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Happy New Year!

12/31/2014, 12:30pm EST
By Mike Mazzolla

Grateful for Banner 2014 Season, Looking Forward to 2015

Happy New Year!

As I've reflected previously on 2014, it's important to note that it presented new challenges for us to break through, and because of those we have become stronger moving forward. We truly believe we are building something special, and it all starts with our foundation; our players. In 2014 you supported our efforts, stood by our side and made us the successful league that we are today. We work to make your experience the best it can be. The countless hours spent building our model and presenting a league offering that is incomparable on the market is not easy to do. Recently somebody questioned our goals, why we put so much effort into creating something so special... and the answer is simple, we want to transform what amateur baseball is in NJ, we don't want to just exist as a league, we want to be the best we can be and that requires work, hours and effort. You know the old saying "if you want to win the position, you have to train harder, work harder and play better than your competition", well that mentality applies to our business too. We love the game of baseball and want to see it played to the standards we believe in, to give our players the experience they won't find elsewhere. 

I respect competition, and think that without it leagues would be boring because people would just "get comfortable". I don't ever want to be in a position where things slack off because we got tired of tweaking our model and our sights fell squarely on profits. I think that to build something special, you have to be willing to take risks to get ahead. When you take those risks and they pay off, there are always people jealous who will go to great lengths to try and ruin those rewards you sacrificed to achieve. It's sad to see, but flattering in the same regard.

Looking ahead at 2015, I can tell you it's going to be an exciting year. We fully expect to have 70+ teams again across all levels of play, and right now we are sitting on 28 league deposits and it is not even January1st yet. This time last year, we had roughly 17 accounted for. 

We plan to introduce our South Amateur finally, with an expected 10-12 teams rounding it out in its first season. Our North Amateur may split into 2 leagues which is still being determined. Interest is what will create that new level of play, but with the early trending, we are expecting nearly 30 Amateur Teams in 2014. Additionally, we will increase our stadium dates with TD Bank to meet demand, and will be represented there about 18-20 times in 2015 (For those looking to lock in dates, please contact sooner than later as it is first come, first served)

In 2015 we are introducing a League Championship Prize, a league Scholarship Award and some minor changes to increase the play within the league for regular season & playoffs. These will become traits that will define who we are on the diamond and in the community. 

We fully expect to have 10+ new teams join the league, which could swell to as many as 20 when all is said and done. 

In 2015, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is coming to NJ to battle the NJABL in an exhibition you will not find anywhere else. Literally a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against some of our countries war heroes. It's a unique opportunity like that which cannot be compared. 

More information will be released shortly, but keep spreading the word... our players are our biggest voice & source of marketing, and we appreciate and are thankful for you all. Happy New Year... see most of the managers on Jan 25th, and hope to see you all on the field for us in 2015

-Mike

Tag(s): Blog