First let me congratulate the Rays, Cubs and Dodgers for advancing to the Semi's. Well done guys. Second, as I look over the schedule for the upcoming series against the Defending Champs, I noticed that we, the Birds may have to travel almost 100 MILES, YES 100 MILES to Amsterdam, N.Y. 2 of the 3 games. Needless to say this is ridiculous!!! Now, I understand that we play in a league based out of the Capital District; but it seems a little unfair to me that we may have to travel to a field that far away considering there is another series being played between 2 teams in closer proximity. I'm sure I will get some responses saying that is the risk you take, etc.,etc. and we have to travel down to you guys, or as it was stated in an earlier post "The Dreaded Trip" to Kingston, but come on. First we lose 4 games in the season, which may have determined different seedings and now this. Never been a "conspiracy theorist" before but this just doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
Couldn't agree with you more eddie I think the people making the schedule don't factor in where we are coming from not only do we all work and shouldn't be getting home anywhere between 11 or 12 at night we shouldn't have to leave an hour and a half to two hours to drive to a game just my thoughts.Mike Burns Dodgers
Yes, Shuttleworth is farther than Bob Moore, but let's consider:
Mapquest shows: Kingston to Shuttleworth as 1H 28M driving time. Kingston to Bob Moore as 1H 16M driving time Kingston to Dutchmen as 1H 17M driving time (we lost Dutchmen, but used it last year and driving wasn't an issue)
Net result is 12 more minutes of driving time each way. I set the start time as 7pm because I've been told there is construction on the NYST between Kingston and Albany and I didn't want you guys getting there without adequate time to warm up, stretch, etc. If both teams want an earlier start, I'd be happy to do it. Both managers can contact each other and if they agree, they can let me know and it happens.
Fact is, these are the only two lighted fields available to us in Albany at this time of year. We have had Cook Park in past years, but we lost that field due to inappropriate behavior of league members there. We just recently gained access to Shuttleworth through the efforts of Brendan Roberts of the 18 Division and Frozen Ropes owner. My understanding it is a gem of a field.
We can't schedule on non-lighted fields at this time of year (been there, done that) and we need to allow for nights for makeups in case of rainouts.
With this all being said, fields being an issue in the 35's is nothing new. If anyone has a viable, lighted, option then I will be happy to put you there. Some teams complained about playing more games at Burnt Hills HS - these were the teams that did not send any representative to the "field days" at CABR and/or Bob Moore. Your managers were told up front that this would be the case. We had people from other divisions come help us out, but none of the 14 guys on these rosters showed up. If you've worked with me, I have worked with you.
The question still remains, why is the team furthest away having to travel to the furthest destination? Last I checked there is another playoff series going on between 2 Albany based teams. As far as map quest goes Shuttleworth is almost 90 miles away from Kingston through construction between 23 and 24. Bob Moore is 66 miles from exit 19. The difference is almost a half hour. No matter how you slice it, still doesn't make any sense. As far as starting earlier, we have to leave around 4'ish now. If we leave any earlier we roll with 8 maybe 9. If it were a regular season game there would be no gripe, but we're talking about Playoffs! I'm sure all teams involved would like everyone to be at full strength to determine the best team in the league. Or Maybe Not!
What happened to the "people" making the schedule during the regular season. If I read the rules correctly the home team has 2 days to set up a make-up date. After that the Commissioner can set date and time and place and we must play. In the meantime the Birds got shorted 4 games which we paid for. You NEVER saw me on this bulletin board before complaining but I feel that there could be other options (fields, earlier times, etc) not for us but for the Dodgers. *Just for the record, from my house I will be traveling over 100 miles one way for this game. The BIrds will be there on Monday - but if a 3rd game is necessary I hope there is another alternative for both teams.
To address Eddie's specific question, highest seed gets preference - this is what was communicated to me when I first started with the division. Cubs are top seed. I had fields available for makeups on August 4th (for any top 6 team wanting it), and it didn't happen.
This isn't a perfect process, but it is not biased toward/against any team.
I understand now. Funny how last year we were seeded number 2, played the A's in the first round, one at Gruner and one at Dutchmen, if there was a 3rd game we would have had to play there. Then in the semi's still the higher seed, we played one at Gruner and one at Dutchmen where the Cubs won the series, but would of had to play a 3rd at Dutchmen if we had won one. All in all like my coach said, the Birds will be there, doesn't matter where we play. The fact of the matter is we have a tough task ahead of us in the semi's against the Defending Champs. May the best Team Win!!
I'm not sure when it started, but I was told that the Humm'n'Birds get one Kingston game per playoff round whether or not they are the higher seed. I actually scheduled two at Gruner three years ago when it was my first series as commissioner and was told that I erred. Based on this alignment, I gave the Manager the option of which two games he wanted scheduled as "home" games regardless of venue since you were higher seed last round.
I think you'll see that traveling the extra miles to Amsterdam will be well worth the effort; Shuttleworth Park is better than Bob Moore in every way - better field, better dugouts, better lighting, better atmosphere and a nice, high pitcher's mound. Good luck to both squads.
Mike (Still Looking For Pitchers Not Named Noto) Clary 35 Pirates Amsterdamian
Arent 18's done with using Clifton Commons or what about Bought Complex?? Both are nice fields with lights and are definitely not a 3 hour roundtrip!!!!!!!!!
Bottom line here is: Everyone complains about fields and very few seem to be willing to help. If you want access to better fields then put forth the effort. Every year each manager should be pounding the pavement and looking for a field - with lights if possible. Managing a team isn't just filling out a lineup and deciding who pitches each night. There are supposed to be more responsibilities that each manager needs to keep up with and field contacts are a huge part.
This doesn't apply to the H'Birds because they do provide an excellent field in Gruner and Capital District teams are only asked to travel there once per season during the regular season.
It's too easy to blame the commissioner.
Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
My suggestion is some type of Field Committee that focuses on contacting and meeting with field reps in the offseason. I am willing to take on that endeavor if anyone wants to join me. I have a person who is involved with Albany Fields and my goal is to get back Legion Field and work on Bleeker Stadium. Let's get these fields and stop talking about it!
That's actualy a really good idea, Mario. I would suggest that someone on the Board of Directors take on the role of chair of this committee - perhaps one committee per division? This committee could also act as a disciplinary entity for when field rules are not followed so we can avoid the problems we had with Cook Park that led to us losing that field.
And, as much help as having a committee would be, I still think we should have the managers involved in securing field contacts.
Has anyone looked into the possibility of securing a field in between Kingston and Albany for the Playoffs? One game played on an Albany field, one game played at Gruner. If there is a game three it can be played at the alternate field somewhere in the middle.
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We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.
Over the years we've gained access to many quality fields, the problem has been losing them due to the boneheaded actions of some members of this league. Along with Mario's suggestion for a field committee, The rules of these fields need to be stressed to managers and Players so that we can retain these fields from year to year.
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We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.
Gentlemen, two CDMSBL players and I had a meeting with Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings before the season. The mayor, as you may realize, is a busy man, but has met with his Parks & Rec director to discuss our plight. Mentioned were Bleecker Stadium, Legion field and St. Rose's new field. Bleecker and St. Rose have lights.
Nothing will be determined for this year, but we are hoping this process will show results for 2013.
I will add to the agenda of the Board of Directors' next meeting Mario's field committee suggestion. It's a great idea.
What happened to Central Park in Schenectady? A Diamond has lights.
Jim Konstantakis Giants Whiz Kids Board of Directors
