It's time to rebuild what was had in 2003.
Just three years ago, Saukie Field and the Black Hawk Diamond were teaming with baseball fanatics--those that play the game because they didn't see it necessary to "grow up." Great rivalries were developed between Lance McCafferty, Matt Veto, and Kiel Engstrom. Steve Roberts became the first triple crown winner and a redhead named Casey Thomas won the first ever World Series.
That year, Veto League Baseball averaged a 14 man game. Never were cell phones pulled from pockets moment before game time to call people to the yard. They were already there--in fact, Jon Escajeda and Bobby Carter were there 45 minutes early.
Veto Leaguers are blessed people. Friendships are multiplied, laughter is had and lifetime memories are forged. Then there are the underdog surprises. Dave Anderson's game-winning grand slam, Jesus Apodaca's .421 average in 2004--the first time he played baseball since he was 8 years old.
OFF-SEASON ISSUES
This league could rise to those successes again, but everyone needs to do his/her part.
During the off-season, Veto League Baseball members met for a winter meeting session. Everyone was invited to attend with 10 people making the effort. A few new rules have been instated and new captains have been announced. The interest is out there. It's just a matter of getting people to the ball park each day and maintaining that attendance throughout the year.
In an effort towards achieving that goal, a new, more memorable website has been designed. With a new, more easily navigable message board, staying in touch with your friends and teasing Brett Carlson will be a snap. Spread the word to those you meet: www.thevlb.com. (Be certain to stress "the" as "vlb.com" was taken).
A second breakthrough is a baseball field. Through contacts with Moline Little League, Matt Veto has been informed that Veterans Park (formerly Moline's Legion field, south of Green Valley) is at our disposal on weekends. The field is being worked on and renovated. We have been granted permission to use the field on Saturdays and Sundays at noon. Our opening day will still be held at Saukie Field on Sunday, May 7 at noon as final preparations are being made.
CONSENT FORM
Since we have grown into a recognizable organization and since we will be playing on Little League's field, each participating member, if even for one game, will need to sign a consent form that holds the individual player responsible for any unfortunate instance of injury. All other parties including Moline Little League, Moline Park Board, Rock Island High School, the Rock Island Red Socks and Veto League Baseball will not be accountable.
FIELD MAINTENANCE, DONATIONS, AND NIGHT GAME
The VLB needs your help to take care of our fields. These organizations have been gracious enough to let us use their diamonds at no cost, so it is only right to take care of the field in return. The VLB needs people to chip in their time to fill in holes in the batters box, tamp the dirt in the box and around the pitcher's mound and hand drag important parts of the field. This off-season the VLB acquired two, 3-foot wide hand drag mats and a baseball rake. Please stay post game to help out.
Purchasing a baseball or making a donation to the league would also be quite gracious of those that choose to play. The VLB has hopes of playing its night game in town this season. First estimates put field rental at $100. It will be necessary to collect at least $5 from each player who intends to participate in the night game festivities.
VLB HATS
This year, the VLB anticipates the creation of a uniform matching ball cap. The hats will be navy, elastic fitted (allows some give and room for steroid head growth) and will be a mesh style--not truck driver mess, but the neat MLB spring-training style mesh. See Veto to order. Early estimated costs are $16. The VLB home plate logo will be embroidered in orange thread on the front of the cap.
SCHEDULE AND FIELD ROTATION
Since we had scarce attendance last season, we will be cutting our schedule. This year we will return to a Saturday and Sunday at noon, and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. schedule. When Veterans Park is complete, weekend games will be played there. Wednesdays will be scheduled day to day. We will not be playing at the Black Hawks Field anymore. Our field rotation will be determined later (likely Veterans Park, Saukie, Moline sophomore diamond).
FRANCESCON LEAGUE
While purchasing a delicious malt at a local ice creamery in the Quad Cities, Veto ran into an old friend, James Francescon. It appears that Francescon has been playing pick-up baseball with friends at Bettendorf's Crow Creek Park on Sundays. He says his league averages 12-14 guys, but they only play on Sundays. Many of them are interested in joining the VLB, but they will maintain their Sunday schedule at Crow Creek. There are talks of interleague games this season. A link to James' league is in the works.
