News

   Congratulations to the 2024 WMWBL Champions, the Diamondbacks.  The first team in league history to finish the season undefeated!  Manager Jose Ortiz, runner up for the 2024 Manager of the Year award, credited his teams success to their rigorous preseason work out regiment and strict vegan and alcohol free diet as well as their vow of celibacy.  "Not allowing my players to eat meat, drink alcohol, or feel the embrace of a woman in the off season allowed us to stay focused through our championship run".  Post season MVP Joe "Machamp" Bogli could be seen holding back tears during the teams championship celebration while stating the sacrafice was worth it.  


   Congratulations to the Ludlow Wildcats on winning the 2023 WMWBL Championship.  This marks Ludlow's 5th Championship and their first since 2020.  Ludlow was able to sweep the Championship series against the two-time defending champions Diamondbacks.


Diamondbacks win back-to-back Championships!

   The Diamondbacks clinched their second WMWBL Championship in as many seasons after beating the Ludlow Wildcats at Whalley Park in Southwick.  Questions arrose after losing veteran ace pitcher Nicholas Vautrin in a trade to Texas, a trade many questioned as they received nothing in return.  GM and head coach Jose Ortiz had those questions and doubts silenced after the DBacks 2022 campaign finished with a league low 71 runs allowed.  Any lingering doubts were dismissed as they held the Ted Davis Championship trophy up high once again.


Diamondbacks Win 2021 Championship

The Diamondbacks capped their undefeated regular season defeating the Bullies in the finals two games to one. Alex Ofray-Nunez's and Joe Bogli's late-inning home runs in Game 3 powered the Diamondbacks' comeback and led to a 7-2 series-clinching win.

Game 1
Diamondbacks 9  Bullies 0
Wednesday August 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Bullies 5  Diamondbacks 4
Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m.
St. Joe's Field
 
Game 3
Diamondbacks 7  Bullies 2
Sunday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field

SEMIFINALS RESULTS

 

#1 Diamondbacks vs. #5 Arrowheads

 
Diamondbacks win 2-0
 
Game 1
Diamondbacks 6  Arrowheads 0
Sunday, August 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Diamondbacks 16  Arrowheads 2
Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
#2 Wildcats vs. #3 Bullies
 
Bullies win 2-0
 
Game 1
Bullies 12  Wildcats 5
Sunday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Bullies 6  Wildcats 5  F/12
Tuesday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF RESULTS

#2 Wildcats vs. #7 Senators

 
Wildcats win 2-1
 
Game 1
Wildcats 11  Senators 3
Wednesday August 4 at 7:00pm.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Senators 5  Wildcats 4
Sunday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Whitney Park
 
Game 3
Wildcats 18  Senators 3
Wednesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
#3 Bullies vs. #6 Wolfhounds
 
Bullies win 2-1
 
Game 1
Wolfhounds 13  Bullies 12  F/11
Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Bullies 5  Wolfhounds 3
Sunday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Agawam High School
 
Game 3
Bullies 9  Wolfhounds 0 FFT
Saturday, August 14 at 3:00 p.m.
St. Joe's Park
 
#4 Phillies vs. #5 Arrowheads
 
Arrowheads win 2-0
 
Game 1
Arrowheads 16  Phillies 5
Thursday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Arrowheads 7  Phillies 0
Sunday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Legion Field

WMWBL Mourns Shawn Whalen and Jono Robert

August 2, 2021

The WMWBL family recently lost two members. Shawn Whalen and Jono Robert recently passed away.

Shawn was a long-time member of the Senators, and was on the 2016 championship team. He leaves behind a two-year-old son. A viewing will be held for Shawn at Firtion Adams Funeral Home on Thursday, August 5, from 4-7 p.m., followed by a brief service. The burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Westfield on Friday, August 6, at 10 a.m.

Jono was a member of the Bullies, along with his brother Eric, and has played in other Western Mass leagues. Jono was a member of the Holyoke Fire Department, and was married with three children. A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 5 from 3-7 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church in Holyoke. A funeral will be held there on Friday, August 6 at 11 a.m.

Please keep Shawn's and Jono's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.


WMWBL Remembers Karl Oliveira

April 26, 2021

The WMWBL is saddened to learn of the passing of Karl Oliveira. Karl was a fixture of Western Mass baseball, and a member of the 2015 WMWBL champion Chicopee Tigers, who remain the only team in league history to have completed an undefeated regular season. Many may know Karl from his years in Tri-County. He was an integral part of the Western Mass baseball community, and he will be missed. Click here to watch a Western Mass News report about Karl's life and legacy. The WMWBL offers thoughts and prayers to all of Karl's family and friends.


