Fourteen years ago, then Moline high schooler Matt Veto came up with a simple idea that over time would spread to more than 400 people. He didn’t make the cut to play on the varsity Maroon baseball team, but he wasn’t ready to give up on his love for playing hardball. Matt Veto rounded up 25 players in 1998 to play pick-up style baseball. It wasn’t very organized. They didn’t have much for equipment. And they came up with a simple name — “Veto League Baseball”. But what started over a decade ago has grown into a passion for many during the summer months.
Veto League Baseball is nearing the end of its most successful season in history. 53 games have been played — approaching the single season record of 60 set in 2009 — with two weekends of baseball left in the 2011 campagin. To date, 97 players have made it out to attend at least one Veto League game during extraordinarily hot summer months in 2011. This number features an amazing 52 VLB debuts. 2009 had the previous record debuts of 44. Anthony “Ironman” Reese’s streak is still active at 161 consecutive games played.
Monday, August 15, will showcase the 24 most dedicated players from the most successful VLB season ever. These players have earned a spot on either Matt Veto’s “Meteors” or Josh Paul’s “Goonies” squad. They will play a game under the lights of Modern Woodmen Park — a Single A ball field that is just as luxurious as some AAA fields. While the rosters won’t be finalized until after this weekend, the night game will feature at least nine rookies making their VLB showcase debuts. Commissioner Veto will address the crowd and hand out player awards at around 6:30, with the game starting around 7pm.
Cost to enter Modern Woodman Park on August 15 is just a canned food donation. In the last three years,
Veto League has collected over a half ton of canned food, donated locally to the River Bend Food Bank. Veto League is hoping for another record of non-perishable food donations. Helping in the cause is Schnucks in Bettendorf. The owner of Schnucks, Ammar Mahmood, provided free advertising for the Veto League Showcase, as well as placing a donation bin at the front of their store in hopes that customers will help out the cause. At last check, at least a couple cases of goods have been graciously donated by shoppers.
Each fan who attends the night game and donates a canned good will receive a raffle ticket. Between innings, fans will have an opportunity to win prizes, ranging from golf to jewelry to dance lessons to food vouchers. Sponsors for these gifts include Palmer Hills Golf Course, Necker’s Jewelers, Quad City River Bandits, Quad City Mallards, Two Rivers YMCA, Noodles & Co., Hungry Hobo, iWireless Center, Davenport School of Yoga, Quad City Motion Dance Company, Tailz’ Er Waggin’ Bakery, and more.
Meanwhile, the post season is in full throttle as Reese’s “Playaz” swept Tony Zier’s “All-Stars” in the Saukie division. Paul’s “Goonies” won the final two of the best-of-five series against Scott Ellefritz’s “Talons” in the Black Hawk division. The Playaz will host the Goonies this weekend in the scheduled best-of-seven World Series. Games will continue to be played at Douglas Park in Rock Island.
Veto League Baseball is nearing the end of its most successful season in history. 53 games have been played — approaching the single season record of 60 set in 2009 — with two weekends of baseball left in the 2011 campagin. To date, 97 players have made it out to attend at least one Veto League game during extraordinarily hot summer months in 2011. This number features an amazing 52 VLB debuts. 2009 had the previous record debuts of 44. Anthony “Ironman” Reese’s streak is still active at 161 consecutive games played.
Monday, August 15, will showcase the 24 most dedicated players from the most successful VLB season ever. These players have earned a spot on either Matt Veto’s “Meteors” or Josh Paul’s “Goonies” squad. They will play a game under the lights of Modern Woodmen Park — a Single A ball field that is just as luxurious as some AAA fields. While the rosters won’t be finalized until after this weekend, the night game will feature at least nine rookies making their VLB showcase debuts. Commissioner Veto will address the crowd and hand out player awards at around 6:30, with the game starting around 7pm.
Cost to enter Modern Woodman Park on August 15 is just a canned food donation. In the last three years,
Veto League has collected over a half ton of canned food, donated locally to the River Bend Food Bank. Veto League is hoping for another record of non-perishable food donations. Helping in the cause is Schnucks in Bettendorf. The owner of Schnucks, Ammar Mahmood, provided free advertising for the Veto League Showcase, as well as placing a donation bin at the front of their store in hopes that customers will help out the cause. At last check, at least a couple cases of goods have been graciously donated by shoppers.
Each fan who attends the night game and donates a canned good will receive a raffle ticket. Between innings, fans will have an opportunity to win prizes, ranging from golf to jewelry to dance lessons to food vouchers. Sponsors for these gifts include Palmer Hills Golf Course, Necker’s Jewelers, Quad City River Bandits, Quad City Mallards, Two Rivers YMCA, Noodles & Co., Hungry Hobo, iWireless Center, Davenport School of Yoga, Quad City Motion Dance Company, Tailz’ Er Waggin’ Bakery, and more.
Meanwhile, the post season is in full throttle as Reese’s “Playaz” swept Tony Zier’s “All-Stars” in the Saukie division. Paul’s “Goonies” won the final two of the best-of-five series against Scott Ellefritz’s “Talons” in the Black Hawk division. The Playaz will host the Goonies this weekend in the scheduled best-of-seven World Series. Games will continue to be played at Douglas Park in Rock Island.
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