I would like to take this opportunity to present myself as a candidate for the league's Board of Directors. The CDMSBL faces many important decisions and I would like to help steer our league in a direction that works for everyone. I also feel that members of community organizations like ours should offer their services to sustain and enhance the goals of that organization. Since joining this league nine years ago, I have tried and would like to continue to do my part.
- I have been on the rosters of teams in the 35, 45 and 55 divisions and have subbed for just about everyone else - I was a Board of Director member for two years - I was the co-chair of the league banquets in those years and told a few jokes at the banquets for a couple years after that - I am the proud recipient of the Jim Jordan Award for sportsmanship - I organized the baseball game and BBQ this 4th of July and the Fall Ball season this August thru October
I will present my position on some current issues that the incoming BOD will face and I will also share some of my ideas that might enhance the league. I realize that many of the items I list are open for debate and I respect those who disagree with me. I would encourage all Board of Director candidates to present their positions on the relevant issues. I feel strongly that the General Managers in this league have the right to know what they are voting for.
!. Age Limits - I would not support changing the age limits in either the 45 or 55 division. Nor would I support adding waiver spots to the rosters in those divisions. The changes that were made in the 35 division last year may have addressed some short-term issues. But I believe the changes also created some shortcomings that were either unforeseen or unaddressed. One of those shortcomings was that some of the older players in that division found it more difficult to fit in competitively. When you inject that concern into the debate regarding the age limits in the older divisions, you are literally talking about taking away the opportunity for some league members to play baseball. I would not support any effort that would prevent people from playing baseball.
2. More Competitive Games - Proponents of the age change are saying that they would like to see more competitive games played in the older divisions. On a seemingly unrelated note, a lot of guys have expressed interest in playing games during the weekends of Memorial Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and the 4th of July. I think I have one solution to both issues. As a member of the BOD I would organize mini-tournaments for (at least some of) the weekends listed above. The tournaments would include four teams from within our league with flexible rosters. Brackets would be created for competitive and recreational level teams. The tournaments could be one-day doubleheaders or two-day, playoff style events. These tournaments would give everyone an opportunity to play eight or more games against evenly matched teams. And, hell, if the interest is there, I might even put on a BBQ!
When I say that I will organize these events, I'm not just blowing smoke. As I mentioned earlier, I organized a nice game of baseball on the 4th of July weekend this year. On relatively short notice, we had over 20 players for a game at New Scotland. And with the help of my Shasky teammate, Dennis Lane, we played an extra ten weeks of baseball this fall. The experience I gained during those events makes me very confident that the tournament idea will work. Registration information to follow!!
3. A More Competitive 45 Division - The goal of playing more competitive games within the 45 division itself can also be accomplished without changing the age limits. I think we should reevaluate the strategy of creating divisions for both the regular season and the playoffs. With the division currently at 14 teams I would propose an upper and lower bracket with seven teams each. Teams would play two games against each of the teams within their bracket and one game against the four teams that correspond to the respective seed in your bracket. (ie the top four teams in the lower bracket would play games against the top four teams in the upper bracket. The lower four teams in the lower bracket would play the lower four teams in the upper bracket. The 12th, 13th and 14th seeded teams would not play the #1 seed)
I would propose maintaining these brackets into the playoffs as well. My idea would be to either make the #7 seed from the upper bracket the #1 seed for the lower bracket playoff or take the #1 seed from the lower bracket and make them the #8 seed for the upper bracket playoff. Just a question of whether any team wants to face the overall #1 seed in the opening round!
Obviously the details of items #2 and #3 could be discussed among board members and GMs. I think that they are ideas that would enhance the baseball experience for everyone in the CDMSBL.
These are some of the ideas that I have and would pursue. It is also important that I mention two ideas that I would not support. First, I would not support any effort to disassemble existing rosters. This position is true whether it relates to breaking up a powerful team like the 45 and 55 Giants or a team that is struggling to compete. Guys like playing on certain teams for a variety of reasons. I do not think that the BOD should take any effort to restrict or rewrite a team's roster. Second, other than establishing procedures and deadlines that relate to free agency, I do not think that the board should restrict the movement of players during the off season.
So........that is my platform for a position on the Board of Directors. If you like my ideas and support my positions, I would respectfully ask that you vote for me. I will stay true to my word. Thank you for your consideration.
Don Ball
-- Edited by Don Ball on Wednesday 9th of December 2015 05:08:50 PM
