Good Morning -
Folks it's that time of year where we
start the process that leads us to another run towards winning the title
in the Louisville MSBL baseball league!
Who is with me? Hold your hands up. Higher! Oh, sorry forgot this is via the interweb!
I'm contacting all of you so we start to put
together our team, get in a few practices and get ready to play
baseball. Last year is over and so 2013 gives us a clean slate. There
are some changes that will happen within our league this year. Here are
the highlights that came out of the recent manager's meeting.
Our season starts Sunday June 2, 2013! That
means we have 14 weeks or about 105 days to get our- selves in playing
shape, meaning getting our arms loose and legs stronger. Guys we can't
wait until the week before the season starts to get ready to play
baseball. Now is your time to do a little each week to get ready.
This year the 45+ league is beginning. Like
it or not it is happening. What does this mean? It means you all are
getting older and like it or not you have to realize that and start
playing guys our own age. All the teams from last year are committed to
playing again this year. The exception may be the Red Sox, they're
sorting through their issues, duh.
This year it was decided to start the transition to
the 45+ age league. So the league is going to be a combination of the
38+ and 45+ league. There will be two division just like last year.
The Bluegrass (38+) will be four teams, made up of players 38 and over
(can be 37 with birthday this year) and the Fluer De Lis division is
four teams, with players 45 and over (can be 44 with birthday this
year). In the 45+ all returning players will be grandfathered in.
However, those under 45 will not be allowed to pitch.
I think with the age of the teams right now, the
Bluegrass division will be made up of the Thunder, Orioles, Red Sox and
Jets and the Fluer De Lis division will be made up of the Senators,
Colonels, Dodgers and Pirates. We will play teams in our division 4
times and other division 3 times. So that means a schedule of 22 to 24
games for the season.
Yes, you saw it! We will remain the Pirates again
this season. Though there was no real animosity to changing the team
name it was decided to hold off for another season. So hopefully you
haven't been using your jersey to wax the car or clean up oil spills in
the driveway.
Rule changes.
All games will be wood bats.
No courtesy runners!
It was decided if you can swing the bat you can run the bases. The exception
is running for catcher with 2 outs. Bat 10 in batting order (if 10 are
present). If injury occurs and can not bat - no penalty. However, if
player has to leave for work or other reason, an out the first time his turn comes
up. If player is ejected - out every time that player bats.
Min. 8 player to start game - Forfeit fee is 115.00.
12 run rule after 4 1/2 innings all games.
Time limits - Tuesday/ Thursday (7 innings) no new inning after 2 hours 30 min.
Sunday (9 innings) no new inning after 2 hours 45 min.
Player fee - $ 190.00
Roster - min of 15 players max is 20 players
We
have a new venue this year! Thanks to Bobby Blair we have worked out
an agreement to use the field at Germantown (next to St. X) this year.
This will be where we will play a majority of our weeknight games. Sunday games will still be at Memorial and some at Clarksville. The
weeknight games other than Germantown will be at Shawnee and Memorial.
Guys, one of the reasons we got the use of this
field was a promise that we would not consume alcohol on their property.
They were adamant about this! Now I'm as guilty as anybody having
consumed beer after the games. Heck sometime I need that beer after
putting up with you guys! But this is being told to us at all of the
facilities including Memorial, Shawnee and Clarksville. We'll just have
to find someplace off their property.
Guys it time to get the gear out and start oiling up
the glove, find some lumber to swing, start stretching and getting the
legs in shape. I'd like a response from you as to whether you are
playing again this year with the Pirates. Please let me know asap.
Too, I've been in touch with John Denney about using
his facility for batting practice. He has informed me that anytime
anyone wants, call him he is ready and willing. John has a new machine
that will save arms. I will be looking to set up a schedule with him
for various nights and times. Once the weather warms we will have Des
Pres and Germantown available for practice.
That's all for now. Let me know if you have any questions and please let me know of your intent to play or not. Thanks!
Leo
