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2005 - THE YEAR IN REVIEW
A comprehensive review of the 2005 season.
MSBL WINS WINTERBALL TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT, 6-3
December 3, 2005
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With the temperature 35 degrees at game time, degrees, the 5th Annual Winterball Extravaganza was played, Saturday, December 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Kelly Field in Hyde Park. The MSBL defeated the MABL, 6-3. Players who participated donated a toy to Toys for Tots, a charitable toy drive held by the U.S. Marine Corps. Countless toys were donated and more than 40 players suited up for the contest.
The MSBL scored 6 runs off just 3 hits, drawing a rediculous 12 walks and 2 hit batsmen. Andy Lewis (Randolph Grays) and Dickie Pacino (Somerville Cubs) had key RBIs. Tony Catalano (Lexington Astros) started the game on the mound and notched the win. For the MABL, the squad picked up 7 hits, of which Pedro Gil (Athletics) had 3 of them, including a triple. Jay Thomas (Orioles) took the loss, though he struck out 7 in just 3 innings of work.
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Toys for Tots representatives from the U.S. Marines, Jack McDonald and Paul Nolan, pose with Tim Fish of the MABL Orioles, who is also a 6-year veteran of the U.S. Marines.
See the Winterball V Photo Album and Line Score. |
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AT MSBL WORLD SERIES, ALL BMBL TEAMS MAKE PLAYOFFS
October 30, 2005
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All three Boston Men's Baseball League teams competing at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix, Arizona from October 19-30 did well enough to make the playoffs:
- Boston Cutters (18+ Federal) - Finished 3-2 in pool play before losing in the quarterfinals to the Des Moines Vikings, 14-1.
- Boston Wolfpack (38+ National) - Finished 3-2-1 in pool play before losing in the semifinals to the Bristol Baseball Club, 3-1.
- Massachusetts Cardinals (AAA Father/Son) - Finished 2-1 in pool play advanced to Championship game, but lost to the Arkansas Diamonds, 6-1.
2005 Boston Cutters, led by Steve "Coach" Coyle
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A SPECTACULAR END TO A SPECTACULAR SEASON
October 29, 2005 |
Mark Doucette (MABL Reds)
with Shonda & Curt Schilling |
On Saturday, October 29th, Curt & Shonda Schilling held their “Curt’s Pitch Post-Season Reception” to thank 2005 Curt’s Pitch members who donated to The ALS Association’s New England Chapters. The reception was held at the State Room in Boston. Guests were treated to a wonderful program, which included a buffet, an awards ceremony, a question-and-answer session with Curt & Shonda Schilling, and a live auction.
Curt’s Pitch for ALS raised $481,000 for ALS research and patient care in 2005, of which $112,000 came from the Boston Men's Baseball League during the 100 Innings of Baseball Spectacular this past April. Mark Doucette of the Reds led all BMBL contributors in fundraising. |
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END-OF-YEAR BANQUET A BIG HIT
October 27, 2005
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The MABL held its 2005 Banquet this evening at the Cask 'n Flagon beside Fenway Park. A record 120 players were in attendance this year, joined by several dozen guests. The White Sox and Reds were recognized for their Championship seasons, while individual award winners were also honored.
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Hoye, Harvey & Walsh honored.
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Boston Padres in attendance.
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Outside the Cask 'n Flagon.
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How to get there.
