In the way of McGrath's no hit bid was Molly's Jamie Cahill, Matt Lafontaine, and Todd Whelan. Cahill popped up to the short stop for the first out. Lafontaine followed with a hard hit ball down the third base line that was sure to go for extra bases. But Sidewalk's third baseman John Oliviera made a beautiful backhand stab and an even better throw to get Lafontaine by a step. Molly's catcher Todd Whelan was next and had been really swinging the bat well lately. With wife Kathleen and daughter Stefani looking on, McGrath got Whelan to chase one outside that resulted in a fly ball to shortstop Jason O'Connell who easily squeezed it for the last out. "I've waited eighteen years for this," a smiling McGrath stated afterward.

The next night, the Sidewalk Café needed a win against the scrappy Sam Moran Club to clinch first place in the division. This time it was yours truly who took to the mound for the green shirted team of the Sidewalk Café.

Through four innings the game remained scoreless as both pitchers were very sharp and on their game. In the fifth inning, Sidewalk got on the scoreboard when yours truly (believe me this is isn't easy to write) knocked in Tommy Connolly from second base. Little did we know that that would be the last run scored in the game.

Moran had the top of the order due up in the seventh inning. Brendan Flynn, Steve Couturier, and Bobby McGarrell looked to break up the no hit bid. Flynn led off with a grounder to second baseman Charlie Diblasi who fielded the ball cleanly and threw to first for the first out. Couturier then flew out to Dennis O'Connor in right field for the second out. Moran's chances now rested on Bobby McGarrell's shoulders. McGarell hit another hard grounder to Diblasi who fielded it perfectly and made the easy throw to first for the final out of the game. Back-to-back no hitters! What a feat! Amazingly, the only player to reach base for Moran was Mike Allen who drew a one out walk in the fourth inning.

Overshadowed in the rare feat was the catcher for the two games, Sidewalk's Jack Levangie. Players kidded with Levangie about his hot hand behind the plate and even set up a bogus interview that had Levangie speaking to a trusted sports reporter from a local newspaper.

Turning to the all-star game and home run hitting contest that was held this past week at the park. On Thursday, stars of the M Street league took on the Boston Fire Fighter all-star team in a friendly game for park bragging rights. The game lived up to its expectations of being mostly an offensive game as runs were scored early and often.

Rob Rogers led the third inning off with a solid double to center field, which sparked a seven run inning for the M Streeters. For a moment, the Firefighters were stunned and left to believe that they may be in for a long night. After regrouping they plated three runs in the home half of the third and another in the fourth to narrow the lead to four runs (10-6).

Todd Whelan and David Kenneally set the table for the M Streeters in the fifth inning when they reached on a single and a walk. Bob Dobay and Mike Smith then followed with singles that delivered Whelan and Kenneally allowing M Street to increase its lead to 12-6.

As they had done earlier, the Firefighters fought back in the bottom of the sixth. Manny Arruda Sr., game MVP, started a five-run rally with a lead off double to left. Brian Ward, Pappas, and Greg Conlan kept it going with base hits. Junior, Blake, and Stanton also delivered with hits that cut the M Street lead to a run (12-11).

In the seventh, the game nearly had its first home run when M Street's Brian Ahearn led the inning off with a scoreboard double. Bob Dobay quickly followed Ahearn's blast with another double and M Street plated two runs and increased the lead to 14-11 going into the last inning.

Again, the Firefighters answered the call - just as they do in real life! Junior led the last inning off with a walk, followed by an out and a couple of miscues at third base that loaded the bases. Stanton then hit a sacrifice fly that scored Junior to cut the lead to two runs. M Street's pitcher, Stuart Stone then managed to get Phil Byrne to ground out to first with the runners advancing on the play. Arruda was then walked to the load the bases. With the game on the line and his team's hopes resting on his shoulders, Brian Ward stepped up to the plate. Ward ripped a ball up the middle that the seemed destined for center field. But M Street 's second baseman Brian Ahearn managed to get a glove on it and flipped the ball to the shortstop who was covering the bag. The umpire called the runner safe at second and the game was tied as Mullane, who was on second base at the time, alertly raced home behind Pigle with the game-tying run. The next batter flied out to center leaving the game tied 14-14.

Following Thursday's game, the M Street Softball league held its annual all-star game and homerun-hitting contest. The weather did not cooperate with this years event folks but it did not hamper all of the fun.

The homerun-hitting contest kicked off first as fifteen power hitters tried to claim the crown that Steven Muldowney had proudly worn for the past year. Quiet Man Pub's Rob Rogers got the contest started when he slammed six balls over the fences. The six dingers immediately raised the bar for the rest to follow. After a few batters, Mike Smith and Manny Arruda answered with six of their own as the field began to dwindle.

In the usually unlucky thirteenth slot, was Sidewalk's lefty Bobby Dobay. Dobay put on another power hitting show that thankfully was captured on video by cameraman Pat Egan. Dobay launched ten balls over the temporary fencing that was set up in center and right field for the contest. Not to be outdone by the right-handed batters, the big lefty even connected for an opposite field homerun. What a show! This was surely a tough act to follow and one would think that the next batter would fold under this kind of pressure.

Not so as Seapoint's Jimmy Glynn, who until Friday was not known as a power hitter, put a quite a show himself. Needing six to advance to the second round Glynn would need to tap his power sources. After his third homerun observers began to take notice at the lanky right fielder. He didn't disappoint and continued to impress by launching three more homers to advance to the second round.

The stage was nearly complete with Glynn, Arruda, Dobay, Smith, and Rogers all advancing. Following its custom, the champ - Steven Muldowney, swung the bat last. Muldowney immediately got to work by ripping the second pitch he saw over First Street and into the power plant yard.

