Buzzilinear: Don’t leave us Leduc
Posted May 23, 2009
The rumblings of the Leduc Milleteers possibly having interest in leaving the Powerline League are true.
In last week’s Camrose Canadian, Milleteer Greg Jackson told Sun Media the team would like to move on to the NCABL someday if they get enough committed guys.
However, they’ve been such a great addition to our storied league that I would like to, which I am sure many others in the league would join me, in personally reaching out to them to stick around for the next few years in the PBL.
The following are just a few reasons why the Powerline League, although a little smaller and a little less formal, is a great place to play ball in the summer.
It’s cheap: The league’s $150 entry fee isn’t going to bust your team’s wallets. Travel is also less with teams no more than an hour apart and still within an hour of Edmonton. I wouldn’t mind seeing a slight increase in our league fees to maybe cover league baseballs or umpires (maybe even just for the playoffs so all playoff games get two guys), but you can’t beat the affordability of the PBL. Oh, and did I mention most of our fields are free to play at because of no rental fees?
It’s friendly: Everyone knows everybody in our league. You see teams three or four times and build up a friendship, or hate, I suppose sometimes. With six to seven teams, it’s a perfect amount to know who you’re going against and what to expect. You can also enjoy a cold beverage and a chat about life after with an opposing hurler or slugger.
It’s laid back: You don’t need to employ a professional scorekeeper or get nervous a player will be ejected if you mess up a double-switch in the sixth inning. Sure, we might not have personal batting stats and league awards, but at the same time, that’s what’s charming about the 100+-year-old league.
It’s getting more organized: And although in the past our organizational skills have been questioned, the improved website, score reporting and a new president who is very committed to the league have all been positive steps in the right direction.
It’s winnable: We won’t lie, the competition in the NCABL is stiffer. But that also means a yearly trip to the post-season is not guaranteed. If you stick in the PBL, you have a chance every year to win a pennant and the cup. It’s fun to be challenged, but it’s also fun to build up a rivalry with one or two other good teams, and compete for a championship in July and August every year.
So here’s hoping we’ll keep you around for another few years. I’d even love to see the Camrose Axemen come back and make it a seven team league once again. And more so, I know there has to be a void in Strathcona County whereby a team could play out of Sherwood Park or Fort Saskatchewan perhaps?
If we can just keep what we already have, we could build this into an even greater league. A league with a great history, some great teams and of course, great people.
Posted on May 23, 2009 by Jason Buzzell
