Over 50 Network

2008-04-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

2009 season

Over 60 championship
Good Old Huffers 5, Barons 4

Over 50 championship
FOG 9, Backwash 5

For more softball news, click on the Labels shown at the upper right hand side.

Elk Grove appears on the website home page of the 16 inch softball Hall Of Fame. See the June 2008 messages on this site: http://www.16inchsoftballhof.com/

2008-03-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

The Over 60 rules will be a separate document from the over 50 rules. Differences for over 60 rules will be underlined. Managers have a draft of these rules.

Highlights of over 60 rule differences:

All players bat (over 50 rules changed this)
Courtesy runners may also be used for batters to first base.
No tags at home plate.
Other rules are same as the over 50 rules.

Here are notes from the over 50 managers' meeting and subsequent Board responses (in parentheses).

In the interest of fairness, teams having more players in attendance than their opponents have the option to play the same number of players as their opponents. Players not in the starting lineup are not eligible to enter the game at all unless there is an injury to a starter. (Board says last sentence is too restrictive, free substitution should be allowed for the same spot in the batting order. Also the rule will be stricken for requiring everyone to play 3 innings in the field).

The list of Rules is too big, eliminate any topic that is the same as regular ASA rules. (Board says boiler plate statements will be eliminated, but topics will remain if they give solutions to potential arguments).

If tags are allowed on all other basepaths, the catcher should also be allowed to tag runners going to home plate if the throw pulls them away from the plate. (Board agrees)

Since it is OK for runners to run past a base without touching it, there is no need to have a runner’s home plate, just run to the side of it also. The runner’s home plate gets slippery when moist. (Board says we will continue to have the runners home plate, and also require runners to touch the orange first base).

The idea of having a half way commitment point for runners going from third base to home should also apply to other bases. The umpire should be able to determine if the runner clearly went more than half way to the next base without having to draw lines in the dirt. Runners who have not yet gone half way to the next base can go back to the prior base, but are closed out from advancing if there is an overthrow after the next base has already been touched with ball in hand. (Board agrees)

Roster size – after pros and cons of open rosters and reduced roster sizes were discussed, most managers chose 20 as an appropriate limit. (Board recommends 17)

Despite arguments resulting from last year’s rule change allowing pitchers to take one step off the rubber directly backward prior to delivering the pitch, this was still preferred over the older rule of keeping one foot on the rubber while delivering the pitch. (Board disagrees, too many arguments, go back to original rule of keeping one foot on rubber until pitch is delivered).

Pitcher hesitations and two steps off the rubber were each discussed, but did not have majority support. (Board agrees with majority)

To deter quick pitches, pitchers should start with both feet on the rubber. (Board agrees)

All illegal pitches should be live balls, batters have the option to swing even if a pitcher hesitates or steps sideways off the rubber. (Board agrees)

Unlimited arch pitching rule was discussed, but consensus was to keep the 6’ – 12’ rule. (Board agrees)

Establishing a batter’s box was discussed, but the consensus was to have no batter’s box. However, a batter should be called out if he steps on the plate while swinging. (Board agrees)

Lower fees are preferred over having prize money that would result in higher fees. (Board agrees)

The possibility of starting the league in mid April was discussed, but consensus was to start in the last week of April with no practice game on the first day as was done in some past years. (Board agrees)

The majority of managers prefer to keep the 5 run rule and slaughter rule in effect for playoffs, the same as done for the regular season. (Board agrees)

One big league is preferred over having two separate divisions. (Board is OK with that, but is open to changing for 2010 season if 8 teams prefer recreational rules while 8 other teams prefer more competitive rules - example: We are going to kick your butt, and after that we will also play some softball).

Playoffs will be single elimination with all teams competing. (Board agrees, but with some creative seeding changes)

Courtesy runners should be the last batted out, even if the same runner is used more than once in the same inning. (Board says a courtesy runner should not have to run more than once per inning).

Rules that are hard to enforce, the so-called “Honors System”, should be spelled out in a separate section of the Rules. Violations can be a forfeit for the first offense, and team expulsion from the league for second offense. (Board agrees)

Changing baseline distance from 55 to 60 was discussed, consensus was to keep it at 55 feet. (Board agrees)
end

2008-03-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Driver's Licenses (DL's) - Here is an alphabetized list of names for those who already have a DL on file. If your name appears here, you do not need to provide another copy of your DL.

