Girls Softball Signups March 1.2

BrocktonPost BROCKTON--Brockton Youth Softball League for Girls will host 2012 spring registrations March 1 and March 2 at the Raymond Elementary School, 125 Oak St., from 6 to 8 p.m. For on line registration or more information check out BYSL's website at www.brocktonyouthsoftball.net/ For other information call 508-941-5766.

Lee, Noddle Leave 'Em Laughing Out Loud

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—After a no-holds barred, free-wheeling stand-up talk by former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee and Brockton Rox coach Ed Noddle about their days in pro and minor league baseball, organizers have nearly met its financial goals for a plaque in honor of Brockton’s Bill McGunnigle—a pioneer and innovater during the early years of baseball.
“I think it put us over the top,” said West Bridgewater resident John McGunnigle, great-grandson of McGunnigle, who as manager/player led the legendary Dodgers franchise, then known as the Brooklyn Bridgegrooms, to an at-the-time unprecedented back-to-back pennants in 1889 and 1890.
The Lee-Noddle inside-baseball discussion, held at Joe Angelo’s Café Sept. 22 and attended by nearly 100 people, featured the two-longtime ballplayers and friends sharing stories from their days in the baseball world, including Lee’s desire to punch out Bill Buckner when they were rising stars in California and Noddle’s memories of former Red Sox manager John McNamara, who beat out Noddle for skipper of the Pawtucket Sox and, who as Manager of the Year, went on to lead the Red Sox to the ill-fated World Series in 1986.


John McGunnigle said he and other supporters are close to having raised the estimated $4,000 toward installing a plaque in Bill McGunnigle’s honor at Campanelli Stadium—home of the Brockton Rox.
About $2,000 of the plaque’s cost was donated by MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce and Brockton 21st Century Corp.
The plaque is estimated to cost about $4,000 to manufacture and install.
John McGunnigle said he will not know the total cost of the plaque until he contacts Rox management to find out the actual cost to install the plaque, but either way, the Sept. 22 event made a large dent in fundraising efforts.
“It was a really fun and great night,” McGunnigle said.

Along with city officials, residents and baseball lovers from near and far, the crowd included Ronald G. Shafer, a 38-year reporter-editor for the Wall Street Journal, who has written a recently published book, “When the Dodgers were Bridgegrooms: Gunner McGunnigle and Brooklyn’s Back-to-Back Pennants of 1889 and 1890.”
Shafer, a resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, is married to Stoughton High School graduate Mary Lynch Rogers, the great-granddaughter of McGunnigle, whose connection to McGunnigle helped turn him on to the pioneering ideas McGunnigle implemented, and tried to implement, into baseball during the game’s formative years. “He really was ahead of his time,” Shafer said. (Pictured below signing book and with wife Mary at Cooperstown-Correction: Dodger Stadium)
Among Gunner McGunnigle’s (pictured, right) many accolades include being the first manager to win back-to-back pennants in 1889 and 1890. Not only did McGunnigle win the two championships, he did it in two different leagues. The Bridgegrooms were in the American Association in 1889 and then moved to the National League for the 1890 pennant.
It is still a feat that has not been repeated, Shafer said.
Shafer said McGunnigle was also the first manager to use hand, bat and other signals to direct players on base to steal or send messages to players identifying pitches the opposing hurler might throw—an advancement that is as much a part of today’s games as those more than 100 years ago.
Shafer said McGunnigle believed alerting his players to opponents pitches was so important he wanted to run electrical lines from the dugout to the batters box to essentially “wire” his players for signals from the bench.
Shafer said while the idea was ahead of its time, it was nixed by an electrician who said there was a chance players could be electrocuted.
McGunnigle is also a disputed inventor of the catcher’s mitt.
Shafer has unearthed a copy of Reach’s Official Baseball Guide from 1875 (below) that cites McGunnigle as using the first catcher’s mitt as a player for the Fall River team.
The guide states McGunnigle cut off the fingers of a brick layer’s gloves and used the glove to protect his hand in a game against a team from Harvard.
One of the Harvard players followed McGunnigle’s example and the catcher’s mitt caught on everywhere except in baseball’s hallowed Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N.Y. where Joe Gunson is credited with wearing the first catcher’s mitt in 1888—13 years after McGunnigle—while playing for a Kansas City team.
Part of the problem surrounding who invented the catcher's mitt is a distinction between the so-called "pillow mitt" and McGunnigle's innovation.
"Gunson claimed to have invented what is the modern big 'pillow' mitt, and some at the Hall of Fame agree. Other experts say it was Brooklyn Bridegrooms catcher Albert "Doc" Bushong," Shafer said in an email.
"My book shows that Bushong was already using such a glove when Gunson claimed to have invented his. Doc had a degree in dentistry and wanted to protect his hands for a future career as a dentist, which he became in Brooklyn after retiring," Shafer said.
Either way, McGunnigle used a glove in 1875--padded or not--to protect his hand from the steam of a pitcher's velocity.
Shafer said it is too bad McGunnigle doesn’t get the credit he deserves and should have a place at Cooperstown highlighting his innovations because he did so much for the game.
“It was such a long time ago, and the game was changing so quickly and the Hall of Fame came so much later,” Shafer said. “McGunnigle should really have his own place,” Shafer said.
(Top photo, Lee, Joe and Sheila Angelo; McGunnigle photo courtesy Shafer and Hall of Fame; Reach's Guide page courtesy Shafer)
Click here to visit Shafer's website or here to purchase his book on Amazon...

