2011 Fall Softball Signups

September is fast approaching, which means Fall Ball is right around the corner. If you haven’t found a league yet, or looking for a new one, here are some options!

Burlington/Middlesex Sunday Coed Fall league
After our excellent inaugural season in Burlington, the town has asked the EMAAC to put on a Fall league. Almost all games will be played in Burlington. We’ll be playing a 10 game schedule with doubleheaders most weeks and best-of-three playoffs. Like all EMAAC leagues, umpire fees will be covered with the league fee. Unlike the summer, we don’t plan on keeping stats, but we are working on an option that will allow captains to upload teams stats on the league website (very beta). Games start Sunday, September 11. Team fee for the season will be $700.

For more details contact Dave at BostonDirector@EMAAConline.com.
To sign up a team, Register and Pay Here
Deadline to signup is September 4th.

HUB Softball
Our partner HUB Softball are the kings of Fall Men’s League softball, and for folks living in the Boston area, it’s the best option for Coed too. They run Weeknight and Sunday leagues, and they are offering a pretty good discount for EMAAC teams this year. Here is the breakdown:

Individual Fee: $125
Weeknight Team fee: $995
Sunday Team fee: $950
Team Umpire Fee: $18 per game

Sunday fields include:
Teddy Ebersol – Charles River
Clifford Park – 1010 Mass. Ave
Buzzell Field – Arlington

Weeknight fields include:
Boston Common – Boston
Ryan Field – Charlestown
Filipello Park – Watertown
Hoyt – Cambridge
Billings – West Roxbury
Condon – Dedham

* Game shirts, scorebooks, bases, game balls and a dedicated team website. These are all included with your registration.
* Team Websites – Allows you to design & customize your own unique team page, load your roster, stay informed of weekly upcoming games, check out the box scores & summary, follow your stats, post daily reminders to your players and write important information to the team.
* Facebook Feed – Weekly write ups of notable games, plays of the week, outstanding players and important updates.
* Playoffs – Double elimination for top qualifying teams. Trophies to the winning teams in each division.
* Flexible Scheduling. We will work with you to create a schedule that fits your needs.
* Rainout Notification. We will let you know by prior to your arriving at the field whether your game has been cancelled or postponed. No getting to the field to find out it is unplayable.
* Team Websites – Allows you to design & customize your own unique team page, load your roster, stay informed of weekly upcoming games, check out the box scores & summary, follow your stats, post daily reminders to your players and write important information to the team.
* By Players for Players. The Hub is well organized & professionally run. Rest assured, we play in the league and are at the fields every week.

To sign up for the HUB Fall season and get the EMAAC Discount, head to their Registration Page.
Deadline to sign up is September 2nd.

Again, thank you all for a great summer season. Have fun this Fall and see you all again next Spring!

EMAAC Foul Poll – Championship Edition

As the season comes to a close, lets take a quick look at what EMAACnation thinks about the matchups for the division crowns!

Playoff Gametimes (August 21st)

After four month, 18 games, hard fought playoff series and record rain, it is Championship week for many divisions. Here are the gametimes. Good Luck to everyone!

Cambridge
10am – #3 Injured Reserves v. #5 Cine Negro, Danhey

Boston
9am – #1 Bad Romance v. #2 Balls Deep, Ebersol

Watertown
9am – #1 D Leaguers v. #5 Big Ten, Bunker Hill
Noon – #2 Project Badass v. #3 Dirt Dawgs, Bunker Hill
4pm – Championships, Bunker Hill

Burlington
Noon – #1 Unexpectables v. #2 Flaming Chickens

Tewksbury
Noon – #1 GFY All Stars v. #2 Cobra Kai, Tewksbury Elks

Somerville
1pm – #2 Rowdy Reptiles v. #3 Dirt Dogs, Clifford
1pm – #4 Grinders v. #5 Chin Music, Clifford
2:15pm – #1 Terriers v. Winner of #4/#5, Clifford

2011 EMAAC All-Stars

The All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, August 28th at 5pm as a prelude to the Skills Challenge.  Making the All-Star team is recognition for a stellar individual season, but this game is just for fun. I’m not really concerned with the final scores. With six divisions, the plan is to have each division play each other for three innings. That way each squad will get six-nine innings in and everyone will get a chance to play.  Information on other awards and events will be sent out later this week.

