Townies Top Tories, 14-9

The Rockport Townies staged their second last-inning, game-winning rally on the road this season to down Topsfield, 14-9. Rockport scored eight times before the Tories retired a batter in the top of the seventh inning.

Topsfield opened up early on Rockport starter Ryan Blanchard, who had an off-day struggling with his control. Clean-up hitter Doug Hittinger paced the attck with two homeruns and six RBIs in his first three at bats. The Tories led the Townies 9-2 after five, as Rockport stranded seven runners on base to that point. In the top of the sixth Rockport struck for four runs, and were threatening for more, leaving the bases loaded for the second consecutive inning. A scoreless botton half of the sixth was followed by the game-deciding Townies explosion in the seventh. Rockport sent 12 men to the plate, racking up six hits, a walk and benefiting from one Topsfield error.

Southpaw reliver Pat Clark got the win for the Townies, his second of the year. Tom Robertson had three hits and drove in four runs, while Jeff Frithsen and Chris Bouchie each collected three hits to lead the Rockport attack. The Townies pounded out 17 hits. In addition to Hittinger's big day (3-4, 2HR, 6RBI), Ben Hathaway had a pair of hits for Topsfield.

The game featured what was possibly the greatest defensive play of the ITL season. Running full-bore with his back to the infield, Hittinger leapt straight back toward the trees in left field and made a diving, over-the-shoulder circus grab a la Jim Edmonds, robbing Townie Justin Paradis of extra bases.

Mariners Revenge

The Man./Essex Mariners beat the Hamilton Generals 9-4 at Patton Park Thursday night. Marques was the winning pitcher, while Funchion picked up the loss.

Bryan Lafata started it off in the first with a solo HR, and added an RBI single in the 3rd. The Mariners added one more in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Marques was able to keep the Generals hitless until the fourth inning where a Funchion double ended the hitless streak.

In the bottom of the fifth the Generals took the lead 4-3 by scoring four runs. Reggie Maidment & Tom Jones got RBI singles and later Andre Painchaud delivered a nice 2 RBI double to take the lead. But that was all the Generals got as Marques was able to settle down, and Cain pitched well in relief.

The Mariners got 2 in the sixth after a Gentile 2-run HR, and 4 in the seventh by putting a string of hits together. The Generals could not come back as they were retired in the seventh. Final score 9-4 Mariners.

Topsfield 13 Beverly 9

The Topsfield Tories picked up their first win of the season with a complete game performance from Matt Rogers. After a rough third inning Rogers settled down to pick up the victory. Max Travers led the way for the Tories picking up 3RBI in the win. The Tories look to continue their turn around with a game on Friday against Rockport.

Chiefs 9 Rams 2

The Ipswich Chiefs jumped all over the Rowley Rams scoring 9 times in the first inning and coasting home to a 9-2 victory. The story of the game was the Chiefs 40 year old hurler Kevin Smolla who carried a no hitter into the sixth. After 5-2/3rds of no hit ball Rowley's Ralph Renzulli found the hole just getting past the shortstop to break up Smolla's no hit bid. The Rams would come up with 3 more hits in the 7th but Smolla finished with 7 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run to go with 2 walks and 5 k's. The Chief's combined 5 hits ( 4 doubles and a single) with 3 walks and 2 Rowley errors all in the first inning to score all 9 of their runs. For the Rams, Matt Warden, Dave Leavitt and Gordon Breidenbach all pitched in from the mound, taking over for Kevin Brasseur who suffered the loss.
Congratulations to Kevin Smolla, the day after his 40th birthday and after a 5 year break he put the Twilight back in the ITL tonight, way to go Kevin!!!

Jensen's Arm Carries Generals over Mariners 9-1

Jeff Jensen pitched a complete game, baffling Mariner hitters the entire way. Jensen scattered 7 hits, struck out 5, no walks, and allowed only 1 run to earn the victory. Choate was tagged with the loss for the Mariners.

Jim Maloney started the scoring for the Generals in the second with a solo HR. The Mariners tied it in the 3rd on a Bertolino sacrifice fly. With 2 outs in the fourth the Generals were able to put together a big rally, scoring 4 runs. The key hits came from Tim O'Leary who plated 2 with a nice single just over the first baseman's head, and Mark Potter who contributed an RBI single later in the inning.

