MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

It hardly seems possible that the BC Baseball League is entering its eighth season of competition.  I know, at least for me personally, that it seems it was only yesterday another coach was telling me about this league east of town where they played “real baseball.”

As I edited the BC Baseball League History pages for this year’s yearbook, I found myself thinking back to the league as it existed during my first season five years ago.  If you read the history of the league, you will note that year was the time period where the league finished approximately $1,000 in debt for the year.  Many changes were made after that year with a number of people involved in working towards organizing a league with more involvement from more people.  Financially, the changes were very successful.  The league fundraisers brought in an extra $5,000 that year, which erased the league debt and allowed the board to begin planning for future years.

However, from the involvement standpoint, the success rate could only be rated as moderately successful.  Quite honestly, the same people from that year have pretty much been involved in running the league for the past five years.  As many coaches heard from me this year at our coaches meetings, it is time for everyone to quit talking about “the league” and start realizing that the league is everyone!  All of us!

Think about the Uncle Sam posters you saw when you were growing up.  Just like those posters, the BC Baseball League needs you!

If there is a theme for this year’s league, it is involvement!  Every team needs more than its coach or coaches to be involved in the league.  The board and I have encouraged all of our coaches to look at the parents of their players and help us identify people who would like to get involved in working with the administration of the league.

This year’s Board of Directors also has become more energized in looking to the future.  Many, many hours already have been spent in working out and extension to our lease at Twin Oaks.  Many hours already have been spent in discussing ideas for future seasons -- such as a 15-16 division for the 2001 season, an indoor practice facility for the league’s teams during the winter months, fundraisers which would help teams reduce their cost of playing ball in the league, and organizing “league” teams for the younger age groups to name a few.

We will need additional people to get involved with the league administration to make some of these ideas work.  For example, we have created a Vice President of Fund Raising on the board.  Are you interested in serving in this position?  How about being a head coach for a league team in the 9-10 year old division?  How about helping with tournaments?  How about helping to sell advertising in the league yearbook?  How about?

You get the idea.  If you are interested, contact me personally.  I coach the Starpath team in the 14U Division.  Feel free to talk to me before or after any of our games.  During the game, feel free to give your name and phone number to our scorekeeper; I’ll be sure to give you a call.  Start thinking about it now!  Because, believe it or not, before you know it, July will be here and it will be time to get started on next season!

My best to all the players, coaches and parents involved with this year’s BC Baseball League teams!

Steve Reller, President