Jefferson George is an Observer business writer - and starting pitcher on the 2007 Media League championship softball team. Not long ago, he wondered: Is recreational softball suffering in the economic downturn?
Below is Jefferson's initial report, with a request: Give him a call if money has caused you to skip playing this year - or your company couldn't afford sponsorship.
Says Jefferson:
The outfield has been mowed. The infield is lined. Spring is here, and it's time to play ball.
But with businesses in nearly every industry going through layoffs, are there enough company softball teams to fill area leagues?
So far, yes, said Bob Caldwell, Mecklenburg County commissioner for the N.C. Amateur Softball Association. But the downturn definitely has curbed activity on the diamond, Caldwell told Observer reporter Jefferson George recently for an upcoming story.
The number of teams signed up this year for county ASA leagues -- which start play next week and go into July -- is down more than 13 percent from last year, Caldwell said. At least a half-dozen teams that aren't playing this year after previous seasons bowed out because company layoffs left them unable to field a full squad.
Participation by the hard-hit banks has been mixed. A longtime league of teams associated with financial institutions folded last year, Caldwell said. But Wells Fargo -- which bought Wachovia last year -- has more teams this season, up from four to seven.
Not every team in ASA leagues is sponsored by a company or organization, Caldwell said, but about 60 percent are. The rest are made up of people who pull together to cover the $525 team fee.
Have layoffs and tighter budgets led your company to drop softball this season, or field a smaller team roster -- maybe without that big home-run hitter -- than in previous years? Have you or someone you know decided against playing this season, saving the team fee for something else? Or is softball non-negotiable, and a vital diversion in these tough times? Share your story with Jefferson George at jgeorge@charlotteobserver.com or 704-358-5071.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Is company softball a recession casualty?
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14 comments:
First game is Wends. cant wait.
Meck County softball has gone down the drain ever since ASA took it over a few years back. It is more expensive, less games and 8 games are played over a span of 12 weeks. It is terrible. The leagues in neighboring towns are thriving.
You chose the wrong person to get a comment on your story. Bob Caldwell is an idiot. The county softball leagues have dropped every year since he took over. Interlink and Sports Connection fields far more teams than he does. I play in all 3 and the numbers don't seem to be down. If anything, it's cheaper to play softball on a weekly basis than going to the bars for entertainment.
Thanks for the feedback. (Although the name-calling isn't too cool.) Definitely want to hear from Interlink and Sports Connection and will track them down. Or send the best people from those organizations (and others) my way -- jgeorge@charlotteobserver.com or 704-358-5071.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the other comments about ASA/Bob Caldwell. I've played in numerous leagues and cities and Caldwell probably does the most unsatisfactory job of running a league. Teams/players seem inline this spring with previous seasons...no sign of a big dropoff.
Now thats getting serious. to hell with the Great Depression part II. Why do they call it softball? This is a large ball 2-3times bigger than a baseball and as hard but not weightwise played on a Little League sized field by high school and college girls.
Maybe its called soft because its for softies mostly company adults with beer guts and big butts but now its gone? Geesh. Times are bad.
Another sport to take a look at is the after-work company 9-hole golf leagues...or what's left of them. I used to participate in one but as the economy has tanked, some people feel strange even about the very cheapest twighlight walking rates at munis. Some of us still play, but the numbers went from about 30 to around 5-6.
Our company quit funding for things such as the company softball team, but we pay out of pocket to keep doing it because we have a good time. It's actually helped our team because only the dedicated people are playing now.
I'll bet money the 10:16 am poster cannot catch or swing or is 'that guy' that only gets to play 1 inning a game the one season he tried it.
"maybe without that big home-run hitter"
In all the adult softball games I attend, hitting one over the fence is an automatic out.
To add on to an earlier comment... How does this schedule sound? Play two straight weeks (once a week), Off for three weeks, come back and play one week, then off for two more weeks. Finish the season with 4 games in a row. That is a real ASA schedule for this season.
Anon 10:55 am:
Would like to hear more. Please e-mail or call when you have a chance. Thanks.
Jefferson
I'd like to know where someone who lives in Stallings can sign up for adult softball. It seems like all the leagues in Mecklenburg play so far away.
our company still pays for ours.
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