Sports 10-18-2016

Corner Café Captures 15th North End Softball Championship

By Ralph Martignetti

Corner Café entered the North End Softball League playoffs as the number one seed after a 9-1 regular season and did not disappoint.  Getting a bye into the semi-finals the Corner Café opened defense of their title by taking on longtime rival Landmark Realty.

The Corner brought their hitting shoes to the party and beat up on Landmark to sweep the series two games to none. The Corner got some big hits from the usual suspects as Mike Martignetti, Anthony Coppola, Vince DiNictolis and Ricky Martignetti sprayed line drives all over the park.

Andrew Madden, Mike Unwin and Sherm O’Shaunessy also contributed with big hits as the Corner banged out 37 runs in two games that both ended early due to the mercy rule. Pitcher Steve Passatempo was his dominant self on the mound and the Corner moved into the finals to face the Waterfront Café.

The Cafe also finished the regular season with a 9-1 record and they were the two seed due to the tie-breaker. In their semi-final match-up they easily dispatched of Cobblestone Café setting up a rematch of last year’s finals which ended with the Corner winning two games to one and each of the three games was hard fought and ended with close scores.

This year it was different. The Corner kept up their torrid hitting and when the dust settled the Corner Café were champs once again knocking off the Waterfront by scores of 20-10 and 13-3. Jimmy O’Connor, Stephen LaBella and Ryan Madden joined in the hit parade with their teammates and the Corner overwhelmed the Waterfront. The Corner cruised through the playoffs winning each of their four games by the mercy rule. Owner Richie Longo  accepted his 15th championship trophy and the celebration was on.

Best little basketball program in the North End

By Phil Orlandella

One of the best children and teenage basketball programs is underway at the Nazzaro Community Center.

In partnership with the North End Athletic Association (NEAA), players between 4 and 19 years old can participate in at least one level of basketball, instructional, JV and Varsity.

Running concurrently with the house leagues, the traveling Knights will begin practicing in November and start playing on December 3.

“There will be basketball played almost every Saturday for the in-house leagues as well as road games sprinkled throughout the winter for the traveling program,” Nazzaro Center Director Carl Ameno noted. The entire season runs roughly October to March.

He added, “The basketball programs will not conflict with the NEAA soccer program.”

Call the Center at 617-635-5166 for details on the programs.

            A basketball awards breakfast will be held sometime following the end of the programs.