As Remembrance Day approaches, it is a good time to reflect on the important roles that others have played to allow our freedoms in this country. To be thankful for those who still serve and offer their lives as a sacrifice to all of us through the roles they take on daily to ensure our safety and health and well being.

I’m also going to challenge you all to remember some things that are important regarding the HFHL and its long standing existence.

I believe we are in our 49th season. That makes for a total of 24 years and a bit. That’s a pretty good chunk of time.

The league was established by some IT guys way back when and has morphed into what it is today…but what it has been recently is not what it was designed to be or should be.

The last two weeks of games have seen some pretty aggressive play and a lot of rhetoric that is not representative of what the spirit of the league should be. 

The HFHL is supposed to be a place where a bunch of people can come out and play some fun whiffle ball hockey and work up a sweat, maybe get some points or stop some balls, and then go home and move on with our lives.

What has been evident these past two weeks is that some of you are having a tough time remembering this. That people are crossing lines with aggressive play, not necessarily dirty, but if you run over someone in our league in pursuit of a whiffle ball…well that ain’t good…and it isn’t going to be tolerated. The level of disrespect towards myself and others who might be volunteering time so that 54 guys can have a league to play in has been embarrassing to say the least. And it needs to stop. Also the disrespect shown to fellow players has been pretty high as well.

Going forward, we are going to try and clamp down on aggressive play and chirping. Be it aimed at us or at another player. 

If you cannot keep your stick, body and emotions in check…this isn’t the place for you to play.

I believe that the majority of you can do this on your own, the rest are going to get some help from those of us that are trying to do the best we can to keep things running smoothly.

I get that life isn’t easy in the real world and we all have “stuff” we are dealing with. But let’s try and keep this time on Monday nights an opportunity to have some competitive play but still fun. It’s a whiffle ball league guys. Perspective.

I appreciate that some might not like calls or have thoughts about something that has happened during play, and I am open to dialogue…but it has to be respectful. Talk to me, don’t yell at me. And remember, that smile might be a persons way of controlling their emotions so that they don’t lash out at you for lashing out at them.

I hope you all have a great weekend and week ahead, and let’s bring a more relaxed attitude to the games ahead.

Thanks for being a part of the league and see you all soon.

Marty the Commish aka…Billy Concarney