Boston in the MABL/MSBL World Series
Phoenix, Arizona
Oct/Nov 2000

The MABL/MSBL World Series takes place each year in Arizona so that teams across the country may compete on the nation's top fields. In 2000, the MABL and MSBL 30+ each sent a team, while the MSBL 40+ sent two teams. The MABL Boston United squad fared the best, going undefeated in their division, and then losing in the Final Four. They finished 3rd overall out of 51 teams.

Below are daily recaps Boston teams at this event.

11/3/00: In the final day of the 30+ MSBL World Series in Arizona, the Boston Metro Stars Rickie Russell got the win over the Des Moines Bruins while Dana Johnson got the win over the Denver Capital Braves in their sixth and final game. The Stars ended up 4-2, but failed to qualify for the playoff round. The Stars were definitely the top team in it's division but hurt themselves with some costly errors and timely hitting woes. Jim Venuto did an excellent job managing the team and the Stars represented Boston with class and professionalism.

11/2/00: In the 30+ MSBL World Series in Arizona, the Boston Metro Stars again split a doubleheader. They are now 2 and 2 overall, with 2 games remaining. In the first game yesterday, Boston defeated the Las Vegas Indians 15 to 8. Kevin Locke got the win. Dave Massey was 3-4.

In the second game, down 12-6 in the top of the ninth with two outs, the Metro Stars rallied with key hits from Jim Venuto, Dave Patterson, Bill Lepree and Dave Valdanbrini, and scored seven times times on six straight hits to go up 13-12. However, they were unable to hold the lead in the bottom half of the ninth and lost 14 to 13 to the Long Island Mets.

10/31/00: The 30+ MSBL World Series began yesterday from Phoenix, Arizona. The Boston Metro Stars split their doubleheader Monday. They won their first game 3-2 against the Chicago Madbirds. Kevin Locke was 3-3 with an RBI and Tommy Keefe was 2-2 with a walk and RBI. Tony Geruso got the win. In the second game, Boston was up 5-0, but lost 8-5 to the Orange County Cardinals.

Dave Patterson slides safely into Oklahoma City Cards catcher

Bill Lapre gets under this pitch against the Oklahoma City Cardinals

10/30/00: Congratulations to Boston MSBL President, Jon Diamond and Dallas MSBL President, Sam Kayea who were inducted into the National MSBL Hall of Fame Saturday night in Phoenix, Arizona. One of only sixteen MSBL HOF'ers nationwide, Diamond has led the Boston MABL/MSBL to be one of the largest amateur baseball organizations in the country. (Read the full article)

Jon Diamond, HOF 2000, Boston MSBL
Sam Kayea, HOF 2000, Dallas MSBL

10/27/00: The MABL Boston United finished 3rd in the USA in Division C of the MABL World Series in Phoenix, Arizona. Additional photos have been added. Or view series statistics and game results.

10/27/00: The 40+ MSBL World Series in Arizona wrapped up it's regular scheduled games today. While played hard, the Boston Metro finished 3-3 while the Boston Braves finished 0-6. Additionally, there were about 5 Boston MSBL guys on the 50+ team called the Canadians headed by Bill Lee -- they went 1-4-1. None of these teams advanced to the playoffs. The Boston 30+ MSBL team heads to Arizona for next week's competition.

10/20/00: Boston United defeats Los Angeles and Roswell. Boston United won their division, 5 - 0, after coming from behind to win two games today at the MABL World Series in Arizona. Mark Doucette threw a complete game victory and Jeff Coveney got the game winning hit as the United beat the L.A.Lakers 8 - 7. Down 7 - 6, the United scored 2 runs in the 9th to win the game. In the wild 2nd game, Paul Schneider pitched the last 2 innings for the victory as the United, once again, came from behind in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Roswell Regulators 22 - 21. Murray Reed got the game winning hit. The United now have a bye until Saturday afternoon. The championship game will be held on Sunday.

10/19/00: Boston United defeats Long Island, then New Mexico. Boston United continues to tear up the competition in MABL World Series in Arizona. Neal Roper, Rockies, has a perfect on-base percentage as he has not made an out in 15 at-bats! Greg Crossman, Yankees, won both games Thursday. He pitched 5.2 innings in the first game, beating the Long Island Yankees 16 - 8. In the second game, he pitched 3.1 innings leading the United to a 25 - 13 thrashing of the New Mexico Reds. The United are 3 - 0.

10/18/00: Boston United 17, Chicago 7. In the MABL World Series in Arizona, the Boston United defeated Chicago by smacking 21 hits. Neal Roper and Greg Crossman led the attack with 4 hits each while Dave Mitrou and Brian Cooper each tacked on 3. Brian Cooper also pitched the complete game for the win, allowing only 3 hits after the second inning. The United have four more games in the next two days prior to the Championships this weekend.

10/17/00: Ironically, today's quote from the Bill James Baseball Stats Calendar as we head to Arizona is: "An average Major League game will have 40% more runs scored if the temperature is 95 degrees than if the temperature is below 60 degrees."