WILDCATS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT WMWBL TITLE

The Unity Club Wildcats of Ludlow were crowned WMWBL champions for the fourth consecutive season, defeating the Sultans two games to one in a hard-fought series that went the distance. After dropping Game 1 12-1, the Wildcats bounced back to win two straight, taking Game 2 9-3 and claiming the title 7-1 in the winner-take-all Game 3. The Wildcats took a two-run lead into the eighth in the pivotal game before Matt Anthonis broke it open with a two-out, three-run home run. Geoff Frost earned both wins on the mound, going the distance on three days' rest in Game 3 after pitching seven innings in the Game 2 victory.

Thanks to all teams, coaches and players for helping us get this 2020 season in, and we look forward to playing a full season in 2021!


FINALS RESULTS

#1 Wildcats vs. #3 Sultans

Wildcats win 2-1
 
Game 1
Sultans 12  Wildcats 1
Wednesday, September 23 at 7 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Wildcats 9  Sultans 3
Sunday, September 27 at 10 a.m.
Spec Pond
 
Game 3
Wildcats 7  Sultans 1
Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m.
Whalley Field

SEMIFINALS RESULTS

#1 Wildcats vs. #5 Senators

Wildcats win 2-1
 
Game 1
Senators 8  Wildcats 3
Sunday, September 13 at 10 a.m.
Spec Pond
 
Game 2
Wildcats 5  Senators 3
Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 3
Wildcats 3  Senators 0
Sunday, September 20 at 10 a.m.
Spec Pond
 
#2 Bullies vs. #3 Sultans
 
Sultans win 2-0
 
Game 1
Sultans 4  Bullies 3 F/12
Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m.
Spec Pond
 
Game 2
Sultans 4  Bullies 3
Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.
Whalley Field

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF RESULTS

#3 Sultans vs. #6 Phillies

Sultans win 2-0
 
Game 1
Sultans 13  Phillies 2
Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Sultans 17  Phillies 4
Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
#4 Wolfhounds vs. #5 Senators 
 
Senators win 2-0
 
Game 1
Senators 19  Wolfhounds 0
Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Senators 10  Wolfhounds 5
Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Whalley Field

2020 Season Arrives

July 7, 2020

Massachusetts has moved to Phase 3 of its Reopening Plan, which allows us to play games again. As such, we are beginning our season with games on July 8 and 9.

There are guidelines from the state that we must follow. Those can be found here. Among the most notable for us are:

  • Face coverings and social distancing required by those not actively in the game.
  • No pre/post-game handshakes.
  • Maintain social distancing within dugouts (please clean them when you leave).
  • No congregating in parking lots post-game.

Please be respectful and considerate of all players and umpires so we can maintain as safe a playing environment as possible.

If you or any of your teammates test positive for Covid-19, please inform your manager immediately.

Good luck this season.


Indians Win Fall League Title

The Indians defeated the Bullies 9-2 to win the Fall League title.


Western Mass Baseball Benefit Golf Tournament

The Tri-County League will be holding a benefit golf tournament in honor of long-time president Kevin McGurk (left) on October 5th.

The Western Mass baseball family lost a leader this summer with the unexpected passing of long-time Tri-County League president Kevin McGurk (above left) in June.

The TCL will be holding a benefit golf tournament in his honor.

The best ball scramble will be held on Saturday, October 5th at Mill Valley Golf Course in Belchertown. Shotgun start is at 10:00.

Cost is $90 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, prizes and a buffet dinner. Cost for dinner only is $20.

You can register for just yourself or a full foursome. Visit www.tri-countybaseball.com for registration information.

The WMWBL salutes the TCL as it honors a great man who has done so much for baseball in Western Massachusetts.


Unity AC Wildcats capture their third WMWBL Championship

 

The Unity Athletic Club captured their third consecutive WMWBL Championship title, defeating the Bullies in the three game series. Game one saw the Bullies take an early series lead, thanks to some late inning heroics, taking down the Wildcats 4-3. Games two and three, however, had the Wildcat bats roaring back to life, taking down the Bullies 7-0 in both games.

 


FINALS RESULTS

#1 Wildcats vs. #2 Bullies 

Wildcats win series 2-1
 
Game 1
Bullies 4  Wildcats 3
Sunday, August 18th at 1:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Wildcats 7  Bullies 0
Tuesday, August 20th at 7:30 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 3
Wildcats 7  Bullies 0
Sunday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m.
Whalley Field

SEMIFINALS RESULTS

#1 Wildcats vs. #6 Phillies

Wildcats win 2-0
 
Game 1
Wildcats 18  Phillies 8
Sunday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Wildcats 15  Phillies 6
Wednesday, August 14th at 7:30 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
#2 Bullies vs. #5 Senators
 
Bullies win 2-0
 
Game 1
Bullies 9  Senators 6
Sunday, August 11th at 3:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
Game 2
Bullies 13  Senators 3
Tuesday, August 13th at 7:30 p.m.
Whalley Field