Grit, Determination Power U.S Women's Soccer

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
Anybody catch that goal by Abby Wambach???!!!
You know what I mean.
The Women’s World Cup. U.S.A. vs. Brazil played Sunday morning.
Time seemed to stand still as the pass from Megan Rapinoe made its way from the left wing across the goal mouth, past the outstretched hands of Brazil's goalkeeper Andreia to Wambach’s forehead on the far post.
Time was ticking off the clock.
U.S.A. was down to its last 30 seconds in extra time behind Brazil 2-1 in a topsy-turvy game marred by a controversial red card and the subsequent first penalty kick that U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo saved, but Brazil was given a successful second chance on another questionable call.
Rapinoe’s soaring cross had to go in.
It just had to. You could feel the U.S. was going to tie the score.
It was a perfect pass, in the perfect spot, to the right player at the right time and Wambach-known in soccer circles as the Queen of the Midair--made no mistake. (Wambach pictured at top)
It was textbook.
A header just like your coach tells you to do. Attack the ball—which means keep your eyes open--and drive it hard to a corner.
And DID Wambach drive it.
The springs holding the back of the net in place could clearly be heard on ESPN’s broadcast as Wambach’s goal plowed into the net and bounced back out with effect as Team U.S.A. overcame numerous hurdles at the last second to tie the score, send the match into overtime and eventually win on penalty kicks.
Wow Wambach!
Thank you for slamming that baby home.
What a pass by Rapinoe. Sometimes getting an assist is almost as good as getting the goal.
Team U.S.A.’s miraculous win wipes away the controversy surrounding the ref’s questionable red card and ejection of Boston Breakers’ Rachel Buehler—a stalwart on defense at the 64-minute mark.
Forget about the Hope Solo save on the first penalty kick for Buehler’s red card and then having to face another when the officials indicated some kind of encroachment on the save. (Solo pictured second from top)
Forget about Brazil evening the score on the rekick of the penalty shot.
Who cares now.
With everything against them, the U.S. women’s team showed what they were made of: grit and determination.
Never say die--even with 30 seconds left.
They played a man down for nearly 60 minutes—a regulation soccer match is 90 minutes—and they took the play to the Brazilians, who even a man-up mustered little offense, except a stealth attack from superstar Marta’s big toe that put Brazil in the lead 2-1 just 2 minutes into overtime.
Another controversy. The player who passed Marta the ball to go ahead probably should have been called for being offside.
Oh well. Doesn’t matter now.
At the professional level it’s not often a team playing with a man down looks like the one in the driver’s seat, but that’s the way the U.S. played it.
They attacked.
Not only in the overtime, but from the moment Buehler was sent off.
They seemed to get the fact the deck was stacked against them, except in the minds of viewers and fans.
Thousands of German fans who packed the stadium in Dresden, Germany joined in chants of “U.S.A.” and the momentum was in Team U.S.A.’s court.
Down 2-1, the U.S. controlled the ball for much of the overtime and you just knew they were going to score, but when?
Time was REALLY running out. The game should have been over at the 120-minute mark, but 3 minutes of extra time was added for a number of Brazilian stalling tactics, most notably by Erika, who clearly faked an injury to chew up time.
Didn’t matter.
Looks like the Brazilians learned that sometimes doing everything you can to win isn’t a good idea.
Marta—what a great player. She may end up the Don Mattingly of women’s soccer. Sorry girl. You’re still young. At 25, you’ve got a few more World Cups to play. This isn’t your time.
Not sure if it’s this Team U.S.A.’s time. Today will tell.
Today’s game against France (11:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ESPN) will be a tough one.
The French have never made it this far and they might think, just like the U.S., they have destiny on their side.
Don’t think so since the U.S. has beaten the French 11 of 13 matches, but you never know. Never underestimate an opponent. That’s why we play the game.
This American women’s team needed a defining moment and on Sunday they got it.
To draw attention to the women’s World Cup I joked with friends the best thing that could happen in the tournament would be for one of the women on the North Korean roster to defect.
I was wrong.
There is nothing better than a last-second, man-down, all-against-you win capped by a pass and a shot for world-wide headlines and highlight reels.
Go U.S.A.!!!
(Top two photos courtesy of Getty Images. All others courtesy ESPN)

