Medford, Other GBL Teams Apply to Middlesex League

GBL Teams to Stay Together in Middlesex League or New GBL

– Allison Goldsberry

Medford and the four other remaining Greater Boston League teams of Somerville, Everett, Malden, and Cambridge will continue to compete against each other, whether in an expanded Middlesex League or a revamped GBL, according to Medford Athletic Director Bob Maloney.

The GBL has applied again for membership to the Middlesex League.  Last year the league nixed the idea, but just one year later the Middlesex League, 10 teams strong, is looking for some company.

“In an effort to provide the most equitable oppportunities for interscholastic competition for student athletes in the member schools, the Middlesex League Principals voted in favor of expansion on February 24, 2009. The Middlesex League is now seeking letters of interest from high schools for the purpose of exploring possible expansion options and changes to the structure of the league,” says a posting on the MIAA website.

According to sources, the Middlesex League would like eight additional teams to join.  The eighteen teams would then be divided into three tiers of six.  The tiers will be different for each team and sport and will depend upon the strength of an individual sports program.  For example, a school’s football team could be in tier one, the volleyball team in tier 2, and the track team in tier 3.  The tiers would be evaluated every two years in an effort to mix up the competition.

Maloney said the GBL should know in late May whether they have been accepted to join the Middlesex League.  If the GBL is accepted, they will begin playing in the league in the 2010-2011 school year.

No matter what happens, Maloney said the GBL is determined to stay together.  If they don’t join the Middlesex League, they will continue to play as the GBL and are currently seeking additional teams to expand the league.  The GBL has reached out to Chelsea and old GBL member Revere, as well as Boston Latin, which has declined.

“GBL schools have agreed on the merge only if- and only if- all five teams are taken because the GBL is staying together,” said Maloney.

The GBL shrunk to five teams over the past few years as Waltham, Peabody, Arlington, and Revere left the league, partly in frustation over Everett’s dominance on the football field.  If the GBL does join the Middlesex League, it’s possible another slot will be allotted for a football tourney berth due to the league’s size.

If the GBL joins the Middlesex League, it would expand the league to fifteen teams.  According to sources, three additional teams would be needed to round out the league, and Wilmington, Tewksbury, and Arlington are possibly interested.

Currently, the Middlesex League is comprised of Belmont, Stoneham, Burlington, Winchester, Lexington, Woburn, Melrose, Watertown, Reading, and Wakefield.