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Online now: 0 members ; 10 anonymousDiscussion: Sponsor looking to finance an "established" Men's club
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| April 30 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | Sponsor looking to finance an "established" Men's club I would like to investigate the possibly of sponsoring an "established" men's unit with the Mid-Michigan region which would include Grand Rapids and Detroit. Financing up to 10K is a distinct possibility depending upon the level and extent of overall league & tournament qualifications. I am looking for a unit that is dedicated to "playing the game" not "playing at the game". In other words, old-school softball. Impress me with your unit's qualifications and perhaps we can "rock & roll" in 2013. G.R. "Sparky" Mann {ret.} "Sparky" Mann Enterprises grm.phd@gmail.com |
| April 30 boogpow44 53 posts | r how about a team in Maryland lol. |
| April 30 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | r Sparky, I see your from Angola In. We are a 50 Major plus team who would welcome the opportunity to talk with you. We have 4 or 5 guys from Michigan, 6 from Indiana, 2 from Kentucky and 1 from Illinois. We have won 4 championships in the last 2 years. 2 SPA, 1 ISA and 1 ISSA. Let me know if your interested and I'll give you our managers number. |
| April 30 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | r Mario, If he has to feed you guys, that might be a deal breaker. YOu guys are Huge. Are you goiing to Dayton this weekend? |
| April 30 dix47 15 posts | r Sparky1, I have an established team in Indy. Last year we played in 13 tourneys. Won 10, 2nd twice, and 3rd once. 3 different National Titles. I have had teams for 14 years. Won 8 National Titles. |
| May 1 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | r Will be considering any other possible US regions if I don't receive some possibilities within the requested region within a couple of weeks. If interested, please contact me direct: grm.phd@gmail.com Sparky |
| May 1 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | r Not going to Dayton, we will be in Indy this weekend. |
| May 1 Sandman Men's 60 37 posts | r Spark, What about a team in Oklahoma?? Heartland of America! Great bunch of guys and you'd love traveling with us! And we'd love to play tournaments in that part of the U.S |
| May 2 jsheeran Men's 50 60 posts | r To set the record straight: Sparky did receive a possibility from our team in the requested region and we'd love to have his sponsorship. But in order to have his sponsorship we needed to agree to add a player to our team that Sparky said came with his sponsorship. After talking to some players who have played with this "comes along with the sponsorship player" I was advised not to take him on board thus the sponsorship offer was pulled by Sparky.............just saying. |
| May 2 Pricer Men's 50 621 posts | r Is the sponsor/player a SS & hit in the 3 hole? This is funny sh*t! |
| May 2 corvette_ace Men's 60 7 posts | r What a fool you are............Sponsors especially like this one that is obviously talking some MAJOR $$$$ are almost non-existent and you as a Manager, allow any of your players to dictate who comes and who goes? If this sponsor wants you to add a player of his choosing or wants you to wear pink shorts with matching shirts, you do it or just keep looking & wishing. IN RESPONSE TO THIS: To set the record straight: Sparky did receive a possibility from our team in the requested region and we'd love to have his sponsorship. But in order to have his sponsorship we needed to agree to add a player to our team that Sparky said came with his sponsorship. After talking to some players who have played with this "comes along with the sponsorship player" I was advised not to take him on board thus the sponsorship offer was pulled by Sparky.............just saying. |
| May 2 gu_nn00 Men's 60 7 posts | r We've also been in contact with "Sparky" and hopefully, will get his sponsorship ALONG with a big LH bat with his additional player. You run the team as Manager not the players. I agree with Ace. If a Sponsor with money wants something done, get it done and move on. I'm sure the Yankees argued with George Steinbrenner on his decisions..lolololol |
| May 2 txtable Men's 60 12 posts | r lololololol..........jsheeran.............lololololol Did you understand "up to 10K" in sponsorship bucks.......lolololol.................What a flamin' idiot.......What sponsor wants, sponsor gets...............Tell those players to take a hike, get the $ and continue building a winner! lololololol..........jsheeran.............lololololol |
| May 2 jsheeran Men's 50 60 posts | r Thanks for the kind words....not that is funny sh*t.....good luck with securing the sponsor and big LH bat.......we'll be fine...... |
