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TOPIC: Is this the end? |
| Yuppp Patrol
June 19, 2015
10:13:11 AM
Entry #: 4170540
| Just a few quick observations....
Id like to say that the downfall of the BMSL is upon us...I am sure I am not the only one who is wondering how in the world did this league go from 2 divisions with upwards of 12 teams a few years ago (and good teams at that) to a pathetic 7 teams this year? Just thinking about it makes me sick, with one of the nicer and well kept facilities for softball in our area there must be something...or someone causing the demise of this once sought after league.
The addition of double headers, while good in theory for efficiency purposes it has really hurt this league a lot. Yes some guys do make a drive to play however that is the case with any league. Regardless of the drive if I may quote "Field of Dreams"..."If you build it they will come." Whether a single game or a triple header guys will travel to play end of story.
By having double headers you isolate teams from each other, and you in fact lower the interest in the league itself. By having 3 games a night or even 2 games with entirely different teams you not only keep interest throughout the entire league but you use the resources provided to the fullest. The lights stay on until 10 and it seems every night there is well over an hour that the lights are on and the field is not being used.
Where has the "commissioner" been... First base looked like a rubber abortion the last few weeks yes it was replaced however the replacement base was broken in the middle too. I do not know how you can run a league without the proper equipment or backup equipment. It seems to me that our "leader" is leading us right into the toilet. Every other league I play in the commissioner is there every night for mostly the duration of the games. Yes I understand we all have lives outside of softball, I am in not way shape or form downplaying that but if you are going to the "in charge" of something for Christ sakes be in charge, if not step down because there are guys who don't want to see this league diminish.
Lastly id like to commend Jordan for doing a great job taking care of the field this year. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
I hope everyone has enjoyed the first half of the season and good luck the rest of the way. I am just a concerned member of the BMSL family who does not want to see this league disappear.
With Somerset getting a "makeover" to their field and the rumor of them going to composite next year Bristol will have some competition. I am just hoping that 46 seasons of softball is Bristol isn't counting down to its final season this year.
I played my first softball game here years ago and I hope that my last game this year in Bristol wont be my last one in the lifespan of the league.
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| J Smooth
June 21, 2015
11:41:23 AM
Entry #: 4170674
| First off id like to say that my thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Roger's family and teammates.
Couldn't agree more with the above post. While I love playing and hanging with my own teammates every week, the vibe down at the field has completely vanished. Double headers has ruined the atmosphere, which was the best part of playing ball in Bristol. There was a great opportunity to grab teams to ADD to our league this year when Somerset teams had to be relocated to other leagues, but nothing was done. We could have been back to 12 teams this year if the word was properly spread. I too hope that i'm not driving to Somerset or EP next year to be playing my primary rec softball.
The fields are looking good this year. Props to Jordan!
It's good to see standings and stats being done. Hopefully whoever is doing them can be consistent and try and and keep them updated weekly. I've done the stats before in the past, and I know the longer you wait to complete this stuff, the more tedious and time consuming it becomes to complete.
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| Harvey99
June 21, 2015
10:58:41 PM
Entry #: 4170727
| After reading these post I hope it's not to late to save this league that I spend many years getting it to where it was a few years ago. Jay tried something new this year and it total backfired on him. I don't think he was trying to ruin the league at all. If Jay does step down at the end of this season, I do plan on taking this league back over to try to save what so many of us have worked so hard to build. If team want to leave and play other places then this league will be done but I hope we can still save it. We have a great field and by far the best lights in the area if not the state or even farther than that. Let's work together to get teams to stay and try to get new teams in.
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| ac2
June 22, 2015
8:31:41 PM
Entry #: 4170862
| I sincerely doubt the league is in any peril. The double headers were an interesting idea. They have pros. But this league is a social one and it certainly had an effect on the social element.
It's not too late to salvage the year, if everyone agreed to move the start times for DHers up, Jay was discussing to me last week an idea of scheduling a late game with two additional teams... We have plenty of make-ups.
But the teams with DHers would have to get to the field earlier. We can't have it both ways.
The league is going to have ebbs and flows and they generally trek the quality of the top team/teams. Francis Farm is MONSTER team right now so teams have had to load up to compete. The quality of lineups right now in the league can be intimidating to younger teams looking to get a start or purely rec teams. That is great for top end play, but can stunt league growth.
I remember about 12 years ago the Buchanan team was dominant and we actually split the team up to foster more competition.
I think there are a lot of factors at play. But the league isn't going anywhere for the reasons Harvey described and the fact we have players who love this league. It's a great league to play in.
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