All Categories - ISRAEL SPORTS

Myda Advisors, Stars, Remain Only Undefeated Teams

5/18/2021

Myda Advisors 8 - Greenwald 1
The Myda Advisors and the Stars kept their records unblemished at 3-0, as a tight race developed for playoff positions in the FM Home Loans Israel Softball League.
In the first game of a weekend double-header, Myda finally broke open a nail-biter with Team Greenwald, scoring 5 runs in the last inning, ending what had been a tense 3-1 defensive struggle entering the final frame.

Myda Advisors 10 - Waterbury Wolfpack 9
If the front end of the twin-bill had been close, the night-cap was razor-thin. After no less than five lead changes or ties, Myda and Waterbury were locked up at nine apiece, before Myda clinched it with the tie-breaking run.

Stars 20 - Senters Physchos 14
The Stars and Psychos presented their offensive bona fides, with the Stars teeing off for 15 runs in the first three innings, only to see the Psychos respond with 14 of their own in the following three. Ultimately, however, the Stars' output couldn't be matched, leaving them undefeated and with a share of first place.

Shudoggs 9 - Jerusalem Glatt 3

Jerusalem Glatt jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but a six-run third staked the Shudoggs to victory with yet another tight defensive performance.

Stars 8 - Shudoggs 6

In a battle at the top of the standings, the Stars took the key victory, making them "the team to beat", with a clearly visible - if far from easy - path to the pennant, regardless of the results of games not involving them.
The Shudoggs can take solace in the knowledge that even having faced the top-ranked team in the league, they have allowed 6 or fewer runs in each game.

In other scores:
Mercaz Moonshots 11 - Greenwald 2; Senters Psychos 16 - Jerusalem Glatt 1

Shudoggs Have Their Day In FM Home Loans Opener

5/10/2021

Opening Day in the FM Home Loans Israel Softball League started with a big win for the Shudoggs.
2nd Baseman Hillel Elbogen paced the Shudoggs attack, going 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, while pitcher Pinny Levine put in a stellar performance, going the distance in a complete game victory, with six strikeouts and only a solitary earned run.
"We really found our zone," said Shudoggs team captain Meir Weiss, following the 9-5 victory over Team Greenwald. "We were cruising."
Intense efforts to commence the season after the long Corona break ultimately were successful, and FM Home Loans Israel Softball League Commissioner Dovi Rabinowitz took special pleasure in celebrating this Opening Day.
"With the entire country coming out of the shut-down at once, we had to contend with an enormous number of soccer teams all vying for the fields at the same time as us. I've never had so many meetings in my life, as I've had in the past two weeks. Pretty much non-stop - by phone, on zoom and in person. But we made it happen, and it was all worth it - it's an amazing feeling to get back out on the field."
Rabinowitz thanked Itzik Kornfein, Director of the Jerusalem Municipality Sports Department, for helping make sure softball would continue to thrive in the capital.

Myda Advisors 8 - Senter's Psychos 6
In the most anticipated showdown of Opening Weekend, Myda Advisors edged out Senter's Psychos. Myda opened up a 6-2 lead, before Senter's began chipping away. A pair of Myda insurance runs in the top of the last proved to be
the difference.

Waterbury Wolfpack 6 - Mercaz Moonshots 2
In a defensive gem, the vaunted Mercaz scored first, but couldn't come around the bags again until the last inning, by which point Waterbury had the game well in hand.

Stars 8 - Jerusalem Glatt 0
The Stars jumped out of the gate with 5 runs in the first, and never looked back, stymying all threats to record the inaugural shut-out of the season.

Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen win championship!!!

6/9/2019

The Semi-finals and World Series of The FM Home Loans Israel
Softball League showed everyone in the league that anyone at anytime is capable of anything. Teams showed their true colors as the playoff pressure intensified. Some teams continued to play the type of ball that got them this far, while others changed their system and tightened up. The fire was hot, the pressure was tangible, the stakes were the highest, it was for all the marbles, and only one Champion to raise the L'chaim Glass Trophy could there be.

