A comprehensive review of the 2003 season.
BOSTON MSBL LOSES A FRIEND
December 28, 2003 |
Jim Holmwood
1951-2003 |
Jim Holmwood, long-time member of Boston
MSBL, passed away after a bout with cancer. Jim played
the 2003 season for the Homestead Gray Sox and played/managed
for the Gray Sox and Wellesley Monarchs over the last
10+ years, taking the annual trip to play at Cooperstown
each year.
Just last month, Jim was featured in Hardball Magazine
for his role as a member of the "Pete Rose on Trial"
jury which aired on ESPN this past summer. His love
for baseball and our league was abundant and will be
greatly missed. |
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WINTERBALL III SNOWED OUT
December 6, 2003 |
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The 3rd Annual Winterball Extravaganza
was canceled due to almost 3 feet of snow. Ironic.
Get details from other Winterball
Games. Winterball IV will be attempted next December. |
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THREE BMBL'ers FEATURED
IN FALL 2003 HARDBALL MAGAZINE
November 13, 2003 |
 |
In the Fall 2003 issue of Hardball Magazine,
flip to page 34 where Jim Holmwood (Homestead Gray Sox),
Jason Grenier (Worcester Giants) and Jose Medina (T's
Pub Dodgers) are featured for their role in determining
the fate of Pete Rose getting into the Baseball Hall
of Fame on ESPN this past July.
The full-page article is in the "Around the Horn"
section, and is entitled "Boston MSBL Members on
ESPN Jury: The Mock Trial of Charlie Hustle." You
may view
the Pete Rose Hardball article here.
 |
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MSBL WORLD SERIES SUMMARY
October 15 through November 1, 2003 |
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A record 353 teams from across
the globe made the 2003 MSBL/MABL World Series in Phoenix,
Arizona the largest amateur baseball event ever held.
Over the last three weeks, teams competed across 24
age/tier divisions, with 7 teams coming from Boston.
Of these 7 teams, 4 advanced to the Finals in their
division and 2 won it all. In fact, Boston teams combined
for a phenomenal 32-13-2 record overall.
And today, the Massachusetts Cardinals won the championship
in the age 48+ Federal division by defeating the Chicago
Fire, 14-4. And the Boston Braves won the 38+ Federal
division by defeating the Inland Pacific Apache, 7-3.
Congratulations to all Boston teams. |
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Week 3: Cards win 48+ Federal Division; Braves
win 38+ Federal Division
This week, the final 3 Boston MSBL teams are at the
MSBL World Series -- marking 7 teams overall who attended.
The Boston Clippers (1-5) and Boston Braves (6-2-1) are
in the 38+ Federal division. The Massachusetts Cardinals
(8-1) are in the 48+ Federal division. The Braves and Cardinals
both won their division.
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Week 2: Two Boston teams finish
Runner-up in Finals
Boston MSBL teams at the MSBL World Series finished
a combined 13-5 this week, with two teams making the finals.
The Boston Wolfpack (6-2) lost to K.C. in the Age 38+ Wood
Bat Division Finals. The New England Red Sox (5-1) lost
to Sacramento in the Father/Son National Division Finals.
In the same division, the Brockton Athletics (2-2) did not
qualify for the playoffs.
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Week 1: Boston United undefeated,
until playoffs
The Boston United finished "regular season"
pool play at 4-0-1 at the MABL World Series to clinch 1st
place in the Federal Division before losing 13-11 to Sacramento
in Round 1 of the playoffs.
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MABL BANQUET AT FENWAY
PARK A SUCCESS
October 29, 2003 |
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The MABL held its end-of-year banquet
on Wednesday, October 29th at Fenway Park in the .406
Club. Located directly behind home plate, the .406 Club
has three cash bars and a panoramic view of the Park.
Nearly 100 players and guests were in attendance.
View the 2003 MABL Banquet
Photo Album. League individual
awards and championship
trophies were also distributed at this event. |
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Boston Red Sox welcome MABL
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Dodgers Manager, Scott Gilefsky
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2003 Award Winners:
Shanahan, Rudy, Kadlec & Bondola
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BROCKTON A'S SWEEP 40+
FINALS
October 1, 2003 |
In MASBL 40+ Finals action, the Brockton A's
sweep! With their second straight win over the Duxbury Twins,
the A's pulled off the MSBL 40+ Championship.
