A new era has begun for the Maddogs franchise. At the conclusion of last season, in which the Maddogs went on a tremendous 12-3 run at the end to reach the playoffs, longtime skipper and Franchise Holder, Dave Hanley, retired and handed the reins to Nick Vennochi. Last week, the club announced that they are leaving Playstead Park in Medford, which has been their home for over a decade, and will now play their home games at Maplewood Park in Malden, recently vacated by the folding of the Bulldogs franchise.
Category Archives: YBL News
Divisions and Seeding Finalized for 2014
(*Edited 3/31/14 – Medford Maddogs are now Malden Maddogs)
The 2014 division alignment for the Yawkey Baseball League has been finalized. The divisions will be as follows:
Ted Williams Division
Brighton Black Sox
Brighton Braves
Brighton Minutemen
Malden Maddogs
Revere Rockies
Somerville Alibrandis
Stoneham Sabers
Carl Yastrzemski Division
Al Thomas Athletics
East Boston Knights
McKay Club Beacons
Savin Hill Dodgers
South Boston Saints
South End Astros
West Roxbury Nationals
Playoff seedings will be determined by the following:
#1 seed is the division champ with the most points
#2 seed is the other division champ
#3 seed is the 2nd place team with the most points
#4 seed is the 2nd place team from the other division
#5-#8 seeds are wildcards, by order of point totals
Filed under YBL News
New Protocol for YBL All-Star Events
The Yawkey Baseball League’s All-Star Committee, with approval from the Board of Directors, has issued the following protocol by which it will govern the league’s three All-Star events in 2014:
YBL All-Star Game at Fenway Park
Objectives:
* To give players the chance to play at Fenway Park.
* To represent the Yawkey Baseball League in one of the most revered parks in baseball history.
Rosters:
* Each YBL team manager will nominate their own players who will participate in the game.
* The 6 teams that failed to make the previous year’s playoffs may send 2 position players and 1 pitcher.
* The 6 teams that were eliminated in the first two rounds of the previous year’s playoffs will be allowed 1 additional position player for a total of 4 players.
* The 2 teams that made it to the previous year’s YBL Finals will be allowed to send an additional pitcher and position player for a total of 5 players per team.
* This makes a total roster size of 26 players per conference (max. 16 position, 2 DH, and 8 pitching–depending on whether the semi-final losing team decides to send a pitcher or position player)
Management:
* Managers representing the teams with the best overall record in their conference will manage their conference in the All-Star Game.
* Additional coaching for each team, consisting of 1 bench coach and 2 base coaches, will be provided by the remaining playoff teams in each conference, with managers of the remaining 6 teams as the bench and base coaches for each conference’s All-Star team.
EMass Classic
Objective:
To win.
Rosters:
* There are no requirements stating that each team must be represented, however the All-Star Committee will do its best to ensure as diverse a YBL representation as possible.
* The All-Star Committee will develop a bank of YBL players from which each team manager will be asked to vote for a starting roster.
* This bank of players will be compiled after a review of each player’s:
1 – current season performance
2 – career YBL performance (weighted more heavily towards recent seasons)
3 – prior All-Star / Select team performance
4 – career YBL attendance numbers
5 – availability to participate
* The managers will vote for a starter at each field position, a designated hitter, 3 starting pitchers and a closer (**managers may NOT vote for a player from their own teams).
* The remainder of the team will be selected by the All-Star Committee, culminating in a set number of pitchers and position players (as yet TBD)
Management:
* The manager of the previous year’s YBL Champion will be the default manager for this event.
* Additional coaches for the tournament, consisting of 1 bench coach, 2 base coaches, and 1 pitching coach will be selected by the manager in cooperation with the All-Star Committee.
* If the manager of the reigning YBL champion can not attend, the All-Star Committee will select the manager after discussion with the Board of Directors.
Military Game
Objectives:
* To show respect and support for our armed forces.
* Provide a competitive and fun baseball game.
* Win.
Rosters:
* Any player with a military service record will be given the opportunity to dress and participate in the event.
* Each YBL manager will again be asked to submit a starting lineup (**again, no selections from their own team)
* The All-Star Committee will fill out the rest of the roster, ensuring that each team is given ample opportunity to be represented in the game.
Management:
* The manager of the previous season’s 2nd-place team will be the default manager for this event.
* Additional coaches for the game, consisting of 1 bench coach, 2 base coaches and 1 pitching coach, will be chosen by the manager in cooperation with the All-Star Committee.
* Should the manager not be able to attend, a replacement will be selected by the All-Star Committee and the Board of Directors.
Filed under YBL News
Former YBL Pitcher Rich Hill Signs Again with Red Sox
Former YBL pitcher, Rich Hill, has been signed by the Red Sox once again to a minor-league deal. The 6’5″ lefty from Milton, who was recently inducted to the YBL Hall of Fame, was a member of the Al Thomas Athletics prior to being drafted by the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2002 amateur draft. He spent three previous seasons with the Red Sox (2010-12) and spent last season playing for Terry Francona in Cleveland, where he made a career-high 63 appearances.
Filed under YBL News
Szathmary’s House Destroyed by Fire
YBL Hall of Famer Steve Szathmary’s house was tragically destroyed in a recent fire. A donation fund has been created online to help the families affected. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/6ipcrw and offer your support. Szathmary was inducted to the YBL Hall of Fame in 2012. He spent his playing days with the West Roxbury Devils and Somerville Alibrandis, and retired in 2010.
Filed under YBL News
Divisions Named
The Yawkey Baseball League Board of Directors revealed this morning the names of the league’s two new divisions for 2014. In honor of two Boston baseball icons who were very close with Mr. and Mrs. Yawkey both during and after their careers, the YBL will feature the Ted Williams Division and the Carl Yastrzemski Division. The breakdown of teams still remains to be finalized.
Filed under YBL News