April 2020

 

 

 

To all our friends:

 

Our 13th Season thanks to you.  It seems like only yesterday {after we changed our name from Empire Softball Association} that we started the Queens Lighted Softball Association with 9 teams having a single field playing three nights a week. We now have over 50+ combined teams registered for our Spring / Summer program.  Wow....

 

Now we face the Corona Virus Epedimic {CoVid 19} which has virtually put a halt on our 2020

Spring / Summer program.  As we play the waiting game to see when NYC Parks & Recreation will allow the issue of permits, we can only hope that all are staying safe at this difficult time.

 

A lot of things around us have changed and new leagues continue to emerge, however the QLSA proudly was the first among most leagues in the implementation of an enhanced rule book

with 15 pages that are used in conjunction with ASA rules specifically and carefully drafted towards its' success.  As the league continued to grow after its' inception, the QLSA changed their web provider, created multiple divisions to ensure parity, along with creating two playoff brackets, multiple prize winners {rewarding teams finishing 1st, 2nd & 3rd in their respective divisions as well as playoff champions and runner-ups}, using player sign in sheets and player pictures as a non negotiable guage for playoff eligibility,  All Star game, Home Run Derby and seasonal awards, it appears that the QLSA was a trend setter! 

 

In order to negate any conflict of interest, umpires and staff are prohibited to play on a team under a QLSA banner.  In addition, to ensure parity, QLSA players/members are only permitted to play on ONE Sunday and / or ONE Weeknight team. They are also permitted to play in our "NEW" CoEd Division.

 

The QLSA prides itself as being "One of the most organized Leagues in NY" and this can be evidenced by its' Record Books and Lifetime Leaders, in addition to individual player and team statistics recorded from the 1st pitch delivered in April 2008. 

 

We have been asked to conduct indoor and outdoor tournaments during the off season as other leagues offer, but we balk at that notion and will not entertain that request unless it is initiated for the sole purpose of a fund raiser for charity {Cancer Society} or assistance of a family need due to tragedy.  

 

The organization continues to respect the loss of one of its' gallant leaders and celebrated its' 12th Allstar Game on July 10th, 2019 recognizing {as it does yearly} the 8th anniversary of Charles Martinezs' passing as well as the retirement of his jersey #28 from all Allstar games.  

 

The league has expanded its' umpire crew to 23 to meet the needs of the organization and incorporated a new look with hats to match their required uniforms as a token of appreciation for their loyalty which is forthcoming to them when we start up again. 

 

We are proud of the leagues accomplishments the past twelve seasons, in which their has been continued growth in all Divisions.  We started with a Spring / Summer Weeknight "under the lights" Division and after a few years incorporated a Spring / Summer Sunday "non lighted" Division. Having added Snoflake to our agenda a few years back, we had a Co-ED Division on the radar, to accommodate all that have been asking the past two seasons.  As registration held true, it became a reality in 2018.  

 

I want to take a minute to again, personally thank everyone {players, umpires, managers, coaches and SPONSORS} who participated in all or any of our past twelve year programs and once again helped “keep us on the map” by putting the name of the league out there and making the QLSA successful.  I thank ALL THE TEAMS as a whole, but special thanks to many Teams {NY Hitmen, Los Leones, Queens Warriors, Flushing 46ers, Cardinals, Diamond Kings, Angels, Grippo's and Allstars to only mention a few as I wish I could list them all} for their continued loyalty to the QLSA.  

Believing in the leagues "Mission Statement" has always had a positive impact in our success, as we stayed focused and didn't let outside league distractions take away the sites of our goals.   

 

Once again, thank you for your continued loyalty and support. I promise that this years' program will be even better than last years and another one to remember.  

 

In closing, if you are not currently playing QLSA, I wish you continued success and good fortune in one of the other leagues in which you might be involved within the Greater NY area {including and not limited to Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island and Upstate NY}.  Maybe one day our paths will cross when you come over and check us out. 

 

We have many new surprises in store for 2020.  Hope you will join us and be part of it.  

 

 

RTR