Welcome to our 2010 season..finally.

I will keep this short even though there is lots to tell. I’ll leave you craving more next time.

First, huge thanks to Bryan “Wally” Walderman of Team Gugger (wonder how he got that nickname?) for the excellent job he has done for the last 2 seasons on stats. The previous 2 people were unable to handle things and it got to the point where it looked like we’d never have stats until Wally stepped in and got us back on track. Thanks to Wally, the stats continue on to 2010 and beyond.
Wally has now passed the reins on to Jeff Zon of Dunder Mifflin. Jeff has volunteered to not only keep the stats going, but to try to get us to the next level. So far I am amazed by his dedication and abilities. So will you.
I know you will ALL cooperate with Jeff by doing the stats (they’re easy) properly and on time. They are due by 8pm the day following the game along with the score. We are putting a standings bonus system in for teams complying. If all teams comply, no one will get an advantage. So get your acts together. The stats are an important aspect of HPSA and it is the duty of all teams to participate. Your players will love it and it adds hits to the website so it becomes a community. We plan to add free networking of the leagues players and team sponsors once we get all our ducks in a row.
Along with your reporting, you have the option of adding a storyline or list of highlights/lowlights to your score sheet. Stephen Sweet of Kivas has offered to compile all of them into a weekly report on the website. If you want your players included, then we hope you participate. Stephen is an accomplished sports reporter so he will do you justice.
Another thank you to Neil Rochwerg of South Park Cows who has helped Brian Gerskup (also a tireless and underappreciated asset of HPSA) immeasurable with the long and difficult job of scheduling. I don’t know what we would have done without his amazing abilities, patience, logic, love of HPSA, sense of fairness, and coolness under pressure. Many thanks too to his wife Erica who, even though she is expecting soon, has been very supportive of Neil’s efforts for HPSA.
As for rules, make sure you check the website for the 2010 rules and rule changes. Also ensure your bats are legal as per the list on the website. Make sure players are on your roster or are legal subs. Ensure pitchers only pitch for your team and no other in the league. Also ensure you use a proper measuring device to ensure all games have proper measurements for bases (65’) and pitching distance (46’).
New teams, remember not to touch home plate when you are on offence and that there is a safe line and a commit line. Also there is a double bag at first base, and there is stealing and bunting if done by the rules. Ensure your catcher is good and that your pitcher knows the proper HPSA pitching rules.
Also remember that home team brings a new Grey Dot ball and away team brings a good used ball to each game. No other ball can be used as this is the safest ball sold. Home team brings all the equipment including the measuring device and puts in the bases. If the home team fails, it is the job of the away team to become the home team and use their equipment including measuring device. If neither team brings proper equipment, BOTH teams forfeit. Forfeits are serious and in the past have resulted in numerous expulsions from HPSA. We value your time and how you feel when you to get to a game and find the other team not there and/or unable to play.
Ensure the schedule you use is “revised April 30”. Any other may be incorrect.
We are also hiring people to become Softball Canada umpires. If interested in earning some money, call me at 905-764-7704 or email me at ron@hpsa.ca.
HPSA is also proud to announce that we have been asked by the OASA to host the 2011 Provincials for Modified Orthodox (our game) and Orthodox Softball. This is a big honour and will lead to a the Nationals in the future.
We also plan to start a Draft Division when time permits, this year or next.
Lastly, we need your support NOW for the 2nd annual ROD BLACK CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CLASSIC FOR PLAN CANADA. It is Sunday June 27th all day at Sesquicentennial Park in Brampton. Lots to do for the kids, and we will have Co-Ed, Men’s, Women’s , Slo-Pitch, Modified Orthodox, 3 pitch, and Fast Pitch divisions if there are 4 teams or more for that division.
Each team gets a guaranteed 3 games and the cost is only $350 per team. That’s about $10 per player per game. There will be a BBQ, a Celebrity Game starring Rod Black and his celebrity friends including professional athletes you know and love.
Please participate with us and help make HPSA a special place that cares about the community. Last year we raised over $3,000 for Plan Canada (formerly Foster Parents Plan) and this year we want to beat it. We need volunteers too, and spectators. Bring the kids! We have events for them including a replica Leaf dressing room.
Ok, I kept my promise of (clears throat) keeping this short.
Have a great season and look for my blog and keep coming to this website for your stats and news.
Ron Gerskup, Commissioner and Founder HPSA
Ron@HPSA.ca
905-764-7704

The good news is we will be communicating a date and time shortly once the venue and guest speaker have provided confirmation.

Expect that it will be a weeknight in November at Boston Pizza as usual.

Stay tuned and enjoy the world series

Players must be on the original roster. If there MUST be an exception due to legitimate reasons, the change must be approved by your Division Convener BEFORE your game. The reason is to keep competitive integrity and to be fair to players already on your roster. It would not be right for them to lose playing time to a non-roster player, and unfair to your opponent if you brought in “ringers”. The Convener will decide on your situation by balancing your reasons, competitive integrity, and getting the game played rather than defaulted. Teams forgetting this and who risk damaging the integrity of the league may find they fool us in the short run, but need to find a new league in the long run. This is not a bluff as we have already asked teams to leave for this. Winning is not worth ruining OUR league.

It pays to re-read the full rules by clicking on full rules at the bottom of the rules page on this website.