| May 2 Pricer Men's 50 621 posts | r Well fellas, I'm one of those players that play for the fool that turned down this incredible sponsor! Ace, gu_nn & txtable, your all a-holes for suggesting everyone to take the money and screw the morals, and team chemistry teams work so hard to earn. It's obvious you need that money more than his team does. It's part of the reason our society works the way it does today. I'm sure all of you will need a case of chap stick from kissing this guys rear end, just so you can get your sponsor money. Instead of blasting Mr Sheeran, you should be thanking him for throwing this huge fish back into the sea for you three to go fishing for. Good luck! |
| May 2 titanhd Men's 60 639 posts | r corvette_ace & txtable: jshereen didn't let his players dictate anything, nor did he say that he even asked his players. What he said was that he asked players that have played with the "sponsor/player.Obviously the response wasn't a positive one. If the sponsor/player was worth having I don't think anyone would technically have to pay 10000.00 to "buy" him a team for him to play with. I happen to agree with Jeff. |
| May 2 Paco13 424 posts | r Guys you would actually sell your soul for 10K and a player that somebody needs to pay so he can play. What good does it do you having 10k but no team. I agree with Jsheeran...heck with the money if the mighty ball player that comes with it is a trouble maker with attitude and most likely think that beacuse his friend paid for him to be on the team he can dictate how the team is run. Actually I will be embarassed if I was the mighty player...Glad that you did not take the money and evaded the headaches that most likely were coming with it. My 2 centavos. PR NINJA OUT IF NOBODY ELSE LOVES YOU, JESUS DOES!!! |
| May 2 southernson 280 posts | r Pricer, I agree with you 100%. I sponsor a team and I'm just an 8-5 working stiff. 10K can't come close to buying team chemistry that's developed from hours of playing together and succeeding together. I sponsor a team and I'm just a regular working stiff 8-5 each day, but 10K with a problem player just isn't worth it. |
| May 2 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | r I guess "old school softball" is dead. I was not expecting the big "pissing match" that is currently ongoing: I wanted to give back to the game that had been so good to me for 25+ years and I guess the game I remember no longer exist. I can not and will not tolerate this "new school chatter softball" especially since they want to bring my name into it and therefore, I will not be coming back to the game after a 15-year retirement to sponsor. My deepest apologies for any inconvenience and my sincere best wishes for your continued success and that of your clubs for the upcoming season. Sparky |
| May 2 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | r Sparky, I do appreciate your effort and your willingness to 'give back'. There are not nearly enough sponsors out there. As someone who had sponsored M+ teams from 2003-2010 I understand the problems associated with this as well why someone would want to do so. You're correct, IMO, in thinking that 'old school softball' is dead. What we have today is much more individually oriented... I'm speaking of the majority, which is less than 100% of the guys. 'I' did this, 'I' did that, 'I' can hit 'x' HRs, 'I' can hit it 400' plus, etc. Comments like this years ago would not have been met well in the dugouts that I remember. But I can also tell you that there really are 'old school guys' out there who are willing to be a part of something meaningful and will do so on their own nickel. Finding them is the hard part... Thanks for making an effort. Bob Woodroof |
| May 2 titanhd Men's 60 639 posts | r Wood :You're speaking to Sparky about the "I" player of today and "what we have today is much more individually oriented." I would think that you would appreciate jshereen for turning him down for the benefit of his "TEAM." Sparky what the person that was willing to shell out 10 grand for 1 (one!) person to be able to play. Is that really giving back? Sparky may be OLD but, he is far from "old school". |
| May 2 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | r I'm not commenting on JSheeran's posts either favorably or unfavorably. I understand why he would feel that way. I've felt the same way in the past about sponsors we've had. I know that his team carried his name (JSheeran) so I presume that this means that he was at least a partial sponsor. But I do believe that personal emails should be kept that way. BTW, have you ever sponsored a team, TitanHD? If not, you're not in any position to say what is or what isn't 'giving back'. If you have, I'm surprised that you don't understand the concept of 'giving back'. There is no perfect sponsor. But walk a mile in his shoes before you publicly criticize him. My comments to Sparky were more about the 'old school school' part. Did you find even a scant of reference to JSheeran in my previous post? BW |