Shas vs. Snowy Owls

After both teams scored multiple times in the first two frames, Shas held a 7-5 lead. Shas broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the forth to cruise on to a 14-5 victory and a trip to the World Series.

Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen vs. Copia Class Clowns

Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen shocked the Clowns by scoring eleven
unanswered runs in the first four frames to hold a whopping 11-0 lead.
The Clowns made one final push in the top of the sixth by scoring seven runs, but it was too little too late as the Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen held on for the upset in an 14-9 victory.

Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen Vs Shas

After Mercaz scored three times in the top of the first it looked like
Shas was rattled. Shas had trouble putting together consecutive base hits versus the shut down pitching and defense of the Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen.
Mercaz scored three runs again in the top of the sixth inning and stopped the power offense of Shas, which resulted in Mercaz Eye-Q Moosen raising the L'chaim Glass Trophy and being crowned the 2019 FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball League Champions.

final four: Mercaz Moonshot, copia, snowy owls, shas

6/2/2019

The Quarterfinals Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball
league was a round of playoffs for the ages, with many games
coming down to the final out. Teams were fired up, coming up with clutch hit after clutch hit. The top players exceeded in high pressure situations, coming through for their team. Four teams now remain, with the goal of raising the L'chaim Glass Trophy.

Lev Ahron Vs Mercaz Moonshot

Lev Ahron was heading to shock the world with a 6-4 lead, until
Mercaz Moonshot exploded for six runs in the bottom of the
fifth to win 10-7.

Bunny Mafia Vs Mercaz Moosen

Bunny Mafia held a 5-2 lead until Mercaz Moosen battled
back in the last two frames to tie the game and send the game
to extra innings. After Mercaz Moosen scored two runs in the
top of the eighth, Bunny Mafia was only able to score one, as Mercaz held on for a close 8-7 win.

Copia Class Clowns Vs Mercaz Moonshot
The game of the season so far, lived up to and even surpassed
expectations. The game went back and forth before Mercaz
Moonshot scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-6
lead. Copia scratched together a few key two-out hits to score
one run and send the game to extra innings - which was scheduled several days later, as a scheduled three-inning affair.
Copia came out on fire, scoring seven times in the top of
the eighth. Mercaz punched back with seven runs over two
innings, to tie the game. In the dramatic final inning, Copia scored twice in the top of
the last, and then held Mercaz scoreless, to win a historic game,
16-14.

Orlo Eagles Vs Route 66

After being down 5-2 early, Orlo Eagles went on an offensive
tear, scoring multiple runs in multiple innings to cruise to a
16-9 victory.

Orlo Eagles Vs Snowy Owls

Snowy Owls exploded for eight runs in the top of the fifth to
take a 10-4 lead. Orlo Eagles stormed back with seven runs in
the next two frames to take a 11-10 lead. With two outs in the
bottom of the seventh, Snowy Owls walked it off with a two out
two run homer to win 12-11 in a memorable victory.

Plaza Auto Leasing Vs Chaik N Cake

Chaik N Cake came back from down 6-2 with eight runs in the
bottom of the fifth to take a 10-6 lead. After Plaza Auto Leasing
scored five times in the last frame, Chaik N Cake walked it off in
the bottom half for a 12-11 victory.

Chaik N Cake Vs Shas

Shas took an early 3-1 lead and then scored seven unanswered
runs to cruise to a 10-3 victory.

Lev Aharon, Snowy OWls, Advance in playoffs

5/26/2019

The final week and first round playoffs of the FM Home Loans
L'chaim Softball League brought out very close games with small
room for error. The top teams showed why their ranked in the
top, as they went into the playoffs on a winning note. The wild
card games had high offensive scoring, with the team able to
handle the high winds coming out on top. The final sixteen teams
have entered the ring with only one champion that will be left
standing raising the L'chaim Glass Trophy.