If your name does not appear here, and you fail to provide your DL, you will be considered to be an illegal alien and will be deported to the other side of the Rio Grande.

If you refuse to go, you sure as hell will not be allowed to play in our league games, because that makes you an FR (Freakin Ringer or illegal player), so make sure your name eventually appears on this list before somebody calls you out.

For those of you bounty hunters who want to Police the league by spotting FR's after they have kicked your butt during a league game, simply ask to see their DL, after all, they probably did not walk to the field so they must have a DL with them, right? Why would they refuse, do they have something to hide? Is the name on the DL also on the list of names below or not? Is it on that team's roster or not?

You have to admit, that is one shameless way to make people read this site, eh?

For those of you who disagree with this approach, all you have to do is get the commish fired and use all the 25 year old FR's you want. Here is the current list in alphabetical order, are you on it? If not, better get a photocopy of your DL turned in before the next game.

Abbinanti, Phillip
Abplanalp, William
Abruzzo, Frank
Adams, James
Albers, Edward
Alesi, Michael
Arco, Alan
Arlington, James
Arimura, Brian
Baade, Charles
Baumgarten, Carl
Behnke, Fred
Belzer, Richard
Berens, Gary
Berglund, Karl
Bergmann, Robert
Bergner, Gary
Bergo, James
Bianchi, John
Bilotti, Bob
Boyer, John
Brackney, Benjamin
Brandt, Steven
Bratko, Garret
Brendel, Paul
Brichetto, Daniel
Bronder, Kenneth
Browall, Harold
Broznowski, Daniel
Brummitt, Leroy
Bruski, Mitchell
Bruzek, Kenneth
Bryerton, William
Buettner, Philip
Burda, Frank
Burnagiel, Steven
Burzynski, Richard
Byrne, Bernard
Carlson, George
Carlson, Robert
Carroll, Mark
Casey, John
Castellanos, John
Chakeen, Anthony
Chakeen, Martin
Chiusolo, Nick
Chlebik, William
Christensen, Gene
Christensen, Richard
Citko, Steven
Clarke, Patrick
Cnota, Jerry
Coats, William
Consiglio, Aldo
Consolazio, John
Contorno, Michael
Cortesi, Gary
Cozzone, Thomas
Crone, Ronald
Crow, Junior
Culen, Richard
Cummings, Patrick
Czwornog, John
Dalinis, James
Damato, Nicholas
Dankers, Bruce
Danza, Sam
Dean, Robert Foster
Dearhammer, William
DeGrazio, John
DeLorenzo, Joseph
Dempsey, Patrick
Denk, Alan
Devlin, Gerald
Dill, Michael
Dillon, Robert
DiPaolo, Emo
DiTommaso, Michael
Donato, James
Dore, Thomas
Dotson, Ronnie
Driscoll, Patrick
Duchen, Jerry
Dynek, Robert
Dzielawa, Lawrence
Eberhart, William
Eberlein, James
Edelson, Kenneth
Eggert, John
Einsweiler, James
Elkins, Richard
Engler, Robert
Fahey, Patrick
Farmer, Timothy
Felicelli, Thomas
Felske, Curtis
Felske, Mark
Fieri, Brian
Fijalkowski, David
Filarski, Richard
Finley, John
Firestone, William
Fitzgerald, James
Forman, Herbert
Forster, David
Forsythe, Thomas
Forte, Nicholas
Fowles, Michael
Frank, Gerald
Frank, Thomas
Frasco, Daniel
Frede, Robert
Frighetto, Mark
Galicia, Gilberto
Geraty, Robert
Gieseke, Randal
Ginter, Gerald
Glim, Paul
Goeller, Thomas
Gorzynski, Robert
Greco, James
Greenberg, Philip
Grosso, David
Gruber, Michael
Guerrieri, Victor
Hagstrom, Charles
Hamilton, David
Hamilton, James
Hauswirth, David
Hedman, William
Heffern, James
Heinrich, Michael
Hendrickson, Scott
Hert, Glenn
Hetland, Daniel
Heyse, William
Hicks, Peter
Hindenburg, John
Hoban, William
Hoffman, David
Holznagel, Ronald
Hopkins, George
Hunt, Larry
Hunt, Ronald
Hunyady, James
Hurney, George
Idstein, James
Jakubowski, Gerald
James, John
Jaskowski, Robert
Jensen, James
Johnson, Bruce
Johnson, Herb
Jost, John
Jozwiak, Wayne
Jursich, Donald
Kaczmarski, Richard
Kadleo, Louis
Kapusta, Thomas
Kass, Clarence
Kelliher, John
Kennedy, Michael
Kerstin, Donald
Keuth, Edward
Kiersch, Ronald
