January 17, 2009
Hi League,
Did Santa bring you everything on your Christmas wish list?
Baseballs that whistle when you throw them, cleats that are a step faster down the base path, a bat that hits
.400 and an errorless glove?
I hope you and your families enjoyed the Holidays and Best Wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2-oh-1
oh!
It's time to start getting ready for the Valley Wheel Baseball League 2010 season.
Here we are at the start of our fifth season!
We want to thank everyone who played in the league in 2009. We had a great fourth season to build on.
It was our best season yet!
Our league charter and goals in order of importance are:
1. To provide an opportunity to as many baseball enthusiasts as possible to play the game they love.
2. To have a league with teams of equal strength.
3. Do our best to allow friends, brothers, sons and fathers to play together.
We’re in tough economic times with all of our costs increasing.
However, the league fee will increase only modestly from$195 to $200.
Add up a few rounds of golf, a few times skiing, the cost to play hockey or tennis and you have to agree
you get more than your monies worth.
We do not allow new “teams” into the league, we will allow two or three players to play to together and
be drafted together. Returning players who would like to play with a friend, your best bet is to put
yourself into the draft along with the new player(s) and be drafted together.
Rule 4.3 has changed from a minimum of 4 innings in the field to a minimum of 3 innings in the field.
We all pay to play, and the league charter dictates that managers should strive to give equal playing time.
The change to this rule will allow each team to play a better caliber of defense. This still allows players
with a lower skill level to continue playing the game with an opportunity to improve their skills.
Returning Players:
--If you are planning on playing in 2010, registration forms will be available on-line.
--You may choose to remain with your team or be placed in the draft, either way, you are guaranteed a
spot in the league by returning your registration by March 1.
--Registrations must be returned by March1.
--If your registration is received after March 1 you will lose your spot on your current team and
automatically be placed in the draft on a first come first served basis.
For returning players this year, the league fee includes a cap and socks.
Players should get many years use out of their jersey and belt.
If you desire, an additional jersey can be ordered for $36 and a belt is available for $6.
Note: If you place yourself in the draft intentionally or by registering late, you will have to pay for the
cost of a new team jersey $36 and belt $6 for a total fee of $242.
New Players and returning players who didn’t play in 2009:
Can send in their registration forms starting January 17.
For these new players the league fee includes a complete uniform except pants. (jersey, cap, sock and
belt.)
Players may compete in the league for as long as they feel competitive.
However, a minimum proficiency to play the game is expected so that the game remains fun and
competitive for the player, his teammates and the opposing team. It doesn’t matter what you have for
playing experience, but you must have playing ability.
If a player is a sure out, that isn’t fun for the player or his teammates. Players should be able to hit over
the Mendoza line. (.200).
If a player can’t reliably make fielding plays, that isn’t fun for the player or his teammates. Players need
to be able to hit, run, throw and field their positions.
Pants: Regulation pants can be purchase for $22 or heavy duty reinforced pants with heavy elastic
waistband for $32.
How is the Valley Wheel Over-30 Baseball League different from other leagues?
Other leagues are formed by an individual manager forming a team and placing them into a league. The
result of this style league is very strong and very weak teams; teams that are 14-1 and others that are 1-14.
This is no fun for either team.
The Valley Wheel was formed by a large number of individuals coming together to form a league rather
than a team. One of our goals is to have parity among teams. The game of baseball is more fun knowing
you have a 50% chance of winning every week. Even competition where you can do battle every week
rather than a blow out. Where even the best teams lose four out of ten games and the worst teams can win
four out of ten games.
We’ve used a modified draft each year with the great help and understanding of all Managers to work
toward this goal.
This coming year the draft will be delayed until just before the start of the season so that all new players
can participate in open practices so that they can be evaluated by the Managers prior to the draft.
Thanks to the many of you who have taken the time to express their support and appreciation.
Jim Nason