NOON
SAG•AFTRA (0-1) @ ActorsFCU (0-1) on Heckscher 2; BLONDIES (1-0) @ IGGY'S (1-0) on Heckscher 5
2PM
ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND (1-0) @ THE FOUL BALLS (0-1) on Heckscher 2; TBD (1-0) @ GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (0-1) on Heckscher 5

Weather looks good with a 1% chance of rain. JM

On one of the most glorious Opening Days in recent memory, the PASL took to the hallowed grounds to begin the 2024 season. 

At NOON ~ IGGY's had to hold off a furious 7th inning comeback by SAG•AFTRA to win, 9-8; and BLONDIES skunked ActorsFCU, 10-0.
At 2PM ~ defending Champs TBD (formerly the SEAPORT RENEGADES) picked up where they left off last season with a 10-2 trouncing of THE FOUL BALLS; and the new/old kids on the block ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND topped GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB, 4-1. 

See y'all out there next week. JM

NOON
Actors FCU @ BLONDIES on Heckscher 2; IGGY'S @ SAG-AFTRA on Heckscher 5

2PM
THE FOUL BALLS @ TBD (formerly SEAPORT) on Heckscher 2; ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND @ GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB 0n Heckscher 5
 

On a day that can only be described as perfect, the 45th annual PERFORMING ARTS SOFTBALL LEAGUE'S Opening Day was played on the hallowed grounds of the Heckscher Ballfields. Thrilled to see everyone out there, happy and healthy, doing what we've done for, lo, these many years. 

Here are your scores:

At NOON ~ SAGAFTRA (1-0) won, 7-0 in a walkover with ActorsFCU (0-1), and defending Champs, IGGY'S (1-0), beat BLONDIES (0-1), 4-1. 

At 2pm ~ SEAPORT RENEGADES (1-0) topped THE FOUL BALLS (0-1), 12-3; and in the game of the day, GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (1-0) held on to beat LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS (0-1), 7-5. 

Next week's schedule has been posted, but I'll put in another reminder by week's end. JM 

 

Hello, all. I hope this finds everyone healthy and safe. Well, after a long off-season, there are a few updates I can share with you. Permits for the 2022 PASL Season were submitted to the Parks Permits Dept. and have been approved. The Regular Season starting date will be Monday, April 11th and ending on August 1st. I was not asked to submit and COVID-19 Compliance Forms. I have a scheduled meeting with the Parks Department and the Central Park Conservancy on March 10th. I have updated the website to reflect the new 2022 season. We are an eight team, two-division league and will enjoy a full 15 game regular season. Hope to see you out there. JM

I hope all of you have enjoyed your holiday season; we are a mere three months and some away from the the start of the 2020 campaign. When you get this you'll notice the website has a bit of a makeover. Navigation is much the same.

We do have a division slot to fill at NOON (been working on that) and two teams in the PM Division that need to be reconstituted (AFCU and RADIO FREE NY). It is paramount that we keep the 6 team division format intact as uneven divisions would present a scheduling nightmare.

I'll keep everyone posted in the coming days/weeks as to how we will go about achieving a balanced schedule. If anyone has any ideas about teams, players, etc., we're open to any and all suggestions.

Otherwise, all is good. Our permit application for the new season was submitted in late November, and our annual managers meeting will take place sometime in early to mid-March.

Season begins Monday, April 13th. Cheers and Happy New Year!

