Hugh G Chambers/Paul Z Rinkulis Scholarship

Diego Taveras, Johnson and Wales, Class of 2027
Diego is an incredibly self-motivated and uniquely driven person, both on the baseball field and off. In his youth baseball years, we could see the seeds of the player and person Diego would blossom into as a young man: he was very hard-working and a great teammate, but wasn’t able to crack his way onto our Astros All Star teams as a youth player. Through incredible diligence and effort and care, Diego eventually turned himself into an extremely high-level catcher, a leader, and an All-Star player both within South End Baseball and as an All-League selection during his senior season at Cushing Academy. Johnson and Wales is extremely lucky to have this thoughtful, conscientious young man—we know that he will have as positive an effect on the school and his teammates there as the experience will have on him!

Jeffrey Valdez, Siena College, Class of 2027
As great a performer as Jeffrey is on the diamond, and he’s a stud—he’ll be suiting up for a Division 1 program in 2024—his qualities as a teammate, a friend, and a role model are even more impressive. From way back in his Minor League days on the Nationals we’ve watched with admiration as Jeffrey has grown into a model example of what we believe South End Baseball should be about. He has been an all-star player at every level, and he umpired at every level as well, as he was part of the first ever group of former players to call games in the Senior League in the 2022 season. We can’t wait to see the amazing things he does as he moves on to the next level.

John Lucas Hernandez, San Jacinto College, Class of 2027
An incredible jack-of-all-trades as a player, John Lucas never ceased to find ways to positively affect baseball games, whether on the mound, in the field, or from the batters box, and his infectious smile and effervescent attitude match that to T. A member of the Dexter-Southfield class of 2023 and a well-deserving captain of the school’s prestigious varsity baseball team, John Lucas is nearly peerless with his dedication to his craft—you can find him at all hours taking batting practice and grounders and long-tossing at Jim Rice Field—and we know that diligence and enthusiasm will lead to great success as he moves forward in life.

Giovanni Rodriguez, Bridgewater State University, Class of 2026
A hard-nosed and perpetually positive presence from behind the plate in his customary catcher’s role, Gio has always been a peak performer and natural born leader. His talents have recently shifted to the gridiron, and he’s bringing the same tenacious and never-quit attitude that was always his trademark on the baseball field to Bridgewater State University. If history is any guide, we know Gio will throw himself into all aspects of his college experience with the same enthusiasm and care that we’ve always seen in him.

Bryant Cabral, National Aviation Academy, Class of 2023
Bryant is a study in perseverance, both on the baseball field and off. The classic example of a player who blossomed more and more as he grew, Bryant’s hard work and incredible attitude made him a favorite to coaches and teammates alike during his playing days, and his exemplary work in the classroom at O’Bryant High School has continued into his college days. Bryant will be heading across the country this Spring to Seattle work for Boeing—we always knew he’d rise to great heights!

Ty Harding, UMass Amherst, Class of 2026
Ty, just wrapping up his Freshman year at UMASS where he’s playing Football(!), is an outstanding, bright, talented young man, and is by far our youngest ever scholarship recipient. While Ty is a tremendous player on the field, his leadership and teamwork are what make him stand out. We have no doubt that there are amazing things in Ty’s future.

Anthony Baez, Graduate of Emmanuel College (Georgia), Class of 2023
One of the most passionate kids to take the field in SEB history, Anthony has earned our love and respect over his many years with us first as a spectacular All-Star player and team leader, then giving back to the program as a dedicated umpire who became our youngest ever to officiate the Majors Championships, and now as a college graduate pursuing a career in law enforcement and considering returning to school for his Masters Degree. To say we’re proud of Anthony would be an understatement.

Nate Duncan, Graduate of Eastern Nazarene College, Class of 2023
Nate and his trademark smile have been a fixture at the South End’s baseball fields for as long as anyone can remember. An outstanding player throughout his career, Nate has also given back to the program as one of our best and most frequent umpires in Minor and Major play during his college years. A graduate of Cathedral High School, where he was a four year two-sport varsity athlete, Nate went on to pitch at Eastern Nazarene. With his degree now in hand Nate will move into the business sector to pursue his career—-we know he’ll be a success wherever life takes him!