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF RESULTS

  • #1 Wildcats vs. #8 Blizzard

    Wildcats win 2-0
     
    Game 1
    Wildcats 21  Blizzard 2
    Thursday, August 1st at 7:30 p.m.
    Whalley Field
     
    Game 2
    Wildcats 14  Blizzard 5
    Sunday, August 4th at 10:00 a.m.
    Whalley Field
     
    #2 Bullies vs. #7 Wolfhounds
     
    Bullies win 2-0
     
    Game 1
    Bullies 9  Wolfhounds 1
    Wednesday, July 31st at 7:00 p.m.
    Legion Field
     
    Game 2
    Bullies 21  Wolfhounds 4
    Sunday, August 4th at 10:00 a.m.
    Spec Pond Field
     
    #3 Sultans vs. #6 Phillies
     
    Phillies win 2-0
     
    Game 1
    Phillies 9  Sultans 5
    Tuesday, July 30th at 7:30 p.m.
    St. Joseph's Field
     
    Game 2
    Phillies 10  Sultans 4
    Saturday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
    Spec Pond Field
     
    #4 Tigers vs. #5 Senators
     
    Senators win 2-1
     
    Game 1
    Senators 15  Tigers 2
    Tuesday, July 30th at 7:00 p.m.
    Legion Field
     
    Game 2
    Tigers 12  Senators 10
    Tuesday, August 6th at 7:30 p.m.
    Spec Pond Field
     
    Game 3
    Senators 18  Tigers 0
    Thursday, August 8th at 7:30 p.m.
    Whalley Field
     

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MSBL League Spotlight: Western Mass Wood Bat Baseball League

The MSBL recently showcased the WMWBL in its League Spotlight feature on its national website

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications

The 25-over Western Mass Wood Bat Baseball League is an MSBL affiliate that began play in 2009, currently boasts eight teams and is headed up by 34 year-old league president Tony Consiglio, a position he has held since 2018 after serving as previous president Ted Davis’ vice president.  We recently had an opportunity to chat with Tony to fill in some blanks regarding why this gem of a league, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is such a success.

Mike Whatley was the original president in 2009 and is still involved in the workings of the league, as is Ted, and I think the continuity of leadership and league administration is what lends itself to our success,” stated Consiglio.  “We had six teams last year and grew to eight this year and hope to grow from there.  I think a lot of that has to do with that continuity.”

Tony plays for the 12-2 Bullies in the WMWBL and is currently batting a solid .476 so he is no armchair administrator.  “I love just being around baseball and our players.  Staying involved in our great game is what means so much to me.”

One of Tony’s most memorable moments as president was a few weeks ago when his Bullies team faced off against Mike Whatley’s Senators in a league game in Cooperstown, New York, home of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.  “We had to try to get on their schedule last winter,” explained Tony.  “It was fantastic and this winter we are going to attempt to reserve a league weekend where everyone can experience a league game in the middle of all that history.”

The eleven-year-old league offers a 20-game summer schedule, with a ten-game minimum player attendance policy to qualify for the playoffs.  “A lot of our players are married, have girlfriends and also have kids.  That’s a big commitment off the field.  But we have found that they all love the league so much that they exceed the requirements and also bring their families.  That is very gratifying.”

They also offer a fall league.  “The fall league is a lot more casual and players may switch around on teams and play for the fun of playing before the northeast weather takes hold.  We still have playoffs but it is toned down a bit.”

We asked Tony what is the most satisfying part of being the president of the WMWBL.  “Just being able to know that we are helping to provide a way for people to keep playing and follow their dreams.  So many people I know don’t play anymore but would have if they had a chance like this to play baseball.  Mike and Ted started the league in the right direction and we still work together to deliver a quality experience.  I am happy to be able to carry the torch.”

“The organizational structure of the MSBL is invaluable in being able to tap into,” continued Consiglio.  “To be associated with baseball players from around the country in a baseball-only business is really special.  We’d be lost without the great league insurance program along with involvement with all of the national tournaments and the constant contact of the home office.  Just to know they are there just in case is a great comfort.  We feel that the national organization is always there and are very happy to be involved in the MSBL.”


WMWBL Veteran Mike Lord Joins Atlantic League’s New Britain Bees

 

 

Tigers pitcher Mike Lord is getting the chance to chase his baseball dreams, joining the roster of the New Britain Bees of the independent Atlantic League, an eight-team league based primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

 

Mike has been a member of the WMWBL since 2017, playing two seasons with the Bad Hombres before joining the expansion Tigers for the 2019 season. In moving on to the Atlantic League, he is entering the highest level of professional baseball not affiliated with Major League Baseball. More than 40 percent of players in the league have had service time with Major League organizations.

