| February 2005
Well the season is ready to start; we have had the managers meeting along with the annual reclassification of players. All in all it was a very good meeting, all teams were represented with the exception of the Outlaws. Lots of items were brought up and discussed and many new problems averted. Lance Elrod did a fine job as the replacement for Iren Hodge, whom we are all going to miss.
It was very interesting to listen to the comments from the teams with regard to dropping the Valley Lyons from class “B” to class “C”. I had mixed emotions on this subject, as we have in the past, we elevate players to a higher class only to drop them back down when they request. Most of the time you get told how old they are, or how they will not be able to find a team to play with. While some even talk about their sore and tired legs, knees, shoulders, arms and such. Only to able to enter the new season at the lower level and never complain again about the soreness. Funny how playing “B” ball makes your legs hurt, shoulder sore, YET in the “C” division these same players steal 10 bases, hit 4 or 5 home runs and play ever inning of every game for the whole season. (Thought they had bad knees and such)
I however do agree with the committee to let the Lyons back down. They were moved up and it was not based on their individual abilities, but on the fact they had won the National Qualifier. During the past 6 years, not one team that won the National Qualifier had been moved up the next year for winning that tournament. So just why was it that the Lyons, who finished 25th at the Nationals, were moved up? This now has turned to a mute question since they were re-rated this past weekend. But by being re-rated so late it cost
them a chance to play in the “C” division as a team. As of this writing they are scattered throughout the league with other “C” teams. With the exception of the Fresno Shockers, no team would have had a problem with them staying rated “B”. I once again agree with the committee’s decision to bring them down, only because it was not per ASA code. I do feel anyone who is placed as a “B” due to ASA code should stay there at least one year. I honestly also feel the code needs to be
changed. Just because you win one tournament it does not make you a “B” team. It means you had a great weekend, played as a team and as we all know, had a few breaks go your way. Remember BRIK a few years ago, when they made a great run at the “C” Nationals in Sacramento. That year they did not even have a .500 record. Lets look at Energy Link, should they play “C” and win the league and then finish in the top 6 at the Nationals once again, then at that time I would agree to move them up to “B”. What has happened to them now, is that they have no place to play and are forced to travel great distances at great expense in order to meet good competition and requirements to go to the “B” Nationals.
Enough of my crying and complaining about the system, it is useless for me to complain about something I can’t change.
Now for the coming season, it looks to be a 5-team race and maybe even more. For one of the few times, we have equal numbers of teams from the north and the south. Bakersfield has 4 teams; Fresno has 4 teams, Visalia 1 and 1 team from Northern California. Balance for travel and hopefully for talent. I for one have always questioned motivation for reclassification of players and vast amounts of money to win a championship. Teams like Mixed Company, Party Time Rentals, Outlaws, Hayes Landscaping and KHT Pumpers who have the majority of the same players year after year. I respect the Outlaws for the time, money and effort they put forth in trying to improve themselves’, with the same going for Terry Hayes and the effort he gives to keep a place for his players to play ball.
I think with the retirement of Iren Hodge, the passing of the Coyotes and Valley Lyons, we have once again seen another era of softball come to a close. Many of the young players will now have the opportunity to make or break a new era for the game. It will not be long before the veteran umpires call it quits, players like Bob McCormick, Ike Pursell, Simon Brewer, Bill Svoboda, Bob Rodriquez Sr., Fred Kruninberger, Tom Biko, Danny Camacho, Forrest Dean, Al Storm and many other players from the league decide to hang it up and call it quits. That will truly be a sad day for the game of softball in this area.
With the “C” Nationals being in Stockton this year, I feel this has kept many of the old timers around for at least one more year. Question to be answered next year, is whether they will stay just one more year or call it quits for good, as Iren Hodge did.
I hope this year that the teams can enjoy the games, lay off the umpires, and move on to the enjoyment of the game. The CCASA named its first inductees to the local softball Hall of Fame. They are male player Don Rose (Pitcher), female player Vernie “Granny” Miller (Pitcher), Umpire (and first ASA Commissioner) Arlen Bellah, Manager Jr. Madruga (Wawona Lyons) and
Sponsor Bob Schmidtcamp (Wawona Lyons). There will be some special commissioner awards given to Iren Hodge, Ron Peterson and Brian Teeters. The induction will take place on April 2, 2005 with location to be announced later. The cost to guest will be $20.00, which includes a dinner, which will be served buffet style to include tri-tip, and chicken. For more information about this special event, you can contact Bob McCormick or Ike Pursell. This is to become an annual event for the metro with names being submitted by anyone to the association’s office by the 1st of October each year.
I know there are many great ball players who deserve to be inducted, but they need to be submitted for approval, so should you have an individual you think derives it, please submit the form, which you will find on the local associations website.
http://www.ccmsasa.org/team_ccasa/hof/hof_nom.htm
I am looking forward to the upcoming season with great anticipation, for it should be one of the best in many years, even with the new changes. So here’s good luck to all teams and may it be an enjoyable season for all.
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