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Before anything else, let’s look at how the semi-finals will be scheduled. Coaches – If your team is involved, please get your players up to speed.
IF the quarter-finals are all settled by Tuesday night, we will begin the best-of-five semi-finals on Wednesday (then go Thursday, Monday – and Tuesday, Wednesday, if needed.) If we need to go to Wednesday to settle the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals will take place Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. In other words, the day after the quarter finals we start the semi-finals, and we will look to have them completed by Wednesday of next week at the latest.
Now, with our Commissioner, Mark Senna, in Florida and looking at a possible direct hit from Hurricane Irma on Sunday or Monday, his communications may be down for a while. If that happens, he will not be able to update the schedule on this website. I don’t have the capability to do so, either – at least in the usual places. However, I will post the schedule in three different places if Mark cannot do it. Look in the “Talkback” section here, or on Facebook at either my personal home page (https://www.facebook.com/jim.sullivan.1654) or the M Street Softball page (https://www.facebook.com/mstreet.softballleague). Please check those spaces for information if you can’t find it readily available elsewhere here. Any questions or concerns, I can be reached via e-mail at suldog@aol.com or with a message on FB. Thanks in advance for your patience and cooperation!
Congratulations are in order, as Boston-area softball teams (all including current M Street players) captured 1st, 2nd and 4th place at Nationals in Wisconsin. That’s an amazing showing. They were the only three Massachusetts teams entered and to have them all finish in trophy position is outstanding. The champion was MJS Construction (the MJS in question being Mike Selig of Southside Tavern.) Other M Street players from MJS included Jason “Eeka” Calnan (Southside) and Michael Garland and Gerry Sarro (Pat Simpson Club). Second-place finishers, Boston Sharks, had Danny Ekasala and Julian Alvarez (Southside). Boston Bulldogs took fourth and had Charlie Conners, Steve Stalcup and Pat Pickup (Loco Pirates), and Pat Dolbeare, Sammy MacDonald and Kevin O’Hara (Southside). First-team All-American honors went to O’Hara, Selig and Alvarez, while MacDonald was among the second-team honorees. Great job, guys!
Finally, while Kevin O’Hara had a superb performance at Nationals, there was sad news for him this week as his father passed away. The league extends sincerest condolences to K.O. and his family. God bless. Anyone wishing to attend the services they will be helld on Monday from 4-8pm at Vertuccio's & Smith located on Broadway in Revere.
That will wrap it for this week. Recaps of all playoff games are available on the *Playoffs* page of this website, so I won’t go over the details again in this space. Next week, before the championship match-up, I’ll be back with more mathematical voodoo and a prediction. Also, since playoff stats are not yet set up here, if any COACH wishes to have statistical information concerning his team or their playoff opponents, you can contact me at suldog@aol.com and I will try to answer your request to the best of my ability, as time allows (since, believe it or not, I do have other jobs beside this!)
See you at the ballpark.
[Jim Sullivan writes for the Boston Herald. Go to the Boston Herald website at bostonherald.com/opinion/op_ed to see his writing.]
A few reminders from your commissioner:
Parking - guys please leave your cars at home as the available parking spaces around the field is VERY limited. Most spaces are Resident only so unless you are a South Boston resident then you will most likely get a $40 ticket that the league cannot cover. Some relief (Thomas Butler Park on First Street will have 1200 parking spaces) is on the way but is still a year away. If possible, car pool, take the T, or bike/walk to the park and save yourself the headache.
Umpire/Scorekeeper fee - please pay the umpire $25 and pay $5 to "Sully" the official scorekeeper BEFORE the game begins.
Forfeits - we don't like forfeits in the M Street Softball League as they cost the league money and waste people's time. With that said, if you know there is a scheduled game that is going to be a problem then let me know ASAP and I will work with you in finding additional players, rescheduling the game, and/or cancelling it all together.
Inclement weather/rain outs - the league will usually make a decision by 5pm on whether or not the game is on or off. Once the decision is made then the league will reach out to the coaches - we will not leave you hanging. The league website (sbsports.com) will also be updated within minutes of a cancellation.
Bats - just a reminder that composite bats are illegal...however, bats that have a composite handle and metal barrel are OK. DeMarini Steel is a very popular bat in our league as is the Anderson RocketTech.
Equipment - the league will provide bases and also has a catcher's mask that your catcher can borrow (ask Sully) on a nightly basis.
Pitching rules - we are using the same rules as we implemented last year...that's strict modified pitching - no sling, no windmill, and no arc. It's pretty much straight back with the arm, a forward step to the plate, and deliver the ball. A great source on the "Classic Style" with videos can be found here 10manmodified.com/pitching-rules/videos-of-modified-styles/
Starting lineups - reminder, we use four outfielders, P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and if you want (optional) you can use a DH and an EH for a total of 12 players. The EH can take the field and substitute for any defensive player while the DH cannot take the field (unless injury).
Playoffs - 16 teams will be eligible for the playoffs.
Playoff eligibility - although the rosters are open there is minimum number of plate appearances or innings pitched (25) a player must meet to qualify for the playoffs.
Stats, news, etc... - please check the league website for all the latest news, standings, stats, and more.
Schedule - we tried to evenly spread out the amount of start times for each team...it's not an easy or exact science. The regular season will run from May to mid August followed by the start of the playoffs.
Wishing you and your players a great season of softball at M Street.
Sincerely,
Mark Senna
M Street Softball League
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