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 The Fungo
The Newsletter
of the Woodland/Davis MSBL
www.woodlanddavismsbl.com
March 2008
From the League Board
of Directors
BASEBALL is just around the corner. Next month we
will have the practice schedule ready for you and your team to start working
out. If you have not checked in with your team manager, do it now.
We need each and every player to get on the
recruiting bandwagon. We will field nine teams for sure this year, and have a
tenth team attempting to get it together. This is a good development as we
try and grow back toward the 12 team level (for two years we had 12 teams).
Now, we have to start looking to the future, as far as league leadership. We
must have some younger players step up and get involved to carry on our 22
year organization. Over the years this league has done so much for the
community, let’s not let it just fade away. It
is up to all of us, each and every player to spread the word and try to
recruit new players. By dropping the league age to 25 last year, we made many
new players eligible. Now the board needs new people to come on board and
start to learn from Lanny Ropke,
Jeff Kunz, Mike Spitek, and Lou Beltran. Skye Ropke joined us two years ago, but we need more youth. I
know that after 22 years on this board I (Lanny)
need to turn things over to the next generation to keep our league going. We
had a lot of dedicated people in the early years and the league flourished.
Give it some thought.
.We will continue to run some ads in local news
papers but we have found that word of mouth works better and is more cost
efficient than $500 ads. Any
other ideas anyone has “to grow” the league, please contact me or
any Board member.
From the President
NO
MORE DELAY! NO MORE
PROCRASTINATION! NO MORE EXCUSES!
Fill out the 2008 entry form, player release
form, and player code of conduct form. Then write the check for the fee,
place both check and three forms into a standard size envelope, place a first
class postage stamp in the upper right corner of the envelope. Then address
it to the Roy Hobbs address on the forms and place in the U. S.
mail immediately. See, wasn’t that easy. It aint
rocket science, but it’s got to be done. No more reminders.
JUST DO IT!
This
may be the only newsletter before the season starts, do it now.
From the
Vice-President
For the first time in 22 years of our league, we
are starting the year with a deficit. We are about $4500 in the hole (bills yet to pay). This was mostly caused by the
light bill (and a few other things). This has to change. So once again the
board is reminding all players and managers, when the game is over, gather up
your gear and then turn off the lights. If you want to have some cold ones
with your buddies, fine, but do it with the lights out. I can’t tell
you how many times I have driven by after a game and no one is there but the
lights are on. Every extra hour is $45. When the game is over at 9-9:30 and
the lights are left on till 11:00 when the timer turns them off,
the extra cost adds up quickly. Also, the board voted to help control this
expense by starting the week night games at 6:30. This extra
half hour will mean $22.50 less expense each night and on some nights (quick
games) no light expense at all. We must trim about $5000 out of our overhead
or raise our player fees. We don’t
want to do that so the light bill is a good place to start. We know that all
of you will understand and help us control cost. On a positive note,
everything is going up including umpire fees. But, we were able to work with
RCOA and thanks to head umpire Mike Miklaus our
league will be excluded from the increase. Thanks Mike! I would also like all
of you to know that the board has worked hard over the last few years to
lower expenses. Trust me there is no waste or wiggle room in our budget.
Speaking of fees, once again your board has
voted to not raise the fees (same for the last 8 years). This is good for
all of us but please do all you can to help keep the fees low. Turn off the
lights, take care of the fields, pick up the trash, chase the foul balls,
etc. The fee will again be $260. IF
PAID BY MAY 8, 2008. On May 9TH the fee
goes to $330. No exceptions.
Please make our job easier and plan now to have
your total fee paid prior to the dead line (and save yourself $).
Good News. Very shortly you will be able to go to
our web site (www.woodlanddavismsbl.com)
and pay your fees with your Visa or Master Card. Easy, quick, and, before the
dead line. This new convenience is being set up at this very moment. It
should be ready by about March 17th. Keep checking the web site.
One last thing. A lot of us enjoy that cold one
after the game, I know I do. In 22 years we have not had a problem.
