Dear
Softball Player,
We are
starting our 14th season of POP’S Softball this year. POP’S
consists of two leagues, a 40 & over league and a 50 & over league.
This year we have 22 -24 teams in 40 & Over and 16 teams in 50 &
Over. Totaling over 675 players.
There
are 3 divisions in the 40 & Over League:
The
American division – the more established, more competitive division, the
National division – the less established, not yet as competitive league,
and the Central division - the newer teams, designed to have more fun,
and get acclimated to the league. The same format in 50 & over league
will be used as last year with 2 divisions the American and National.
We use
Clincher Gold softballs, high arc pitching 6-10 feet, and special rules
to prevent against injuries (See Rules on website).
ASA
umpires, as well as directors at all games to discuss any
discrepancies.
This
year we will continue under the lights at our home field Oceanside
High School. New for this year, due to the continued growth
at POPS, we will play weeknights at the recently renovated Oceanside
High School, new start times; starting at 6:30pm/ 7:45pm/ and
9:00pm. Games are also played throughout Long Island on great fields
such as Eisenhower Park on Monday nights, with game times to
start at 7:15 pm/8:30pm. There will also be games at Baldwin Park
on Wednesday and Thursday nights with game times 8:15pm & 9:30pm, as
well as some additional games at New Bridge Park, (Bellmore),
Merrick Town Park, and Shell Creek Park (Island Park). Starting
last year we added Cow Meadow Park (Freeport) for Thursday
nights. We also will use Bellmore JFK High School and Calhoun
High School (Merrick) with 6:30 pm starts.
For the
40 & over league, all games will be played Monday – Wednesdays. For 50 &
over, games will be played on Thursdays and some Fridays. Make-ups are
usually played on Fridays.
The
regular season will begin in the first week of May with playoffs to
finish late August, so plan your vacations accordingly (Early July is
best month).
All
teams will then meet for the real season “playoff time”. Standings will
be kept throughout the season in each division to determine positions
for the playoffs (i.e. first place will play last place, depending on
byes) and as always, “EVERY team” makes the playoffs.
* POPS
plays a Double elimination format for the playoffs.
All
five divisions, in both leagues will have their own Champion, and every
player on the championship team will receive championship awards, such
as jackets or pullovers and of course each manager will receive the
coveted “Pastuch Diamond”. Every year we celebrate the close of POP’S
regular season with the “End of the year Dinner” (POP’S will pay for all
division winners) -- Everyone is invited for a great night of
dinner, drinks and awards presentation, at Oceanside Jewish Center,
catered by Robert Ian Caterers. Last year over 175 people attended.
POPS is
most proud of its parity, where there were 5 different division winners
in 2011, or a new winner for each division in each league.
New
for this year, the popular All-Star game will be played Mid-Season. The
game will be played pitting All-Stars from each division, in both the 40
and 50 & over leagues. Like last year…fair teams will be made by the
directors. Each All Star receives a shirt to commemorate the
day. Introduction of players & a huge turnout highlight the day.
Then to
finish the year up, we start our “Fall Ball” League. This
league runs from about Labor Day (September) to the end of November. We
allow NEW teams and players outside of POPS eligible to play. Based on
its success we now have two divisions an A & B in Fall Ball.
To play
in POPS…All players must send in a completed application (leaving NO
lines blank) and must sign the BACK of the application for the Liability
WAIVER. All NEW players must also submit a copy of their driver’s
license along with their check.
Returning players, if you were not happy with last year’s team you can
always go into the “Free Agency”” to switch to a NEW team. (This is
left up to the discretion of the Directors based on talent and parity.)
Just note it on your application or call me.
Please
note the deadline to register is March 31st. Late registration after
that date will require an additional $15 fee from the insurance
company.
I look
forward to hearing from you soon. Feel free to call with any questions
or comments: (H) 379-0606, (C) 655-1141. Just ask for Keith. Or email me
at: commish@popsoftball.com
Let’s
Play Ball!
Keith
Pastuch … A.K.A. “Commish”