 

In his three-year WMWBL career, Mike has a 5-2 record with 5 saves over 79.1 innings, a 1.02 ERA, 142 strikeouts, a 16.2 K/9 inning rate and a 0.72 WHIP. His 94 strikeouts in 2017 are an all-time WMWBL single-season record. He says without joining the WMWBL, he never would have gotten back into playing baseball again and wouldn’t have been presented with this new opportunity.

 

The seeds for that were planted early this spring, when Mike attended one of the Bees’ open tryouts. Since then, he’s been working with the team periodically, throwing bullpens to help test the new electronic umpiring system. He left enough of a mark during those sessions that the team called him on July 3rd to ask him to pitch for them.

 

 

Mike is being used out of the bullpen, at least for now. In his first appearance with the Bees on July 5th, he pitched well in allowing two runs on two hits over two innings while picking up a strikeout. He’s hoping his performance with the team so far, as well as the impressions he left over the last several months, will help him earn a roster spot for good.

 

“The opportunity means more than I could describe,” Mike says. “It’s a life’s worth of work, dreams, failure, pain, sweat and tears all finally being rewarded. It’s an incredible experience.”

 

The WMWBL wishes Mike all the best as he looks to build a baseball career!


2018 WMWBL Champions

Unity Athletic Club Wildcats of Ludlow

 

 
Congratulations to the Unity Athletic Club Wildcats of Ludlow for winning the 2018 WMWBL championship. The Wildcats beat the Brownstone Bullies in three games to claim their second straight league title. In doing so, they become the first team in league history to be champions in back-to-back seasons.

 

#1 Bullies vs. #3 Wildcats

  
Game 1
Wildcats 14  Bullies 0
Tuesday, August 21st at 7:30 p.m.
St. Joe's
 
Game 2
Bullies 7  Wildcats 4
Thursday, August 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
St. Joe's
 
Game 3
Wildcats 10  Bullies 4
Tuesday, August 28th at 7:30 p.m.
St. Joe's

Semifinal Results

 

#1 Bullies vs. #4 Senators

 
Bullies Win 2-1
 
Game 1
Bullies 4  Senators 3 F/11
Wednesday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m.
McKenzie Field
 
Game 2
Senators 5  Bullies 4
Thursday, August 16th at 7:30 p.m.
St. Joe's
 
Game 3
Bullies 5  Senators 1
Sunday, August 19th at 4:00 p.m.
Whalley Field
 
#2 Hombres vs. #3 Wildcats
 
Wildcats Win 2-0
 
Game 1
Wildcats 4  Hombres 2
Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m.
McKenzie Field
 
Game 2
Wildcats 6  Hombres 1
Sunday, August 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Whalley Field

First Round Playoff Results

 
#3 Wildcats vs. #6 Wolfhounds
 
Wildcats win 2-0 
 
Game 1
Wildcats 9  Wolfhounds 6
Thursday, August 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Spec Pond
 
Game 2
Wildcats 12  Wolfhounds 6
Sunday, August 12th at 10:00 a.m.
Whalley Field
 
#4 Senators vs. #5 Phillies

Senators win 2-0 
 
Game 1
Senators 13  Phillies 5
Thursday, August 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Legion Field
 
Game 2
Senators 3  Phillies 2
Saturday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Spec Pond

Play Ball!

Good luck to all teams and players this year!


Tigers Win 2017 Fall League Championship

Congratulations to the 2017 Fall League Tigers on winning the league championship.  The Tigers defeated the Senators 3-0 in 12 innings in what turned out to be an epic pitching duel.   Devin Rhodes took the mound for the Tigers while Mike Lord toed the rubber for the Senators. For the next 11innings the two pitchers would dominate the opposing batters until the Tigers put up a 3 spot in the top of the 12th inning. The Senators would go down quietly in the bottom of the 12th inning handing the Tigers the Fall title. 

 

Lord pitched 11 innings giving up 0 runs, scattering 5 hits walking no one while striking out 18 batters.  Rhodes would match Lord pitch for pitch going 12 innings, giving up 5 hits with one walk while whiffing 20 batters.  Both pitchers would have minor jams that they pitched out of along the way. The Senators had a chance to walk off with the win in the bottom of the 10th inning when they had a man on 2nd with one out however the Tigers 3rd baseman picked off a screaming one hopper between 3rd base and shortstop and then proceeded to nail the runner at second base for the 2nd out of the inning ending the Senators scoring threat.   Gary Cameron and Tom Moore were the hitting stars for the Tigers. Cameron was the only player who was seeing the ball well at the plate with 4 hits including two long doubles. Moore would provide the Tigers with the game winning hit in the 12th inning knocking in the first two runs of the game.  