The Geshmakers (3-4) Vs Plaza Auto Leasing (3-4)
The Geshmakers went up 3-0 early until Plaza Auto Leasing
mounted a comeback with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to
lead them to a 5-3 victory.

Plaza Auto Leasing (3-4) Vs Shas (5-1-1)

Shas' power offense scored early and often to lead them to a
blowout 17-6 win.

Mercaz Moonshot (6-0-1) Vs Shudoggs (5-1-1)
Both teams entered into the matchup unbeaten with a number
one seed on the line. Mercaz Moonshot jumped out to a 9-0
lead and cruised onto a 13-4 to help them finish the season as the
only unbeaten team.

Wild Card Matchups
Lev Ahron (2-5) Vs MFX Strategies (1-6)

MFX jumped out to a surprising 7-0 lead in the top of the first.
Lev Ahron mustered up a comeback to make the score 11-8
before they exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth to
go on to win 19-14 and a ticket to play top seed Mercaz Moonshot
in the next round.

Snowy Owls (2-5) Vs Shnitzelonim (0-6-1)

Both teams battled back and forth in many early lead changes
ending up in a 8-8 score by the end of the fourth inning. Snowy
Owls then scored eight unanswered runs and went on to win 15-
10 and advance to face the second seed Shudoggs.

L'chaim, L'chaim

2/12/2019

Week Nine Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball League

Week nine of the FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a short week before the All-Star Break. Teams looked to make their final run before the playoffs begin. Many teams are fighting it out for top playoff seeding. Many teams look to regroup during the break and work on their swing and fielding positions. The land of the free looks so sweet and field with dreams but we all know the Holy Stones and the Lchaim Glass Trophy is what yearns deep in us.

Team Shas (4-1-1) Vs Plaza Auto Leasing (2-3)
Team Shas continued their hot streak after going up 13-0 early and finishing off with 13-7 victory.
The Geshmakers (2-3) Vs Orlo Eagles (2-3-1)
The Geshmakers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first frame. After Orlo Eagles rallied back to make it 5-4 the Geshmakers scored four more runs enroot to a 12-6 win.
Shnitzelonim (0-4-1) Vs Holy Bagel (2-4)
Shnitzelonim went up 9-1 early on and then had a nine run lead entering the bottom of the seventh and looked poised to pick up their first victory. Holy Bagel shocked them with ten runs to win a magical game in walk off fashion 18-17 over Shnitzelonim

Week Eight Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball League

Week Eight Of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a week of thunder, lighting, and rain mixed in with sunshine, smiles, and clutch hitting. More than half the games were rained out while the others battled it out for playoff position. Most teams are fighting it out for the top ten spots in a very competitive field. Adar is contagious And the Simcha is here as The L’chaim Glass Trophy will wait to be poured.

Lev Ahron (2-3) Vs Bunny Mafia (4-2)
Both teams battled back forth and the game was tied 5-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth when Bunny Mafia scored twice to take a 7-5 lead. Lev Ahron knocked in three runs to take a 8-7 lead leading into the bottom of the seventh. Bunny Mafia blasted a homerun with two outs and then walked it off in a magical 9-8 victory.
Mercaz Moonshot (5-0-1) Vs Auto Plaza Leasing (2-2)
Mercaz Moonshot proved once again that they are one of the top teams in the league with their power offense and rock solid defense which lead them to an easy 16-7 win over Auto Plaza Leasing.

Week Seven Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball League

Week Seven Of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a week of teams continuing to build themselves as the second half of the season heats up. Many teams have put together winning streaks while other teams are still looking for their first win. Many teams are heading into the All Star Break while others still have another week of ball to play beforehand. The Sun was Shining, the birds were chirping, and the call of umpire could be heard from far away as the fans piled into Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem.