Kirmess, Donald
Kloss, Mark
Knapp, Albin
Knapp, Mark
Kolet, Jerome
Komacki, John
Korth, Theodore
Kosciulek, Gary
Kosciulek, Ronald
Kozial, James
Krass, Joseph
Krus, Frank
Kujanski, Stanley
Kunkle, Robert
Kupon, Robert
Ladewyck, Robert
Lange, Richard
LaPalermo, Phillip
LaPalermo, Thomas
Lappa, Peter
LaRosa, Salvatore
Larsen, James
Laskowski, Robert
Latas, Lawrence
Lavacchi, Richard
LaVicka, Gregory
Lawler, Richard
Lawson, Keith
LeBlanc, Herbert
Leidecker, Edward
Lenihan, Marc
Lentine, Frank
Lester, Lawrence
Lewandowski, Norbert
Linsenmann, Bruce
Lipinski, Stephen
Locascio, Michael
Lohndorf, Joseph
Luccesi, Frank
Lukes, David
Lutz, Paul
Luttrell, Lawrence
MacArthur, James
Mack, Anthony
Madigan, Mark
Magnuson, Dwight
Magnuson, Richard
Majcher, Gary
Malinowski, Ferdinand
Mandala, John
Manzara, Gary
Marchand, Tim
Marron, Louis
Marrano, William
Martin, Richard
Matthias, James
Mavridis, Thomas
Mazzone, Gregory
McGarry, Michael
McGrath, James
McGuire, Michael
McHugh, James
McKeon, Michael
McKeon, Michael
McNeil, Michael
Medcalf, Kevin
Meister, Joseph
Melind, Randal
Melnick, Harrison
Mennella, John
Merle, Joseph
Messineo, James
Meyer, Mark
Mezzano, Louis
Mika, James
Miller, Dennis
Miller, Glenn
Minch, James
Mitchell, William
Molitor, Joseph
Molloy, John
Moore, Donald
Morris, John
Moss, Daniel
Mrugacz, Fred
Mueller, Russell
Mueller, William
Munn, W Dale
Musielak, Thomas
Musolf, David
Musolf, Roger
Mutter, Alan
Nagy, Theodore
Nannini, Robert
Napolitano, Eugenio
Nazarowski, Anthony
Nelson, Ronald
Nocek, Gregory
Noonan, George
Noone, Terrence
North, William
Nyc, David
O'Donnell, Martin
Oginski, Richard
Olita, Anthony
Olita, Mark
Ostberg, Daniel
Ostermann, Stephen
Ostrander, Thomas
Otte, Robert
Palm, John
Paradies, Brian
Parrin, Gary
Patterson, Douglas
Patterson, Gerald
Pearson, Gary
Pecs, Valdis
Peercy, George
Pendy, Gregory
Penkala, Daniel
Pennelle, Robert
Pepe, Frank
Peterson, Paul
Petryniec, Howard
Pick, Martin
Pickering, David
Pietrucha, Edward
Pittman, Steven
Pitts, Edmund
Placek, Alan
Plucinski, Herbert
Pochop, Frank
Powers, Andrew
Pudlo, Edward
Radlein, Donald
Raethz, Roger
Ranallo, John
Reed, Rickey
Rega, Robert
Reter, James
Rhea, Gerald
Rinkor, Vincent
Roe, William
Rohan, Terry
Romero, David
Rowan, James
Runtz, John
Rutili, Temistocles
Ryan, Eugene
Sabatino, Michael
Sacco, George
Sandberg, Jerry
Sanford, Derek
Savage, Donald
Savage, Terrence
Savage, William
Saxton, Lawrence
Sbertoli, Terry
Schmid, Robert
Schmidt, Stephen
Schneider, John
Schretter, William
Schultz, Jeffrey
Schulze, Dean
Schwind, Harold
Serritella, Richard
Shafar, Larry
Sherman, George
Shulman, Mark
Sibly, William
Siciliano, Leo
Singer, Howard
Skelly, James
Skvarla, David
Smith, John
Smith, Terry
Sobosan, James
Sochantin, Marlin
Sokolowski, Donald
Sopko, Michael
Soteras, George
Soucek, Ronald
Sowa, Glen
Spacek, David
Spathies, Thomas
Sperandeo, Dennis
Spidale, James
Squiller, John
Srednick, Ronald
Stagl, Barry
Steffen, Robert
Steger, Kevin
Steinke, Mark
Stockwell, James
Stoczynski, Adam
Storto, Daniel
Straub, Joseph
Streetz, Wayne
Szubert, David
Tabus, Barry
Taucher, Carl
Taylor, William
Tepper, Edward
Theriault, William
Thomas, Kaye
Thompson, Harold
Thompson, Matt
Thomson, Bruce
Thomson, Kenneth
Thorne, Ronald
Thorsen, Gary
Tiberi, Jerome
Tomaso, Sal
Trigg, Charles
Trispel, Mark
Troyke, Thomas
Tuhowski, George
Turinski, Stephen
Turk, Mark
Tushner, Neal
Valenti, Victor
Veach, Wayne
Vickerman, Gary
Velazquez, Cesar
Walker, Robert
Wallin, James
Walter, Daniel
Walter, Kenneth
Walter, Richard
Waszkiewicz, Jeffrey
Wekony, Thomas
Wente, Craig
Werner, John
Weiss, James
Wiess, Richard
Wilhelm, James
Wilkinson, William
Williams, Gregory
Wittman, Ronald
Woytek, Donald
Wronski, Richard
Wuestenfeld, Kenneth
Yearsley, Robert
Ziegler, Dennis

