Olde Tymers Softball of Delmarva

Hal Alpiar seems to be having a lot of fun in Tennessee. Here's the latest (if you're looking for something to do next July, be sure to read to the bottom):

• After playing in a geriatric softball league (an hour drive each way at 70mph for 7am batting practice with guys who needed 27 minutes to hobble up to the plate . . . y’like all those 7’s?, I decided to switch my exercise to stretching, calisthenics, jogging in the park, and working in the yard. I miss the ball-field camaraderie but, so far, it’s worked out fine for exercise. The rest of my existence has been geared to reviving my “business, marketing, and entrepreneurship development coaching” (which I do weekly by phone and email with business owners . . . sales, marketing, management help). I continue to work on the sequel to my HIGH TIDE novel, and am this week finishing the year-long production of the video being made of my children’s book.
• Some other projects, but most consuming of all has taken up most of 7 days a week for 2 full years: working with my book publisher/writing/editor/artist/musician partner Valerie on the script and production of the Broadway-bound stage musical she created: FEARLESS! Numerous feedback comments on FEARLESS! compare it to a modern-day “Sound of Music.”
• Music and script revisions, staging, scripting, performance and business planning preliminaries are now done, and the world premiere is set for July 7,8,9,10 weekend and July 14,15,16,17 weekend at the modern big-stage Cookeville Performing Arts Center here in the historic old town section of Cookeville, TN (home of Tennessee Tech University, near waterfalls, caverns, canoeing, and a great assortment restaurants, just an hour east of 24/7 “Music City” Nashville and an hour west of Knoxville). · Valerie and I are currently in fundraising mode, searching for and meeting with some big-money patron-of-the-arts backer-types to help us pay the expenses for producing these performances (Yes, do call your RICH FRIENDS!!). But even before expected donations arrive, we are moving forward on our own . . . on confidence, encouragement, commitments from friends to spread the word online and in person (PLEASE and THANK YOU!) and . . . on a bunch of prayers.
• With Valerie as Music Director (not a performer) and me as Business Director (and you’ll be happy to know, I am also not a performer!), we have committed full energies to making the July debut a success. Theatre people from across the country—and of course many old NY/CT/PA/MD/NJ/CA/CO/IL/MI/VA (and yes, even DE friends!) —are expected to attend. We haven’t even promoted anything yet (just sent notes like this last night to some other close friends, and today to you), and have already received back over a dozen seat commitments, including friends traveling from Seattle, San Diego, Northern Connecticut, Michigan and NYC. We plan to set up a block of rooms at Hampton Inn.
• The entire “happening today” (Boomer Generation/Generation X) drama/comedy/love story is bawdy in parts but always “family friendly.” The theme is about making the most of all that we really only have: time. FEARLESS! is also all about the great Broadway-style music (24-piece orchestra includes 2 pianos!) with 33 stage performers and lots of dancing, some familiar arguing, lots of laughing and toe-tapping, a little crying, VERY inspiring, and tons of fun. Interested Broadway musical investors are talking about taking it to a NYC stage. Keep your fingers crossed!
• Bottom line: I KNOW it’s in the middle of the season, but a long weekend get-out-of-Dodge trip would –I GUARANTEE– be worthwhile. You don’t like the show?... I’ll pay for your ticket. The mountains, fresh air, slower pace, and friendliness alone might do you all some good. LOL.   If any of you are (or have friends who are) thinking about a Nashville area visit next July, click on www.FEARLESStheMusical.com for show details and to hear Valerie sing and play her own creations (which will of course be performed by many other voices in the show) . . . Anyway, if it seems even remotely possible, you or any OTS friends or families could do this, please let me know soon so I can put you on the “maybe” list in order to plan specific date seating in your name, and make sure seats will be available for one weekend or the other. (All can be changed before mid-Jan if need be.) Tickets are $15, $12 seniors, $7 students, $6 children 10 and under. A major chunk of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity. We expect sellout performances, and we would love to count you in (and certainly any of your family or other guests you bring) as part of that. Besides, it would be great to see y’all (like my new drawl?) again, and give us chance to catch up with each other!

