McConnell was born on April 29, 1883. He grew up in North Pownal, Vermont, and began his baseball career there. McConnell attended Beloit College and made a living by working at the town mill for fifty hours a week (earning him $6). During his spare time, he would play baseball at a nearby field and soon became well known around the region for his stellar defense. As a result of his newfound fame, a team based in Dalton, Massachusetts, offered McConnell $7.50 a week to play for them. McConnell accepted, even though (unbeknownst to him) some of his new teammates were earning twice as much as he was. After the season, McConnell got married and eventually had two children.