Complaint Dept.

2008-02-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

This is an ongoing list. All are invited to participate in this open crabfest. The following questions have been overheard in various places.
Names are withheld to protect the guilty.

Question: You say if we have 16 teams then we would only have 15 games, shouldn't there be 16 games?
Answer: Only if you play against yourself, and if you do that you might go blind.

Question: There was a fight during the playoffs. What are you planning to do about this? How should these situations be handled?
Answer: It is hard to legislate common sense. We are too old for this. We just want to have fun and play ball. The proper way to handle an incident would be for both managers to tell everyone to get in the dugout, meet with the umpire, and pull out the rules, which read that taunting, vulgarity, and other derogatory or inflammatory remarks are not allowed. After one warning, the next offense is automatic ejection, zero tolerance. Those who do not like this can find some other league to play in.

Question: What would you do if you got punched?
Answer: Probably bleed all over you. Then according to NBA rules you would have to leave the game and go get tested for HIV. Are you sure you want to go thru all that?

Question: The fields were too powdery last week, how could you allow this?
Answer: I got carried away with my compact.

Question: Does it take a lot of smarts to manage to handle all the B.S. that happened this year?
Answer: No, but I did stay at a holiday inn last week.

Question: Who makes the decisions, you or The Board?
Answer: If you agree with the decision, it was me. If you disagree, it was The Board. Talk to them if you don't like it.

Question: Being an ump is a hard job. On every close play either one side or the other is going to complain. I hate complaints. Do you have any concerns about complainers?
Answer: Yes, they can vote and they can breed.

Question: Why can't we wear gloves in the field on cold days?
Answer: I do not want to see any Michael Jackson impersonators.

Question: I think you are doing a lousy job.
Answer: Take a look at this (!), you have just been e-mooned.

Question: The ump called our catcher an axxhole, do you think that was right?
Answer: Yes, that was probably the first right call he made all night.

Question: We lost because the ump sucked. You saw the game, what do you think?
Answer: I think your team sucked more than the ump.

Question: How come I saw pitchers stepping off the rubber sideways, at the managers meeting it was emphatically stated only backward is allowed?
Answer: There was a dispute and I was asked to explain this safety rule to the umpire. Because the wording of the rule did not specify DIRECTLY backward, the ump felt that a little bit backward and a little bit to the side was not against the rules, even though the spirit of the rule was only for safety, therefore meaning backwards only, not sideways which does not help safety. I tried to explain proper interpretation to the umpire, but the game continued anyway with pitchers still jumping to the side. This gave da commish a complex that nobody listens, so I went afterward to see a shrink. While on da couch, da shrink asked what the problem was. I said nobody listens to me. Da shrink then yells toward da lobby "NEXT".