 

2017 WMWBL CHAMPIONS

 

Unity Athletic Club Wildcats of Ludlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


PLAYOFF RESULTS/SCHEDULE

                       

 

 

 

        ROUND 1

 

Phillies vs Wild Cats

 

8/1  Wild Cats  13      Phillies  4

8/3  Wild Cats  7      Phillies 6

     (Wildcats win series 2-0)

 

Blizzard  vs Bullies

 

8/1  Bullies 4    Blizzard  0

8/3  Bullies  4    Blizzard  3

   ( Bullies win series 2-0)

 

                                SEMI-FINALS

 

Bullies vs Senators

 

8/6 Senators 12    Bullies  2

8/8  Bullies  8     Senators  2

8/13 Bullies 4    Senators  1

 

Wild Cats  vs Bad Hombres

 

Bad Hombres  3    Wild Cats  1

8/10 Wild Cats  4   Bad Hombres  0

8/13 Wild Cats 10   Bad Hombres  0

 

                               FINALS

 

8/16  Bullies  4     Wild Cats  15  

8/20  Wild Cats  5    Bullies   0

 

     WILD CATS WIN CHAMPIONSHIP 2-0

 

 


WMWBL Celebrities in The News

May 18, 2017

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Introducing a new feature series to highlight WMWBL Celebrities who have appeared in the news because of their keen insight and thought-provoking ways.

This week, we acknowledge Mr. Brandon Seymour, who was interviewed because he wisely mowed his lawn early in the day, before it became too hot outside.

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(As you can see, the bar is set awfully low in this series.)

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A full video of the report can be seen here:

 

https://youtu.be/X8GT4Ok_tAQ

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2017 Opening Day Ceremony with Miss Western Massachusetts, Miss Olivia Clark

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 Miss Western Massachusetts, Miss Olivia Clark, singing Our National Anthem.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu-9YQmAyJE&feature=share

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Miss Western Massachusetts, Miss Olivia Clark, Makes a Special Guest Appearance

 

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The 2017 Home Opener celebration featured Miss Western Massachusetts, Miss Olivia Clark, who made a special guest appearance for the fans, and later performed Our National Anthem.

 

Olivia will be competing next in The Miss Massachusetts Pageant in June, and is going to do Great.

 

 

 

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Best of Luck, Olivia ! 

 

 

 

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Hit a Homer !!

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2016 PLAYOFF RESULTS

             

 

     PHILLIES vs BLIZZARD

                           Best 2 of 3

 

8/2 Phillies 3  @  Blizzard 6   

8/4 Blizzard  3 @ Phillies  10

8/7  Phillies  5  @  Blizzard  6      Blizzard win series 2-1

                  

                     SEMI-FINALS - Best 2 of 3

     

8/11  Blizzard  0  @. Senators  15

8/14  Bullies  10   @   Wild Cats   8

8/15  Senators 1  @  Blizzard  0(forfeit)       Senators win series 2-0

8/16  Wildcats  4  @ Bullies   9                    Bullies win series 2-0

 

                                 FINALS  Best of 3

8/21  Bullies  0    @  Senators  15

8/24  Senators  2   @ Bullies   7

8/28  Bullies  0. @   Senators   7              Senators win series 2-1

     

 

 

 

 


Hope Springs Eternal: A New Baseball Season Is Underway

 

 

 

 

Hope Springs Eternal: A New Baseball Season Is Underway

 

By Jim Wallis

 

On Opening Day, every team starts with a clean slate, all the win/loss records are 0-0, and, as they say, “hope springs eternal.” There is talk in every baseball town and among all baseball fans of how we really could win this year if only this or that goes right, if our players could live up to their real potential, if we could finally “gel” as a team, and if all the things we can’t control could go well for us and not so well for the other teams. “Have you seen that new rookie?” And “that trade we just made could make all the difference now!” Everybody is a believer on Opening Day.

 

The beauty and simplicity of baseball reminds us that at the heart of our lives is a need for joy and hope. 

 

Amen. Play Ball !

 

 

 


Senators Win 2016 WMWBL Title

August 29, 2016

The Springfield Senators won their 2nd championship in 3 years by defeating the Brownstone Bullies on Sunday 7-0 to take the best 2 out of 3 series two games to one.

The Senators took the opening game of the series by breaking open a closely contested game with an 8 run 7th inning turning the game into a runaway win 15-0.   Anthony Gorneault, Jack Ryan, Mike Chiarizio and Matt Sullivan led the 18 hit attack with three hits each and a pair of rbi's.  Paul Texiera drove in 3 runs with a couple of hits.  Pete Varley led the way on the mound going 7 shutout innings giving up 4 hits while walking 3 batters and striking out 5.   Danny Dones was the Bullies hit leader going 2 for 3 with a single and a double.

