Turning the tables on High Times, who came from behind to defeat BusinessWeek in the 2007 New York Media Softball League title game, BusinessWeek overcame a 5-3 Bonghitter lead to win the 2008 NYMSL championship on Sept. 14. The 9-5 final capped off BusinessWeek's perfect 18-0 season (10-0 in league play).

In the semifinals, Trader Monthly took an early 5-1 lead over BusinessWeek, but back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning tied the game and BW went on to win 13-7. Meanwhile, High Times nipped Wall St. Journal 4-2 in the other semifinal.

High Times' Bonghitters had been the only team to beat BusinessWeek over the last three seasons - once in 2006 and in the '07 playoffs.

Each teams plated three runs in the first inning. The score stayed tied until the fifth when HT tallied twice. But BW rallied in the sixth and seventh, opening up a four-run lead. When HT failed to score in the last two frames, BusinessWeek claimed the championship that had eluded them in 2007.

"What a season!" BW's coach Tom Lowry exclaimed. "I feel sweet relief and a lot pride in our amazing team. We were able to exorcise some demons from last year, but I will never underestimate a High Times team, which always plays tough and brings to every game its own formidable legacy."

Wall St. Journal edged Trader Monthly, 4-3, in the consolation game.

Pic: BusinessWeek with their NYMSL trophy and medallions

Also see:

Mediabistro coverage

Final 2008 Standings

2008 Game-by-Game