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AFTER 9 DAYS OF RAIN, METRO RED SOX WIN MSBL 40+ TITLE
October 17, 2005
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2005 MSBL 40+ Champion Metro Red Sox
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Sean O'Connor pitched a compete game 3-hitter to lead the Metro Red Sox to the 40+ Championship by a final score of 5-0. Russ Ward hit a 2-run HR and finished with 3 RBI. Marco Vittozzi was 2-4 with a HR and 2 runs scored. The Blue Jays, led by Pat Donovan, played a great series which spanned two weeks because of 9 consecutive days of rain. |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2005 BMBL CHAMPION WHITE SOX
September 29, 2005
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2005 MABL 18+ Champion White Sox
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The MABL White Sox defeated the Reds in 5 grueling games. After taking a convincing 2-0 series lead, the Reds TWICE came back while losing in the final inning with 2 outs to bring the series to 2-2. The White Sox were finally able to win their first ever title in the deciding 5th game. View the Road to the Championship or view the Championship Photos. |
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SCITUATE TIDES WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
September 29, 2005 |
2005 MSBL NL 30+ Champion Scituate Tide
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The Scituate Tides defeated the Billerica Storm 2-1 to win the 30+ National League Championship two games to one. Dave Iava earned the win pitching 7 shutout innings and Rob Monti held on for the save. After losing game one, the Tide won two straight, scoring both runs in game 3 on a Jason Pithie double that was lost in the lights. Tom Manning was the tough luck loser for the Storm. |
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NEWTON RED SOX WIN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
September 29, 2005 |
2005 MSBL AL 30+ Champion Newton Red Sox
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The Newton Red Sox defeated the North Reading Vipers in the MSBL 30+ American League finals. |
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MIDDLESEX THUNDER WIN CAPE COD CLASSIC, AGAIN
September 5, 2005
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In the 11th Annual Cape Cod Thunder Bat Classic tournament, the Middlesex Thunder defended their title by defeating Club Franz, 9-3. Steve Donovan won his second complete game of the tournament and Russ Ward went 3-5 with a key bases clearing double. Of the 16 teams participating, other BMBL teams were the Waltham Red Sox (3-0 in pool play, lost in semis to Club Franz), South Shore Tides (2-1 in pool play, but missed the cut) and the Lexington Astros (0-3).
For all the details, visit the 2005 Cape Cod Classic site.
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PERFECTION! And those close to it in a record-setting 2005.
August 21, 2005
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Bryan Gauvin, Yankees
Aug. 13 - After 13 years, the MABL finally saw its first 7-inning perfect game. Gauvin faced the minimum: 21 Giants up, 21 Giants down. To go with his 4 Cy Young awards, Gauvin has 2 no-hitters, 3 one-hitters and 402 strikeouts. |
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Eric Harvey, Astros
Jun. 18 & Jun. 28 - This rookie sensation performed an MABL first. Harvey tossed no-hitters in consecutive outings, first versus the Orioles, then versus the Grays. On 6/18, three Astros errors shattered his perfect game bid as he walked nobody. |
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Brian Houlding, White Sox
Aug. 21 - Toying with perfection, Houlding walked the leadoff hitter, then proceeded to retire 21 straight Royals with 5 K's. |
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Dan Petro, Dodgers
Jul. 21 - Petro no-hits the Red Sox with 10 K's and just 1 walk. |
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Anthony Leonelli, Marlins
Jul. 15 - Also toying with perfection, Leonelli walked the leadoff hitter, then proceeded to retire 21 straight Grays with 8 K's. |
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Doug Rexrode, Rangers
Jul. 22 - Rexrode no-hits the Grays with 3 K's and 2 walks. |
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Neil Doherty & Kevin Brennan, Marlins
Jun. 5 - The mystifying Doherty (7.2 IP) and Brennan (1.1 IP) spun the first no-hitter in Marlins history to beat the Royals. |
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Victor Ruiz, Padres
May 22 - The first solo no-hitter of the season, Ruiz no-hits the Athletics. |
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Jeff James & Keith Umlauf, Rangers
Apr. 30 - On opening day of their inaugural season, James and Umlauf combine to toss a rain-shorted 5-inning perfect game over the Giants. |
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BAY STATE & NATIONAL TEAMS PREVAIL IN BMBL ALL-STAR GAMES
July 30, 2005
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On Saturday, July 30th, the MABL and MSBL All-Star Games were played at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, MA - home of the Lowell Spinners, Single A affiliate to the Boston Red Sox.
MSBL
The National League All-Stars defeated the American League All-Stars 7-2. Special thanks to John Gainey and Mark Fitzgerald for their hard work putting together this mid-season classic.
