The Feeney division kicked the week off on Monday with a triple header of games. We saw the six o'clock game match Murphy's Law against the Stadium Sports bar. Murphy's pitcher, Eric Malerba pitched well and kept the Stadium offense in check by constantly changing the speed of his pitches. However, Stadium's Steve Couturier (3 hits, 3 RBI) and Robbie Rogers (2 hits, 2 RBI) provided enough offense to give the Stadium an 8-5 win.

The middle game saw the well rested Spartans take on the Stadium. Maybe the Spartans had too much rest as their offense couldn't get going against pitcher John Gregorio who scattered three hits while shutting out the youthful Spartan squad, 12-0. Couturier (2 hits) and Daryle Alexander (3 hits) were the offensive heroes in this one.

The nightcap matched Murphy's Law against the Spartans in what proved to be the best game of the night. Murphy's jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the game only to see the Spartans rally in the sixth to get within three runs. The Murphy offense responded in the home half of the inning by plating another three runs making it 9-3. However, the Spartans who had found their offensive groove an inning earlier picked up where they left off in the sixth. They quickly made it a 9-7 game and had runners on the corners with two outs. The next Spartan batter hit a line drive to right that was destined for extra bases and at least a tie game. Just then right fielder Matt McGuirk took a couple of steps to his right, dove, and saved the victory with a game ending catch. What a finish!

On Tuesday, a couple of Moran division teams looking for their first win were paired off in the first game of the evening. The first year entry, Gorilla Fingers wasted little time getting after this one as they scored five runs in the first against a short staffed Dorset team. Sensing victory, the Fingers stayed on the attack and plated runs every inning on their way to a 27-9 thumping. Dave Conti led the way with 4 hits and 5 RBI and was followed by Corey Schade's 4 hits and 4 RBI.

In the second game of the evening, the Fingers were probably wishing they could have saved some of their runs from their first game as they were held in check by pitcher Nick Kleimola and the Il Giardino Cafe, 15-3. Brian Cerone (3 hits, 3 RBI) and Mike Kenny (3 hits, 3 RBI) led the hitting attack for the Cafe.

In the late game, the Dorset Club made some phone calls and put a team on the field that gave them a chance to win. For five innings they were doing just that as they led 10-1 over the shocked and somewhat embarrassed Giardino Cafe team. The Giardino bats came to life in the sixth and cut into the Dorset lead but still trailed 10-7 heading into their last at bat. Giardino scored a run and had two runners on with one out when Pat Gallagher stepped into the batters box. With one swing of the bat Gallagher drilled a homerun to deep left and the Giardino comeback was complete. Even in defeat Chris Lisek of the Dorset Club stopped to admire Gallagher's blast. Adding, "That's how a game like that should end."

Wednesday's Feeney division action saw the Lynx make their M Street league debut. Their first challenge would come at the hands of the Sidewalk Cafe. The Lynx fell behind (5-1) early in this one but never panicked as their offense sprung to life in the sixth inning when they plated ten runs to take an 11-5 lead. However, Sidewalk didn't go quietly as they scored four runs in the seventh and had the tying runners on base when the last out was recorded. Former Sidewalk players, Jason Allen and Marty Jimenez led the Lynx attack with three hits each.

The middle game saw the Spartans taking the field for their second double header of the week. It's a good thing these boys are young. The Lynx were not in an accommodating mood and jumped all over Spartan pitcher, Nick French, in the first inning scoring six runs. Before he threw one pitch, Lynx's ace pitcher Jerry Thomes probably knew he had enough runs to win the game and breezed to a 13-4 victory.

The nightcap saw the Spartans take on the Sidewalk Cafe. With both teams coming off losses to the Lynx each would be looking to leave the field with a win and some momentum heading into next week. French took to the hill again for the Spartans and was tired but faring well as the game was tied 2-2 in the fifth. However, Sidewalk rallied in the sixth and scored seven runs off of a now obviously fatigued pitcher. Joe Andriano, Mike Stankina, and Jake Drew paced the Sidewalk attack with two hits each.

The Moran division teams were back at it on Thursday where there was little pitching and lots of offense - 90 runs scored to be exact. After many rainouts the Beer Garden finally got to play and wasted little time in showing why they will be the team to beat in the Moran division. The Beer Garden used their offense prowess and cruised to the 23-10 win over the L Street Tavern.

The Brewers were also making their season debut tonight and took to the field to take on the embattled L Street team. But L Street bounced back and got a solid effort on the mound and in the field to snag the 14-6 win and a split on the evening.

The Beer Garden players then dragged themselves away from their beverages of choice and took the field for the late game against the Brewers. Again, it was all Beer Garden in this one as they crushed the Brewers 25-12 in five innings. Mario Perella and Mark Landolfi led the attack with 3 hits each. Landolfi ended the game with a walk off homerun which pushed his team over the 12 run rule limit.

Friday's action saw more Moran division games as the upstart and undefeated Seapoint team took on newcomers Full Tilt. Joe Burke toed the rubber for Seapoint and was the difference in this one picking up the 9-5 win.

The middle game saw the 6House make their M Street league debut against the Seapoint. Things started off on a good note for the House when Coach John Silva hammered a pitch to deep center that scored two runs. That lead wouldn't last long as the Seapoint hitters took advantage of a team that looked out of sync in their first game and won 12-5.

The 6 House then tried to rally the troops for the second game against Full Tilt but was quickly reminded that this is M Street and wins don't come easily, as they fell hard 23-10. However, in defeat sometimes there is a positive to be gained. In this one, there were plenty - Silva's 16 year old son Jonathan made his M Street debut by taking the mound for five innings! Also, making a return to the league was John Nee, Sean Dooley, Tommy Halley, Ricky Benoit, Danny Hamilton, and Daryle Lamonica. Welcome to the league and welcome back guys!

Speaking of welcoming back, former M Street softball players Martin & Matthew Mullen (Andrew Auto Glass), and John Collins (Quencher Tavern) have teamed up as the "Southie Boys" in the NBC reality TV show "Treasure Hunters" which airs on Monday nights. I got to enjoy the premier with the boys who were in town on Sunday promoting the show at The Rack. Knowing how competitive the three of them are I'm pretty sure they will do well on the show. While the commercials were airing we got to talking a little bit about the M Street Softball and their league experiences. The Mullen twins informed me that they once played a full season then were benched by the coach once the playoffs rolled around. I'm sure that same coach is kicking himself today as he literally watches you both succeed and reach well above your goals while enjoying life.

While we are on the Hollywood beat, Cambridge native Ben Affleck stopped by the park last Friday to film some backdrop shots for the movie "Gone Baby Gone." Affleck, eventually made his way onto the Little League diamond and played baseball with some of the neighborhood kids. You have to like a guy who makes it big but stays grounded.

M Street games are played Monday through Friday starting at 6pm, 7:30, and 9pm. If you like pitching and defense then catch a Feeney Division game. They play most of their games on Monday's and Wednesday's. However, if you like lots of offenses then watch a Moran division game or two. They play Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's. We hope to see you there!