par·o·dy noun \per--d, pa-r-\ : a piece of writing, music, etc., that imitates the style of someone or something else in an amusing way
: a bad or unfair example of something
i think you want "parity" ... and in discussing it briefly with John Reel that is exactly what he has in mind .... there are 65+- guys interested / eligible and he described it as more guys playing ball than people putting individual teams together
we have a board meeting tonight and i will mention this
-- Edited by johnc on Friday 27th of September 2013 04:19:46 PM
I rarely give my 2 cents on this board but it's been brought to my attention that there's talk that a new 60's division is being discussed. If this is the case I would urge the league to invoke a draft system for the new division. It is the only way to have parody. The strong teams always will get stronger and the weak teams will get weaker or completely disappear if this division is treated like the other divisions in our league. Wouldn't it be nice to know you would have a chance at a competitive game every time you went to the field. Half of the 45's and half of the 55 division games are so lopsided there's very little reason to show up at all. I would rather get beat 5-4 against a team that is equal in talent than beat an inferior team 15-0 any day of the week. In fact I was on a 55 Yankee team that went undefeated one year where we were never even threatened. It was boring to me. The group of guys on that team were not only great players but were great teammates as well. I left the following year to try to beat them. Not because of any ill will, I love those guys, but because it was more fun making the division more competitive. Think about a league where you can have a draft every year where each team has the same number of players, where there's a decent pitcher on the mound at all times, where every bat counts and where trades are maybe a possibility. To me this spells baseball at its' best. MLB has a draft for a reason. It's time we did too. -Wayne Newcomb
My father's (softball) 65+ league does a draft every year. Each manager has an opportunity to keep three players every year and then everyone goes back into the draft every year.
It works pretty well and the only real complaint is that bigger groups of guys don't always get to play together as often as they would like to.
Something else to consider in favor of a draft. This year in the 45s out of 183 games played only 57 we're decided by 3 runs or less and one team had 15 out of sixteen decided by more than 3 runs. In the 55s it was even worse with 106 games played and only 22 being decided by 3 runs or less.
I think you've had too many drafts! The topic of a draft has been around for quite some time. Nice in theory, but tough to get people to agree with it. Even the good teams can get beat by more than 3 runs. For example, the Champion Damn Yankees lost 4 games by such a margin, yet year in and year out they are one of the top teams. There are 5 competitive teams in the 55's. We tried to help the cause of the other teams through waivers, and will look into what else can be done this coming year. This division is getting stronger each year. By the way, even though I may play like I'm in my 60's, I'm too young to join. Maybe I'll ask for a waiver! Jim Porter-WhizKids
very shortly I will ask for guys to join a 62 + division. they will pay the league and will form 4 as close to equal teams next year. the emphasis here is on even teams resulting in competitive games every time. managers will be chosen by me but their job will be limited to lineups and game strategy. the league will handle paperwork and money and supply and own the jersey . there will be minimum playing time rules. We will seek four sponsors. for those interested stayed tune . we have 50 or so players in the 55+ division already eligible, we'll need the majority of those and some new guys to make this work. Currently I am thinking this will be Saturday games June and July of 2014. JReel
My father's (softball) 65+ league does a draft every year. Each manager has an opportunity to keep three players every year.....
That's a lot of baseball jerseys
They have team sponsors (a lot like what John Reel is proposing for the new 62+ division). The jerseys are owned by the teams and given out each year. You basically get a jersey that fits, jersey numbers are immaterial.
sounds good--I am wary of anything that's not a real draft for fear it will be the same old, same old
also, I like the weekday games, since then I can play golf on the weekends--even with that, the baseball hurts my golf game, and vice versa---but to play a baseball game and 18 holes in one day--that's tough to ask a 65 yr old to do*
so, please consider weekday games--I've talked to someone about use of the Averill Park field, & am hopeful--that's a good field with dugouts
* I'm going to throw out here my idea for a Triathalon---5 innings, 9 holes, and a 5 minute basketball game--maybe all you need is permission to use Colonie G & CC
thanks, wayne, and everyone, for your postings here. i've sent one idea for a 55 draft to the 55 mgrs, borrowing an ideas from you all.
my idea is only one. i'm also asking that we all develop draft ideas and discuss them soon. with that, we'll all have to decide what's first for us as a league: winning or parity. that's not an easy decision.
if it's winning, we'll likely keep much of the same structure we have now, where the top teams stay on top and the bottom ones scramble to play and survive. if it's parity, then our goal would be to have 15 competitive games for each team each year. and no blowouts. right now, each of the top and bottom teams are facing the prospect of playing 6-8 mercy ruled games, or between 40-50 percent of their season, each year. everyone agrees that's no fun.
i'd think one goal, maybe the best one, would be for parity and winning. how to do that is the rub.
i like my fellow 55 managers: they've have shown me more than once that they're open- and fair-minded, so i'm looking forward to some good discussions and ideas.
