Given the unique situation we are in this
year, including loss of concession revenue and added expenses of field
rentals, please consider an additional donation to the league. You can
also help by participating in this year's
golf outing or by securing a new sponsorship.
Would you or your
business consider a WMLL sponsorship for the 2004 season? Or do you
know of an area business that you think would consider a sponsorship?
Please give WMLL
Board members
Bruce King (238-8005) or Derrick Smith
(831-0525) a call or send an email to
board@wmll.org to discuss possible sponsors or for more details on
sponsorship options and fees. Thanks! |
April 26, 2004
Opening Day for the Major League will be May 1 at Bowling Green complex
in Middleton. Same times and games as originally scheduled.
Central League opens on May 2 at Elver #4.
The following weekend (May 8 & 9), both leagues play at Elver #4. Same
times and games as originally scheduled.
April 22, 2004
Opening day games for Atlantic & Pacific Leagues (May 8 & 9) will be at
Van Hise Elementary School field, Segoe Road just north of Mineral Point
Road. Times & days are the same as originally scheduled.
April 21, 2004
The availability of Elver Park for weekend games for the Atlantic,
Pacific, Central, and Major Leagues in early May is now limited. Stay
tuned for revised locations--we're hopeful times and days will remain
the same.
March 31, 2004
Field access will be at 6:15 pm every day.
Importantly, this will allow for prompt 6:30 start times for games.
There will be enough daylight to play one game per night on the Minor
Field. The added 15 minutes will also allow us to finish games at more
reasonable times on the lighted fields. We've also worked out the
logistics for our routine maintenance and supply requirements -- field
preparation at WMLL, lawn mowing, deliveries to the concession stand,
etc.
March 25, 2004
Dear WMLL Families:
This letter is to inform you of a
very serious baseball facilities problem faced by WMLL for
the 2004 season. On March 16 the Board was informed by our
landlord, WMTV Channel 15, that we will be unable to use the WMLL fields
until 6:30 pm all seven days of the week. Between now and year’s end
WMTV and another station, WBUW Channel 57, will be constructing a new
transmission tower near the existing tower. The seven day per week
construction schedule, and insurance and safety issues mean no one will
be allowed on the fields until 6:30 pm. While the need for a new tower
has been long known, WMTV and WBUW indicate that a complicated
application and permit process moved forward much faster than
anticipated catching even them by surprise. They also assure us that
this is an issue for only this season; and that all will be back to
normal for 2005 and beyond.
The WMLL Board is continuing to meet with WMTV and WBUW, and both
stations indicate strong support for our program. It is also important
to stress that WMLL has had a very positive forty year relationship with
WMTV, a relationship which is crucial for the league’s future. We need
to continue and strengthen our relationship despite this one-time and
now unavoidable situation. There are still unknowns, but even
under the best of circumstances it appears that the WMLL baseball fields
will be available for fewer than half the usual number of games. While
there are significant financial implications, involving the loss of
concessions revenue, the Board’s
first priority is the season. We are working to find alternate baseball
playing sites and are reasonably confident that we can rent playing
fields from the city and the school district. Our goal is to play as
many games as possible on the WMLL fields and play games at alternate
sites to complete the season. This problem will not seriously affect
the softball program.
Our facility is a special place for all of us, and the setting is an
important part of the positive experience for players and families.
While we will be unable to completely duplicate this experience in 2004,
the Board will do all in its power to make the best season possible.
In this process we hope to have the cooperation, understanding, and
support of all WMLL families. However, should this situation lead you
to question participation in 2004 be mindful of the March 29 deadline
for requesting registration fee refunds.
Remember, dropping out after teams are selected causes serious problems
in efforts to balance teams and leagues.
To provide all WMLL families with as much information as possible
there will be a special membership meeting Sunday March 28 at 7
pm in the cafeteria at Queen of Peace School. The cafeteria is
in the church basement; enter via the main entrance of the church and
follow the signs.
Sincerely,
Harry Miller, WMLL President |
