Wednesday September 30, 2026 (Playoffs)

Miller's 11 - Arlington Grill 10

On a beautiful morning at Digilio, Miller's won their first championship by beating the defending champs Arlington Grill 11-10. In the 1st two innings the Grill scored twice on Miller's mistakes (which rarely happens). By the 3rd inning, the Grill was up 5-1. Miller's came back with a run in the 4th but made mistakes by touching the wrong bag twice. But in typical Miller's team fashion, they didn’t give up. Dan Sopchak called everyone together in the dugout and gave an inspiring pep talk and urged Miller's to play like they know they can. They turned the Grill off in the next 3 innings with the Miller's defense, with Joe Yanaerella and Dave Anduze cleaning up the infield and great stretches at 1st base by Spider DeRito. With defense back, Miller's slowly chipped back and scored 3 in the 6th. The Grill started up the gas and scored 2 in the 7th. A big play in that inning was Chris Thomas coming in and making a good catch and keeping the runner on third stranded and the Grill didn't score after that. But Miller's reacted with “we aren’t dead yet“ and came back with 5 in the 7th. Starting the rally was the veteran Dewey Bogardus who singled to right and with that Miller's had their time with 5 hits in a row and it ended with a Rich (The Hitman) Sicardo 2 rbi double which was good enough for a 5 spot. But this was the championship and the Grill would not go down without a fight as they had 3 hits in a row. Already scoring 3 runs, the Grill had bases loaded with one out but Angelo Sblendorio came up big by striking out the next batter. With the bases still loaded, the Grill hit a hard grounder that Dan Sopchak made good play on and took the force out at third. With the scored tied 10-10 with 1 out, in the bottom of the 8th, Phil Chontos came up big by hitting down the right field line for a double. Veteran Spider DeRito up; Spider hit a hard grounder in the hole but the Grill made a great play to get the out at first with pinch runner Joe Yanerella heading to third. With 2 out and arunner on 3rd, the Grill gave an intentional walk to Dan Sopchak to pitch to Carlos Vasquez. With one pitch they knew he wasn’t going to swing at a bad pitch and decided to intentionally walk him. So here it come. Bases loaded 2 out in the bottom of the 8 and the scored tied. It was up to the coach, Rich Hill who was 1-2 already in the game. On a 1-0 count, Hill hit a hard grounder down the third base line which the Grill couldn’t make a great back hand stop on as the ball nipped  off the glove and into the outfield scoring the winning run. Ball Game over. Series over. Miller's win Miller's win. Again Miller's played as a team as all 15 players chipped in with a hit. Leading the way Jef Noe 3/3, Joe Yanarella 2/3 with a double, Angelo Sblendorio 2/3 with a double, Dave Lowitz 2/3  and Rich Hill 2/3. Miller's would like to thank umpires John Warman, Jack Baxter, Greg Miller and Tony Dalia. All did a wonderful job. We would also like to thank the press and Stan Silverman at the Silverman Star who had a nice write up about the game and Steve Lynch for taking all the photos of the game . We would also like to thank Gary Lasko and Rick Wetzel and the ground crew who did an awesome job and had the field ready after all the rain over the weekend. 

Photo courtesy of Steve Lynch

Sideline reporter Stan Silverman was on the scene for the championship game and shared his unique and random and unfiltered thoughts. The following does not reflect the opinions of management, and any complaints, corrections or lawsuits should be directed solely to Stan.

It was going to be a barn burner. David vs Goliath. Senior Softball Final at Digilio. And a great turnout it was. Surprisingly the field looked good, even after all the rain that we’ve had recently. Jack Baxter explained to me the science of rain and water absorption. I can’t wait to see Jack’s lawn. 

George Cole was watching batting practice and hoping to get some more fielding reps in. 

Chris Thomas looked like a man without a country as he moped around, mourning his Red Sox and their game one embarrassing defeat at the hands of Cam Schlittler and the Yankees. Chris did threaten to edit my column to nothing if I continue to harass him. I stand on my Second Amendment rights. Chris did push on my Hat Press Pass. Funny funny man. 

With the big power hitters on the Grill’s roster, it looked like they would score big and often. Plus, Tom Mirande told me that Jack Hale was his Manager of the Year. Joe Pug told me that Jack had taken a lot of guff (not his exact word) this season and still, look where they are today. It seemed that the Grill was the favorite to win among those that I polled. One Smilkstein said that the Grill would win by 3, and the unshaven one said by 2. Someone said by 6. Ray Greco said he’d give me 4-1 odds. When I asked Gary Lasko his odds, he said that he’d take evens. Then he told me a Dad Joke. Denny Walsh said when it’s all over, it’ll be Miller time. 