If a player listed can’t attend the game, feel free to substitute with another player from your team.  Congrats to all of the All Stars!

Boston All Stars
Danny Badger – Bad Romance
Jameson Barber – Buccos
Rachel Brown – Green Ballers
Mike Comtois – Balls Deep
John Dawley – Balls Deep
Paul Doherty – Where my Pitches At?
Cecilia Durazo – Mass Mutiny
Tommy Gray – Green Ballers
Amy Johnson – Dizzy Llamas Red
Elias Leon – Mass Mutiny
Joshua Keidan – Mass Mutiny
James Kerr – Dizzy Llamas Red
Corin Pilo – Balls Deep
Mark Sinnamon – Dizzy Llamas Red
Jen Scully – Where my Pitches At?
Carson Strang – Where my Pitches At?
Dan Weinger – Bad Romance
Craig Wright – Mass Mutiny
Will Wyman – Bad Romance
Nick Zaccardi – Scared Hitless

Burlington All Stars
Matt Austin – Wombats
Mike Badome – Dizzy Llamas Blue
Stephanie Bartlett – Wombats
Sara Berkowitz – Unexpectables
Casey Byrne – Dizzy Llamas Blue
Dave Claffey – Dizzy Llamas Blue
David Duane – Unexpectables
Molly Eggleston – Saved by the Balls
Christina Figueredo – Flaming Chickens
Eric Gaudet – Flaming Chickens
Matt Gerrish – Aristocracy
Cas Green – Unexpectables
Dave Grubb – Wombats
Charles Hunt – Unexpectables
Nick Leazard – Flaming Chickens
Jennifer McAdam – Aristocracy
Ryan McAdam – Aristocracy
Helen Morway – Unexpectables
Andrea Nykiel – Dizzy Llamas Blue
Ben Stoddard – Unexpectables

Cambridge All Stars
Joe Bernard – I’d Hit It
Brian Bradley – Cine Negro
Carrie Capell – I’d Hit It
Mark Claffey – Mass Nightly
Tom Corcoran – Angry Pandas
Paul Costa – Injured Reserves
Cadie Crean – Sons of Pitches
Tim Glick – Sons of Pitches
Luke Grabicki – I’d Hit It
Jen Kuzmick – Dizzy Llamas White
Ryan Lee – Angry Pandas
Andrew Melchiorri – Mass Nightly
Mark Miscavage – Injured Reserves
Meaghan O’Connor – I’d Hit It
Jason Scott – Injured Reserves
Scott Tarentino – Dizzy Llamas White
Kyra Tobin – Angry Pandas
Greg Waldman – Injured Reserves
Dustin Williams – Dizzy Llamas White
Rachel Wollocott – Cine Negro

Somerville All Stars
TBA

Tewksbury All Stars
Kathleen Bordonaro – Boozers
Matt Boylan – Cobra Kai
Bjorn Brukshaw – GFY All Stars
Shawn Brazel – GFY All Stars
Rob DeFrancesco – Gang Green
Richard Finnegan – Cobra Kai
Jill Froment – Piglets
Gerry Hunt – GFY All Stars
Chris Janowitz – GFY All Stars
Amanda Natale – Cobra Kai
James O’Neil – Cobra Kai
Marcus Perez – Piglets
Rafael Perez – Piglets
Scott Robinson – Gryphons
Kate Saltus – GFY All Stars
Rachel See – Piglets
Will Sullivan – Boozers
Nick Smetana – Gryphons
Christy Zagarella – Gryphons
Jason Zerfas – Cobra Kai