At NOON: #1 seed THE CREW will host #2 RAOUL'S/RJK on Heckscher 5; At 2PM: #1 seed LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS will be home vs #2 seed and defending PASL Champions, RADIO FREE NY. Single elimination. Good luck, fellas. JM

On a glorious day in Central Park, four hard-fought games were played, including a 10-inning affair that was determined in the final at bat. NOON #1 THE CREW was given all they could handle, edging out a very game, very gritty #4 BARCELONA squad in a nail-biter, 1-0 #2 RAOUL'S/RJK knocked #3 IGGY'S out in a hard-earned, methodical 5-2 victory. THE CREW will host RAOUL'S/RJK in next week's Division Championship @ NOON on Heckscher 5 2PM #2 RADIO FREE NY just got by #3 GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB in a well- pitched, well-defended 2-1 win. And in the game of the day, it took 10 innings for #1 LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS to finally put away the #4 SEAPORT RENEGADES in a seesaw battle that ended in a 7-6 win. So, LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS will host RADIO FREE NY on Heckscher 5 @ 2pm If this week was any indication of what is to come, I can't wait till next Monday! See you out there. JM

With their respective divisions on the line, THE CREW and LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS took care of business as THE (undefeated) CREW (14-0) topped RAOUL’S/RJK (12-2), 4-1; and LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS (11-4) knocked off defending PASL Champs RADIO FREE NY (11-4), 9-4!

Congrats to Managers Christian Goris for his undefeated regular season and Louis B. Crocco for his first-ever regular-season division crown. Way to go, guys!!

In other scores that had playoff implications: IGGY'S (8-7) trounced BARCELONA (7-8), 7-0 GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (9-6) swept a doubleheader from QUIVERPOINT (2-13), 10-7 and 6-5 And ActorsFCU (3-12) ended their season with an upset win over the SEAPORT RENEGADES (9-6), 7-3

Seedings are: NOON #1 THE CREW #2 RAOUL'S/RJK #3 IGGY'S #4 BARCELONA

2PM #1 LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS #2 RADIO FREE NY #3 GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB #4 SEAPORT RENEGADES

Scores for July 8th Noon THE CREW (10-0) mercied BARCELONA (6-5), 11-1; IGGY'S (5-5) knocked off SAGAFTRA (2-9); and MONAVISION (0-11) forfeited to RAOUL'S/RJK (8-1). In the suspended game, THE CREW came from behind in their last at- bat to defeat IGGY'S, 4-3 2PM LOCAL 802 (8-2) held on to edge GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (5-4), 6-5; SEAPORT RENEGADES (7-3) topped QUIVERPOINT (1-8), 11-1; and RADIO FREE NY (8-2) shutout ActorsFCU (0-10), 9-0 Next week, July 15th: the NOON Division will have doubleheaders starting @ 11:15am while the 2PM Division will have single games starting at, well...2pm, as they will have a doubleheader the following week (7-22) against the same opponents.

Keep praying for good weather! JM

Schedule for Monday, July 8th** 11:30 BARCELONA / THE CREW Heckscher 2* SAGAFTRA / IGGY'S Heckscher 4*

NOON RAOUL'S / MONAVISION Heckscher 5

2PM GOTHAM / LCL 802 Heckscher 2 RENEGADES / QUIVERPOINT Heckscher 4 ActorsFCU / RADIO FREE NY Heckscher 5

*Games on Heckscher 2 & 4 are starting early in order to accommodate the completion of the suspended game between IGGY's and THE CREW, which will resume in the top of the 4th inning with IGGY'S leading, 3-2, on Heckscher 4. **All regularly scheduled games will be a coin flip for home/away Weather looks good. See you out there. JM

We will be keeping to the field assignments for May 6th. Away teams in the opener will be the home teams in the second game. 5 and 7 inning games. The schedule is as follows: 11:15AM* SAG•AFTRA @ BARCELONA - Heckscher 2 RAOUL'S/RJK @ IGGY'S - Heckscher 4 THE CREW @ MONAVISION FILMS - Heckscher 5 1:30PM RENEGADES @ GOTHAM COMEDY - Heckscher 2 RADIO FREE NY @ QUIVERPOINT - Heckscher 4 LCL 802 @ ActorsFCU - Heckscher 5

*Teams need to be game-time ready. If you only have eight you will start with eight and then add-on.

