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Tournament Files:
MATTY DOBENS TOURNAMENT HISTORY... How did it begin?
The Minor League All Star Tournament was initiated in 1988 in honor of one of South's finest coaches and one of the founders of Manchester South Little League, Matty Dobens.
Matty Dobens recalled "A Lot of kids had too much idle time and they spending it on the street corners, getting into trouble." Therefore, Dobens and his close friend, the late Tom Bouchard, set out to ensure that henceforth the only crime committed in the southern section of the community would be base stealing. With help from Larry Cronin, Frank Cronin and Con Labore South Little League was established in 1954.
Matty Dobens was a promising southpaw pitcher in the Detroit Tigers minor league system in 1932 and 1933. He was called up by the parent club for the 1934 campaign, but his American League career lasted only one month due to a severe injury to his left arm while pitching in a game and he was forced to retire from baseball (as a player). Major League baseball's loss was Little League's gain.
In 1954, Matty Dobens managed one of South's four major teams, Mutual of Omaha. In 1958, Dobens along with Frank Cronin coached the South All Stars to the State and New England Championships. In 1964, because of needed expansion, due to increasing number of youngsters who wanted to play, Pete Psaledas and Matty as well as others instituted a Minor Division.
Matty Dobens coaching career at South covered two decades until his death in July 1st, 1969. He was a frequent visitor at South Little League, checking out the park and chatting with old friends.
On Thursday July 29,1999 Matt Dobens, grandson and namesake of Matty Dobens pitched his Goffstown team to a 15-5 victory over Manchester South to win the Matty Dobens Tournament. Another grandson Pat Dobens played first base in the same game. Those of us who watched the game were sure Matty Dobens was smiling down from the heavens that night watching his grandsons on the field he helped build.
In the beginning this Matty Dobens tournament was the Manchester City Wide Minor League All Star Tournament which traveled to each of the city leagues to host. When some of the city teams decided not to enter, the Tournament came home permanently to South in the early 90's. The Matty Dobens Tournament is now open to the young Minor League All Stars throughout NH District One.
Material taken from the South 30th anniversary booklet article by Al Nettel and an article from The Bulletin Neighborhood News by Eric Emmerling.
Complied by Pat "Silver Fox" Ohrt of Manchester South Little League. August 2002
