12/12/2011
THE 2011 SMSBL SEASON:
The 2011 season is difficult to put into words. I believe we’ve come to realize friendship and support trumps any idea that winning over your opponent is more important. That the relationships we’ve established with our league members, their families, our teammates, and yes even the umpires should remain positive at all times.
We found out that no matter how much it rains in the spring
we will finish the season. Also that we could have a
successful Father/Son tournament. Even though we lost Renfree we managed to get in 18 games per team in the
summer plus the playoffs. All of this while adding 3 new teams each in spring
and summer, for 49 total for the year.
The MSBL World series saw our 50 & 55 Giants bring back championships, for
45 total, leading the nation. And
had the Sacramento Solons 65 & 60’s and Auburn Braves in championship
games.
Our complex at McAuliffe continues to be a challenge to
maintain but somehow we manage despite the amount of games played there by the
SMSBL, babe ruth, the CIF high school playoffs, semi
pro, and youth travel ball. Look for more improvements and changes to the
facility this coming year.
With your suggestions the board will review some of our
bylaws and make changes as we see fit to do so. We welcome ideas presented
appropriately, and, any
member interested in dedicating a thankless amount of time and energy to assist
the board feel free to contact us.
Ron Mittendorf of the Patriots and Chris Seevers of the NBO Aces passed away earlier this year, and I don’t think any of us have recovered from losing Dennis Viegas. Reminders of Dennis at the facility, on the ball field, and as a teammate and a friend are going to exist for a very long time if not forever. To me he was the face of the SMSBL. More plans will be underway to honor him.
We must also remember that our friend, teammate, SMSBL Hall of Famer, and arguably the best pitcher this league has ever seen, Dale Hall, is battling cancer and with the support of his family, teammates, and league members Dale has been as tough and strong through this experience as he is on the pitcher’s mound.
This has been a challenging year for all of us. So many things have come along that have reminded us that it’s a game to be enjoyed, not taken too seriously, not as important as life, faith, and family.
Also it’s important to recognize a few individuals, players,
close friends, and members that I believe are the reason our league is so well
respected and who really stepped forward on a personal level this year and put
baseball second to their commitment to their friends, families, teammates and
the league in general. Without going into detail those people are Javier
Campos, Steve Welch, Phil Gelhaus, Greg Dow, Derek Bullock, Boyce
Whitlock,
Those of you that pitch in with our January / February complex work days are also to be thanked and commended and we hope you will continue to volunteer. The bottom line is you the ballplayers are the reason we are considered the premier MSBL league in the country and for that I thank you all.
On behalf of the SMSBL Board of Directors we wish our
members and their families the happiest of Holidays and New Year in 2012.