Summer Slo-Pitch League/Team

[Bobblehead]

I'm a a league about as "rec" as you get. It is called the "Beer and Pizza" league, and fun is paramount. We like to play a real game, and try, but of the ladies on our team, only 1 can hit it out of the infield and that is fine. The goal is to play. Our team has a guy who is always trying to bring out more players so he can sit on the bench and drink beer instead of play.

I know we had a couple teams fold last year. It just got too difficult to field teams on a regular basis. We play Tues or Wed night once a week, and in July it can be tough to get enough people out (while in May/June we could almost field 2 teams).

I may be able to see if the league is looking for teams.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

mods, can i please change my CP name to Hugh G. Rection

With the number 4"

[ricoFlame]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

With the number 4"

Hilarious! i asked for it i guess.

[4X4]

I hope you're serious about this Redvan. I'm so stoked to get back on a team. I missed last season because I forgot to sign up and I missed the season before because I was not in a country that plays softball. I friggin love softball.
Haha. I play in the CREB tournament every year. This year I was on the bench waiting for my turn to bat when my cellphone rang (a realtor never turns off his cell. Even on the golf course). It was the police calling me back about the report I filed about my truck getting broken in to. My turn came up to bat and I asked the cop to hold on (she knew I was at a tourney) she agreed. I homered it and pulled the phone out of my pocket as I was running into home plate.
The cop congratulated me while my office had quite a laugh. Even the other team was laughing. We lost that game something like 14-3. At least I did my part.

[troutman]

My glove is autographed by Tim Wallach! So I should play third base.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I'm a a league about as "rec" as you get.

Our team has a guy who is always trying to bring out more players so he can sit on the bench and drink beer instead of play.


I may be able to see if the league is looking for teams.

That would be PERFECT since that is the type of league we would all want to play in... please find out for us because that would be ideal.

Originally Posted by 4X4

I hope you're serious about this Redvan. I'm so stoked to get back on a team....

Awesome story buddy, hope you can do that again. Yeah I am very serious about this. I really want to play, and there are obviously a lot of others out there who are looking for a team as well. We will get this all organized and have some goodtimes.

I edited the list again.

[4X4]

I don't remember what league I used to play in but last week I had the urge to join an indoor soccer team for the winter and I came across this:

http://www.calgarysportsclub.com/leagues/index.shtml

Looks like teams can join as well as individuals or groups.

[troutman]

Aeneas - maybe Pete's Peanut Pub could sponsor the team? Or a certain law firm?

[Shawnski]

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.

[Fobby]

Can I be a sub? I travel for work quite often and wont be able to fully commit to a team

[4X4]

Those camping tourneys are so great. And it is so true about the female presence. They make it way more fun and it helps keep the psycho competitive guys out.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by troutman

My glove is autographed by Tim Wallach! So I should play third base.

Glove by Wallach
Field like Buckner
Priceless

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by troutman

Aeneas - maybe Pete's Peanut Pub could sponsor the team? Or a certain law firm?

Maybe. He's your buddy now.
The pub that sponsors my team would sponsor another I imagine. Depends on the area of the city this team would be playing in.

[Shawnski]

Agreed 4x4, it is the highlight of our teams year, and we also play in another "high calibre" league that isn't nearly as fun.

A couple other notes. For those that want to sub only, that is good to know for whomever does end up captaining a team. We carry 7 guys and 5 girls full time, but have a good list of others that we can call when necessary, and that happens!

I might be able to squeeze in two teams this year, don't know yet as we are just getting confirmation of all returnees. So far every team has indicated they are coming back. We can expand, but then getting suitable diamonds becomes a problem.... one that I have to deal with, but am certainly happy to do so if the league benefits from having two new fun teams.

This thread is VERY timely as most leagues are gearing up for next summer already. Our league has already booked our diamonds and booked Lyalta and Drumheller. Having a long track record of returnees certainly helps me to be able to commit to those this early.

[Shawnski]

Had a PM with questions that might interest others.

Our league has the two Crescent Heights diamonds (just north of downtown) on Thursday nights. The other games are played at Marlborough Park. Open fields that are shaled.

No website for our league (we all communicate via email, and have no reason to make our league public). Some teams might need players this year but as of right now, I don't know who as we haven't had our first league meeting.

Having been involved in this league for so long (and running it for many years), I have a vested interest in its continued success. I will most certainly help out any new captain and team to be successful. In the past I have held pitching clinics as I am a pitcher myself, and many other events where newer (or even seasoned) players came out to get some playing time and tips on how to improve their games.

Any other questions, again please let me know. Even if you are looking at other leagues, I am sure I can be of assistance.

[Shawnski]

OK folks, I am willing to put my money where my mouth is!

This Sunday, it looks like the weather will be quite pleasant! Why not get as many of you all out onto a diamond for a little bit of Sno-Pitch? Just for fun, a little meet and greet, nothing but fun! Regardless if you want to play on a team this year or not, come out.

All you need is a ball glove!!

Depending on the response, we can play scrub, have a full game or even have both diamonds there play a game. I will bring all equipment necessary (if you want to come out!)

As always with city diamonds, liquor is not allowed. cough ***I am not responsible for your bringings*** cough...

The diamonds are at the Crescent Heights school, 1019 - 1 Street N.W. West side of the school. Park in the NW corner of the school, the diamonds are right beside it.

Post here if you are going to come out!

[Resolute 14]

Well that sounds interesting.

Count me in.

[Shawnski]

Looking forward to finally meeting you, Resolute.

And I am going to ammend my previous post. You do NOT have to bring a glove to come out. JUST COME OUT!!! I am sure we can overcome lack of glove issues. I sure would hate to inhibit people from participating on this short notice due to something that we as a collective can resolve.

[CaptainCrunch]

definately can't make it this weekend, I have a company christmas function in Banff on Sat and my sisters birthday on Sunday

[4X4]

I would sooo be there except that I wont be able to tear myself away from the TV. NFL playoffs, that is.