The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks clinched a playoff berth Wednesday afternoon, despite not having to play a game. Scattered thunderstorms across the northeast made for cancellations across the NECBL, most importantly at Montpelier Recreation Field in Vermont and Fitch Field in Mystic, Conn.

As the team bus pulled into Fitch High School, word spread that the critical ongoing game two states over was canceled. The Ocean State Waves, needing to win both of their doubleheader games against Vermont, watched the downpour drown out their playoff hopes.

The fourth inning rain-out in Vermont made the Shark’s game in Mystic unnecessary, and the team turned around and made the three and a half hour drive back to Woods Hole as playoff participants.

The NECBL playoffs feature eight of the 13 teams, with a unique format. All rounds of the playoffs are settled via a best-of-three series, with the higher seed hosting games one and three (if necessary).

The quarterfinal matchups begin Thursday, August 1, with the semifinal series beginning Sunday, August 4. The Championship series will take place next week, with the first game scheduled for Wednesday, August 7. The finals are also a best-of-three series to determine the 2024 league champions.

The Sharks finish the season third in the coastal division, behind divisional and reigning league champions Newport Gulls and the Mystic Schooners. The opened the season on a down note, had a hot streak but then cooled down again in the waning days, wing just two of the final six games. That turned out to be just enough to capture the final playoff spot.

In the first round of the playoffs they will face the 30-11 Vermont Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers dominated the NECBL this year, posting a 4.00 team ERA and .280 team batting average to lead the league. They swept the Vineyard in a doubleheader on July 22.

But the Sharks say they are ready.

“Now it’s time to make some noise”, said Russ Curran, general manager.

Head coach Ryan Miller echoed this sentiment. “The way that they have handled the ups and downs this season speaks volumes about their character as baseball players and as people. They are an outstanding group of young men and have earned this opportunity.”

The first game takes place Thursday in Montpelier, Vt then returns to the Shark Tank on Friday. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

“I never doubted this team from 0-6 start till now” says Russ Curran.