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DODGERS CROWNED MABL CHAMPIONS
September 30, 2003 |
In MABL Finals action, the Dodgers beat the
Royals in Game 4 at Trum Field in Somerville by a score of
3-1 to win the series 3 games to 1. Congrats to the 2003 MABL
Champions.
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SOMERVILLE & NORTH
READING WIN MSBL 30+ CONFERENCES
September 26, 2003 |
The MSBL Finals wrapped up today with some
exciting action.
- MSBL National: The Somerville Senators win the
30+ National League Championship over the Newton Red Sox
4-0 to win the series in three games. (Click
for larger picture).
- MSBL American: North Reading Vipers win the 30+
American League Championship by sweeping the Boston Mets
in two games. (Click for
larger picture).
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2003 MSBL National League Champions
Somerville Senators
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2003 MSBL American League Champions
North Reading Vipers
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MABL AWARD WINNERS NAMED
September 21, 2003 |
MABL awards are voted for by the league's 18
managers for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of
the Year, and Player's Choice Elite and Premier teams. Votes
have been tallied. Check out all the 2003
MABL Award Winner Vote Getters.
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MVP: Kit Kadlec,
Mets -- Top 10 batting, RBI, hits, steals & ERA
with 4 wins. |
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CY Young: Dan
Shanahan, Giants -- Microscopic ERA and tossed
3 shutouts. |
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Rookie of Year: Nick
Bondola, Indians -- Led rookies in most offensive
categories. |
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Manager of Year: Brett
Rudy, White Sox -- Led team to MABL #1 seed. |
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Player's Choice -- MABL
best by position. |
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MABL ALL-TIME CAREER &
SINGLE-SEASON RECORDS SET
September 15, 2003 |
The 2003 season was a record setting one,
with many all-time records set. Below are some of the highlights.
- Joe Montoya (Marlins), Al Becker (Mets) and Jason Joyce
(Mets) are only MABLer's to play in all 26 games in 2003.
- Jason Joyce (Mets) sets new record for walks in season
with 24, walks in career with 86, and steals in career
with 123.
- Dave Mitrou (Rockies) sets new record for runs, with
118 career.
- Jeff Coveney (Yankees) sets new record for hits, with
148 career.
- Mark Doucette (Braves) sets new record for RBI, with
122 career.
- Chris O'Sullivan (Braves) sets new record for wins with
29 career, strikeouts with 423 career and innings pitched
with 298.1 career.
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A WILD NIGHT IN THE MABL
September 11, 2003 |
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In MABL Playoff Wildcard action....
Rockies 9, Mets 5
Kevin Spitz 3 RBI triple in the top of the 6th inning
capped a 5 run inning as the Rockies pulled ahead. Rockies
play Dodgers next.
Marlins 8, Braves
1
Neil Doherty tosses 3-hitter to help Fish swim past
Braves. Marlins play White Sox next.
Also On Deck: Yankees vs. Royals and Giants
vs. Cardinals |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MABL
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
September 10, 2003 |
Dodgers, Bay State Champions
White Sox, Atlantic Champions
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MABL DODGERS AND GIANTS
HIT COOPERSTOWN
September 5, 2003 |
The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-5 for the
3rd straight year the MABL played a game at Doubleday Field
in Cooperstown, New York at the baseball Hall of Fame.
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2003 MABL Dodgers
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2003 MABL Giants
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MIDDLESEX THUNDER FROM
BOSTON MSBL WINS CAPE COD CLASSIC
September 1, 2003 |
The Middlesex Thunder won the 9th Annual Cape
Cod Classic with a 1-0 win over the Worcester Stars at Chatham
Field, home of the Chatham Athletics. Steve Donovan pitched
a complete game for the victory. Kelley McCormick knocked
in the only run of the game. Three teams from the Boston MSBL
competed in this 14-team, Age 30+ Labor Day tournament played
on fields from the Cape
Cod League.
