|
The M Street Softball League held its annual all-star game and skills competition last week on a very hot and humid Thursday. With hundreds of softball fans, neighbors, friends, and family packed in the stands cheering, over sixty of the leagues finest ball players tested their skills in specially designed contests. The crowd showed their appreciation by giving each player a loud ovation as they finished an event. But it was Brian Linehan who received the loudest ovation when he swatted his twelfth home run winning the coveted "Home Run" title. As Linehan made his way to the batters box, the leader board showed Sidewalk Café's lefty Bob Dobay in front with eleven home runs, and the favorite Jim Burgio behind him going last. With a cool look of calmness in his face, Brian stepped into the box and began to do his work. He reached four home runs on six pitches and then looked over to me and asked, "How many do I have left?" "You have four home runs and you have four outs to go," I answered. Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! With the crowd in a tizzy, Linehan connected for seven home runs in a row tying him with Dobay for first place. The big blonde then looked on nervously as the contest favorite, Jim Burgio went next. But Burgio never found his swing as he finished with four homers. Linehan and Dobay then were each given five outs to break the tie. With a coin toss deciding order, Dobay went first and didn't record a home run. By now, the crowd was behind Linehan as he strolled to the plate. With one swing the big righty batter ended any doubts as the ball sailed high and into the night for a home run ending a contest that will be remembered as one of the finest moments in M Street Softball. Earlier in the evening, Sidewalk Café's Joe Pano, won the "Longest Throw" contest with a toss of 295 feet and 10 inches. Marty Jiminez, Joe Sands, and Seth Fatasio also showed their strength in this contest as each recorded long throws. Making it two for two and setting off whispers of "Triple Crown," Pano also won the "Fastest Man" contest as he circled the diamond in an amazing 11:14 seconds. Mike Whitney finished second with a time of 11:20, followed by Charlie DiBlasi's time of 11:50. Turning to other league action, there is only one week to go in the regular season and the final playoff teams are yet to be determined. With the Sidewalk Café losing to Seapoint (14-3) Friday, the Sam Moran Club has clinched first place and will play the eighth place team in the first round. Also, next Wednesday night (7:30) the M Street All-Star Team will try to match their strengths against the past all-stars. Rich Linehan, who leads the past stars, has promised to put a great team on the field. Will Larry Lucas pitch? Paul Allessi? Edso Foley? Chicken Noonan? Find out yourself by coming to the park Wednesday night and enjoy a night full of fun and memories. Looking back to M Street softball news that happened twenty years ago (July 14, 1977). League named John Evans and Billy Elliot as co-MVP's for the All-Star game won by the American League. In closing, the league would like to thank all the players and fans that made this a wonderful night of softball and fun. Also a special thanks to Steve Forcillo of the Parks Department, Brian Ahern, David Kenneally, Steve Muldowney, Bob Sweeney, and Joe Pano for their grounds keeping.
STANDINGS W-L |