SJMSBL History of Champions 2020 - 2029
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2020 Covid-19
Started Season in June ended playoffs in October
There was no Fall Season
It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that the SJMSBL mourns the passing of Joe Basara. Joe passed away on 4/19 from complications of the COVID-19 virus. He was a long time administrator and manager in the SJMSBL. He was also a player in the John DeBenedictis league in Pennsylvania. Joe loved the game and was a baseball guy through and through. Besides his involvement in men’s baseball, he was a long time Little League umpire. He recently joined the Tri-State Elite umpire association and was looking forward to the 2020 season. His involvement in the game and all the people he touched helped make the world a better place. Rest in Peace Joe!
It is with a heavy heart that the SJMSBL has lost one of our own
John Bujanowski
4/24/1968-7/12/20
John was a player with the Riverside Beavers/Riverton Railsplitters for 7 years. He played in both the NJIBL and the SJMSBL. He was a key member of the team hitting over 500 last season.
In addition, he played in the RVL league for Vincentown for 28 years. John’s accomplishments on the field are numerous. He was a member of the Riverside High School all century team. In 1986 playing for Riverside High School he hit 395 with 32 hits and 25 RBI’s. He was a member of the South Jersey All-Star team that year as well. He is a member of the Riverside High School Hall of Fame. John has been defined by his teammates “as an all-around great guy. He was beyond talented and was the definition of For The Love Of The Game” He was described as a father-like figure to his teammates and never quit and always fought for the win. Baseball brought him great happiness
Johns biggest accomplishment was his devotion to his family. He was a great and loving Father and Husband. He was very proud of his family and very devoted as a family man. John will be missed by many but not forgotten! Rest in Peace John.
Tommy King, long time TSE Umpire passed away early on Saturday afternoon suddenly. Tommy was from Vincentown and was a frequent umpire for the SJMSBL on Sunday mornings.
Weekly Spot-Light
Sunday, July19, 2020. Mason Maxwell, SJ Tribe went 3-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI's
NEW RULE FOR 2020
Tuesday, January 21 @ General Meeting.
57 Teams represented.
Managers voted unanimously that all teams need to have there Stats (particularly) game played - uploaded before there next game. If a team does not have stats updated by the next game, the offending team will get a forfeit for the game stats not uploaded.
Standing Point System below
3 Points for a Win
2 Points for a Tie
1 Point for a loss
0 Points for a forfeit- when you are the cause of the forfeit
Also for the 2020 Spring Season- If a team Forfeits 3 games team is not eligible for playoffs
2020 Universal Playoff Structures
6 Teams or More in your Division
· Better/Stronger SEED is HOME TEAM throughout playoffs and Championship
PLAY IN ROUND
Saturday, October 17
9:00am #6 Seed @ #3 Seed
9:00am #4 Seed @ #5 Seed
SEMI-FINALS
Sunday, October 18
9:00am Weakest Seed Winner of PLAY IN ROUND @ #1 Seed
9:00am Stronger Seed Winner of PLAY IN ROUND @ #2 Seed
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday, October 25
9:00am Weakest Seed Winner of SEMI-FINAL @ Stronger Seed Winner of SEMI-FINAL
2020 Universal Playoff Structures
Less than 6 Teams in your Division
Lou and I will set up Structure.
All Teams will make the playoffs and we’ll try and create an advantage for top seed(s)
FYI: It will be started and finished in 2 weeks
The SJMSBL would like to thank all who donated to our 5th annual baseball, softball and playground equipment drive. This year was a little different with the Pandemic affecting things but we were still able to collect a sizeable amount of equipment this equipment will benefit the Camden Little Leagues and the children in Santa Domingo and Puerto Rico. If anyone still has some equipment they still would like to donate please reach out to Lou lmarshall@unfi.com 856-266-7916.
Thank You, Lou
Thank You to all for participating in 2020 Toys For Tots/Holiday Food Drive. Once again our 7th year it was a huge success. What a great day for our league and for all the less fortunate that were helped by everyone’s generosity!
Thank You,
Lou and Neil
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2021
Chris Smith of the 52 Penn Jersey Dodgers has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, a Go Fund Me page was established for Chris by his teammates. A modest goal has been set in order to raise funds for Chris to do some home updating, help his daughter with school expenses, and assist in deferral of future med bills. CLICK HERE to link to the Go Fund Me page. Please pass this information on to your players.
