TWO WEEKS LEFT FOR BABE RUTH SIGNUPS
Registration for the 2018 Charlestown Babe Ruth summer program will close on Friday, June 1, with practices starting on May 21, so parents are urged to register their kids as soon as possible. Repairs to the baseball diamond are almost completed and practices for all players would begin on Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Ryan Playground (adjacent to the Schraffts Building). Players can register on-line at charlestownbaberuth.website.siplay.com/; the fee is $75. The program will fields two teams (13-15 year-old team and 16-18 year-old team) and a typical summer league season begins at the end of June and playoffs are completed by mid-August.
- 13-15-year-old team – Any player born prior to May 1, 2005, and on or after May 1, 2002, will be eligible for Babe Ruth 13-15 League competition.
- 16-18-year-old team – Any player born prior to May 1, 2002, and on or after January 1, 1999, will be eligible for Senior Babe Ruth 16-18 League competition.
The Charlestown Babe Ruth program was chartered in 2017 (a total of 33 players participated on two teams). The 13-15-year-old team finished with a 9-6 record in the Middlesex Summer League, notched a playoff victory, and competed in the annual District #3 Babe Ruth spring tournament. The 16-18-year-old team posted a 7-2 record as an independent and will be joining the Northeast Senior Babe Ruth League this summer.
Charlestown Babe Ruth is also looking for adult volunteers (especially those with high school or college baseball experience) to help run practices, serve as coaches, or provide transportation to away games. Adults interested in helping can also register on the website as a volunteer and complete the KidsSafe application at no cost. For any questions, please E-Mail [email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TOURNEY PREVIEW
Boston City League contender O’Bryant is a great “Cinderella” story as only a complete collapse would prevent sophomore outfielder Briele Arias and the Lady Tigers from getting a solid MIAA tourney seed…Rival Latin Academy recovered from a slow start and should be able to snag a tourney bid. The Lady Dragons have all the tools to make a deep run as junior Jessica Rynne, freshman Mackenzie Nee and eighth- graders Jessica Pistorino and Adriana Cepeda are battle-tested. Unfortunately, franchise freshman pitcher Carleigh Schievink suffered a season-ending injury…Another talented player who is out for the season due to an injury is St. Mary’s of Lynn junior Taylor Sullivan. Not to worry, however, as twin sister Jordan (.333 AVG, HR, 10 RBIs) has been tattooing the softball for the powerhouse Lady Spartans…Perennial contender Bishop Feehan rebounded from a slow start and is a team to watch in the tourney. Junior catcher Gabrielle Comeau has already “committed” to Merrimack and is destined to finish her high school career amongst the Lady Shamrocks all-time leaders in several categories…Boston Latin sophomores Madison Rodriguez and Caroline Sicotte are two big reasons the Lady Wolfpack have a good chance to take a trip to the MIAA tourney…Winding up her phenomenal high school athletic career is Worcester Academy sensation Micaela “The Natural” Sindoris. The Northeastern-bound hockey standout is also a whirling dervish on the softball diamond…Matignon freshman outfielder Brigid Killoran is emerging as a “player-to-watch” for the Lady Warriors.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TOURNEY UPDATE
Austin Prep junior Colin Jaena has had a breakout campaign emerging as a Catholic Central League (CCL) future MVP candidate for the tourney-bound Cougars (10-1) who are ranked #4 in EMass. In a key league battle with rival St. Mary’s of Lynn, Colin tossed five innings to pick up the win and belted 3 hits and tallied 6 RBIs…Another CCL standout is talented Arlington Catholic sophomore Jason Smith. Capable of playing multiple positions, Jason is emerging as the staff ace and a dependable clutch hitter. The Cougars need a strong second half to get back into the tourney hunt…Pope John XXIII coach Mike Shackford’s squad has persevered through a frustrating first half and look to turn things around in the potent CCL. Sophomore Xavier Nunez notched a key at-bat to spur the Tigers to a come-from-behind 9-7 triumph over Lynn Tech but PJ will need to run off a winning streak to get into tourney contention…Senior Mike Ward and Latin Academy bring a wealth of tourney experience to the “show” and already seem a lock to qualify. Mike is one of the premier sluggers in the Boston City League and has flashed the leather at third base and catcher and pitched in with quality relief on the mound for the Dragons…Charlestown is also in need of a big second half if they are to return to the tourney. However, senior hurler Anthony Bolger and junior standout Caesar Martinez are more than capable of helping the Townies get on a hot streak…While Wilmington junior catcher Gavin Kelsey (.270 AVG, 10 RBIs) is having a fine season, a slow start has put the Wildcats in a “must win” predicament. The guess here is that Wilmington will qualify as a lower seed, which may be a blessing in disguise because they have all the parts to make a deep tourney run…Northeast sophomore Owen Halley is already making his presence felt with sensational innings on the mound and late-game clutch hitting.
CHARLESTOWN GIRLS SOFTBALL
Charlestown Girls’ Softball is still looking for players for their spring league, ages 4-12. The league practices at the Charlestown High School turf field on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Alternatively, those interested can contact Jack Schievink at (617) 201-4507 or email at [email protected].
MIKE CONNECTED THE DOTS
Manchester rugged rookie wing Mike Doherty saw his Monarchs eliminated in the ECHL quarterfinals in 6 games by the Adirondack Thunder putting an end to what has been an extremely long hockey season. Mike finished up his sensational Yale college hockey career and jumped right into the ECHL season posting an impressive 22 goals and 25 assists (including playoffs). Doesn’t seem to be any indication why Mike shouldn’t keep his “NHL dream” alive and see where his hockey journey takes him. Keep the faith Mike and best of luck, ‘twas a pleasure following your achievements this year.
NOLAN PUTS THE “A” IN D-FENSE
Billerica High School lacrosse defender Nolan Houlihan, the only starting sophomore, is a big reason the Indians (12-3) are ranked #18 in EMass. Nolan has tallied 65 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers, 9 interceptions and 7 face-off wins while exhibiting a flair for tenacious, physical play. Billerica is positioning themselves for a high seeding in the MIAA tourney.
TALK ABOUT A SMASHING DEBUT…
Newsome HS (FL) freshman catcher Lydia Castro, daughter of former “Townie” Dan and Lisa Castro, took her parents on a heckuva softball ride as the Lady Wolves (24-3) advanced all the way to the Region 2 State semi-finals before falling to Alonso HS by a score of 5-1. In her debut, Lydia sported an incredible .515 batting average while adding 26 RBIs (WOW). I would hazard to guess that Lydia is already on the college “radar.”