There are less than two weeks to go before the start of the playoffs in the M Street Softball league. As many of you know, our playoff system is unlike most amateur softball leagues where just a single game or two determines the winner. Here at M Street, our finalists will have played almost another entire season of games (15) in just three weeks to play for the championship. To win it all is just as much as a reward as knowing the season is finally over. Let's take a brief look at the races that are still going on in our three divisions.

The Lucas (A) division shows that Shennanigan's (13-2-1) is still on top and will clinch the overall best record with a win against the Quencher Tavern in their last game. Dan Brown (.564, 4 HR, 17 RBI) and Steve Stalcup (.447) lead the team in hitting while Mike Hoadley and Sammy Acevedo are the teams two aces on the mound.

Although they are coming off an impressive win against Shennanigan's last week, the George Pratt Club (formally the Sidewalk Café 12-3-1) will need to win their last game and get help from Quencher in order to finish in first. In either case, they have had a very strong season and will be a tough group to face for any pitcher. Brad Morrill (.460, 7 HR, 25 RBI), Pat Sullivan (.542, 20 RBI), Tim Walsh (.568), and Danny Ekasala (.561) are just a few players who are enjoying a great season at the plate for the Pratt Club.

Scoring runs was a problem in the early going for Nexus (9-5) but that is no longer the case as they have found their swing and have positioned themselves to make a nice run in the playoffs. Tony King (.459), Steven Couturier (.512), and Michael Caputo (.517) have given them some length in the order while Rob Rogers (.423) provides the power.

Also at 9-5 and tied for third place is the team that drives an hour (Fairhaven) to play in the league, the Makepeace squad. Thanks to their hard throwing pitcher (Jimmy Pinkston) and great defense, they have yielded the least amount of runs (53) by far but have also scored the fewest (103). One would have to say that in the playoffs the defense will outweigh the offense but only time will tell. Ian James (.630), Pinkston (.605, 23 RBI), and Joe Claudio (.511) provide some of the punch at the plate for Makepeace.

Closing out the Lucas division are the Quencher Tavern (6-8) and Playwright (4-9) teams that have each struggled a bit this season. Neither team has been able to put together a winning streak that makes the other teams in the league take notice. For now, they can welcome the playoffs and each hope that their fortunes change with a few key hits, some great pitching performances, and some lucky bounces.

Over in the Feeney (B) division, the race for first place and the five playoff positions is still very tight. With just one game left in their season, the Cranberry Café (8-7-1) is narrowly holding on to first by half a game over the Stingers (8-6). However, their last game is against Pinkston and Makepeace so their chances of seeing a victory are pretty slim in that one. Instead, they may have to watch and hope that the teams below them continue to slip and fall in the standings. Like Makepeace, the success of this team is riding on the shoulders of their pitcher, Joey Magee. With Magee's 3.18 ERA and Pinkston's 3.05 ERA, the game this Thursday (Aug 4 @ 9pm) should be a classic pitcher's duel. Folks, great seats are still available but are going quick. Get there early!

The Place (8-7) is in third place and has two big games against division opponents remaining. They play Stats Bar & Grille (7-6) on Thursday and the Ole Rebels (6-6) next week. Those two games will determine whether they qualify for the playoffs or not. Still in the hunt are Stats/BSB (7-6-1) and the Bulldogs (6-7-1). Stats/BSB has the easiest schedule of the teams in the hunt while the Bulldogs have the toughest (two Lucas opponents). In any case, teams will rise and fall in the standings as each of these last few games are played which should make for some drama filled action in the coming days.

The scene in the Moran (C) division hasn't' changed much as Telegraph Hill (13-3) has proven that they are still the team to beat. Below Average Joe's (11-4) could really put the heat on with a win in their last game which could force a one game playoff for the division title. However, standing in the way are the Masterbatters who need one more win to clinch the final league playoff spot. If Masterbatters fall then that could open the door to the Cornerstone Pub (6-8-2) who is just off the pace.

With the playoffs are just around the corner the league is using the last two weeks to find the most talented players the M Street league has to offer through several individual contests. From now until August 10th, a league representative will be on hand during the games to find out who is the fastest man, fastest pitcher, and who has the strongest arm. As of this writing, Makepeace's Jimmy Pinkston clocked in with a 63 MPH fastball last Friday night and is the leader in the pitching contest. I'm thinking that number might stand but there are a couple of others that could challenge it this week. The Nexus' Steven Couturier leads the strongest arm contest after he tossed a softball 289 feet, 9 inches (in the air) last week. Mercy! The winners will be announced as part of the Homerun Derby and All-Star game celebration on Thursday, August 11th starting at 6pm sharp.

Last Wednesday, several members of the Sidewalk Café softball team traveled to Wilmington, Ma to donate their blood to Children's Hospital in memory of their former pitcher, George Pratt. Donating blood was very important to George (donated 18 gallons of blood) so the players felt it was just as important to carry on with the tradition and honor their teammate in the best way possible. The drive started at 2pm and lasted into the early evening as over 90 donors waited their turn to give a part of them. "It's not about me…it's about the gift of life. - George Pratt III"

(From left to right) M Street Softball players Adam Ralston, Ryan Wilson, Mike Mercier, and Tommy Connolly recently donated their blood to the Children's Hospital's "Give Pints for Half-Pints" program in memory of their teammate, George Pratt.

The league plays on the M Street Softball diamond Monday through Friday with games starting at 6pm, 7:30, and 9pm. Come to the park and catch a game or two while enjoying the warm summer weather. Have a great week everyone and we hope to see you at the park.