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Hall of Fame
- Joe Caponigro
- Elliott Roundy
- Jim "Smuz" Smerczynski
- Jon Blodgett
- Billy Devin
- Doug Gatchell
- Steve Kooshkalis
- Phil Mitchell
- Dave Rodgers
- Joe Valle
- Al Donovan
- Kevin Gibson
- Mike Massey
- Norm Sherwood
- Tom Smerczynski
Hall of Fame Biographies
Joseph Caponigro
Joe Caponigro has been a part of the North Shore Baseball League for twenty five years as a player, manager and league official. He began his career with the Marblehead Yachtsmen in 1979, and developed into an outstanding player with a reputation as a premier third baseman and an excellent clutch hitter…. He started a team from his hometown of Swampscott in 1985. As player-manager for the now Swampscott Sox he organized, managed and inspired a dynasty that is a dominant force in the NSBL to this day. The Sox have competed for an unprecedented 17 championships and have won the crown 10 times. The fact that several of the Sox players have been with Joe since the team’s inception is a testament to the loyalty he inspires….Joe has been the NSBL commissioner since 2001 and under his guidance the league is continually expanding and several of the NSBL teams are ranked within the best 50 semi-pro teams in Massachusetts.
Chester Elliott Roundy (1917 -1997)
Elliott was an outstanding power hitting first baseman for the NBSL Marblehead Headers in the 1930’s and 1940’s. After graduating from Colgate University he began a legendary coaching career at Ipswich High School. He coached and officiated football, basketball and baseball and also made his mark as an athletic director. He is enshrined in many halls of fame….He returned to the NSBL in 1977 and assumed the duties of General Manager and fund raiser for the Marblehead Yachtsmen and brought a love of the game that added stability to the league and the respect of umpires, players, fans and opponents. As a class gentleman, Elliott’s enthusiasm and dedication led to a rejuvenation of semi-pro baseball in Marblehead and the NSBL. During his tenure from 1977 to 1994, the Yachtsmen won four regular season titles and captured the playoff crown in 1989. It is fitting that the historic Seaside Park Grandstand and the Ipswich High School Gymnasium are named in his honor.
Jim "Smuz" Smerczynski
Jim Smerczynski of Peabody has been involved with the North Shore Baseball League since 1980 as a manager, coach and league official. He managed Peabody’s Murphy’s Whips for 15 years before becoming a bench coach with the Swampscott Sox in 1996. Smuz led the powerhouse Whips to 8 title series and 4 playoff championships between 1981 and 1990. He has become part of the Sox dynasty by contributing to another 8 title series and a being part of 4 more championships… Smuz has also held the title of NSBL Commissioner or Vice-Commissioner over those 25 years and has played a major role in the successful continuity of the NSBL.
2005
Jon Blodgett
Jon spent 18 years in the NSBL as a player, coach, team organizer, Vice Commissioner and Commissioner. He began his NSBL career as a fleet footed outfielder in the early 1970’s while playing varsity baseball at Princeton. He had a high on base average and as an extraordinary base runner was always a threat to score. He had great range as an outfielder and his two way talent contributed to a number of Peabody Elks championships. In 1980 he rejuvenated semi-pro baseball in Peabody by organizing a team that became the highly regarded Whips. As an older player coach he became a constant home run threat and led the Whips to seven championship finals in 8 years that resulted in championships in 1981, 1982, and 1984. Jon also served as league Commissioner for 5 years and provided the leadership that transformed the NSBL into a reputable baseball organization. Off the field Jon pursued a career in law and is currently the Essex County District Attorney.
Billy Devin
For 16 years Billy Devin was a fixture in the NSBL. As one of the best pure hitters throughout the 80’s and 90’s, Spike led his teams to 3 championship series, a league title and a playoff championship during his career. His 1986 Lynn Players team was the last Lynn franchise to be crowned NSBL champions. During the 1989 season he signed with the Castel Franco Dragons of the Veneto League and played professionally in Italy. In the early 90’s Spike led his team to the Westerly Invitational Tournament championship when the Lynn A’s competed against the best semi-pro teams from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Upon his retirement in 2001, Spike left as the A’s all-time leader in hits, walks, runs scored and stolen bases. Respected by teammates and opponents alike, Spike patrolled the outfield with reckless abandon and was a recognized clutch performer. His passion for the game and “team first” attitude defined his career.
