Dear League:

It used to be we had a banquet each fall and had the opportunity to do something very important – to recognize all those who work so hard and give so much of themselves so that we can play ball all summer. Since we haven’t been able to have a banquet lately, I really wanted to take an opportunity to publicly recognize a whole bunch of important people who I’m very thankful for, and I know you all are as well.

First, I want to say thank you to all the team managers and coaches. That was 44 guys this year. That’s a long list, but to hell with it I’m going to type them all out because they DESERVE recognition!:

A DIVISION
Jim Scott
Jim Strain
Herm Thielen
John Schmidt
Garth Border
Bill Alexander
Don Jorgensen
Jim Kalyn
Bruce Kennedy
Ross Laurie

AA DIVISION
Dave Mayer
Max Huntley
Dan Silvester
Fran Avery
Stew Leslie
Wayne Nelson
Geoff Weiss
Ken Cutler
Nick Radmanovich
Stephen Stewart
Don Gleason
Phil McDonald
Kelly Toombs
Bruce Hall
Brian Aris
Gord Craig
Kevin Broger

AAA DIVISION
Wayne Kube
Ron DiPasquale
Rick Anderson
Len Seib
Brian Brown
Mike Weatherbee
Brian Caouette
Don McKillop
Wayne Richie
Pat Drinnan
Dave Finn
Pat Bisson

DAYBALL
Ed Thurmeier
Gary Paukert

These guys work their rear-ends off for us. It’s not too much to call them the heroes of our league. What for you might be 2-1/2 hours of having fun playing ball, is more like 5 hours of setting up fields, making line-ups, emailing players, thinking about how to keep everyone happy, studying the rules and cleaning up after games for each of them. They all work HARD for us and deserve heartfelt applause and thanks. Way to go, guys, we’d have nothing without your work.

Second, I want to recognize the Board of Directors member-volunteers who have worked so hard this past year. I’ve already mentioned Past President Ernie French who bravely and wisely piloted the ship through yet another year of COVID, and A.J. Boyd and Ed Thurmeier in a previous email. But I want to mention the rest of the Board here now:

PAT BISSON despite a full-time job running his own business, has been johnny-on-the-spot THERE whenever asked for his help.

DAVE FINN continues to bring invaluable experience, knowledge and wisdom to the League, including driving the League to finally start following a Strategic Plan.

DON JORGENSEN continues to quietly do the most precise and professional job with our finances.

JOHN SCHMIDT cheerfully takes on the daunting task of registering 300 grumpy old men and collecting their money! You wouldn’t believe the amount of work he puts into this.

LEN SEIB has the difficult job of playing nice with the City of Calgary to make sure that we continue to have a place to play ball.

BILL MAY stepped into the Secretary’s role this year and has been performing it as if he’s done it all his life, with accuracy and detail that is so critical.

RON WILLIAMS is another who brings invaluable prior experience and wisdom to the Board, and has kept us from making numerous mis-steps, plus has initiated cleaning up our documentation.

BRIAN BROWN brings boundless enthusiasm, energy and passion for the game to the Board and spent endless hours making sure we could enjoy two tournaments.

BRUCE HALL always willing and available, kept the league functioning by making sure umpires showed up, and by helping with game scheduling.

DALE ELLERT also brought wisdom and experience along with a keen legal mind to improve our documentation and to save us from pitfalls virtually each meeting.

ROSS LAURIE did a great job overseeing our diamond facilities which just seem to get better every year.

WAYNE NELSON, despite Board commitments outside the League, was a huge help for the giant Evaluations session and other Committee work.

I’d also like to publicly thank BRUCE HALL and JIM SCOTT for serving twice on the Discipline Committee this year.

Last, I’ve heard it from so many and seen it myself, MIKE FITZSIMMONS and RICK ANDERSON just have done SUCH a great job with maintaining our diamonds, often responding to very last-minute requests.

Have I left anyone out? Did I spell your name wrong? If I have, I apologize PROFUSELY! Not intentional – please only chalk it up to a forgetful mind (we are, after all, seniors!) and not to not being appreciated.

Would you like to see your name on this list next year? The League could sure use whatever skills or time you have to volunteer. You needn’t be a coach, manager or Board member. Speak up, we’d love to have you join the effort to run and improve the CSMS League.

Thanks again everyone! Have a well-deserved ‘off-season.’

Most sincerely,

Gary Paukert
President
Calgary Senior Men’s Slopitch League

Hi guys,

I’m putting together a video ‘commercial’ to help promote our league on platforms such as our Facebook and YouTube pages.