Just three years ago, Saukie Field and the Black Hawk Diamond were teaming with baseball fanatics--those that play the game because they didn't see it necessary to "grow up." Great rivalries were developed between Lance McCafferty, Matt Veto, and Kiel Engstrom. Steve Roberts became the first triple crown winner and a redhead named Casey Thomas won the first ever World Series.
That year, Veto League Baseball averaged a 14 man game. Never were cell phones pulled from pockets moment before game time to call people to the yard. They were already there--in fact, Jon Escajeda and Bobby Carter were there 45 minutes early.
Veto Leaguers are blessed people. Friendships are multiplied, laughter is had and lifetime memories are forged. Then there are the underdog surprises. Dave Anderson's game-winning grand slam, Jesus Apodaca's .421 average in 2004--the first time he played baseball since he was 8 years old.
OFF-SEASON ISSUES
This league could rise to those successes again, but everyone needs to do his/her part.
During the off-season, Veto League Baseball members met for a winter meeting session. Everyone was invited to attend with 10 people making the effort. A few new rules have been instated and new captains have been announced. The interest is out there. It's just a matter of getting people to the ball park each day and maintaining that attendance throughout the year.
In an effort towards achieving that goal, a new, more memorable website has been designed. With a new, more easily navigable message board, staying in touch with your friends and teasing Brett Carlson will be a snap. Spread the word to those you meet: www.thevlb.com. (Be certain to stress "the" as "vlb.com" was taken).
A second breakthrough is a baseball field. Through contacts with Moline Little League, Matt Veto has been informed that Veterans Park (formerly Moline's Legion field, south of Green Valley) is at our disposal on weekends. The field is being worked on and renovated. We have been granted permission to use the field on Saturdays and Sundays at noon. Our opening day will still be held at Saukie Field on Sunday, May 7 at noon as final preparations are being made.
CONSENT FORM
Since we have grown into a recognizable organization and since we will be playing on Little League's field, each participating member, if even for one game, will need to sign a consent form that holds the individual player responsible for any unfortunate instance of injury. All other parties including Moline Little League, Moline Park Board, Rock Island High School, the Rock Island Red Socks and Veto League Baseball will not be accountable.
FIELD MAINTENANCE, DONATIONS, AND NIGHT GAME
The VLB needs your help to take care of our fields. These organizations have been gracious enough to let us use their diamonds at no cost, so it is only right to take care of the field in return. The VLB needs people to chip in their time to fill in holes in the batters box, tamp the dirt in the box and around the pitcher's mound and hand drag important parts of the field. This off-season the VLB acquired two, 3-foot wide hand drag mats and a baseball rake. Please stay post game to help out.
Purchasing a baseball or making a donation to the league would also be quite gracious of those that choose to play. The VLB has hopes of playing its night game in town this season. First estimates put field rental at $100. It will be necessary to collect at least $5 from each player who intends to participate in the night game festivities.
VLB HATS
This year, the VLB anticipates the creation of a uniform matching ball cap. The hats will be navy, elastic fitted (allows some give and room for steroid head growth) and will be a mesh style--not truck driver mess, but the neat MLB spring-training style mesh. See Veto to order. Early estimated costs are $16. The VLB home plate logo will be embroidered in orange thread on the front of the cap.
SCHEDULE AND FIELD ROTATION
Since we had scarce attendance last season, we will be cutting our schedule. This year we will return to a Saturday and Sunday at noon, and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. schedule. When Veterans Park is complete, weekend games will be played there. Wednesdays will be scheduled day to day. We will not be playing at the Black Hawks Field anymore. Our field rotation will be determined later (likely Veterans Park, Saukie, Moline sophomore diamond).
FRANCESCON LEAGUE
While purchasing a delicious malt at a local ice creamery in the Quad Cities, Veto ran into an old friend, James Francescon. It appears that Francescon has been playing pick-up baseball with friends at Bettendorf's Crow Creek Park on Sundays. He says his league averages 12-14 guys, but they only play on Sundays. Many of them are interested in joining the VLB, but they will maintain their Sunday schedule at Crow Creek. There are talks of interleague games this season. A link to James' league is in the works.
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