Another summer of big swings, bigger numbers, and moments that still get talked about

If anyone thought the 2002 KMSPL season would slow down, they didn’t stick around long enough. From Opening Day to the final weeks of August, the league delivered fireworks on a nightly basis.

MAY

The season opened with authority as the Recreation Director led things off by going three for four, setting the pace early. John Fawcett wasted no time making his presence felt, laying out for a diving catch to end a game.
Jim Maguire started the year red hot with 15 straight hits, while Rob Sonier announced himself with a monster opener, going five for five with two home runs.
Fawcett followed that up by starting the season 19 for 20 and turning a ninth-inning triple play. Bob Argitis drove in eight runs in a single game, reminding everyone the bat was still very much alive.
Father-and-son duo John and Kevin Kido both went deep in the same game, while Robert Palmer cleared the bases with a grand slam.
Seven-RBI games popped up everywhere, courtesy of Mark Bouchard, Kevin McCormack, Joel Fitleberg, and John Natale, while Paul Lemay pushed it to eight.
Scott Spence put together a night for the ages with a home run, a grand slam, and ten RBIs. Jamie Kopalek added two home runs and eight RBIs of his own.
Geoff Meades, Mike Uson, and Steve Wordsworth each turned in perfect six-for-six games. Tom DuForest added a grand slam just to keep pace.
John Le Marquand and Gregg Protheroe both hit for the cycle, while David Goodman left the yard twice in one game.
Francois Binette launched a home run off the roof and over the Chalet, followed soon after by Joel Fitleberg putting one directly into it.
John Ciampini made a highlight-reel grab in centre after a deflection from Roger Parsons, and John Fawcett capped the month with a two-homer game.

JUNE

Sam Dopud put together a stretch that included three five-RBI games and another with six. Alain Dube drove in seven, while Joel Fitleberg added two homers and six RBIs.
Rookie Roger Parsons found the pole on a throw to the infield, later explaining that “the pole was swaying in the wind.”
Kirkland Shell exploded for 17 runs in the eighth inning, though it wasn’t enough to erase Buro-Serv’s massive 19-run lead.
Joe Rainone hit for the cycle and added an extra triple for good measure. Mike DiCriscio also hit for the cycle and drove in seven.
Catcher Glenn Awada made a catch few would attempt, snagging a ball off pitcher Vlad Lancheres’ chest. Dominic Santini followed with a grand slam.
Gregg Protheroe added another grand slam, while Mike Fitzpatrick made a sensational over-the-shoulder catch heading back toward the infield.
Two-homer games stacked up quickly from John Munster, John LeMarquand, Jim Maguire, Steve Larocque, and Dino Di Pardo.
Stephen Bouchard, Joe Rainone, and Chris Rosen each homered and drove in six. Howard Sorin matched the total.
Protheroe closed the month with two home runs and five RBIs.

JULY

Bob Argitis turned in another monster night with two home runs and eight RBIs. Raz Vaiasicca hit for the cycle, while Al Carpini went a perfect six for six.
Dino Di Pardo hit for the cycle as well, with his home run landing in the tennis court. Argitis added a grand slam just to underline the point.
Peter Gibson made memorable contact with a grapefruit, while Glenn Awada and David Olney supplied grand slams of the more traditional kind.
John and Kevin Kido repeated the father-and-son home run act in the same game. Mike DiCriscio added two homers and eight RBIs.
Glenn Wight and Ian Broadely each turned in three-homer, seven-RBI games. Harding Studios powered their way to a ten-homer outing.
More two-homer games followed from Vito Siciliani, Dan Mackenzie, John LeMarquand, Chris Rosen, and Dominic Santini.
Seven-RBI nights came from Stephen Bouchard, Robert Palmer, Mike DiCriscio, Steve Larocque, and Mark Quirie.
Pierre Hupe, Chris Bender, Mark Quirie, Breen Kennedy, and Kevin Kido all joined the two-homer club.
DiCriscio added a six-for-six performance, while Phil Patulli and Jean Carpentier closed innings with outstanding catches.

AUGUST

Gino Tiberio and Dan Lockhead each delivered a solo home run, a grand slam, and five RBIs in the same game. Robert Palmer drove in eight more.
Mark Quirie and Glenn Eady claimed Bocci Ball Lights Out honors, while David Olney added another grand slam.
Perfect nights continued as Glenn Wight, Stephen Bouchard, and Brian Swinburne each went six for six. Andy Sher joined the grand slam parade.
Joe Rainone twice turned in two-homer games, while Paul Lemay, Tom DuForest, and Dan Killens followed suit. Derek Dooley drove in seven.
Rainone flashed the glove as well, making a strong play on a slow roller to retire John Fawcett at first. Tom Dozois ducked and struck out.
DuForest put together a huge night with a grand slam, another home run, and nine RBIs. Bob Argitis hit for the cycle.
Beaconsfield Jewellery saw its 15-game winning streak snapped by the Florists despite holding an 11–0 lead.
Richard Syrkos went six for six with three home runs. Buro-Serv set a KMSPL record with 513 runs scored and 514 allowed.
Dino Di Pardo delivered one of the season’s most remarkable performances, going six for six, hitting for the cycle, blasting two grand slams, and driving in 13.
Joel Fitleberg matched the fireworks with a six-for-six night, three home runs including a grand slam, and nine RBIs. Harding Studios tied the runs-scored mark.
Stephen Bouchard stepped up five times with the bases loaded in one game, launching a grand slam and finishing with seven RBIs.

Some seasons are remembered for championships. Others for moments.
The 2002 KMSPL season had enough of both to last a lifetime.