Question: Why did you have to send out revised rules with nitpicky explanations? Can't you just keep them simple and let the ump make the call?
Answer: I do not like disputes. Any rule that results in misinterpretations and disputes needs to be revised for clarification. Using the above pitching rule as an example, I had to explain why backwards does not mean sideways, and step does not mean jump. I would prefer the umps calls be consistent rather than varying according to individual umps interpretations.

Question: Why are some illegal pitches dead balls and some are live balls? Any illegal pitch should be treated the same.
Answer: Cheating is a dead ball. The only illegal pitch that is a live ball is one that does not fall into the 6-12 foot arc rule, which is not cheating. Other types of illegal pitches are clear rules violations like hesitations and quick pitches without starting with both feet on the rubber. Those are attempts to cheat and therefore should be dead balls. If you do not agree, feel free to bring this up at the next manager's meeting for discussion.

Question: On windy days it is impossible to pitch a strike. Why can't we use a bigger mat or include the plate as part of the strike zone?
Answer: Just cope with the fact that Wisconsin sucks and Indiana blows and Chicago is caught in between.

Question: I cannot get my teammates to turn in copies of their driver's licenses, what should I do?
Answer: Tell them to save up their money and buy a dime, take it to the local library, it is only a few blocks away from the field, put the dime in the copy machine, and while you are there, pick up a book, you might learn something.

Question: Why are you not willing to discuss considering legalizing sliding? I have tried to talk to you about this, what else can I do?
Answer: You can check out my buns as I walk in the other direction.

Question: Can you try to be a little more professional and dignified at your meetings? You are losing your class.
Answer: I am not losing class because I never had any in the first place. Is there a rule that I must suck a lemon to obtain the proper facial expression to conduct these meetings? I like to get right to the point. People at a fox hunt would say "Tally Ho the fox", but I prefer to say "Huh? What the hell does that mean? Let's just get the little S.O.B."

Question: People always question the rules. They do not seem to understand why our rules must be different than regular softball rules. How do we deal with such ignorance and apathy?
Answer: Within the context of ignorance and apathy, I don't know and I don't care.

Question: If we have more players than the other team, can we share batting spots in the lineup? Answer: I have 3 things to say about that, no, hell no, and finally no.

Question: How did an idiot like you ever get to be Commissioner?
Answer: Three reasons, first, nobody else wanted the job, and second, many people have stated you have to be an idiot to take this job, therefore your own words have just validated that I am eminently qualified. And third, I barely passed the interview process, which consisted of one question, which was "Do you have a pulse?"

Question: Why can't you make a schedule that does not allow Byes or doubleheaders, and does not allow 9pm games, neither of which are acceptable?
Answer: I am not a math major, but with 13 teams (an odd number), somebody either must have a bye or must play at 9pm (we only have 3 fields) against another team who then would have to play a second game that night. So to answer your question, I guess I am just not smart enough to figure that one out.

Question: Why are there so many different versions of the schedule flying around?
Answer: See the above question, we started with 14 teams and one team dropped out after schedules were distributed, and we also had two rainouts, blondie.

Question: Why do you call this a website when technically it is only a blog?
Answer: Technically, website sounds cooler. Blog sounds like you are gagging.

Question: Aren't you are an arrogant jerk for announcing the lady fans voted you second best looking player on your team?
Answer: Not exactly, everyone else on the team tied for first. I have never had much luck with the ladies. One time I went into a massage parlor with a hand full of C-notes, I came out broke and all I got was a massage.

Question: Based on some of your remarks, I have to ask, do you suffer from insanity or are you just conceited?
Answer: I don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it. And it is not possible for me to be conceited because conceit would be an imperfection ;-)

Question: You think you know everything, so let me give you a tough question. What is the meaning of life?
Answer: I don’t know everything, but I know this much, and actually that is not such a tough question. A great part of the meaning of life is to glorify your Creator by giving thanks for what you have, to treat others with respect, to make the world a better place using whatever talents you are given, to brighten someone else’s day, and if you are not sure how to do that, just try to make people laugh, because laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails us. Now let me give you a tough question – if I were to tell you my vacuum cleaner sucks, is that good or bad? And if you get it wrong, you get 7 years bad luck.

