YMSL (THE YOUNG MENS SOFTBALL LEAGUE) IS TRULY THE LEAGUE OF THE COMMUNITY, CONJURING EXCITEMENT FOR PLAYERS AND FANS SPANNING ACROSS GENERATIONS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THE 45TH SEASON OF YMSL, A LEAGUE NOW INCORPORATED UNDER DSN, WAS ONE FOR THE AGES! CAPTAINED BY JOE ASHKENAZIE, THE ‘KNIGHTS’ TOOK A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
They entered the final week of the regular season as a team that appeared ready to go home—but they suddenly caught fire at exactly the right time and led their way into the postseason.
Due to their low seeding, the Knights were forced to play a one-game playoff against the red hot To The Moon squad, and they prevailed by the minimal margin, 3-2. That game was marked by the very emotional pregame ceremony in which the entire league came together to honor the legacy of their recently deceased umpire, Kenny O’Donnell. Kenny was a mainstay in the Deal community, as he refereed, umpired, taught and coached in every sport for decades. It shows how much more YMSL is than a regular league. It embodies the DSN value of unity within the community.
Having survived their one-game first round playoff game, the Knights were tasked with facing the best team in the league, Threat Level Midnight, in a two-of-three second round playoff series. The Knights refused to go quietly. There was marathon-style drama, the likes of which have never been seen before, with extra innings and a full three games.
Next, the Knights went to the World Series against Jack Abady and the Kekambas for a best of five game series. The pinnacle game 5 was attended by a record unimaginable crowd of 500 fans due to all the hype, and got quite a show. Rabbi Raymond Beyda threw out the ceremonial first pitch and Charles Saka sang the anthems—and with that, magic was in the air from the very start! League historian Sandy Shalom called the game, “one of the greatest punch-counterpunch contests I’ve witnessed in recent memory. The Knights, these comeback kids, refused to lose and were ultimately crowned champions of the YMSL.“
“I have played in leagues and tournaments my whole life, but nothing compared to winning the YMSL,” said championship captain Joe Ashkenazie. “In my career, I was involved in four different game 5s. They’re so hard to win. But when it finally happens, you realize why we work so hard all year and dedicate our springs to the YMSL,” said right-fielder Abe J Cohen. “People said I couldn’t do it, but my team believed in me, and I believed in them,” said a jubilant Leo Kassin. Kassin has won two championships in the last three years.
At the end of the season, DSN provided a great night to remember with dinner, drinks, entertainment, and awards. The star-studded awards ceremony was packed with players to celebrate the Knights, and to honor the late, great, Robert ‘Red’ Nesser, who posthumously became the first player in 12 years to enter the Hall of Fame. He was inducted by Jack Haddad, and was celebrated by league greats Eddie Beda, Eli Gindi, Marty Gemal, and countless others. Red holds the record for having won a remarkable eight championships, and countless MVP, Cy Young, and batting title awards.
At the ceremony, Commissioner Norman Jemal was asked what makes the YMSL such an integral part of the community?
He replied, “The history is unparalleled, and what the players will do to win this league, is what separates the YMSL from all other leagues. It is the league of the community, and we have a responsibility to protect that. With the league being powered by the great DSN organization, we have the ability to maintain the league’s history, and continue to grow its competition level to greater heights!”