Watertown All Stars
Bruce Barnett – Project Badass
Kori Burnham – Dorn’s Interior Decorating
Melissa Bush – Project Badass
Chris Cho – Big Ten
Shannon Fahey – Dirt Dawgs
Joshua Friedman – Flyin’ Platypi
Jonathan Gallagher – Dizzy Llamas Orange
Dan Healy – Dorn’s Interior Decorating
Dmitri Hoffmeyer – Laser Show
Samantha Maislin – Dizzy Llamas Orange
Kyle McClain – Dorn’s Interior Decorating
Tara McManus – Laser Show
John Mucci – Project Badass
Jonathan Owen – D Leaguers
Zak Pellecchia – Laser Show
Derek Price – Dizzy Llamas Orange
Craig Simons – D Leaguers
Steph Simons – D Leaguers
Jay Stark – Dirt Dawgs
Andrew White – Big Ten

* Cy Young Award winners are also added to the All Star team if not already included.

Playoff Gametimes (August 14th)

Rain has been the villain all summer, and while we were able to kick off the playoffs, we didn’t get far before the sky opened up.  Lets try this again.

Divisions that had teams with byes, or divisions that had some of their series played Sunday will push through this week.  We will wrap up the first round, and complete the second, with the Division finals set for August 21.  Other divisions will be pushed back an entire week, with the finals set very early on August 28.  I know a lot of teams and players start flag football or their fall softball leagues in September, so we’ll make every effort to finish the season by the end of August.

Here is the schedule for this upcoming Sunday.  If rain is in the forecast, be prepared!

Cambridge
8am – #4 Angry Pandas v. #5 Cine Negro, Danehy #2
11am – #1 I’d Hit It v. Winner of #4/#5

2pm – #3 Injured Reserves v. #6 Sons of Pitches, Danehy #2
5pm – #2 Dizzy Llamas White v. Winner of #3/#6

Boston
9am – #4 Scared Hitless v. #5 Dizzy Llamas Red, Ebersol
10:45am – #1 Bad Romance v. #8 Buccos (continued), Ebersol
3pm – Winner of #1/#8 v. #4/#5, Bunker Hill

9am – #2 Balls Deep v. #7 Where my Pitches At?, Bunker Hill
Noon – #5 Green Ballers v. Winner of #2/#7, Bunker Hill

Watertown
11am – #1 D Leaguers v. #8 Flyin’ Platypi, Arsenal
2pm – #2 Project Badass v. #7 Dizzy Llamas Orange, Arsenal

Noon – #3 Dirt Dawgs v. #6 Laser Show, Bunker Hill Base
3pm – #4 Dorn’s Interior Decorating v. #5 Big Ten, Bunker Hill Base

Burlington
9am – #4 Dizzy Llamas Blue v. #5 Wombats, Marvin Field
Noon – #1 Unexpectables v. Winner of #4/#5

3pm – #3 Aristocracy v. #2 Flaming Chickens, Marvin Field

Tewksbury
9am – #3 Gryphons v. #6 Boozers, Tewksbury Elks
Noon – #2 Cobra Kai v. Winner of #3/#6,

3pm – #4 Piglets v. #5 Gang Green, Tewksbury Elks
6pm – #1 GFY All-Stars v. Winner of #4/#5

Somerville
Starts August 21st

Playoff Gametimes (First Round)

Cambridge
8am – #4 Angry Pandas v. #5 Cine Negro, Danehy #2
11am – #3 Injured Reserves v. #6 Sons of Pitches, Danehy #2
Byes – #1 I’d Hit It, #2 Dizzy Llamas White

Boston
9am – #3 Mass Mutiny v. #6 Green Ballers, Ebersol
10:45am – #1 Bad Romance v. #8 Buccos, Ebersol
Noon – #2 Balls Deep v. #7 Where my Pitches At?, Bunker Hill
3pm – #4 Scared Hitless v. #5 Dizzy Llamas Red, Bunker Hill