His next homerun was even further as it actually struck a holding tank that is fifty feet beyond the fence. Steven easily qualified by ripping another six homeruns for a total of eight.

In the second round, the rain began to fall and the contest was temporarily put on hold. The timing couldn't have been better as the pizza delivery arrived. Players gathered around the bench area and quickly downed a slice or two while the rain fell overhead.

When the pizza was gone and the rain had slowed to a minimal, Mike "Smitty" Smith was the first to swing in the second round. The layoff may have hurt Smitty as he couldn't find the magic swing and only managed to connect for one homerun. Smith's lead was quickly diminished when Glynn knocked two over the fence in left. Manny Arruda Jr. then followed with five blasts to right field and the contest had a new leader. "I'm in the running", stated Arruda. He must have known that five home runs would be tough to beat given the conditions. Rob Rogers followed Arruda with three homers and moved into second place. Bob Dobay was next but he couldn't get it going as he finished with two. Defending champion, Steven Muldowney, also labored in the second round and finished with two homeruns.

In the end, it was Arruda's five that clinched the title and a new Homerun King was crowned at M Street. Congratulations to Manny Arruda and a special thanks to all of those that participated and helped make this event an enjoyable one.

Following the homerun contest was the leagues annual all-star game. This game is usually another highlight of the season but again the weather and schedule change really put a damper on the game.

Under an overcast and dreary sky, Joey Magee Jr. took the ball to the mound for the West stars in the thirtieth all-star game of the M Street Softball league.

Magee was sharp in the early going as his fastball and sinker were working very effectively. Starting opposite of Magee, was the East's pitcher John Gregorio, who also looked good in the first inning.

In the second inning, the West stars opened the scoring when Rob Rogers, Timmy Malley, Scott Collins, and Todd Whelan all reached safely and would later score. The East side answered back with one run in the second on a Kevin Gehrity single that scored Bob Dobay from second. As Dobay crossed home plate the rain began to get heavy and there was some discussion about calling the game. Both pitchers were really struggling in trying to get a proper grip on the ball. When play resumed it was agreed upon by both teams that the pitchers would just "lob" the ball for the remainder of the game. From this point on the game really became a less competitive and more fun.

In the end, it was John Gregrorio Jr's single and "stolen base" that led to the East tying the game at seven in the bottom of the seventh inning. Another fun time for all of those who were involved.

As the league moves away from the regular season and into the playoffs, it is time that we recognize two teams that didn't make the post season play, Molly Darcy's and the Libertarian Party. After a tough start, Molly's started to improve towards the end of the season but couldn't catch the Beer Garden for the remaining playoff position. Three bright stars for Molly's this year were Scott Collins, Todd Whelan, and Bobby Noto. The future of Molly's as a team is up in the air right now but you can be sure that these three players will find teams for the 2001 season.

Speaking of next season, the Libertarian Party has announced that they have signed former Boston Red Sox player Dwight Evans to a long-term deal. Details of the contract were not released by press time.

Just kidding folks. In all seriousness, the Libertarian Party was a much better team than their record indicates. They were certainly an improved team when Murphy's Law ran into them and lost three weeks ago. One can bet that the Party will be back next year with a few new faces and hopefully better uniforms.

Playoff Pairings

Sidewalk Café vs Boston Beer Garden
Early in the season, the Sidewalk Café had difficulties fielding a starting nine. Today, the division champions have seventeen roster players who are eager to end the four-year jinx and finally win that coveted M Street championship.

Opposing Sidewalk is the Boston Beer Garden, who will look to veteran M Street pitcher Jimmy McNiff to lead them past the favorite Sidewalk. McNiff has had some success in the past against the Sidewalk bunch so this series may be an interesting one.

Quiet Man Pub vs Sam Moran Club
The Quiet Man Pub features plenty of offense and good yet inexperienced pitching. Steven Muldowney, Rob Rogers, Brian Linnehan, and Manny Arruda are just a few of the hitters that opposing pitchers will have to deal with. A lot of pressure will be put on eighteen-year-old pitcher Joey Magee, who will be facing his dad in this first round playoff series.

During the course of the season, the Sam Moran Club featured many different lineups that didn't quite resemble the championship lineups of years past. However, one can bet that all of the pieces will be in place (aside from Gregorio and Burgio) for the playoffs and this team will be a force to be reckoned with.

Quality Painting vs Mirisolas'
Third place finisher Quality Painting is easily the most underrated team in the league. Who do they have, is often a question asked around the park. Derek Milano, Mark Dillon, Kevin Gehrety, and Ruben Alicia are just a few of the talented ball players on this team. The names and faces may quickly become familiar as this team works its way through the playoffs.

The forty plus team of Mirisolas' has already had a successful season. Finishing with a five hundred record and having a lot of fun has certainly been an enjoyable ride for many of these players. But now comes the true test - the playoffs. Leading the way and carrying most of the load for Mirisolas' will be ace pitcher John Gregorio. In a short series, Gregorio could be dominant and an upset may be in the making in the early round.

Murphy's Law vs Seapoint Restaurant
If this series had taken place before Murphy's collapse this could have been one of the better series. But it is not and Murphy's Law is really struggling to find their A-game right now. Besides playing poorly, Murphy's cannot rely on an ace pitcher to carry them while they regroup.

Seapoint Restaurant on the other hand is really looking good lately. Adding pitcher John Kenney is really going to payoff for Seapoint, as this will allow scrappy pitcher Jay Malley to rest his arm in between starts. The additions of Jim Burgio and Donald Bolstad will also prove to be key additions for Seapoint.