O'Leary Lines to Center.

The Generals scored 4 more in the seventh, Bryan Vitale delivered an RBI hit that rounded out the scoring. Jensen finished what he started, surrendering only the one run as the Mariners were retired in the seventh.

Mariners Convert Close Play.

Jim Maloney had two hits and scored twice for the Generals. Orlando led the Mariners offense with two hits. The two teams meet again at Patton Park this Thursday, 5:45pm start.

More News of the ITL

The following articles have appeared in the Ipswich Chronicle this past week. The Community Newspapers as a whole have been really great to the league this year. We appreciate the press and thank them for helping spread the word of the ITL.

Chiefs back with high-powered offense, veteran leadership

Intertown Twilight League offers nice alternative to big league ball

Rowley 2 - Ipswich 4

The reservation was warm and dusty Monday night as the Chief's took on the Rams of Rowley. In their first meeting of the year Brad Eaton took to the hill in hopes of hearding the rams.

Eaton (4-0) would throw 5 2/3 and giving up 2 runs to secure the victory for the Chief's. Chris Lane (S-2) came on in the 6th with two outs and two on and got a ground ball to third where Tyler Hammond made a great off balance throw to nail Dan Knight at first to end the 6th. The 7th Lane would allow a lead off base hit. Struck out the next batter, and forced the third hitter to bounce into a smoothly done 4-6-3 double play.

The Chief's bounced back with the bats after they were shut down in the series with Beverly. Tommy Radzim sparked the offense going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Jimmy Bodwell, Chris Zaremba, and Bryan Wolfe added RBI's to contribute to the Chief's 7th win of the year.

The Chief's travel to the Mosquito nest on Wednesday night. Action starts at 5:45.

Rockport - 9, Beverly - 7

The Rockport Townies scored the first 9 runs of the game, and held on for a 9 to 7 victory over the Beverly Giants. Beverly loaded the bases in the bottom of the 7th, down by 2 runs. Brent Currier came on in relief to face Jeff Giannino. Giannino flew out to the warning track in deep center, and Rockport escaped with the win.

The Townies scored all of their runs in the first four innings. Chuck Anderson had 4 hits, and Brock Currier had 3.

For Beverly, Derek Scialdone had a three run homer, and Giannino had a solo shot.

Beverly - 7, Ipswich - 4

The Beverly Giants (5-6) completed a sweep of the Ipswich Chiefs (6-3) Sunday night at Cooney Field. Beverly won by the score of 7 to 4 while outhitting the Chiefs 11 to 3 on the night.

Beverly led 4 to 1 in the top of the 5th inning when Ipswich tied the game courtesy of homeruns by Dylan Durning and Jim Bodwell. The game remained tied at 4 until Beverly scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th to go ahead for good. Jeff Giannino knocked in two runs with a double, and Jeff Barricelli knocked in one with a single.

Roger Dragani earned the win in relief by retiring all 7 batters he faced to finish the game. Martin Gomez started, and pitched well allowing 3 earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.

For Ipswich, Dave Doucette started on the mound and allowed 3 earned runs over 5 innings, but got a no decision. Dave Shoreman was credited with the loss in relief.

Beverly's offense was led by Giannino who went 3 for 4 with 2RBI. Nick Adams, Jeff Barricelli, and Brian Chirco each contributed 2 hits.

Bodwell finished 2 for 2 with a HR and 2RBI.

Inductees Illustrate League’s Value

By Joe Jasinski (Article Appeared in the Village Reporter)

On May 19, in celebration of the Inter-Town Twilight Baseball League’s 79th birthday, league players and officials past and present gathered to induct 15 new members into its Hall of Fame, including three from the Topsfield Tories; Steve Eddy, Steve Williams, and Rob Race.

Regarded as an iron man, Rob Race amassed upwards of 125 wins in his career, which lasted from 1975-2002 (missing two seasons while living in New Jersey), making him the winningest pitcher in the league’s history.

Known through the majority of his career as “Rag Arm,” Race is celebrated as a hurler who threw strikes, changed speeds, and was an able fielder.

“He was a guy who, after you wouldn’t have one good swing at him in a game and had an ‘o’fer’ with a strikeout and a couple little grounders, you still would think you should hit him,” writes long-time teammate Rick Cole in the hall of fame induction program. “But you were wrong.”