Shudoggs (5-0-1) Vs Copia Class Clowns (2-1-2)
The Shudoggs offense came out firing on all cylinders all game and continued their winning with giving Copia Class Clowns their first loss in a 15-9 victory.
Eye-Q (3-2) Vs Team Shas (3-1-1)
Team Shas lead 1-0 until Eye-Q put up two runs in the top of the fifth to lead 2-1. Team Shas fired back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Eye-Q 6-2.
Holy Bagel (1-4) Vs Lev Ahron (2-2)
Holy Bagel maintained a 4-2 lead until Lev Ahron exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead them to a 9-4 victory.
Lev Ahron (2-2) Vs Chaik N Cake (3-2)
Lev Ahron’s 2-1 slim lead was broken in the top of the sixth when Chaik N Cake took the lead on a two-out base hit to drive in two runs which eventually resulted in a 5-2 victory over rival Lev Ahron.
Plaza Auto Leasing (2-1) Vs Snowy Owls (0-5)
Plaza Auto Leasing built a 7-1 lead by the top of the fifth inning. The Snowy Owls rallied late, but fell short in a 8-5 loss.
98ers (3-3) Vs Shnitzelonim (0-3-1)
98ers 10-4 lead was shortly lived as Shnitzelonim scored seven times to take a 11-10 lead. 98ers walked in off in the 7th inning to win 13-12 in a thrilling matchup.
MFX Strategies (2-3) Vs Sheath (2-2-1)
Sheath broke open the game with a 10-0 lead. MFX Strategies rallied late back but fell short in a 14-11 loss.
MFX Strategies (2-3) Vs Orlo Eagles (2-2-1)
Orlo Eagles got back in the win column with heavy duty offensive power in a 16-7 victory over MFX Strategies.

Week Six Of The Fm Home Loans L'chaim Softball League

Week Six Of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball league was a week of teams with lower records showing the league that they play with the big boys. Many teams with higher records had trouble taking care of business versus teams with lower records. Many teams have found their balance at the right time as the season heads into the second leg. The teams battled the cold weather conditions at Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem. The Clouds were shinning, the field dried up, the breeze was chilled, but the smiles were warm, the tea was hot, and the glimmer of the dazzling L’chaim Glass Trophy creeped a bit above the horizon.

Route 66 (4-2) Vs Team Shas (2-1-1)
Team Shas Came out attacking, going up 7-3 by the end of the third frame. Team Shas kept the momentum going and picked up the upset win 11-7 over Route 66.
Mercaz Moonshot (4-0-1) Vs Holy Bagel (1-3)
Holy Bagel battled all game versus the top Mercaz Moonshot squad and held an 8-6 lead going into the top of the 7th when Mercaz Moonshot crushed a three run homer over the fence to win a tight 9-8 ballgame.
98ers (2-3) Vs Mercaz Moosen (3-1)
Mercaz Moosen took a 5-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning before 98ers bats came alive to make it a 5-4 game in the sixth inning. 98ers could not complete the comeback rally and fell 5-4 to Mercaz Moosen.
Copia Class Clowns (2-0-2) Vs Sheath (1-2-1)
Sheath jumped out to 7-1 lead by the end of the second frame and looked poised to upset the Clowns. The Clowns Stormed back to tie the game at 8-8, but couldn’t walk it off in what ended in a 8-8 tie.
Skyscrapers (0-2) Vs Hitman (1-2)
Hitman picked up their first win of season in large part to their offense coming alive early and often in an 18-7 victory.
Skyscrapers (0-2) Vs Bunny Mafia (3-2)
Bunny Mafia continued their hot streak picking up their third win in a row in a 17-1 win over the Skyscrapers.

Week Five Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim Softball League

Week Five of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a week of the contenders separating themselves from the pretenders. Many of the top tier teams took care of business as the second half of the season takes off. Few teams are still working out their rosters and line-up cards. Many teams have bounced back from a rough start while others that began well now find themselves in a slump. The Sun was shining, the hail was pelting, the smiles were bright, and the vape was poofing at Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem. The second leg of the long journey begins, at the horizon, the L’chaim Glass Trophy peaks above the mountains.

