With just three weeks of softball played, the Feeney division has already shown that it's going to be a wild race to claim the ten playoff positions. As of this writing, 53 Movers has surprised everyone and are on top in the early going at 4-0. In the three seasons of M Street ball they were a combined 13-32-1 - this impressive start has been very rewarding to them. Also reversing their fortunes is The Greatest Bar, who have not lost this season (3-0). They are another Feeney team that has paid their dues in losses over the past three seasons, 22-39-1. The Ochoa Brew Crew (3-0) is very capable of competing with the best the league offers but it just hasn't come together in the playoffs for them yet...maybe this is their season. The Shamrock Pub is the last of the remaining undefeated teams (2-0) in the division. They look very balanced and will make a lot of noise in this division.

We also have a few teams that have surprised us with some great wins and solid softball play. The Local 149ers, who were 2-13 last season, have enjoyed a quick turnaround and are 3-1. First year teams McGonagle's Pub (2-1) and The Ghost Light Tavern (2-1) have also enjoyed a nice start to their M Street Softball experience. First season wins are not easy to come by boys, enjoy these.

On the flip side of quick starts, we have a few experienced teams that have had very disappointing starts. That holds true especially for our defending champion Chemist Cocktail Club. Sitting at 0-3 and at the bottom of the Feeney standings they can't afford to lose too many more games. The Seapoint Slammers (1-2), Roza Lyons (1-2), and the Silkworms (1-3) are the other squads that are experiencing a less than stellar start. Here's hoping it turns around for you.

In the Moran division, the action has been limited as there were two dates lost to rain and unfortunately, they were nights the Moran teams were scheduled to play. Those games and others have since been rescheduled and are posted below (please take note). Along with some schedule changes, we are experiencing a shift when it comes to pitching in this division. The upper division at M Street was always supposed to feature faster pitching and a more competitive brand of softball. We have always had the talented teams but didn't have enough elite pitchers. As a result, the league modified the pitching rules to restrict our faster guys from bringing their arm up over their head to limit velocity. It was tough to enforce and we feel it produced mixed results.

For this season (Moran division), we are returning to the pitching rules that were used in all but three (2023-2025) of our seasons. There was always hope that we would return to the open/sling style of pitching that made M Street a special place to compete. That time is now and it will succeed as long as any new pitchers don't end up on the rosters of teams that are already deep with pitching. A quick study of the rosters in the Moran division will show that the contending and up and coming teams now have a pitcher or two who can bring the heat. The defending champions, Clock Tavern, has three aces in Erik Mercedes, Chris Pope, and Tom Kazanowski. Lincoln Tavern has made the most noise as they now feature Jose Bonilla, Mark Goodman, and former MVP Mike Garland. Fat Baby has the strikeout king, Jimmy Pinkston on the mound. Sam Adams has Josh Garcia and the impressive newcomer, Jose Baileys. Publico has Alberto Vasquez and will be adding another arm this week. Park City and the Stew Jays had the option of adding to the pitching staff but instead decided to go with what they have - Mike Araujo and Brian Pacheco respectively. It's anybody's guess as to how the Moran division will play out but one thing is already certain, it will not be easily won.

With the increased velocity comes the need to hold these pitchers accountable for any wildness. With that said, the hit batsmen rule will be enforced in the Moran division moving forward. Note: batters must make an attempt to avoid getting hit by the pitched ball to be awarded a base.

The reversal of pitching rules wasn't a planned change but more of a reactionary move to give teams in the division a better chance at competing for the title. This is in line with the league's vision, which is to have one division of play like it used to be. However, we realize there are some teams that need time for development. For most, that separation is easy to determine but for others it's very difficult. For those teams that are in between, the ones that dominate the Feeney but find it rough going in the Moran, you will be pushed to reach higher goals.

Player notes:

• Ghost Light Tavern's rookie pitcher, Pat Duke, looked impressive in his first outing, a 6-5 win over McGonagle's Pub and has since improved his record to 3-0.

• Mike Capuzzo of 53 Movers, is 4-0 and is improving with each outing. With that caliber of pitching, 53 Movers is a legitimate contender this season in the Feeney division.

• Chemist's Scott Holzwasser went 4-4 and hit three straight homeruns over the fence in left in a game last week - wow!

• Pitcher Devin Jensen took over/relieved in the second inning with his team trailing, 11-5...he then pitched six quality innings while allowing only two hits, one run and threw five scoreless innings. During that span, The Greatest Bar rallied to score eight runs and prevail over Local 149, 13-11.

• Kyle White (Ochoa Brew Crew) hit for the cycle with a double in the 1st, home run in the 2nd, single in the 4th, triple in the 7th against Shea's Tavern

Schedule changes:

5/14 rainouts
Sam Adams vs Lincoln Tavern rescheduled for 7/7 @9pm
Fat Baby Publico rescheduled for 5/26 @730
Stew Jays vs Park City rescheduled for 5/26 @9pm

5/19 rainouts
Clock Tavern vs Stew Jays rescheduled for 6/26 @6pm
Publico vs Sam Adams rescheduled for 6/9 @730
Lincoln Tavern vs Park City rescheduled for 7/23 @730

6/1
Park City vs Publico rescheduled for 6/26 @9pm

6/10
Stew Jays vs Publico rescheduled for 7/7 @730

7/7
Clock Tavern vs Fat Baby rescheduled for 7/6 @9pm

7/8
Small Victories vs L St Tavern rescheduled for 7/9 @6pm

7/9
Lincoln Tavern vs Sam Adams rescheduled for 7/21 @8pm
Publico vs Park City rescheduled for 7/8 @6pm