Schedule for Monday, April 29th

NOON

IGGY'S @ THE CREW on Heckscher 2; SAGAFTRA @ RAOUL'S/RJK on Heckscher 4; BARCELONA @ MONAVISION FILMS on Heckscher 5

2PM

QuiverPoint @ LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS on Heckscher 2 SEAPORT RENEGADES @ RADIO FREE NY on Heckscher 4 GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB @ ActorsFCU on Heckscher 5

Weather should be good. JM

Weather Permitting …

Noon

MONAVISION @ RAOUL’S/RJK ~ Heckscher 2; BARCELONA @ THE CREW ~ Heckscher 4; SAGAFTRA @ IGGY’S ~ Heckscher 5

2PM

ActorsFCU @ RFNY ~ Heckscher 2; GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB @ LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS ~ Heckscher 4; SEAPORT RENEGADES @ QUIVERPOINT ~ Heckscher 5

Keep the rainout number handy listed at the bottom of this Notice Board.

Players, a new season is upon us and I would like to point out a few things: first, the season will commence on Monday, April 15th; the entire schedule has been posted and all regular season games will be played at Heckscher. Second, if you haven't yet, I urge you to check out the Rules and Policies page on the site. There are many changes, several of which have to do with sportsmanship and conduct; the illegal bat situation is being dealt with aggressively. Also, the Central Park Conservancy, the Park Police and the NYPD are all going to be monitoring quality-of-life issues such as alcohol consumption, pot smoking and loud music. Let this serve as an early warning. These issues and more were discussed at the Managers Meeting this past Monday and all were in agreement. Happy to say the meeting was fully attended save for two teams, who both gave me notice beforehand. That's it for now. Let's hope for great weather all season. Cheers, JM

ALL HAIL THE 2018 PASL CHAMPIONS RADIO FREE NY!

If a seemingly unending season was going to wring every last drop it had to offer, it was only right that the final 9- inning game goes into extra innings, with the winner more than worthy of hoisting the Heckscher Challenge Cup.

Game 3 looked eerily similar to Game 1 when THE CREW's Frankie Feliciano singled to left to knock in a run to cap off a three-run inning; 3-0, CREW.

THE CREW P Chris Nunez kept RADIO FREE off the scoreboard until the top of the 4th when RFNY's Manny Chevere poked what looked like a harmless single into right field that was misplayed for an error. He then came all the way around to score on two successive throwing errors to make it 3-1.

Later in the 4th, Guby Delgado's two-out RBI single made it 3-2, and that's the way it stayed until the top of the 8th inning.

With runners on first and third, Frankie Brown's perfectly placed single plated Randy Wilkins with the game-tying run, and it was all square at 3-3 after eight innings of play.

Both teams had their chances in the ninth but no one came through and so, fittingly, this game (and season) would continue on into extra innings.

Then, in the top of the 10th, P and Playoff MVP Matty Mathias Scaglia stepped to the plate with one out and the bases loaded; the go-ahead run just 65 feet away.

Matty stroked a clean single up the middle to plate Randy Wilkins (again) and make it 4-3. RFNY was just three outs away from their second Heckscher Cup in three years.

In the bottom of the 10th, THE CREW's first two batters made out and when their 3B lined out hard to Dan Arndt at 3rd, the PASL Championship was in the hands of RADIO FREE NY. Amazing.

What a game; what a Final; what a playoff; what a season. Not the easiest of seasons, to be sure, but 2018 will be one for the history books.

Caps off to Chris Nunez and his Noon Division Championship squad for giving it all they had.

And to Dan Arndt and RADIO FREE NY ~ your 2018 Performing Arts Softball League Champions!!

In the season that has no end, 'tis only fitting that the two Division Champions split their two-game series, forcing a one-game, winner- take-all 9 inning affair to be played next week @ 1pm on the hallowed grounds of Heckscher.

In the opener, The Crew jumped out to a seemingly insurmountable 6- 0 lead in the bottom of the first. But Radio Free NY pitcher Matty Scaglia settled down and gave up nothing the rest of the way. Unfortunately for RFNY, they could only scrape together 4 runs and The Crew took Game 1, 6-4.