 

In game two the Bullies smelled blood early and jumped on the Senators right away with three runs in the first inning. Tony Consiglio started the game with a line drive double into the left field gap which the Bullies followed up with three more hits by Andre Conde,Jon Jordan, and Timmy Trembley.  Gunner Genovese would also add a sacrifice fly to give the Bullies a crooked number in the first inning. The Bullies would continue to hit the ball hard and take advantage of some Senator miscues in the outfield by adding a pair of runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings for a healthy 7-0 lead.  Senator starting pitcher Paul Texiera would settle down to shut out the Bullies the rest of way.  The deficit however would be way too much to overcome against Bullies starting pitcher Andre Conde.  Conde had the Senators confused at the plate all night. The crafty lefty scattered 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 11.  The Senators did not present a serious scoring threat until the 8th inning when Pete Varley lined a two run single into right centerfield to ruin the shutout.  Conde would however retire the next 4 batters for the complete game victory.       Conde would also lead the hitting attack going 3 for 5.  Jon Jordan and Gunner Genovese chipped in with a pair of rbi's.

 

Game 3 was expected to be a battle between two of the leagues premier pitchers.  Jack Ryan would take the mound for the Senators and Andre Conde would toe the rubber once again for the Bullies.   Both teams showed up with a boisterous group of fans and they would not be disappointed with the performance of either pitcher early in the game as both Ryan and Conde put up nothing but zeros for the first three innings.  The Bullies managed to put single runners on base in innings two through four but any thoughts they had of scoring were wiped out by Ryan.   Meanwhile other than a two out single by Ryan in the first inning the Senators went down quietly in the first three innings.  That would all change in the 4th inning.  After a lead off fly out to right field Jack Ryan would be the Senators catalyst for the inning.  Ryan led off with a ringing single to get things going. Before Ryan could catch his breath Anthony Gorneault would drive a long triple to right center field scoring Ryan with the games first run.  The Senators however were far from done.  Pete Varley followed up Gorneaults triple with a scorching double to right center that would put the Senators up 2-0.  After a Ben Burnett single and stolen base gave the Senators runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Mike Whatley would break the game open with the Senators fifth hit in a row, a two out line drive single to centerfield giving them a 4-0 lead.  After a fielders choice gave the gave the Senators their 2nd out of the inning the hitting would continue when Brandon Seymour spanked a single to left field and Matt Sullivan followed that up with an rbi single of his own.  The Senators owned a 5-0 lead after four innings.  Conde would regain his composure and and hold the Senators to single runs in the 7th and 8th innings.  The damage however was way too much for the Bullies to overcome as Ryan was in cruise control the rest of the way.  The Bullies posed a minor threat in the 8th inning after a couple of walks put runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs but a ground ball to first base would end the threat.  Ryan got the complete game shutout victory scattering 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4.    Ryan, Anthony Gorneault, Pete Varley and Mike Whatley had two hits a piece for the Senators.  Varley(double anda triple)and Gorneault(triple)had extra base hits.  Varley and Whatley had two rbi's each. Gunner Genovese stroked a long double for the Bullies.

 

Congratulations are in order to the Bullies on an excellent season and to Bullies head coach Ted Davis for another outstanding job running the league.


Another Successful Red Sox / Yankees Ticket Raffle

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Congratulations to Mr. Harrison Lee Grant on being selected the winner of the 2016 Red Sox / Yankee ticket raffle.

 

Enjoy the game !!

 

 

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"Opening Day" by Unknown Author

 

Let me show you a land
the greatest of all
with borders that stretch
from the spring to the fall

Emerald fields plush with diamonds
and pearls gleaming white
with meatballs becoming taters
soaring into the night

A land of hot corners
where hoses throw heat
into your kitchen
where there's plenty to eat.

There's pickles, there's pepper
there's peas, and there's cheese
And shoestrings making catches
with the greatest of ease

Many eye-pleasing sights
also found on display
An ace that throws dueces,
a tailor-made double play

Ducks on a pond
wait for springing line drives
to hitch a ride home
on pop-ups and slides

This land welcomes all
to dream and to play
This land is Baseball, 
It's Opening Day.

 

 


US Presidents & the First Pitch of Baseball Season By David Murphy

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President Taft doesn’t show up too often on the list of presidential firsts, but he brought one tradition to the office that exists to this day: The ceremonial first pitch on Major League baseball’s opening day.

In April 1910, President Taft tossed a ball from the stands to Washington Senators ace Walter Johnson at the request of Senators owner Clark Griffith, who wanted the presidential seal of approval on baseball to cement its position as the national pastime. Not only did Taft toss out the first pitch, he stayed for the whole game—which the Senators won.

Taft showed up again in 1911 to throw out the first pitch and had his vice president do it in 1912. The Senators won all three games.