Watertown
2pm – #3 Dirt Dawgs v. #6 Laser Show, Danehy #1
2pm – #2 Project Badass v. #7 Dizzy Llamas Orange, Danehy #2
5pm – #1 D Leaguers v. #8 Flyin’ Platypi, Danehy #1
5pm – #4 Dorn’s Interior Decorating v. #5 Big Ten, Danehy #2

Burlington
9am – #4 Dizzy Llamas Blue v. #5 Wombats, Burlington Rec
12pm – #3 Aristocracy v. #6 Saved by the Balls, Burlington Rec
Byes – #1 Unexpectables, #2 Flaming Chickens

Tewksbury
12pm – #4 Piglets v. #5 Gang Green, Tewksbury Elks
3pm – #3 Gryphons v. #6 Boozers, Tewksbury Elks
Byes – #1 GFY All-Stars, #2 Cobra Kai

Somerville
Starts August 14th

EMAAC Coed Power Rankings

In the final power rankings of the season. We’ll, second to last. The most important rankings will be the ones for the EMAAC tournament. Most of the division standings are set, so this more reflects momentum, talent and my estimate on teams’ potential success. Good Luck to all teams in the playoffs.

1. Bad Romance (Boston) – They’ve kicked and clawed their way through a brutal second half schedule playing against teams with nothing to lose, yet they still emerged as the gold standard in the league. Danny Badger continues to be dominant as he positions himself as a MVP finalist, complimented by eight hitters over .500.

2. I’d Hit It (Cambridge) – I still haven’t bought in that this team is the real deal. I just can’t comprehend how they have dismantled every team in Cambridge. Then you look at the numbers. Captain Luke Grabicki drives in a run every other time he comes to plate, hitting at a .700 clip and Joe Bernard has spearheaded an improved defense that has one of the better run differentials in the division. But more importantly, Tracy Cidlevich, Carrie Capell and Meaghon O’Conner could be the best female triple threat in the EMAAC.

3. GFY All Stars (Tewksbury) – Everytime I watch this team play, I find another part that is more impressive than the last. Last week it was the play of second baseman, whose quick glove snagged several laser throws from shortstop Gerry Hunt to force out runners at second. They might not be as athletic as Bad Romance, but they are more fundamentally sound. They are like a well-oiled machine specifically designed to get Shawn Brazel RBIs.

4. Terriers (Somerville) – The last remaining undefeated team might have it’s finally true test until the EMAAC Tournament this Sunday. They’ve been so dominant, they average 10 more runs per game than their opponent.

5. D Leaguers (Watertown) – I have to say it. This year’s D Leaguers squad is one of the best teams in the league. With potential Watertown Rookie of the Year Jonathan Owen at the heart of their lineup, they’ve been a different team this year.

6. Cobra Kai (Tewksbury) – Often overlooked in Tewksbury is Cobra Kai. While the headlines focus on the top squad, Kai has dominated themselves with solid defense and a few bombs-away lefties. In a division where the mid level squads could upset a few teams in the league, they’ve held their heads above the fray.

7. Unexpectables (Burlington) – Perfect in their division with a lineup that can rake. Still needs to prove themselves outside of Burlington.

8. Mass Mutiny (Boston) – There is not much that separates the top three squads in Boston, so it may come down to playoff experience, and Mutiny can’t be matched. The two-time defending Boston champs have a tough path, on the road for the two key playoff matchups ahead.

9. Balls Deep (Boston) – They’ve proved they are a top ten squad. Maybe a top five team. If they can hand the terriers their first lose, I’d expect them to be bound for the finals.

10. Project Badass (Watertown) – These guys may replace Dizzy Llamas White as the best team never to win a title. A complete let down last week booted them from the top spot in the division, making their road to the division crown significantly more difficult.

11. Dizzy Llamas White (Cambridge) – When Injured Reserves and I’d Hit It duked it out for the top spot early in the season, Llamas White patiently waited, winning games and solidifying their roster. In teams of chemisty, this might be the best White squad in their history.