Race was named the league’s “Most Valuable Pitcher” six times during his career. He helped the Tories win five championships, including four straight titles from 1976-1979, and then again in 1992.

Yet, at the hall of fame induction, Race was more concerned with crediting his teammates on their outstanding careers.

“Steve [Williams] is what you call the ‘classic great teammate’,” said Race. “He played all phases of the game well.”

Despite the high praise from his teammate, a conversation with Williams on his playing days could suggest the opposite. His humility is easily detected.

“God, I was such a weak hitter,” Williams said.

Yet his consistency at the plate – above .300 lifetime hitter – and expertise at second base are clear indications of the ballplayer’s value.

After playing for the Ipswich Chiefs from 1973-1977, Williams moved to Topsfield, where he hesitatingly joined Ipswich’s rival club, the Tories. In his first game with Topsfield, facing the Manchester Mariners, a bench-clearly brawl occurred. Williams threw no punches to his recollection. He would continue to play on the Topsfield squad for the next ten years, retiring from the ITL in 1987.

Williams holds the distinction of winning two league championships with two different teams.

His induction held additional significance due to the fact that Williams father was a past inductee, and played for Ipswich from 1949-1969.

While Williams remained a brawl bystander in his Topsfield debut, Steve Eddy licked his lips as the episode developed.

Eddy described the scene with wide eyes. Rob Race hit the batsman in the hip. Abnormally, the batter charged the mound, but was tackled from behind by the catcher before reaching his destination. Eddy was next at the scene, where he confronted the batter at the bottom of a massive pile-on.

“I kept the guys fired up.”

Commanding the middle infield with Williams, Steve Eddy played shortstop for the Tories from 1973 to 1993. He was a part of the same five champion teams as Race, and much like Williams, is highly touted for his exceptional defensive play (50 consecutive games without an error from 1978-1979).

Eddy’s play has even led to an amendment of the ITL rulebook. In 1992, he sent a catcher to the hospital with a concussion after a collision at home plate. The concussions persistently reoccurred over the next year for the catcher. The league found the catcher’s symptoms adequate incentive to ban runner contact with the catcher, and established the rule in 1993.

That 1992 season was a special one for both Race and Eddy. Both were veterans of the league, still proving themselves worthy of respect from their youthful peers. Eddy posted four hits on one game during the 1992 finals series. Race’s win in game two of the finals series was a brilliant 62-pitch complete game (ITL games are seven innings long). From that year on, Race adopted the new nickname, “Silver Fox,” complimentary of his “maturity.”

“Guys were saying, ‘who are these guys?’” Eddy said.

Eddy, Williams, and Race represent an age of ITL baseball that appears to be diminishing. Race reflected on the late 1970s and early 1980s as a period of tremendous dedication from the players in the league.

“Guys planned their summers around baseball.”

Attendance at games in those days was equally as impressive. Phil Tanson, a 2007 hall of fame inductee from the Rockport Townies, remembers there being 1,000 fans to see Rockport’s first championship in 1980.

“There was a cop on [Rockport’s] side [of the field] and a cop on [Essex’s] side just to control the fans,” explained Tanson, with a giddy smile, nodding with excitement.

While it can be argued that the league’s popularity has declined dramatically, the same declination rate does not apply to the talent level. Rob Race says that despite a greater distribution of interests by athletes with other sports and with jobs, the player pool remains highly competitive.

The league has never been in jeopardy of shutting down, according to ITL president Terry Poste. And it was the only league in the United States that played during all war years, as noted in records at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Games are free. Players are young. The scene is pure.

“The league gives America its favorite pastime. You can’t find that many places these days that do that,” boasts Poste.

(The ITL starts its 2007 season on May 27. The Topsfield Tories play their home games at Proctor School and have early season games there on June 1 and June 15. Starting time is 5:45.)

Hamilton 9 - Topsfield 9

With most of the game played in the rain, The Tories were able to mount a big comeback in the bottom of the 6th to tie the score. Just in time as the umpires then called the game.

Tim O'Leary made his ITL pitching debut for the Generals and pitched great, Justin Tilley pitched one inning for the Generals. Lendall was equally good for the Tories, Brian Greene pitched one inning in relief.

