Groton — Jeff Joyce, who led his alma mater to the state tournament in all three of his seasons, has resigned as baseball coach at Fitch High School.

Joyce, who played at Fitch in the 1990s and later pitched at the University of Hartford, cited family obligations.

“Although extremely sad, it is the right decision at this time,” Joyce said. “There are a number of forces warranting my attention that requires my focus and energy, starting with my three boys. I realize I can't be everything for everybody, so I need to be something for somebody. My boys at this time need that somebody.”

The Falcons made the Class L state semifinals this past year.

“Coaching Fitch baseball has been one of the honors of my life,” Joyce said. “Getting the chance to return to the program that raised me and follow in (former) coach (Ed) Harvey's footsteps, if for only a short tenure, is an opportunity I feel humbled to have received and unworthy to have held.”

Joyce also coached baseball at Wheeler before taking the job at Fitch. He is an English teacher at Norwich Free Academy.

“I am eternally grateful to the Fitch administration, the NFA administration for allowing me to coach, my coaching staff and others who have been supportive within the Fitch athletic community,” Joyce said. “I want to thank our players, past and present, for their contributions to Fitch baseball. And to the current players: I am touched by the level of their understanding in accepting my decision. Players are always the reason why teams and programs succeed."

m.dimauro@theday.com