Ipswich Over 30 Softball

by Pete Rockett and Scott Garand

To quote Bill Murray in the movie What about Bob “There are people who like Neil Diamond and people who don’t.”  In the Ipswich Men’s Over 30 Softball League the same can be said about the weather conditions. You either deal with the weather or you don’t. Happily slightly more than ¾ of the league members dealt with the mist and fog this past Sunday. For two teams weather had no effect as sweeps were accomplished and standings were taking place.

Over on Doyon 1 Mike & Sons swept two from Institution for Savings by the scores of 12-3 and 18-17 in extra innings. In game 1 Scott Garand and Mike Stasiuk led the offense for the Oilers with four hits each including a HR by Garand followed by Chris Perna and Chris Shulte with three hits. Mike Stasiuk took the win for Mike’s while Pete Robbins took the loss for the Bankers.

In game 2 Scott Garand continued his torrid hitting going a perfect 5-5 followed by Mike Blake going 3-4 including a round tripper.  Dan Brennan had the game winning single in the 8^th inning driving in the winning run. Mike Blake took the win for the Oilers while Dave Wood was the tough luck loser for the Bankers.

Over on the Grimes field the same could be said for the Townsend Comeau crew as they took two from Club 498 with scores of 12-3 and 9-5. In game 1 Barry Eaton led the Oilers with four hits followed by Matt Comeau with three hits including a HR.  Larry White took the win for Oil crew while Brad Hill took the loss for 498 despite pitching with dead on velocity and movement.

In game two deuces were wild with Richy Dodson, Jack Carey, Greg McDonough chipping in with two hits for the Oil crew. Larry White took the win for T/C while Bill Knovack took the loss for 498. Offense for 498 were not available at press time.

Field Observations

• Welcome back to Over 30 Brian Mahoney
• Optimism and spirits were high by league members talking about the Celtics chances going into game 5.
• After getting swept by Mike & Sons this week coaches from Institution For Savings were seen huddling and having internal discussions about possible big changes.
• Joining the K hall of shame this week were Mike “Sweets” Powers, Dick Merry, and Greg McDonough.

Standings after 5 weeks of play are:

Townsend Comeau 6-4

Mike & Sons              6-4

Institution For Savings 5-5

Club 498                    3-7

Today’s games between Mike & Sons and Institution For Savings and 498 and Townsend Comeau have been rained out and will be made up Sunday, July 25.

By Pete Rockett

Perhaps it was the early morning power outage in parts of Ipswich that could signify the energy level to follow at the fields at Over 30 softball this past  Sunday.  With the first quarter of the season coming to a close there was plenty of optimism surrounding all four teams going into the memorial holiday break.  By days end new records were set  and eyes were opened .

Over  on Doyon field Townsend Comeau split two games losing game 1 to Institution For Savings and winning game 2 over Club 498. In game the T/C crew built a 13-4 lead only to see it go by the wayside with a 15 run rally by the Bankers cashing in dividends on their way to a 22-16 victory.  Leading IFS was Joe Greenwood with two rain maker HR’S followed by Jim Racca with four hits, and three runs scored, and Paul “KG” James with four hits also. Dave Wood picked up the victory for the bankers. Leading T/C  in production were Matt Comeau with four hits, Eric Shwartz  with three hits and Larry White with two HR’S.  Jim Edwards took the loss for the T/C crew.  In their 2^nd game battling club 498 who had just lost to Mike & Sons on Grimes field the T/C crew scored early and often on their way to a 20-11 win. Marc Comeau led the Oilers with four hits followed by Eric Shwartz, and Matt Comeau with three hits. Larry White continued hit torrid hitting with two more HR’S followed by Pete Garand’s smash into the woods to account for the other round tripper.  Hitting leaders for 498 were not available at  press time. Bill Knovack too the loss for 498.

Over  on the Grimes field Mike & Sons also split a pair. Winning their first game  coming from behind against Club 498 in the last inning and falling in game two to IFS . Pitching and offense stats not available at press time for Mikes.  IFS, with a Tim Wakefield type lineup put together by Coach Connolly once again came back falling behind by 9 runs by scoring 6 runs in the sixth and four in the 7^th on their way to a 10-9 win over Mikes.  Scott “The Pro” Higgins had the game winning hit after having the table set by Judd Daly, Greenwood, James, and Paul Porier who also picked up the win.

Field Observations

• T/C’S Larry White hit a record four HR’S in one day against two separate teams.
• Cam James was a big help to Tom Ewing helping him with IFS’S scorebook.
• From the Lost & Found Dept. A team picture of the 96 night league champion St. Lawrence club was presented to Paul James before the days play. Also included in that team picture were current Over 30 players Matt & Marc Comeau, Eric Shwartz, Craig Dupray, and Pete Rocket.

