Catlin Steps Down as RHHS Softball Coach

Rocky Hill softball coach Tyler Catlin is stepping down after five seasons with the Terriers to spend more time with the family. Catlin is pictured with wife, Alyssa, and the couple's firstborn, Joey. 

After five seasons Tyler Catlin has decided to leave his post as the head softball coach at Rocky Hill High School.

Catlin worked wonders during his tenure with the program, leading the Terriers to four state tournaments, while winning multiple conference titles and guiding the team to the state finals in his first season in the dugout.  

“I want to thank Mr. Seidman for giving me the opportunity to lead this team. I will miss my friends from the program, all my assistant coaches I had the pleasure to coach with: Ash Black, Erin Weber, Matt Decker and Stacey Pinto as well as “the dude”, Mike Dudis, and the voice of Rocky Hill, Bob Dobmeier,” Catlin stated after announcing his decision to step down, “I wish Mr. Horvath and all the RH athletic teams nothing but the best moving forward. I look forward to support my future successor in whatever he/she may need with a very talented group of players returning for an exciting 2022 season.”

Catlin, who teaches at Chippen Hill School in Bristol, had many memorable moments during his tenure at RHHS, including wins over North Branford and St. Joes on suicide squeeze plays to reach the 2016 Class M state championship. 

Then there was the numerous come-from-behind victories, including a miraculous rally in a 2017 game against Berlin when Catlin’s team fell behind 14-1 in the first inning before coming back to win 15-14 thanks to the heroics of Rachel Roncaioli.

Former Rocky Hill softball player and 2018-graduate Sophie Kurdziel recalled the 13-run comeback against Berlin in 2017 and reflected on Catlin as a coach, “One of the things I’ll always remember about Coach Catlin was the passion he had for the team. He never gave up on us regardless of the score. I don’t know if we would’ve been able to do it without Coach hyping us up between innings and helping us stay focused.”

The following year, the team trailed East Hartford 8-1 before coming back to win 9-8 on freshman Lauren Colasacco’s pinch hit double off the wall.  

Catlin would guided the Terriers to three double-digit win seasons, including 22 in 2016. Overall he posted a record of 59-48.
The departing manager said he always looked forward to the rivalry games, especially against neighboring Wethersfield, saying, “Colleen Budaj put in a good word for me to get the Rocky Hill job when I coached her daughter, Summer, and Wethersfield hoops team in 2015-16 season. We had a friendly rivalry and those games were always circled on my calendar.”  

Catlin’s exit leaves a massive void in the dugout and he now turns his attention to playing defense against a new opponent. Actually, two little ones.  

“A lot has gone on in my life since taking this coaching position. I got married to my beautiful wife Alyssa, she was a big fan of the program and coming to games. We had our son Joey last season and now we are expecting a baby daughter this upcoming April,” stated Catlin, “I also unexpectedly lost my mother in 2019. Grief is difficult for anyone and I was no different. Coaching that team in 2019 and seasons after was my biggest remedy. The way the players gave me their all every practice and every game meant the world to me. They were all there for me more than they could ever realize.”