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More on Cape Cod Classic. |
2003 Champions: Middlesex Thunder
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Boston MSBL participants:
- Middlesex Thunder
- Duxbury Twins
- Lexington Astros/Newton Red Sox
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THE YEAR OF THE NO HITTER
-- ADAM MESSOM DOES IT AGAIN
August 29, 2003 |
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Adam Messom
2nd
no hitter
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Adam Messom (0 hits, 4 walks, 11 K's)
tossed the first MSBL no hitter of 2003 on 8/29, and
his 2nd in 3 years as the Arlington Cardinals defeated
the Boston Hurricanes, 6-1, last night. Messom also
hit a homerun to help his cause. The last MSBLer to
toss a regular season no hitter was also Messom. On
August 19, 2001 with the Cambridge Cardinals, he was
just 2 walks away from a perfect game and won 3-0 versus
the MSBL Orioles. In between, Mark Carroll of the Wellesley
Monarchs threw a playoff no hitter against the Cleveland
Circle Indians in September 2002. |
Jeff Cain of the D'backs added the third MABL no hitter of
the 2003 season 8/19 when he no-hit the Mets (0 hits, 6 walks,
6 K's). Due to some fielding miscues, the Dbacks only won
4-2. Exactly 1 week before On 8/12, Jeff Decoteau of the Giants
tossed a no hitter against the Royals (0 hits, 3 walks, 11
K's). And 6 days before that on 8/6, Al Wiesner of the White
Sox no hit the Athletics (0 hits, 1 walk, 13 K's). Prior to
these consecutive no-no's, the last MABL no hitter was tossed
June 24, 2001 by Greg O'Keeffe, then of the Rockies, versus
the Yankees.
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SAUGUS LITTLE LEAGUE 2nd
BEST IN U.S.A.
August 24, 2003 |
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More on Saugus
Little League Team
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The Saugus Little League team finished
2nd in the U.S. after losing to Boynton Beach, Florida
in the Finals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Congrats
to all players, but especially Saugus catcher, Tyler
Calla, godson of Brian Nolan of the MSBL Medford Mets.
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BOSTON UNITED TO PLAY BALL
LIKE A ROCKSTAR
August 20, 2003 |
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About Rockstar Energy Drink
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The Boston United has struck a deal
to obtain partial sponsorship at the MABL World Series
in Phoenix, Arizona this October:
- Rockstar Energy Drink gets a free sampling program
to all 6,600 players at event.
- MSBL National gets free cases of Rockstar Energy
Drink to distribute to each participating team.
- Boston United gets player fee waivers for their
role brokering the deal.
While airfare, lodging and uniforms will still need
to be paid for, MSBL National waiving player fees
will help reduce cost by about 15%, making it possible
for more players on tight budgets to attend. The team
continues to pursue additional funding. But this is
a great start! Dates for the games are Oct 15th through
Oct 19th. |
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BMBL PRESIDENT COVERED
ON HARDBALL MAGAZINE
August 14, 2003 |
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Boston Men's Baseball League president
and manager of the Boston Wolfpack, Steve Wolf, is
featured on the Summer 2003 cover of Hardball Magazine.
In the photo, Wolf is seen taking a cut in the 38+
Division final at the 2003 MSBL Holiday Classic at
Disney's Wide World of Sports.
Steve Wolf at Disney.
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MABL HALL OF FAME GAME:
Indians 12, Royals 7
July 20, 2003 |
In the 3rd Annual Boston MABL game played
at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY, home of the Baseball
Hall of Fame, the Tribe came out on top over the Royals
in an exhibition.
The game's most dramatic play occurred on the 2nd pitch
of the game when Corey Son of the Royals smashed a 1-0 fastball
over the left field fence for the game's 1st run. The Royals
proceeded to take a 7-0 lead into the 5th inning before
the Indians rallied for 12 unanswered runs. For the Indians,
Marco Abreu was the big stick for the day, going 3-4 with
a double. Rob Linn contributed a pair of hits. Kevin Faria,
Mike Everett and Mike Kiely all doubled. Nick Bondola and
Linn each scored 3 runs. Jason Deveau grabbed the win for
the Indians with 2 innings of no-hit ball. Jason Lewis took
the loss for the Royals. (More on MABL
in Cooperstown.)
MABL Indians at Cooperstown, NY
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MSBL ALL-STAR GAMES RE-CAP
July 20, 2003 |
Yesterday, at Lexington High School, the MSBL
National and American All-Star Games were held. View the MSBL
All-Star Photo Album.
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NL East 3 , NL West
5
MVP: Ramon Antiqua, Wayland White Sox
AL South 14, AL North 10
MVP: Dave Joseph, Brockton Athletics |
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Dave Joseph wins AL MVP.
