ABOUT THE LAKE SOX

The Grafton Lake Sox baseball team was formed in 1997. The team plays in the Paul N. Johnson Baseball League of Worcester, Massachusetts.  Opponents include 6 teams from Worcester as well as the surrounding towns of Charlton, Douglas, Hopedale, Millbury, Northborough, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Uxbridge, Wachusett (Holden/Rutland/Paxton) and West Boylston.

The Lake Sox roster is primarily filled by players of high school and college age from the town of Grafton, with other players coming from neighboring towns.

Joe Kuras, Owner/General Manager

Joe Kuras joined the inaugural team in ’97 as an Assistant Coach. He assumed control of the team in 2000 as Owner/General Manager, and remains as an assistant coach as well.  A native of Grafton, Joe played Junior High and JV baseball at Grafton Junior and Senior High School. He played in the Grafton Men's Softball League for 20 years, and was a league officer for 10 years. Joe also served the Grafton Little League for 10 seasons as a coach, vice president and president. 

Joe and his wife, the former Maryellen Jarzobski, have 3 grown children - Jonathan, Jillian and Justin; and three grandchildren, Noel, Bradley & Elena. He is a Client Requirements Manager for Booz Allen Hamilton of McLean, Virginia and serves as the Treasurer of the Polish National Home Association in South Grafton. Joe was a contributing writer for the 2005 edition of "The Red Sox Fan Handbook - Everything You Need To Know To Be A Red Sox Fan ...Or To Marry One". He also co-authored "A History of the Polish American Community of South Grafton, Massachusetts" in 1999. For 10 years, he was the minor league correspondent for "A Red Sox Journal", a publication of the Buffalo Head Society.

Rick Allain, Field Manager & Head Coach

Rick Allain joined the club in 2000 as the Third Base Coach. In 2008, Allain was promoted to Field Manager and Head Coach.

The Grafton native first cut his teeth on a baseball in the Grafton Little League. As a teen, he participated in Babe Ruth baseball in town. In high school, Allain pitched, played the outfield, first base and third base for Blackstone Valley Tech. He played in the Grafton Men's Softball League for 15 years.

Rick is also known as one of the best third base coaches in the area with his knowledge the game and its intricate strategies. He is a master at fundamentals, mechanics and strategy.

 Rick is a Graphics Design Instructor at Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School in Framingham. He is a Captain on the Grafton Fire Department and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Rick is married to the former Celeste Berube. They have two grown children - Matt and Tiffany, and one granddaughter, Sadie Renee.

Jim Callaghan, Pitching Coach

Jim Callaghan is new to Grafton baseball in 2010 as Pitching Coach for the Lake Sox. A native of Canton and a Grafton resident for the last six years, he attended Southeastern Massachusetts University, captained his track and cross-country teams, and competed in the cross-country nationals twice and in the Penn Relays.

Jim is an instructor at Frozen Ropes in Natick, one of the area’s finest indoor baseball facilities. He returned to baseball after college, and has been an active player in the Metrowest Adult Baseball League since 1996 where he is closing in on his 100^th career win on the mound. Jim plays the outfield when not pitching and has helped his current team, the Millis Braves, qualify for the playoffs 11 out of 13 years.  

Jim has enjoyed a 20 year career at the Boston Globe as a pressman and is currently writing sports and features for the Graftontimes.com and centralmassnews.com where he also maintains a blog.

Jim and his wife Kristi have two children, Patrick (11) and McKenzie (9). In his spare time, Jim enjoys watching his children play sports and coaching youth soccer and little league.   

Jay Godino, Assistant Coach

Jay Godino is new to Grafton baseball in 2010 as an assistant coach for the Lake Sox. A native of Framingham, he brings an abundance of baseball knowledge and experience both as a player and a coach.

Jay played his youth baseball in Framingham and was a four year member of the Framingham Legion Team, which he captained in 2002. He played his high school ball at Keefe Tech, where he was a four-year varsity starter and two year captain of both the football and baseball teams. He finished his playing career at Framingham State College in 2006, where he led his team in hits, runs, stolen bases and was named to the All-MASCAC team.

Currently, Jay is a Graphic Design Instructor at Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School in Framingham. In 2008, he was named head football coach at Keefe Tech and has coached baseball and weight training at the school as well.

Jay continues his love for baseball as a coach and plays in competitive mens softball tournaments all over New England. In his spare time, Jay is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, who is seeking certification as a personal trainer.

Bob "Rico" Danna, Pitching Consultant & Ass't Gen Mgr

 Bob "Rico" Danna returns to the Lake Sox after a 2 year hiatus.  He joined the Grafton Lake Sox as the pitching coach in 1998 and was appointed as Head Coach in 2000 when former Head Coach and team founder Al Harrison sold the team to present owner Joe Kuras. “Rico” will coordinate tryouts and practices for the L’Sox in 2010.

The Worcester native played for the East Side Babe Ruth team as a youth and enjoyed a most successful amateur career as a pitcher for North High school. Bob also pitched semi-pro ball for Team Fugi of Framingham. In 1978 the right-handed hurler had a professional tryout with the Cincinnati Reds.

Bob is married to the former Joanne Pascarelli of Worcester. They have 2 children - Matt and Maria. Bob is a computer analyst at Fidelity Investments in North Smithfield, RI. He is a member of the Grafton Lions Club and a referee for the Grafton Soccer Club.

Steve Barker, Pitching Consultant

Steve Barker returns to the Lake Sox in 2010 as a pitching consultant after serving the team as Pitching Coach for the last 2 seasons.  Barker pitched for the L’Sox from 2000 – 2001 and served as Co-Captain of the team in 2001. He was a league All Star both years. Barker ranks 4th on the team’s all-time list with an opponents’ batting average of .199. He is the team’s single-season strikeout king with 49 K’s and hurled a no-hitter vs. Hudson in 2001.

After a standout career at Grafton High, Barker cracked the starting rotation at Worcester State College and posted a perfect 4-0 record in 2005. Barker was a starting pitcher for Clinton in the Stan Musial League and hurled a playoff no-hitter.