Lev Ahron (1-1) Vs Route 66 (4-1)
Route 66 broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the sixth to go ahead 1-0. After Lev Ahron tied the game in the top of the seventh, Route 66 walked it off in the bottom half to win 2-1.
Mercaz Moosen (2-1) Vs Mercaz Moonshot (3-0-1)
Mercaz Moonshot exploded for ten runs in the top of the third after being down 4-0 to cruise on to a 16-4 victory over rival Mercaz Moosen.
Orlo Eagles (1-2-1) Vs Shas (1-1-1)
Orlo Eagles battled hard vs a tough Team Shas and eventually mustard up a four run comeback in the top of the seventh to salvage a 9-9 tie.
Copia Class Clowns (2-0-1) Vs Chaik N Cake (2-2)
Copia Class Clowns scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 8-5 lead and go on to win 12-6 versus a mighty Chaik N Cake squad.
Snowy Owls (0-4) Vs Holy Bagel (1-2)
Holy Bagel jumped out to 9-0 lead over Snowy Owls by the end of the fifth inning. The Snowy Owls battled off the hailstorm and rain delay but fell short in their comeback and fell 10-6.
Sheath (1-2) Vs Shnitzelunim (0-2-1)
Sheath broke open the game with fifteen runs in the top of the third to lead 18-2. Shnitzelunim showed their spirit as they mounted a massive comeback in the later innings but still fell short and lost 21-18.
98ers (2-2) Vs Shudoggs (4-0-1)
Shudoggs exploded for eleven runs in the top of the forth to lead the 98ers 11-2 and went on to continue their impressive season with a 14-7 victory.
The Meah Shearim Squad (1-1) Vs Bunny Mafia (2-2)
Bunny Mafia jumped out to a 17-0 lead and never looked back as they beat The Meah Shearim Squad 17-4 in the finally of the week.

Week Four of the home loans L'chaim softball league

Week Four Of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a week of tight competition with many top matchups. Most teams have finalized their roster as they hit the mid-way part of the season. Late game heroics brought oohs and ahhs from the packed crowd at Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem. The middle leg of the journey begins now with the goal a far sight but clear in the mind.

The Geshmakers (1-3) Vs Snowy Owls (0-3)
The Geshmakers broke open the game with seven first inning runs and held onto win 14-7 in due to great pitching from Yosef Shalom.
Shnitzelonim (0-1-1) Vs Shudoggs (3-0-1)
Shnitzelonim came back from down 10-5 in the bottom of the 7th to score five runs, three with two outs, to slavage a 10-10 tie.
Chaik N Cake (2-1) Vs Holy Bagel (0-2)
Chaik N Cake scored seven times in the top of the 3rd to lead 10-3 and held off a late comeback by Holy Bagel to win 16-12.
Copia Class Clowns (1-0-1) Vs Orlo Eagles (1-2)
Copia Class Clowns pulled away in the top of the 4th with four runs to lead 8-2 and closed out the game with a 12-5 victory.
Hitman (0-2) Vs Shas (1-1)
Shas won 12-7 over Hitman due to timely hitting and great defense. Shas picked up their first win of the season with great team comradery and focus.
The Meah Shearim Squad (1-0) Vs 98ers (2-1)
The Meah Shearim Squad scored five times in the top of the 2nd to lead 7-2 and held off a late rally by 98ers to win 9-7.
Sheath (0-2) Vs Bunny Mafia (1-2)
Bunny Mafia scored six times in the bottom of the 6th to pull away with a 12-2 victory behind lights out pitching from Solomon Assis.
Sheath (0-2) Vs Route 66 (3-1)
Route 66 six runs in the bottom of the 2nd to pull away 8-2 and cruised into a 15-8 victory over Sheath.

Week Three Of The FM Home Loans L'chaim League!

Week Three Of The FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball League was a week of close matchups and late game closing. Many of the top teams continued their win streak as other teams kept looking for the missing ingredient to get on a winning roll. Most teams have finalized their rosters as a few teams began their season this past week. The sun was beating down on the diamond filled with smiles and hope in another memorable week of FM Home Loans L’chaim Softball.

