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If you haven’t been to a softball game at M Street Park this year, then this Friday (July 31, 1998) is a can’t miss. Starting at 6:30 p.m. over thirty players representing the twelve league teams will try to find their swing as they compete in the season’s most exciting single day event, the homerun-hitting contest. All players should report to the field by 6:00 p.m. Following the contest, the league will be divided into two teams to play the annual all-star game, which is scheduled to start at 8:30 P.M. Brian Linehan, who won last year’s contest with fifteen homeruns, will be swinging away as he tries to make it two in a row. Brian has decided he would like to go second from last so you fans will have to wait awhile before seeing Brian go deep. Linehan will have to beat out some tough competition this year as several players are having great years. Lefty power-hitter Bob Dobay, who finished second last year with fourteen homeruns, is determined to knock Linehan off his perch. Other qualified contestants include: Steve Muldowney, Rob Rogers, Joey Magee, Mike Yanovitch, Pat Dooley, Ron Gurley, Bobby McGarrell, and Bob Sweeney. The homerun-hitting contest is always a fan favorite so be sure to come up early and reserve your seat. On to last week’s games, three of the most exciting and well-played games of the season were played on Wednesday. In the first game, Sullivan’s Pub got a strong pitching performance from veteran John McGrath as they edged out Bay View Liquor 3-1. McGrath finished the game with eight strikeouts. Sully’s hitting attack came from the bat of Mike Whitney, who was making his first appearance of the season. Whitney scored two runs including the game winner in the third inning. Wednesday’s middle game had the up and coming Olde Time Hardware playing against the steady Quencher Tavern. Making a return to the mound for Quencher was former league MVP, Edso Foley. Foley was backed by some great defense that was highlighted by Brad Morrill’s diving catch in left field. After five innings Olde Time led the game 3-2 and Edso was lifted from the game for Joey DeGrandis. The move worked initially as Quencher and DeGrandis rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 6-3 lead. But DeGrandis got himself into trouble in the bottom of the seventh as the first three batters reached base. With the bases loaded and trailing by three, Charlie DiBlasi tied the game with one swing when he doubled to right-center. Olde Time’s Pat Lavey capped the rally with a single to left that scored DiBlasi from second with the game winning run. What a comeback! The nightcap saw the Sam Moran Club and Seapoint Restaurant battle for seven memorable innings. The Moran Club got out to a quick lead in the third inning when they batted around in the order and scored five runs. Trailing 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Seapoint fought back with three runs led by Brian Connolly’s pinch-hit two run homer. Seapoint scored two more runs in the sixth and now had a one run lead and all of the momentum on their side. But the Moran Club had been here before and they would not fold under pressure. Billy Morin started the sixth off with a single that was followed by John Gregorio’s game tying double. Billy McDonald then doubled scoring Gregorio from second. Brendan Flynn capped the rally off with a triple that scored McDonald and gave the Moran Club a two-run lead. In the seventh, Jimmy Glynn started the inning with a double as Seapoint fought back. Two batters later, Donald Bolstad whacked a double to left that scored Glynn and put the tying run in scoring position. Derek Basciewicz then reached on a costly throwing error that allowed Bolstad to score from second, tying the game. In the bottom of the seventh Jimmy Fitzpatrick led the inning off with a solid single. On out later, Joey MaGee singled to right that allowed Fitzpatrick to reach third. Seapoint then decided to intentionally walk Ron Gurley, which loaded the bases for Billy Morin. Morin, who’s throwing error allowed Seapoint to tie the game, was looking to redeem himself at the plate. On the first pitch, Morin hit a lazy fly ball to left field. As the fielder moved into position to make the catch, Fitzpatrick, who was on third, readied himself for the tag. The fielder made the catch and the runner broke for home. As he neared the plate the ball bounced to the right of the catcher, which opened up the left half of the plate. Fitzpatrick went into a feet first slide as the catcher grabbed the ball and applied the tag. The umpire gave the SAFE call and the Moran Club had escaped with a 9-8 victory.
1998 ALL-STAR TEAM |