Woodrow Wilson carried on the tradition the following year, as did the next 10 presidents in a row.

A highlight? Truman throwing out two balls in 1950—one right-handed, one left-handed. A lowlight? FDR hitting a Washington Post camera with his pitch in 1940.

The tradition stayed in Washington, D.C. for more than 60 years, until President Nixon threw out the first pitch at California’s Anaheim Stadium in 1973. President Carter was the first to skip the tradition on Opening Day, although he did toss out the first pitch of Game Seven in the 1979 World Series, just before the Pirates knocked off the Baltimore Orioles.

President George W. Bush brought the tradition back to Washington when the Nationals returned to D.C. in 2005, then did it again at the opening of Nationals Park in 2008.

 

President Obama threw out the first pitch in 2010—the 100th anniversary of Taft’s toss. It was, in the words of Bob Uecker, just a bit outside. President Obama hasn’t thrown out a first pitch since.

 

 


Miss Brittany Decker sings The National Anthem at the WMWBL 2016 Opening Day Festivities.


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The WMWBL wishes to thank all the heroic veterans from all the US Armed Forces, who gave the ultimate sacrifice towards protecting our Liberty and Freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvPgYLhOq24 

2001 WS Gm4: Lee Greenwood sings "God Bless the USA"

 

 

 


Chicopee Tigers Win 2015 WMWBL Championship

      The Chicopee Falls Tigers stormed into their 2015 WMWBL inaugural season completing the regular season 20-0 before moving into the playoffs.  Andre Conde started the season opener way back on April 12th vs the visiting Agawam Brown Sox.  In that tone-setting game, Conde threw the league's first ever perfect game, defeating Agawam 10-0.  The Tigers continued to execute their formula of excellent starting pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting throughout the season before getting past the Senators in the final game of the regular season, 1-0.  Close, well played games all season long between the Tigers and the defending Champion Springfield Senators were a prelude to the eventual finals matchup. 
      Springfield skipper Mike Whatley guided his club past the Phillies in the first round, then the Bullies in the second round to move on to defend their title against the newcomers from Chicopee.  The Tigers, fresh off their sweep of the Blizzard following a first round bye, would face the Senators in Game One of the 2015 Finals in a morning matchup at St. Joe's Ballpark in Palmer.  The Tigers would send starting pitcher and holder of a 10-0 regular season record Andre Conde to the mound to face off against starter Jack Ryan and a tough Senators lineup.  Both starters pitched well and the defense backed up both pitchers throughout the game. Matt Sullivan got the scoring going early leading off the game with a base hit and eventually scored on a Brandon Seymour single giving the defending champs an early lead.  However, like they have all season, the Tigers came back with two more in the second.  Paul Winiarski walked and Karl Oliveira singled setting up first and second with one out.  Ralph Edwards singled home Winiarski and Tigers skipper Jeff Couture doubled in another run giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead.  Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless in the middle innings including a stretch in the sixth and seventh when Conde struck out four Senators in a row. It wasn't until the bottom of the eighth when season long contributors John Boozang and Adam Zebian stroked back to back doubles to push the lead to 4-1.  Springfield put two on in the top of the ninth, but Conde and the Tigers held them off for a 4-1 victory.
     Game Two shifted to McKenzie Stadium in Holyoke under the lights with a confident Senators team ready to stave off elimination.  Pete Varley faced off against Tigers' starter Steve Lagasse.  This time it was the Tigers who got off to an early lead when Paul Winiarski drove in Brad Brothers for an early 2-0 lead.  The Senators came with three in the third thanks to a long double by Matt Sullivan.  The score would hold up until the sixth when the Senators tacked on two more for the 5-2 lead.  Karl Oliveira lined his second hit of the game to drive in a run and would later score on a passed ball to make it 5-4, but the Senators would close it out for the victory and knocked the Tigers out of the undefeated ranks and forcing a deciding Game Three.
     It was back to St. Joe's for the winner take all third and final game which saw Conde and Ryan returning to the mound to represent their clubs on the mound.  Both teams arrived for the 7:15pm start ready to play with the visiting Senators racing out to an early 2-0 lead with a single by Matt Sullivan and Mike Charizio, followed by a deep gapper by Pete Varley scoring both base runners.  Varley would be stranded at second and the Tigers came to the plate in the bottom half of the inning.  Adam Zebian was hit by a pitch, then Tim Sigda smashed a deep double to left center to score him.  Brad Brothers then hit one high and deep to left center tripling in another run.  Karl Oliveira then laced a single to give the Tigers the lead.  After an exciting first inning, Conde and the Tigers took the field and sent the Senators down 1-2-3.  The eventual Champs came back strong in the bottom of the second scoring four more runs thanks in part to a clutch RBI single by John Boozang and an RBI double by catcher Adam Zebian.  The Senators were only able to scratch across one more run thanks to a solid Tigers defense and 10 strike outs by Conde, who finished the season 12-0 with two saves.  The Tigers tacked on three more throughout the game finishing with a 10-3 victory.  The teams shook hands at home plate as the fireworks flew over head and the champagne popped in typical Tigers fashion.
     The Tigers recently left the Full Count League, another local hard ball league in which they won the Championship six out of eight years.  "We were really looking forward to joining a solid, well-run league filled with good players.  The WMWBL has established itself and we're happy to be a part of it" Tigers coach Jeff Couture said.  "The Senators have a great team, I can see why they won it last year.  I'm proud of our team and the way we played all season."

