Banquet 2012

The Banquet!!!

I love the banquet. 

I get to drink, make an ass of myself and clap for people winning awards.  Its like the Oscars minus the red carpet.  Its like the Espy's minus the professional athletes.  Its like the Country Music Awards without the chewing tobacco!

AWARDS

(Apologies for the Pictures, I've done what I could, thankfully got some contributions from elsewhere)

Most Sportsmanlike Player:

Each team elects one player that is acknowledged as their Most Sportsmanlike Player (MSP) for best exemplifying the values of our League; Sportsmanship, Friendship and Fair play.  Like all awards, there is more to this than the few words above.  There may be a significant contribution the person made or volunteerism or single incident/event that would sway a team's vote. 

Regardless with the overall character of this league and its members, this award is rarely won on a landslide vote from what I've seen, because most every team has multiple people that are worthy recipients. 

Finally, this particular award is big! I believe its a true honor because it represents the spirit of our league and how we aim to be perceived as a group.   Not to get too touchy-feely, I think its the character that this this award demonstrates that keeps so many people coming back year, after year.  And if you ask Rob Hayward, its every bit as important as a championship jacket. Personally, I would tend to agree with that assessment.

Banshees                        Dan Chiasson

Dan Chiasson almost took a year off from ball in 2012, we're all glad he didn't!  In game 8 of the year Dan came back and went 2/3 for the Banshees.  Danny played great ball for the Banshees this season, but his impact was felt between right field and the Legion parking lot.  Dan's chatter on and off the field makes him a favourite to play with and against!  Congratulations Dan!

Beer Bros.                    Dennis Short

If you get Dennis, you usually get Carol-Ann to games as well and that's a great thing because she can translate.  Dennis takes a lot of ribbing about no one understanding what he says, but he says he doesn't mind.  At least we think that's what he said.  Dennis will play anywhere or bat anywhere to help his club and has the same demeanor whether ahead by 10 or down by 10.  Richly deserved!  Cheers Dennis!

Brew Jays                       Rob Hayward

This is Rob's 2nd consecutive MSP.  If there was a manual on "being the perfect team mate" it would have all sorts of Rob Hayward examples.  Rob's has credibility that comes with being a good player and he uses the voice that gives him to mentor other players.  Rob elevates everyone he plays with, making newer players more confident and smoothing out the wrinkles of those who aren't quite as even keeled.  Well earned Rob!
 

Dislocated Joints             Derryl Gaudet

Derryl is as fine a gentleman is he is a pitcher; and he's a pretty fine pitcher!  Derryl understands how to play ball 'the right way', setting up defenses, having a plan and being prepared.  Honestly, lots of guys do that, but Derryl separates himself when the plans don't work out.  Instead of lamenting and making someone feel worse about an error he is the first to pick them up and help them shake it off.  Way to go Derryl!

Dodge City Rounders   Scott Peters

Everyone on this list has at least one distinguishing characteristic.  In the case of Scott, what stands out for me is how plays the game with humility which the rest of the team embraces.  He can do amazing things in the field, on the bases and at the plate and does so without braggadocio that we often see in jest throughout the league.  He puts himself on the same level as every player on the team.  A very deserving award Scott!

 

Dog Catchers                Bob Pearce

Mr. Everything, Bob Pearce.  He pitches, he plays short, he plays second, he plays outfield, he hits everywhere and he plays for every team!  Bob could win the league version of this award because he's played for everyone.  He has a quiet comedy about him that everyone enjoys, when he speaks its almost always followed by laughter.  Even his email address is funny!  Congratulations Bob!

 

Dusty Cleats                  Kevin Boston

This is Radar's 2nd consecutive MSP. Kevin loves this league. It comes through easily in conversations and its clear that he holds the league in high regard and is very protective of it.  Not that he doesn't want to win with the teams he's with, quite the contrary; Radar is very competitive.  But he's competitive with a "league first" perspective that resonates to all those around him.  Excellent to see you recognized again Radar!