Library of videos to share

2008-01-05T18:10:00.001-08:00

We invite you to borrow from our library of DVDs or VHS tapes of things that are rare and can only be appreciated by geezers like us. Right now it is a small collection, but maybe you have something of interest that others might also like to borrow.

I am sure everyone has some interesting things, here are some examples of things you can borrow from me...

Windy City Softball magazines from the 1970's, where you can read about legendary teams like the Bobcats, Sobies, Strikers, and others.

Channel 5 TV interview with Jim Heffern about Over 60 softball (5 minutes).

If you have every traveled north on rt47 near the Wisconsin border, you will notice a small town that has a water tower painted like a basketball in memory of the 1952 high school state championship basketball game between Hebron and Quincy. You can borrow the tape or DVD of the second half of that game.

The 1954 game that was the actual basis for the movie Hoosiers, that being the game between Milan and Muncie Central.

1985 Bears championship season

2005 White Sox playoff run and World Series

Elk Grove Channel 6 telecasts:
1998 over 50 softball, Austins vs. Grumpies
1998 softball Silver Foxes vs. Oldies But Goodies
1998 over 50 basketball game
1998 over 50 bowling tournament
2002 over 50 softball championship game, Code Blue vs. Grumpies

If anyone is interested in sharing what you have by adding to this list, or borrowing any of the above, let me know

Your commissioner, Joe DeLorenzo, email swingfixer@hotmail.com

HISTORY

2007-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

This plaque is in memory of the following Over 50 athletes who have left us for a better place. It is located in The Pavilion on the wall next to the stairs with these names:

1998 - Earl Peacock, team #2 Grumpies

1999 - Alan Ruesch, team #2 Grumpies

2000 - Thomas Felicelli, team #5 Telephone company/Green Guys

2002 - David Rojek, team #4 Good Ole Boys

2003 - Jim Rowan, team #8 sixteen inchers

2004 - Harold 'Hal' Thompson, team #4 Good Ole Boys

2006 - Jud Gaspar, team #5 Orange Crush

2006 - Martin O'Donnel, team #5 Orange Crush

2006 - Paul Salley, team #4 Good Ole Boys

2007 - Frank Czarnik, League Commissioner and manager of team #2 Grumpies

2008 - Fred Malinowski, team #6 Huffers & Puffers

2009 - Bart Dill, team #4 Good Ole Boys

2009 - Joe Merle, team #12 Mudville (over 50) and Mavericks (over 60)

2009 - Chico Velazquez, team #10 Lucky Stiffs

The best form of baseball ever devised is the Chicago style 16 inch bare handed version. Why? Unlike the 12 inch version, you do not need any more equipment other than a minimum of one bat and one ball. No gloves allowed. The required field size is smaller than any other version of baseball, with the possible exception of little league. Fences are not needed, you do not even need a backstop. The field does not need to be manicured, any level surface will do, grass or dirt. Without a glove there is no such thing as an easy out. You need to use both hands to catch the ball, therefore every play is an uncertainty, no sure outs. Every batter puts the ball in play almost all the time, so every defensive position is important, unlike the 12 inch fast pitch version where the best pitchers almost always strike everyone out, so you only need 4 fielders as proven by the King And His Court. Hard ball baseball takes well over 2 hours per game. 16 inch softball takes only about one hour, which gives you more time to spend at the bar and have some comeraderie with your buddies.

Mike Royko on softball (click on the following link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpuXfcx0pRU

The real essence of this game (this is what it is all about my friends) can be seen here: http://learnthehardway.blogspot.com/ on the link for helping Dead Cougars, read it from the oldest post first.

Our league's history:

1997 - 62 players showed up at the field for a draft, 4 volunteered to coach. Each of the 4 stood at one of the bases, and that is how they got their team number. Games commenced right after the draft. Team #4 (Good Ole Boys) won the championship, going undefeated, and also beat the all star team (taken from page 104 of the book "Just One More Season" by J.M. Heffern).

1998 - Added two more teams, #5 at the time known as the Austins, Telephone Company or the Green Guys, and #6 Huffers and Puffers. Champions were Team #2 (Grumpies), and runnerup was Team #4 (Good Ole Boys).

1999 - Champions Team #6 (Huffers and Puffers), runnerup Team #2 (Grumpies).