The Geshmakers (0-3) Vs Shudoggs (3-0)
The Shudoggs broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the forth with four runs, all with two outs, to beat The struggling Geshmakers 6-3.

Mercaz Moosen (2-0) Vs Bunny Mafia (0-2)
The Moosen jumped out to a 6-2 lead by the end of the third frame and held off a late Bunny Mafia rally to win 6-5.

Route 66 (2-1) Vs Holy Bagel (0-1)
Route 66 exploded for nine runs in the first two innings enroot to a victory over new team Holy Bagel 16-5.

Mercaz Moonshot (2-0-1) Vs Copia Class Clowns (0-0-1)
Mercaz Moonshot came back from down seven in the end of the second inning frame and then again in top of the seventh with four runs to salvage a 11-11 tie in the game of the week.

Shnitzelonim (0-1) Vs Lev Ahron (1-0)
With both teams playing their first game of the season, Lev Ahron exploded for ten runs in the bottom of the forth and then held off a late comeback by Shnitzelonim to win 11-9.

A message from the Commisioners:

Dear Holy Softball Brothers,

The grass is getting greener, the birds are chirping and that cold air is passing by. In no time the weather will be begging for the crack of the bat and the umpire yelling SHHTEERI-I-I-IKE!!

The 2018 Yeshiva Softball League registration will be with Hashem's help opening up tomorrow, January 11th, and I just wanted to give y'all the heads up.

Teams from last year will have first dibs, as it looks like we will have B"H an overflow of teams this year!

For info, email: jerusalemsoftball@gmail.com

Lchaim Lchaim,

Rafi Kristallweiss
Dovi Rabinowitz
(You can guess which one of us wrote this!)

champions!!! "florida-georgia line" wins it all - players and fans celebrate into the night!

6/11/2017

Frozen Ropes Wins Holyland Series Championship!

6/10/2015

By Alex Goodson

After a strong regular season, in which they held or shared first place throughout, Frozen Ropes earned the Holyland Series Championship Trophy in convincing style. In the title game, Frozen Ropes beat MMJ, another powerhouse and fierce competitor, by a score of 10-1.

The post-season had proven far more dramatic for Frozen Ropes. In the quarterfinals, they emerged victorious from a tight 5-2 defensive battle with Water Sensations. Then in the semis, staring down a 9-4 deficit in the final inning, the Ropes exploded for a 10-run rally, punching their ticket to the big dance.

Meanwhile, MMJ’s road had been relatively simpler. After earning a first-round bye, MMJ trounced Tzionim 12-1 in the semifinals, strengthening their “Murderers Row” credentials.

Frozen Ropes started the championship game off strong, and never took their foot off the gas. With two outs in the top of the first inning, Darren Wolff drew first blood for the Ropes, hitting a 3-run homer. Alex Getraer lead off the second with a solo shot, to extend the lead to 4-0.

MMJ wasn’t going to give up that easily, putting runners at the corners in the bottom of the second and then driving in a run, to trail 4-1.

In the fourth inning, the Ropes’ Yehoshua Zirman stepped up to the plate with two runners in scoring position. Zirman hit a seeing eye single through the hole between shortstop and third base to drive in two more runs, lengthening the Ropes’ lead to 6-1.

After Ropes added a run in the fifth, MMJ had their most serious comeback threat of the night. Their first two batters got aboard, and the next batter sent a hard shot up the middle - only to see it nabbed by Frozen Ropes’ pitcher Matt Rosenberg, who tossed to third base for the force out. Rosenberg then struck the next batter out, and the last out came on a nice outfield catch by Kobi Greenberg, ending the potential comeback by MMJ.