 

Grisslies                           Dave Doucette

Mr. Grisslie!  Dave's baseball is improving year over year.  The defense is making strides and the bat is already very dangerous.  Dave is a quiet supporter of the league.  Never misses a game and attends more than he plays.  That isn't easy.  He is always trying to find resources from within the league for renovations or repair...he supports our guys.  But more than everything, he represents the "Grisslie Way", League before Team, but the Team is an extremely close second.   Congratulations Dave!

Hot Tub Woody's       Jeff Dancey

We had way too many season ending injuries this year and possibly only one was uglier than Mr. Dancey's.  The fact that he continued on coaching the team for the second half of the season while injured is pretty cool. The fact that he'd say "that's what a captain is supposed to do" tells you all you need to know about his character.  However, Jeff who has great opinions and insights on the league, is also a tremendous listener.  He listens to his players on issues of the team and league and isn't afraid of changes.  A job well done Jeff!

Hurtin' Units                Mike Olliffe

Another for the "how the mighty have fallen" category.  Michael was another irreparably damaged captain, that stuck it out playing the exclusively supportive role of coach.  He even tried his hand at score keeping, and realized that as a score keeper; he's a good coach.  Mike's affable demeanor makes him an excellent guy to play with and for.  He supports his team and makes sure that the game is kept 'just a game'.  Nice reward for one of the really good guys in our league!

Lucky Stiffs                  John Barlow

This is John's 2nd consecutive MSP.  The Lucky Stiffs had a LOT of rookies this year!  Four rooks by my count.  And they had a great example to follow in John Barlow.  John is a hell of a ball player and a soft-spoken good man who demonstrates our values of fair play and friendship.  John, in my opinion, has a methodical manner about him on the field and that doesn't mean 'slow', it means 'calculated' and 'smart'.  And John is the same way verbally and his supportive words resonate throughout the team.  Nice work this year John!

Red Dogs                 Jon Hardy

An interesting case is Mr. Hardy.  Jon had never played baseball before this season and over the last 28 games he's been elevated to "this guy needs a nickname" status.  Jon instantly took to the the league and the league instantly took to Jon's warm, engaging, sporting and eminently courteous and respectful way.  Its extremely rare for a rookie to win this award, job well done.  Brilliant first year Jon, see you back in the spring!

 

Rusty Rebels               Bill Sallustio

Bill Sallustio becomes the 5th player that I've played with over the last 3 years to win the MSP this season.  Bill is a terribly deserving recipient of this honor and I'm thrilled that his Rebel team mates recognized his contributions.  Bill is supportive of his mates but he does it in such a quiet way that it can be overlooked at times.  He's also funny as hell but is one of the rare folks who doesn't need a huge audience.  He'll crack you up 1 on 1 and everyone else will wonder what they missed!  Way to go Bill, very happy for you!

Gruesome Devils            Mike Douglas

The rookie captains on the Devils had the bonus of having Mike Douglas on their team.  Like many of the others on this list Mike is supportive of his mates, but he brings to the table such a common sense approach that it helps keep everyone else grounded.  He has a way of instilling calm and not letting 'the moment' become overwhelming.   Congratulations Mike!

Tap Masters                     Dwayne Comer

Our second Rookie to win the MSP this season is Dwayne Comer.  Rookies winning this shouldn't be taken lightly, its a pretty big deal and I think (hard to find documentation) its been 4 years since its happened.    Dwayne's approach to the game, to team mates and the opposition can best be described as disarming.  He has a natural ease about him that's genuine and that's why people gravitate toward him.  We'll see you back for another season after the snow is gone Dwayne, Tip of the Hat to a great first year!

Mike Ellis Memorial Award:

For the most improved player in the league.   This award is one of our few real baseball skill awards.  The type of skill varies from year to year and winner to winner.  This year's winner, Clayton Avery, has plenty of skill.

