Hello League,

Sadly, Stan Hay, who played in our league and was a well-known figure in Alberta softball, passed away Saturday night at age 83 after suddenly experiencing heart problems. Below is the obituary published by Softball Alberta on their website:

“Stan Hay’s love of the game began as he grew up playing baseball in Swalwell, Alberta – a small hamlet outside of Calgary. After moving to Calgary, he continued to play baseball for a number of years before making the switch to fastball, which he played throughout his 20s and early 30s and also coached.

A friend noticed that Stan was no longer playing or coaching, so suggested that he try umpiring. Stan was quickly recognized as an outstanding umpire and received the Rookie Umpire of the Year Award in his first year of umpiring from the Calgary Softball Umpires Association in 1974. He was continually noted as an excellent umpire who was well known for his clear, crisp calls.

For 26 years, Stan officiated and acted as Umpire in Chief at numerous high level fastball tournaments across Canada. Further, Stan served as President of the Calgary Softball Umpires Association from 1980-84 and served on the association’s Executive for a total of 10 years. From 1980-85 he served as Vice-President of the Alberta Softball Umpires Association and from 1986-1991 he served on Softball Canada’s Officiating Development Committee.

Following an excellent 26 year career, Stan retired as an active umpire in 1999 and in 2000 he received the annual ‘Legends Award’ from the Calgary Softball Umpires Association – recognizing him for his long service and giving back to the program.

Inducted as an Official in 2010."

And here is the obituary published by Softball Canada on their website:

“Softball Canada is saddened to learn of the passing of Stan Hay, who was inducted to the Softball Canada Hall of Fame as an Official in 2012, at the age of 83.

Robert Stanley (Stan) Hay (Official, Alberta), born on December 11th, 1936, was widely respected by all umpires, players, coaches and administrators who had the pleasure to know him. He was an umpire who always went above the call of duty and contributed as much as he possibly could to the sport of softball.

After umpiring in three Canadian Championships (Senior Women’s in 1975, and Senior Men’s in 1980 and 1982), Stan began a stretch of nine years in which he supervised an astounding 13 Canadian Championships, including two per year from 1986 to 1989. He was one of the first umpires to receive his Level V Fastpitch designation in1980, and was later grandfathered in with the equivalency of Level V in Slo-Pitch due to his great knowledge of both disciplines.

In addition to his tremendous involvement on the field, Stan also contributed to the national umpiring program as a member of the Officiating Development Committee from 1986 to 1991. He was also a member of the executive of the Calgary Umpire’s Association from 1980 to 1990, and also a member of the executive of the Alberta Umpire’s Association from 1981 to 1987. In addition, he has attended most Softball Canada Blue Conventions.

Softball Canada and the Canadian softball community wish Stan Hay’s family and friends our most sincere condolences."

The Calgary Senior Men’s Slo-pitch League echos these sentiments. Stan played in our league from 2000-2015, most recently with the AA Orioles in 2015. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Stan’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. In living memory of Stan Hay, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

You can monitor the McInnis and Holloway website for any announcements on services.

Best regards,

Gary Paukert
CSMSL Communications

Those of you who were at Triwood last night (Tuesday), did any one pick up a knee brace?

Ron Fortier reports that he left the brace on the bleachers.

Perhaps Rudy or Max spotted it, as Ron thinks they were still around when he left.

Contact Ron at: ron1647_fortier@hotmail.com

Cheers,

Gary Paukert
CSMS League Communications

Hello all:

Cec Cowie reports that he left a red, weighted bat ring at Charleswood 1 about two weeks ago. If any of you picked it up, please contact him at CCowie3D@Telus.net.

Thanks,

Gary Paukert
CSMS League Communications

Hello league,

Ron Williams reports some sad news about someone who is very dear to many in our league.

Marilyn Taylor, Peter Taylor’s wife, was our devoted long-term league Secretary in the formative years of our league. Both she and Peter were HUGE contributors to the CSMS. You may have known that she has been fighting cancer for years.

