Another week of competitive softball concluded last week in the M Street Softball League. The weather has been great so far and the playing field is in top condition thanks to Steve Forcillo and his Boston Parks ground crew. League games are played Monday through Friday with 6pm, 730, and 9pm starting times.

Looking back to last week's action, Monday's opener saw the Swingers pick up their first win of the season in a 27-4 thumping over the Dorset Club. Brett Bell (4 hits, 2 doubles, 4 RBI), TK Skenderion (3 hits, 4 RBI), Chan (3 hits, 3 RBI), Julian Hickman (3 hits), and Brian Quinn (3 hits, 3 RBI) provided most of the offense for the Swingers. Josh Lebron pitched a strong game for the win as he scattered seven hits while striking out five Dorset batters.

Monday's middle game had the Masterbatters taking on AK's Restaurant in a Moran division match up. AK's hung with the first place club for awhile until the Masterbatter's offense exploded for an eight run fifth inning. Sumi Basnet (4 hits, 2 doubles, 2 RBI), Vinny Gingle (3 hits, 4 RBI), and John O'Malley (3 hits, 2 doubles, and 5 RBI) set the pace for the offense while pitcher Sean Burns limited the attack to pick up the win.

The nightcap put last year's champion Shennanigan's Bar & Grill against a feisty Bulldog team. Dave Conti, coach of Shennanigans says that when the Bulldogs have their pitcher present (not always the case) they are a tough team to deal with. Having played with some of their players in the Fall League I would have to agree. The Bulldogs kept it close before bowing to the champions, 14-6. Shenanigan's were led by Dan Brown (3 hits), Conti (2 hits, 1 HR), Brian Pacheco (2 hits, 1 HR, and 6 RBI), and Mark Dion (2 hits). Dion toed the rubber and notched his first victory of the season.

Tuesday's action saw the Sidewalk Café clip Clarke's, 7-3 to remain the league's only undefeated team. Sidewalk got another strong pitching performance from George Pratt (4-0) and got timely hits from Justin Cohane (3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 RBI) and Jim Ladio (3 hits).

Tuesday closed with the always improving Junction squad taking down a Lucas Division opponent in the Stingers, 13-9. Jimmy McNiff was his usual self on the mound as he frustrated the Stinger batters while demanding the most from his teammates. Jim Lambert (4 hits, 1 double, 1 triple, and 3 RBI) was the hitting star of the game but it was a balanced attack by the Junction that earned them the impressive victory. This team has proved it can hit with the top squads in the league and with consistent pitching from Jimmy McNiff and Jim Innocent there will be no doubt they will be in championship contention come playoff time.

On Wednesday, Shennanigans won their second game of the week when they blanked the L Street Tavern, 11-0 behind a strong pitching performance from Jerry Thomes (7 IP, 4 hits, and 5 strikeouts). Lefty John Smith (3 hits, 1 double, 1 homerun, and 4 RBI) led the way for Shennanigans.

The middle game saw the Masterbatters also pick up their second win of the week when they outlasted the Dorset Club, 17-14. Jason Coderi (4 hits, 1 triple, 3 RBI), Brian Shanley (3 hits, 1 HR, and 4 RBI), and John O'Malley (3 hits, 1 HR, and 3 RBI) provided the offense.

Wednesday closed with the Shamrock Pub grabbing a much needed win when they took down the Playwright, 4-3 behind a strong pitching performance by Joey Magee (7 IP, 6 hits, and 2 K's). Coach Tom Yeo is hoping this is the game that turns his team around and puts them back into contention. Chris King (2 hits) led the Pub while Rob Rogers (2 hits, 1 HR, and 1 RBI) and Joe Seeley (2 hits, 1 double, and 1 RBI) led the Playwright's attack.

Thursday's early game saw Dan Chan and the Swingers looking to make it two in a row. Chan has been very active in the Free Agent waiver wire and saw one of those player additions pay instant dividends. Jason Atton, who was picked up just the day before, scattered five hits while limiting the Southie Sox to just four runs. Jim Bickford (4 hits, 2 HR, and 5 RBI) and Josh Lebron (3 hits, 1 triple, and 2 RBI) paced the Swinger attack as they cruised to a 15-4 victory.

The week concluded with the Cranberry Café edging Below Average Joe's, 9-5. Wayne Harrington led all batters with three hits. It would be nice to provide more details on this game but the stats were not entered and I was not in attendance. Get the stats in there boys!

In other league notes, one of the league's good friends (Billy O'Neill) lost his digital camera last Sunday while driving his scooter around the H Street beach area. The memory card has over 200 sentimental photos of war memorials, South Boston houses, Marines at the Foley apartments, among others. Billy returned to the beach later in the day and was told that a guy had picked it up. If you hear of anyone finding a camera please get in touch with me through the site and I will be sure to get it back to Billy.

It was announced last week that the second annual Stephen Rosemond softball tournament will be held on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th at M Street Park. Stephen, who left us far too early in Feb 2009, was an active member of the M Street Softball league is sadly missed by family and friends. We are asking our readers and league members to honor Stephen by helping us raise some funds for his young daughter, Kaileigh. The tournament committee will accept the first twelve teams that register. Details can be obtained from Jim Burgio - 617 719-0848.

Games were not played on Friday and Monday as the league took the time to observe Memorial Day. The league would like to thank those men and women who have proudly served our country. The Brewer's Joey Magee Jr. and Cranberry Café's Leo Greeley are both active M Street ballplayers who have recently completed a tour over seas. Thank you!

While on the subject, it was just a few months ago when two of Greeley's Cranberry teammates, John Silva and Michael Caputo, came to the aid of a local resident who had her purse snatched by a pair of thieves on East Second Street. Their quick acting response led to the retrieval of the purse and the arrest of two out of town thieves. The M Street Softball League is honored to have guys like Caputo, Silva, Magee, and Greeley within its ranks. All are proud men who will stand up and fight for what they believe in which sometimes can be a rarity in today's society. Have a great week everybody!