9/10/10:

The Sacramento Men's Senior Baseball League is nearing the end of our 2010 summer season. This season has seen a perfect game, some walk-off wins, and SMSBL teams wins in the 4th of July Wine Country Tournament (Sac Giants) and the Woodland Davis Labor Day Tournament (Sac Rivercats).

As our season comes to a close, it looks like the playoff races are heating up. The playoff formula has been decided and will remain the way it is. The playoff schedule is now available. Next season will probably see a split in the American Division and an increase in the 35+ teams. We will be looking very closely at teams win/loss records and make a determination then.

We had a problem at Renfree with their lights, being they are 40 or so years old. The City of Sacramento was very timely in letting us know we had to stop playing there, and the City of Davis really bailed us out when we had to reschedule games away from the Complex. The managers and players made the adjustment without a hitch, so thank you all.

The new parking lot lights at the complex have taken longer then expected because the wrong material has been shipped a few times. We are dealing with a grant from SMUD and we must use the SMUD vendor. Steve Welch is handling it well and I understand material will arrive and work will start up again soon. We have also been looking at additional security options to deter vehicle break-ins, and I ask you to continue to stay on the alert.

I'd like to recognize some people and the hard work they do for our league on a daily basis. Dennis Viegas, Complex Manager, is at the complex most days getting the fields ready 7 days a week, with numerous youth games on weekends. Lanny Ropke, Vice President, brings 30+ years experience running amateur baseball leagues, has formerly served our league as president, was a founding member of Woodland MSBL, and is a National Hall of Famer. Lanny is also our chief advisor. Rusty Mclain, League Commissioner, has handled all league-play, player, and umpire issues immediately after stepping up to assume those duties. Rusty has done an outstanding job in an excellent manner. David Whitesel, League Scheduler -talk about a tough job: creating a schedule, addressing cancellations, phone calls, and coordinating closing the complex. Bill Barnette, Public Relations, and many times our complex closer which usually means Bill being at the park around 11:30pm-12a.m. to do so. Alan Vanness, our Marketing guy, raised quite a bit of funding for the complex through the banners on our outfield fences. Tony Im, Secretary, maintains all our records and contracts, a paperwork nightmare at times. Ron Williams, Operations, is a consultant and jack-of-all trades, and he has responded to a least a few emergency situations and repaired many items where needed asap. Ron is also the reason we received the grant for the new lights from SMUD. Jane Burkitt, League Photographer, takes those photos seen on our website slide show. Jane donates her time and talent to us, and the pictures are excellent. Boyce Whitlock, our Web guy, refreshed our website and it's never looked better. Lastly, Kelly Welch, Snack Bar, provides outstanding customer service and a pleasant personality.

I hope that gives you an idea about the time and energy it all takes for an operation that runs 7-days a week. We will be looking for a new Treasurer next year, not an easy job, so anyone interested please contact us. It involves everything from the league to the complex. Also next year, we will probably give the fields more rest.

And, finally, to the league members, I know there's been a hiccup here and there but for the most part, from your cooperation, it’s been another successful season at the SMSBL. Let's enjoy the new 5 year lease we received from the city of Sacramento, continue to dress up the complex, and bring back 5 more National Championships from Phoenix in 2010.

THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION.

Jim Tygrett- President

" jt "