| May 2 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r I agree with BW. Read post regarding the issues or looking for teams, etc, it is pretty much all you read I this I that. Old school ball isn't dead, but rather just quite. The silent 'almost majority" lol. As for the turn down, for only IF, I agree on that. |
| May 2 Pricer Men's 50 621 posts | r Sorry gentlemen, but your losing me on the old school/new school debate. The issue for me is simple. Where in any of our lifetimes have you ever seen or heard of a sponsor willing to shell out 10G's and needing to find a team to take it. Red flags going up all over the place. Wood, I respect your opinion, but indicating the email should have been kept private might be important to you, but maybe JSheeran thought it was important other people knew about the baggage as well. Is this not a place for info? I appreciate folks like you that have pulled big money out of your pocket to allow slugs like me the opportunity to play ball and keep cost low or maybe free. But there's something definitly wrong here and the wrong person was thrown under the bus. We are an old school team that raised our fees ourselves with a good sponsor and the rest covered with out of pocket money. Not one person on our club would ever want or except money with those kind of strings attached. I'm really surprised some people disagree. JMO |
| May 2 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | r Pricer: My initial post was a response to Sparky's point about 'old school'. This is a subject dear to me as I could tell you shaggy dog stories. I also thanked him being willing to sponsor a team. This, too, is important to me. In my 2nd post I stated that I understood why J sheeran might feel as he does. We've turned down sponsors as well, for one reason or another. But we simply said 'no, thanks' privately. Yes, I did state that I believe that personal emails should be kept as such. I threw no one under bus. If Sparky is less than forthright it will come out sooner or later. I know of several long term sponsors who insist on playing themselves, to the detriment of the team. Even though the other players know this most of them continue with the team. This is their choice and they make it knowing the situation. It wouldn't work for me so I've steered clear of it. As I said, there are no perfect sponsors. It didn't work for your team but it might with another one. Why not give another team a chance? Maybe their needs are different than yours. Sparky might help someone who could really benefit by it. I appreciate your respecting my opinion and I respect yours. BW |
| May 3 southernson 280 posts | r Sparky, Old School softball isn't dead at all, there are still a lot of "old school" type players and teams. I applaud you giving back to the game, and 10K is no small amount, and you should find a team to sponsor. I don't think the chatter here should discourage you at all, the only difference between then and now is back then, many times peoples real opinions or agendas were discussed in private, sometimes to the detriment. Now the opinions and the background chatter are public for all to see in a forum like this....and that's a good thing. Don't let it discourage you, take it with a grain of salt. |
| May 3 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | r At the end of the Day, Sponsorship is still old school... it still comes with "Strings" attached and with someone to answer to... In a way, I am sort of glad my team all pays to play... No Strings attached! |
| May 3 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | r Good points about sponsorship. Guess I am lucky. I play on a partially sponsored team—shirts, caps, food during/after tournaments, group discount housing for travel, etc.. The rest we pick up ourselves. The sponsor does NOT interfere with the functioning of the team by putting himself in as a sponsor, insisting on a "favorite son" being on the team, second-guessing manager decisions, etc. It is old school in that the sponsor hopes the team's success and visibility will raise the visibility of his company and that, plus an occasional sponsor's trophy/plaque to display in his office, is his reward. Sweet. I like playing for this sponsor and don't miss any $10,000 support with strings attached. |
