Summer Slo-Pitch League/Team

[Shawnski]

Couple things.

First, Pop Davies is pretty much a men's league and expensive diamonds from what I understand. A fellow named David Nourse looked after them (and helped with our league) but he has now returned to the States.

As for "uniforms" I have been to tournaments where everyone on one team wore Hawaiian shirts. Was pretty cool. Considering you are all CPers, if people just wore some Flames shirt, you would be fine for most beer leagues.

I know I said our league didn't have spots, but as of yesterday, I regained a diamond we gave up last year so I do in fact have room for a new team (or more if necessary).

It is a central, weeknight league as I have posted before. But to refresh everyones memory, here are the details....

You play one night a week, Mon-Thur. If a certain night or two is tough for your team, I schedule around it as best I can. Diamonds are either at Malbourough Park (just north of Memorial Drive and east of 52nd Ave) or right north of downtown at Crescent Heights.

6 guys, 4 girls format. Fun league, no bitching and complaining tolerated nor expected. Year end tournament is in Drumheller the second weekend of September (included in league fees of $800). Optional but recommended June tournament in Lyalta (just NE of Calgary), $200. Both of those tournaments are camping focused. GREAT weekends.

SPN insured, pretty flexible bat "laws", about 15% of league fees go to year end prizing (league/tournament/door)

League has been around for dozens of years. Well run, good people. In our own case, we have such low turn around year over year that our core (10 players) have been together for over a decade. Most teams are like that.

I will reiterate what I said earlier in this thread about this league. Of all the ones I have played in over the years, this is by far the most enjoyable.

I anticipate having our first captains meeting the first Monday of March. I have held off this until I knew if I could find another good diamond (which I did) and as to whether I could therefore offer a spot to your all (which I am).

Cheers for now

Shawn

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Adding in the responses here with PM's I've recieved, it is so far overwhelming for a cheap, red shirt, short sleeve, and Kokanee League at Optimist/Shouldice. As suggested at the pub maybe we go with no names on the back to keep the cost reasonable, but individuals could put something on the back themselves.

That all works for me.

Now when do we start the "feats of strength" for spots on the roster?

[Kerplunk]

Uniforms are meh. As long as its a shirt, it doesn't matter. Names and all that are fun, but I'm not sure it's necessary for the cost. Sleeveless or t-shirt are the best for ball. You can always put an undershirt on if its cold...its a little harder to rip the sleeves off in +30C.

Since we are looking at Sundays, option 1, 3, and 4 are better in terms of location. With #2 I'll be driving a fair bit. Fences are nice, umps aren't really needed.

Hey Shawnski, if any of the teams in your league need an extra player, send me a PM. If this team here is just playing Sundays, I have time during the week to play somewhere else.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Couple things.
...I know I said our league didn't have spots, but as of yesterday, I regained a diamond we gave up last year so I do in fact have room for a new team (or more if necessary).

It is a central, weeknight league as I have posted before. But to refresh everyones memory, here are the details...

Shawn

That sounds like a fun league, and it seems like you've got it all figured out. Nice and easy. I'm not a fan of Thursdays... and I might be able to bring another girl or two once in a while.

Doesn't matter on the jerseys. I can wear a t-shirt or buy a jersey.

I'm certainly more excited about the team the closer we get to summer!

[Shawnski]

Kind of funny that the Kokanee league is brought up. That is our SECOND league (for most on our weeknight league team).

We go to our weeknight league to have fun, and play some ball.
We go to our Sunday league to play ball, and have some fun.

Different mentality.

The Kokanee league is 7 guys, 3 girls. Bases/umps supplied. But no strike mat. Umps call the shots, good, or bad (and some nights... yikes...) At the first tournament of the year, you will find that many umps are new to the game and in their "test" phase.

You play double headers but a shorter season. You have to supply your own balls/scorebooks. Tighter bat regulations are in effect. Third strike foul, you are out.

The Kokanee league definitely has better diamonds which are also fenced. Shouldice ones are way too short though. Their home run limit certainly has impacted games, especially at Shouldice.

Tournaments? The Kokanee league plays their tourneys at Okotoks-On-Deck. A nice facility. Year end "wind up" is not there though, it is held at some random date/place after the season. On both those points, there isn't a comparison. I find the tournaments we run so far more enjoyable it isn't even close.

In the years I have played Sunday nights, both at Jaycee and Optimist/Shouldice, I know about a dozen faces and very few names. It's all about the ball, and not about meeting new people.

On the other hand, what I have found from the years of our regular league is that I have met hundreds of people, know dozens and dozens by name, and party with them outside of the league.