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Ramon Antiqua wins NL MVP.
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PETE ROSE ON TRIAL - BOSTON
MABL/MSBL ON JURY
July 18, 2003 |
Last night, three members of the Boston MABL
and MSBL appeared on "Pete Rose on Trial" on ESPN
and reached the conclusion that Pete Rose should be eligible
for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Two dozen members from across
the Boston MABL and MSBL cast for the 12 juror roles, but
only three were selected for this national broadcast:
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| Background:
Pete Rose on Trial. |
Jim
Holmwood
MSBL Gray Sox |
Jason
Grenier
MABL Giants |
Jose
Medina
MABL Dodgers |
Should Rose
be H.O.F. eligible?
Total: Yes - 8, No - 4 |
NO
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YES
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YES
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Did Pete Rose
bet on baseball?
Total: Yes - 11, No - 1 |
YES
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YES
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NO
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BAYSTATE 9, ATLANTIC 2
AT MABL ALL-STAR GAME
July 12, 2003 |
With 25 hits overall from both teams, Bart Lawyer
of the Rockies walked away as the MVP. Not only did he have
the ONLY extra-base hit, but he went 3-for-4, and drove in
3 RBI, including the game's first run. Bill Beauchesne of
the Mets recorded the win.
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Dan Dileo slides in for 1st Baystate run
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Dan Jalbert tags out Karl Cyr
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Bart Lawyer of the Rockies
2003 MABL All-Star MVP
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BOSTON MSBL BACK FROM DOWNEAST
WOOD BAT CLASSIC
July 8, 2003 |
July 4th weekend, 3 MSBL teams headed to Portland,
Maine to compete in the Downeast Wood Bat Classic:
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Middlesex Thunder (MSBL 38+)
3-0, beat Brockton in the semis but lost to Connecticut
Bristol + One in the finals 4-2. Outstanding performance
was put in by Steve Donovan pitching 18 innings and
allowing only 1 run with 2 wins while also swinging
the hot bat.
Brockton A's (MSBL 38+)
1-3, but made the cut but lost in Semi Finals to the
Middlesex Thunder 4-0.
North Andover Thunder
(MSBL 28+)
0-3, but were close in all three game. |
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Angel Claudio of Brockton A's pitches to Steve Donovan
of the Middlesex Thunder in Portland.
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Mark Bomback, Bobby Johnston, and Teddy Mansula relax
after the game. Mansula went 2-2 and beat out a bunt
but Middlesex defeated Brockton in the semi-finals.
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METS & WHITE SOX TRIP
TO MONTREAL A SUCCESS
June 24, 2003 |
For the second consecutive year, the Boston
MABL headed to Montreal, Canada to play a regular season game
at Olympic Stadium, home of the Montreal Expos. In this game,
the White Sox beat the Mets 9-6. The White Sox have a bunch
of Montreal photos at their team website, for those
wishing to view.
In August, the Cardinals will face the Cubs up North, eh.
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Olympic Stadium
Montreal, Quebec
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Boston Baseball League
Warmly received last season
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FIELD OF SPRAINS
June 11, 2003 |
The Lowell Sun published an article entitled
"Field of Sprains" in Tuesday's paper with a focus
on the Boston Men's Baseball League 40+ division. Many Boston
Townies are featured and quoted.
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Tom Rutledge of the MSBL 40+ Boston Townies
practices at Billerica Memorial High School this past
Sunday (left).
"Eyesights and hairlines
are fading, but baby-boomer baseball players keep swinging
for their dreams." |
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WOLFPACK ROLLS INTO VEGAS
May 27, 2003 |
The Boston Wolfpack competed in the Las Vegas
Open from May 24th to May 26th in the Age 38+ division of
this wood bat tournament. Last time the Wolfpack played, they
won the National Championship
at the Holiday Classic in Walt Disney World. This time,
they finished 3-2, losing to the Sacramento Rivercats 5-4
in the semi-finals.
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BOSTON MEN'S BASEBALL LEAGUE
GETS NATIONAL INK
May 15, 2003 |
Be sure to check out the 2003 Yearbook issue
of Hardball Magazine that should have arrived in your mailbox
within the past week. Pictures from our league can be seen
on pages 6 & 46. New players may not have received this
issue, so be sure your manager has submitted your full address
to the league so you may receive future issues.
