Let The Summer Begin…By Harry Ballsonue
With the Board of Directors meeting done and put away, the Tomcat season comes to an official close. There will be leaving players exposed for the expansion draft and of course, the draft and then free agency, but for the most part, it is done.
As a member of the press, media & blogger world, I was not allowed in to the Board room for the B of D meeting but just like everyone I read the minutes of the meeting. Another super season for the Tomcats and the second highest ever, as far as revenue is concerned. The share holders will be singing the praises of Rocky, Hurricane not so much as he would like to see that money spent! Spent and now!
According to reports, a super fantastic start of the season gift is to be provided at the $50 dollar start up fee. “I was going to retire, save my legs for walking when I’m 60”, stated Stevo, “But this great ‘start of the season gift’ has me intrigued, has me considering playing another year”. Stevo said.
I was surprised at the low turn out for the meeting, Stalwarts such as Kamikaze and Sheep Dog were not there, I was told that some wanted to attend but had conflicts in their schedule. The meeting has been held on the first Tuesday of May for 20 years for those looking at planning ahead for next year.
I am being told that Hollywood took time off from work to attend the meeting, now that is commitment. There should be 20 guys at that meeting in my opinion.
Speaking to players ‘in the know of hockey’ goalie sticks are not a good idea. “They cover enough net, having them hold a goalie stick will prevent even more scoring from occurring”. Stated several players who asked not to be mentioned.
What about giving goalies goalie sticks and using the bigger nets? There is an idea.
As far as new guys being recruited, do Tomcats really need new guys or just more of commitment from the ones that they have. New goalies YES. Sign Skuz and The Terror to long term deals and see what Skippy is going to do with himself next year. If Hollywood plays goalie more, then sure look for one more guy, maybe this new fella Rickie fills that void.
Maybe Sunny and Beep can find a new goalie or at least find out what Razor is going to be like next year injury wise, personally I missed him out there this year. I hope he comes back.
Rocky’s idea about a goalie who can play out is ideal and a guy like Skuz is perfect. So maybe the main four next year can be Falcon, The Terror, Razor, and the new guy Beep and Sunny will find, with Hollywood Pecker, Skippy, Chico, Skuz and Danish filling in when short
Where are they now? Falcon is the only steady goalie playing.
ROUGH PLAY was addressed. From what I saw it was not too bad this past year….But Rocky, Hollywood Pecker, Sparky, Sunny, Doc and Snowpants are in charge of making a call when it comes to a player being too rough. But is that enough?
One thing that they need to keep their eye on is hacking at the goalie, that needs to stop, do you really need to score that badly to hack at a goalie?
Doc gets into a slight scuffle with May Day
Rocky felt the frustration of guys cancelling last minute on him. The Board of Directors has now levied a 12 pack as a fine for not showing up and not calling, excellent idea, but why not just be courteous to Rocky and text him earlier.
And why not something like this, if you cancel the day of, say after the noon hour, then you are automatically out for the following week of play? May have people thinking twice about cancelling on the Tomcats last minute.
Snowpants put this together in Snow…..Tomcats Forever
Over all, the season was good and Rocky did a great job in his first year, the hockey is for you the player, not for Rocky the organizer or Tunzie the beer cooler filler, its for you the player….you come out because you enjoy the hockey and the guys. If you never heard of the Tomcats what would you be doing on a Tuesday night? You certainly would have 15 less tee shirts.
Also, and this is a BIG ONE……Jump in and help set up and tear down, be part of the solution, no part of the problem.
I am also hearing, Sparky did a great job, ‘food wise’ at the Board of Directors meeting.
While you are looking of the photos of the tussle and thinking to your self, “Hell yeah, what would I be doing with myself on a Tuesday’, and ‘ I would nt know any of these guys, not Tunzie, or Chevy or La Bamba or Falcon or Cribzie,’ do you think I can put my Harry Ballsonue