After 3 innings the Tories held a 2-0 lead behind RBI's from Hathaway and Rayner. The Generals tied the score in the 4th and took the lead in the top of the fifth as the rain began to fall steadily. The Generals recorded 6 hits in a row at one point and scored 6 runs in the inning. In the bottom of the fifth the Tories plated two more, one on an RBI single from Lendall.

The game really got interesting in the 6th, the Generals were able to add a run on an RBI from Justin Tilley making the score 9-4 Generals. The Tories stormed back in the bottom of the sixth and quickly worked the bases loaded with no outs. With the tying run on third, no outs, and the bases loaded things did not look good for the Generals, and now it was really raining hard. Justin Tilley was then able to strike out the next two batters but surrendered the tying run on a wild pitch. Now with two outs, the bases still loaded, and the winning run only 90 feet away, Tilley induced a hot shot to first where Mark Provost made a diving play. Tilley, who got a late break to first for the cover, made an unbelievable catch & dive to tag the runner, record the out, and save the game as a tie.

The two teams wished to settle the game on the field with one more inning, as they had gone that far playing in the rain, but the umpires were long gone. The two teams will meet 3 more times this season, hopefully bringing some closure to the series. Final score was 9-9.

Tom Jones and Justin Tilley each had two hits and RBI's to pace the Generals' offense. The Generals also received RBI hits from Mark Potter, and Reggie Maidment.

Beverly - 9, Ipswich - 0

The Beverly Giants (4-6) beat the first place Ipswich Chiefs (6-2) by the score of 9 to 0 Friday night at Linebrook Field. The Giants outhit the Chiefs 15 to 3. Giants' pitcher Luke Deschamps was dominant allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk over 6 innings of shutout ball to earn the win.

Beverly scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning, 4 more in the 5th, and 1 in the 6th. Derek Scialdone had a homerun. Jeff Giannino singled, doubled, and tripled. Brian Chirco, Martin Gomez and Alex Manzi each contributed 3 hits.

The two teams meet again Sunday at Cooney Field in Beverly.

Hamilton/Topsfield Zero - Mother Nature 1

Hamilton and Topsfield were only allowed to complete 2 full innings last night before the rain and lightning moved in. There was plenty of action before, however, as the score was 6-5 heading into the third. The game will be rescheduled and according the ITL by-laws it will be played from the beginning, not where the game left off.

The two teams try again tonight at Proctor Field in Topsfield, 5:45pm start.

ITL Gets Some Press

This article ran in the Community Newspapers this week, including the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle and Beverly Citizen.

Full Article Link

The Twilight Zone
- For close to 80 years, the Intertown Twilight League has provided some of the finest amateur baseball not only on the North Shore, but across the United States.
Recognized by Major League Baseball as the oldest amateur baseball league of its kind in the nation, it’s still going strong and is slowly emerging as the place to be during the long summer months.

“It’s the cheapest ticket in town,’’ said fourth year president Terry Post. “It’s the oldest league in the country, and the crowds have been great. The support among the towns is phenomenal and the competition has top quality. We’ve had some guys who’ve been signed to minor league contract and have gone on to have some success at the professional level.”

While the league is mostly comprised of recent high school graduates and college baseball athletes, the variety spreads the gamut, ranging from players in their late teens to players in their mid to late 30s.

“We have guys who have recently graduated high school, to guys who are coming back after their first year of college,’’ said Post. “But we have players who have been around and have played in the league for a long time, and they love it.”

During the 1980s, a pair of notable athletes ventured off to the professional arena. Wenham native Joel Nies, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, signed a minor league deal, while Joe Mountain developed into a budding prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization. Currently, the ITL has close to 200 members in its Hall of Fame.

“We’ve had quite a lot of (good players) come and go in the league,’’ said Post. “The talent here has been phenomenal, and everyone works hard and has a lot of fun. They play for the love of the game, and it’s a great family type atmosphere.”

Formed in 1929, the league originally consisted of four teams, the Hamilton Generals, the Ipswich Chiefs, and teams from Manchester and Essex. Despite the Great Depression and World War Two, the league continued without interruption.

