Sports 05-26-2011

Help keep me in the “loop”

If a parent has any info/photo of their child participating in a sports or recreational activity (elementary school, high school, college, or otherwise), please E-Mail me at [email protected] and I will be sure to include the info/photo in a column.  I’d also love to hear about any honor roll students or scholar athletes, or just about any story which would recognize the accomplishments of past and present “Townies.”

Honor Roll call

Sophomore James Clough was named to the Dean’s List at Wentworth Institute.

“Townies” sports update

Sports fanatics looking to share their opinion and point of view, local guru Robbie McIntosh hosts a “Coach’s Corner” program at www.bostonfreeradio.com every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m… Brooks School lacrosse standout Jillian Doherty was selected as a member of Team New England and will participate in the National Championships at Long Island, New York, and at the All American Classic tournament in Baltimore, Maryland…Closer Aaron Titcomb came on in the last inning to notch a strikeout and induce a game-ending double-play as Brewster Academy (11-1) held on for their eighth straight victory, a 5-4 conquest over Middlesex…Hebron Academy (2-6) senior outfielder Michael Settipani belted out three hits in his team’s 9-0 demolition of Kent Hill…Mt. St. Joseph (5-9) junior outfielder Kacie Kelly walloped 5 hits in a double-header sweep of Nazareth Academy.

Little League news

Shortstop Michael Ward blasted three home runs and teammate Jake Scanlon added another as Teamsters Local 25 continue to steamroll with a lopsided victory over the Boys & Girls Club…Rookie outfielder Ronan O’Hara (triple, run, 2 RBIs) had a breakout game and Aiden Kelly came on to pick up the win with a strong inning of relief pitching as Jenny’s Pizza outlasted the Cronin Club in a hard-fought 8-7 nail-biter…Pitchers Jared Burhoe and Jason Smith held the fort as Century 21 gained a share of first place with an exciting 9-7 victory over CHAD.

MAJOR LEAGUE STANDINGS

Teamsters Local 25                            8-1

Jenny’s Pizza                                                        5-2

McCarthy’s Liquors                            3-3

Cronin Club                                                          1-5

Boys & Girls Club                                                1-7

PITCHING LEADERS (3 decisions)

Anthony Bolger                                   3-0

Jake Scanlon                                                        3-0

Sahdat Arroyo                                     2-2

Nolan McLaughlin                                              1-2

HOME RUN LEADERS

Jake Scanlon                                                        4

Michael Ward                                                      4

Hughie O’Donnell                                                2

Daniel Settipani                                   2

TRIPLE AAA STANDINGS

CHAD                                                                    5-2

Century 21                                                            5-2

99 Restaurant                                      3-2

Knights of Columbus                         1-4

Eagle Elevator                                      1-5

HOME RUN LEADERS

Jason Smith                                          4

Jared Burhoe                                        2

The Bunker Hill Day parade

Soon, residents and former “Townies” will gather with family and friends along the parade route to enjoy the Bunker Hill Day festivities.  If “Mother Nature” blesses us with comfortable weather, it has all the makings of a wonderful day; complete with cookouts, music and good cheer.

Bunker Hill Day has always been very special to me.  As a kid living on Winthrop Street, I watched the “redcoats” muster at the Training Field in preparation for the Battle of Bunker Hill.  The Charlestown Militia unit (which included my Uncle Bernie and Aunt Rita) were always a crowd favorite and often fired their muskets along the parade route.  Even though I could see them loading their weapons and knew a deafening blast was imminent, it still scared the crap out of me.

I recall watching a 1960’s Bunker Hill Day parade, sitting on the curb outside my house as Bobby Kennedy’s entourage passed by.  In a matter of seconds I was: hoisted in the air by a man wearing sunglasses; placed in Kennedy’s lap while another man snapped pictures from a large camera; lifted up again, still blinded by the flash, and placed in the same spot I was previously sitting.

I’ve also participated in the parade, many times.  The first occasion was marching with a group of Little Leaguers; we were holding a large blanket to collect coins and dollar bills donated by parade watchers.  In what was a proud family moment, I marched in the 1975 parade as a U.S. Marine alongside my father (GYSGT Phil Kelly) and brother (SSGT Dennis Kelly).

During my years as a Bunker Hillbilly, I rode on the Charlestown Boys Club float.  Our “We are the Bunker Hillbillies” theme song always produced a roar of delight as many “Townies,” who knew the words by heart, would sing along with us.  The overhead Orange Line railway still existed at the time and my cowboy hat usually got decorated with pigeon droppings.

In 1985, the Hillbillies performed the day before the parade at a Navy Yard ceremony honoring the U.S.S. Bunker Hill and held a reunion concert later that night on the Monument grounds which was attended by more than 5,000 people.

Almost a decade later, we crammed ourselves on a float and performed with the aging Bob Munstedt for what turned out to be the last time.  I witnessed, up-close, the adulation and genuine love Charlestown had for Bob as hundreds of people, sensing the moment, walked alongside the float trying to shake his hand in an emotional display of respect.

More recently, I rode on a duck boat during the 2000 Bunker Hill Day parade, accompanied by my children and fellow Hillbillies, where – by popular demand – we played the Hillbilly theme song over and over again.  Finally, as a member of the all-Charlestown rock band “Ground FX,” I performed at the Bunker Hill Parade Chief Marshall’s Banquet, and at Eden Street Park to celebrate “Charlestown Pride” week.

Although my days as a parade participant are over, this Bunker Hill Day will still be a very special occasion for my family.  My six children will compete in the Bunker Hill Day road race, and later, watch the marching bands practice their routines under the “Mystic River Bridge.”  Extended family members will gather at the corner of Main and Oak Street to enjoy the parade before venturing out to visit nearby friends.  By dusk, we will have all returned to the O’Brien household to enjoy Irish music, food and refreshments, and more importantly, each other’s company.  This scenario will be repeated throughout Charlestown by multitudes of residents and returning “Townies.”

In all the revelry and celebration, however, it can be easy to lose sight of the significance of the Bunker Hill Day parade.  Although the British had taken the “Battle of Bunker Hill,” their victory resulted in the highest casualty count in any encounter during the Revolutionary War.  A significant portion of the British officer corps in North America were either killed or wounded at Bunker Hill and the colonists who fought spread hope that America could prevail in the conflict.  Naysayers aside, the Bunker Hill Day holiday recognizes one of the most important events in our nation’s history.

On behalf of my family, I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Jim Conway (God rest his soul), Arthur Hurley and the rest of the Parade Committee members who, over the years, have provided us with priceless Bunker Hill Day memories.  Thank you so very, very much.

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