We have learned a lot this year with all the growth and feel 2010 will be better because of it. Expect improvements in the website and an improvement in the stats. This was Wally’s first time and we have enjoyed his reporting. It’s a fun read and it’s obvious Wally enjoys it. Cut him some slack right now and I’m sure you will all be rewarded soon.

This Thursday we will have the honour of having one of the top umpires in Ontario umping our games at Maple CC. A word to the wise, he will tolerate no swearing at all. None of our umpires do, but this is an opportunity for us to make a good impression on Softball Canada and Softball Ontario. This could help us recruit more and highly rated umpires in the future so remember your manners.

Remember to have fun! That’s what it’s all about. Am I wrong?

DaComish

Many of you did not know about it, but many of you who did have been really supportive and I thank you.

On another note: Anyone have ideas or leads for a guest speaker for our banquet? We don’t pay much, but we have had Rod Black and Howard Berger so far and both have said (I am paraphrasing) they would be glad to come back as they felt a vibe at HPSA that is special. Before asking them again, I think we should try to get someone we’ve never had before. Anyone…?

Email me at ron@hpsa.ca

Cheers 2 All

DaComish

The good news is Agincourt, Hendon, and Glamorgan have been running with no issues so far. The bad news is Baycrest lights are not working and Bridlewood park lights are not working in left field.

For games taking place July 13th, the games have been moved to Agincourt.

We will make changes where necessary on a week by week basis to get in as many games as possible. Please check with your captains prior to games at Bridlewood Park or Baycrest until the strike is over.

Stay tuned for final numbers, pictures posted to the site from event day (some are up already), and a survey to help us plan the 2010 event!

Secondly, we are starting a Hardball Division. Yes you heard me right. If interested in getting it going this year for a short schedule of 2 to 4 teams, email Brian asap at Brian@hpsa.ca.

Thirdly, the Rod Black Celebrity Softball Classic for Plan Canada is this Saturday (one day only) July 4th at the Powerade Centre in Brampton (30 minute drive). Our confirmed celebrities are Kerry Joseph, All Star quarterback of the Argos, Dean Blundell of The Edge 102.1, Danny McManus, former All Star quarterback for the Tiger Cats, former Olympic Great skier Brian Stemmle who survived arguably the most horrific ski accident in history and came back, Tiger Cats players Dan Goodspeed, Peter Dyakowski, Sandy Beveridge, Chris Bauman, and Alexandre Gauthier. Also playing, in costume will be the award winning #1 Mascot in North America, The Raptor, the Toronto Raptors athletic and popular mascot. In costume will be Duke the Dog, energetic mascot of the Toronto Marlies, and Stripes and TC, the effervescent duo mascots of the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

Bring your kids, they will love it. No attendance charge! Also for the kids, The Marlies will have a hockey clinic starting at Noon for several hours, and they are bringing a replica Toronto Maple Leaf dressing room so bring your cameras and watch the kids’ smiles. This is our first shot at this, and without your support, could be our last. Please do your best to show your support by coming. Tourney runs from 9am to 7pm, Celebrity game is at 4pm, and Marlies clinics start at noon. Admission is free, and there will be a BBQ and drinks sold with all money going to Plan Canada. M&M Meats have generously donated the high quality food. Also, spots to play in the Celebrity game are going for a minimum donation of $100. You can’t beat that price. Rod Black will announce and make fun of you all night. That’s worth the price right there. Other celebrities who have committed but are unconfirmed at this time include Gord Stellick, Steve Stamkos, Damon Allen. Pinball Clemons, Wendel Clark, and Phantom of the Opera’s Michael Burgess. If there, Michael Burgess has agreed to sing the National Anthem. Come and see who shows. Rod has suggested there will be some surprises.

In the spirit of giving, I would like to acknowledge Bryan “Wally” Walderman’s great job on the webpage. People are having a great time with the stats. If they are not right, your own team is not submitting them right so do something about it. Bryan plays on Team Gugger. A cause which is very personal and tragic to him is Anaphylaxis Canada. For the 4th year, Bryan and SF Group have given a sizeable donation to Anaphylaxis Canada in honour and in the names of SF Group, Team Gugger, and HPSA. If you’d like to add to this, I am sure Wally will pad your stats, or at least be appreciative. You can email him at Stats@hpsa.ca”

Also condolences to Neil Rochwerg of the South Park Cows, Convener of Division 2, and umpire. He has lost his beloved Grandmother.

In the spirit of Community, if anyone has any news they would like to share, I would be happy to add it to my next blog. My email is Ron@hpsa.ca.

Lastly, we all know there is currently a strike by both the inside and outside City of Toronto workers. We have absolutely no control over this except to suspend the season. So far we have not. Many leagues have done just that.

On Tuesday, the game at Baycrest could not be played because the lights were shut off and the box welded shut by suspected strikers. As time goes by, more of this might happen. The grass will also get longer. The point is, there are no guarantees.

Let’s turn that negative into a positive by supporting the Tournament this Saturday. Brian has literally put in over 200 hours and his heart and soul into this since the banquet. I won’t say how much I have done but I think you know. Volunteers needed as well. Any questions or ability to help or play in the Celebrity Game? Email Brian at Brian@hpsa.ca.

See, I told you it would be short!

Happy Canada Day!

Ron Gerskup
DACOMISH

For this year, I’d like to start a pickup style game Saturday afternoons for a
few hours. I have a field for most weeks that we can use and the cost will be
minimal. I need to know who is interested in participating on a weekly basis.

Please email brian@hpsa.ca if you’d like to participate by July 5th.

Thanks,
Brian