It was daylight when the 2019 North End Athletic Association (NEAA) 2019 Major-League All-Star Game began at Langone Field.
The game carried into extra innings under the lights.
The John “DA†DeAmato team beat the Rocky Rossi team 10-5 in the top of the 8th inning.
The teams were named after two longtime members of the NEAA volunteers for their outstanding service to the youth of the neighborhood during the 60s and 70s.
During the ceremonies before the game, DeAmato and Rossi received an NEAA plaque of recognition, Senator Joe Boncore presented them Senate and House citations and Boston City Counselor Lydia Edwards honored them with Council Resolutions for their efforts.
Before the ceremonial first pitchers were tossed, Trinity Martignetti and Sheridan Daily sang the National Anthem alongside all of the U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard located in the North End.
Coaches for the DeAmato team were: John Pregmon, Brett Roman, Jon Larson and John Pezzuto. Michael Dello Russo, Carl Blake and JJ Heath coached the Rossi team.
Players, coaches, fans and other spectators enjoyed free pizza, drinks, Spadafore slush, potato chips and face painting. A raffle was also held for numerous prizes.
Baseball Commissioner Ralph Martignetti said, “It was a great day for NEAA baseball and a highly competitive game that everyone enjoyed from start to finish.â€
Baseball Coordinator John Romano said, “This was one of the best All-Star games in NEAA history.â€
Following the game, the NEAA presented medals to all the Major League players as well as individual awards recognizing players who contributed significantly to their teams during the season.
Game Summary
By John Pregmon
The DeAmato All-Stars took an early lead in the game after Max Haskell scored in the first inning. An incredible diving catch from James Heath in the outfield gap robbed Gunnar Larson of a hit and extra runs.
Strong fielding and pitching from both teams limited scoring chances. Alex Parisi, Max Haskell, and Gunnar Larson held Rossi’s All-Stars to one run until the fourth inning when JoJo Brienze blasted a powerful double easily scoring Matt Griffin and James Heath to take the lead 2-1.
The teams went back and forth until the top of the sixth when Tamerat Edelstein-Rosenberg scored the tying run.
Alex Parisi returned to the bump to strike out the side and send this thrilling game into extra innings.
Both teams added two runs to their scores making it 4-4 entering the top of the eighth inning.
The DeAmato All-Stars then opened the game up with singles by Cameron Esposito and Desmond O’Hearn leading the charge on the way to six runs scored in the top half of the inning.
Rossi’s All-Star Max Howard batted Ryan McCue home to cut the lead to five runs, but it wasn’t enough to overtake the DeAmato team who won 10-5.