August 16 - Playoffs, Round 1

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

Final Week 12 - August 9

In final week action Mike & Son's split with Townsend Comeau and Institution for Savings split with 498.

The pairings are for the first round of the playoffs will see 498 taking on Mike & Sons on Doyon 1, while Townsend Comeau OIl takes on Institution for Savings on Grimes field.

Week 12 - August 2

Feeling like Ipswich is Seattle of the North Shore, all sorts of summer weather hit the fields of the Ipswich Men's Over 30 softball league this past Sunday. At the end of the day's play the dog day's of August had kicked in.

On Doyon 1 Townsend Comeau Oil split a pair with Mike & Sons Oil in the battle of the Oil Barrons. In game 1 it was a battle of the bats in which T/C won in extra innings 11-10. Jimmy Edwards got the win for T/C while Mike Blake took the loss for Mikes. Larry White and Barry Eaton led the T/C gang with three hits. Steve Murdoch, and Marc Comeau also chipped in with two knocks. Marc Meaney had the game winning hit in the 8th inning for T/C scoring Eaton. Leading Mikes in hitting was Steve Sadowski and Mike Powers with four hits, followed by Blake with three hits of his own.

Game two saw another slugfest with Mike's pulling it out with a 9-8 win. Mike Stasiuk got the win for Mikes while Larry White took the loss for T/C. Bob Aiken led Mike's with three hits followed by Chris Perna with two hits including a HR. Mark Meaney, Richie Dodson, and Jack Carey led T/C with 2 hits.

Over on the Grimes field Institution for Savings swept Club 498. Hitting leaders for both teams were not available at press time. Rick MacDonlad got the win in game 1 while Brad Hill got the loss for 498. In game two Dave Wood picked up the victory for IFS while Bill Knovack took the loss for 498.

Field Observations

Week 11 July 26

Feeling like mid August weather the official dog days of over 30 softball have hit and with three weeks left of the regular season, all four teams were trying to lock in their focus heading for the post season. At day's end two teams wouldn't show their hand while one team had a sudden uprising.

...Over on Doyon field the top two teams Mike & Son's Oil split a pair with Institution for Savings. In game 1 the bankers soundly defeated Mikes 15-0. Rick Macdonald got the win for the bankers while Mike Bake took the loss for the Oilers. Hitting leaders for both teams were not available at press time. Game two the Oilers dug deep for crude and took one back from the bankers. The score or hitting leaders were not known at press time. Mike Stasiuk got the win for Mike's while Dave Wood took the loss for IFS.

Over on the Grimes field Club 498 took two from Townsend Comeau. In game 1 Brad "Egg McMuffin" Hill pitched his team to a 6-1 victory. Joe Rosenberger led the 498 with two hits with everyone in the lineup contributing as well including a HR from Jason Montiero. Larry White took the loss for T/C despite pitching well. Steve Murdoch, Mark Meaney, Rich "Manny" Dodson, Matt Comeau, and Pete Rockett had two hits each in the loss for T/C. Game two found 498 scoring early and never looking back on their way to a 7-1 win. Brad Hill again got the win for 498 while Larry White took the loss for T/C. Leading the hit parade for 498 was Chris Montiero, Greg Fuller, and Steve Sadaway with two hits. Rookie Greg McDonough led the T/C crew with two hits.

Field Observations

Week 10 July 19

Could it be? Two weeks in a row of perfect sunshine? Something was in the air as the Over 30 softball warriors took to the field this past Sunday at Doyon and Grimes field. At the end of the day all four teams were fighting for playoff positioning.

On the Doyon field Townsend split a pair with Institution for Savings. In game 1, T/C came back from a 2-0 deficit to take game 1 9-6. Larry White got the win for T/C looking sharp despite a early 1st inning rally from IFS. Leading the Oilers in hitting was Barry Eaton with two hits including a homerun, Mark Meaney, Jimmy Restuccia and Rich Dodson also had two hits including a Home Run by Dodson. Hitting leaders for IFS was not available at press time. Rick Macdonald took the loss for the Bankers.

Game two saw a bullish bank team come back strong with a 3-0 win. Hitting leaders were not available at press time. Rick Macdonald pitched a strong game only giving up 2 hits in 7 innings. Accounting for the only hits for T/C were Marc Comeau, and Jimmy Restuccia. Larry White took the loss despite pitching very well.