In the 1950s and 1960s, teams in Beverly, Rockport, and Topsfield were formed and disbanded. But over the last 20 years, the league has continued to expand, growing into its current format of seven teams.

Along with the Hamilton Generals, the league is made up by the Beverly Giants, Manchester-Essex Mariners, Ipswich Chiefs, Rockport Townies, Topsfield Torries and Rowley Rams.
The Giants, one of the league’s newest teams, has only been in existence for four years after breaking away from the Generals.

“We were all one team,’’ said Generals’ coach Tom Jones, who’s also a member of the league’s executive board. “But the Beverly guys wanted to form their own team, and once they had enough players for a roster, that’s what they decided to do. It’s been a lot of fun, and the guys just go out there and play for the love of the game.”

While most teams in similar leagues welcome players from different towns, the ITL requires that 90 percent of the team’s roster is comprised of town residents.

“A lot of guys want to play for their town, and there’s a lot of pride,’’ said Jones. “It’s different in this league, where 90 percent of the roster of the team has to be residents of that town. In the (North Shore League), guys can pretty much play for whoever they want, but its different here.”
While the idea of an All-Star game has been abandoned since 2001 due to scheduling and time conflicts, the Home Run Derby will take place on Aug. 4 at Patton Field. After a long absence, the Home Run Derby successfully returned last year as Manchester-Essex’s Nate Bertalino claimed the championship.

“It was great to have it back,’’ said Jones about the Home Run Derby. “We’re looking forward to it, and we’re hoping it’ll be a success.”

Rams fall to Mariners 9-1

For the second straight night the Rowley Rams lost to the Manchester/Essex Mariners, tonight the outcome was 9-1 as the Rams suffered their first loss at Eiras Field. For Rowley Matt Wile started on the mound, the game was tied at 1 in the top of the fifth, but Manchester erupted for 5 runs on 5 hits to put the game out of reach. For the second straight night the Rams offense was stagnant, managing only 6 hits (Renzulli 2for 3, 1RBI/ Wood 2for3, 1Run) Manchester was led on the mound by Marques who pitched 6 innings allowing 6 hits, 1 run while striking out 4. Offensively Bryan Lafata remained laser hot going 3 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Lafata feasted on Rams pitching going 6 for 6 with a Home Run and 2 doubles in the 2 game sweep. For the Mariners, Buckley also added 2 hits and a run scored. The Rams are off until Monday when they travel to Ipswich to take on the first place Chiefs while the Mariners will host Hamilton on Tuesday.

Rowley 3 - M/E 4

The Mariners squeaked out a 4-3 victory on Tuesday night at Memorial Park in Essex. The win puts the Mariners at 5-3 and the Rams to a 4-4 record. Charlie Choate threw a complete game 5 hitter to receive the win for the Mariners (Choate 7ip, 2er, 5k, 2bb). Matt Warden was the tough luck loser for the Rams, scattering 9 hits, striking out 6, and giving up 4 earned runs over his 6 innings of work.

The Mariners struck first in the 1st inning on a leadoff single by Rory Gentile, who then stole 2nd & 3rd base. Bryan Lafata drove Gentile in with an rbi double. Cleanup hitter Nate Bertolino followed that up with an rbi single. The Rams countered back with a run of their own in the top of the 2nd on a walk to Ralph Renzuili, a fielder's choice, and an rbi single for DH Tim Moore. In the bottom of the 3rd inning the Mariners expanded their lead to 3-1 on a solo home run by Lafata. In the top of the 4th inning, Moore led off with walk and was immediately driven home on an rbi double by Dan Slattery, who just came of the Rams bench to play right field. Manchester/Essex tallied their final run in the bottom of the 5th inning when Lafata hit a one out single, Chris Whipple pinch ran for Lafata and scored immediately on an rbi triple to the right centerfield gap off the bat of Bertolino. With the score 4-2, Rowley added one more run on a base hit by Player/Coach Dave Leavitt, who then stole 2nd base and eventually scored on an error made by the Mariners shortstop.

5 Rams tallied one hit each, with Tim Moore both scoring and driving in a run.
Bertolino (3-3 w/2 rbi's, 3b) and Lafata (3-3 w/2rbi, 2r, 2b, hr) led the Mariners.

These two teams meet again on Wednesday night (6/20) at Eiras Park in Rowley at 5:45.