The playoffs are continuing in the M Street Softball League with Shennanigan's, Boston Beer Garden, Sidewalk Cafe, and the Stadium all winning their quarter final series last week. The best of five semi-final series is scheduled to start on Tuesday, Sept 8 and should provide great softball. The playoffs will continue through this and next week with games starting at 6:30 and 8:30.

The Lucas division winner, Shennanigan's advanced with an impressive two game sweep over Il Giardino Cafe last week. Coach Dave Conti has assembled a very talented team that will be difficult to beat. As with all successful M Street teams, Shennanigan's is lead by talent and experience on the pitching mound in the likes of Sammy Acevedo and Jerry Thomes. Playing behind Acevedo and Thomes is a great group of infielders in Luis Colon (SS), Steve Stalcup (2B), Dan Brown (3B), and Joe Cavaleri (1B). The offense is also among the league's best as they feature some very good hitters - Colon, Cavaleri, Brown, Brian Pacheco, Dennis Hajjar, and Al Martin are just a few hitters that opposing pitchers will have to contend with in this balanced attack.

Shennanigans will be opposed by the Stadium Stingers who are also led by a talented pitcher in Steve Mills. Mills is a former Shennanigan's player who would enjoy knocking off his old teammates with everything on the line. Coach Steve Ballas has a team of fundamentally sound ballplayers who can all hit and field their position very well. The Stadium proved they are a team to contend with when they upset the second seeded Bushwhackers in the quarter finals. Brendan O'Heir, Dave Ballas, Kevin Lynch, John Lawrie, Jimmy Peters, Chris Unglaub, Kevin O'Regan, and Denny Miller have all made contributions to the success of the Stadium. It is predicted that the offenses will cancel themselves out and that this series will be decided on the mound between the pitchers. Shennanigan's certainly has the upper hand with two aces (Acevedo & Thomes) but Mills and the Stadium are very hungry and at the top of their game.

The other semi-finals put the Boston Beer Garden on a collision course with the Sidewalk Café. The Beer Garden has endured an up and down season with some player turnover but are looking to draw on past experiences to get them through another round. Their recent sweep over Below Average Joe's has them ready for the challenge ahead.

Like the others, the success of the Beer Garden's will rest on the broad shoulders of their crafty pitcher, Keith Ziewey. Ziewey gained valuable M Street experience during last year's playoff run and is at the top of his game again. Coach Peter Hourihan has most of his regulars in Peter Drummey, Mark Hindman, Danny McElaney, Brian Sheehan, Joe Broderick, and Billy Mcdougall. Hourihan has also added Scott Brady and Paul Connaughton which gives them a great chance of making a return trip to the finals.

The Sidewalk Café, who has also recovered from a slow start and is now playing their best softball of the season, will look to former MVP pitchers George Pratt and John Gregorio to lead the way. The duo pitched great in their two game series win over a scrappy and talented Brewers team. The pitching depth was always there for Sidewalk but they wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for the late season additions of catcher Andrew White, Jimmy Ladio (CF), Darren Durfee (1B), and Tim Walsh (IF). Whether it was a timely hit or a great defensive play, each has made a key contribution to the team's success. Adam Ralston, Mike Mercier, Mike Smith, Dave Seermon, and Michael Donovan round out the lineup for the boys in blue and by all reports, Sidewalk is looking for redemption against the team that eliminated them from last year's playoffs, the Boston Beer Garden.

It's going to be a couple more weeks of very competitive softball at M Street Park. Game times are 6:30 and 8:30 accept for the finals were games will be held at 7:30. The players look for and encourage you to attend the games and will even sign an autograph or two for you. Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you at the park.