Hookup
Registered: March 28, 2008
Posts: 1,215
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| | Nov 05, 2009 at 03:37 PM | | #1 |
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And the latest info is GOOD NEWS!
There will be no charge for the use of the field. The fees were waived, according to Martin Enrique Flores of Paradiso. They will continue to provide beverage service to us, as he is able. He reiterated the policy of not bringing beverages onto the grounds. I pointed out that we have to be allowed to bring our own water in case his beverage servers dont show. He agreed completely, so water is allowed.
I requested the same days and times: Tuesday and Saturday at 10am and he agreed with that request.
Persons interested in playing will simply inform the guard at the gate that they are here to play softball and should be allowed in. This is the same as last year.
So, I'd like to propose this.........
Let's start with a light practice this Saturday (11/7) at 10am. This means some stretching, throwing the ball around and some light running. Probably some hitting and fielding practice, too, but no simulated game. The idea is to begin using these muscles SLOWLY. Last year we were so depleted by pulled leg muscles in the first two weeks that we could barely field teams. Let's work into it slowly; we are already starting the season two months earlier than last year.
Also, Paradiso cannot guarantee that the field will be cleaned and mowed by this Saturday. Fair enough; there are no guarantees in Mexico, anyway!
Then the following Tuesday (11/10).............same thing. Light practice.
Then, the following Saturday (11/14), we have our first game.
I'd like to propose one more thing. We charge 5 pesos per player, per day. No charge for non-playing attendees. THIS WOULD INCLUDE PRACTICES. The idea here is that we need to recoup the expenses that Len (the balls) and I (the bases) put out from our own pockets last year. It appears the new balls were 30 dollars US for a dozen and the bases were 100 dollars US. It would be a good idea to also buy a couple lighter bats than we had last year for those who had trouble swinging them. Those might be another 50 dollars each.
After they are paid for, they become the property of the SCSL, such as this mythical organization is. Bottom line: no one will own the necessary instruments for continuing the league. They become community property. The equipment moved around a bit last year as people cant or cant attend each week. It worked out fine.
Any left over monies at the end of the season would go towards a party.
I considered (in my continuing role as The Commish) approaching a local business in paying for these items but I like the idea of the goods being paid for by the participants, better. They are literally owned by the "league".
So, now follows a BRIEF rundown of the rules.
-all ages and genders
-all abilities that are able to catch a ball and swing a bat
-no strikeouts
-no walks
-slow pitch using 12 inch "Safe-T-Soft" balls
-no sliding into bases
-no tagging a person necessary, even in non-forceout situations
-overrunning ANY base is acceptable
-5 run limit to any half inning
-pinch runners allowed, even for batters
-no leading off bases
Also, please remember the Paradiso's rules of not bringing your own beverages, outside of water, onto the premises.
Basically, on a game day, we warm up our arms for about 10-15 minutes, see how many we have (players, not arms), and we choose teams. We strive for equal teams, including the gender makeup. We play for about an hour, then take a beverage break (especially if Paradiso is providing beverage service) and then play for another half hour or so. We are usually done by noon.
If we dont have enough to field two teams, we sometimes close fields to hitting or force the batting team to supply a pitcher and/or a catcher. Or, sometimes we play "workups" or "scrub". That will be explained in detail on a day we are required to play it but it's basically playing softball without teams.
My wife Shelly is going to lead us in some stretching exercises for those first two practices. But there is no harm in beginning to throw the ball around, starting today. In terms of preliminary exercises, I'd start stretching exercises from the waist down and I would also begin doing some "trunk twisting" as we used to call it; stretching your ribcage muscles left and right. This helps simulate swinging a bat.
For my part, I promise not to dive for any balls this year.........or ever again in my entire life. That cost me six weeks of playing time. Ouch.
I am going to start a separate rollcall post for this Saturday.
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Glimpse
Registered: Aug 01, 2008
Posts: 14
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| | Nov 05, 2009 at 06:20 PM | | #2 |
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 Way to go Commish good job
A suggestion as to fees, Why not charge each player a flat fee of 100 Pesos for the season. Cut down the hassle of collecting twice a week. The money to be used to pay for new or existing equipment, a 500 Peso float to be saved for next year and the balance to be spent on a windup party. |
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Hookup
Registered: March 28, 2008
Posts: 1,215
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| | Nov 05, 2009 at 06:40 PM | | #3 |
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I like that idea, provided it doesnt scare people away.
However, if we consider that our expenses are 40 dollars for the balls (I forgot to include your shipping costs, Len), 100 dollars for the bases and maybe another 100 dollars for two bats, that's about 250.00 US or around 3250 pesos. We would need to get 32 different people paying, just to break even, much less a party or a reserve fund for the following year's softballs. Did we have that many different players last year, in total? I dont think so, but maybe we did.
I really want to try and pay back yours and my expenses this year. After that, it would only be the expense of balls.
Lets assume that we get an average of 20 people per game. To break even, we would need 20 times 5 pesos times 2 games/week give us 200 pesos per week. That's 16 weeks or 4 months to break even. Seems like that would be doable. We will probably go 5 months (till the end of March).
I like the reduced collection headaches of your idea. But maybe it should be 150 pesos?
BTW, Len, what size and weight do you recommend for the lighter bats? Maybe someone coming down has some they would donate and we could avoid that expense altogether. |
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davebidaho
Registered: July 27, 2008
Posts: 23
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| | Nov 05, 2009 at 08:55 PM | | #4 |
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Sounds like 150 pesos for the season is a great deal. Anyone having a problem can contact the Comish in private and the Comish's decision is accepted.
I'm able to make all scheduled so far.
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davebidaho |
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