I need some video clips of guys pitching, catching and hitting on the diamond. Tomorrow is going to be quite warm like today. If you are interested in being part of this, I’ll be at Charleswood 1 at 1:00pm (that’s Thursday, November 4). Please come dressed in full slo-pitch regalia. Wear some sort of non-descript top if you don’t have a league jersey. It shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes, but if it’s nice and we’re already there why not have a bit of November practice?

I’m looking for a variety of skill levels from A to AAA.

Email me at garyw@thepaukerts.net to let me know you are coming. I need about 2 or 3 more guys.

Thanks,

Gary Paukert
President CSMS League

Happy World Series, everyone!

I want to thank the more than 55 of you who turned out for the virtual Fall General Meeting last Wednesday night. Your interest and input is ALWAYS sought after and appreciated!

If you were not able to attend, I’d like to let you know that five Board members were having their terms expire. Two were re-elected by acclamation and two new Board members were elected by acclamation. President Ernie French takes over the ‘Past President’ position from Dave Finn. This leaves one Directorship vacant on the Board at this time.

Your new Board of Directors for 2021-2022 is then as follows:

Executive:
President Gary Paukert
Vice President Ron Williams
Secretary Bill May
Treasurer Don Jorgensen
(Past President) (Ernie French)

Directors
Pat Bisson
Brian Brown
Dale Ellert
Dave Finn
Bruce Hall
Norm Hurley
Ross Laurie
Paul McNeil
Wayne Nelson
John Schmidt
Len Seib

Special thanks and welcome to Norm Hurley and Paul McNeil, first-timers on the Board, for raising your hands, rolling up your sleeves and volunteering to join us.

Board responsibilities and committee assignments will be decided upon on November 17th.

The last two COVID-19 years have probably been the most challenging years in the 40-year history of the CSMS League, and I am deeply grateful to those leaving the Board who freely gave of their time and energy. Ed Thurmeier took on the daunting task of the largest evaluation camp (52) we have ever had, A.J. Boyd took care of the complexities of an ever-changing schedule necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions and Ernie French dealt with a long list of internal and external challenges with aplomb.

I am confident that we have an excellent new Board who bring energy, wisdom and creativity with them…and a strong work ethic because we are going to be working very, very hard this winter to grow the league and improve the softball ‘product’ that we provide to you members. I hope you are all excited and looking forward to the 2022 season because we’ll have finally put this COVID-19 thing behind us and will be able to get back to where we were in 2019, but even better.

Once again, I thank EVERYONE who works so hard and contributes to this wonderful League.

Hit the ball, and touch ’em all!

Gary Paukert
President
Calgary Senior Men’s Slo-pitch League

Just a quick nag! The AGM is at 7:00pm tonight. We’ll make it SHORT so you don’t miss much of World Series Game#2, (Go ‘stros!). The Zoom meeting is actually open already and I’m around to help you sign in if you have problems. Here’s the link. See you soon!

Gary Paukert
CSMS League Communications

To Join the Zoom Meeting click here, or copy the line below to the address bar on your browser:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88363971321?pwd=RHdvV2NrSTZsb3RGLy95QnNnOGZQZz09

Meeting ID: 883 6397 1321
Passcode: 099891
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,88363971321#,,,,099891# US (Houston)
+16465588656,,88363971321#,,,,099891# US (New York)

If you need to dial to connect, BE AWARE you may incur long-distance telephone charges:
+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
Meeting ID: 883 6397 1321
Passcode: 099891
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdA8El47mm

Hello, League,

Many of you have asked how Charles is doing. Charles Adams and his wife Janet are our Faithful Fans, attending many games and keeping a watchful eye on our facilities from their nearby home.

Last summer Charles was at the Triwood diamond, tripped in the parking lot and fractured his hip. After waiting over an hour for an ambulance with three of our league members, he was transported to Foothills hospital. During surgery he experience heart problems which had to be looked after. All in all he was having what is known as a Very Bad Day!

Fortunately Charles is doing better now. He went through a couple months of rehab at CareWest centre and is now at home recovering. He is able to get around – even stairs – and outside, with the use of a crutch. As you know, his wife Janet, has her own medical challenges but has been doing pretty well taking care him. She isn’t able to drive, but the Christian Women’s Club has been a tremendous help to her in getting groceries and transporting both of them to medical appointments.

I’m sure Charles and Janet would be encouraged, if not tickled pink to receive calls from league members letting them know that we are concerned and haven’t forgotten them. Their home phone number is 403) 282-4140. If you know them, why not give them a quick call and let them know you’re looking forward to seeing them in the stands next May?

Best regards,

Gary Paukert
CSMS League Communications