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Post by veto on Sept 2, 2008 14:30:40 GMT -5
On Sept. 15, the VLB will play on its largest stage in history.
Modern Woodmen Park (formerly John O'Donnell Stadium) has been secured for the 2008 night game. The game will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. I'm inviting all of you, past and present, to come to the game and experience the atmosphere.
The same methods for night-game invitation will be used... 24 players will be invited based on the number of games they came to in 2008 and playing time will also correspond with attendance.
There are still four more weekend dates before the night game to add to your attendance totals. (From now to Sept. 15, we'll attempt to play every Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 a.m. at Ridgewood Field, behind Ridgewood Elementary School in Rock Island/Milan.)
The 24-player cutoff is unclear at this time. Our statistician had his computer die on him and must wait for a new tower to be delivered before re-accessing his hard drive and the statistic totals. That is one reason for the delay in stat updates on the Web site (www.thevlb.com).
While 24 of us will play in the game, everyone is welcome to dress for the game, pick a dugout to sit in, warm up on the field, run the bases, whatever you like. It's a rare chance for us to play on a Minor League field, and while I want to reward those who were consistent in 2008, I don't want to deprive anyone that has played in the past the opportunity of having this experience.
So, mark your calendar, get the date off if you work, and spread the word to family and friends. RSVP's would be handy, (and I hate them as much as you).
I hope to see you all there.
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Post by barton on Sept 2, 2008 16:24:17 GMT -5
might be there this weekend, im not sure yet it depends on work. im out sat for sure, but sunday is a maybe, who else is in for this weekend?
Veto, i just want to say i appreciate you giving us the opporunity to play ball, what ever you need helpwise to set up let me know, i will help with whatever i can thanks veto! also are we still raising money for JDRF?
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Post by Jeff Kilgard on Sept 2, 2008 20:48:41 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say the league needs a decent amount of money itself. We are in desperate need of baseballs and its probably time for a new bat, that'll be at least $200 right there. The league makes very little money on uniform sales, most of the money made comes from the night game. Although it was nice to raise money for JDRF a couple of years ago, I believe we can put any money made to good use in the league itself.
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Post by JP on Sept 3, 2008 23:58:14 GMT -5
I will be there for both games this weekend. I'm not sure what Veto is planning to do, but renting Modern Woodman is going to cost us a bit. It's not overpriced by any means, but for 2.5 hours, I'm estimating our cost will be about $250. With 24 players, that'd only be about 10 bucks a player, which isn't much to most of us, but might be tough for some guys to scrounge up. If you're willing to spend a little extra money, please do so.
Any money we collect beyond the field cost will go into the fund. Heck, where else are you going to get $25's worth of entertainment for a summer of fun?
Night game should be great. I'm really looking forward to it.
On a side note, I thought it might be a good idea to do a canned food donation or maybe $1 donation for admission into the game? All proceeds could go to John Lewis Coffeehouse? That would help us to spread the word and help out the community. Just my thoughts.
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Post by ellefritz on Sept 4, 2008 1:01:31 GMT -5
I think they just announced last week that John Lewis will be shut down in like a month.
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Post by veto on Sept 4, 2008 2:34:48 GMT -5
Even so, I like the canned good idea. There are certainly shelters other than John Lewis that can benefit from something like that. Good idea, JP.
I'm under a serious crunch from the beginning of the prep season, dealing with previews and gamers and trying to live my life, so I'm definitely going to need help. Here's my plea. We need a PA announcer, a griller, someone to collect canned goods and hand out raffle tickets, raffle items, two concession workers and any other odds and ends jobs you can think of.
I can bring the grill, but we'll need tin foil, two coolers, condiments, hot dogs, buns, pop, ice, baked goods in baggies and napkins.
I'd really like someone to step up and organize concessions. Jon Escajeda has been the man in that capacity in the past, but he works nights now, and will likely not be able to make it.
HELP!
As for field cost, I'm going to ask for $15. The lights are not at a fixed energy cost, so that should cover us for the night game and give us some extra cash for a bat for next year and a few dozen balls (which we obviously need).
JP, get in touch with me when you have updated stats.
I'll be in Crete, Ill. (south of Chicago) for the Rocks game on Friday, and will be driving back late, so I may be pretty tired on Saturday. The more guys you can get confirmed to come, the less I'll have to work to call everyone in the morning.
Thank you guys. You make this league happen!
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Post by barton on Sept 4, 2008 5:32:07 GMT -5
ill see what i can get melissa to do, also i am willing to give $30 if necessary, as far as coolers i think i have two decent size ones we can use for pop and such i could also get a couple of 24 packs of pop if need be let me know if thats allright
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Post by veto on Sept 4, 2008 11:45:37 GMT -5
That's great!
Kiel, any chance I could name you concessions coordinator? Just organize a list of what we need and who is bringing what? That would help a crap ton. Naturally, you can put me down for stuff. I've got the grill and a mostly-filled propane tank. I've got tongs, too.
Let me know if that's cool.
Jeff, as our treasurer, may I put you in charge of sending out shirt/hat order requests and filling them? I have a new crop of shirts ready to print, but I need someone in charge of merchandising who will actually pursue the order. Let me know.
JP, I'd like someone in charge of organizing a list of physical people needs -- what bodies do we need to run things? You are good at talking with people, so if you could brainstorm on who could fill those spots, that'd be great. I know Shelby and Lindsay have helped in the past, and that's been awesome. Let me know.
Ellefritz, each year I buy about $20 of raffle items to raffle off to our fans. I like the idea of giving each fan a raffle ticket for free. They are, afterall, coming to watch a sandlot baseball game. Would you mind seeing how far you can stretch that 20-spot with some raffle ideas? The league will repay you, unless you wish to donate, as I did last year.
Those would be my hopeful assignments. Please let me know if you have any issues. I'll send out e-mails to you with the VetoLeague account information.
Thanks guys.
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Post by Jeff Kilgard on Sept 4, 2008 23:09:44 GMT -5
You'll have to fill me in on everything. My records are all very old in terms of the league financial situation and I have no clue who's ordered what and for that matter who some of those people even are. $15-$20 is a good number for game participation. The concessions have brought in decent money over the past 2 years as well, I see no reason why that would change this year. A $400 haul shouldn't be out of the question. That should cover the field ($250), a couple dozen baseballs ($75), and a new bat ($75). Also I was thinking maybe the league should invest in an extra left handed glove ($40) for those situations that occur from time to time.
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