Sad Insider wishes you ...Peace and Long Life....Live Long and Prosper ... like his main man

Today Leonard Nimoy, Actor, Director, and 'Star Trek' Icon, Died at 83.

Yeah, I know another obituary. Sucks.

I will put out a softball and life blog this weekend, but today as a lifelong Star Trek nerd I just wanted to honor my favorite character/actor the best way I know how and wish you all

"Peace and Long Life and Live Long and Prosper"

Mr Spock Will Be Missed

Life is too short. Make it count. See you out there on the field soon.

RIP

Martin Josefski was a softball lifer.


He passed away over this last weekend from an apparent heart attack.As unique a character as any you'll ever run across, Martin was a fierce competitor who loved the game and every league in which he played. And they numbered quite a few.

2011 Turtle Rock Champions - Martin Standing Far right

The Insider and Martin may have clashed, but that's irrelevant and so meaningless now as your love for the game was undeniable and deserves respect.

Rest in Peace, Martin.

State of Emergency

New York/New Jersey is in a

as the Weather Sucks ass right now

This is weather what killed dinosaurs and made Caveman invent fire. It's miserable and flat out dangerous out there. It's a State of Emergency. Time to shut down, batten the hatches, and think ...... Softball. Of Course.

Thanks to years and years of perpetual Recidivism like behavior The Big Apple League  faces it own State of Emergency. The irresistible and harsh force of Softball Mother Nature has unleashed it's fury in the form of dwindling membership and has forced the league to adjust. Otherwise, like the dinosaur it will face extinction.

It took a while, but give the league credit for trying to survive  and I am working with Jeff, Jimmy, Rosenmiller to help save it.

There is a plan. There is hope.

The Idea: 2 Divisions:

(1) Classic league. - The "A" division will have teams that include the A pitchers that have pitched for the past several seasons.

(2) The Modified "M" division. A ban list will be created and ONLY pitchers that meet the strictest modified pitching guidelines will be allowed to throw. This is not final. Some names will be added. Some could be removed. It will all be decided before the season starts.

Who will be deicing the pitching in the M league?

Me. 

Yep.

Deal with it.

I will make good moves.

I will make mistakes. 

Bottom Line: I am probably the only sucker that will subject himself to such petty hate and drama because I wanna play and save the league. It's worth saving.

Work with me.

I will have final say on how the modified pitching rules apply and on the ban list in the "M" league. I will have in season help in deciding new pitchers.

What is my modified criteria? See below

• Pitchers must have one foot on the plate at the start of wind-up.
• Lifting of a foot from the pitching rubber and stepping back onto the rubber is considered to be rocking, and is illegal. Your first move must be forward
• The ball must not be outside the pitcher’s wrist on the downward motion and during the complete forward delivery. Pitchers arm or wrist may not be cocked at anytime during the wind up.
• Pitcher cannot open up shoulders and hip in motion. In other words, be parallel or near parallel to the baselines.
• Pitcher's arm "cannot be wide"on release. Details to follow.
• The arm may only go as high as the head on the back swing.
• The pitcher may take the ball behind the back on the back swing.
• The shoulders and driving hip must be squared to home plate when the ball is released.
• On the forward swing of the pitching arm, the elbow must be locked at point of release.
• The release of the ball must be on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip.

That's it. No more. No less. Work with me.

In addition, the league has lowered the league fee, which will now likely be at or below $1,000. Very reasonable considering the venue and length of season (24+ games). Good move

We are trying to retain core teams, recycle old teams, and recruit new teams. We are also not dumping the A "Classic" league . Many players love competing in this environment. Recruiting at this level is a challenge. The goal is to build two strong divisions.

If you know of a former team or a new squad that wants to return to either league please let us know (see below). The Meeting is Sunday, Feb. 22 from  2-6pm at  40 West 72nd St (Bancroft Bldg) 1st floor community room--check at front desk to find it. Mention Jorge Gonzalez who reserved the room.

We are not out of the Emergency, but a recovery is possible with help.


Please contact me at rickysoftball2@yahoo.com or Jeff Marcus at jeffmarcus6@hotmail.com.

