Hey Gang

Registration Update for Everyone.

Our 2024 Season Registration is moving along quite nicely but we could pick the pace up a bit.

As of this message, we have 159 Registered,

34 – A Div
62 – AA Div ( Keeners)
34 – AAA Div
29 – Monday Rec
5 – Alumni
14 – New to the League
6 – Returning, Played in the League Before
( these numbers are more than 159 because many signed up for both Mon Rec and our Reg League)

Let’s go Guys, let’s get signed up Today !!

Cheers All,
Paul M
CSMS 55+
How about some Trivia everyone to enjoy,
-Did you know, William Howard Taft was the first US President to throw out a ceremonial Pitch.

- Did you know that Rickey Henderson hit 81 lead off home runs in his career, effectively breaking up 81 no hitters.

- Did you know that Curacao has produces more MLB Players per capita than any other Countries in the World.

- Did you know that on average, 108 baseballs are used per MLB game, and that 108 is also the number of stitches in a baseball

Hi League,

I Hope all is well with Everyone.
I have been away for a few weeks and am now just getting back into the Groove once again.
So expect lots of messages in the very near future.

Lots of updates for everyone to read !!

I have included an attachment here for all to see so please click on the link Below. (Pictures are included in the Attachment with information regarding field locations)

I have also included the Text of the Message Below for those that can’t open the attachment for whatever reason.

“Hello CSMS 55+ Members
Welcome to spring and that means we will be out playing ball in a few weeks.
Spring Meeting
There will be more information about all items in this notice at the Spring Meeting; 7pm at Triwood Community Centre April 17, 2024 Collingwood Room.
Diamonds have been secured for AAA for the 2024 Season.
We have 2 diamonds at Club YC, which we will call Aero, and one diamond at Webber Athletic Academy. All diamonds are about 300’ with 7 to 8 foot fences; a true AAA outfield. Of the 15 week schedule, all teams will have 5 nights at Webber and 10 nights at Aero. And yes, both facilities are licensed and will have refreshments available after the ball games.
Aero will be Tuesday nights with both diamonds active so 4 teams on Tuesday and Webber will be Thursday nights with the final two teams playing rounding out the weekly schedule.
Aero Diamonds
567 Aero Dr NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8P6

Webber Athletic Field House
32070 Lower Springbank Rd
Calgary, AB T3Z 2M7

Evaluations for this season are at the Webber location on April 27th and will have a 10 am start time. New members are encouraged to attend the Spring Meeting on April 17 for more information.

This world class facility is a 100% artificial turf infield and outfield at Webber with about a 300’ fence. The diamond we will use is outlined in red in the image below. (see the attachment to view the image)

Rules Clinic
There is a Rules Clinic set for April 13 at Triwood Community Center in the Foothills room from 10am to 1pm. This used to be called the Umpires clinic but Rules clinic is more indicative of the nature of the content. Any league member can attend, but it is recommended managers and coaches attend, and any league member wanting to become a new umpire must attend. Register through Dave Finn so he knows how many to expect. (davefinn@shaw.ca)

Umpires
Speaking of umpires, CSMS will not be using SPN umpires for the 2024 season so we will require players from within our league to step into umpiring positions. This will be critical for AAA on Tuesdays where we have 4 teams playing, we will only have 2 teams not playing which will need to supply umpires. If you have been thinking about umpiring, now is the time to start. Not to mention the exceptional pay, imagine the prestige! Also, a great way to become involved in making our league progress forward and maintain sustainability.

Division Representatives
This year’s Division Reps are Gus Carlson(A Div), Bruce Hall(AA Div) and Dave Curtis(AAA Div). We have also created email address for each rep so when anyone need to contact the division rep, there is a simple address that will not change from year to year. AAAdivisionrep@grandslamslopitch.com, AAdivisionrep@grandslamslopitch.com, Adivisionrep@grandslamslopitch.com.

