Short Order Special: Chefs Rout Carpentry 22-8

LABREQUE FIELD, HOUGHS NECK - A depleted McInnis Carpentry squad was no match for the shorthanded Chefs last night as the Hammers were pounded 22-8 in a game that went only 5 innings. Despite fielding nine players, the Chefs blitzed the Hammers for 14 runs after just two innings.

Missing five starters, it appeared the carpenters had caught a break against their long time rivals. The Chefs barely got a team on the field by 6:15. "We thought we were in big trouble there," said Chefs manager Steve Miller "We had to make some phone calls. Fortunately for us, they had some number problems as well and we just got off to a hot start."

"This was a battle of back-ups. We were missing so many guys tonight... everyone was out of position," Hammers manager Tom Fratolillo said. "It's an ugly loss and you've just got to put this one aside."

With the loss the Hammers drop to 3-2 on the season. Both losses have come via the mercy rule.

Game On! Logan Receives Medical Clearance

QUINCY, MA-- The Hammers issued a statement today concerning All-Star thirdbaseman Scott Logan, who had shoulder surgery in February, saying that he has received medical clearance to play tomorrow night against the Chefs.

The statement comes as a complete surpise as it was reported in February that Logan would miss the entire '08 season.

The statement said, ''The McInnis Carpentry Softball Club have been advised that Scott Logan has received unanimous medical clearance from outside specialists. He has also passed multiple physical examinations by team doctors and has been cleared to resume playing as early as tomorrow night. The organization is satisfied that he has received the best medical attention possible and has been assured that he is medically cleared to resume his playing career. Scott Logan has worked very hard throughout his rehabilitation to return to full health and has been assured by all who have examined him that he has a clean bill of health."

Edward G. McFarland, M.D., vice chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mass General and director of adult orthopedics in the Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery said ''I have had the opportunity to care for Scotty since the day of his surgery four months ago and have closely monitored his rehabilitation and remarkably rapid rate of recovery, physically, Scott still has a way to go to perform physically at a very high level. Throwing will be his biggest challenge right now, as far as hitting.... he is completely back to normal."

Carpentry Stuns Morrell Club With 7th Inning Rally

BISHOP FIELD, NQ (AP)—Down by nine with one out in the bottom of the 7th, Jimmy Dennis doubled to bring McInnis Carpentry within one run and scored the game-winner on a long single by Bill Wysocki, giving the Hammers a wild 22-21 win over the Morrell Club on Friday night.

It was the largest 7th inning deficit the Hammers have ever overcome.

“This is a big one, you really don’t ever come back down nine with one at bat left,” said Wysocki, who homered and had two hits in the 7th inning. “You don’t want to make a living out of it, but this was probably the biggest carpentry win I’ve seen as far as just a full team effort.”

The Hammers had a big start, exploding for nine runs in the first inning powered by HR's by Dennis and Sean Munroe. Everything seemed to point to a Hammers blowout. Carpentry pitcher Steve McInnis was solid but left the game with an 11-2 lead after only two innings. "I injured my foot last week," said McInnis "We thought the game was in control and I could come out early and rest. I guess I came out a little too early."

The Morrell Club bounced back in the third inning, cutting into the Hammers lead with a 5-run inning to pull within 11-7 against Greg Harper on RBI singles by Sean McDonald and Doug Nolan.

A big nine-run 6th by the Morrell Club gave them an 18-12 lead. Robbie Kane & Matt Fratolillo had big nights, combining to go 8-10 with 3 RBI's and crossed the plate 8 times.

On an ordinary night, that would have been enough to win. But the Hammers rallied against Joe Kelly in the 7th, using key RBI hits by Mark Free and Neal Plant to begin the rally. Newly acquired free-agent Jeff Sheehan connected on a long 3-run shot to left to make the score 21-18. Singles by Chris Smith, Greg Harper, Steve Yocco and Dennis set the stage for Wysocki's game winning hit.

NOTES: The win snaps a four game losing streak to the Morrell Club that stretched two years... Sean Munroe homered in his first career at bat for the Hammers... Morrell Club shortstop Rob Kane went 5-5 with an RBI and 5 runs scored... Jimmy Fidler was back from Florida to watch the game... Hammers leadoff hitter Greg Harper went 5-5 with an RBI and two runs scored... Steve McInnis finised a six pack before the 3rd inning.

Rivalry Renewed: Hammers Face Morrell Club Friday Night

BISHOP FIELD, NQ - It was nearly a week ago that Rich Brill fired a shot at Paul Galligan, calling him a "mouse." But, with the first McInnis Carpentry-Morrell Club series of 2008 beginning tomorrow, Galligan was asked, again, if they had made up.

