Re: [RELICS:3521] Abridged summary of westernmassrelics@googlegroups.com - 1 update in 1 topic

[Dan Zukergood]

I guess I needed to reply to this discussion regarding the breaking/bending of rules in the gold league. 

I agree with the sentiment that rules that are created by the league should be followed. 

I also agree that this is a gentleman’s league and we are here to celebrate and enjoy having the ability to compete against others our age who love the sport of softball. I’ve been a Relic for almost 20 years and have met so many wonderful guys in this league who I shake hands or hug with after every game. While we might do some good trash talking, behind it all is a respect and caring for each other.

A few months ago, I almost died of a malfunctioning ventricle in my heart. I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in my chest.  The doctors told me I could play after 6 weeks. However, when I played my first game , it hurt my chest when I hit the ball. I went back to the doc and he told me I  could run and play the field but not bat for another month. 

I knew that if I played the field, I would need to bat, according to our rules. I considered just staying home for another month and then realized that if someone on another team was in my situation, I would be happy to let him play the field and run for someone rather than just stay home or just watched the game. 

So I showed up for the next game. I spoke to the other coach and a bunch of guys on the other team and they had no problem letting me do this. 

I cannot tell you how happy this made me - to be back in the game again, even if I couldn’t bat. For every game I have played since then, members of the other team were so wonderfully supportive and were supportive of me playing the field and running. I was very moved. 

The point of this is that we are playing in a gentleman’s league. Are we competitive? Yes! Do we want to win? Yes! But do we also shake hands at the end of every game regardless of bad calls or mistakes? Yes! That’s what I love about this league. 

So, while I think most rules should be followed strictly, I think there are others that we can bend sometimes if both teams agree on it. 

And thanks to everyone who agreed to bend the rules to allow me to play. It is truly appreciated. I love this league and look forward to my month being up so I can step up to the plate without hurting myself. 

Best wishes,

Dan Zukergood

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On Jul 10, 2026, at 1:52 PM, westernm...@googlegroups.com wrote:



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• game I umpire - 1 Update

game I umpire

Thomas Nicholson <tomnich...@icloud.com>: Jul 09 05:16PM -0400 I’m totally disgusted with the Gold Division I umpired a game between Desperados and sultans of swing today. Apparently , if two coaches agree, Rules can be BROKEN..rules in Gold are broken, ...more

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[Bob Niemiec]

Well said, Dan. Well said.  The Silver division could learn a thing or two from this.

Bob Niemiec 

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