Rob Cinquegrano Re-Signs with M.C.

HOUGHS NECK,MA - Free-agent infielder Rob Cinquegrano has agreed in principle to the framework of a three-year deal to return to the Hammers, Boston South Shore League sources close to the negotiations have confirmed.

Cinquegrano, 37, tested the free-agent waters for one year, and may have received at least one four-year offer from another undisclosed team, but in the end the infielder elected to come back where he was most comfortable.
The shortstop was a major piece to the McInnis Carpentry success from 2002 to 2006, anchoring one of the leagues strongest infields. He was named the MVP in the Hammers 2-0 1st round sweep of Louies in the 2005 playoffs, belting a clutch 3-run home run to break a 17 all tie in extra innings.

While the sides have reached the outline of the deal, there are still minor issues to be worked out and as of Thursday evening there still was not a signed letter of agreement between the team and Lowell's agents. Team General Manager Tom Fratolillo declined comment.

The Hammers had placed a deadline of today for Cinquegrano to make up his mind. If he had passed on the clubs offer, which remained pretty close to the original offer they made, they were ready to begin implementing their Plan B.

"How cool is that?," wrote M.C. outfielder John Gray on his blog about Cinquegrano's return. "Leaving better deals on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff. Pretty nice to think we are a desired destination for athletes across the city. Come a long way for sure. Congrats to Cink and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ectstatic."

Cinquegrano teammates made clear that they wanted to see him back in the Black & Orange — and urged the front office not to pursue Chefs free agent third baseman Steve Mullen.

"Forget about Mully. We've got Cink in the house," yelled M.C. pitcher Steve McInnis while working on one of the decks at the new team headquarters facility.

The Hammers have now signed a major free agent in an attempt to fill the hole left by the injured Scott Logan. The Black & Orange can now entertain a deal for an outfielder or first baseman, two major needs for the club.

Hammers To Open Season Against Cagney's

HOFBRAU, QUINCY- The Boston South Shore Softball League released it's schedule for the 2008 season. League managers met last night at the Hofbrau to discuss rules and events for the upcoming season.

The biggest news at the meeting was the announcement that Local 103 has withdrawn from this years competition. Local has been in the league for over 25 years. They will be replaced by a young club based out of Houghs Neck. The team has yet to declair it's name.

Flannagans will return to defend their title and try for an unprecedented 7th straight crown.
Three teams have returned with different sponsorship and will play under new names. The teams are Local 104 (Rags), Yesterdays (Murphys) and S6 (VFW).

Many questions surround the McInnis Carpentry team heading into the new season. The Hammers are returning after another 2nd place regular season showing. The club finished with their lowest win total (14-6) and were swept in the 1st round of the playoffs by the 7th seeded VFW.
Scott Logan will start the season on the DL and his return is listed as doubtful. John Martin has announced retirement, although team officials are still negotiating a supposed 1-year deal. Stephen Yocco's status is questionable as he continues to rehab an ailing back. Mike Aupperlee & John Southern have left via free agency, returning to their former team Murphys (Yesterdays).
John Gray is scheduled for an MRI on a shoulder injury. Team sources have said the injury may be serious.
The Hammers are rumored to be working quietly to bolster their depleted roster. Neal Plant, Rob Cinquergrano, Dan Biagini, Jimmy Dennis, Pat Burke, Sean Munroe, Rich Brill & Mike Shaw have all been linked to the M.C. club in recent weeks.
The Hammers will open their season against Cagney's at LaBreque Field in Houghs Neck on April 24th at 6pm.