In Game 2, RFNY's Randy Wilkins came through with a clutch 2-out, 2- run single with the bases loaded for a quick 2-0 lead. The Crew answered with one and that's pretty much how it stayed, but the drama was far from over.

In the bottom of the 6th, RFNY looked to put the game on ice when they loaded the bases with no one out. But a pop fly and a brilliant 3- 3-2 doubleplay left the score right where it was, and had The Crew pumped up and ready to do work in the top of the 7th.

With nobody out, an infield single and two walks loaded the bases for The Crew. The intensity was palpable. However, Matty was up to the task inducing an infield fly and two short popups to end one of the best games of the year, if not the best.

So, here we are, tied at one game apiece. Who will hoist the coveted Heckscher Cup next week?

Stay tuned, kiddies. The ending should be epic.

Due to weather and field conditions, the PASL Championship will be postponed until next week, Sept 17th. Those games will be played back at Heckscher.

And then there were two ...

Quite the day at Heckscher, starting with the replaying of the IGGY'S / THE CREW game, where THE CREW completely demolished IGGY'S, 9- 0, to advance to the NOON Division Finals.

At NOON, THE CREW, brimming with confidence after their shutout do- or-die victory, stood their ground and eked out one of the more exciting and dramatic victories of the year over defending PASL champs, RAOUL'S/RJK, 3-2.

In the 2PM Division Championship, LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM was just six outs away from going to the big dance for the first time ever... but, alas, it was not to be. Holding a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the 6th, RADIO FREE NY led the inning off with two walks and then it quickly unraveled after that for the 802 Musicians.

Several errors and a couple of knocks later and in a blink, RADIO FREE NY scored four times to take a 5-3 lead that they would never relinquish; earning them a place in the PASL Championship for the 3rd straight year.

THE CREW and RADIO FREE NY will square off in the best-of-three PASL Championship on September 10th at the Great Lawn. Field to be determined.

Should the teams split, the final 9 inning game will be held back at Heckscher on the 17th.

And then there will be one ...

JM

11am #3 IGGY'S @ #2 THE CREW

12:30 Winner of the IGGY'S/CREW game @ #1 RAOUL'S/RJK

2:30 #2 LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM @ #1 RADIO FREE NY

All games will be played on Heckscher #2

PASL Division Semifinals, Monday 8/20

NOON SAGAFTRA @ RAOUL'S / RJK on Heckscher 2; IGGY'S @ THE CREW on Heckscher 5

2PM SEAPORT RENEGADES @ RADIO FREE NY on Heckscher 2; QUIVERRPOINT @ LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM on Heckscher 5

Winners will play for their respective Division titles the following week (8/27) on Heckscher 2

Weather should be good. Let's put it this way: weather had BETTER be good...

See you all out there JM

Guys,

I’m going on record that even though the fields are open (a weird choice by the Conservancy), there is going to be more rain. Possibly a lot more rain and they could change the status at any time.

I’m going to cancel the games and reschedule them for Heckscher on August 20th.

See you next week.

JM

Playoff Schedule - Division Semis

NOON #4 SAGAFTRA @ #1 RAOUL'S/RJK on Great Lawn 4

#3 IGGY'S @ #2 THE CREW on Great Lawn 6

2PM #4 RENEGADES @ #1 RADIO FREE NY on Great Lawn 4

#3 QUIVERPOINT @ #2 LCL 802 MUSICIANS PM on Heckscher 6

Single elimination.

Enter the Park either on the West Side at 81st or 85th Street and CPW, or 84th - 85th Street and 5th Avenue on the East Side.

Apologies for any inconvenience. This will be our last venture outside the hallowed grounds of the Heckscher ballfields ~ weather permitting.

Don't even say it ... JM

Forecast now is for rain Saturday and Sunday, then a 90% chance of thunderstorms next Monday. Should we get washed out, we’ll reschedule for the following week at Heckscher, Diamonds 2 and 5.

NOON

In their first game RAOUL'S/RJK (13-2) topped THE CREW (13-2), 11- 1 (makeup game for July 2nd), then opted to take a forfeit in the second game, then run-ruled BARCELONA (3-12), 16-6. IGGY'S (9-6) sneaked by LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS AM (3-12), 4-3, then forfeited their makeup game with THE CREW; and SAG•AFTRA (4-11) edged out BARCELONA in comeback fashion with a 4-2 victory that (alongside LCL 802 AM's loss) clinched the fourth and final seed in the NOON Division.

2PM

RADIO FREE NY (14-1) topped GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (5-10), 4-3; and SEAPORT RENEGADES (6-9) ~ needing a sweep to grab the final seed in the 2pm Division ~ swept two from ActorsFCU (2-13), 9-8 in nine innings July 2nd makeup game), and 7-1 in the nightcap.

QUIVERPOINT (6-8) and LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS (11-3) had a bye.

With RAOUL'S wins they clinched the Regular Season Division for the third time in the last four years. RADIO FREE NY winds up with the league's best record (14-1) and their third straight Regular Season Division title. Congrats to Mike Peckins, Dan Arndt and their respective squads.

And congrats to Buddy Mantia, Gene DeFrancis and their teams for making the playoffs on the final day.

Playoff schedule will be posted in the coming days. Note that the first round (Division Semis) will be played on the Great Lawn, #4 and #6 due to the annual women's softball tournament at Heckscher. Division Finals and The Heckscher Cup Championship will be played at Heckscher.

To say it's been a maddening and unpredictable season would be a gross understatement; weather chief among the culprits; but I guess we all could've done a better job at dealing with what seemed to be a weekly obstacle.

However, with keen input and cooperation (and many conference calls) with Tom Burnett and Louis B. Crocco (and a lot of the managers around the league) we were at least able to get the season in and, hopefully, finish it off before the uncertainty of permit availability rears its ugly head.

Kudos and sincere thanks to you all. You have no idea how much it's appreciated.

See you out there. JM

Final Regular Season Schedule (hopefully)

11AM

802AM v IGGY’s on Heckscher 2 RAOUL’s v CREW (2 games) on Heckscher 4* Barcelona v SAG•AFTRA on Heckscher 5

*If either team in the RAOUL'S / CREW doubleheader sweeps, they will be crowned Noon Division Champs. Should they split, they will have identical records (12-2) and must play a third game at 1:30p posted below.

If 802AM loses and SAGAFTRA wins over BARCELONA, SAGAFTRA grabs the final playoff spot. If BARCELONA wins, they clinch. If 802AM wins and Barcelona loses, then Barcelona will have to play RAOUL'S in a third game, since they have the tie-break vs 802AM. SAGAFTRA has no tie-breaker unless they beat BARCELONA.

1:30

IGGY’S v CREW Heckscher 2 (if necessary) RAOUL’S v BARCELONA Heckscher 4 (if necessary) ActorsFCU v RENEGADES Heckscher 5 (2 games)**

**RENEGADES must sweep to clinch the fourth and final PM playoff seed at 2pm.

2:30 (approx)

GOTHAM v RADIO FREE NY on Heckscher 2

#2 seed LCL 802 MUSICIANS PM and #3 seed QUIVERPOINT were gracious enough to agree to a bye, freeing up a diamond for a third NOON game, if necessary.

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm exhausted. Thanks for rolling with all the rainouts and permit snafus, etc.

See you out there. JM

From the Department of No-Brainers,

I don’t believe there’s a chance in hell we’ll play tomorrow, what with today’s downpour coupled with last night’s deluge … and promise of more on the way.

My first thought is to reschedule this game for the 13th of August, which would’ve been the first round of the playoffs, but I’ll discuss with Tom and Louis and get back to everyone with a definitive change of schedule.

Talk soon, JM

Doubleheaders scheduled for Monday, July 2nd

11:15* THE CREW (8-0) @ RAOUL'S (7-0) on Heckscher 2; SAGAFTRA (2-6) @ BARCELONA (2-6) on Heckscher 4; and IGGY'S (3-4) @ LCL 802 MUSICIANS AM (1-7)

1:30p* GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (3-5) @ RADIO FREE NY (7-1) on Heckscher 2; ActorsFCU (2-16) @ SEAPORT RENEGADES (3-5) on Heckscher 4; and LCL 802 MUSICIANS PM (6-2) @ QUIVERPOINT (3-5) on Heckscher 5

*Home teams in Game 1 will be the away team in Game 2;

Game 1 will be 5 innings; Game 2, seven, or as many as you can get in.

In the second game of the 11:15 slot, no new inning will start after 1:30pm in order to afford enough time for the 2pm teams to complete their games.

Scores for Game 1 should be entered into the May 14th slot.

Bring lots of water, folks. Though it may not be as bad as the weekend it could be quite brutal.

See you all out there. JM

SCORES for June 25th

NOON

Undefeated THE CREW (8-0) over SAGAFTRA (2-6), 9-3; and BARCELONA (2-6) tuned up LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS AM (1-7), 10-3.

2PM

RADIO FREE NY (7-1) drummed out LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM (6-2), 10-3; SEAPORT RENEGADES (3-5) took nine innings to win in their last at-bat over QUIVERPOINT (3-5), 10-9; and GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (3-5) had the last-laugh over ActorsFCU (2-6), 13-6

Due to a double-booking by the Permits Dept letting the Board of Education bigfoot us on Heckscher 2, The RAOUL'S / IGGY'S game will be played as part of a doubleheader on Monday, July 30th. We will attempt to schedule two 7 inning games before the 2pm starts.

On a personal note (and despite that fuckup), I was very happy and grateful to be out there today, and I want to thank all the people who welcomed me back and wished me well. I definitely felt the love. Many humble thanks.

See you next week for the doubleheaders!!

NOON

LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS AM (1-6) got off the schneid with an intense 8 inning, 5- 4 victory over SAG•AFTRA (2-5); THE CREW remained undefeated (7-0) with a 5-1 win over IGGY’S (3-4); and RAOUL’S/RJK (7-0) ate up BARCELONA (1-6), 15-1

2PM

LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM (6-1) continued their stellar play with a laugher over GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (2-5), 13-1; ActorsFCU picked up another W beating QUIVERPOINT (3-4) in 8 innings, 6-5; and RADIO FREE NY (6-1) suffered an unfortunate forfeit to SEAPORT RENEGADES (2-5), 7-0

NOON

LCL 802 MUSICIANS AM @ RAOUL’S/RJK on Heckscher 2; BARCELONA @ THE CREW on Heckscher 4; and SAG•AFTRA @ IGGY’S on Heckscher 5

2PM

QUIVERPOINT @ RADIO FREE NY on Heckscher 2; SEAPORT RENEGADES @ GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB on Heckscher 4; and ActorsFCU @ LCL 802 MUSICIANS PM on Heckscher 5

See you all out there. JM

Due to wet playing conditions, today's games (5/14) will be postponed and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on June 25th. JM

Gents,

A beautiful day in the park, folks. Hopefully, it’s the start of a long stretch of good weather.

Here are the scores from today’s games:

NOON

BARCELONA (1-2) entered the win column with a 4-1 victory over LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS AM (0-3); RAOUL’S/RJK (3-0) held on for a 5-3 win over IGGY’S (0-3); and upstart SAG•AFTRA (2-1) suffered its first loss of the year to THE CREW (3-0), 6-3

2PM

QUIVERPOINT (2-1) shook up the winless SEAPORT RENEGADES (0-3) with a 6-4 win; in the game of the day, RADIO FREE NY (3-0) won a squeaker over LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM (2-1), 4-3; and ActorsFCU (1-2) was all over GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (1-2) with a 14-6 beatdown.