Winter has always been known to be the cruelest of season but spring will always bring out hope. Nothing can be further from the truth as teams from the Ipswich Men’s Over 30 sotftball league  are searching for their  niche may find a diamond in the 3^rd week of play. Not to be worried about “too many men on the field” the men of summer got back to their craft this past Sunday at the Doyon and Grimes field.

Over on Doyon field Club 498 and Institution for Savings split two games.  Scores were not available at press time. Game 1 saw 498 beating out the mighty bankers.  Pete Robbins took the loss for IFS despite a strong defense behind him.  Pitching  and hitting stats were not available for 498. In game two the bankers got even with a strong pitching performance from Dave Wood and team offense lead by Paul James with his best impersonation of Kirk Gibson’s home run from the 88 world series.  Pitching and hitting stats were not available for 498.

Over on Grimes field 4^th place Townsend Comeau  swept a pair from 1^st place Mike & Sons with scores of 12-7 and 6-4. Game 1 saw Jimmy Edwards find his groove after a shaky first inning to pick up the win. The T/C crew was lead by Jimmy Restucci with four hits followed by Eric Shwartz and Richy “Flying Grill” Dodson with three hits.  Pete Rockett , and Pete Garand also chipped in with two hits including a HR from Garand.  Mike Blake took the loss for Mikes. Leading Mikes in offense was Joe Dube going 3-4 and Dick Merry hitting a HR in the loss.  Game two saw Larry White be in command early supported by catching help by Todd Delano, and great play by Paul Rigby at 2^nd base to pick up the win.  It was a total team effort  offense for T/C  with  Marc Comeau hitting a HR in the 6^th inning for a insurance run. Mike Stasiuk took the loss for Mikes  despite pitching well and going 3-4.  Chris Perna also contributed with two hits.

Field Observations

• Joining the K of shame club this week are Dennis Howes, and Mark Hardie.
• The best deal in town is the $2.00 hot dog special at the refreshment stand that comes with a bag of chips.
• Bill Knovack has been found and has returned to his team. A special search team hired by Over 30 found Knovack in the clam flats of Essex. The glare of his Wizzard of Oz socks provided his whereabouts.
• Welcome back to Over 30 Eric Shwartz.
• A reminder to all players. It never rains at Over 30.

Standings after week three are:

Mike & Sons  3-3
Townsend Comeau Oil 3-3
Institution For Savings 3-3
Club 498         3-3

A man once said the coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco. After summer like conditions from the week before the Ipswich Men’s Over 30 Softball League were open for rude awaking for  the weather conditions as play for week two was about to begin.  Perhaps the aroma of hot dogs cooking in the background could spark warm air feelings of summer once again.

On Doyon field it was Townsend Comeau Oil taking on the new look Club 498 and on the Grimes field it was Institution for Savings facing Mike & Sons.

Over on Doyon field Club 498 swept the T/C Crew by the scores of 9-8, and 15-0 respectively. Brad Hill earned the victories for 498 in both games. Jim Edwards and Larry White took the losses for T/C.  In game one before they knew it the Oilers were down 5-0 after one inning.  Eventually chipping away starting in the 3^rd inning the T/C gang scored enough to tie it up and send the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 8^th rookie Tom Zebelski of 498 had the winning hit that drove in Charlie Michaud for the game winner.  Leading T/C in hitting was Larry White with three knocks followed by Pete Garand, Matt Comeau, Jimmy Edwards, Jack Carey, and Pete Rockett with two hits.  In game two 498 had the hitting knack and scored early and often. Offensive stats for 498 not available at press time.

Over on the Grimes field Institution for Savings and Mike & Sons split a pair. Offensive stats and pitching stats not available at press time for both teams.

Field Observations:

• Sales were brisk this week for long sleeve T-shirts and wind shirts that have had an excess inventory for the last two weeks.
• The high winds played tricks this week  as  it was a challenge to catch easy fly balls, and hits that would be good for extra bases somehow stayed in the air.
• Joining the K of shame this week are Joe Rosenberger and Greg McDonough.  Also from the week before rookie Tom Zebelski.
• Seen on a milk carton missing in action are Bill Knovack and Steve Murdoch.

With the sounds of the little red truck that could clanging it’s way through the gate at Doyon school full of refreshments and equipment the Ipswich Men’s Over 30 Softball league was about to begin it’s 38^th season of fierce play and it was sure to be a memorable one.

Before the games began a pregame ceremony was held honoring umpire Mike Singer for his many years of service as a player and umpire and declaring the 2010 season would be played in dedication to him. Following the announcement  the first pitch was thrown out by another veteran and original founder of the league John Hooks and tossed to Singer to mark the official start of the season. Many legendary retired veterans were on hand for the festivities that included Pete “Harry Who” Lampropolous, Jim Collins, The legendary Phantom, Bob Comeau, and other legendary greats.

