The Albany Twilight League has been around for almost 100 years, and fields some of the best former professional and college baseball players from across the country. Hampshire Regional head softball coach Brian McGan played in the Twilight League back in the 1980s for nearly a decade once his professional playing days came to a close.

After a successful collegiate career at Hudson Valley Community College in his hometown of Troy, N.Y., McGan was a draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays and competed against the likes of Paul O’Neill, who went on to play 17 seasons in the MLB for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees and earn five All-Star selections. When he joined the Twilight League less than 10 miles from Troy, McGan immediately became a star.

To this day he is one of only two known players to hit a ball out of Bleecker Stadium in Albany, across the road and into the parking lot. The only other batter to do it was Gary Holle, who played in the MLB in 1979 and eventually was inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.

Further, McGan still holds one of the more impressive records in the storied history of the Albany Twilight League. McGan hit a home run in eight consecutive games, something nobody has ever done there. He’s also toward the top of the leaderboard in the Twilight League’s all-time home runs.

His illustrious career led to his induction as part of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, which he found out earlier this month. The organization officially sent out a press release on April 18, and the induction will take place in November.

“I got a phone call from a board member who runs the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, we were talking and he welcomed me in,” McGan said. “It’s pretty much like they do at Cooperstown, but a smaller scale for just New York.

“I was surprised,” McGan added. “I’ve seen and heard about it in the past, because a lot of my peers and ex-teammates have gotten in. They were all very deserving because they were ex-pros and college players, but I was obviously a little envious. So to be in that group now is rewarding and I’m extremely honored. When he called me, I wasn’t sure who [the caller] was at first. Then he introduced himself and said welcome to the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.”

McGan was nominated by fellow Hall of Famer George Rafferty, and seconded by Shane Quackenbush.

“Brian is a baseball lifer, a great teammate and opponent, respected by all in the game,” the press release stated.

Today, McGan leads one of the most successful softball programs in western Massachusetts since the turn of the 21st century. Hampshire has won eight Western Mass. championships (most recently in 2023) and hoisted back-to-back state championship trophies in 2015 and 2016 under McGan, who took over the varsity program in 2007.

The Raiders are still the cream of the crop in Hampshire County to this day, and they currently hold a perfect 9-0 record in 2025. While McGan will be quick to credit his players for the success, those around the program and the area know he’s responsible for building the powerhouse that Hampshire has become.

And he almost never even took a stab at coaching softball.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to coach softball, but my wife kept telling me to give it a try, so I did,” McGan said. “Now here I still am all these years later. It wasn’t something I planned on doing, her argument was I could keep an eye on our girls once they were old enough to play. So softball became me and my daughters’ bond.”

McGan met his wife, Lisa, at a gym in Troy. Lisa is originally from Southampton, but went to Russell Sage College in McGan’s hometown. They stayed together while Lisa attended law school and became a lawyer, then McGan moved with her to Hampshire County where they later had two daughters.

He was skeptical when Lisa first brought up the idea of getting into softball, but having the opportunity to coach their daughters Ashley and Danielle appealed to him.

Fast forward almost two decades, and he doesn’t regret the choice one bit. He even announced he was retiring once his youngest daughter completed her senior season at Hampshire, but his love for coaching couldn’t keep him away from the softball diamond. His practices now are just as intense as they were when he started, and his players have bought in to his philosophies.

“We’re old school here,” McGan said. “Defense, pitching and hitting – in that order. Hitting is last. That’s the way I was taught, and that’s how I teach. We’re out here three hours most days. Practice isn’t easy, but it wasn’t when I was a kid and I try to translate it to softball with them. It’s harder to get the kids to do that sometimes, but they’ve bought into it. My programs know what to expect. I’ve tried to use all the knowledge I’ve gained along the way when coaching them.”

During a practice earlier this month, Hampshire was forced inside due to heavy rain. When practice was over, McGan gathered his players around and informed them of the honor.

They all clapped and cheered for their head coach, giving him yet another memorable moment during his time at Hampshire.

“It’s very humbling, for sure,” McGan said. “These kids are a blast to be around. When I was a kid, my dream was to play professional baseball. That’s all I wanted. Here, it’s the same. They want to win championships and it’s my job to help them get there. When we do win, I always let them run out and grab the trophy and celebrate. It’s their moment to enjoy.”