| May 3 Malo37 62 posts | r This is Dave with AZ Elite. I have to add a few comments. First of all I think we have one of the best if not the best sponsor, Gil Palomo. What makes him the best? He really cares about the team, he does his very best to financially support us in a very tough economy. He is at every one of our games and loves the way we play. We still give it everything we have. Our infielders are diving for balls and throwing out base runners. Our outfielders play hard and give it everything they have. Our pitcher who is all of about 5'9" is a stud up the middle and never backs down from balls being hit up the middle. Out team and players have never been for sale. We've been offered as a team to join others and drop some of our players for more or better sponsorship, we said no. We've had individuals within our team offered money to move over to other teams, they've said no. WHY? because we have a great bunch of guys who do play old school softball. We have each others backs and truly care about each other. Nobody on our team claims that we have the best team or the best players. BUT as a whole we're pretty darn good and love to compete against the very best. We don't always win but we do always battle. This game is a sickness, we all have it really bad. So we go battle during the day against whoever is put in front of us, then we go eat, hangout and make fun of each other at night. I love my teammates/brothers. That's the way it should be IMHO. That in my opinion is old school softball, doesn't mean I'm right just means that's what I think...... I hope you're all having a great day and look forward to the next tourney. Dave Quiroz #37 AZ Elite |
| May 3 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | r Bravo Dave Quiroz, I think that is the best post yet on this thread... All I ever want out of any team I play on is the chance to compete with who's on the other side... I have been lucky to win more than I have ever lost but just love to compete and play with a great group of guys in my dugout... Good luck to you this Season! |
| May 4 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | r Now that everyone has chimed in about this subject matter, let get a few things straighten out. Right off the bat, I have heard directly via email & phone conversations, that this club of "jsheeran's" while a very good unit, does have a couple of "questionable attitude" players on the club including the one from Eaton Rapids. If this particular player has lived in ER for some length of time, he probably played in the Eaton Rapids Softball Association of which, I was the Association's UIC for 15 years. Secondly, this so called "favorite son" that "Omar Khayyam" refers to and others feel that I would be just buying a club for him to play on, has been my friend, sponsor and player on many of the teams I managed over the years. I never called for him to be a starter, guarantee playing time, etc. That is up to the manager period. I am extremely new to the SSUSA and minor-sponsored his club for the past couple of years. These players that had a problem with him, I can guarantee it wasn't about his talent, attitude or sponsorship. It was his "managerial skills" that were the problem, as he played, sponsored and tried his best to manage his club to the negative thought pattern from some of the players. Third and finally, I have appreciated the supportive response received during this entire matter. This game was extremely good to me and I just wanted to become part of it again after retiring from the game I loved over 15-years ago. For those of you that have expressed your thoughts that I was simply spending a bunch of money just to have my way as a Sponsor or how did "swing for the fences" put it "strings attached", wake up & smell the coffee gentlemen. If any of you would like to see a small sample of my credentials within the Great Game of Slow-Pitch Softball, quit hiding behind this cloak of secrecy know as the message board and email me direct ( grm.phd@gmail.com ) and I will submit some documented attachments of my 25+ year Managerial Career with the ASA and USSSA which culminated with the honor of establishing the current National Record for Managerial Career Victories which to date, still stands at #1,544 Career Wins. Sparky |
| May 4 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r A fair explanation. |
| May 4 txtable Men's 60 12 posts | r Gee taits, don't hurt yourself with too much expression or thought. I think he explained his position especially with that player situation extremely well. Some others like pricer, should just back off and let this man do his thing. If I were a Manager of his sponsored club, I'd perhaps be more worried about my position rather that putting another player on the roster. |
| May 4 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r Why should I delve into what he said, he explained it, maybe a little late, but did it. |