Ryan Hernandez, Graduate of University of Houston, Class of 2022
Ryan has swung for the fences both on the field and off from a young age. He’s been a power hitting All Star since the age of eight, recently becoming the youngest overall winner of our Wood Bat Home Run Derby. Ryan graduated with honors in 2017 from the Dexter Southfield School, and will take his talents to Texas to play Division 1 Baseball at the University of Houston, where we know he’ll also knock it out of the park in the classroom.

Aneury Lara, Graduate of Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Class of 2019
Aneury, a recent graduate of the English High School, is one of the most passionate players ever to grace Peters Park and Jim Rice Field. In addition to being an excellent player, Aneury spent years giving back to SEB by umpiring in our Minor League program. Aneury currently attends the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, focusing on computer science.

Clifford Guerrero, Graduate of New England College, Class of 2020
It’s difficult to find an area of South End Baseball that Clifford has not impacted. An All Star player since the age of 9, Clifford has given back to the program like no other as he has matured, helping out regularly as an umpire, coach, and volunteer at any and every instance he can. Upstanding and dedicated, Clifford finished his career at Cathedral High School as the varsity captain, and looks forward to continuing his studies and work behind the plate as an elite catcher at New England College going forward.

Sean Webster, Graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, Class of 2017
Sean began with South End Baseball at age 8. He has always been an extremely skilled and hard working player, and has annually earned a spot on our Astros All Star teams since the age of 10. He was an All-Star centerfielder at Boston College High School, and now roams the same ground as a varsity starter at Southern New Hampshire University, where he intends to study Business Management.

Evan Torres, Graduate of UMASS Dartmouth, Class of 2019
A strong baseball player and dedicated student, Evan has deep ties to South End Baseball, and starred as a pitcher for the 16 Year Old Astros in 2013. Evan amassed an impressive 3.4 gpa in his High School career, and will begin his college education at Holyoke CC in the fall.

Brandon Ruiz, Graduate of UMASS Lowell, Class of 2018
Brandon recently received his degree in Business Management from UMASS Lowell. He is a SEB Hall of Fame player and was also recognized by The Boston Globe through their Scholar-Athlete Program. In addition to our award, Brandon was also a recipient of the Peter Gammons Scholarship through The Foundation To Be Named Later.

Brandon Tubens, Graduate of UMASS Boston, Class of 2018
Brandon is currently flourishing as a business major at UMASS Boston, and also manages the Rangers in our Senior League program. As a player for the Senior League Red Sox and formerly as an assistant coach for the Major League A’s, his dedication and teamwork were second to none and showed us why he was a spectacular representative of all for which SEB, Hugh and Paul stand.

Jordan Matos, Graduate of College of St Joseph, Class of 2016
A multiple division MVP and SEB Hall of Famer, Jordan’s leadership through example has set him apart from his peers from the his first playing days at age 8. Jordan, still a passionate player for our adult Astros, graduated with a BA in Business in 2016 and is now working in the Massachusetts State House as a Program Coordinator in the Governor’s Office of Access and Opportunity and Community Affairs.

Jamill Moquete, UMASS Boston, Class of 2019
Jamill started playing in South End Baseball at the age of 9 years old, and was an All Star and League MVP at every level through the age of 18. In the Summer of 2013 Jamill was added to the Futures League All Star Team. Jamill was drafted in the 2014 June Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and was pursuing the dream that so many who come through South End Baseball have growing up at Peters Park until arm injuries forced him to retire. After finishing his bachelor’s degree at UMass Boston, he took to the coaching ranks and worked at his alma mater before heading to the West Coast and working in the Bay Area.

Izzy Velez Jr., Graduate of Fisher College, Class of 2014
Izzy has been with South End Baseball since 1999 and is still active on our Yawkey League team. As a player for the Fisher Falcons, Izzy had a solid 2013 and is preparing for the winter trip down South to start the 2014 season. One of his coaches, Jose Diaz, is a fellow scholarship recipient!

Rony Mercado, Graduate of Northeastern University, Class of 2013
The first SEB player ever to receive the scholarship, Rony and earned his degree in Business Management at Northeastern. He is a true SEB legend, as he was also the first inductee into the Peters Park Hall of Fame; named as a first team player for the Great Northeast Atlantic Conference in 2006 while attending Suffolk University and pitching as a professional for the Brockton Rox in 2008.

Christina Morales, Graduate of UMASS Amherst, Class of 2012
“Tina” began her SEB playing career when she was 5. She has a degree in Psychology and plans to attend graduate school to gain her Ph.D. Tina continues to be star when it comes to giving back to our community; most recently as the Superintendent / Director of the Blackstone Summer Camp.

