News and Announcements

League President Announcement

Posted by Paul McNeil at Jan 9, 2024 4:51PM PST ( 1 Comment )
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Hi Everyone

League Pres, Chris Tucker asked to have the following announcement posted to the entire League.

“ Hello CSMS 55+

First agenda item for our Board in November was to strike a committee to find diamonds for 2024 and beyond. We know that C1 and C2 will be under construction next year and our sublease with Triwood had long expired. We have a verbal agreement with Triwood as it required some slight changes from what you saw at the Fall AGM. We just haven’t had a chance to get everyone in the same room to sign the agreement. The document presented at the AGM was not binding as it offered access to the diamond at Triwood after their present lease with the City expires. It is not possible to sublease property where the Triwood Community Centre is not the head lease. As a result, we have leases on Triwood 1 for 2024 until March 31, 2027. Our committee is still working on where AAA division will be playing. We hope to have it finalized by the end of January as diamond allocation is generally in mid to late January. Our committee is looking at private and public facilities.

Secondly, throw this in your calendars.

Saturday February 24, the Oilers against the Flames are on Hockey Night in Canada. CSMS 55+ have booked JT’s for a private gathering. Essentially, they are opening JT’s for us that night so we can enjoy a get together for a pub night and watch the game. See some friends and share notes about your individual winter training program! We plan on ordering in some pizzas so if you think you will attend, please email president@grandslamslopitch.com so we have some idea of expected number of guests.

Game starts at 8 but we have JT’s booked from 6 until 11.

The CSMS 55+ Board wishes all a Happy New Year and all the best in ’24.”
Chris Tucker

Thanks for your attention Everyone.
Paul M
CSMS 55+

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Hi Everyone,

As a follow up to my recent message about Keith “Turtle” Syverson,
I wanted everyone to know that his Obituary was just recently posted so I am sharing the Link with everyone here.

You may click on the Link below which will take you directly to his Obituary.

https://portal.prairierosefunerals.ca/obituaries/keithsyverson

Regards,

Paul McNeil
CSMS 55 +

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Hello League,

I am so sorry to have to announce that Long Time League Member Keith “Turtle” Syverson
has passed away.

The Following information was sent to me by Chris Tucker and Graham Brockway.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Keith Syverson (better known as Turtle) on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. He was a member of the Triwood league for many years. His obituary will be forthcoming in the days to follow. We will post the linc when it is available. Also the celebration of his life will be held in the spring – mid to late April, 2024 – further details will be posted when the arrangements have been made.”

Keith “Turtle” Syverson was a member in our League for 11 seasons,
2011-2017 and 2019-2022

“Turtle” was a beloved member of our League and one of the fastest players to ever play in our League.
He will be greatly missed by his Family and all his Friends and Teammates.

More info will be shared as it becomes available.

Regards,
Paul McNeil
CSMS 55+

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Posted by Paul McNeil at Dec 21, 2023 9:15PM PST ( 2 Comments )
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Hi League,

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

And I would like to share with you an Original Retelling of a Christmas Classic. (Hopefully this one becomes a classic as well)
Enjoy Everyone,

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land, Not a game was a playing, nor scheduled or planned,The cleats were all hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that a new season soon would be there,
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of softball games danced in their heads,
And coach with their clipboard, an empty field where they sat,Wondering where all the players were at,
When out on the drive there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.Out there was a softball thrown through the air, so Away from the window I ran without care.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of a mid-day game to objects below,When, what to this pitchers eyes should appear,But an outfielder was running, towards the sounds of a cheer,
With their feet on the ground, so lively and with love, The players were out playing with a ball and their gloves.
More rapid than reindeer the sports fans they came,They whistled, and shouted, and called out their names,
“On Yogi! On Micky! On Reggie and Babe !! On Jackie ! on Dizzy! We miss our beloved Game!To the top of the podium! to the winner circle first!Now dash away! dash away! The past season the worst!”
So put on your Glove and pick up those Bats, The fields are fresh cut where the grounds crews are at, For the New Year is coming it won’t be the same,but if we all do our part we’ll get back in the game.
And then, with a twinkling, like the one in our eyeWe’ll see trophies lifted, see softballs fly high, As ice starts to melt, when the air’s not so cool,Our fielders, our pitchers with those hitters to fool,
Dressed all in uniforms, from head to their feet,Singles and 3 run shots lift us out of our seats.A crowd starts to gather as they finally come back,To games and away tournaments our suitcases packed.
Players eyes — how they twinkled! when they saw the fresh field!We wrap our bumps and bruises like presents which will all soon be healed.And the playoffs will come like the new morning snow,like Santa in his sleigh with gifts does he tow,
So speak not a word, use this time, set your sights,Keep training, keep working, to soon reach new heights.Like Christmas Eve patience, with presents under the tree, it will be that same excitement when our teammates we see.
Not a brace not a wrap, not an ice pack in sight we bring our good health,The greatest gift to an athlete, it’s greater than wealth !And you’ll hear us exclaim, as Winter flies out of sight,HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL IT’S GAME NIGHT!
-P. McNeil
Merry Christmas to all CSMS 55+ Players, Alumni, Friends and Families

Lethbridge Hit Trax

Posted by Paul McNeil at Nov 23, 2023 3:41PM PST ( 0 Comments )
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Hi Everyone,

Gary Paukert asked me to post this info about the Lethbridge Hit Trax at YQL Sluggers.

For those that don’t know, HitTrax is a batting cage with a sensor that tells you the launch angle and velocity of your hit and records it as a hit or an out. Down there they have a cage with it (as does Hitz in Aldersyde) and have team competitions during winter through Terry Bryce.
Your Team competes against other teams that have joined up for that particular day. Just like real games, teams with the most runs are the winners. If everyone hits well you can make to to the final playoff game. It looks easy, but those little computer generated players in the field don’t make many errors, so hit wisely !!
Gary already has a team of 4 for December 9th but if more people are interested we can put together additional teams of 4.
Generally it starts around 11:00am and there is lots of good food and beer. It typically Runs for a few hours so with travel it takes up most of a Saturday.
It’s a great way to keep the ol’ swing in shape and beats sitting on the couch watching it snow.

Other dates are ,
Jan 20th, Feb 17th, Mar 9th and Apr 13th.

If you are interested you can reach out to Gary at
garypaukert@gmail.com

Thanks Gary, Thats great info.

And as someone that has been there, I can confirm that it is a lot of fun and the competition is great. And you’re bound to run into someone that you know.

Cheers Everyone.
Paul M
CSMS 55+