Softball program requires many sacrifices

In reply to the complaints of Stacy Ramirez printed in the OA on July 6, I think I have calmed down enough that I won't say things too terribly ugly, though she wasn't so kind or considerate.

Her comments are the classic example of someone mouthing without being informed of the situation. I guess, "the buck stops here" as I am, and have been, the president of our softball corporation for more than 10 years and a volunteer for more than 25.

I am a volunteer, as are most of our workers. Our paid people are umpires, concession workers, one field maintenance person, one office aide and the woman who does all our government and tax reports. Due to the fact that she volunteers far beyond her elected duties, she probably doesn't make 25 cents an hour.

I am going to try to answer Stacy's "for instances" in the order she complained:

1) New dirt has been added on all eight fields yearly for the past several years at the least cost of $5,000 per year. To properly spread the dirt, we purchased a large leveler ($3,500-plus). We also purchased a new tractor when our old one bit the dust, so to speak. We purchase a four-wheeler, golf cart and field drags, on a continuing basis. We buy the water hoses, sprinklers, chalk and marking equipment, replace all bases, pitching rubbers and home plates as needed (on all eight fields), office equipment and supplies and furnish two concessions with ice machines (and repair), refrigerators, microwaves, and paper goods - all of which are increasing in price steadily.

2) There are eight scoreboards, four of which are more than 10 years old. Lights are replaced when possible - though there also are electrical problems that must be addressed by the city. And usually are. If Stacy would like to volunteer to replace bad bulbs on a more frequent basis, we have a ladder and bulbs for her to use. Or, as we discussed at our meeting last week, she can advertise or solicit advertisers at $4,500 each to replace the scoreboards.

3) There are holes in our outfields. We are close to the prairie dog compound at UTPB. Same answer - if she or her husband would like to volunteer, we'll furnish the buckets of dirt and shovels to refill them on a regular basis.

4) The area she refers to as being for protection nets from foul balls is an area we installed for shade. It does need a new shade installed, but it was never intended for any protection except from the sun.

5) We do have trouble-keeping umpires but are in the ongoing process of recruiting more. Some of our players are not kind to our umpires. They have been insulted, assaulted and threatened consistently. As a result, we have suspended several players - some for life and others for five, three, two or one years.

The last two men I asked to sign on as umpires replied, "you can't pay me enough to put up with all the c--" and "there are too many cry babies out here."

You would think they were playing the World Series. Seems like the most "crying" and griping comes when they lose a game. It's either the umpires' fault or the field conditions, or something else. Don't come upstairs and yell at our staff for whatever excuse. Learn to play better! Take your losses as an adult.

6) We do have several leagues, men's, women's, coed industrial and churchmen's and coed. We play four games on each field Sunday and play all week through Friday nights. We have tournaments on Saturdays when possible.

For each league and tournament, we give at least three place awards (trophies and T-shirts).

7) We must sanction each team with ASA at $10 per team and with USSSA at $35 per team and we have to furnish UTPB and the city each with a $1 million liability policy - from both ASA and USSSA.

8) I'm sure she and her husband have been to nicer complexes (and some not so nice), most of which are maintained by city crews entirely and not mostly by volunteers. She might plea to the higher sources to provide our Parks Department with a bigger budget. They do pay electricity and water bills, mow and water and make major repairs. The rest is ours to do.

9) The wives have no need to "holler" to the umpires for the score or time. We furnish each team each season with a scorebook and ask that they provide their own scorekeeper. If the scorebook is too complicated, there are scraps of paper one can draw a vertical line and mark the proper side when someone scores. Then they can quit "hollering" and let everyone enjoy the game.

10) If some teams choose to go 20 miles to play on "real fields," so be it - as long as they take their griping wives with them. I am told that 20 miles east has a sizeable starting fund each year provided by the city and two sources of matching funds.

I am sure I have omitted some of "where your money goes." We have yearly copies of financial reports we furnish Uncle Sam and the City of Odessa.

In conclusion, we are always asking for volunteers and have had some success lately. Stacy is welcome to volunteer. If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problems.

She might consider thanking people for their effort and time from their own lives to provide a place to play!

Mabel Powell
President
Odessa Softball/Sports Unlimited Inc