First, a reminder that the mission of the MSSL is "to promote friendship among men of Jewish families through sport."  Pretty simple but meaningful.  Please note that "promoting friendship" is underscored and is the main purpose of the League.

Second, we wish to congratulate Temple Beth Avodah1-Newton for winning the the 2009 Kiddush Cup Championship! 

Third, if you are a member of LinkedIn, please join the MSSL Professionals group that was started last year.  Also, please promote the group to your players.  Nearly 600 men of Jewish families is a powerful group to belong to and to network within.  Thanks.

Fourth, as a reminder, the MSSL is a no-contact League.  The responsibility not to make contact is the runner's -- even if a fielder is not abiding by the rule not to block the base or path of the runner.  If any contact is made, other than incidental contact, the umpires have been istructed to call the runner out, and if the contact is intentional, or meant to intimidate, or is avaidable, the player may be ejected from the game, and he/his team may face further disciplinary action by the League. 

Fifth, coaches should explain the Sportsmanship Rule that replaced the Slaughter/Mercy Rule last year.  In essence, the Sportsmanship Rule says that if a team opens up a lead 12 points or larger, that team will face a progressively increasing handicap if the lead continues to widen (first, only 9 players in the field, and if the lead continues to widen then the leading team will have only 2 outs at bat rather than 3.)  This also has playoff implications as the tie breaker rules have also been modified.  No longer is the third tie breaker the largest differential in runs, but the average differential closest to zero runs.  Bottom line: DON'T RUN UP THE SCORE.

Sixth, you should have all received an email indicating that in cases in which a player is unemployed or deeply under-employed, the League will pay that players fee.  Please see that email, call Rich Pomper or Bob Alperin, or talk to you coach for details of how to take advantage of the subsidy.

Seventh, there are 36 teams playing in the League this year.  There are four divisions with 9 teams each (i.e., Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa & Eilat).  The regular season is will consist of 9 games.  Each team will play every other team in their divisdion, plus one interdivisional game. 

Eighth, please remember that each home team is required to bring twoor more cases of bottled water on ice in a cooler to the game and share it with the visiting team.

Lastly, the 2010 season begins Sunday April 18, 2009 and will run for 9 consecutive Sundays.  The 10th Sunday (June 20th) will begin the first of four rounds of playoffs.  The first round of playoffs (sweet-16 will be made up of the top 4 teams in each division), is followed the next Sunday by the Quarter-finals (June 27th).  The Semi-finals will be played in the month of July and will be scheduled by the 4 teams in semi-finals.  The Kiddush Cup Championship Game will be held at a neutral field, and at a date & time that is convenient for the two remaining competing teams.    

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

Otherwise, have a enjoyable and safe season, and we’ll see you on the field!

Best regards,