Informational message from the League Equipment Manager:

 

 

There is no deadline as to when the league wants equipment back. We want your team to play ALL the games that you have paid for. Don't let an uncommitted coach give you some excuse as to why games can't be played. The league has heard the excuse that "WE can't makeup any more games because they want the equipment back". Nonsense, what are we going to do with it? Use it for somebody else, no we're going to put it in storage until next year. Once school lets out for the summer families go on vacation, but not everybody. All games need to be played, even if they are after the Team picnic/Skills Competition day in July. If there are any problems with games not being played or rescheduled, please get in touch with your division coordinator.

 

 

The CGSL provides equipment primarily for the House League. A few items This equipment is of  the highest quality for our needs for the price available in the local market. It is by no means the most expensive, nor is it the cheapest. It's a balance, not only in what the league choses to purchase, but also where. Yes, I'm sure we could buy stuff cheaper on the Internet, and it has been suggested many times, along with tagging every piece with a bar code. But remember, we are an all volunteer organization. Do we really need to do all that extra work. I don't think so. We have been using the same local vendors for many years, with a philosophy that was passed down by past board members. The local vendors pay the prevailing wage to local people, they pay the same NY State, Erie County, Town and school taxes, Workmans Compensation and insurances as the rest of us. I would like to think this is sound enough reasoning, but additionally there is the customer service. If there is any kind of problem, it is taken care of. The freight charges are included in the price and returns if we decide we don't need or want something is no trouble. The league also doesn't have to create a credit portfolio or use credit cards to handle purchases either.

 

2 or 3 bats, 5 or 6 helmets, 1 or 2 equipment bags (depending on the style), 1 game ball for each home game (they are the nice ones), plenty of practice balls, 1 batting tee (T-Ball & Ponytail), 1 pitching rubber (AAA, International, & Major), and catchers equipment that includes a mask/helmet, chest protector, and leg guards (all divisions, except T-Ball). Please check your bags to make sure it’s all there. If you need anything else, please ask.

 

Other items, which you will receive, usually at a later date: Uniforms/hats/visors, First Aid Kit, and Score Book. Sometimes there are addtional items that our vendors provide us with, but we normally don't purchase them if they don't give them to us.

 

We try our best to loan you equipment that is clean and in good condition. We also want to be as helpful as possible with regard to fit. We cannot, however be expected to provide custom adjustment service. This is where you and your team helpers come in. Please engage these people to help the girls fit into, and adjust the different pieces of equipment. We are available to exchange items that are the wrong size, damaged or missing a part. Please contact me by e-mail for equipment requests. I can print the e-mail, check the inventory, and respond back to let you know whether to call me to make arrangements to get the items, if they are available. There are plenty of helmet chin-straps (try not to lose them), leg guard straps, chest protector harnesses, catcher’s mask face pads and bat re-gripping kits. If you need a different size bat, helmet or leg guards, please ask. I have an assistant equipment manager, if you are unable to get in touch with me. His can be reached at 741-9844 and his name is Rocky (Ron) Atkins. Rocky also maintains the beverage supply in the indoor facility vending machines.

 

 

Please assist the equipment management volunteers at the end of the season by cleaning your team’s equipment of dirt and perspiration. Its very easy and won’t take too much of your time.

Here is what you do to clean the equipment. Empty the stuff out of the bag; rinse all of the equipment off, including the bag with your garden hose. Let it all dry thoroughly in the sun on your driveway. Make sure everything is dry before putting it in the bag, and that’s it. You will turn in your equipment to your division coordinator and they will inspect it and make arrangements with me to put it back in the inventory. DO NOT bring it to the ALL Star Game or the SKILLS Competition and expect somebody to just take it.

 

Do all of this and it makes the end of season equipment handling a more pleasant experience, and then when next season comes around, hopefully there won’t be as many teams getting softball equipment with their bags of dirt.

 

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

 

Joe Kausner Phone: 716-759-2779 or

If you cannot reach me, you may call

Don Colf, Assistant Equipment Manager 716-542-2476 or 716-725-3384