Over on the Grimes field Mike & Sons took two from Club 498 with the first game going 13 innings. Scores of both games were not available at press time. Mike Blake got the win in game 1. Brad Hill took the loss for 498. Craig Dupray had five hits for 498 along with Greg Fuller, and John Bell with three hits apiece. Game two Mike Stasiuk got the win for Mikes. Brendan Kennedy, and Steve Sadaway each had two hits for 498. Brad Hill took the loss.

Field Observations

Week 9 - July 12, 2009

Lo and behold on Sunday July 12 the sun was out and all eyes were burning from the bright rays as the warriors of the Ipswich Men's Over 30 Softball league returned to action after the July 4th holiday. At the end of the day softball harmony and deflated egos were back in rare form.

Over on Doyon field 2nd place Institution for Savings split a pair with Club 498. In game 1 Brad Hill pitched 498 to a win of 12-9. Tom Spinhurn led the hitting attack with 4 hits, aided by clutch defense by Mike Dupray. Also hitting with big lumber was Jason Montiero with a triple. Overall the team hit very well. Will Maker took the loss for the Bankers filling in for Rick MacDonald. Paul James, Wes Pierce, and Chris Connolly lead IFS with three hits apiece.

Game 2 saw a complete turnaround by IFS with a 16-2 rout of 498. Dave Wood took the win for the Bankers while Bill Knovack was on the hook for the loss. Joe Greenwood, Ken Lefrance, and Dave Wood collected three hits for the bankers. Leading 498 with lumber was Joe Rosenberger and Chris Montiero.

Over on the Grimes field it was split as well for Townsend Comeau Oil facing off against Mike & Sons. In game 1, Mike & Sons got off to a quick 2-0 lead only to see T/C score 14 unanswered runs on their way to a 14-2 victory. Jim Edwards got the win for T/C while Mike Blake took the loss for Mikes. Marc and Matt Comeau lead the hitting attack with two hits each. T/C got solid defense all around and was energized of the play by Jamie Morley at third base, along with some nice grabs by rookie Barry Eaton in the outfield. Hitting leaders for Mikes was not available at press time.

In game two T/C's production slowed down and was handed a 5-0 loss by Mikes. Mike Stasiuk got the win while Larry White took the loss despite pitching well and recording three strikeouts. Barry Eaton led the hitting for T/C with two hits.

Field Observations

Week 8 - June 28

Whether it was true grit, the love of the game, or just plain craziness the warriors of the Ipswich Over 30 softball league played on this past Sunday at Doyon Field which felt like early spring drizzle conditions. At the end of the days play all players deserved high praises.

Over on the Doyon field it was a battle of the top two teams Mike & Sons Oil took on Institution for Savings. In game 1, nine runs by IFS in the fist two innings set the tone for the game as the Bankers took this game 23-8. Rick MacDonald got the win for the bankers getting solid defense behind him while striking out four. Leading the Bankers in hitting was Jimmy Racca with five hits, followed by Paul James and Paul Porier with four hits of their own including a monstrous home run by Porier in the 2nd inning. Mike Blake took the loss for the Oilers. Jay Lessard lead Mike's with three hits

In game two the power production switch turned on for Mike & Sons and held off Institution for Savings by the score of 14-11. Mike Stasiuk got the win for the Oilers while game 1 winner Rick MacDonald took the loss for the Bankers. Ryan Stevens lead the hitting attack for Mikes with three hits with the rest of the lineup contributed with at least one hit. Leading hitters for IFS were Jimmy Racca and Rick Macdonald with three hits.

Townsend Comeau won both games over 498 by forfeit as 498 did not have a full squad to start the games.

Field Observations

Week 7 - June 21

Rain? What rain? High winds? No high winds. That was the attitude of the Ipswich Men's Over 30 softball league this past Sunday as they braved the elements to try and get their games in after being out the week before.

Two of the four teams had the enough players to start the first game and were determined to play depite the tropical rain forest conditions. It would be Townsend Comeau Oil, with the help of a few players from other teams against the Institution for Savings, which also was aided by players from other teams. In the end Townsend Comeau prevailed 15-5. All 11 players contributed to the offense for the 15 runs, which were enough to help Larry White gain the victory. Will Maker and Tom Ewing took the loss for IFS, with Ewing serving as the iron man playing first base and also pitching long relief to help the cause and save arms for the stretch run.