Doc Ranucci was the first batter up and he hustled his way to first. Mark Joao knocked him in for the first run scored and first RBI. 

Denny Walsh espoused the business opportunities of buying and holding baseball cards. Sheesh, who wants to go to a game and get pumped full of business schemes. 

Joe Yanarella led off for Miller's. He hit a liner and hustled into second base. 

Rich Hill (H-I-L-L he spelled it for me) came out of the dugout to greet the Peanut Gallery. 

Vic Feit told us that a player has to be 75 to use a senior bat. 

Joe Yanarella pulled off a 6U-4 double play. 

Joe Kupiec told me that Miller's is the best team that he chooses to acknowledge to ever play in Senior Softball Wednesday League. 

Ray Greco said that a hitter has a better chance of getting a hit off of a strike. If only I could get my hands to listen. 

Nobody knew the score of the game and somehow, it was thought to be my responsibility. 

I heard that Vic Feit was taking everyone out for a drink at Antonella’s. Vic said that they were not going to Antonella’s but that I should go there and wait for them. I also heard Vic giving Carey Wasserberg  hitting advice. 

Rich Hill (H-I-L-L), playing catcher, did a great job of backing up a play at first base. 

Jeff Noe made a great catch on a ball in the outfield. Off of his feet, of course. Chris Thomas also made a great catch, as well, but he made his with both feet on the ground. 

Dave Nap thought that I was a bookie and tried to put down a C note on #3 in the third race at Belmont. 

We found out that it was 4-1 Grill. Dan Sopchak gave a speech to rally Miller's. 

Josh White didn’t want to hang out with the Peanut Gallery because we were “Wednesday League losers.” Hey, I resemble that remark. 

There was a close play on Chris Thomas running from first to second. He was called safe. If only we had instant replay cameras. John Cacciola volunteered to let me poke out his eye and replace it with a cyborg camera thingy. He’d be the first $60 Man.

Dick Michels asked if the Monday League would ever play again. Dick and John Cacciola were overheard commiserating over their teams’ recent loss to Millers on 2  runs scored in the 7th inning. 

Spider made a great stretch and catch to nab the runner at first. 

A runner was called out for stepping on the wrong third base. Another runner was called out for stepping on the wrong first base. And pinch runners from home have to stop at first base. 

Again I was berated for not knowing the score. I explained that I’m a columnist, like Dick Young, not a reporter. Lou Rossi asked if anyone at the game knew who was Dick Young.

I’m relieved to find out that I’m not the only one who relives the memory of errors, misplays and failed at bats over and over, in my head. 

We wondered why Carey Wasserberg didn’t  move when he hit a batted ball by his feet and then we came to realize that he had a pinch runner from home. 

Sammy Duke was at the game. I asked him if he had anything to say, in English, for my column. He clearly told me to do something that is not physically possible to do and not suitable for print in this website. But it was English. 

I stepped back from the cage so as not to be in the catcher’s way of a loose ball. Huh?

Thank you to John Warman, Tony Dalia, Greg Miller and Jack Baxter for umpiring. 

Bottom of the 7th, 7-5 Grill. 

Dave Nap retelling his story of how he got a Cape Cod opponent called out for stepping out of the batter’s box. 

Joe Barbarito was looking for my Lois Lane. I left her home. 

10-7 Millers, top of the 8th.

Denny Walsh is concerned about the length of day and night. While Sammy Duke is concerned about a truck driver strike over the price of Diesel Fuel. 

Top of the eighth and Mark Joao is assigning pinch runners like Billy Martin. George Cole knocks in two runs. 

Pat Towne is now sending nasty messages to Doug McCracken with a ghost phone number. 

Eddie Smilkstein’s beard is growing before our very eyes. He looks like he stepped out of the jungle. 

Bottom of the eighth. Tied at 10. The crowd certainly got their money’s worth today, folks. 

Man on third for Miller's. Sopchak intentionally walked. Carlos Vasquez intentionally walked. Bases loaded. Rich Hill (H-I-L-L) up. He hits a grounder to third that scored the winning run. There is pandemonium on the field!!! MILLER'S WINS!! Chris Thomas tells me that he’s going to Disney World! Angelo Sblendorio (winning pitcher) says to me “That’s why we play all 8 innings.” 

And now I have to eat crow. Miller's 11 - Arlington Grill 10.

David did beat Goliath, you know.

Roving photographer Steve Lynch was also on the scene and if a picture is worth a thousand words, the following 6 pictures from Steve plus his text barely edges out Stan for the Verbosity Championship.