2000 - Champions Team #4 (Good Ole Boys), runnerup Team #6 (Huffers and Puffers).

2001 - Added two more teams, #7 (F.O.G. I am not sure but I think it means freakin old goats, somebody correct me if that is wrong), and #8 (16 Inchers). Champions were Team #3 (Code Blue), runnerup Team #1 (Oldies But Goodies). A bit of irony - Team #1 was ahead after 7 innings but this was the only year the final game was 9 innings long.

2002 - Added two more teams, #9 (Dawgs) and #10 (Charlie's Chargers). Champions were Team #2 Grumpies, runnerup was Team #3 Code Blue. A bit of irony - Team #2 did not make the playoffs outright, they had to win a play-in game first after barely being over .500 during the regular season.

2003 - Champions Team #6 (Huffers and Puffers), runnerup Team #1 (Oldies But Goodies).

2004 - Champions Team #5 (Green Guys, later known as Orange Crush), runnerup Team #9 (Dawgs).

2005 - Added two more teams, #11 (Classics), and #12 (Mudville). Champions Team #2 (Grumpies), runnerup Team #11 Classics. Also this was the first year for competitive Over 60 league. Team #1 (last place O.F.O.G) won playoffs.

2006 - Champions Team #2 (Grumpies), runnerup Team #9 (Dawgs). Over 60 champions Team #2 (Spades).

2007 - Champions Team #11 (Classics), runnerup Team #6 (Huffers and Puffers). Over 60 champions Team #1 (O.F.O.G.), runnerup Team #2 (Mavericks).

2008 - Champions Team #7 FOG, runnerup Team #13 Unknowns. Over 60 champions Team #6 Good Old Huffers, runnerup Team #2 Mavericks.

2009 - Champions Team #7 FOG, runnerup Team #14 Backwash. Over 60 champions #6 Good Old Huffers, runnerup #4 Barons

SKILLS, OCCUPATIONS, ETC. (alphabetical order)

2007-12-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
Gary Bratko 847-909-8009

ATTORNEY
John Molloy 847-673-3960

BANKING
Phil Buettner 312-396-7135
Ken Bruzak 630-916-0248

BARBER
Tom Cozzone 847-593-7217

COMMERCIAL PRINT SALES
Dave Musolf, Envision Graphics, cell 847-310-5237, office 630-825-1200

CASH REGISTER REPAIR
Bill Roe 630-529-3679

COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Nick Forte 630-876-8964

CONTRACTOR, ELECTRICAL
Dave Hamilton 847-593-7991
Steve Lipinski 847-291-2000

CONTROLLER
Rich Christensen 847-279-2475

CPA ACCOUNTANT
Don Moore 847-593-1237
Howard Singer 847-836-1200
Jim Wallin 630-860-3013
Bob Gorzynski 630-595-1442
Fred Kalita home 708-452-0820, work 847-647-0250

DECORATOR-PAINTER
Don Penkala 630-351-8909
Jim Rubly 847-718-4506
Temistocles Rutili 630-540-2110

DESIGN TOOL
John Mandala 773-533-3000
Don Sokolowski 847-228-5025

DESIGNER MECHANICAL
Rich Burzynski 847-576-4167

DRIVER EDUCATION
Ron Kiersch 847-529-5988

ELECTRICIAN
Ron Hunt 847-895-1923
John DiGrazio 847-895-3020
John Squiller 847-682-2126

EMBROIDERY AND SCREENING (also custom uniforms for any sport, corporate apparel)
Mike Caliendo (A Winning Edge) 630-830-5378, cell 630-740-6363, mike@awinningedge.com

FINANCIAL PLANNER
John Castellanous 847-328-7700

GOLF INSTRUCTOR
Joe DeLorenzo 847-895-6884 FAQ's at http://www.swingfixer.blogspot.com/

HARDWARE STORE OWNER (ACE)
John Palm 708-453-0600

IMPORT/EXPORT
Jim Heffern 312-739-5927

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
Dave Nyc 630-875-9600

INSURANCE, FINANCIAL & ESTATE PLANNING
Larry Dzielawa 847-464-4875

MANAGEMENT
Dan Hetland 847-451-6955
Ron Nelson 847-997-3233
Bob Gorzynski 630-595-1442
Tom Wekony 847-437-3953
Bob Geraty 847-439-6144