In game two one of the Townsend Comeau players had to leave and catch a flight for business in which left the T/C team short a player therefore forfeiting their game and giving the victory to IFS.

Mike & Sons won their games against Club 498 by forfeit as Mike & Sons had enough players to start the game and 498 were unable to field a team.

Field Observations

Week 6 - Rained Out - Play Aug 2.

Week 5 - June 7

With two weeks to go in the first half of the Ipswich Men's Over 30 softball league all four teams were looking to stay injury free and looking to get their mid summer swings into full power. By the end of the day, the more things changed the more they stayed the same.

Over on Doyon field first place Mike & Sons split a pair with 2nd place Institution for Savings. Offensive & pitching stats were not available at press time, however heavy offense was in the air for those two games.

Over on Grimes field 3rd place 498 split a pair with 4th place Townsend Comeu. In game one Brad Hill pitched 498 to a 8-6 win while Jimmy Edwards was the tough luck loser for Townsend Comeau. Leading the hit attack for T/C was Ted Flaherty, Steve Murdoch, Barry Eaton, and Jimmy Restuccia who belted a solo shot. Also hitting a HR for T/C was Rich Dodson.

Game two saw bats at bay however, Townsend Comeau manufactured runs by playing small ball and shut out 498 3-0. Marc Comeau led the T/C squad with two hits and scoring one of the three runs. Larry White picked up the win for T/C while Bill Knovack took the loss for 498.

Field Observations:

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Week 4 - May 31, 2009

Clear blue skies and the hint of early summer greeted players and fans this past Sunday at the softball fields of Ipswich Men's Over 30 League with a hint of playoff fever gripping the air. By the end of the day's play standings started taking shape and teams started finding their identity.

Over on the Doyon Field the 2nd place Institution for Savings took on last place Townsend Comeau Oil. In game 1 a tight game was played by both sides with IFS taking the first game 5-1. Four runs in the first inning gave IFS pitcher Rick Macdonald all the support he needed along with great defense and letting up an unearned run. Larry White took the loss for Townsend Comeau despite pitching well after a rough first inning. Leading the hit attack for T/C was Jimmy Restuccia with three hits.

Game two saw the action go back and forth with great defense by both teams, missed opportunities by IFS including an intentional walk to Townsend Comeau's Paul Rigby in the bottom of the 7th to load the bases. The strategy backfired as T/C's Marc Comeau hit a screaming shot to shortstop without a fielding play to be developed scoring Jimmy Restuccia to give T/C a 5-4 victory. It was a total team effort on the offense with everyone contributing. Larry White got revenge from the first game to pick up the win in game two. Dave Wood took the loss for IFS despite pitching well.

Over on the Grimes field Mike & Sons took a pair from Club 498 by scores of 7-3, and 14-5. In game 1 solid defense was the key for the Oilers backed the hitting attack of Mike Stasiuk with three hits, and Scott Garand with two hits. Sparked by four run rally by Dan Brennan and Bob Aiken put the game away in the sixth inning. Offensive leaders for the 498 were not available at press time.

Game two Mikes pounded out 20 hits in route to a 14-5 drilling. Jimmy Gallant played solid defense to kill a couple of would be rallies mounted by the 498.

Field Observations

Week 3 Action - May 17

No action this week. All teams split as Mother Nature rains out the action. Play resumes on May 31,

Week 2 - May 10, 2009

Mother Nature celebrated Mothers day this past Sunday at Doyon and Grimes fields with excessive winds. It did not however dampen the spirits of the mighty men of the Ipswich Over 30 softball league. By the end of the day's play there were indications of dominance and one trying team trying to find its identity.

Over on Doyon Field Club 498 swept two from Townsend Comeau Oil. In game 1 Club 498 was lead in the hitting attack by Chris Montiero, Brendan Kennedy, and Tom Spinhurn with three hits apiece including a homerun by Spinhurn. Jason Montiero also went yard for 498. Brad Hill got the win for 498 while Jimmy Edwards took the loss for Townsend Comeau. Leading hitters for T/C were not available at press time.