Rox Set Home Hit Record Sunday Against Colonials

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Ed Nottle, who led the Brockton Rox to the franchise’s only championship as field manager in 2003, was hired as the club’s coach Sunday, according to a statement from Rox officials.
Nottle was suited up for his first game back on the bench Sunday, July 11 when the Rox walloped the Pittsfield Colonials 13-6 and the team set a new record for the number of hits on its home turf with 22.
“We’re thrilled to have Ed’s positive energy and enthusiasm back in the clubhouse,” said Rox CEO Chris Carminucci.
“We feel that Ed’s spark will be contagious and will help the team reach its expectations.”
Nottle replaces Bob Didier, who resigned from the club for personal reasons.
With Sunday's win the Rox's record stands at 22-19, just one game behind the Can-Am leading Colonials who will be at Campanelli Stadium tonight for the second of a three game series.
The 22-hit game fell short of the Rox's 24-hit all-time record which was set in July 2006 when the Rox were on the road against Nashua.

Brockton Native Comes Home For Wheelchair Bowling Championship

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Surrounded by family members he had not seen in person for more than 20 years since moving to Florida, Brockton native Michael Cannizzaro held the championship trophy for the top scorer in the B division of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association’s 50th anniversary National Championship—a first place title made sweeter because he won it in his hometown.
“I’ve been second (in the National Championship) for the last two years,” Cannizzaro said. “I want to win it here,” he said.
His nephew David Cannizzaro whose daughter Chelsey had never met her great-uncle until the tournament—said his Uncle Michael had the win with a few strings left to bowl, but remained quiet and calm as other bowlers finished out their matches.
“He didn’t celebrate. He kept quiet about it, but you could see he was really excited,” David Cannizzaro said.
Michael Cannizzaro joined more than 50 bowlers and hundreds of spectators for the American Wheelchair Bowling Association’s National Championship held at Westgate Lanes in Brockton from June 20 to 25. (Pictured, second photo from top at left rolling a practice ball)
Tournaments are held all year long around the country, but the National Championship is the “Big One,” competitors said.
The AWBA, formed in 1961, celebrated its 50th National Championship at Westgate Lanes in Brockton—a special moment commemorated in Brockton in part because of Tournament Director Wayne Webber.
Also in a wheelchair, Webber said he received treatment for injuries out of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Roxbury, but also worked in Westgate Lanes’ Pro Shop for more than 3 years while living in Massachusetts before moving to Florida 19 years ago.
“There’s a real rapport here and it’s been a special place for me and others,” Webber said.
Westgate Lanes has become a special place for Michael Cannizzaro having won his first National Championship with his family watching, but getting to the tournament was no small feat.
Cannizzaro made a unique-for-him road trip from Florida to Brockton to not only compete in the National Championship, but also visit with family members who he had only previously talked with on the phone.
“It was like a family reunion,” said Rosalie Linscott, Cannizzaro’s sister who now lives in Foxboro.
(Pictured in photo at right back row: Terry Powers, Ann Powers, Rosalie Linscott and David Cannizzaro. Front row: Ray Dennison, Michael Cannizzaro and Chelsey Cannizzaro)
Linscott said except for a few family members who have traveled to Florida to visit Michael, most have never met him because he has lived in Florida for 22 years and rarely travels because of his handicap.
However, the National Championship being held in Brockton was powerful incentive for Cannizzaro to visit.
“He said, ‘I’m going to that one,’” Linscott said.
What made it happen was friend Ray Dennison, also in a wheelchair, who drove with Cannizzaro in a special wheelchair van more than 1,460 miles from their homes in Port Charlotte, Florida—just north of Fort Myers--to a hotel near Linscott’s home in Foxboro.
The pair took two days to make the trip.
“It’s not easy for those guys to get around. It was really a marathon trip for them,” Linscott said.
While Cannizzaro was crowned National Champion for the first time, Reading, California resident Walt Roy was crowned champion for the fifth time in the “scratch” division.
A Hall of Famer, Roy, 68, who has been bowling for more than 30 years, said he would not miss the National Championship for the world.
“This is our Super Bowl, our World Series, and our Master’s,” Roy said. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he said. (Pictured in top photo bowling a practice strike)
Roy urged other men and women in wheelchairs to become involved in the sport not only for exercise, rehab and meeting new people, but also maybe to win.
“Go out and try it,” Roy said. “You don’t have to be a national champion—just have fun,” he said.
However the competitor in Roy added: “You can be as good as you want to be—maybe you can be a national champion.”
During opening ceremonies held Thursday, June 23 a celebration to veteran’s featured “Singing State Trooper” Sgt. Daniel Clark and Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums.
Westgate Lanes manager Harry Minassian Jr. said the opening ceremony was amazing and heartfelt.
“Everybody was crying,” Minassian said.
Al DeGirolamo, legislative aide to State Rep. Michael Brady, was one of those who was honored to throw out one of the first balls of the tournament.
Like the men and women who competed in the tournament throughout the week, DeGirolamo sat in a wheelchair and held the heavy bowling ball on his lap as he used his arms to wheel the chair to the line of the alley.
He said he used all his might to send the ball down the lane. DeGirolamo laughed noting he might need more practice.
"I got three gutter balls in a row," DeGirolamo said. “I gained a lot of respect and admiration for what those competitors do,” he said.
To find out more about the AWBA or learn about leagues and how to join, click here to visit the AWBA website.

