Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Summer Slo-Pitch League/Team

Shawnski · 01-09-2008, 05:05 PM

First of all, we are NOT, nor ever will be associated with Softball Calgary. For reasons I will not bring forward here it is just not the type of organization I want to put our leagues hard earned fees towards. There are way better options out there.

Our league has been around for decades. League fees are reasonable (expect $700 ish per team this year.) Diamonds are C class, play is between B and D class (some pretty good teams, some not as good.) A HUGE emphasis over the years has been to balance good ball games with having fun. All teams in our league buy into that philosophy and it shows.

We play 15-16 games a year (about 12 teams in the league). Format is 6 guys, 4 girls. I have played in many leagues over the years, more men equals more competitive, more ladies equals more fun. 6 and 4 has worked well for us.

Included in the league fees is a year end tournament in Drumheller the second weekend in September. Always a blast and surprisingly warm. An optional (but HIGHLY recommended) tournament is in June at Lyalta (just NE of Calgary). Camping right on the diamonds, show up Friday night, head out Sunday afternoon. Expected fees this year are $200-225, budget yet to be determined. At both Drumheller and Lyalta we have a party/dance. I invested a TON of coin to have the DJ equipment to handle both parties. Last year went over awesome as usual.

Tons and tons of prizes, not just for league/playoff winners and runners up but also lots of door prizing at the windup.

We don't usually have openings as most teams come back year after year. Heck, I have been in this league for 14 years or so now, and even on our team we rarely have people leave.

Recommendations for a successful team:

Get committed people. Fewer is better in general. Ask them that if they want to play, will they will be there for 90% of the league games and the year end tournament? Unexpected emergencies can be handled, but people who say they are coming out (and even pay to do so) but are no shows on game day should be weeded out, or best, not even brought in.
Leave any attitudes off the ball diamonds. Come out to have fun and help OTHERS have fun. That is the reason to be out there.
Want a decent team? Get ladies that can play. It makes a world of difference.
Edit... have at least one decent pitcher. Nothing ruins a game more (for both sides) than having someone not be able to throw a strike.

If CalgaryPuck would like to put forth a team, I most certainly can entertain that request. Expect your start up costs to be a tad higher as you will need to buy a set of bases/strike mat, but that isn't that bad. They last many years. Balls/scorebooks are included in your league fees. Bats can be quite expensive, however some will already have their own to bring out. Be aware, certain leagues have VERY strick limitations on bats.

Any questions, just post a note here and I will help out if I can.

01-09-2008, 05:05 PM	#49
Shawnski CP's Resident DJ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Gin Bin Exp:	I run a league, may even have an opening for a team First of all, we are NOT, nor ever will be associated with Softball Calgary. For reasons I will not bring forward here it is just not the type of organization I want to put our leagues hard earned fees towards. There are way better options out there. Our league has been around for decades. League fees are reasonable (expect $700 ish per team this year.) Diamonds are C class, play is between B and D class (some pretty good teams, some not as good.) A HUGE emphasis over the years has been to balance good ball games with having fun. All teams in our league buy into that philosophy and it shows. We play 15-16 games a year (about 12 teams in the league). Format is 6 guys, 4 girls. I have played in many leagues over the years, more men equals more competitive, more ladies equals more fun. 6 and 4 has worked well for us. Included in the league fees is a year end tournament in Drumheller the second weekend in September. Always a blast and surprisingly warm. An optional (but HIGHLY recommended) tournament is in June at Lyalta (just NE of Calgary). Camping right on the diamonds, show up Friday night, head out Sunday afternoon. Expected fees this year are $200-225, budget yet to be determined. At both Drumheller and Lyalta we have a party/dance. I invested a TON of coin to have the DJ equipment to handle both parties. Last year went over awesome as usual. Tons and tons of prizes, not just for league/playoff winners and runners up but also lots of door prizing at the windup. We don't usually have openings as most teams come back year after year. Heck, I have been in this league for 14 years or so now, and even on our team we rarely have people leave. Recommendations for a successful team: Get committed people. Fewer is better in general. Ask them that if they want to play, will they will be there for 90% of the league games and the year end tournament? Unexpected emergencies can be handled, but people who say they are coming out (and even pay to do so) but are no shows on game day should be weeded out, or best, not even brought in. Leave any attitudes off the ball diamonds. Come out to have fun and help OTHERS have fun. That is the reason to be out there. Want a decent team? Get ladies that can play. It makes a world of difference. Edit... have at least one decent pitcher. Nothing ruins a game more (for both sides) than having someone not be able to throw a strike. If CalgaryPuck would like to put forth a team, I most certainly can entertain that request. Expect your start up costs to be a tad higher as you will need to buy a set of bases/strike mat, but that isn't that bad. They last many years. Balls/scorebooks are included in your league fees. Bats can be quite expensive, however some will already have their own to bring out. Be aware, certain leagues have VERY strick limitations on bats. Any questions, just post a note here and I will help out if I can. Last edited by Shawnski; 01-09-2008 at 05:08 PM.