Congratulations Springfield!!

I would like to congratulate Springfield for their impressive playoff victory that capped a narrow regular season championship. All of the games, particularly on Sunday, were very entertaining. Kudos should go to Teddy and Mark for organizing a great weekend of events. Bob Merkell, owner of the Hob Nob provided wonderful hospitality which even included a Sunday breakfast buffet for all players.

The Hob Nob in Springfield and the other league sponsors, O'Neill's Brass Rail in New London, The Chez Est in Hartford, and 168 York St. in New Haven have all been terrific, being very hospitable and always provided sumptuous buffets after games. I encourage everyone and their friends to patronize these fine establishments whenever in the sponsors' repsective cities. The sponsors are the lifeblood of our league. Without them we would have no league.

I would like to thank the entire executive board for the immense help they have given me. I know I have frequently nagged everyone on various issues. However, I am very thankful for the jobs that Nick (treasurer),Billy (Secretary), Sam (Athletic Director) and John (Webmaster) have done. They are all very capable people who have unfailingly devoted themselves to this league. We will be having a winter league meeting in either December or January during which all of the above mentioned board positions and that of commissioner will be up for election. I encourage newer members of our league and those members of our our league who have never held a board position before to run for a spot that may fit his/her special qualifications. If anyone has any questions about what each board position responsibilities are he/she can contact me at djarnes@msn.com.

Finally I would like to thank the team managers for what they do. Teddy and Mark (Springfield), Phil (Hartford), Nick (New Haven), and Billy (New London) work harder than anyone in this league,myself included. They have to organize their teams, get fields, keep contact with players on a weekly basis, and work with their sponsors.

This Saturday August 25 in Hartford is the grand finale where awards and a final celebration will be held. Hopefully everyone can make it. Details will be out later this week.

Although the SNEFSL playing season is complete, there is still more softball to be played. We will be sending teams in the C and D divisions over Labor Day weekend in New York City. And of course, the big national event will be the Gay Softball World Series in Phoenix October 1-7. Our league will be sending two teams, one in C and one in D for the first time in many years.