So it all depends on what you are looking for. Personally I like the balance of both. Play hard Sundays, relax and have fun during the week. But that is just me.

[4X4]

I am officially down for whatever. I'm moving somewhere more central in the next month or two, so the location doesn't matter. FTR, I'll likely be inclined to the optimist (westsiiiiide) location, but I wont bitch if it is anywhere else, save the far NW, N or NE.

I want to re-iterate the jersey comment about keeping it cheap. Half the people will either lose it or not like the fit of their shirt and simply not wear it. After a team is together for a couple/few years, jersies become more important. For now, just get the cheapo stuff.

I now find myself hoping that there is a respectable female turnout from CP. The girls I had lined up to play were for a team I was going to organize personally. Ie, there would have been alot of people they knew. So now I'm a little wary about promising anything in that dept. I know I did yesterday or the day before, but the more I think about it, the more I think that it'll be more of a game-time decision. So I'm reneging that promise.


Equipment is probably going to be an issue. Shawnski taught me a thing or two about bats (that's why I promised to buy one). But we'll probably need a couple more, and possibly bases and balls. Is this going to be a team effort? Shall we bequeath this equipment on the organizer (would that bea Aenes, BTW?)? I kinda want to keep a bat if I buy it it full out. But if there is a team effort on other equipment, we might as well give it to the organizer with the caveat that it shall be passed on to next year's organizer should it not be the same person.
And the costs need to be addressed upfront. We probably need to tack on a few bucks to each team member's fees to buy this stuff.


As for sponsorship, I'd love to represent CP. Just a thought, but do you guys and gals think that a CP fundraiser may kickstart our little venture? I mean, each member already must pledge their share, and if we do it publicly, maybe a few other posters would feel inclined to toss ten or twenty bucks our way. That might add up to the cost of equipment and stuff. And anything left over could go toward CP. Or 50/50 or something. Of course, gotta get the A.O.K. from the big man, but... just a thought.

[Shawnski]

I do have some stuff I can donate. A strike mat if you need one, and a ton of used but good condition balls.

One last difference in the Kokanee league. They use smaller balls for the ladies. We do that for our Lyalta tournament only (change of pace).

[Aeneas]

As to the organizer thing, I am only doing this part because Redvan was too busy. As soon as he is ready it's all his...or someone elses. I just wanted to get it going. Personally I don't care where we play or when. South works better for me, and for most people that have answered; but we sure wanted to include the north people. Thought the Optimist/Shouldice was a good compromise as well as the diamonds in Forest hts/Lawn. JC park would have been great for some people, bad for others. Lots of folks answered that Sunday worked, but many were not too particular. It is near impossible to please everyone, especially when most do not have a relationship outside of CP.

Going with Shawnski's league is fine by me, I prefer fences (hate running to get long line drives!) and I like when the bases are all set up for you (I am lazy). Course the Kokanee league comes with higher cost along with those luxuries. And as Shawnski has pointed out, there may be more serious players there.

We have 20 some guys interested in playing, and 2 ladies. With a couple other ladies as possibilities, the odds of getting two teams are slim. I know that I could likely bring out one or two ladies but no guarantee.

Shawnski, great info by the way, but a couple questions. What time do the games start? Single games or double header? How many games?

As I said, I will go with whatever the majority want to do. It's harder for me to do weekdays, as I already commit to one night a week; but that's not a problem as we have lots of guys interested.

We still have to decide what to do if we still have 18-20 guys wanting to play. Rhettzky is pumped for the feats of strength! How many guys do we want? Some leagues 6 guys are playing, some 7. Be a bit boring for some people if we have 12 guys out there. Again depends on personal preference.

Shawnski, do you need a decision by your meeting?

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Shawnski, great info by the way, but a couple questions. What time do the games start? Single games or double header? How many games?

As I said, I will go with whatever the majority want to do. It's harder for me to do weekdays, as I already commit to one night a week; but that's not a problem as we have lots of guys interested.

We still have to decide what to do if we still have 18-20 guys wanting to play. Rhettzky is pumped for the feats of strength! How many guys do we want? Some leagues 6 guys are playing, some 7. Be a bit boring for some people if we have 12 guys out there. Again depends on personal preference.

Shawnski, do you need a decision by your meeting?

Our league has a single game each week, starting at 6:45 (15 minute grace period). Usually are OK with rush hour traffic to get everyone to the diamonds by then. Some leagues play double headers during the week, but that can be tough.

Our league runs from the end of April through the middle of August. You usually have time at the end of August to get in any rainouts, then the playoffs in Drumheller second weekend in Sept. That is cool in that it is usually getting damp here but is usually quite awesome out there.