12. Injured Reserves (Cambridge) – Even with their firepower, a few loses were expected. They are not a squad that will dominate a series, but I wouldn’t want to face them in a best-of-three situation.

13. Dirt Dawgs (Watertown) – The defending champs have cruised through the season. While I made a big deal about their loses because I was shocked at the frequency, this team has always been focused on the postseason. Their track record is impeccable in post season play, and if it means they no longer get hyped up for regular season games, it’s another thing trying to take down these guys in the playoffs.

14. Scared Hitless (Boston) – Another year, another strong finish by Scared Hitless. After beating Bad Romance in shocking fashion, they followed it up by sweeping Where my Pitches At? with half their team away.

15. Aristocracy (Burlington) – When they aren’t fighting and causing trouble, Aristocracy plays some good softball.

16. Piglets (Piglets) – While they might look ridiculous with a little pink piggie on their chest, the Perez brothers ripping the ball at the top of the lineup snap teams back to reality.

17. Dizzy Llamas Blue (Burlington) – Despite choking away the end of the season, Blue still has one of the best lineups in Burlington when it’s clicking. Mike Badome and Donald Goff are destroying defenses and Casey Byrne represents as the only female pitcher in the division.

18. Laser Show (Watertown) – Here is my sleeper squad in Watertown. The road won’t be easy, but Laser Show has enough talent to compete with any team in that division. Last week’s wins over Project Badass and Dirt Dawgs proves they’ve only lacked continuity.

19. Dorn’s Interior Decorating (Watertown) – How disrespectful, being ranked below Laser Show. Dorn’s has done nothing but prove themselves all season, humbling top teams and making lesser teams pay if they underestimate them. With a slate of HUB games this Sunday, they are hoping to change perceptions.

20. Rowdy Reptiles (Somerville) – While their four loses are cause for concern, their run differential is excellent considering.

21. Big Ten (Watertown) – Big Ten could be a top 12 team, or they could be a bottom 12 team. You just never know which one will show up.

The rankings above are an unofficial gauge of EMAAC teams and by no means represent standings of any sort.

Coed Playoffs, Tournament and Must Wins

By Dave Claffey,
EMAAC Commissioner

It’s that time of year when games take on added importance. Last week was pivotal in most divisions. Laser Show knocked Project Badass silly, and out of the top spot in Watertown. Dizzy Llamas Blue had the second seed all but locked up, then lost all three games in it’s tripleheader and likely lost their bye and the Angry Pandas make great strides to save their season, grabbing a tiebreaker game over Cine Negro to give them home field advantage in the playoffs.

Interdivisional week is ussually a nice break before things start to get crazy when playoffs start, but the final weeks of the season have several big games and several teams that need to win or miss out on a great opportunity. Here’s a look at how the postseason is shaking out.

Must Wins
These teams must win this week for a variety of reasons. Some just need to grab an extra win or two to qualify for the EMAAC tournament. Other need it for bragging rights.

Laser Show (Watertown) – After a really remarkable season as a free agent team in a heavy stacked division, Laser Show has upset a handful of big teams and dominated in Interdivisional play. Their record sits at 8-9, and while they can’t affect their division seeding, they can earn a spot in the EMAAC tournament with a pair of wins this Sunday against the Green Ballers.

Dorn’s Interior Decorating (Watertown) – Their situation isn’t quite so dire. Dorn’s has a tripleheader this Sunday and must win at least one of the games to qualify for the tournament.

Angry Pandas (Cambridge) – With the Burke Ballers already forfeiting their game against Cine Negro Sunday, the Pandas must win to retain home field advantage in the 4/5 playoff game. With the season they’ve had, battling last could be a huge factor.

Unexpectables (Burlington) – They finished their regular season division schedule 15-0 with an impressive tripleheader sweep. What they haven’t done yet is prove they are an EMAAC championship contender. Their game against GFY All Stars is a rematch of a meeting the Burlington leaders barely lost. If they want to look respectable going into the tournament, they need to pull this one out.