In game two, it was a battle of the lumber with 498 squeaking out a win from T/C by the score of 18-16 despite a 10 run rally by T/C in the last inning. Leading hitters for 498 were Greg "Big Papi" Fuller who went 5-5, and hit for the cycle, including a HR, and did a great job as an EH. Jeff Graffum went 4-4 including doubles down each line. Jason, and Paul Montiero had three hits along with big lumber from Mike Sweets Powers who also had three hits. Steve Sadaway made a great diving catch in left to stop a rally in the 6th. The Townsed Comeau team had contributions from everyone in the lineup and made a valiant comeback in the 7th. Brad Hill took the win for 498 while Jim Edwards was the tough luck loser for T/C.

Over on the Grimes field it was a battle of the undefeated as Institution for Savings took on Mike & Sons.

In game 1 IFS with strong hitting beat Mikes 16-7 behind the strong performance of Rick MacDonald. Leading hitters for the bankers were Joe Greenwood, Scott Higgins, and Chris Connolly with three hits. Kenny Lefrance and Jim Racca also contributed with two hits. Mike Blake, Jay Lessard, and Mark Hardie lead the attack for Mikes. Mike Stasiuk took the loss for Mike's.

In game two Mike Blake took the mound for the Oilers pitching great and was back by error free fielding by his defense including two double plays on route to an 11-3 win. The same sluggers Blake, Lessard and Hardie led the hitting attack for Mikes while Ken Lefrance, and Chris Connolly chipped in two hits for the bankers. Tom Ewing took the loss for Bankers.

Field Observations

This week's winners of the K of shame are Dan Brennan, Jay Lessard, Brad Hill, Bob Aiken, and Pete Rockett who got a lecture from Mike Singer on what not to swing at.

After a long stint on the DL Rich Dodson is back on a rehab assignment and was a great help to the Townsend Comeau team who were depleted for players in week two.

Despite an early morning flat tire for the refreshment trailer a contingency plan was put in place by league officer Jake Gibbs to expedite the delivery of refreshments for all fans and players to keep from de-hydrating.

Spotted in the crowd taking in this week's action was Over 30 legend Jim Collins.

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Week 1 - May 3, 2009

Over 30 League Opens 37th Season

After a long, cold, and snowy winter the Ipswich Men's Over 30 softball league began its 37th season on Sunday May 3rd at the Doyon and Stephen Grimes Memorial Fields. Friendships renewed, new friends made, and a lot of optimism filled the air as new teams were formed and the games began to take lives of their own.

...Over on Doyon field Mike & Sons took two games from Club 498.

In game 1 it was a close contest with the Oil Men squeaking by with a 10-9 win. Brad Hill of 498 held Mike's to three hits over the first 5 innings but the Oilers struck back with five runs in the sixth inning and four in the 7th after two outs. Chris Schultie had four hits for Mike's including the game winner; Scott Garand had three hits while Brian Story and Mike Stasiuk collected two hits and a walk each. Mike Blake kept his team in the game and picked up the win. Leading the hit attack for 498 was Tom Spinhurn, Mike Dupray, Brad Hill, and Steve Sadowski with two hits apiece.

Game two Mike and Sons pounded the ball highlighted by a three home runs in the 3rd. Mike Stasiuk and Mark Hardy led the hitting attack to fuel the 18-6 win. Mike Stasiuk kept 498 at bay and picked up the win. Bill Knovack took the loss for 498. Leading the hit attack for 498 was Chris Montiero with two hits.

Over on Grimes Field Institution for Savings took two from the Townsend Comeau team by the scores of 12-9 and 12-4.

In game 1 emergency starter Will Maker held the Oilers at bay and was asked to use his quick reflexes catching a screaming line drive by Steve Murdoch in the 1st inning which set the tone for the game. Leading the bankers in the hitting attack was Ken Lefrance with three hits including a Home Run and Joe Greenwood also with three hits including a monster blast of a Home Run in the 7th. Jim Edwards took the loss for T/C. Marc Comeau led the hitting for T/C with three hits.

In game two Dave Wood pitched a great game and held the Oilers to four runs. Larry White took the loss for T/C. Leading the bankers in hitting were Ken Leferance and Joe Greenwood with three hits each. Matt Comeau led the hitting attack for T/C with two hits.

Field Observations: