Don Pranzo has had his name associated with Miller Place baseball since the very beginnings of the school itself. Now, it will be forever entrenched onto the field, cementing his legacy and place in history. Athletic Director Ron Petrie announced that Miller Place would be naming the baseball field the Don Pranzo Field. There will be signage added to the scoreboard as well as the center field wall.
Coach Pranzo began his career in 1958 and became Miller Place's first varsity baseball coach in the early 70's. He coached there until 1989 and then returned to the dugout from 2003 to 2006. During his time as skipper he won 257 games, 8 league championships, 2 Suffolk county championships, one Long Island Championship and finished as the runner up for a state title as well. Throw in multiple coach of the year honors and you have quite the resume.
But, numbers alone don't tell the whole story. As former player, and Flagler College Hall of Famer said "Naming this field the Don Pranzo Field is probably the biggest no brainer of all time". Many others in attendance for the naming ceremony repeated his thoughts and wondered aloud why it even took so long. He was a teacher and always was quick to grab that perfect teaching moment.
Many spoke about Don being a storyteller and true to his nature when he was handed the mic he politely declined. He wouldn't need it as he went right into a baseball quiz. "Who said let's play two!" he asked the crowd. There was a quick response of "Ernie Banks", but he said it was unfair because it came from his wife. With the chuckles still resonating in the crowd Don began his story telling. He held everyone captivated with tales of the first uniforms in the schools history saying Port Jefferson on them, to being worried that the past of baseball might be forgotten. Don explained how he liked to "catch players doing something right" as opposed to focusing on negatives and continued with his belief that fielding is even harder than hitting.
Don Pranzo will forever be a name that is not only associated with Miller Place baseball, or even Long Island baseball, but just the game as a whole. A true baseball lifer and now his name will forever overlook the field that he gave so much of his life to.