​Highlights, hijinks, and head-shakers from another unforgettable season

The 1998 KMSPL season had everything. Big swings. Bigger laughs. And moments so strange they could only happen on a Kirkland diamond.

MAY

Opening night wasted no time setting the tone. Last year’s batting champion stepped in first and promptly went two for three outs in the opening inning. The crowd noticed. So did his teammates.
Base runner Jean “Ouch” Bernard lived up to the nickname, taking two shots to the head in one inning and still finishing the play.
Jack Ciampino gunned down Michel Laterreur trying to swipe second, while Tony Corsi attempted a steal of his own before calling “TIME OUT” a full three feet short of the bag.
Kevin Gilead wandered off first just long enough for Colin McInerny to remind him where he belonged.
Kirkland Shell pulled off the season’s only triple play, sending the bench into disbelief.
First baseman Ferris “Star Gazer” Abraham admired the night sky as Bruce Meyers handled business at second.

JUNE

Steve “Whiffer” Bernie crushed a home run, then followed it up with a swing and miss big enough to be heard across the park.
Chick Taylor caught the defense sleeping and took second on a walk. Again.
Centre fielder André Allard fired a strike to first base for an unlikely out.
Rob “Grass Stains” Sonier left his mark with a full-layout sliding catch in centre.
Al Cère snagged a line drive that ricocheted off pitcher Chick Taylor, proving reflexes still matter.

JULY

Richard Biggs earned a game-winning RBI without swinging, watching Richard Marineau steal third and then home in the bottom of the ninth.
Sgt. Pepperoni turned four double plays in the ninth inning alone of an 8–7, 14-inning marathon.
Cal Zone erased an 11–0 deficit and walked off with a 14–11 win that’s still being talked about.
Shortstop Tom Jones pulled off a textbook double play, crossing second, retreating to the bag, and firing to Marc Rochette at first.
Steve Wallace laid out in centre for a diving grab that saved the game.
Rover Mike Uson turned two double plays and started another just to stay warm.
Umpire Steve Birnie stopped play briefly to “clear the air at first base,” a call that required no further explanation.

Dunkin Donuts finally snapped a ten-game losing streak.
Earl “Earthquake” McLeod shook the park with a grand slam and a slide into home that registered on the Richter scale.

AUGUST

Sgt. Pepperoni threw out four runners trying for extra bases, including Alan Groombridge three times. Message received.
Charlie Cottle, the league’s oldest player, launched a grand slam and reminded everyone age is just a number.
Luciano Picacchia made a diving stop at rover and flipped the ball backward over his head to force the runner at second.
Bruno DeGregorio sealed a game-ender just as he was flattened by second baseman Tony Campanelli.

HIT FOR THE CYCLE

Mike Homsy
Neil Semenchuk
Steve Bouchard
Joe Lazarra
Roger Michaud
Michel Lee
Michel Lee again in the playoffs

GRAND SLAMS

Paul Lemay
Mark Bouchard
John Fawcett
Earl Henophy
Earl McLeod
Charlie Cottle
Rob Hall
Al Cère
Steve Bouchard (Playoffs)
John Marini (Playoff championship clincher)

Stats fade. Stories don’t. And 1998 gave the KMSPL plenty to remember.