Runners Pound Pavement In Brockton Road Race

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Nearing the finish line of the Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums Road Race, Hingham’s Chris Barry urged every ounce of power and speed from his 11-year-old body as he tried to catch Under 15 division leader Matt Moran but try as he might, Barry finished second—only 7 seconds behind winner Moran.
“It's maddening,” Barry said, shaking his head after the race and drinking water with his mother Lauren who came in second in the women’s division. (Pictured below with Bruins shirt with mom, Lauren at right)
Irritated, but undaunted, Chris Barry said he will only try harder to win the next race.
“Next time,” Barry said.
Barry, his mother and more than 150 racers, volunteers and spectators from nearby towns like East Bridgewater and Hingham or as far away as Lynn and Boston, congregated at Brockton Firefighter’s Keating Hall on Perkins Avenue for the 5th annual Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums Road Race held Sunday, June 26.
Ninety-one men, women and children competed in the 5K/3.1 mile road race around the streets of the Campello area of Brockton.
The first runner across the line was Chad Green who finished in 18 minutes, 12 seconds. (Pictured at right)
Placing first overall among women was Kristina Coriarty (pictured below with trophy) who finished in 19 minutes, 25 seconds and was the second runner to finish the race.
Following the race, runners, families and friends enjoyed a barbecue and mingled among the crowd, including Brockton’s Angel Otero and Kati Mack (Pictured left to right) who noticed the two families likely had the youngest spectators in the crowd.
Otero held his 1-month old son Daniel—number five for he and his wife Nicole.
Mack cradled 8-month-old Ilira as the pair talked about children, running and the need to cover the newborns' heads and skin from the sun that began to peek through the clouds after the race.
Mack ran the 3.1 mile race with sister-in-law Shannon Mack. Otero said he watched with his wife Nicole as their third child Mia ran the race in the under 15 girls division.
Otero said even if he didn’t have Daniel in his arms it would be very unlikely he would run next year’s Pipes and Drums race—or any other for that matter.
“I don’t even like to run to the ‘fridge,” Otero joked.

Brockton U12 Girls Top Abington Tourney

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The Brockton Girls U12 softball team took top honors in the 23rd annual Abington Father's Day Softball Tournament held last weekend.
The team defeated 4 teams to make the finals and beat Kingston's U12 girls 8-2 to win the championship in their age bracket and remain undefeated during the tourney.