Doug Gatchell
Doug pitched in the regular rotation as an 18 year old in 1980 for the Marblehead Yachtsmen. He became one of the most dominant pitchers in the NSBL over a span of 18 years. He excelled in college where he developed into a power pitcher with great control. Playing Division 3 baseball at Salem State he led the entire nation with a 12:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks. He attracted many scouts and in 1984 at the end of his junior season he signed with the Detroit Tigers. In 1985 he pitched in the Cincinnati Reds system. The following two years he pitched professionally in Holland. Doug was an exceptional athlete. He also played minor league professional hockey. He returned to the NSBL and led the Yachtsmen to the 1989 playoff championship. He pitched the next 9 years for Peabody Champions and was the driving force behind their 7 appearances in the championship finals. He led them to the playoff championship in 1993. He had all the pitches and got better with time. He was a fierce competitor who always wanted the ball and his trademark was a miniscule earned run average.
Steve Kooshkalis
Steve Kooshkalis was drafted as a pitcher in 1971 on the 28th round by the Boston Red Sox straight out of Peabody High School. Koosh had unlimited potential. He opted to refine his skills at the University of New Haven and perhaps sign after college. But a series of severe arm injuries dashed his hopes for professional baseball. Once healthy he did make his mark on the semi-pro level in the NSBL. Koosh was a strikeout pitcher with a great fastball, a classic overhand curveball and a nasty slider. He knew how to pitch and was probably the most intimidating pitcher in the NSBL during his fifteen year tenure. Koosh was a prime contributor to 2 Peabody Elks championships and 3 Murphy’s Whips titles, as well as, a number of playoff victories. He turned in some legendary formances. One notable feat was winning both ends of a doubleheader in the 1976 championship finals against Winthrop giving up a total of 3 hits in 14 innings. He fired 6 no hitters during his NSBL career. His talent, motivation and competitiveness reflect the spirit of the NSBL.
Dave Rodgers
Dave has been an integral part of the NSBL as a player, coach, manager and league official form the mid 1970’s to the mid 1990’s. He was a sure handed first baseman that belonged to the small illustrious club of monstrous home run hitters that every pitcher and manger feared since he could break up a close game with one swing of the bat. Dave is a standup, honest and candid person that understood how the game of baseball should be played and demanded nothing less from his players or the umpires. Under his influence, the Marblehead Yachtsmen were perennial pennant winners from 1979 to 1990 and appeared in three championship series. They won the championship in 1989. Dave was also a long term league treasurer and executive board member. He had a meaningful impact on the policy making and shaping of the league rules as they exist today and was part of the foundation for the current league success.
Joe Valle
Joe was a vital cog in the success of the Marblehead Yachtsmen in the late 1970’s through 1984. He was an excellent hitter and tremendous outfielder with blazing speed. He had exceptional range as an outfielder due to his graceful and effortless running style. This same talent made him a continual threat on the base paths as a base stealer and run scorer. During this time, He also excelled at Colby College and was Captain his senior year. In 1985, Joe was a prime mover in establishing the Swampscott dynasty that still exists today. He had a passion for the game, led by example and his many clutch performances contributed to three playoff championships until he retired in the late 1980’s. As with many NSBL greats he is equally successful off the field and today is a prominent lawyer with a prestigious Boston law firm.