Stay happy and healthy. (Praying for Frankie and Mike for quick recoveries). Keep up all the fun and hard play, Guys! And warmest wishes to each of you for blessed family holidays ahead. Best as always - Hal (Alpiar) P.S. If you have any questions or just want to hear me apologize for OTS lurking and abandonment, please just pick up the phone and call me: 931.854.0474. I’d love to hear from you and will return any message promptly.

Hal sent another note on 11/6:

Looking for something to do next summer as a break from softball— besides coming to the World Premiere of Broadway-Bound FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical in Cookeville, TN in July (7th through 10th and July 14th through 17th)?

Well, there’s nowhere you can get more entertainment for your money (and Hal will buy you a beer to boot!). BUT if you’ve been hiding big bucks and want to travel into the Big Apple summer sweat tank in June and empty your wallet, go for it. OR you can just enjoy the One World Observatory video link below by imagining yourself zooming up and down in the elevator (assuming you can afford it after getting mugged) and risk your neck (and other body parts) by going to New York City to see the real thing.

This is for sure a cool video: Take a tour of new One World Observatory - YouTube

BUT—for dollar value and excitement that lasts longer than an elevator ride—check out www.FEARLESStheMusical.com (play one of the love songs for your favorite female and ask if she’d be interested in seeing the World Premiere performance, then get ready to be hugged, kissed, . . .)   PLUS—for a third of the elevator ride price and a pleasant drive (once you’re past DC), FEARLESS! is hard to beat. Besides, you can still see Confederate flags flying, authentic rednecks, and eat lots of good ol’ boys spam, chitlins, hushpuppies, and fried green tomatoes, then kick back some good ‘ol Tennessee whisky – all of which will help you play softball much better than a miniature plastic Empire State Building or a pep talk from Jesse! 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015

Following the completion of tournament games this day, the Board of Directors met with all teams represented.

The first item was raising the age of entry to the league from 55 to 60. Any player under 60 who currently played this season or is registered to play fall ball will be grandfathered. The board voted to approve.

The second order of business was the review, assessment, and approval of player ratings as submitted by team managers and assistant managers. They will be used for referral and the draft in the 2016 season barring any unforeseen changes. Some players with health issues will be re-evaluated in the spring.

Respectfully submitted,

Carl Pierce 

After Day 4 of the tournament, Edward Jones is the only unbeaten team. There were 4 great games today.

3 more teams were eliminated today - Diamond Blade Tileworks, B and E Tires and  Fox's Pizza Den.

Here are today's results:

B and E Tires: 8 - The Starboard: 13

Fox's Pizza Den: 10 - Diamond Blade Tileworks: 6

Edward Jones Investments: 13 - Atlantic Orthopaedics: 7

Fox's Pizza Den: 14 - The Starboard: 15

There are at least 2 and possibly 3 games scheduled for Thursday.

If Thursday's games are rained out, they will be made up next Tuesday, 9/15.

The picnic will be held on Thursday, 9/10, rain or shine.

By virtue of being the only undefeated team, Edward Jones will be the home team in Game 24. If Game 25 is required, the winner of Game 24 will be the home team.

The updated bracket can be downloaded by using the Handouts link below.

Here are the updated bracket and schedule for Thursday: 

Two teams left in the winner's bracket, that is. Edward Jones and Atlantic Orthopaedic both beat higher seeded teams today to stay undefeated and in the winner's bracket.

Four more teams were eliminated today - American Legion, All Out Sports, Ocean View Family Restaurant and Colonial East. There are 6 teams left in the brackets.

Today's results:

American Legion Post #24: 3 - Fox's Pizza Den: 12

All Out Sports: 10 - Ocean View Family Restaurant: 11

Edward Jones Investments: 8 - The Starboard: 2

Atlantic Orthopaedics: 16 - Diamond Blade Tileworks: 7

B and E Tires: 7 - Ocean View Family Restaurant: 2

Colonial East: 8 - Fox's Pizza Den: 11

The bracket can be downloaded using the Handouts link below. Note that there are only 4 games on Tuesday.

Updated bracket and Thursday's schedule: