This afternoon, Curt's Pitch for ALS held their post season reception at the State Room in Boston. Those who made contributions for the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter were honored. From the BMBL, Tyler Walsh and Mike Byrne of the Astros were recognized as the players raising the most in donations. Lead umpire for the 100 Innings of Baseball Spectacular, Walter Bentson, was recognized for raising upwards of $25,000. For more details on the game itself, view the 2006 Wrap-up of the 100 Innings of Baseball.

Tyler Walsh and Mike Byrne of the Astros honored by Shonda and Curt Schilling.

Walt Bentson, umpire extraordinaire, honored by the Schillings.

The 6th Annual Winterball Extravaganza was played today at Boston English High School in Jamaica Plain in 45 degree cold. All participants had to donate a toy to Toys for Toys in order to participate. 57 players from across our three age divisions played. An entire truckload (literally) of donated toys was filled, as the event went off flawlessly. Two members of the United States Marine Corps stationed out of Ft. Devens came down to collect all the toys. Thanks to John "Smokey" Moore (Winthrop Black Sox) for securing the Toys for Tots angle and for Charity Hop (a baseball fundraising firm) for coordinating all the details. Additionally, Boston Police Captain Kelley McCormick (Somerville Senators) was on hand to assure everything went smoothly. Click here for the Winterball VI Wrap-Up. A larger photo album will be coming soon. "Red Sox Stories" filmed the event and will air the segment on Sunday, December 17th at 10:30 p.m. on UPN.

Kelley McCormick, Smokey Moore, USMC and Brett Rudy.

Chris Allen of the Reds starts Game 1 and K's 6 in just 2 innings.

UPDATE; On December 17th on UPN at 10:30 p.m., the Boston Men's Baseball League was featured on "Red Sox Stories" for their successful execution of Winterball for Toys for Tots. Watch the video below.

Congratulations to the Rhode Island Cardinals for winning the Father/Son AAA World Series Championship today at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Cards went a perfect 6-0, defeating the Sacramento Cardinals by a score of 10-1 in the Finals. Rhode Island out hit Sacramento 20 to 3. Edgardo Mercado, Sr got the win, allowing just three hits and no earned runs. From the Boston Men's Baseball League, Dave and Steve Joseph, Chicky and Billy Rodenbush, and Tony and Paul Lagreca represented.

The Boston Wolfpack represented the Boston Men's Baseball League in the MSBL World Series in Phoenix, Arizona from October 23-28. The team ended 2-2-1 and in 4th place, eventually losing the play-in game against K&Z Pork Store Senators. The Fedlock Falcons won the 38+ Wood Bat National Division Championship, the toughest division in the tournament. The Pack had great games against Kansas City Charlie's Boyz and Price Cutter Coors with Kevin Curtin and Russ Ward pitching gems. Visit the Wolfpack site for more information.

The MABL End-of-Year Banquet was held at The Rack and a record 170 players and guests were in attendance. The Reds and White Sox were recognized for their Championship seasons, while individual award winners were also honored. Pool, food and drink was enjoyed by all. Thanks, everybody, for a great season! View the 2006 Banquet Photo Album.

2006 MABL Award Winners: Chris Stone - Cy Young Jay Lamoureux - Rookie of the Year Nick Bondola - Manager of the Year Paul Bracco - Most Valuable Player

The 2nd Annual Central Mass 40+ tourney was completed this weekend. After one day of action last weekend, the Boston Wolfpack clinched a spot in the Championship Game by finishing 2-0 in pool play. But due to rain, the Finals were delayed. So today the Wolfpack defeated the Leominster Diamondbacks, 7-3, to win the tourney. Kevin Locke and Russ Ward combined to get the win. Ron Pelletier and Dave Pelletier led the offense with two hits a piece and a combined 5 RBIs.

The Quincy Grays (1-1) and Duxbury Blue Jays (0-2) also competed from the Boston Men's Baseball League.

Champion Boston Wolfpack Back row, left to right: Scott Ellis Russ Ward Dave Pellitier Joe Calderella Gregg Bromley Ron Pellitier Front row, left to right: Bill Powell Kevin Locke Joe Ruth

In an epic championship, the Medford Mets downed the Somerville Senators in three games. In the deciding game, Mets ace Steve Hueston stymied the Senators for nine innings. Senators starter Dan Murray gave up 6 runs, departing with the bases loaded, handing the ball to Steve Donovan. Pitching on two days rest, Donovan extinguished the threat and held the Mets scoreless the rest of the way. By the game's, and season's end, however, the one-two punch of the Mets young right-handers, Eli Munkholm (Game 2 winner) and Hueston, outdueled the Senators. Of note, Mets' Chuck Mountain is the only active remaining member of the first Mets league championship team and also had game-winning RBIs in both Game 2 and Game 3 of the Championship Series.

2006 MSBL National League Champions Medford Mets

In a battle of American League heavyweights, Duke Guthrie (Trum Cubs) and Junior Rentas (Newton Red Sox) went toe to toe. The Cubs scored once early on a bases loaded walk and kept the Red Sox shutout until the bottom of the 7th. Then, a walk, a single, and a SacFly by Rentas tied the game. The potential winning run was gunned down at the plate on another SacFly. The Cubs had their chance in the top of the 9th, loading the bases with no outs but Rentas shut the door. Then in their half of the ninth, the Sox loaded the bases on a single by Cookie Delcarmen, a IBB to Rentas, and a single by Steve Wilson. The Sox then won the game, and the title, on a walk.

2006 MSBL American League Champions Newton Red Sox

The Brockton A's went 6-0 in the post season, sweeping the Indians, the top seeded Metro Red Sox, and the second seeded Duxbury Blue Jays. In the final game, the A's down 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th after 2 outs got a hit by Bob Johnston, a walk to Steve Spencer, a Tony Catalano single, Les Weber's bases loaded double scoring 2 runs, and Franz Strassmann's walk off single plating 2 runs and giving the A's their 2nd title in 4 years. Dave Joseph pitched 4 innings in relief giving up 1 run for the win.

2006 MSBL Masters Champions Brockton A's

UPDATE: On October 15, The 40+ Championship was played at Edgars Park in Brockton. The BMBL Champion Brockton Athletics defeated the BABL Champion Braintree Rockies, 9-3, for the Boston Championship.

The Roxbury Panthers won the Federal League Championship in their inaugural season, defeating the Boston Braves in two very close games. After losing Game 1 late and being 1 out away from elimination, the Braves tied it in the top of the seventh on a hit by Hugh Guilderson. But the Panthers came back in the bottom of the eighth with a leadoff single up the middle by Darwin Hernandez, who stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice by Fabian Alicea. After Jose Toledano and Carmelo Bastian were intetionally walked to load the bases with one out, Ramon Nunez hit a flyball deep enough to plate the game winner and end the Series. Castillo Ramirez picked up the win in relief of Cesar Romero. The Boston Braves, winner of the Federal North Division, had outstanding pitching performances from Steve Hare and Matt Najera.

The Reds have won the MABL Championship, sweeping the reigning champion White Sox, 3 games to none, in a rematch of last year's Finals. Congrats especially to those who waited the longest for a ring: Chris Allen (9 years), Mike Knell (8 years) and Steve Corda (7 years), as well as the three Reds from their inaugural season: Jason Gesing, Matt Bloomer and Joe Dunne. See the 2006 Road to the Championship or the MABL Finals Photo Album.

2006 MABL Champion Reds

Corda, Ciano and Dunne celebrate victory.

In the closest ballot in MABL history, the 16 managers have cast their vote. The top award winners, as well as Player's Choice selections at each position, will be recognized at the MABL Banquet at The Rack. The Champion and Runner-up teams will also be recognized at the banquet.

Paul Bracco (Marlins) wins Most Valuable Player, beating Indians' Kevin Faria; Chris Stone (White Sox) wins Cy Young, edging Indians' Daryl Pina by 1 point; Jay Lamoureux (Hurricanes) wins Rookie of the Year by 1 point over Chris Stone; Nick Bondola (Indians) wins Manager of the Year, leading the Tribe to the Bay State regular season title. To see all the award winners and complete voting totals, view the 2006 MABL Award Winners.

Today, BMBL players participated in filming a television commercial for the Japanese vodka iichiko. Dressed in period uniforms (the actual uniforms used in Field of Dreams) and using period gloves and bats, the "actors" were shot fielding their positions, pitching and batting. After the shoot, a small taste test was enjoyed by all. The commercial will be broadcast through the Fall only in Japan. See the Iichiko Vodka TV Commercial Filming.

Update: Watch the Iichiko Vodka Commercial feature BMBL Players. (Commercial is in .wmv format, requiring Windows Media Viewer.)

When John "Smokey" Moore isn't catching escaped prisoners or playing for the MSBL Winthrop Black Sox, he is running the St. Mary's Cal Ripken youth league in Revere. Through Granite City Electric, he has entered his youth field in the "Field of Dreams III" contest to get his field lit. Many others in the Boston Men's Baseball League are also involved in this effort, including George Laws, James Barnes and Paul Ford from the Black Sox, as well as Peter Zilonis of the Brockton A's. Earlier this season, Revere's field had significant damage from flooding, and last year, their electrical system suffered a major fire that drained the fund they had been saving for new lights. Now, they are hoping you can VOTE to win their field new lights.

Granite City will light a local field.

Revere is a strong candidate.

Flooded earlier this season.

The MABL Orioles defeated the Grays, 10-3, in an annual international game. Orioles pitchers combined to garner 14 K's, led by Kevin Bell who struck out 5 in only two innings of work against his former team. For the fifth straight year, the Boston MABL was in Canada playing a regular season game at a Major League park. This season and last being at Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the three years prior, at Olympic Stadium, home of the Montreal Expos. (More on MABL International Play.)

The MABL Padres defeated the Athletics, 9-2, in the annual international game. For the fifth straight year, the Boston MABL is in Canada playing a regular season game at a Major League park. This season and last being at Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the three years prior, at Olympic Stadium, home of the Montreal Expos. In August, the MABL Orioles and Grays will also play a game at Rogers Centre. Getter done in Toronto, eh.

The 3rd Annual Cooperstown Classic was played this Father's Day Weekend and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. For the second straight year, skipper Frank Alexopolis, led his Brockton Reds of the Men's Independant Baseball League to the cup. Over two years, the Reds are 8-0. This year, the Reds defeated the MABL Orioles, 7-0, in the finals. The MABL Marlins and MABL Mariners also made the playoffs with perfect 2-0 records in pool play. Other competitors included the Middlesex Brewers (1-2) and Quincy Grays (0-3) of the MSBL, as well as the Senators (1-2), Tigers (1-2) and White Sox (1-2) from the MABL. (More on Cooperstown Tournament.)

2006 Champion Brockton Reds

Terry Belli of Brewers at Doubleday A Red ripping at Beaver Valley

From the USFL to the CFL to the NFL to the MSBL.... Days after his retirement from the New England Patriots, Doug Flutie scored the first run of the game for the Natick Knights in the Boston Men's Baseball League as they defeat the Somerville Senators 4-1 at Trum Field. In that at-bat, Doug walked and later scored. He played 2nd base all game and even made a nice diving catch in the middle innings. Welcome to the show.

It has been 8 days since the BMBL last saw action on the baseball diamonds. Mother Nature began dumping buckets of water on the region more than a week ago, with the expectation now to continue until this Tuesday. North Shore towns were hit hardest, some recording more than 16 inches of rain -- accumulating to many feet in low-lying areas -- including this Little League field in Melrose, MA. BMBL games will hopefully resume in Boston later this week, but could take substantially longer an areas were flooding has occured.

Beginning Saturday, April 22 and concluding Sunday, April 23, the 3rd Annual 100 Innings of Baseball was played at at Fitton Field in Worcester, MA -- home of the Worcester Tornadoes & Holy Cross. The game lasted 100 innings, about 34 straight hours. More than 100 players suited up to play, and 22 players participated the entire game, including umpire Walt Bentson. The past two years, this marathon baseball game has raised close to $225,000 for Curt's Pitch for ALS (Curt Schilling's charity). The Boston Men’s Baseball League and ALS Association is still counting funds raised from this year's contest.

Down 65-66 in the 97th inning, Matt Dumas delivered a 2-RBI single to give Team Stamina a 67-66 lead, one they would not relinquish. Team Stamina went on to defeat Team Endurance, 69-66. Dumas also had the first hit of the game, 96 innings earlier in the top of the 1st. John Silk was the winning pitcher of record. Of note, Shonda Schilling (Curt's wife) pitched the 94th inning for Team Endurance, allowing 1 earned run off a hit batsman and a double.

Read the 2006 Wrap-up of the 100 Innings of Baseball Spectacular website. This page is complate with line score, box score, photos, and much more. Also, there is still time to make a donation. To do so, visit http://www.100innings.org.

Exactly 150 prospects tried out today in a 43 degree chill for the 2006 Boston Men's Baseball League season across its 18+, 30+ and 40+ Age Division. Congratulations to those drafted in 2006 -- including a special congrats to Jonathan Hernandez who was the #1 pick overall to the Grays in the 18+ grouping. Those who are undrafted will remain in the 'player pool' in case future needs arise.

On Sunday, February 26, as part of ESPN’s Black History Month initiatives, ESPN Classic will televise ESPN Classic Vintage Live: Negro League Baseball. The game will be played at the nation’s oldest ballpark, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala. at 4:00 p.m. and will celebrate the rich heritage and tradition of the Negro Leagues and their role in the history of both baseball and the African-American community.

The game will pit the Birmingham Black Barons – representing the famous Negro League team of the same name, against the Bristol Barnstormers – representing the barnstorming teams of the 1940s. Both teams’ amateur rosters will compete using equipment, and wearing uniforms, that replicate the late-1940s period in baseball. Rich Petrillo, who plays for the Brockton A's, is playing on the Barnstormers roster. Rich was selected from hundreds that tried out at closed practices around the country – Rich is 55, by the way!

The event will include special game host Willie Mays, one of the few surviving former Black Barons players. Other former Negro League players, including country music great and former Negro League player Charley Pride. Former Gold Glove major leaguer George Scott (Red Sox, Brewers) will serve as manager for the Black Barons, and former New York Yankees pitcher and Ball Four author Jim Bouton will be the Barnstormers manager.

Teams from the Boston Men's Baseball League competed at the Walt Disney World Holiday Classic from January 13-15:

Both the Boston Wolfpack and Boston Braves took the diamond on the Spring Training fields of the Atlanta Braves, and both teams finished 2-1 in pool play to advance to the playoffs. Ironically, the Wolfpack drew the Braves in the first round of the playoffs, and defeated them 10-4. In the Semifinals, the Wolfpack were defeated in a close one by the Jacksonville Vikings, 3-2. Great run by both squads in the Florida heat while the rest of us enjoyed the winter chill in Beantown.