In 2011 Clayton had a very good season hitting .680 for the year, but in 2012 he ratcheted it up by breaking the .800 mark and finishing with an .803 average.  On top of that, Clayton bounced around between the infield and outfield and did a great job with both give the Hurtin' Units mulitple defensive options.  Contrats Clayton!

 Jamie McClean, Clayton Avery

Nellie Award:

The Nellie plaque reads:  "Never say never", "Enjoyment of the sport", "Laughter for all", "Longevity - stay with it", "its never I - its we", "Errors are allowed".  For the team that was the most fun to play against, the team that had the most fun and demonstrated the true spirit of the league.

There are now three teams that have won consecutive Nellie Awards and those are the 2009 and 2010 Dodge City Rounders and the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Hot Tub Woody's who, obviously, won three in a row.  Those two teams and four great captains now have company as the Grisslies have won the Nellie for the second time.  

This award is given based on voting by all players throughout the league.  It is an honor to win this.  Its like an MSP for an entire team.  Rob plans the start of the season around the characteristics of the Nellie.  You can't plan to "win" it; if you do it'll be contrived and you'll fail.  But everything you do should be done with these traits in mind and then allow some creativity and stupidity to creep in.  It doesn't mean that you won't make mistakes along the way.  That will happen and you try to recover as best you can while using these characteristics as a guide.

There are 10 reasons (see the roster) why they Grisslies were fortunate enough to be named to the honor, its the players who really make it happen; but there are 3 main reasons:   1.  Dave Doucette - Getting him for a second consecutive year and being well indoctrinated into our goofiness had him contributing to and leading in much of the tomfoolery.  2.  Dave Argue - Getting him for 3rd consecutive year, this Dave added some fresh ideas to the goofiness and was a chief contributor in the 'embarrass Doug' day.  3.  Bob Smith - The mid season acquisition of Bob breathed new effort and energy into our shenanigans.  Its was Bob's second year in a row with the Grisslies and he had an expectation of messing around that had to be met.   

According to Rob Farah, "Next year....we're planning an Umpire's night!"  Stay tuned.

Art Sagert, Jeff Sagert, Dave Argue, Rob Farah, Dave Doucette, Doug Dwyer, Gary Basso, Lance Horgan, Bob Smith, Jamie McClean

The RCL Branch 329 Trophy;

The Trophy is awarded to the regular season champions.  This was presented to the Brew Jays for their 18-6 record over the regular season.  They lead the league in runs scored and plus / minus and were an offensive Juggernaut having no player hit under .600 for the entire season.  Congratulations!

Dave Fleming, Roger Gaudet, Bo Niederhuber, Piero Del Greco, Jamie McClean, Dave Polny

Playoff Champion Runner's Up:

For second place in the playoffs.  This was presented to the Brew Jays.  Despite dropping their first two playoff games by a combined 29 runs, the Brew Jays fought back and went on a memorable run to the finals.  They won their final two "must win" round robin games to stay alive, an elimination game, an epic 5-1 quarter final game and a semi final game to reach the final.  Great run Brew Jays!

FRONT:  Bill Cloutier, Tito Presenza, Rod Duggan, Roger Gaudet, Bo Niederhuber,

BACK: Matt Foerster, Dave Fleming, Rob Hayward, Jamie McClean, Lynn Foerster, David Polny, Piero Del Greco

The Ken Riggs Memorial:

Len Wercholoz, Paul Piellusch, Brad Smith, Dennis Short, Winston Gayle, Lou Conforti, Larry Goosney, Peter Holmann, Al Bales (possibly), Dennis Pendlebury, Steve Ross, Neil Pendlebury

This Trophy is awarded to the playoff winning team.  This was presented to the Beer Bros.  It has come to my attention (via a league historian) that a couple of other teams have 'run the table' in the playoffs.  However, this was still a run for the ages.  The Beer Bros. were perfect in the round robin scoring an average of 13 runs per game while giving up only 7.25.   In the quarters, semi and finals the average moved to 13.6 for; to 7 against.  They almost impossibly got better as the competition got better.  Way to Beer Bros., congratulations again!

