Sports 08-22-2017

NEAA 2017 Soccer registration underway

By Phil Orlandella

The North End Athletic Association (NEAA) is currently accepting fall soccer registration for its 2017 program.

Fall soccer will be an 8-week session that will start on Saturday, September 16 at Puopolo Park with different age brackets ranging from boys and girls (coed) 4-5 at 9 AM, 6-9 at 10:15 AM, 8-9 at 11:30 AM.

The 10-13 group will play on Friday nights at 5:30 PM.

“Space is limited in each age group,” organizer John Romano said. “Preference will go to returning players, their siblings and North End residents.”

Players will receive a team shirt and matching socks. They can wear rubber soccer cleats but they are not required. Sneakers are fine. Shin pads are required, no exceptions for safety reasons.

To register go to www.neaabaseball.com and click on soccer registration. Fee years $45 per player.

“No player will ever be denied access to play in the program due to the inability to pay the registration fee,” Romano said. “Anyone that needs assistance should contact me at jromano45@gmail.com. All information will be kept confidential.”

            He noted, “Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer coach must pass a CORI check.

Two Dodges teams win first place

By Phil Orlandella

Two Dodgers baseball teams (19+21) caption first place in their respective leagues but were ousted in the playoffs.

“They gave us a successful and tremendous summer season of baseball,” Coach Ralph Martignetti said.

The 15-year-olds played four good games in the annual LaFesta Baseball Exchange, two in North Adams and two in the North End.

Both teams displayed good pitching but the Dodgers dropped all four games:  4-1, 3-2, 3-2 and 6-3.

Leading the way for the Dodgers were Mike Sullivan, Tito Santaniello and Joe Bova.

            “The future of the Dodgers program looks extremely good,” Martignetti said. “We have a lot of solid talent returning, so we’ll be very competitive again next year.”

North End Bike Share expansion meeting

By Phil Orlandella

The City of Boston is adding 70 new bikes share stations in neighborhoods throughout Boston including the North End if requested by residents.

“Our public bike sharing system is getting bigger and better,” Neighborhood Services Department Liaison Maria Lanza said. “Starting in 2018 the city will add more than 70 new stations in Boston.”

The program will bring service to new neighborhoods and add capacity in existing service areas. “We need to find the best location for these new stations,” Lanza said.

“Through spring 2018, neighborhoods will have lots of opportunity to help select sites” she said.

            A workshop will be held in the North End in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street on Wednesday, October 11 from 6 PM to 8 PM. For details visit www.boston.gov/bike-share-expansion.

NEAA sends 65 players to two Sox games

By John Romano

The North End Athletic Association (NEAA) recently sent, 65 players and family members to attend two different Red Sox games at fabulous Fenway Park.

The NEAA went to the make up for the rain out against the Cleveland Indians.  The Sox did not do so well, but the young players got to see 3 home runs by the Sox, not something that happens too often now that Big Papi has retired.       However, the NEAA players go to see the Red Sox score 10 runs on the St. Louis Cardinals and win a great game to stay up on the Yankees in the East.

All of the players and their families got to enjoy two beautiful nights at the ball park thanks to the North End Athletic Association.