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The M Street Softball League kicked off its 36th season of competitive softball last week.
Fourteen teams made up of over two hundred players began their season
and all have their sights set on the coveted championship title. However, it will
be the team that finds their A-game in the playoffs who wins it sometime in late
August. Unlike many of our season past, this year will be unique because the title
was left vacant by the retirement of the two-time champion Playwright team.
Past league history has shown us that teams like the Sam Moran Club, Bayside Club, Triple O's, and most recently the Playwright eventually retire or fade away. Fortunately, M Street has managed to survive by attracting startup teams that seek the competition and camaraderie that goes along with playing in a neighborhood league. To it's credit, as the history of the league grows it's average player age is shrinking and getting younger. It's no longer an old man's league but instead a youthful one made up of teams who will keep the league going for many years to come. Speaking of new additions, the league would like to welcome Full Tilt, the Gorilla Fingers, 6 House, Stadium Sports Bar, and the 365 Fitness Lynx club. In addition to the new talent, the league would also like to thank and recognize those teams returning for another season of softball at M Street. The Sidewalk Cafe (9 years), Boston Beer Garden (8 years), Spartans (3 years), Murphy's Law (2 years), Seapoint Restaurant (2 years), Il Giardino Cafe (3 years), L Street Tavern (2 years), Brewers (3 years), and the Dorset Club (3 years). For the second year in a row, the league has split the talent into two divisions. The Bucky Feeney division features the most competitive and talented teams in the league. They are mostly made up of players who are talented, experienced, and have worked their way through the league over the years. Most of the Feeney division games are played on Wednesday nights during the season. On the other side of the coin is the Sam Moran division. Many of these teams are new to the league and are still getting their feet wet with the rules and speed of modified pitching. The league is hopeful that many of these teams will develop into true title contenders within a few years. Two notable teams who have recently made the jump from the Moran division to the Feeney division are Murphy's Law and the Spartans. The umpiring crew this year is led by Hyde Park's Chuck Allen. Chuck is in his second year working and providing the league with quality umpires and needed equipment. Chuck Feltch, Earl Garrett, and Walter Fitzgerald are just a few names from his talented stable of qualified umpires. Finally, the rain that we have been receiving lately has caused the league to cancel fourteen games. Several of our teams have yet to play a game and we are already entering our third week of play. As a result, the league schedule has been revised a few times so be sure that you have the latest copy. It should have a 10.0 in the lower right hand corner. League games are played at M Street Park, Monday through Friday beginning at 6pm, 7:30, and 9pm. This week we hope to see the sun in the sky and you in the stands enjoying a night of M Street Softball. |