Let’s keep it that way. Even though it is technically against the
rules, if we don’t partake in the street and pick up and place in trash
cans all cans and bottles, we should continue to be left alone. Police
yourself and your team. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Tryouts are scheduled!
All new players need to attend, Saturday April 26th
or Sunday April 27th 11 a.m. at Lee Field. If you are a
returning player, come on out and get a workout in. Forms and applications will be
available at the tryouts. Guys, talk it up with your friends.
We would like nothing better than to get 30-40 people to come out and create
two new teams. Also, don’t scare them off by calling it a try-out, call
it a work out. We try VERY hard to place every one that comes out on a team.
Player
Forms
One thing you can always count on is the same low
fees as always, no changes in the fee structure for 2008. Inflation rate: 0%.
Still $260 for 21 games plus playoff games. Best sports bargain in town, and
the nicest fields. Fees at the next closest league to Woodland
are $ 330 for the same number games. Fees
and all paperwork are due back by May 8th, do it now because after May 8th,
fees go up $70. So, don’t be late! Return the
forms attached to this issue of the Fungo, or
download them off our website, www.woodlanddavismsbl.com.
We (five of us on the board) have enough to do without chasing you down to
collect the fees. You don’t play opening day unless
you are paid, period. Please help us with planning by mailing your
fees in ASAP. Thanks.
Field Report
Lee Field: Our Groundskeeper, his name is Cutberto Santana, better known as “Cooter”, will soon be working hard getting Lee
Field ready for our season. Anyone who would like to help on the field please
contact Cooter or a board member. We always need
extra hands. Cooter works at and maintains several
fields at UCD. He brings a lot of experience and know how to our
organization. We are sure he will have Lee field up to its normal high
quality soon, because he takes personal interest in it, just as George Ortiz
did.
UCD: Last year the UCD field was in a state of
flux and was not its usual excellent playing surface for our summer games.
But they have worked hard all winter long and totally renovated it and it
will be in great shape for our games this summer. UCD has eliminated all
outside users of that field except us. Do you know why? Because we clean up
after ourselves, do not abuse the field, and leave it cleaner than when we
arrived. Please continue to do so. Thanks.
  Calendar of Events
April 26 & 27, 11 AM at Lee
Field Tryouts!! For all new players. For more info, call Mike Spitek, 908-6453.
May 8
Applications and $260 Fee Due.
May 8
Mandatory manager meeting, draft, practice field signups, equipment
May 9 Fees
increased to $330
May 10-30
Practices
and practice games at Lee Field
May 31 Opening
Day!
Aug 30-Sep 1
Labor Day Tournament
Oct 10-31
MSBL World Series- Phoenix
2008
Board of Directors
2008
Team Managers
Blackhawks…………..Lou Beltran………………………...530-666-5763
Stars…………………..Steve
Welch……………………….916-933-5858
Cougars……………….Mike Spitek………………………..530-662-1156
Heat……………………Mike
Rose…………………………530-669-3249
Pirates…………………Jorge Ledesma-Ramirez………...916-372-8697
Seals…………………..Roddy Ward……………………….916-549-9575
Hammers………………Jeff Shellhammer…………………530-304-2762
Padres………………….Victor Coronado………………….530-207-7201
Riverdogs………………Manny
Garcia…………………….530-795-4257 (2007 league champions!)
New Team……………
Baseball
Equipment
Our very own Dave Ryan of the Heat owns and
operates ABS
Sports, located in the Woodland Mall on East and Gibson streets. He carries
everything you need for baseball and is giving discounts to Roy Hobbs
players. Be sure to tell the sales person that you are a Roy Hobbs player
to get your discount.
Fungo First Edition Contest
The first 10 entry forms I received will get a
$20 rebate on opening day. Thanks for playing and thanks for sending in your
entry right away. Question: The picture
above is of our 2002 Roy Hobbs Hall of fame inductees. Name them all. The
actual inductees are not eligible for this contest.
This concludes issue Number 1. For comments or
questions, email or call, and I’ll do my best to respond. Thanks, and
looking forward to seeing everyone at the field.
Lanny
Ropke ---- 530-848-3054
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