| May 4 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | r So we're back to Sparky.1 having some credibility as a manager and also willing to put up significant bucks as a sponsor. He defends his "friend, sponsor, player" as being a person with whom nobody had a problem with "his talent, attitude, or sponsorship". That's admirable support for a friend, but might not reflect those who prefer not to play with the fellow. In any event, there ARE strings attached—the "friend, sponsor, player" does come to the team along with sponsor money. Obviously Sparky.1 loves the game of senior softball and has been successfully involved with it for decades (62 wins a year on average!). I'm sure some team would welcome such a sponsor. |
| May 4 willieo Men's 50 32 posts | r I have a tournament team looking for sponsor out of St Louis mo bill smith 636-699-6351 |
| May 4 willieo Men's 50 32 posts | r I have a tournament team looking for sponsor out of St Louis mo bill smith 636-699-6351 |
| May 5 Pricer Men's 50 621 posts | r Ok, let's just come out and ask the the question. Sparky, why do you think your having difficulty finding a team to sponsor while throwing 10 G at them & indicating there is a player that comes with the money? Txtable, all I'm using is logic & common sense here. Your thinking with your heart. You can see you have more than a casual relationship with sparky. I think it's peachy keen this man wants to throw the money around to sponsor a bunch of folks he don't know, but I've been around the block a couple of times and this just don't look or smell right. Been through these type of sponsors before and those seasons were not any of my favorites. Anyone else see any of the same issues I do? |
| May 5 txtable Men's 60 12 posts | r Lordy Pricer............I don't even know this guy and it quite obvious that you don't either................Why are you continuing your assault on the man?...........Why does this bother you so much especially since it obviously doesn't involve you or are you just one of those that like to constantly stir up trouble just for something to do?..................You might want to start with how to use the English language and learn how to phrase a sentence and use proper wordage! |
| May 5 brickloader Men's 60 3 posts | r Been following this "circus" for the past few days and now I want to add my 2-cents worth. PRICER, BEFORE I START, I DO NOT KNOW YOU AND THIS SPARKY OR TXTABLE, or any one else that has taken pot shots at this man, defended him or threw in their personal thoughts/theories regarding matter. I did however, email this Sparky and received quite a strong portfolio about his career (which I might add included verification from both the A.S.A. and the old U.S.S.S.S.A.) It's hard to imagine that someone with his credentials and experience is going to simply "throw money around" or better yet, become part of an existing club even as a sponsor, just to tear it up with some petty personal moves on his part. I may be wrong, but I have a hard time thinking that would be his motive. |
| May 5 Michigan Vet Men's 65 255 posts | r First of all, this BS should not even of happened on a Forum. A private Email to Sparky explaining why you do not want his sponsership was all that was necessary. He does not deserve all the shit he is getting? Pricer, if you don't want his friend thats fine, but why badmouth a guy trying to help a senior softball team? There are teams out there that will except his sponsership even with the player situation. Lets all just say thanks to Sparky for his efforts and leave him alone. |
| May 5 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r Mich vet, WRONG Forum: 1. the marketplace or public square of an ancient Roman city, the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly for the people. 2. a court or tribunal: the forum of public opinion. 3.an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the discussion of questions of public interest. This is what we have here and it works. |
| May 5 greenman 2 posts | r Sparky: I have a 65+ AAA team with most of our players from the metro Detroit area and Flint. I live in Central Michigan. Most of the guys play in leagues in the metro area and we play 6 to 8 tournaments a year. We are very competitive and have a great bunch of guys. Not sure what you are looking for but thought I would respond to see if we fit. Thanks. Dan Green. |
| May 5 Wes Men's 65 335 posts | r taits---wrong in Roman City they would walk up to each other so you knew who you are talking to they would not be talking behind funny code names like "taits""brickloader" ect. Sparky you have to remember these young guys no longer have what we in the old days call "manners" |
| May 5 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r Sure you were there... it's a copy & paste out of the dictionary. Tell them. But it applies, none the less. |
| May 5 Pricer Men's 50 621 posts | r No attacking here, just responding to what I'm reading with statements and questions. I never once said anything about his integrity. As far as my english, my point get's across. Don't like it, don't read it!You might be in the wrong forum if you want to start correcting papers. Vet, where in the hell did I bad mouth this guy? |