National League 7, American League 2
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
R |
H |
E |
| National |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
3 |
| American |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
MABL
The Bay State defeated the Atlantic for the 3rd straight year, this time by a score of 6-1. Joe Albano of the Giants picked up the win for his 3rd and 4th inning work, not allowing a hit. Chris Chase was named MVP for 2 for 2 performance, while also driving in the game's first run with an RBI-double. See the 2005 MABL All-Star Game Photo Album or read the Box Score.
Bay State 6, Atlantic 1
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2 |
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6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
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| Atlantic |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Bay State |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
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6 |
9 |
4 |
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Greg Kosc, Royals, with first hit of game.
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Mark Bowles, Indians, scores first run.
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BROCKTON REDS WIN COOPERSTOWN CLASSIC
July 24, 2005 |
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The 2nd Annual Cooperstown Classic was held in Cooperstown, New York, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, the weekend of July 23-24. The Brockton Reds (MIBL) defeated the North Andover Thunder (MSBL) in the finals 15-3. The undefeated Reds finished the tourney 4-0, scoring an average of more than 17 runs per game.
- Finalists: Brockton Reds, MIBL (4-0), N. Andover Thunder, MSBL (3-1)
- Semi-finalist: Medford Angels, MSBL (2-1), Boston Senators, MABL (1-2)
- Others: Marlins (2-1), Mariners (1-1), Quincy Grays (1-2), Wellesley Orioles (0-3), Dorchester Dodgers (0-3)
The MABL Marlins had previously won the 2004 Cooperstown Classic. |
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Brockton Reds scoring 1 of 70 runs.
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Wellesley Orioles emerge from the corn.
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SPARKS FLY AT DOWN EAST CLASSIC
July 3, 2005
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This Fourth of July weekend, the Southern Maine Men's Baseball League hosted the 8th Annual Down East Wood Bat Tournament. Two BMBL teams headed to South Portland, Maine to compete: The Acton Orioles (38+ division) and Middlesex Thunder (38+ division). The Middlesex Thunder went 3-0 in pool play, but lost to the Maine Diamond Dogs in Semi finals. The Acton Orioles went 1-2 and did not make the playoffs. |
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ATHLETICS DEFEAT WHITE SOX IN TORONTO
June 18, 2005
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Beginning in 2002, the BMBL had played a regular season game each year at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. With the departure of the Expos, the BMBL moved across Canada in 2005 to play the first MABL game ever played at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario -- home of the Blue Jays. In this game, the A's defeated the White Sox in extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the A's Eddie Perez walked to lead off and then stole second. Adam Nichols then delivered a 1-out GWRBI single to plate Perez for the walk off victory.
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Nate Pane of White Sox pitches at Rogers Centre
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MSBL ENTERS HALL OF FAME
June 11, 2005
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Ron Biagi delivers for Wayland White Sox. |
- In 95 degree heat, the Wayland White Sox and Middlesex Brewers split their doubleheader at Doubleday Field at the Baseball Hall of Fame. In Game 1 on Saturday, the Brewers came from behind to win 6-5. In Game 2, the White Sox won 7-2.
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Terry Belli took home the MVP award with 7 hits for the day.
11 more teams are slated to hit the Hall later this summer. |
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ODDS IN FAVOR OF WOLFPACK AT LAS VEGAS OPEN
May 30, 2005
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The Boston Wolfpack returned to sunny Nevada for the Las Vegas Open from May 28-30 over Memorial Day Weekend. The 'Pack dominated their first two games, defeating the Las Vegas Reds 13-2 and Rogue Valley 14-1. They are scheduled to play the Sacramento Rivercats at 11:30 Sunday morning before advancing to the Age 38+ Division playoffs. 60 teams are playing in this round-robin tournament.
Last year, the Boston Wolfpack finished 4-1 overall, losing in the semifinals to the defending National Division World Series Champion Tri-Valley 40's. |
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SEASON OPENER A WET ONE
April 24, 2005
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- Despite the lack of cooperation by Mother Nature, two games were completed to kick off the 2005 BMBL season. The formerly homeless Billerica Storm won their first home game in franchise history 5-4 over the Scituate Tides in the National League and the Cambridge Cubs defeated the Boston Mets 9-8 in the American League. All other 30+ games were rained out. Full league play is set to begin next weekend.