One of the Hammers biggest weapons throughout the years, Logan brought home the MVP & coveted team Triple Crown award with a monster year in '07. He led the club with a .625 batting average, 45 RBI's and 6 HR's. He is the first player since the Hofbrau/Manet merger in 2002 to win the prestigious award. It is Logan's 10th team batting title since joining the league in 1989...12-time BSSL Gold-Glove award winner... batted .655 through the last eight games of the season... had three or more hits in eight games this season...went 4-5 with a HR & 6 RBI's in June win over the Manet....had 18 extra base hits...won BSSL rookie of the year award with league champion Louis in 1989...tri-MVP in '07 Merchant League Finals for M.C. affiliate the Hofbrau, where he batted .572 in seven game win over Malachys...quarterbacked the Manets to three wins in 1982...ranks third in all time stickball HR's at Atherton Hough with 952...three sport star for Quincy High School, graduated in 1988...Scott has three sons & a daughter and lives in Houghs Neck with wife Christine.

One of the premier leadoff hitters in the league, Harper is the spark to the Hammers prolific offense. The 9-time team batting champion had an amazing .876 batting average when leading off games in '07. Is a versatile defensive player as well. Playing both the outfield and infield he has also pitched the team to several playoff appearances... led team in runs scored (36) for 11th straight season.... reached the 20 hit mark in the seventh game of the season.... started the season with a blistering .722 avg. through the first four games... league active career leader in plate appearances.... key player in M.C. affiliate Hofbrau's third straight championship in the Quincy Merchant League... goalie in the Houghs Neck Street Hockey League from '78-'89. Lead league in Goals Against Average in '79, '82, '83 & '88... grew up in Houghs Neck... graduated from Quincy High School in 1986... lives in Houghs Neck with wife Paula.

Hammers Reach Deal With Chompo

HOUGHS NECK, MA.--(AP SportsWire) Confectionery giant Chompo is partnering with McInnis Carpentry, one of Quincy's premier softball organizations, for a sponsorship agreement.

The agreement designates Chompo as the exclusive confectionery sponsor of all 20 games for the club. Specifically, Chompo plans to use the sponsorship as a platform to promote its new Chompo Crispy Bar(TM) to the Leagues players and fans.

The Chompo Crispy Bar(TM), introduced in December, hopes to gain a greater share of the crispy chocolate segment, which grew 13.6 percent in 2007 compared to 4.8 percent growth in the regular chocolate segment in 2006.

"We are extremely pleased to have Chompo on board," said McInnis Carpentry public relations director Lindsey McHugh. "Chompo is an exciting new product, and we are thrilled to be helping to build a loyal consumer following for it. Our studies show that softball players and their fans are very loyal to the companies and brands that promote softball, so this is definitely a win/win partnership."

Known for his explosive bat, Wysocki has been one of McInnis Carpentry's featured hitters. He owns a powerful arm and solid glove on the diamond... 7-time team HR Champion... has finished first or second in club RBI totals since 2002 ... batted .714 (10-14) with 14 RBI's during a three game stretch in July....led the McInnis Carpentry bowling team to a championship in the Old School Bowling League in 2003.... Grew up in Squantum.... graduated from North Quincy High School in 1988...Bill is married to Kim and has two daughters and a son...the family lives in Canton.

Cedrone came to the team as part of a package deal in 2006. He gives the bench warmth and provides valuable travel information to teammates and fans.... father-in-law of Hammers third baseman Scott Logan..... served in Vietnam War as a paratrooper... is a Master Plumber.... Mike lives in Quincy with wife Mary. The couple has three children and are the proud Grandparents of seven grandchildren.

"Moose" is the owner & founder of McInnis Carpentry, which has been the primary sponser since 2005... batted .517 in rookie season with the Hofbrau in 1989 at the age of 17.... One of the leagues top pitchers, McInnis has won 10 or more games in a season since 2004.... batted a whopping .778 (14-18) during a 5 game stretch in July... went 6-7 with 2 HR's and 9 RBI in double-header against Murphy's.... RBI totals rank him 3rd on team.... lives in Houghs Neck with Leanne & son Matt.

Southern was signed by the Hammers in 2006 to add valuable depth to the outfield.... batted .518 in 4 games against Murphy's, his former club... also plays the outfield for M.C. affiliate TrueWheels where he helped power the club to a championship in 2007.... graduated from North Quincy High School.