FRONT: Dennis Pendlebury, Steve Ross, Paul Piellusch, Piellusch bat-boy, Dennis Short, Lou Conforti, Winston Gayle, Gayle bat-boy

BACK: Neil Pendlebury, Al Bales, Peter Holmann, Len Wercholoz, Larry Goosney, Brad Smith

Diamond Award:

This league award goes to the individual for the whole of their contribution to the Tottenham Old Timer's League.  This award was presented to Doug Dwyer....

I had heard from one of the captains during the playoffs that their team had voted for me for the Diamond Award.  I was a little shocked to hear that but I was more honored.  I tried to put out of my mind; which was pretty easy to do, because I never exepted it to go any further than a kind comment from kind person.  Then I got caught off guard.

This one is tough for me.  I'm an admitted smart ass and my few attempts at sincerity over the years have smacked of being either contrived or disingenuous.  The last thing that I want to do is say anything that seems even the tiniest bit unappreciative.  So here I go taking that risk and hoping for the best.....

I'm not going to win a Nobel Prize a Pulitzer or an Oscar.  This is all those things for me and I don't deserve this award.  I don't feel I'm worthy of it at all.  There are many peers mine, Captains, executives and volunteers, who have contributed to the character, development and success of this league for much longer than I and better than I; who think merit being recognized.  

Further when I look at the list of past winners and just highlight those that I know; Bob Candy, Jim Mannell, Roman Dansek, Ed Hopkins, Chris Ross, Jamie McClean and Steve Ross .... I'm simply not playing in the same league with them.  I don't belong in that group.  I know that, I'm interested in arguing about it.     

I'm passionate about this league.  There are probably 100 guys like me in that regard.  I sub a lot, but so do Booth and Pearce and a bunch of others.  I go games just to watch, but so do Farah, Gaudet, Doucette, Rouleau and a bunch of others.  I'm a captain like 29 other guys.  I'm not on the elected executive which puts me in the same grouping as 176 other guys.  So why me?

So it doesn't take a quantum leap of logic to think that I've been tapped on the shoulder for this award because of the BLOG you're reading now.  4,000 page loads four years ago, followed by 31,000, then 40,000 and this year looks like it'll finish with 50,000+.  It staggers me. But the truth is that it isn't "me".  Its only doing well because there are readers.  "YOU" want it.  "YOU" make it popular.  The fact is that I'd put in the same time and effort if never grew beyond what I started with; having Doyle, Farah, Casullo and the 5 Grisslies and geeks with computers reading it.  Its changed.  That has happened because you've asked for change, demanded it even.

The BLOG has grown from 21 editions, to 44, to 75 and this year will be near 80.  Where it used to be only about the Grisslies, other teams are now featured.  Where only Grisslies were "abused", now there's a line up.  People contact me with ideas regularly.  It also features a stats only edition once a week which is only there because its been asked for.  In email, the Legion, on the diamond, in the stands; I hear, "have you thought about doing....", "have you heard about the game between......", "you should do a song about.....", "can you get stats on......".  I can't escape it; its consuming.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

There are already changes planned for next year and I'm sorry to have gone on as long as I have about the BLOG, but I can't help but feel that this is the reason for the Diamond Award.  The BLOG and I are seemingly intertwined and inseparable; which I think is okay except for the part where I'm cashing in on its popularity and that is the one thing that I play no part in.

So, I will commit to doing my best to keep this alive, to entertain you, inform you, make you laugh and make you groan.  And someday maybe worthy of this honor.

Humbly, you have my most sincere thanks.      

I can see now why 1/4 of the league calls me "Jamie", that's two pretty good looking guys!