2017 MSBL Honor Roll Inductee: Paul Brooks, Seacoast (NH) MSBL
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Paul Brooks is the 51 year old president of the Seacoast MSBL located in Somersworth, New Hampshire. Heading into their 28th season under the MSBL banner, MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler has cited Paul for his achievements as he has inducted Paul into the 2017 class of the MSBL Honor Roll.
Paul is an electrician by trade and shares his life with his wife Cheryl and their children Brittany and Ryan. He grew up in Garden Grove, California and moved to Durham, New Hampshire at the young age of 13 and has called that great state home ever since.
“I played Little League in California and then when we moved to New Hampshire I played for Spaulding High School in New Hampshire, where we won the state championship,” said Brooks. “I then went to Central Connecticut State University from 1984 through 1985 and was able to play in the Portland Maine Twi-Light League, located in Rochester, New Hampshire and Sanford, Maine.”
Paul has been associated with the Seacoast MSBL since 1996 and has also played in the Boston MSBL, where he has championships from 1998 and 2006. “My brother Greg told me about the Seacoast league and the rest is history.” Paul has also participated in the MSBL World Series in Arizona. He is currently the player/coach of the Seacoast Diamondbacks. “We have 14 league championships since 1997, a stat that I am extremely proud of.”
Does a special event, either on or off the field, stick out in his storied baseball career? “When I was ten years old we were taking a family road trip one summer and it took us through Indianapolis, where my dad and brothers noticed that the Indianapolis Indians were playing the Denver Bears so we took in the game. Champ Summers hit three homers and two doubles for the hometown Indians. He made such an impact that we named the dog Champ.”
Arm injuries unfortunately have played a role in Paul’s tournament appearances. “I had
played in four straight World Series before I hurt my arm. We have also competed in tournaments in Portland, Maine and Albany, New York over Labor Day. We have even hosted our own regional tourney over Columbus Day weekend.”
Like all of us, Paul has his favorite players who have impacted his career and philosophy. “Carl Yastrzemski played hard, displayed leadership and longevity and had a very consistent career,” explained Brooks. “Nolan Ryan was special not just because he played 27 seasons but he took forever between pitches while throwing a lot of them over that span. My brothers hated it when he pitched but I loved it.”
“In conclusion, I can’t thank Steve Sigler enough for all he has done to give us the opportunity to continue playing the game we love. I have made countless friends through MSBL and have created countless memories. I love the game and everything that goes with it. It just sucks getting older!”