Luis Sanchez, Graduate of Boston College, Class of 2012
During his playing days as a Marlin and Padre, Luis appeared in three Championship finals. While working toward his degree in Broadcast Communications he was the Assistant Sports Director and Radio Sports Coordinator for WZBC and was “The Voice” of BC. Still active as a Coach, Luis recently founded My WSports, a website dedicated solely to women’s athletics, and does a good deal of college sports commentating as well. He is the definition of perseverance.

Arielle Gaines, Graduate of Hampton University, Class of 2012
An outstanding RBI softball player since the age of ten, she continued to play while at Hampton and also found the time to be a perennial Dean’s List student as well. Ari earned a B.S in Health and Physical Education and is now pursuing a masters degree in Physical Therapy.

John J. (JJ) Adames, Graduate of Stonehill College, Class of 2011
JJ is a member of the SEB Hall of Fame and has been an All-Star at every level from T-Ball through the our Yawkey League Astros. After earning his degree in Accounting from Stonehill, he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers. He now is a CPA with a masters in both Accounting and Tax Accounting. And better than that, JJ is a true gentleman on and off the field.

Jason Burrell, Graduate of UMASS Amherst, Class of 2011
From an early age, Jason was recognized by both teammates and coaches as a quietly determined leader. After earning his degree in Political Science, he attended Northeastern Law and passed the bar exam, after which we worked at Mintz and Levin. Jason has also spent stints working in communications for Senator Elizabeth Warren and was recently the Campaign Manager for newly elected Governor Maura Healy. We know he will continue to make his positive mark on this world.

Steve Melo, Graduate of Curry College, Class of 2010
What more can you say about someone when their nickname is “Stevie Baseball”? The hard throwing Hall of Fame lefty pitched his way into our hearts as a perennial All-Star from the age of 7 and still continues to play and coach for us today. Steve works for Point32health as a Network Engineer, now coaches his own son on the Red Sox in our Minor League program, and has been a fixture for years as the house DJ for our August Wood Bat League at Jim Rice Field. His dedication and love of the game touches everyone who knows him.

Jesus “Hollywood” Rodriguez, 2009
Jesus has been a player and coach since 1987 and is considered by many to be “The Face” of South End baseball. He worked with kids for many years at several Boston Community Centers and used our grant to advance his career through child care development courses, and has now moved on to coach basketball and softball at Acton-Boxboro and Newton South High Schools. “Hollywood” has also coached 2 AAU Girl’s National Championship basketball teams and also founded The Boston Elite Basketball Program, which has seen numerous young women go on to pursue their dreams at colleges across the country. His ability to make a positive impact on our kids has been amazing.

Jose Diaz, Graduate of Fisher College, Class of 2009
Jose Diaz followed the path of Dorian and enjoyed both the baseball and educational experiences of going to North Florida CC and Cumberland University. Jose continued his playing career in the Park League of Boston, the oldest amateur program in the country, coached collegiately at Fisher College in the Back Bay, and has now opened the Boston Athletic Academy, a baseball and educational program for the youth of Boston to help them reach their greatest heights.

Dorian Rojas, Graduate of Cumberland University, Class of 2006
Dorian Rojas came to South End Baseball at age 16 under unusual circumstances. Playing for another local program, Dorian was invited to play with us in a regional tournament in Trenton, NJ, but bowed out to stay in a tournament with his local team—a decision we fully supported. After his local team was eliminated, Dorian called to see if he could still join us in New Jersey. Dorian caught a 5AM train the next morning and showed up for the semifinals ten minutes before game time, went four for four with a game winning hit, and helped us make it to the Nationals in Chicago. Dorian is on the record books at both Cumberland and NFCC, has been a Rookie of the year and all-star in the Park league, and has played professionally with the Joliet Jackhammers of Illinois and Macon Music of Georgia in the independent league.

Marvin Malaret, Graduate of Cumberland University, Class of 2006
While on a trip to a tournament in Connecticut with our All Star team, Marvin, Dorian Rojas and Jose Diaz impressed the head coach of NFCC enough to earn partial scholarships.  Marvin thrived at NFCC, and moved on to Cumberland University, where he earned his degree.  Marvin continued his baseball exploits, earning the Boston Park League MVP award in 2008, and now is a member of the Boston Police Department.