CLICK HERE for most asked about rules
2021 All-Star games
CLICK HERE for a printable copy of below
CLICK HERE for Q&A re All-Star Games
The SJMSBL would like to give a shout out to the East Coast Black Sox
They were a first-time entry in the Bridgeton Tournament and finished
with a record of 2 and 3 this is a solid showing in South Jersey’s Premier
Baseball Tournament. Congratulations to the Black Sox for a solid team effort!
The SJMSBL would like to congratulate
JT DeLuca
East Coast Black Sox
MVP 2021 Bridgeton Tournament
CLICK HERE For Player of the Week Link
Doug Biernacki, a Philadelphia A’s player passed away from covid this morning. He contracted it on Friday and sat out last week’s games. Doug went to the hospital the following Friday; they found an underlying condition. He was on a respirator & died this morning (5/7/21).
Doug was 50 years old, he played in the Delaware valley MABL for years. He managed a team called the Blue Rocks in that league. Doug joined the Philadelphia A’s in 2004. In 2015 Doug played on the A’s with his son Tyler (pictured above). “Doug was a baseball lifer and would make you laugh. Rest in Peace #44. You are a south jersey baseball legend and you won’t be forgotten”… Bill Mason, Philadelphia A’s Manager.
"Bruce Leto, Jr. and Ricardo Tull, Jr. of the South Jersey Expos received the Player of the Week award this week (5/2/2021). Bruce and Rick have been business partners (www.designwithartisan.com) and best friends for nearly 10 years years. On Sunday, Bruce went 4/6 with a double, 3 RBI's, 4 Runs scored, and a walk. On the mound he pitched 3 innings, 0 ER, 1 K, and picked up the win. Ricardo "Rick" went 2/5 with a walk, RBI, and 2 Runs scored. On the mound, Rick pitched 2.1 innings in relief with 5 strikeouts, 0 ER, and a win."
"Bruce Leto, Jr. and Ricardo Tull, Jr. of the South Jersey Expos received the Player of the Week award this week (5/2/2021). Bruce and Rick have been business partners (www.designwithartisan.com) and best friends for nearly 10 years years. On Sunday, Bruce went 4/6 with a double, 3 RBI's, 4 Runs scored, and a walk. On the mound he pitched 3 innings, 0 ER, 1 K, and picked up the win. Ricardo "Rick" went 2/5 with a walk, RBI, and 2 Runs scored. On the mound, Rick pitched 2.1 innings in relief with 5 strikeouts, 0 ER, and a win."
2022
On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, Tony DeJoseph a long-time player in our league passed away. All who knew Tony can certainly say that he played the game with the enthusiasm of a Little Leaguer putting on a glove for the first time. He was a good Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He had a way about him of getting the most out of all the lives he touched. He was a tremendous teammate and human being. I was proud to call him my friend and he will forever be missed. Rest in Peace my Friend, keep your shin guards on you will always be on the field with me!!!
Jay has been playing baseball since he was 8 years old. He started playing for Clayton Little League and naturally transitioned into playing for his high school team at Clayton High School. After high school, he continued his baseball career at Camden County College. Once he graduated from college, he continue to play up until currently in the Tri-County League and Salem County League on South Jersey Mashers, Pitman Blade, and his most recent team, The Royals.
On August 6, 2022, Jay’s baseball career, as well as other components of his life, came to a screeching halt when he was hit while working on the road by a driver at 45-50 miles per hour. Jay suffered multiple injuries to his head, shoulder, waist, and legs. He has moved mountains in his recovery but still has a long road ahead of him.
To all members of the South Jersey baseball Community:
On 3/16 we lost a member of our community, Anthony Guiliante. For those of us who have been around for some time, we all remember Anthony. He was a long-time participant in Men's South Jersey Baseball. He ran a successful team The Somers Pont Seminoles. In recent years Anthony was involved in umpiring in Florida. Anthony loved the game and was very competitive. His teams were always in the thick of things come playoff time. Anthony will be sadly missed, Rest in Peace, my friend!
2023 Season
2013 All-Star Game
Jerome Carter is in the Middle
Jerome Carter died unexpectantly on May 20, 2023. Jerome had been a player in the SJMSBL since 2013. He played for the South Jersey Cardinals. Jerome had many deeply seeded friendships formed in the SJMSBL. Jerome was known as a fierce competitor, a great teammate, a dad, and a grandfather. Our sympathies go out to Jerome's friends, teammates, and Family. Rest in Peace, my friend
2024
It is with much regret that I inform you of Bud LeMunyon's passing. Bud was a long-time member of the SJMSBL and the manager of the Cinnaminson Reds. He passed away on Saturday morning, 8/3. Bud was a friend to many, not only in the league but whoever he encountered. He was a dedicated Husband and Father. Bud loved playing baseball, and his routes went back to the Cinnaminson High School team. All will greatly miss Bud. Rest in Peace, my friend!
