For most teams, this was the final week of the season as the preliminary rounds came to a conclusion, with only four teams advancing to the semi-finals. In the Tuesday night contest, B&M Electric ended their season on a high note edging out McCourt &Trudden Funeral Home 12-11. With nothing on the line except bragging rights, both teams played a loose, relaxed game. Tom "T" Ball led the B&M attack with four hits while Beno Reverberi slammed a HR and the go-ahead RBI single. Leadoff hitter Danny "Hitman" Arenholz also had a good game as he had two hits including an RBI triple. Brian Tinney had three hits while Jerry Mazza, Joe Manning, Rich D'Amico and Bob Schubert add two each. Defensively B&M may have found a new right fielder in John Defalco as he looked very much at home out there.

Two team veterans will not be in uniform next season as Tom Bailey will be resting his back and Bob Schubert will be returning to the high seas. Their B&M teammates thank both guys for their many contributions and hope their "retirements" turn out to be short-lived. In a game that determined this bracket's winner, and played a major role in the semi-final seedings, Granny O'Sheas Pub upset top seed Singleton's Restaurant 11-7. Singleton's came out flat, and without their starting pitcher, Granny's took advantage of six walks in the second inning to score six runs for an early lead and held a 11-4 advantage by the fifth before Singleton's fought back but their late game rally came up short. Granny's advanced as the number two seed for the next round and Singletons made it as the wild card entry based on the best runs for/runs against totals.

In the closest bracket, with all teams 1-1 and still alive, the winner wasn't determined until the final game. Mers Pub entered the final night needing a win along with help from Changing Times Pub in order to advance. Mers did their part as they defeated Synergy's Gym 20-4. This week Mer's fielding was at its peak and the pitching finally kicked in after a woeful performance the week before. Their bats also woke up after a two-week hiatus as George Cohan, Jim Fileccia, Bill Sutherland and Tom Fitzpatrick all went 3-3. Byron Bodine, Joe Girimonte did their table setting jobs as usual going 3-4 and 2-4 respectively. Glen Olsen went 2-3 while Ed Healy, Joe Fanning and Gary DiApice went 1-2. The games RBI leaders were George Cohan, Joe Fanning and Jim Fileccia with four each. Cohan hit two HRs, one being a monstrous blast, while Fileccia and Fanning added one. To Mer's dismay but to Moby's delight, Moby fought back from an early game six-run deficit to defeat Changing Times to advance to play Granny' O'Sheas in the opening semi-final game. After a run of four years, and winning the last two tournaments, Mers won't be defending their title. The team finished 13-5-1 overall but had a good season and are looking forward to competing in the American League again next year. The Mersmen also wish all a great and safe fall and winter.

Barco Construction with their victory over Bar Boy Supply Co. filled the final spot in the semis as the top seeded team. The Barco Boys came out smoking as they scored 12 runs in the first providing them an ample cushion, holding a 21-6 lead before Bar Boy scored eight runs in the last inning making it a 21-14 final. Barco was able to end Bar Boy's late game rally by first baseman Phil Tripoli's terrific play, snatching what appeared to be an RBI hit into an inning ending DP. Again it was another team effort as everyone had a hit and the RBIs were spread among nine batters. Leading the way was Dennis Ryan, who had a stellar game with six RBIs on a 3-3, sac fly night which included a HR. Adding to the cause were Dave Ringer and "Gentleman" Tony Falcone, both 4-4, and Gary Jambor and Steve Jacobson, who were 3-4. Not to be outdone, and because he likes to see his name in the paper, Bob "Woody" Diamond had a triple for the third straight game, this one good for three RBIs. Bob, the only time you can bring that wooden bat out is if we need it for firewood, or if Tina wants to use it on you.

The line-up for the semis is O'Sheas vs. Moby and Barco vs. Singletons with the winners facing off Friday, Oct. 1 which will be played after the yearly Home Run hitting contest held at Allen Park, the evening starting at 8p.m.