BMSL 1951-52 season

Nov. 27, 2021 |  Categories:  Baltimore   BMSL  

While the Baltimore Major Soccer League hoped to expand to eight to ten teams for the 1951-52 season the league only had four teams return when Kelly Buick dropped out in the offseason. The league extended invitations to two teams each from the Pen-Mark League and the Washington Suburban league to attend their off-season organizational meetings but none of those clubs ended up joining the BMSL. Wroten's Cafe became Locust Point again.

Instead of playing its matches in the usual public parks, the BMSL engaged Lawrence Field, located on Eastern Avenue near North Point Road, to play double-headers each Sunday. Pompei easily won the first half yet again. The club was engaged in National Challenge Cup and National Amateur Cup play and only managed to play two second-half matches, but won them both.

Pompei beat Parkville Tavern 2-0 to win the Maryland qualifying round and then again upset Lighthouse Boys' Club 5-0 in Philadelphia to win the Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland District final qualifier. Pompei would lose to the Philadelphia Nationals of the American Soccer League 4-2 in the NCC First Round Proper. But, the club would again make it all the way to the National Amateur Cup Eastern Semifinal before losing to Odenton of Trenton.

Root's Restaurant joined the second half of the BMSL from the Greater Baltimore Soccer League in January and beat Parkville Tavern 4-1 in their first match. But, Root's withdrew from further BMSL play in early February due to scheduling difficulties. Finding the venue unsatisfactory, the BMSL also gave up on Lawrence Park prior to the second half of the season and returned to the usual public parks.

Locust Point disbanded in late February and both the second half and season titles of the BMSL again went to Pompei. That club again won the Rowland Cup beating Root's Restaurant 6-0 along with the Stewart Cup by beating Myron Cowell 3-1 at Washington, D.C. Pompei solidified their dominance with a third straight local treble.

Due to the mediocre competition and lack of interest, BMSL officials decided to disband the league at the conclusion of the season.