When the games commenced Mike & Sons took on Club 498 and on the Doyon field, and on the Grimes Field the defending champs Institution for Savings took on Townsend Comeau Oil.

On Doyon field Mike & Sons in a move trying to send a message to the rest of the league took two from Club 498. Both games were nail biters with scores of 7-6 and 4-3 respectively. In game one Scott Garand lead Mikes with three hits and scoring the winning run in bottom of the seventh.  Mike Blake earned the victory while Brad Hill took the loss for 498. In game two Mike Stasiuk and Chris Perna plated the offense for Mikes with home runs on the way to a 4-3 win. Mike Stasiuk earned the win for Mikes while Brad Hill once again was the tough luck loser.

Over on the Grimes field Townsend Comeau Oil took game one from Institution For Savings by a score of  7-6. Jim Edwards picked up the win for the Oilers. Helping Edwards cause on offense was  Pete Garand, Matt Comeau, and Larry White with two hits apiece.   Dave Woody Wood took the loss for IFS despite pitching well. Big sticks for IFS were Double D’S, Joe Greenwood, and rookie Geof Voltz with his first career hit in Over 30. In game two the lead went back and fourth and by games end IFS came out on top by the score of 11-8. Leading hitters for the Bankers were Wes Pierce and Jimmy “Don’t call me Weaver” Leaver and Wes Pierce. Pete Robbins got the win for IFS while Larry White took it on the chin for the Oilers. Leading hitters  for the Oilers were Marc Comeau, Jamie Morely, and Larry White.

FIELD Observations:

• Welcome Back to Over 30 Pete Robbins, Pete Garand and Charlie Michaud who celebrated his return with a 1^st at bat HR.
• Welcome to Over 30 Joe Dube, Tom Zebelski, and Steve Putnam who got his induction into Over 30 with a strikeout against veteran Rick Macdonald.
• K of shame members this week are Paul Porier and rookie Steve Putnam.
• A great job at the refreshment stand was run by Meg Edwards with the new addition of Hot Dogs.
• IFS Joe Greenwood and umpire Angie Perna  need to get their signals in order the next time Joe crosses the plate.
• A great job of field line prep was managed by Angie “Dancing Shoes” Perna.

Institution for Savings; Mike & Sons Heading to Finals

With a blink of an eye the softball season began, and then with a blink of an eye the regular season ended and with that came a different feeling in the air as the 1st round of the Ipswich Men’s Over 30 softball playoffs began. All records and stats are thrown out the window, “the season starts today” was echoed by many of the faithful players and fans. By day’s end there would only be two teams going to the final dance.

Over on Doyon 1 1st place Mike & Sons took on 4th place 498. It took three games to decide the winner and at the end Mike & Sons prevailed. 498 took game one behind strong pitching of Brad Hill. Offensive leaders were not available for 498. Leading hitters for Mike’s was Chris Shulte and Brian Story.

Game two Mike’s prevailed with a shutout performance from Mike Stasiuk. Ryan Stevens had the big hit for Mike’s. Offensive leaders and pitching stats were not available for 498.

Game three a 12 run explosion against 498’s Bill Knovack sealed the deal for Mike’s to earn their third consecutive trip to the finals. Pitching and offensive stats were not available for 498.

Over on Grimes field 2nd place Institution for Savings took on Townsend Comeau Oil. A back and forth battle ensued with the bankers taking game 1 9-5. Rick MacDonald got the win for the bankers while Jim Edwards took the loss for T/C. Leading IFS was Will Maker with three hits followed by Wes Pierce, Chris Connolly, and Jim Racca.  Steve Murdoch, Barry Eaton, Jamie Morely, and Larry White had two hits each for T/C.

Game two saw IFS put six runs up early in the first inning and not look back on their way to a 11-1 victory. The 11 run attack was led by Rick Macdonald, Joe Greenwood, Chris Connolly, and Paul James. Jamie Morely led T/C with two hits. Dave Wood got the win for the bankers while LarryWhite took the loss for T/C.

The finals next week will have Institution for Savings take on Mike & Sons in a best out of three.

Field Observations

• Although the fans were happy that IFS was going to the finals they were left wondering who will put on a good tailgate party as the bar has been set pretty high the last two seasons by the bankers.
• Playing with injuries but listed as probable for next week’s championship were IFS’S Paul James and Joe Greenwood.
• Chris Connolly made a great diving catch at third base with shades of Mike Lowell.
• Despite his best efforts Mike Sweets Powers did strike out this week.