The annual 38 league All-Star Game will be played at NOON on Sunday, 10/3, at New Scotland. It will be a nine-inning game. Each team will have the opportunity to send three representatives.
After the game, we will retire to the pavillion for BBQ and beverages. Awards will be given out (all-league winners, batting champ, best pitcher, playoff MVP, manager of the year -- that's it, I think).
Even if, like me, sadly, you are not an All-Star, we encourage you to come to the game and enjoy one last beer-soaked, sausage-stuffed gathering. Any contribution of food or drink will be appreciated.
It's always a good time, the game is often crisply played, and it's a nice way to close the book on a fine, competitive, successful season.
Just four years ago the Pirates were the expansion club -- joining a league that had the Marlins, Hummingbirds, Braves, Spartans, Blue Jays and Peppers. We went 2-19, happy as clams. Since then the Peppers spawned the Knights and later sprintered again into the Orioles. The Yankees and A's came aboard. The Spartans morphed into the Highlanders. The Braves disbanded. And the Rockets expanded our reach into Catskill. Now we're at 11 teams, with rumor of a 12th on the way, probably close to 175 players, and the level of play gets better every year. It's really impressive.
I say this all the time: We are damn lucky to have this league. There are a lot of guys who don't have this opportunity to play. We have something to be proud of, to be grateful for. So let's hoist a drink and toast our league, our brothers in baseball, and our families who make it possible.
Bring the kids, bring the wife, bring the girlfriend (just don't bring the wife AND the girlfriend, that's awkward).
