It was 10 years ago when Joe McKane had this vision to bring a men’s baseball team to Marblehead, and as a result the Seasiders soon joined the popular North Shore Baseball League.
Still the owner and general manager – and proud batboy – of the franchise, McKane’s enthusiasm for the sport and the Seasiders has never wavered over the years.
“It’s still fun to be around young guys who love the game of baseball,” said McKane, now in his early 80s. “They obviously have more responsibilities and interests as adults, like college or work or both, but their hustle to play the game on the field is (a constant).”
Over the past decade, the Seasiders have made the playoffs twice, and, despite starting slowly this summer, they have been playing better baseball. They are 3-10 in the 11-team league, as of the July 9 standings. They were 0-7 before recording their first win of the year, a 1-0 victory over the North Reading A’s on June 21.
Of the Seasiders’ previous seven games, they lost three of them by just one run, which gives McKane much optimism heading into the final 11 of the regular season. “The top eight teams make the playoffs, but first we have to get a couple of more quick wins to be in contention for the stretch run,” he said. “I think eight or nine wins should be enough to make the postseason.”
The Seasiders are just ahead of the last place A’s, who are 3-15. As usual, the Peabody Champions, a perennial powerhouse, are near the top of the league, once again. They are in second place with a 10-3 record, only trailing the first place Northeast Tides, who are 12-4.
Trey Blackmer, a former Marblehead High athlete, is the team’s player manager, once again, and he’s assisted by Mike Mitchell, who also plays in the games. “Blackmer is an original Seasider,” McKane said.
Besides Blackmer, Bodie Bartram (first year with the team), Brady Lavender (four years), Enrique Quinonez (four years), Drew Whitman (two years) and Schuyler Schmitt (four years) are the other Marblehead residents on this year’s team.
James Giugino is their most dependable pitcher, already logging 60-plus innings, according to McKane.
The weather, however, hasn’t cooperated with McKane’s team so far this season. They have already had six postponements, and couple that with the poor drainage at Seaside Park, it creates delays in getting these games rescheduled quickly. McKane is looking into improving that situation.
“Sometimes it takes two or three days after it rains for the infield to dry out,” McKane said. “But despite all of that, it’s still the best park in the league.”
McKane added that they also have to share the field with Marblehead Youth Baseball and the American Legion Mariners, but all three teams have coexisted nicely over the years. It’s just when Mother Nature comes into the picture, it can create scheduling nightmares. “I’m working with the town trying to fix this drainage problem,” McKane explained.
Upcoming Seasider schedule
After taking on the North Shore Phillies on July 13 after press deadline, the Seasiders will be at World Series Park in Saugus later July 16 to face the North Shore Storm at 7 p.m. On Saturday, July 19, the Peabody Champions will visit Seaside for a 2 p.m. game. The Seasiders will then play a doubleheader the very next day against the Northeast Tides at Exeter High School. The games are slated to start at 1 and 4 p.m.