Fields
There will also be an email address created that will be designed for contacting our Field Rep and our fabulous field crew. However, the grandslamslopitch page is cumbersome to create numerous recipients from a single email address so expect an new email address for fields to be announced at the Spring Meeting.

Triwood Black Out Dates
As part of our agreement with Triwood, they supply us some dates where their facility is either too busy or require the fields for kids activities. So yes, we have the Triwood diamond from Monday to Sunday but be aware that the following dates are blacked out.
Triwood Diamond not available:
• April 13, 20, 21 – Foothills Little League Umpire Training. Booked prior to signing our agreement.
• June 20 – Triwood Soccer Day/Wrap Up Celebration
• July 7 – Stampede Breakfast

Tournaments
We still don’t have a clear picture of any diamond availability through the summer to host tournaments, for this reason the Directors have decided there will not be a Mike Church Tournament this year. We are hoping to have an update by the Spring Meeting but it is surprising how little diamond capacity there is in and around Calgary, especially when one is looking for numerous diamonds for a weekend.
Casino
Our casino is scheduled for August 20, 21 2024. When the call comes for volunteers, keep in mind how important this casino is to us. Playoffs will be starting that week so we will offer more discussion on this at the spring meeting.

Regards
CSMS 55+ 2024 B.O.D "

Lots of info for everyone to Digest, so take your time and have a good read through.

Great to be back in the Saddle again. Really looking forward to seeing all those Happy Smiling Faces once again !!

Cheers Everyone,
Paul M
CSMS 55+

Hello League,

Our AAA Twins franchise needs both a manager and a coach for the upcoming 2024 season. Will you consider filling one of these roles?

It’s not nearly as difficult a job as you might think, (if I can do it, ANYONE can!). You get the fun and excitement of attending the AAA draft in April and choosing your team. The manager generally takes on the task of communicating with the team, (I can recommend a great smart phone app to make your life easy), and the coach makes up the lineup and defensive alignment each week.

In exchange for that, you earn the undying respect, love and admiration of your team. Awed silence will greet you whenever you enter a room. Your name will be entered into the annals of league history. And school children years from now will sing songs about your coaching and managing exploits. It’s truly something everyone in the league should aspire to!

Dave Curtis is the CSMS League AAA Division Representative. Send him an email at: dacurtis4@gmail.com if you want to be the next Twins Coach or Manager. You’ll be glad you did!

Gary Paukert
Secretary and Registrar
Calgary Senior Men’s Slopitch League

Do you WISH you were a better ballplayer? Are you tired of going 0-for-4? Are you embarrassed by your on-base percentage? Are you sick of pulling muscles? Well HERE IS YOUR CHANCE to finally step-up your game.

Alan Tanner and Bob O’Brien are two of the best players and coaches in North America. A number of our CSMS League members have benefited greatly from their annual 2-1/2 day Softball Spring Training camp in Vero Beach, Florida.

Alan and Bob have started taking their camp ‘on the road’ to such places as Colorado Springs and Tacoma. Now WE have the chance to bring them to Calgary this summer so our southern Alberta leagues can benefit from their great teaching. All it takes is a minimum of 18 committed players, (men 50+, women 40+).

Expressions of interest are all that are needed right now. Women’s league, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Kelowna, are all welcome. Cost will be US$299.00. Here is a link to their brochure:

https://www.teampages.com/organizations/3209/documents/563266

If interested, drop me an email at garyw@thepaukerts.net.

Time to kick it up a notch, everyone!

Hi everyone

Just wanted to share with everyone that the Calgary Senior Ladies SloPitch League is also open for registration.

So, if you know any ladies, that would be interested in playing slow pitch in the upcoming season, please have them reach out and contact the
YYC Senior Ladies SloPitch League
send emails to,
yycslslopitch@gmail.com

Or check out their Facebook Page at
Calgary Senior Ladies Slopitch League

Cheers Everyone,
Paul M
CSMS 55+