2006
AL Donovan
Al has been associated with the NSBL for over 20 years as a player, coach, manager and league Commissioner. He began his NSBL career as a hard throwing pitcher in the mid 80's while playing varsity baseball at East Carolina and later Central Connecticut. In 1986 he pitched the Lynn Players to the NSBL championship. Through the 90's, Al was a very successful player/manager for the Lynn A's franchise. During that period the A's were consistent contenders for the league crown. In the early nineties the A's also competed in semi-pro tournaments in Rhode Island. Al did lead them to the championship of the Rhode Island Westerly Invitational Tournament during that time. He served as NSBL Commissioner from 1996 to 1999. Based on previous tournament experience, Al had the foresight to align the NSBL with the Stan Musial Division of the American Amateur Baseball Congress. NSBL teams have been very successful in competing in the various Musial tournament levels and the league is well known for baseball excellence. This reputation has led to much of the success and expansion that the NSBL enjoys todaya nd is Al's legacy. He still serves on the NSBL Rules committee and is also a corporate sponsor.
Kevin Gibson
Kevin was an all conference shortstop at Salem State in 1985 his first year with the Peabody Whips. He switched over to second base in the NSBL and played until 1992. Kevin was outstanding in every endeavor on the baseball field. He was a spectacular base runner with exceptional speed and was always a threat to steal or take the extra base. Only a few have matched his great range and prowess as a fielder. He was an aggressive hitter known for his power and whose on base average and slugging percentage were always at the top of the league. He had the rare combination that led to being equally adept at driving in runs as well as scoring them. He was a very competitive and determined player but very quiet and didn't show much emotion. He led by deed. He was one of the driving forces on the Whips 1990 championship team that had an entire lineup of long ball hitters. Kevin is definitely one of the most accomplished players that have competed in the NSBL.
Mike Massey
In the early 1980's, a number of Swampscott athletes played for the perennial contender Marblehead Yachtsmen. Mike, a fine multi-sport athlete, who is also in the Swampscott High School hall of fame for his exploits in baseball, football and hockey, was an outstanding two way first baseman for the Yachtsmen. In 1985, he returned to play for the new St. John's of Swampscott entry that eventually became the Swampscott Sox. Mike had dexterity, quickness and became a prolific hitter. He played until 1992 and was a significant contributor to four Swampscott championships, not to mention numerous runners up roles. Mike is extremely competitive and always played to win. Some of his home runs are legendary. He hit a ball into the basketball court at Phillips Park that bounced over the fence on one hop and hit the house across the street for a ground rule double. It remains one of the longest balls ever seen hit at Phillips and responsible for the Massey Rule. Now any ball that leaves the yard in left field is a home run. When Mike retired he was a leader in all the significant power records for the Sox. He is currently immersed in coaching youth sports.
Norm Sherwood
Norm was a four year standout performer in soccer and baseball at Marblehead High School and, later at, Plymouth State College. In the spring of 1985 he led Marblehead High School to the state baseball championship. That summer, before his freshmen year at Plymouth State, he was the starting shortstop for the Marblehead Yachtsmen and continued in that role through 1992. Norm was a quiet leader who set the tone with impressive defensive play and timely hitting, both for average and power. He was an excellent base runner with great speed. He played a vital role in Yachtsmen history. In 1989 the Yachtsmen won the regular season title and went on to win the playoff championship. Norm was unquestionably the catalyst and most valuable player on that team from the regular season through the playoffs. He was considered to be one of the Marblehead franchise's all time best performers and one of the premier players in the NSBL during his eight year tenure.
Tom Smerczynski
Tom enjoyed an illustrious 25 year career in the NSBL as a pitcher, first baseman, designated hitter, coach and mentor to the younger players. He was drafted as a pitcher by the Cleveland Indians following his senior season at St. John's Prep but opted for college and played at WPI and Tufts. From 1981 to 1995 he was an integral part of the famed Peabody Whips where he was an imposing pitcher and awesome hitter who strongly contributed to four championships, as well as, eight championship final appearances. Arm and knee injuries led to a second career as a designated hitter with the Swampscott Sox from 1996 to 2005. He contributed to the legendary Sox dynasty by adding four more championships and eight more championship final appearances. Tom is recognized as one of the most feared and productive power hitters in NSBL history with a legacy of game deciding hits.
The NSBL can be reached at nsbl@nsbl.org
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