Neither rain nor heat nor smoke from the Canadian wildfires prevented Rye
Recreation Adult Softball teams from having another sensational season. After 13
weeks of regular season games, two weeks of playoffs, and a week of
championships, each of the three leagues crowned a champion.
Top-seeded Neri’s Hardrollers, who finished the season 11-2, won the Women’s
crown for the third year in a row in a one off against third-seeded MSL
Refrigeration August 8.
For the first several innings, the game was a nail biter. Going into the fifth inning,
MSL was up 8-7, but Neri’s scored eight runs in that inning and that was the last
time they allowed MSL to score. Neri’s won 18-8.
Co-captain Domingo Rosario, who has been at the helm of Neri’s, along with Jen
DiGilio, for a decade, said: “We were thrilled to win the title, because the league
gets more competitive every year.” He added: “It’s a big commitment to make
every practice and game every week for four months, but we all have such a good
time.”
In the Men’s American League, there was an unprecedented four-way tie for
second place leading up to the championship. The Wranglers came out on top,
beating No. 1 Red’s Garage, 3-1 and 7-3.
Wranglers Captain Mike Tepedino said: “We were thrilled to win the
championship for the second time, especially since Red’s Garage is a fantastic
team. It was just the icing on the cake.”
The Wranglers started playing in the league in 2008. “We love the camaraderie,
friendly competition, and tradition,” said Tepedino, whose three sons, Will,
Matthew, and Alex are on the team. “We are a team with deep roots in our
community, made up of fathers and sons, brothers, and former Rye High
teammates.” Jim Kelly has been on the team since it started, and his son Quinn is
now a member. Among the former Rye High athletes are the Triano brothers,
Kevin Ramsey, and Dave Mangum. The players range in age from 19 to 59.
Chris Triano added: “It feels good to be a part of Rye Rec Softball. I am grateful to
my teammates and to the Rec for doing such a great job.” Kevin Ramsey thanked
the Rec staff “for everything they’ve done for me as a kid and as an adult.”
The Men’s National League crowned a new champion, 2 nd Chance, who were
seeded third and had a 7-6 regular season record. They toppled the top-seeded
Hammerheads who finished the season 12-1. 2 nd Chance won the two final games,
12-5 and 12-6, with authority.
Tom (TJ) Joyce started 2 nd Chance 20 years ago. His son Joe now plays, too. John
Nemsick has been playing from the start. His college-age son CJ is on the team.
Captain Pete Micelli has been pitching since the team’s inception.
John Nemsick said, “We have been competing against the Hammerheads for 20
years. We have a lot of fun and we are all friends. Not only are ‘the old guys’
friends, but the young guys are, too.”
He sent a shoutout to Rick DiRago, for organizing the games, and to DPW for
maintaining the fields.
Looking back on the season, DiRago, Recreation Attendant, said he was pleased to
have a new team, the Biscuits, join this season, and to see the Bears move up to the
American League from the National. Best of all? “It was awesome to have such a
big crowd at the Women’s championship.” He praised the DPW field crew,
“whose ‘behind-the-scenes’ work — prepping multiple fields five days a week for
13 weeks — is integral to a successful season.”