| May 5 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | r This will be quick and to the point. With the continuing "bash Sparky" crap on the SSUSA memo board combined with three (3) rather nasty E-mails I received today with no names except the email address which were Yahoo server generated, I have had enough. The 3rd of these emails went one step further and submitted an attachment supposedly a picture of some team and as I began to open it, my virus program went into action and eliminated a virus that the attachment was attempting to download. You guys win. Be proud of your accomplishment. I am going to stay retired and will no longer seek any further involvement as a Sponsor within the Great Game of Slow-Pitch Softball. Sparky |
| May 5 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | r Sparky, I suggest you forward them to SSUSA and request they close the thread. That was not a cool thing. |
| May 5 GSWP001 Men's 60 75 posts | r Sparky, I agree with Taits. Take it to SSUSA. Sorry all this happened to you. |
| May 5 Rainmans 42 posts | r Sorry, Sparky! It’s been extremely difficult following this post. The way some of the individuals of our age group/maturity responding are exhibiting adolescent attitudes and displaying antisocial behaviors are implacable and petty. |
| May 6 LS32 25 posts | r Sparky,you didn't realize how these guys work. They bitch and moan about everything,like a bunch of women. They would complain if they were hung with a new rope. I have umpired seniors from 45-80 most of them are good guys and just want to play,but most teams have "THAT GUY" who cries about everything and some teams have more than 1.I would give my left arm to play for a sponsored team that were all on the same page.They run it like a club if you don't play their way(hot bats and classes) then they beat you to death with their assinine comments. I have been trying to get on a DFW Senior Team and they don't seem interested in new blood to perpetuate the "SENIOR GAME". Sorry these guys have left a bad taste in your mouth. If you are ever wanting to come to Texas and start a branch.... |
| May 6 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | r Methinks Sparky.1 is so full of crap, his eyes are dodo brown. |
| May 6 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | r Well Sparky, where to begin.... I see where jsheeran has pointed out that there were "strings Attached" which you have not denied.... So, when we point out that there are Strings Attached it's not a bash, however it's a fact! If I decided to give back to the game and give a sponsorship to a team, I would not get too worked up about who was questioning my motive, and be more focused on finding a good team(with Character and ability) to give my cash to. I hope you find someone worthy enough to give your cash to. Just don't be so sensitive about it! Everyone has an opinion and is entitle to voice it(in Cyber land).. If you are getting the emails and other crap you pointed out, you should follow Taits advice.. Good luck to you! |
| May 7 softballgirl Women's 40 66 posts | r please consider a womans 50ies team . some jerseys and possible tiurney fees . our woman are very dedicated contact Rita @ 916 690-1500 |
| May 8 neck10 714 posts | r sparky you have to ignor most of the guys on here.dont get down on the game because of a few who like to gossip .they just love to agree to disagree. |
| May 9 Leslie Pacen 7 posts | r Our 40 womens team, Lew's Crew fell on hard times in our second year when the coach, sponsor and friend...Lew Oppenheimer was killed crossing the street when we were in Phoenix at a tournament. The remaining players have found it very hard to hold the team together and this year actually lost 4 players to another team. If anyone needs a little sponsorship money, it is us. We have managed to put a new roster of women together and have found a highly successful coach to take over where Lew left off. If you are interested in helping us out, please contact me directly at 301-335-2217 |
| June 1 hurricanes2323 5 posts | r Any chance you want to come to Fort lauderdale Florida, I have a great team in need of a partial or full sponsor. Come down and play year round in the SUNSHINE. 305-989-5236 |
| June 3 Suave8 1 posts | r We are a new with great !!!! Talent senior 40's wouldn't you rather sponsor a new team and run with ? No bs just men serious about playing the game . We have all played for years together But finally got it together .we are looking for a serious sponsor . If interested here's my contact # 559 709-9229 Rick |
| June 3 Michigan Vet Men's 65 255 posts | r Sparky is now sponsoring a team. Lets let this thread die! |