Holler Back!!!!!

Let Play Two

Insider Salutes the beautiful life of Ernie Banks

He was famous for being great and saying Let's Play 2. He had the love. That's why he was loved.

Malo Pa Fuera .. Best/Worst 2014 and Beyond

It's New Year's Eve. Be careful out there everyone as it's strictly amateur and newbie night.

New Year's Eve is a bittersweet night, one year older, a new year ahead. It is also a night filled with many traditions like:

• Countdown
• Time Square
• Drinking
• Partying

Three of my favorite B96 New Year's traditions are:

1. Eating 12 Grapes at midnight, one for each month ahead, for good luck



2. Spinning Suitcase - It's tradition to grab a suitcase and spin it around in all directions as a symbol for safe travel. - LOL - Very hickish but funny

3. Malo Pa Fuera (my favorite)- filling a pot of water and throwing it our door. It symbolizes throwing out the past year's bad luck and starting anew

So ghetto - so fun

 So for my final blog of the Year I would like to do a Malo Pa Fuera for Softball 2014

Top Ten Malo Pa Fuera for Softball 2014

10. Candela - Thanks for ruining my Saturday's Softball Arod. Fucked up a good thing

9. Three Last Inning Championship Losses - Old School, Weintraub, and Old School Fall. "I've always said "losing hurts more than winning feels good". These always stay with you

8. Slumps and lack of Clutch Hits- Learn from it. Adjust. Overcome. Courage, Confidence

7. Big Apple League Shrinkage - Has to be corrected. Softball will not die on my watch.

6. Losing Al – He was a True Mensch

5. Lou 22 sick. Game needs that crazy maniac back.

4. Selfish People -I'm done with them. Team 1st only. Ironically, sometimes you have to selfish to put the team first. A mistake I've made for years.

3. Softball Drama - playing time, egos, inconvenience, head cases - Pa Fuera

2. Leaving the Rangers - it was mutually beneficial for both sides. Just something bad about how it all ended. Good people over there. Never got that Big Apple title for them.

and the #1 Malo Pa Fuera for Softball 2014

1, Unfairly Being Left Out - Sucks when you do well and left out b/c of politics or numbers game. I can understand loyalty, defense, or talent. But getting left out for "other reasons" is wack (see #4).

 SB Malo Pa Fuera!!!!!!!

Now while 2014 had its bad points I would be remiss and be an overall "Softball Debbie Downer" if I didn't mention many good people and moments as well like:

• Old School Upset of undefeated classy McHale's on Tuesdays
• Softball Cancer Tournament
• The Return of Inwood in Inwood
• Batting Title
• 2 Championships

And of course wonderful people and teammates like:

• Glenn R  - great guy
• Eric Brown
• Angelo Gonzalez - never thought he would make this list. I was wrong.
• Entire Choice Parts -Miranda, Chino, Mickey P, Francis, Mickey P, Eric Z , Kip, Sandy Clay, everyone, etc - everything just clicked
• Gil Jr - "Like Father Like Son" does not apply
• Jimmy Myers - Thorwback. 
• Old School Tuesdays - Richie, Andy, Kirk Albie and all the other crazies (including me)
• Chris "Kennedy" and Bob - Charter Fabric
• Entire Ronda's Grocery Team - Knuckle Lou was awesome. Thank you Dio and Blonde
• Jose "Skywalker" Martinez - great future
• Carlos Ramirez and Sito - just awesome A+ players
• Guby - yeah I love Guby even though he's Guby
• Jimmy, Joel. Jack, Paul many of the other locos
• Roberto
• Ralpha
• My softball sons - Christian, Many, Oliver

Going forward I've set my goals (will keep that private) but over the years I've learned a few things in softball/life that I will; apply in softball 2015 and beyond:

1. People - Be kind to the people on the way up. It's the same people you see on your way down. 
2. Softball is about winning, playing, challenges  - If that ain't happening get out
3. Like Ernie Banks famously said "You gotta be a man to play baseball, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you. “ so important
4. Follow the Love - good things will happen

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

HOLLER!!!!!!!!!!!