NOON

BARCELONA @ LCL 802 MUSICIANS AM on Heckscher 2; RAOUL’S / RJK @ IGGY’S on Heckscher 4; and THE CREW @ SAG?AFTRA on Heckscher 5

2PM

SEAPORT RENEGADES @ QUIVERPOINT on Heckscher 2; RADIO FREE NY @ LCL 802 MUSCIANS PM on HECKSCHER 4; and GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB @ ActorsFCU on Heckscher 5.

Weather: partially sunny; temps in the high 60’s. See you out there!

JM

Opening Day Scores:

NOON THE CREW (1-0) edged out BARCELONA (0-1), 2-1; RAOUL'S/RJK (1- 0) ate up LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS AM (0-1), 15-0; and SAG•AFTRA (1- 0) got jiggy with IGGY'S (0-1), 10-0.

2PM LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS PM (1-0) tuned up ActorsFCU (0-1), 11-3; GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB (1-0) had the last laugh over the SEAPORT RENEGADES (0-1), 10-0; and RADIO FREE NY (1-0) over QUIVERPOINT (0-1), 9-1.

Even though I had to miss it due to a professional obligation, it sounded like a glorious day in the park. See you out there next week. JM

Guys, sadly there will be massive amounts of rain predicted for Sunday night into Monday. I have no choice but to cancel these games and reschedule them as part of a doubleheader for Monday, May 21st. See you next week (he said, hopefully). JM

Rarely does a Championship Final live up to its billing, but this was one for the ages. In the opener, RADIO FREE NY had to wait nearly six innings to score the first runs of the game, but when a sure double play ball took a tough hop on the RAOUL’S/RJK shortstop and bounded into right field, RFNY took full advantage and scored five unanswered runs in the bottom of the 6th to win Game 1, 5-0. In Game 2, RFNY jumped out to a 2-0 in their first at bat and everyone was thinking it could be a blowout. Hardly, because those would be the only two runs RFNY would score. But thanks to playoff MVP Matty Scaglia’s pitching and airtight defense, those measly two runs were all they needed but it wasn’t without drama. RAOUL’S had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the 7th and two outs, unfortunately for them they couldn’t get the big knock. Radio Free NY won the game, 2-1, to sweep the PASL Championship Series, two games to none. Raise the Heckscher Challenge Cup high, Uncle Curt. You and your squad deserve it.

On a balmy late summer afternoon, the two Division Champions entered the PASL Finals, both with fine records and high expectations. Only one team lived up to those lofty expectations as RAOUL’S (RJK) was clearly the superior squad, allowing just one run in 14 innings of championship play. In the opener, RAOUL’S scratched out a run in the bottom of the first but then they finally broke out, putting together a big four-run rally in the middle of the game to salt Game One away, winning handily, 5-0. In the nightcap, an egregious E4 with two outs and runners in scoring position gave RAOUL’S a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, then the eventual Champs added another one in the 4th. Spotted Owl scored their only run of the afternoon off of P Mike Peckins on a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1, but RAOUL’S (RJK) got that run right back the next inning. Owl did have a glimmer of hope when a leadoff triple opened the fifth inning, but they couldn’t push him across and left him stranded. To their credit, they did bring the tying run to the plate with one out and two on in the bottom of the 7th, but Peckins got out of it, inducing a weak popup and a fly out and that, as they say, was all she wrote. RAOUL’S (RJK) won the game 4-1, sweeping the Series and claiming the Heckscher Challenge Cup for the second time in three years. Congrats go out to Manager Mike Peckins and his band of merry men for a job well done.

