By Rebecca Danvers

Somerville once again in 2014 proved itself to be a sports loving – and playing – city, with school and semi-pro teams taking it to the competition, and more often than not prevailing as winners.

The Somerville Alibrandis won the Yawkey Baseball League Championship for the fifth straight year in a row, beating the Al Thomas Athletics in 5 games in the championship series.

The Alibrandis have won the league championship 15 times in past 25 years. The team was honored by the Boston Red Sox at a luncheon on September 24.

School athletics kept up its proud tradition of excellence as local high school and lower grade programs instilled skill and sportsmanship in the students who participated.

Football, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, and numerous other programs flourished in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and ambition, as all participating students showed the community the worth of their mettle.

Pop Warner football enjoyed tremendous participation in the community, as youngsters signed on to learn the fundamentals of the game and engage in friendly competition.

Celebrity sports figures also pitched in to help encourage participation by kids and their parents in supporting community sports programs. Star New England Patriots player Rob “The Gronk” Gronkowski visited the local Pop Warner teams.

Lots of road races through the city top off the indisputable fact that Somerville loves its sports.