Terriers (Somerville) – Like the Unexpectables, they’ve walked over their division competition. As teams battle for second, the Terriers are battling for history. Their first interdivisional matchup against Scared Hitless was a close one. Balls Deep is much better. Will the Terriers rise to the occasion?

Aristocracy, Flaming Chickens, Llamas Blue (Burlington) – The best division race heading into the final week comes down to two games. Not only is seeding at stake, but so is a bye for the first round of the playoffs. The good thing is there is no way a team that loses Sunday can take the spot, and with the Chickens and Llamas wrapping up the rubber game of their series, both games are very important.

The Grinders (Somerville) – This is a big week for the Grinders. They are virtually locked into a three-way tie for the second spot in the division, but with the Terriers slated as their opponents for the final game, they need to pick up a win this week if they want the second seed.

——–
EMAAC Tournament
The EMAAC Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, August 28, pits the best teams through the Conference in a March Madness style showdown. Only teams with a .500 record or better qualify. Currently, 21 teams have made the mark, with five teams on the bubble looking in. Here is who has made the dance.

Qualified Teams
D Leaguers (Watertown)
Project Badass (Watertown)
Dirt Dawgs (Watertown)
Big Ten (Watertown)
GFY All Stars (Tewksbury)
Cobra Kai (Tewksbury)
Terriers (Somerville)
I’d Hit It (Cambridge)
Dizzy Llamas White (Cambridge)
Injured Reserves (Cambridge)
Angry Pandas (Cambridge)
Cine Negro (Cambridge)
Unexpectables (Burlington)
Dizzy Llamas Blue (Burlington)
Flaming Chickens (Burlington)
Aristocracy (Burlington)
Bad Romance (Boston)
Balls Deep (Boston)
Mass Munity (Boston)
Scared Hitless (Boston)
MassNightly.com (Charlestown)

Bubble Teams
Laser Show (Watertown) Needs 2 wins
The Grinders (Somerville) Needs 2 wins
Dorn’s Interior Decorating (Watertown) Needs 1 win
Rowdy Reptiles (Somerville) Needs 1 win
Dirt Dogs (Somerville) Needs 1 win

Teams that make the finals of their division also qualify, so if your team had a tough start to the season, it’s not too late to make your mark. Qualified teams have until August 8th to get a $20 discount. Final deadline to sign up is Tuesday, August 23rd. For more information, check out the EMAAC Website.

Dave Claffey is the EMAAC Commissioner. He takes the Catalan Cup back every summer to get engraved, and sleeps with it because he can.

Quick Hits from the Boss

By Dave Claffey,
EMAAC Commissioner

A pair of surprising upsets in Boston last week. Most surprising was Scared Hitless cutting down the EMAAC’s top ranked Bad Romance decisively. A seven run first inning set the tone, as Anne Hegarty provided three runs and Julian Hickman had three hits while holding Romance’s bats in check. Less surprising, but an upset nonetheless, was Balls Deep’s victory over Mass Mutiny. Scoring all twelve of their runs in the first three innings, then had to bite their nails at Mutiny whittled away at the lead. Robbie Ludwig was flawless in the five-hole, going 3 for 3, but really everyone contributed to vault Ball’s Deep into second place in the division.

Undaunted by criticism last week, the Unexpectables continue to crush opponents in Burlington, putting up 25 runs on Aristocracy led by Ben Stoddard’s 4 for 4 performance.

A week after getting hit in the head by a teammate’s throw, the Flaming Chickens’ Denise Cormier returned to go 2 for 3 with a double. Her team won a big rematch game against Aristocracy, but dropped a winnable game against the Wombats.

A walk off Homerun by Cobra Kai’s Colin Morel helped lift his team over Gang Green to sweep their doubleheader.