It was a perfect late summer afternoon on the hallowed grounds of the Heckscher Ballfields; the two best teams in league - JOSHUA TREE/RJK and LATE SHOW (both 16-3) - squared off in a one game, nine-inning-winner-take- all affair to decide the Performing Arts Softball League Championship. The crowd was abuzz in anticipation of a knock-down drag out, low-scoring affair. What they got was a decisive LATE SHOW victory over JOSHUA TREE/RJK, 8-1, to take the Championship Series 2 games to 1 and win the Heckscher Cup for the second time in three years and third time in the last five. Playoff MVP P Christian Goris was masterful, keeping a very good offense off-balance and limiting them to just the one run, scored in the ninth inning with the game well out of reach. Caps off to manager Buddy Mantia and his band of merry men (17-3) and big shout out to Billy Scheft for all you've done. This one was truly for Dave! Have a great off season, gents. Already looking forward to 2015. JM

With the PASL Finals tied at one game apiece, each team knew what had to be done: win or go home. The game took on the feel of a championship bout with each team feeling each other out, each scoring a run in the first inning, but neither able to deliver a damaging blow.

With TENTHWAVE up 3-2 in the 5th, JOSHUA TREE/RJK put the first two runners on base with their speedy leadoff hitter OF Derrick Miller at the plate (who himself made a remarkable diving catch in the OF earlier in the game).

Incredibly, he rapped a sharp one-hopper to TENTHWAVE's 3rd baseman, who stepped on 3rd, threw to Reggie Henry at 2nd and on to 1B Mike Barulich for the first-ever triple play in PASL Finals history! A gorgeous 5- 4-3 triple play. Unbelievable!

However, JOSHUA TREE was not discouraged. With the game now tied 3-3, they opened their half of the critical 7th inning with a bloop single and an error.

JOSHUA TREE, undaunted by the earlier triple play, seized this moment to rally with big hit after big hit, and when the 7th was finally over they plated 3 huge runs to take a 6-3 lead.

Uncharacteristically, TENTHWAVE went down quietly (1-2- 3) in both the 8th and the 9th inning.

After such an uneven season, the playoffs and Finals were evenly matched and very competitive.

Congrats to Manager Mike Peckins (who went 2-0 as a starter replacing injured P Eric Brown), and his team who lost but once all year (19-1).

And a shout-out to TENTHWAVE’s Manager Reggie Henry, whose team (13-7) knocked off the defending Champs LATE SHOW to make it into the Finals in his first year as Manager.

All hail JOSHUA TREE/RJK. Your 2013 Performing Arts Softball League Champs!

See you next year! JM

For the second time in three years, Buddy Mantia and his LATE SHOW squad are kings of the Performing Arts Softball hill after sweeping the defending Champs THE BRAVERY, 4-3 and 19-6. The opener was a closely contested affair with both pitchers (Jimmy Maresca and Chris Lutkin) getting in and out of trouble. The game was tied 3-3 going into the 6th inning when LATE SHOW scratched across a run on a sacrifice fly by Playoff MVP Frankie Feliciano, and made it stand up after escaping a first and third, one out situation in the bottom of the 6th to preserve the lead. In the second game, the LATE SHOW bats showed up in force, scoring early and often in their home half of the first inning to take a commanding 8-0 lead after one. They never looked back as they scored three runs in each of the next three innings to essentially put it away and raise The Heckscher Cup. Caps off to Jack Cutler and his squad, THE BRAVERY, for a truly great season. Worthy champs, indeed. And here’s to you, Buddy, and your band of merry Lettermen!! LATE SHOW – your 2012 Performing Arts Softball Champions!

Guys, Manager Clint Sharman of Local 802, has been good enough to have a link published for our Rules and Policies. The R&P page itself is tiny and difficult to read. Clint's wife designed a page that is much easier to read and to navigate. All you need to do now is go to LINKS on the left side of the League website page, click on that and it will take you to the RULES & POLICIES link. Much thanks goes out to Clint and his wife for their work on this. JM

The rainout number is 212-628-1036 then 332 (Heckscher) 330 (Great Lawn) or 331 (North Meadow) JM.