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

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+

Hello League,

I’m so sorry to have to make this announcement. But a long time CSMS 55 League Member has passed away.
Al Sandy Shirkie, a long time league member, passed away on Monday November 20. His wife Marilyn asked us to advise the league that a Memorial Service will be held on Sunday November 26, 2:00 PM at the Salvation Army Berkshire Citadel, 222 Sandarac Dr. NW

Sandy, was a long time member of our League for 17 years,
1992 – 2006 and 2008 – 2009

No other information is available at this time. But I will post more info as it becomes available.

Thank You Everyone,

Paul McNeil
CSMS 55+

Hey Everyone,

I am long overdue in Putting this Post up, and
I’m sure everyone has been waiting for the 2023 Full Seasons Pictures to arrive.
Well without further adieu, I am pleased to present all of the 2023 Seasons Pictures taken during the course
of this awesome past Season.

For all the New Players and those that have forgotten what to do, all you need to do is click on the Link for your Team or any of the Links provided to view all the Pics for that particular Link. These Links take you to my Google Photos Account where these Links can be viewed and shared.

You are free to download as many pictures as you want, but remember, in about 6 months time, these links will disappear.
The Pictures are all backed up and safely stored so they will always be available, just the Links will expire.

Remember, your picture may also be found on a team you spared for, or another team’s Link that you may have played against.

And for your info,
this year there were 8371 Pictures Taken and being shared here with these Links.
There are 28 Links here to be viewed.
And some Teams have more pictures than others (Twins) and some with a lot less (Rockhounds, my Team this year, I can’t take pictures when I’m playing) There is no set reason for how many pics a Team Gets, But a deep run into the playoff certainly helps.

I hope everyone takes advantage of these links and the pictures in them.

Thanks for letting me be a Part of your CSMS 55+ Season.

Cheers Everyone,
Enjoy !!!

So Lets get to those Links,

2023 AAA Div Twins,
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tBznkMG7thtnuPqN9

2023 AAA Div D’Backs
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dyQ36ptF7qCFYHmr8

2023 AAA Div Blue Jays
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dxVGvNM5C39FC7PE9

2023 AAA Div Mariners
https://photos.app.goo.gl/47K15YCtmP7E1MZc6

2023 AAA Div Expos
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iP9VU6qkjCFVKYvGA

2023 AAA Div Rockhounds
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sfdKfb5tjNgwhX9P9

2023 AA Div Cardinals
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R8aBAbkMbYa89vSJA

2023 AA Div Nationals
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MmRBNSSuemWLbqkc7

2023 AA Div Rockies
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gT7ZJ3F37cBL3oW89

2023 AA Div Cubs
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xX9Kk3i3Tbyfvpp39

2023 AA Div Mets
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PmXUMB91uTYaFoeo8

2023 AA Div Royals
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ff8DH1vdpgP6rWYz8

2023 AA Div Orioles
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Th1pon96tKV3t29DA

2023 AA Div Rangers
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1NZ1JgnG2H5VnDf49

2023 A Div Tigers
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VQzxB5CN6L9RM3YKA

2023 A Div Dodgers
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LWYUTDQxYqfHjiRY8

2023 A Div A’s
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5ZUqkNzZA3JHMP7C9

2023 A Div Jays
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NiVok9PEtwTqzbab7

2023 A Div Brewers
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AZYh6Ra1iZrpeRLM9

2023 A Div Phillies
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BrgisRGvY6YwhSHT7

2023 Mon Rec Dayball
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ZWWmaLEjdgkFpM46

2023 Umpires
https://photos.app.goo.gl/F1jx9ax6AZmWMytM8

2023 Fans
https://photos.app.goo.gl/2un7f69GCUwQzJGBA

2023 Misc CSMS
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CqWa6677VXKq3gjy5

2023 Mike Church Classic Day 1, June 3rd
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dBKLK9aKeN5bGF7i8

2023 Mike Church Classic Day 2, June 4th
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cp8MLk8AtUBUqjZ7A

2023 StrikeForce Spring Tournament Teams Pictures May 28th
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9GJ7QWq5Nsf4tKdV9

2023 StrikeForce Spring Tournament Game Pics May 28th
https://photos.app.goo.gl/huEba9RGuSy48tob9

Paul M
CSMS 55 +

Hello League,

It is with Great Sadness that I must Announce the Passing of Long Time League Member Howard Christensen.
Howard passed away on Friday Oct 20th at the age of 101.
Howard was a Member of our League for 27years,
1990-1991, 1993-2017.
He was also a Bob Sanderson Award Winner in our League in 2013.

Please click on the Link below to view and read Howards Obituary.

https://mhfh.com/tribute/details/44270/Howard-Christensen/obituary.html

My sincere condolences to Howards entire Family and all the friends that knew him.

Regards,
Paul McNeil
CSMS 55+