MANUFACTURING
Tom Krolak 847-833-6932
Dick Elkins 847-285-4819

MFG. REP.
Ron Crone 815-334-3405
Ken Edelson 847-517-8382
Jim Messineo 847-949-7526

MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER
Gene Hoban 847-506-0296

REALTOR
Vic Valenti 847-545-7575
Rick Sanford 630-545-5083
Ron Soucek 847-952-0909
Kenny Edelson (Remax Destiny Real Estate Agent) 847-812-3952

RINGERS (play for pay)
(just kidding)

ROOFER
Bob Rega 847-456-1891

SALES
Ron Dotson 630-876-5584
Bob Nannini 630-226-0841
Tom Ratkovic 773-447-7470
Neal Tushner 708-817-7504

SALES, KITCHEN
Jim Arlington 847-381-2977

SALES, MANAGER
Al Consiglio 847-258-4374

SALES, PAINT
Don Savage 847-437-0875

SALES, PARTS
Bill Mitchell 630-483-1400

SALES, PHARMACY
Frank Lentine 773-237-2388

SALES, STEEL
Ken Thompson 847-228-0665
Terry Savage 708-544-1462

SALES, STORE MGR.
John Serritella 630-955-3581

SOFTWARE (free tips on Microsoft Project, Excel, Word)
Joe DeLorenzo 847-895-6884

SPECIALIST, COST
George Carlson 847-862-2649

SURGEON
Mike Kennedy 847-884-6086

TAX CONSULTANT (PROPERTY)
Gary Cortesi 847-394-0515

TEACHER
Bob Schwartz 847-323-4695
Bruce Baszali 847-718-4502
Jim Rubly 847-718-4506
Bob Carlson 630-932-8801

TILER
Rick Reed 847-671-6454

TOOL & DIE
Don Sokolowski 847-228-5025

TRANSPORTATION
Dave Fijalkowski 312-303-3318

TRUCKER
Vince Rinkor 847-647-8194
John Morris 630-776-2635

WRITER/REPORTER
Rich Wronski 847-755-8942

Our Founder Jim Heffern

2007-12-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

We would not have our over 50 or over 60 softball leagues if it were not for the efforts of Jim Heffern. Jim has published a book about how this all came about, and you can order this book from Barnes & Noble or Borders. The title is "Just One More Season" by J.M. Heffern.

I once had the pleasure of visiting Jim's den in his home where there are several remarkable photographs of famous football players from the past, with Jim in the same photo, such as the first Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger, and other Heisman Trophy winners Glen Davis (1946 Army), Dick Kazmaier (1951 Princeton), Johnny Lattner (1953 Notre Dame), pro golfer Gary Hallberg at the opening day at Fox Run along with Jim and Lew Smith (former park district commissioner and Fox Run course architect and former player for the Grumpies), and Senator Laxalt of Nevada, a presidential hopeful in 1988.

Jim also formed activities for over 50 basketball, volleyball, and bowling. Jim currently is a narrator for Elk Grove TV Channel 6, and also is the commissioner and player in our over 60 league. Everyone should stop by during the summer at the 6pm games, or in the winter at the volleyball games and thank him for his efforts. He gets embarrassed by this, but if it were not for him, a lot of us would have morphed into couch potatoes long ago. Thanks Jim, may your efforts serve as an example for the rest of us to get off our voluminous derrieres and do something for our community.

Field #2 Memorial

2007-12-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

There is a plaque on the backstop of field #2 in memory of Ron Bernardini (front center), who was instrumental in bringing organized sports to Elk Grove, most notably youth football and 16 inch softball. Elk Grove TV Channel 6 talks about Ron in a show named Exceptional Journey, a show which explains why certain parks and other spots are named after prominent individuals. Ron's part of the show can be seen about 17 minutes into the program. If you do not have access to Channel 6, see me to borrow a videotape or DVD.
Joe DeLorenzo 847-895-6884 or email swingfixer@hotmail.com

I played for Ron's team for several years (Stowaways, that's me in the upper left), what a fun guy to play for, constant bantering and laughs. I did manage to get one compliment after playing a fairly good game, he bellowed in front of everybody "Joey you axxhole, you're not as dumb as you look, thank god." That was Bernie's idea of high praise. (Ya gotta love it.)