As to a decision, no, I don't need one by that meeting, however if there is interest, you might consider attending in order to get a feel for what is going on.

And as to Redvan running the show. That is all fine, but everyone needs a backup, sometimes two. You all should consider who is going to be assistants to him.

Talking about how many guys you have, when push comes to shove, take the committed fun people that can play ball. That is the best combination. Have tryouts if you need to. But focus on getting ladies. That will make or break your team.

[Aeneas]

Forgot about the equipment. As stated earlier (in this large thread) I will bring out three bats. I could bring out a couple other odd ones, but they are really old. Flameskickass also has a bat. So we are at 5. Good enough for a starting team. We could get new cheap ones also.

Actually, Shawnski if your league is not touchy on bats then I can bring out more bats. Many leagues grandfathered in the banning of seven bats this year. So I can pick up a couple Synergy II's cheap, as they are now illegal!

As to sponsorship, the two business options we might have had from team members do not look good. A pub is still an option, but only once we decide where we are playing and if players will come out.
What are people expecting to pay? If we have 14 players full time and buy cheap jerseys, the cost for Shawnski's is 800 + 500= 1300. So, less than 100 each. Shawnski you said you have used balls, but does that mean we should probably buy some new balls? And we need to buy bases but not a strike mat.
I am sure we can get cheaper jerseys or forego it entirely.

I will just wait for feedback from people, it's getting complex!! My brain hurts. We need a dictator to just make decisions and be damned those it does not please. That's not me, so if anyone else wants to take the reins, let me know.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Our league has a single game each week, starting at 6:45 (15 minute grace period). Usually are OK with rush hour traffic to get everyone to the diamonds by then. Some leagues play double headers during the week, but that can be tough.


Talking about how many guys you have, when push comes to shove, take the committed fun people that can play ball. That is the best combination. Have tryouts if you need to. But focus on getting ladies. That will make or break your team.

Single game 645, that definitely makes it better for the deep south people to make it. You said the Marlborough diamonds were north of Memorial Drive and east of 52nd Ave? I am not knowledgable on the NE, but how can you be east of an avenue? I should look at a map or think about it but sometimes I just like to ask!

Tryouts? Oh dear, that would make me popular. "troutman, you are cut!"
We had a limited tryout at the pub and all in attendance drank just fine!

[Shawnski]

Sorry, that was East of 52nd St, not Ave (Roland Michener school). Very very easy to get to.

As for balls, yes I have some that you can use for BP or pregame throwing. In our league, we supply new balls to each team as part of your league fees. You will have one new game ball for every home game you have.

[Shawnski]

I see Sled lurking around. He played in our league for many years too.

[FlamesKickAss]

I would prefer to play Sundays even if it costs a bit more, just because I sometimes have to work OT and it varies when and how long but don't work Sundays at all

[banffgirl]

Hi, I saw your postings on a slo-pitch team...I know its pretty late but if you need a girl to play, I am looking for a team in the South. I played in Banff for years, but moved to Calgary in the fall. I am a fairly solid player and can play most positions except short. Last year I was the Pitcher for the Womens league (Placed 2nd) and the year before I was relief pitcher/Rover/3rd Base for the Mixed (Placed 1st). Have I sold myself yet? HaHa

[4X4]

Sweet^^ She joined CP just to post that. You're in!

What's the chick count at? 3?

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by banffgirl

Hi, I saw your postings on a slo-pitch team...I know its pretty late but if you need a girl to play, I am looking for a team in the South. I played in Banff for years, but moved to Calgary in the fall. I am a fairly solid player and can play most positions except short. Last year I was the Pitcher for the Womens league (Placed 2nd) and the year before I was relief pitcher/Rover/3rd Base for the Mixed (Placed 1st). Have I sold myself yet? HaHa

Yes, that puts us at three. Welcome aboard. Have you read the last few pages? Are you stuck on the south, or willing to budge on that?

[banffgirl]

I have been reading the posts...I am willing to budge, however I don't know Calgary very well. I live and work SW but have a flexible schedule.

I'm also willing to bring practice balls and a "chick" bat

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by banffgirl

I have been reading the posts...I am willing to budge, however I don't know Calgary very well. I live and work SW but have a flexible schedule.

I'm also willing to bring practice balls and a "chick" bat

Well there's quite a few that are in the south, so we'll just wait a bit and see.

[Rhettzky]

Just my opinion Aeneas, but I think we could form a team for Optimist out of the interest we've had so far without much trouble and if there are others in the North and central that want to form one and play in the north then so be it. Seems to me that most of the guys that came out were SW or deep south so we should try and find something South or central at the very least.