"I didn't know there was a hatchet to be buried, to be honest with you," Galligan said. "I said what I needed to say. I mean, I'm not going to sit here and get into a childish yelling match with Ritchie or whoever it was. I said that not really directing it towards him.

Two weeks ago, after the Hammers announced the signing of Brill, Galligan said, "Wow, they're really scraping the bottom of the barrell now. I'm not sure what they're trying to do over there. Rebuild? You don't rebuild with 40-something year old wash ups."

Then Brill said, "Being insulted by Paul is like being attacked by a mouse."

Galligan, who is rarely seen at the field, serves as the President and Chairman of Softball Operations for the Morrell Club and is running the show. It's a show that, despite being a bit battered and bruised, comes to Bishop Field tomorrow night for the first meeting between the teams in 2008. Neither team is where it wants to be and, given the Hammers decision to place Scott Logan & Jeff Sheehan on the 15-day disabled list, nor are they fully healthy.

Morrell Club catcher Brian Clifford was diagnosed with a strained right shoulder Wednesday. Shortstop Rob Kane has a strained quadriceps that might keep him out awhile. Not that Hammers manager Tom Fratolillo is eager to see Kane back in the lineup.

"You can never be too careful with those quads," he said, in a bit of good-natured advice to Morrell manager Doug Nolan.

Gary Smith, who has been with Flannagans and the Hofbrau, gets his first taste of the rivalry. He's been warned, he said. He knows the games take quite awhile. He's prepared, too.

"I guess you just got to get your bubblegum ready," he joked.

It's also a rivalry he looks forward to seeing up close. He's seen it from the safety of his living room (On Quincy Cable's Game of the Week), but he anticipates this will be an entirely different scenario. "I think every player, if you played Quincy Softball, at some point you'd like to experience this rivalry firsthand. So it'll be cool to get out on the field and feel what that rivalry is like."

The Morrell club has always given the Hammers a hard time. The Hammers hold a 10-7 career record against them. After beating the Morrell Club 4 times in '05 (regular season & 1st round playoff sweep), the Hammers arch-rivals have bounced back with a four game winning streak of their own.

Carpentry Pounds Team No Name 28-11

HOUGHS NECK, MA - The McInnis Carpentry softball club welcomed the newest team to the BSSSL with a 28-11 thrashing Thursday night at LaBreque Field.

The team, which has yet to declair sponsorship, hung tough with the Hammers, tying the score at 6 after two and a half innings.
But the Hammers unleashed the thunder in the bottom of the third, scoring 13 runs behind hits from Mike Berry, Steve McInnis, Sal Buonopane, Tom Fratolillo and Chris Smith.

Berry had a career night, banging out three hits (2 doubles) & three RBI. "It feels good to contribute", said Berry "It's tough to get playing time on this team, with all the great players we have. I can't really worry about that though. I just have to stay loose and whenever my number is called to do my best. Tonight it worked out well. I had a good time and I'm glad we got the win."

After shutting down the "New Team" in the 4th, the Black & Gold struck again for 9 big runs to put the game out of reach. Buonopane pitched 4 innings of 8-hit ball and helped his own cause by going 3-4 from the plate.

New Look Yesterday's Confident Heading Into Friday Night Showdown With Hammers

Promotional video featuring Yesterday's new uniforms and theme song.

Smith Announces Comeback, Signs With Carpentry

HOUGHS NECK, MA-- The McInnis Carpentry Softball Club continued their aggressive hunt to build a title contending team by agreeing to terms on a deal with power hitting outfielder/DH Gary Smith (no relation to current Hammer Chris Smith). The Weymouth resident and former Hingham High star brings an explosive bat to a Hammers lineup that is in need of production. He was a member of Flanagans for several seasons and retired in 2002

"Well, they came and got me out of retirement, and I can tell you it's a privilege to be playing again," said Smith. "Make no mistake about it, I've come back with one thing in mind, and that's to play for a championship. Anything else is a failure, and I know that."

"Gary Smith is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all McInnis Carpentry fans can be proud of," owner Steve McInnis said in a statement. "The sole mission of this organization is to win a championship."

M.C. vs. Manet Washed Out

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

Flanagans Rips M.C. 18-2

HOUGHS NECK, MA - Hammers hitters continued their early season slumber by managing only nine harmless hits in seven innings off Flanagans backup pitcher Bobby Dione (1-0), who worked quickly and at times effortlessly.

