West Haven’s Guarino Named Manager Of New Britain Bees

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven’s Ray Guarino, a longtime Yale University baseball coach, was hired as the manager of the New Britain Bees for the 2020 season – the club’s first in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League – officials announced Tuesday.

“Ray brings the Bees a tremendous amount of D1 experience and a proven track record of leadership,” Bees General Manager Brad Smith said in a statement. “He is a Connecticut guy, a baseball lifer, and we can’t wait to see the success he will bring to our ballclub.”

Guarino is entering his 11th season on the Yale University staff, primarily working with the team’s infielders and outfielders, while assisting with all defensive strategies and serving as the Bulldogs first base coach. He is also the head coach of the Hamden Post 88 American Legion baseball team.

“I’ve known Ray for over 20 years,” Yale Head Coach John Stuper said in a news release. “I first met him when I hired him to work my youth camps. Then I asked him to be part of our staff here at Yale about 10 years later. I have seen him grow so much as a coach and as a man. Our players love him. He loves the game and he loves teaching it. This is a great choice for New Britain.”

While at Yale, Guarino helped the Bulldogs to the 2017 Ivy League Tournament championship, as well as back-to-back Ivy League Regular Season championships in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to help put a winning product on the field for the Bees,” Guarino said. “We are going to compete the right way and give the baseball fans of Central Connecticut a team they can get behind and be proud of. I can’t wait to get started.”

The New Britain Bees are members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. The FCBL is made up of seven teams from various parts of New England, each of which plays 28 home games and 28 away games.