With the score 7-1 in the sixth inning, Frozen Ropes attempted to close out the game and seal the victory. David Berger led off with a walk, Adin Kanefsky singled, and captain Jeremy Schechter doubled to left center to bring in a run and put two runners into scoring position. With 2 outs, Darren Wolff - who already had a homerun and 3 RBI’s on the day- singled to right, driving in two runs, and making the tally 10-1.

Rosenberg closed out the complete game victory on the mound, with five strikeouts, several big defensive plays, and grace under pressure in threatening situations.

After the protagonists’ post-game handshakes, the Frozen Ropes gathered for the presentation of the Holyland Series Championship Trophy, and proceeded to celebrate with their fans late into the night.

Lobos leads hunt for holyland series trophy; Morningside Translations in top spot for afi cup

6/1/2015

By Alex Goodson

The regular season has come to an end and the playoff matchups are set for the “All Star Israel” softball league. This past weekend, several teams were competing for higher seeds and first round byes, looking to finish strong as they prepared for either Tier 1 Holyland Series Playoffs, or the tier 2 AFI Cup Playoffs.

The number 1 seed was awarded to Lobos, who beat the previously undefeated Frozen Ropes. Tzionim bounced back from last week’s loss, winning both ends of their double header, to grab the number 2 seed, and with it the coveted second bye.

MMJ defeated Bina Bombers for the 3rd seed slot, while Frozen Ropes received the 4th seed after the loss to Lobos.

Although Water Sensations lost, they had help from other teams and managed to obtain the 5th seed, while Jerry’s Kids defeated Good Old Boys to push their team into the sixth and final Tier 1 playoff berth.

The Holyland Series playoff matchups are as follows: #4 Frozen Ropes will play #5 Water Sensations, with the winner facing top-seeded Lobos in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, #3 MMJ will play #6 Jerry’s Kids, for a chance to play the #2 seed, Tzionim, in the other semifinals.

Now that the playoffs are set, teams have a clean slate and will have to leave everything on the field if they want a chance at the Holyland Series Championship Trophy, which will take place this Saturday at 10:00 pm, at Kraft Family Stadium.

The Tier 2 bracket was decided last weekend as well. Morningside Translations took the top seed, setting them up against Bina Bombers. Good Old Boys and Mevaseret had the unusual experience of facing each other in the final regular season game, flipping spots in the standings, and discovering that this matches them up again in the Tier 2 semifinals. These games will take place on Thursday and Friday, and the winners will have the chance to play for the AFI Cup on Saturday at 11:45pm, at Kraft.

playoff race goes down to the wire

5/27/2015

By Alex Goodson, guest columnist

As the final weekend of gameplay for the “All Star Israel” softball league approaches, some teams are headed towards the Tier 1 playoffs and a shot at the Holyland Series championship trophy, while others prepare for the Tier 2 AFI Cup. Several teams made big statements in their last games which could give them momentum in the postseason.

MMJ knocked off undefeated Tzionim with a score of 11-5, and also beat Water Sensations 9-4, pushing MMJ into a tie for second place with Lobos. Lobos also won in convincing style, by a 12-5 margin over Good Old Boys, keeping them alive for a potential first-round bye.

Frozen Ropes remained at the top of the standings with two big wins, defeating Jerry’s Kids and Mevaseret. The undefeated team seems to be a clear cut favorite heading into the playoffs, but still has a big test against second place Lobos, who trail by just one game in the standings.

With Frozen Ropes, MMJ and Lobos all having clinched playoff berths, the remaining three spots are up for grabs this weekend, and the field is crowded. Although they lost to Frozen Ropes, Jerry’s Kids kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Morningside Translations. With that win, there is potential for a 4-way tie between Jerry’s Kids, Tzionim, Water Sensations and Morningside Translations. Mevaseret and Good Old Boys are also still in the hunt, though they each need to win out, and also get some help from other team’s losses.

Tzionim still holds their fate in their own hands, needing at least one win in their doubleheader this Friday (5/29) against Water Sensations and Morningside Translations, in order to clinch. Both ends of the twinbill will have huge postseason implications, likely finalizing the Holyland Series playoff bracket.