Following four years as an assistant coach under fellow MBCA Hall of Famer, Buddy Pellerin, Moynihan took over the head coaching duties and led the Generals for thirty-three seasons prior to his retirement. 

 

The Generals went 16-5 this spring, with season highlights including victories over some of the top teams in the region, PHS playing in Cooperstown, Junior pitcher Simon Nasiff throwing a no-hitter, and Senior shortstop Kevin Donati committing to play Division I college baseball at UAlbany. 

 

Although winter is upon us, the 2016 Generals squad is already looking forward to the upcoming spring season under their new coach. In the coming weeks, Rizzo will begin preparing for his first season at the helm by meeting with prospective team members and finalizing a coaching staff. The season officially kicks off with try-outs scheduled to begin on March 21.