Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots August 10th Edition

By Hartley Miller

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans” Author, Peter F. Drucker

Many Prince George ball teams spent their BC Day long weekend at elite tournaments throughout Western Canada. Traveling a great distance is normal when you reside in North Central British Columbia. However, when the “shoe is on the other foot”, traveling is not necessarily a “two-way street”.

Last weekend, there was one provincial fastball championship (Women’s Senior C) in Prince George. Two teams participated as North Delta beat PG, in a match-up of teams nicknamed the Lightning, three games to one.

Originally, seven teams indicated they were going to compete in the provincial tournament, but five Lower Mainland clubs pulled out, three of them at the last minute.

This isn’t the first time, and certainly won’t be the last occasion, that local organizers scratch their heads and discuss new strategies so out-of-town teams don’t back out.

In May, the PG Grays Junior Baseball Team won four home games, by forfeit, when the Kelowna Jays claimed they had a player shortage and thus could not make the trip.

Last month, Whalley conveniently chose not to attend the Provincial Senior Little League championship in Prince George because they were hosting the National Championships, and qualified for an automatic host berth. As a result, the PG Cap-abilities Knights won a watered down, three team tournament, by outscoring the opposition 35-0 in three games.

Every year there are similar examples, some of which have been well-documented, in columns like this.

So, how do sports leagues attract out of town teams? More importantly, how are these teams forced to commit?  If there was a simple answer to these questions, then this problem would have been alleviated, long ago. 

As you may know, in the past, I have made suggestions and offered solutions. Once a team has made an oral intent to participate, organizers shouldn’t guarantee that team a spot, unless they post a performance bond, which will be refunded, in its entirety, as soon as the team plays in its first game.

League organizers need to solicit support from their Provincial Association. A provincial body could impose a suspension of up to one year to any team that is scheduled to travel to any destination, like PG, but cancels.  For example, this idea has worked well in lacrosse, as teams are required to attend provincial championships, once the location has been established.  Teams cannot back out without facing severe punitive action from the provincial lacrosse association.

In addition, the host committee could provide optional “fun” events for traveling teams. In other words, make it a weekend to remember, and not just a time spent exclusively focusing on a sporting event.

Despite being geographically challenged, PG has been successfully hosting many first class high profile sports activities and/or tournaments, with Events Prince George often playing a significant role. Many more are scheduled in the future.

However, the issue of Lower Mainland and Okanagan teams reneging on a verbal commitment still remains, and will for years to come.

While most teams still honor their word, a select few others have no conscience, lack integrity, and spoil the party. It’s time the party poopers suffer a penalty and pay the piper.

From the quote rack:

“Right before he hit No. 756, Barry Bonds had a Bacsik Instinct.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“Manchester United has recruited a 9-year old after seeing DVD footage of him in Brisbane. Man U? More like Boy U."Littlejohn 

“Swimmer Dara Torres, 40, became the oldest national champion in US history, and set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle.  Her first words after winning - “now you punks get out of my pool."Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California 

“Sounds like the Peanuts don’t like being shelled."  Marc Tandan of the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, on the minor-league South Georgia Peanuts, down 12-2 in the 7^th, walking off the field after a bench-clearing brawl.

“James Harney a former State Trooper was sentenced to 5 years in prison for setting up an illegal betting ring. The sentence was to be expected as his own site had him at 3:5 to get 3:5. Under terms of a plea bargain he will be eligible to referee prison basketball games in about a year.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“It was so hot today; NBA refs were fixing hockey games just to be near the ice."NBC’s Jay Leno

“It was so hot today; Michael Vick was organizing penguin fights." CBS’s David Letterman:

And in case you missed it:

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on the state of sports this summer. “Just woke up from the weirdest dream. [Michael] Vick, [Barry] Bonds and defrocked NBA ref Tim Donaghy were furiously pedaling up the Alps in the Tour de France.”

And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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