The lack of hitting & intensity is becoming a disturbing trend for the once-high flying Hammers, a team known more for it's offense (except when it encounters the Morrell Club) than anything else. The decline in production began last season as the Carpenter's had major power outages, failing to reach double digits in runs scored four times. The erratic '07 season came to a shocking end with the #2 seed Hammers being swept out of the first round by the #7 seed VFW.

"Is it a hangover from last year? I don't know.", said M.C. owner Steve McInnis. "Either it's rust or old age is setting in. But it doesn't help when there seems to be a general lack of intensity right now. We may be the quietest team in the league. Am I going to lose sleep over it though...no. I'm actually feeling pretty good about this season, I've got my old warm-up partner Ritchie Brill back!!"

In the season opener the Hammers struggled to push 8 runs across the board in 6 innings against a Cagneys team that won only four games last year. A 5-run seventh keyed by poor Cagneys defense helped the M.C. club escape with a 13-12 win.

"We're accustomed to fast starts and big numbers with this team", said Hammers outfielder Steve Yocco. "So this is different for us, but there's no need to panic after only two games. We, and all teams, have stretches like this. Unfortunatley it's happening at the beginning of the season, where problems are magnified. We have good players on this club, eight teams make the playoffs. I think, in the end we will be one of those eight teams."

Flanagans led 3-0 after one inning and built a 12-0 lead after a big seven run fourth inning, keyed by hits from Mike Matson & Sean Lynch. The Hammers answered with their only two runs of the game on a sacrifice fly by Gary Smith and an RBI single by Chris Smith.

With the loss the Hammers drop to 1-1 while Flanagans improves to 2-0.

Hammers Bring Back Brill

QUINCY, MA. (AP)—The Big Hurt is back in the Neck—and it’s as if he never left.

The McInnis Carpentry Hammers agreed to terms Thursday with designated hitter Rich Brill, released last weekend by Dee Dees Pub after getting frustrated with his lack of playing time.

He will be the team’s new backup designated hitter, just as he was while a catalyst in Post 380's 1995 playoff run and second place finish that year. Brill received a warm reception when introduced to the media at the Manet Bar & Grill. Bobby Miller shouted from his stool at the bar, “Welcome back you @#*&%!”

Brill, with his larger-than-life personality and 5-foot-8, 237-pound frame, will be back in the black and orange and wearing No. 00. He began his second stint in with the Hammers/Manet/Legion sporting that big grin that’s such a part of him.
“It feels nice to be back with these guys,” Brill said. “It’s great to be back. I’m ready to go. This is where I want to be.”

The deal came together in a matter of hours Wednesday after Brill cleared waivers. Things were finalized in the early evening, and Brill had about an 15 minutes to get to the Manet and sign his contract.

“Bottom line, this was a risk worth taking,” team owner Steve McInnis said. “He's in fantastic shape. Obviously we had a great run with him in the past and he was a great influence on the club. It would be foolish on our part not to consider it.”

To clear roster room, the Hammers placed outfielder Dan Loring on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19 with shin splints and transferred six-time Gold Glove third baseman Scott Logan to the 60-day disabled list.

“He has a presence to him,” Hammers outfielder John Gray said of Brill. “Somebody of his background with his accomplishments and someone of his size, when he’s on the field it has a powerful feel to it.”

Brill previously fit in well in the laid-back Hammers clubhouse. Gray and McInnis both have said they would welcome Brill.
“He’s an experienced guy,” Gray said. “That can only help out, and he’s another right-handed bat. I’m excited to play with a guy like that.”

McInnis and Brill have played with each other for years.

“Rich Brill is a great player—one of the best club house guys we ever had,” said McInnis, who went 1-4 in the Hammers 13-12 opening day win Tuesday night.

Brill left Cagney's/Post 380 after the 2000 season, playing in pick-up games and various Sunday leagues throughout the Greater Boston/South Shore Area. He had hoped to stay put in Houghs Neck but couldn’t turn down the oppoutunity for more playing time with other teams . “I love it here. I didn’t want to leave,” Brill said. “I’m here to provide a spark.”

Brill remade himself with The Legion in the early to mid '90's. In 1994, he batted .418 with 17 RBIs in 13 games. In 1995, his best season, Brill played in all 20 games to help the Legion to a 15-5 second place finish. He batted a career-high .515 with 22 RBI and 2 HR's.

Now, he hopes to retire with his old team.

“I hope so,” Brill said. “That’d be great.”