The WMWBL Participates in The Wounded Warrior Project

May 4, 2015

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The WMWBL recently made a contribution towards the MSBL National's fundraising campaign for the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team.

We are deeply humbled to participate towards this elite group of Americans, who have fought for the freedoms which allows us to play this game of baseball.

 

An excerpt regarding the WWAST, and its mission, is provided here:

 

THE WWAST MISSION

The WWAST is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to raise awareness, educate and inspire the public about the strength and resiliency of our wounded warriors, showing how a positive attitude, commitment, dedication and perseverance allow them to overcome any obstacles. The Team is comprised of veterans and active duty servicemen who have served our country in the Global War on Terrorism, in Iraq and in Afghanistan. They now travel the country playing able-bodied teams in competitive, celebrity and exhibition softball games, bringing their special brand of softball, courage and inspiration.

THE TEAM

The WWAST is comprised of young, competitive, athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs, while serving their country in the military/war. The team includes individuals with a variety of amputations of the arm, above knee, below knee, bilateral below knee, and foot. Some are still in the service, others are attending college thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill while others have moved on to new careers.

WWAST VISION

WWAST athletes are examples of amputees who continue to push the limits of modern prosthetic technology with more and more applications. Of course, their dream would be the return of our soldiers from harm’s way without the resulting loss of life and limb. Until such a time, the vision is to support and honor our soldiers and veterans sacrifices, and to show other amputees and everyone who sees or hears about them that life without a limb is limitless.

 

 

To learn more about this worthy cause, and to make a donation directly, please refer to these sites.

http://msblnational.com/Featured-Stories/Blog/Wounded-Warrier-Amputee-Softball-Designated-as-Official-MSBL-Charity.htm#.VUfB-vlVikp

 

 http://woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org/

 


April 27, 2015

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Congratulations to Chris Bernacki, for being randomly chosen as winner of the WMWBL's 2015 Charity Raffle.

Chris receives the 2 Red Sox vs. Yankees tickets for the game to be played at Fenway Park, on May 1st.

 

Thank you all for your participation, as these fundraisers help Our League continue the means to award scholarships to local students.

 

 

 

 

 


2015 SEASON IS UNDERWAY

The 2015 Western Mass.Wood Bat League season began on Sunday April,12th.  Ludlow, Holyoke and Chicopee were all victorious in their WMWBL debut.

 

The big story on opening day was the leagues first ever no-hitter and perfect game thrown by the Chicopee Tigers Andre Conde.  The Tigers bats backed up Conde's brilliant performance in a 10-0 victory over the Agawam Brown Sox.

 

The Ludlow Wildcats outslugged the Brownstone Bullies 12-7 and the Paper City Bombers rallied for 4 runs in the top of the 9th to take down the Palmer Phillies.

 

Four more games are on tap for Sunday 4/19.

 

Ludlow Wildcats @ Palmer Phillies   12:00 noon

Paper City Bombers @  Western Mass. Blizzard   12:00 noon

Chicopee Tigers @ Brownstone Bullies  12:00 noon

Springfield Senators @ Agawam Brown Sox   4:00pm

 

Field Locations can be found on the "schedule" page

 

 


NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

UNFORTUNATELY OUR EMAIL ACCOUNT WAS COMPROMISED LAST FALL. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY EMAILS SINCE LAST OCTOBER. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT THE LEAGUE PLEASE RESEND YOUR EMAIL TO OUR NEW ADDRESS.  WE CAN BE REACHED AT WMWBL25@YAHOO.COM

 

 


The WMWBL was recently featured on CBS3 Springfield by Tony Consiglio

August 28, 2014

 

 

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Congratulations to the 2014 WMWBL College Scholarship Recipient, Aaron Cyr

 

Congratulations to Minnechaug Regional High School senior, Aaron Cyr. 

In the Fall, Aaron will continue his studies at The University of North Dakota, as he pursues his degree in Commercial Aviation.

Best of Luck to you, Aaron, from your friends at The WMWBL.

 

 

 

 

 

The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.

 Friedrich Nietzsche

 

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