Has the pressure of being the favorites finally gotten to Bad Romance? After marking their territory early in the season, every game they’ve played recently has been a tough one. The last three weeks they’ve topped ranked teams, but it hasn’t come without controversy. In their loss to Scared Hitless, the stress finally cracked them as excessive arguing led to an ejection and a loss. Is the fun-loving, Gaga-singing, cookie-eating Bad Romance gone for good?

Dave Claffey is the EMAAC Commissioner. He hates rain.

Quick Hits from the Boss

By Dave Claffey,
EMAAC Commissioner

- Two weeks ago featured some big-time showdowns, headlined in Boston where Bad Romance and Mass Mutiny continued their rivalry. Up by a run heading into the sixth, Mass Mutiny couldn’t put anything on the board. Bad Romance, on the other hand, strung together single after single. They batted around in the sixth as Matt Curtis drove in two of his four runs and helped build up a nine run lead. That lead would hold and Romance took home a 17-13 victory and a sweep of the season series.

- After sweeping Mass Mutiny, Bad Romance and everyone in Boston was looking forward to this weekend. Balls Deep has been a steady presence for some time. After an early season loss, they have been nearly flawless through the middle part of the season, setting up a high-intensity doubleheader Sunday between the two top squads. In Game one, Romance tried to put the hammer down early, scoring five runs in the first. Balls Deep fought back, and down by two in the bottom of the seventh, but key hitting was able to bring home Jimmy White and John Dawley in the last at bat for the win. In Game two, Will Wyman led the charge for Romance, going 3 for 3 to fuel a split series.

- Smelling blood in the water after the Dirt Dawgs got wrecked in Interdivisional play, Project Badass had marked Last Sunday’s doubleheader against the defending EMAAC champs on the calender as one of their biggest days of the season. Brian Glynn, a Watertown veteran, had been on the losing end of many games against the Dirt Dawgs, but felt he had each of their hitter’s mapped out. That prediction proved true as Badass shut out the Dawgs in the first game on a slick grass field at Bunker Hill. The second game featured more offense with Shannon Fahey ripping the cover off the ball with two doubles and five RBIs, but again Badass came out on top 11-7. The wins gives them a big tiebreaker as three teams in Watertown sit at the top of the standings with two loses.

- Saved by the Balls had a new look before the holiday, and it paid off. The handful of new players helped earn 11 runs in two games, a feat the opening day squad could never pull off. They are gearing up for a big showdown against the Wombats Sunday.

- An interesting complaint pops up from new teams once in a while, and it always surprises me. Apparently, we play too many games in the EMAAC. As I was ankle-deep in mud, the Unexpectables told me before they started a tripleheader that folks weren’t showing up because they had three games. On top of that, the strain was so much that by the third game they were down to seven players as people wilted under the tough scheduling. Had they not played the division’s two worst teams, they could have easily given up all three games. Teams in Burlington should take note that EMAAC playoffs are best-of-three, so if they can steal one game early then the Unexpectables might pack it in.

- The Green Ballers and Where My Pitches At? split their doubleheader, but the Green Ballers took the run differential between the two teams 16-15, giving them a crucial tiebreaker as both teams share 2 win records.

- Things got heated at Minuteman two weeks ago, as an Aristocracy player apparently tried to fight one of the Flaming Chicken’s female players after throwing a temper tantrum in the outfield. After telling her to “Step up and do something,” the slugger went 2 for 6 in the pivotal doubleheader. His team fared better, splitting the series and setting up an epic rubber game Sunday that could decide the third seed in Burlington.

- This week features some good mathups too. Project Baddass plays their first interdivisional game against no-long-undefeated Bad Romance. Same for Dorn’s Interior Decorating, who plays Scared Hitless at Bunker Hill. Dizzy Llamas White and I’d Hit It could be setting up for a championship preview in Cambridge and Aristocracy and the Flaming Chickens continue their hard-fought rivalry in Burlington.

Dave Claffey is the EMAAC Commissioner. Rumor is he didn’t update the site last week so he could remain on the league leader board in Burlington.