NASHUA, N.H. (November 8, 2025) 一 Highlighted by the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, the Futures League community came together for its first-ever Hot Stove celebration on Saturday night on the Rivier University campus.
A capacity crowd of over 100 guests filled the Dion Center to witness five distinguished player alumni and one legendary coach hear their names called to the Hall of Fame as part of the third-ever class. Commissioner Joe Paolucci made the official presentations before longtime Futures League supporter Bill Burt, the Eagle-Tribune newspaper’s Executive Sports Editor, conducted a panel discussion featuring the Class of 2025.
Beloved former Vermont Lake Monsters field manager Pete Wilk, who lost a 15-month battle with brain cancer in April 2024, was the first to be honored during the Hall of Fame ceremony. With members of the Wilk family in attendance, Pete’s longtime friend Bill Gorman delivered a speech in his memory.
Fresh off an outstanding second season with the New York Yankees, 2020 Futures League Most Valuable Player Ben Rice appeared at the event to take his place in the Hall of Fame. The rest of the Class of 2025 consists of Nashua Silver Knights legends Cam Cook and Ryan Sullivan, Rice’s former Worcester Bravehearts teammate Mariano Ricciardi, and former Futures League Pitcher of the Year Nick Sinacola. Full biographies on the new Hall of Famers can be found here.
Paolucci also recognized the Futures League’s first “Hometown Heroes,” a group consisting of longtime fans, supporters and staff members who best represent each of the Futures League’s teams and its overall community spirit. Quite simply, these people help make the league special. The Class of 2025 Hometown Heroes are:
Scott “Mad Dog” Northrup – Nashua Silver Knights
A passionate super fan in every sense, “Mad Dog” is one of the most recognizable figures in Silver Knights history. He wasn’t just a fan in the stands; he was part of the team. Mad Dog knew every player by name, and every player who has ever worn a Silver Knights jersey remembers him. For 13 seasons, he was as much a fixture of Holman Stadium as the players on the field — cheering louder than anyone, banging his drum, blowing his air horn, and often being banished to the brick wall in left field.
Rob Roberts & Walt Alcutt – New Britain Bees
Roberts and Alcutt were longtime “partners in crime” at New Britain Stadium, holding season tickets together since 2017. The duo attended the Futures League All-Star Game in July to support the Bees and have a good time, as they so often did. Rob was the baseball expert of the dynamic duo, bringing along baseball cards for many of the players. Walt sampled all the local beverages and the fellowship a game provides. Sadly, Walt passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2025, but their friendship is remembered with this honor.
Bruce Rosenthal – Norwich Sea Unicorns
Rosenthal is a season ticket holder of 10-plus years who very rarely misses a game and has brought his kids out for years, introducing them to a game they have grown to love. He was one of the first supporters to fully grasp the Futures League concept in Norwich and talk to other fans in the area about how much the play on the field is better in many ways than it was in the minors, including the excitement of the players every game.
Freda Tutt – Vermont Lake Monsters
Tutt coordinates the Lake Monsters’ host family program, carefully matching players with families who fit their personalities, schedules, and needs, ensuring each player has a supportive and welcoming environment throughout the season. Beyond providing housing, Tutt fosters meaningful relationships between players and families, creating lifelong memories for both. Her guidance makes every player’s stay in Vermont feel like home while helping families feel connected to the team and the broader baseball community.
Seth Dussault – Westfield Starfires
The Voice of Starfires Baseball, Dussault embodies the very spirit and passion that define both the Starfires and the Futures League: dedication, community, and an unwavering love for the game. His commitment to the Starfires is unmatched. He arrives at the ballpark as early as the players to prepare for each broadcast with meticulous care and attention to detail. He’s one of the last to leave Bullens Field each night, ensuring his recaps, photos, and social media updates capture the full energy and emotion of the game. He is always willing to lend a hand in other areas, including concession operations to get product in place before gates open.
Brian “Front Row Brian” Dillon – Worcester Bravehearts
“Front Row Brian” has been the most loyal Bravehearts fan in the team’s history, attending more games than anyone who currently works for the team. In the last four years, the Bravehearts have gone through front office changes, field changes during the 2020 season, and new concessions strategies, but one thing has remained the same: Front Row Brian behind home plate. Not only has he become a staple at the ballpark, but he has joined in on the fan experience, joining in on the acts against Twister, the evil mascot and talking to young fans about their love of the team.
Prior to the Hall of Fame portion of the event, four of New England’s best baseball and softball coaches formed a panel on college recruiting and related topics in nearby Sylvia Trottier Hall.
The panelists were Northeastern University’s Mike Glavine, Babson College’s Matt Noone, Eastern Connecticut State University’s Mike Odenwaelder (a Futures League Hall of Famer himself) and Rivier softball’s Noelle Sass. Worcester Bravehearts Director of Player Personnel Alex Dion moderated the hour-long discussion.
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