Marilyn is now in palliative care, receiving care at home. Pete reports that there is now nothing more that can be done to treat her cancer as the last effort was an oral treatment which her body rejected.

The doctors do not have a very precise prognosis for Marilyn, but we should all keep her in our thoughts and prayers and I’m sure it would be wonderful if those of you who know her could contact her and let her know you’re there, that you care, and how much you appreciated all her work on our behalf.

The league will be sending out a bouquet of flowers so that Marilyn can know we’re here and enjoy them when feeling as well as possible.

Best,

Gary Paukert
CSMS League Communications

Hello CSMS League ballplayers,

As the Alberta restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have been eased lately, of course you’ve been wondering if our league might instate some sort of activities for this summer. I’m happy to tell you the answer is ‘yes!’

Your Board has been struggling with the many facets of the COVID problem for weeks now, trying to come up with a plan that will be acceptable to the Province of Alberta Health Minister, that will keep our league members safe, and will provide the exercise, enjoyment and camaraderie that we have all been missing. It is not been an easy task, especially with the challenge of rapidly changing restrictions and multiple interest groups within the league. In addition, there is a wide spectrum of attitude toward the virus risk within our league with some members not at all interested in taking the risk associated with playing this summer, and others not concerned about the virus at all.

As a Board, we believe we have come up with a compromise plan that will be acceptable to most.

While the current provincial restrictions do not allow a full resumption of our league, teams can now gather for casual slo-pitch practice and scrimmage games. The CSMS League will facilitate this by purchasing diamond permits for Charleswood 1&2 and Triwood for the remainder of the summer and will serve as diamond co-coordinator so that diamond scheduling conflicts are avoided.

Last year’s 2019 teams are encouraged to re-form and play within ‘cohorts’ as prescribed by the Province. + If you played last year, you’ll have the opportunity to scrimmage/practice with the same team for the remainder of this summer+. Players new to the league will be assigned a team. This plan will likely involve two ‘cohorts’ of three teams in each of our A, AA and AAA Divisions. During the current Phase 2, teams will only play the other two teams in their cohort. In Phase 3, play will be expanded such that teams can play teams from their other division cohort as well.

Since not all players will wish to participate, some re-distribution of players (including those new to the CSMS League for 2020) will be done by the league.

The CSMS League will provide and initial practice schedule for use at the Diamonds. Team managers & coaches will be responsible for contacting other teams and scheduling practices or scrimmages outside of the CSMS League schedule.

It is important to understand that these activities are NOT formal sports league activities but are casual practice-type meetings among limited cohorts. During them, as long as Alberta is in Phase 2, specific social distancing rules MUST be followed as required by the Provincial Health Minister, e.g. no more than 3 people in the dugout at a time, no high-fives, no sharing of equipment and before each activity the manager will be required to survey each of his players individually as to their health, travel, potential past exposure to COVID-19 and participation in other slo-pitch leagues. Players will also be required to sign a one-time legal waiver form, (all forms and regulations available for download on our website). While somewhat of a pain in Phase 2, the requirements will probably be relaxed a bit with Phase 3.

There will be NO COST to play under this scheme. If you register(ed) for the 2020 season prior midnight Sunday, July 12th, you can participate. As mentioned before, if you have already paid your CSMS League fees (not including the Alberta 55+ $30), those will be applied toward your 2021 season.

Some additional information on diamond availability:

• The Charleswood diamonds will be available anytime during the day. Charleswood 1 will also be available after 6:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Charleswood 2 will also be available after 6:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and also on Fridays starting in August.
• The Triwood diamond will be available for day ball teams from anytime in the morning to 2:00 pm, Mondays through Thursdays. The Triwood diamond will also be available for any 2019 AA teams from 2:00pm to 9:00pm Mondays through Thursdays. Fridays and weekends the diamond is open.
• The league will not provide umpires for this. Each team is encouraged to supply one of their players if an umpire is desired.

We hope to see play begin shortly after July 12th. Your 2019 team coach or manager will be in touch with you to determine whether you are interested in playing or not and let you know about planned practices/scrimmages.

Best regards,

CSMS League Board of Directors