Longtime friend of the South Jersey Men’s Baseball League, Tom Hoskin, shares a personal and heartbreaking story: on August 4, 2019, his son tragically took his own life. In sharing this, Tom hopes to raise awareness about suicide and encourage open conversations around mental health.
On Saturday, July 12, at Harry W. Thompson Field, the Vincentown Vipers will take on the Fightin Phils in a special game dedicated to suicide awareness. All donations from the event will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
To read more about Tom's personal and heartbreaking story, SEE Below 
Tom Hoskins is a passionate man. He is no stranger to the pain suffered when your child predeceases you. Tom encouraged me to convey the fact that on August 4th in 2019, his son, Hayden, took his own life. After experiencing the unimaginable void for the last five years, Tom is now trying his best to promote suicide awareness and how to recognize the signs, all in the hopes that even one suicide can be prevented, and the pain that has engulfed him can be voided.
“I didn’t recognize the signs,” said Tom. “I feel like I’m living a different life. I stayed in my house for five years and felt I was giving up. I finally had to do something about it. I kept brushing off my son’s pleas for help and thought of his actions as just a little more drama within the growing pains of an adolescent. I was wrong and I can’t take any of it back, now.”
Tom, who is 56 years old, plays and coaches in the South Jersey MSBL, something he has enjoyed since 2011. He also played semi-pro ball at the age of 14 and was scouted at the age of 15. He knows baseball, and he unfortunately knows how life can throw you a nasty curve.
“The only thing I seem to have control over in my life is baseball. I still have the passion for the game, but I need to get myself back into playing shape. I’ve allowed myself to get to this point, and now it’s time to take some positive steps, both on and off the field.”
Tom and his old team, the Vincentown Vipers, had disbanded for various reasons, but as they say, they got the band back together in 2025! Their last year together was in 2014, after winning the championship in 2013.
“We used to be in the 45-over division, but we were losing players when it came time to actually sign up for our new appearance. We decided to jump up to the 55-over division and I’m glad we did. We were able to grab some players from the player pool and from other teams, and we’re back at it.
This team was assembled as a tribute to my son, Hayden. Some of our guys haven’t played baseball for 15 years, but they wanted to be a part. We wear HTH patches on our uniform shirts. I am happy to have gotten our core players back together to honor Hayden.”
Tom said that Hayden was a big baseball fan and came to all of their games and also made a couple of trips to Cooperstown with the Vipers.
“We went to Cooperstown a couple of times, and Hayden came along. More than participating in baseball, he played a lot of soccer, but experienced a couple of major concussions from it. He suffered from migraines, which contributed to his negative mindset at times.
Hayden had a girlfriend for about seven years, but they had broken up a few months before he took his life. I’m sure the depression played a role. He was successful at his job, making good money, and things appeared to be going well. That’s what is scary and sneaks up on you. When life seems good, that’s when you have to be concerned and watch closer.”
Tom has been in contact with suicide prevention affiliates and has flyers being distributed regarding a fundraising game and fundraiser on July 12th, followed by the township’s annual fireworks show.
“We will have a tent set up for people to know more about suicide prevention. We’ll be giving stuff away, like gift certificates to pizza places. The field will have buckets to collect cash. We are promoting on Facebook and social media. I went to the grade school and asked for their help and they are getting the word out to the whole township. I am now getting the word out to the high school.
I am still fairly well known in the area from my baseball days, so I have an audience that will listen to me and care about the cause.”
The fundraiser takes place on July 12th at Harry Thompson Memorial Field at 4:00, featuring a game between Tom’s Vincentown Vipers and the Mt. Laurel Fightin’ Phils. The game should be over by 7:00, and the fireworks at 9:00.
“Since there are already fireworks for the township, the game and fundraising make it the perfect co-event. He will be buying some baseballs to toss to the kids to get them interested in baseball. It took a lot of work to arrange this game to coincide with the fireworks event.”
Final comments?
“If somebody has mental issues, if they seem they are OK and their problems are in the past, reach out and give them a call. Let them know you’re thinking of them. Let them know someone cares. Trust the signs in front of you. I need to say to those donating, if you save only one person through your efforts, you are affecting not only that person, but also their families. It is all worth it.
I look forward to seeing Hayden once again at the Pearly Gates.”
If you or a family member might be experiencing similar battles, Tom asked that you contact him to talk about it. His email is lumpy5555@comcast.net
