Lee Elci, The All-Time Greatest
When I think back on my playing days I have had the opportunity to play with some
very good ball players, guys who could do things that would leave you wondering
if you really saw what he just did. More than great ball players, I always love guys who
were great teammates. Guys who get it, who know when its time to work your tail off
for a W, but also know when its time to relax and take it all in. When I think of Lee Elci
I can only remember him being the absolute best hitter that I ever played with in my
baseball career. I played with guys who went to the Major Leagues, and a ton of guys
who played minor league ball. Nobody ever swung the bat like my Hall of Famer for
this week, Lee Elci. He was a monster at the plate, and seemed to get better as he aged.
We batted 2-3 in the Lineup for the Knights in the City League for about 10 years, so
I was on base for many of his league record home runs. In one particular case we were
playing in NABF tournament in Fairfield for the right to go the Amateur Baseball World
Series in Tennessee. We were playing at what amounted to an open field, with some
trees in the distance in left field that extended about 60-70 feet high. If you could manage
to hit the ball into the trees, it would be called a home run. Later in the game, I hit a
ball as far as I could possibly hit it, and it barely scraped the bottom of the tree line for
a home run. I was pretty proud of myself until Lee hit the next pitch OVER THE TOP
OF THE TREES!! The other team was filled with guys who were all in their mid-20’s,
and all were very good players in their own right. I have never seen a field so quiet
after a home run, as nobody could believe he could hit it that far. To this day it is the
longest home run I have ever seen somebody hit in person, and that includes any
major league game I have attended. Lee was a gamer, somebody who played hard and
love to compete no matter what position he played. He is now the ultra-successful
radio host who has had his own show for years, and is the highest rated morning show
in Eastern CT. Hats off to you Elc, you are the greatest my friend…
Some of Lee’s Notable Accomplishments..
3 Time all ECC Baseball
2 Time ALL ECC Football
LE: There are a ton…2 come to mind……I had a game winning dribbler of a hit that bounced off the 3b Bag and we scored the winning run in the 17th inning and won the game 2-1. The game was in the Alaskan Summer League and I got the hit off (former major leaguer) John Olerude.
Bill, these stories and features are the best. Lee: Hope you can hit a softball as well this Saturday!! Wait for the review on Monday.