The Rhode Island Men’s Senior Baseball League (RIMSBL) 2021 regular season began sometime in late May and continued all Summer and into Fall. The three divisions (30+, 40+, and 50+) played an average of 20 to 25 baseball games over that 5 month period. And after the regular season champs had been crowned, it was time for RIMSBL playoff season. I reached out to Commissioner Frank Ribezzo to see how the playoffs went and get some commentary by the managers involved. Here is what I received back from the managers…

Kevin Curt, player/manager – “This year’s 30+ championship was a repeat of last year’s. The 2021 regular season champion, Providence Sharks took on the six time 30+ champion, Rhode Island Sea Dogs. 

Game one was a nail biter, seeing the Sharks starting pitcher Marwing Peña match up against the Sea Dogs starter, CJ Silva. The game was tied 3-3 until a three run mammoth home run by Jay Martin put the Sea Dogs in the lead 6-3. The Sharks however would not go down without a fight, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Sea Dogs closer, Harrison Barlow came on with one out in the ninth, inducing a double play and sealing the 6-5 win for the Sea Dogs. 

Game two saw the Sea Dogs jump out to a 5-0 first inning lead, and never look back. Riding the arm of Chris Zervas and the bat of Jeff Gaccione (solo home run), the Sea Dogs were able to hold off the Sharks 8-3. Lou Dellaporta sparked a comeback for the Sharks in the seventh inning with a huge run producing single but Bob Barton was able to hold off the Sharks threat, pitching two solid innings of relief before giving way to Barlow to close out the series in the ninth. 

This is the Sea Dogs 7th consecutive RIMSBL championship and 9th overall.”

Frank Ribezzo, Dodgers – “The Dodgers (my team) defeated the Seadogs 40 12-0 and 6-5 for the 40 division championship – our second in a row.”

Noah Clark, Manager, Salty Dogs – “The Rhode Island Salty Dog 50+ squad won their division this past Sunday in the Rhode Island MSBL.  This is their 11th consecutive championship! They beat the Colt 45s, who finished first in the division, in the best of three championship series.  The Salty Dogs finished 19-6 on the season.

The Dogs came back in the ninth scoring three runs to win a hard-fought battle. Dan Fitta pitched a nine-inning complete game for the Salts while Hiram Barber pitched a great complete game for the 45s.

Game two was clinched by the Dawgs with great pitching from Peter Parente, who went six innings, and Jim Clark, who finished it up. The ‘45s got a tremendous effort my Steve Lallo, who pitched the entire nine innings.”

Congrats to the Sea Dogs (30+), the Dodgers (40+), and the Salty Dogs (50+) on your 2021 Rhode Island Men’s Senior Baseball League championship titles. Having been to a few RIMSBL games over the years, and for what it’s worth, every player competing in this league has my respect. And big thanks to Frank Ribezzo, Kevin Curt, and Noah Clark for sending me photos and a championship recap.

For more information on the Rhode Island Men’s Senior Baseball League, including final standings, playoff results, photos, and how you can sign up for the RIMBSL, visit these resources online:

Website – Rhode Island Men’s Senior Baseball League

Facebook page – RIMSBL

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