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100 INNINGS OF BASEBALL IN THE BOOKS:
Final Score: Marciano 88, Hagler 79
April 17, 2005 |
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Read BMBL article on www.bostonredsox.com.
View the 100 Inning Wrap-up Site.
The BMBL again held the 100 Innings of Baseball Spectacular and raised $109,000 for Curt's Pitch for ALS and the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease - this year at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, MA, home of the Brockton Rox. Last year, this event raised $112,000 and set a world record for the longest game ever played. Total dollars raised in the last 363 days is a whopping $221,000. A few tidbits:
- TWENTY different players played ALL 100 innings, beginning play at 9AM on Saturday morning and not coming off the field until Sunday at 4:15 in the afternoon.
- Ironically, event coordinator, Mike Lembo, was the winning pitcher of record, as he was pitching in the 44th inning when Team Marciano took a lead they would not relinquish. Equally as fitting, event creator Brett Rudy caught the game's final out by grabbing a fly ball hit to left field to end the 100th inning.
- Jimmy King, who turned 50 years old the DAY the game started, led all batter with 11 hits.
- The Massachusetts Baseball Umpires Association (MBUA) tirelessly staffed the entire game with 6 umpires at a time. Whoa!
- Mark Doucette collected the game's first hit.
- Mike Byrne tripled 3 times.
- Matt LoPresti absorbed 18 innings, leading all pitchers.
- For the second straight year, Daryl Pina began the game on the mound, facing Matt Giblin.
- View the 2005 Linescore from the 100 Inning Game (courtesey of Kevin and Robyn Beliveau, who helped assure the game ran flawlessly for more than 31 hours).
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ABOUT 150 IN ATTENDANCE FOR BMBL LEAGUE TRYOUT
April 10, 2005
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The BMBL held its annual league tryout today, and about 150 players were in attendance to tryout for the age 18+, age 30+ or age 40+ divisions. From the Age 18+ division alone, 57 were drafted! Congratulations to Eric Harvey, selected by the Astros as the #1 pick overall. See the complete list of 2005 MABL Age 18+ Draft Selects. Those drafted in the Age 30+ and 40+ divisions will be listed shortly.
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2005 Draft Hopefuls
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Sean Jacquet pitches to 1st Rd pick
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Red Bull samples to MSBLers
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BOSTON BEARS AT LAS VEGAS KICK OFF CLASSIC
March 23, 2005 |
The Duke tosses heat in Las Vegas. |
- From March 19-21, the Boston Bears battled at the MSBL Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. In typical Vegas-style, it was all 7's and 11's, as they won 11-3 versus the Northern Colorado Mets and 11-6 versus the Northern Colorado Angels, but lost 11-4 to the DC Rattlers and 7-4 to the Lakeland Crew. A decent roll of the dice overall.
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BANDITS ROBBED IN PUERTO RICO
February 20, 2005
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The 10th Annual MSBL Caribbean Winter Baseball Championship was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico where the New England Bandits posted a 5-2 overall record. The Bandits went 4-1 in pool play, beating 2 teams from Puerto Rico. In the Quarterfinals, the Bandits knocked off last year's champion Puerto Rico Seniors 6-5 before losing to this year's champion Daytona Beach in the Semifinals.
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2005 New England Bandits
BMBL staff: Dickie Pacino & Al Visnick (Somerville Cubs); Joe Berolini & Dave Joseph (Brockton A's)
Sean O'Connor (Wayland White Sox)
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DISNEY CLASSIC DRAWS TWO BOSTON TEAMS
January 16, 2005 |
Teams from the Boston Men's Baseball League are are heading to Walt Disney World to compete in the Holiday Classic from January 14-16:
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Boston Wolfpack (38+). In last year's Classic, the Wolfpack finished 3-0 in Round Robin play where they outscored their opponents 42-8. They went on to beat the Boca Marlins 4-1 in the semifinals before losing to the Jacksonville Vikings in the Finals.
Boston Clippers (28+). The Boston Clippers last played in the 2003 MSBL World Series, but that was a different age bracket and a very different team. Big things are expected from this year's squad. |
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