1996 NECBL season

The 1996 NECBL season was the third season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league added a franchise in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Reds. The league's Bristol, Connecticut franchise, the Bristol Nighthawks, dropped out of the league after two seasons.

In the semifinal playoff rounds, Danbury defeated Rhode Island 2-0 and Central Mass defeated Middletown 2-1. In the championship round, Central Mass defeated Danbury 2-1 to win their second consecutive NECBL championship.

Regular Season Standings

Rnk

Team

Manager

Wins

Losses

Win Pct.

GB

1

Central Mass Collegians

Rick Smith

27

13

.675

0

2

Danbury Westerners

Ron Carrizzo

25

13

.658

1

3

Rhode Island Reds

John Clark

21

17

.553

5

4

Middletown Giants

Peter Kostacopoulas

21

18

.538

5.5

5

Eastern Tides

Charlie Hickey

13

26

.333

13.5

6

Waterbury Barons

Gus D'Angelo

10

30

.250

17

League Awards

Award

Player

NECBL team

Collegiate team

Most Valuable Player

Dana Forsberg

Central Mass

University of Vermont

Batting Champion

Jason Crepeau

Danbury

University of Southern Maine

Outstanding Pro Prospect-Player

Bill Rich

Middletown

UConn

Outstanding Pro Prospect-Pitcher

Jason Jenson

Central Mass

University of Southern Maine

Outstanding Pitcher

Jason Jenson

Central Mass

University of Southern Maine

Outstanding Relief Pitcher

Tom Malvest

Danbury

Stonehill

10th Player Award

Brian Edge

Eastern

University of Hartford

Defensive Player of the Year

Steven Lewis

Danbury

St. John's University