Team Statistics

CLICK ON IMAGE to enlarge.

M.C. vs Manet Rained Out

Tonights game against the Manet has been postponed due to rain.
A makeup date has not been scheduled.

Harper, Martin Power M.C. Past Chefs

LeBREQUE FIELD, HN - John Martin went 3-4 from the plate including a 3 run home run while leadoff hitter Greg Harper had two hits to help McInnis Carpentry rally past the Chefs 13-11 last night in Houghs Neck League softball action.

The M.C. Club built a 9-3 lead through 4 innings only to see it evaporate to an 11-9 deficit going into the bottom of the 6th. The Hammers rallied behind big hits from Sal Buonopane and Mark Free, pushing 4 runs across in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead. Harper's clutch two-out two run single broke an 11 all tie to put the Black and Orange up for good.

It was the season opener for both clubs who last met in the playoff semifinals last year. McInnis Carpentry won three games to one in the best of five series. The two teams split during the regular season. "It was a heavyweight fight for the whole game," Hammers 3B Scott Logan said. "They're one of the top teams in the league, it's always a battle when we face the Chefs."

Steve McInnis (1-0) pitched 7 solid innings and recieved great defensive help from infielders Billy Wysocki and Scott Logan.

Notes

John Gray showed up weighing in at 185 pounds, reaching his opening day goal and activating contract incentives. ... OF Steve Yocco was almost a last minute scratch due to a bad back. ... Greg Harper's first inning single extended his hitting streak to 18 games. ... Hammers OF Mike Aupperlee got a standing ovation from the fans in the left-field corner when he went to the outfield. ... Mike Berry dispelled any rumors of a possible trade to the Half Door.... T.Fratt finally found his uniform by his second at-bat... Injured Hammers DH Chris Smith (torn MCL) threw off flat ground. His next step could be a rehab stint. DH/OF/IN Bubba Corkery (right forearm stiffness) played catch from 60 feet and will do it again before determining what to do next. ... Steve McInnis has not had his hair cut since August of '06.... OF John Southern signed a contract extension which will keep him with the Hammers through the 2012 season... newly acquired Mike Cedrone hit 10 pop-ups during pre-game batting practice.

Fratolillo Defends Title With Marathon Win

HOUGHS NECK - Thomas Fratolillo won the Houghs Neck Marathon for the third time Monday, defending his title in the remnants of a soaking nor'easter.

Fratolillo, who also won in 1984, set the course record last year but fought the wind and rain to finish in a slower, unofficial time of 14 minutes, 13 seconds.

The weather was milder than forecasters had feared, 52 degrees with a moderate rain at the start. The sun even came out halfway through but winds picked up as the runners passed Bernies for the last, long homestretch to the American Legion Post 380.

"From the waist down it was horrible," said Fratolillo. "My legs froze. It was the cold, my hamstrings and everything just started cramping up. Once the moves started, especially at Louies, thats when it got real tough. It was at that point I remembered some great advice from friends while training in Kenya last month. The Kenyans told me... when the lion is chasing the antelope, he doesn't look back. He has to eat. So when I run, I don't stare at my time."

A total of 38 runners registered for the race. Organizers worked through the night to line up shelters for those dropping out along the course.

Pumps have been stationed at low-lying areas in case of flooding. Ponchos were provided for workers assigned outdoors. Runners were warned by e-mail to wear appropriate clothing.

Near the start in the Manet, the usual carnival atmosphere was subdued. The Legion parking lot was nearly empty less than two hours before start time, with few hot dog stands and no lines at the portable restrooms. A vendor who ran out of ponchos Sunday was selling trash bags for $1 apiece.

M.C. Opener Washed Out

Tonights game against Flanagans has been canceled due to poor weather.
A makeup date has not been announced.

T-Shirt of the Week

This weeks T features the Happy Viking Club. The most comfortable t-shirt ever! Our 100% cotton, Hanes Beefy-T is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed. All sizes available. Great for the summer. You can get it at Mile Ends and have it shipped to you within days.

Click on the link below to order yours today!

http://mileends.com/

Upcoming Events: HN Marathon

The annual Houghs Neck Marathon will take place Monday April, 16th 2007. Registration begins at 1pm inside the Houghs Neck American Legion Post. The race will start at 2pm.

PRACTICE: Take Two

ATTENTION ALL PLAYERS! The second (and final) spring workout for the McInnis Carpentry softball club will take place SUNDAY, APRIL 15th at LeBREQUE FIELD (Houghs Neck). Start time will be 11 A.M. Should the field be unavailable we will relocate to Brill Field.

The first gathering had a less than respectable turnout. (5 players). Fortunatley the Half Door (aka Murphy's)also had a practice scheduled and had a strong turnout with 15 players. A mixed scrimmage was played.

Evil Empire Returns

Only weeks remain until McInnis Carpentry's opening day matchup with 5-time defending champion Pat Flanagans. Does the M.C. club have what it takes to take down the champs? We shall see. Rumor has it, Flanagans lost several key players to free agency and retirement. Even if this is true, they are the team to beat once again.
The M.C. club has done well against manager John Cascarano's team during their regular season matchups, winning the last four. Flanagans has won when it counts though, owning an 8 game championship series winning streak by sweeping the Hammers in '05 & '06.

Hammers Star Injures Knee, Contract Controversy Looms

AP - Independent sources have confirmed that McInnis Carpentry DH Chris Smith has been diagnosed with a slight tear of the meniscus ligament in his right knee while allegedly playing basketball in Quincy Point.

If this is true then Smith has clearly violated a softball-only clause in his lucrative Hammers contract that dates back to 1997.

Smith contends that he injured himself while washing his Hammer provided, Escalade.

Scott Boras, super-agent and Smith representative denies any violation and said “It doesn’t matter because Chris can do whatever he wants. First off, he’s adored by Hammer Nation and it’s not like GM Tom Fratolillo can replace him. The free-agency period is over and when was the last time the Hammers organization developed a young player? I think Paperama was still in business in Quincy Square. Whatever happened to prospects like Bundy, Freddy Corson, Jupo, Tommy King, Rich Brill and Scott Logan’s ex-wife’s brother, whats-his-name? Are they in Japan? Mexico? Germantown? What Fratolillo does best is sign big contracts; Aupperlee, Free, Yocco, and the Great Cagney’s Purge of ‘2002. And because of that Fratolillo is my favorite GM and this is my favorite team!”

No one from the Hammers organization could be reached for comment.

T Shirt of the Week

Welcome to our new "T Shirt of the Week".

This weeks T features the new official beer logo of McInnis Carpentry Softball, McGrizzly Beer. The most comfortable t-shirt ever! Our 100% cotton, Hanes Beefy-T is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed. All sizes available. Great for beer or bear fans. You can get it at Mile Ends and have it shipped to you within days.

Click on the link below to order yours today!

http://mileends.com/