Hardball Magazine - 2003 Yearbook
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HOTTEST TEAMS IN THE
MABL: D'BACKS & METS
May 12, 2003 |
| Just two years ago, the D'backs and Mets finished dead last
in their respective divisions. Last year, both made the playoffs.
And this year, just three weeks into the season, the D'backs
are the only remaining undefeated team in the Atlantic Division.
And the Mets are the only team sitting at 3-0 in the Baystate.
Times are changing. |
WHERE HAVE THE HITS GONE?
May 3, 2003 |
Perhaps it is wood bats. Perhaps it is lack
of a "real" Spring Training because of Mother Nature's
intervention. Or maybe it is a new standard in pitching. For
whatever reason, after 2 weeks, the MABL league average is
sitting just above the Mendoza
Line at a grimacing .208 -- almost 100 points below last
year's average. In 13 games so far, we have seen four shutouts
and three 1-run performances. But hey, let's give the pitchers
some credit!
In other news, wins by the Giants (over the Yankees) and Diamondbacks
(over the Rockies) may have surprised some people, but not
the Giants or D'backs! These teams, and many others, have
made dramatic changes this off-season, proof that any game
can go to anybody. |
HUGE PERFORMANCES ON OPENING
DAY
April 27, 2003 |
| After rain on Saturday, the Boston Men's Baseball League
finally got underway on Sunday. And there was plenty of MABL
action: Mets pitchers combined for a 1-hitter vs. the 'Stros;
White Sox beat the Marlins in 13 innings; Yankees blanked
the Royals; Rockies outlasted the Indians. |
LEAGUE TRYOUT DRAWS HUNDREDS
OF HOPEFULS
April 13, 2003 |
The Boston Men's Baseball League Open Tryout
was held today at BB&N Upper School in Cambridge.
Across the Age 18+, 30+ and 40+ divisions, more than 200 players
were in attendance. Congratulations to pitcher, Rob Sherman,
drafted by the Athletics as the #1 pick of the 2003 MABL draft
and to pitcher Wade Ward, drafted by the Boston Hurricanes
as the #1 pick of the 2003 MSBL 30+ draft.
See the complete list of 2003 Draft
Picks.
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Prez Steve Wolf with Kristen McLaughlin & Lauren
Huscher
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VP Gilefsky addresses recruits
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Pitchers trying out
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Outfielders giving it a shot
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BROCKTON A'S WIN CARIBBEAN
CLASSIC
February 22, 2003 |
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For the second straight national tournament, the Boston
Men's Baseball League has returned as national champions
-- this time winning the Caribbean Championship! The
Boston Brockton A's 45+ team swept the round robin games
(4-0) and put away the defending Caribbean Champs from
Puerto Rico, 21-9. The Championship Game MVP's were
pitcher Angel from Brockton and Dave Valdanbrini from
Hyde Park who went 3 for 4, including a 404 foot bomb
to center field. Coach Tony LeGreca managed the winning
team. Check out the Boston
Brockton A's Championship Photo Album.
Also at the 2003 Caribbean Championship, check out pictures
of the New
England Bandits. |
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WOLFPACK WINS DISNEY CLASSIC
January 24, 2003 |
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Congratulations to the Boston Wolfpack!
For the 2nd time in 3 years, the Wolfpack won the National
Championship at the Holiday Classic in Walt Disney World
during MLK Weekend. The Wolfpack is now 14-2 over three
years at this event, winning the championship in 2003
and 2001 and runner-up in 2002. See the photo album
from the 2003 Championship Boston Wolfpack.
The New England Stars also had a few representatives
from the Boston Men's Baseball League. The Stars finished
2-2, losing in Round 1 of the playoffs to the East Coast
Marlins, 8-7. |
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STEVE SIGLER, MSBL NATIONAL
PRESIDENT, VISITS BOSTON
January 10, 2003 |
League President, Steve Sigler at manager's meeting. |
This past Wednesday at the MSBL Manager's
Meeting, Steve & Brian Sigler from the MSBL National
office made guest appearances. Kevin Moore of the Wayland
White Sox and Greg "Chili" Davis of the Braintree
Rockies were recognized as the only two players to play
all 16 seasons of the Boston MSBL! Additionally, 2002
MSBL Championship managers were awarded their trophies. |
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