I am pretty sure I just heard someone whisper in my ear, "throw strikes or I'm gonna come out there and kick your ass"! Don had a way with words. He was my first battery mate when I joined the league and I will always be grateful for his words of wisdom and encouragement. He will be sadly missed in this league and this world. R.I.P. Don.   Mike Doucette - Giants  #13

I played and traded barbs and insults with Don for many years, twenty as a teammate. No one did the playing, insulting, or teamating any better. I am really going to miss him. We all are.  Digger. (Joe Baum)

So sad! Don was truly a pleasure to play ball with as well as hang around with. I will miss him.  Dave Wilson

Very sad. One of our most loyal original players. It was amazing how he overcame two strokes and played again. If there is a game up above he will be playing for sure. I think I walked him more than anyone else. If it was down the middle or close to the plate he was going to connect. Please rest in peace.  Dick Hill

RIP Don , love you . Hell of a ball player . Hell of a guy . Will miss you.  John Hall

Sorry to hear this. Don was a great guy, always made me feel welcome.  Jake Webb

So sorry to hear the loss of a fellow MWB brother.  Ken Walsh

My condolences to Don’s family and friends.  Ian Emery

All dates except Coastal Performance are tentative and subject to change.
 
Indoor Practice - Coastal Performance:
The First 30 Minutes Is For Rookies And Managers Only!
Saturday, April 1 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 8 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 15 - 10AM - Noon

Outdoor Practice:
MW45 - Sunday, April 23 - 10AM - NOON - New Time!!
MW60 - Sunday, April 23 - 1PM - 4PM

Draft Day:
Wednesday, April 26

Opening Day:
MW45 - Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30
MW60 - Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30

Mother's Day Weekend (May 13th): Saturday Games
MW45 (one game) Saturday, May 13th, Kelley Field - time TBA
MW45 (two games) Saturday, May 13th, OOB - time - (Game #1 -10AM) - (Game #2 - 1PM)
MW60 (one game) Saturday, May 13th, Kelley Field - 3PM
MW60 (one game) Saturday, May 13th, OOB - time - 4PM

Given the event that happened at the Buffalo vs Bengals, NFL game I thought now would be a good time to remind everyone that there is an emergency defibrillator (AED) stored in the Kelley Field dugout shed during the MWB season. Many of you may not be aware that back in 2017 a Maine Woods 45 player suffered a very serious heart attack during a game. Thanks to the quick action by the players, a spectator who happened to be a nurse and the AED device stored in the Bath Rec maintenance building they were able to stabilize the player until the ambulance arrived. It was fortunate that there were some trained people there to take control, but it was the AED that really made all the difference. With that in mind the league decided to purchase one and keep it in the Kelley Field dugout during the season so we wouldn't have to bust open the maintenance building door if it was locked...as it was on the day of the incident. With the help of Bath Rec and the City of Bath we were able to purchase a top of the line AED device.


Hopefully we never need it but if we do it's there. Some managers unlock the dugout shed door before each game but if you need the AED and the door is locked the key is stored in a magnetic box stuck on the I-beam above, and to the right of the door. If there is not a key there during the season let me know immediately. I have extras and so do the grounds crew guys. Attached is the basic operating guide for you to check out and a picture of our device in its winter storage location so you know what it looks like. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Mike Doucette - MWB

Today we are celebrating the life and memories of one of our long-time players in the MWB league...Jeff Starke.  We were notified this week that Jeff has passed away after a long illness. He was a multi-talented athlete with a great sense of humor and enthusiasm for baseball. Jeff was a gifted utility player on the Braves and a member of their 2017 Championship team.  Additionally, his love for baseball extended to our league's vintage Sunrise Baseball Club. No grounder or throw was hard enough to get past his bare hands at second base!  His friendship, easy demeanor and prowess on the baseball diamond will be missed.  RIP Jeff!

All dates are tentative and subject to availability. All practice and opening day dates are also subject to CDC, State of Maine and City of Bath Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

Indoor Practice - Coastal Performance:
Saturday, April 2 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 9 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 16 - 10AM - Noon

Outdoor Practice:
(NEW TIME) - MW45 - Saturday, April 23 - 3PM - 5PM
MW60 - Sunday, April 24 - 1PM - 4PM

Draft Day:
Wednesday, April 27

Opening Day:
MW45 - Saturday & Sunday, April 30 & May 1
MW60 - Sunday, May 1

Mothers Day Weekend: Saturday Games
MW45 (one game) Saturday, May 7th, Kelley Field - time TBA
MW45 (two games) Saturday, May 7th, OOB - 10AM & 1PM
MW60 (one game) Saturday, May 7th, Kelley Field - 3PM
MW60 (one game) Saturday, May 7th, OOB - 4PM

Postseason:
MW45 - First Round - TBA
MW45 - Second Round - TBA
MW45 - Championship Game - TBA
MW60 - TBA

Well, maybe not the games but at least the preseason planning has begun for the 2022 Maine Woods Baseball season. The league Executive Committee will meet on Monday, January 17th. If you have an issue you would like discussed at that meeting or any others you should contact your division representative.

Maine Woods 45 Representative: Ken Walsh - kwalsh@alfondyouthcenter.org
Maine Woods 60 Representative: Nava Spaulding - nava1908@gmail.com

It's a go. Dick Hill met with the Bath City Council early November and they approved the plan for some major improvements at the McMann Outdoor Sports Complex, including lights for Kelley Field. There are still some details to work out, but the process has begun and here are some of the details to pass along.

1. Maine Woods Baseball will not be the primary nonprofit organization administering this fundraiser. The nonprofit, Future For Our Fields will take on that role. It was the organization setup to raise money for converting the football field and track oval at McMann to artificial turf. That's great news because they have experience in this area and the desire to help facilitate the upgrades to the McMann complex, which includes new bathroom facilities as well as the lights. As an added bonus any donations made to Future For Our Fields for this project will be tax deductible.


2. On the same day Bath agreed to the fundraising campaign they also announced that Bath Rec had been awarded a large grant for improvements to their facilities. From what I understand, over $200,000 of that grant money will be earmarked for upgrading the bathrooms, which is timely because the bathroom upgrade was a necessity and going to be a big chunk of the overall fundraiser.


3. There will soon be a meeting between the members of Future For Our Fields and the individuals who are helping Dick with his fundraiser. Even though MWB is not the fiscal agent for this project Dick and his committee members will be tasked with raising a majority of the funds. Obviously the sooner the funding is secured the sooner the city can start planning the scope of the project, design work, hiring contractors and ultimately turn the lights on at Kelley Field. If you have any thoughts on how to raise the funds or you want to make a donation don't hesitate to contact Dick Hill directly (443-6669).

Mike Doucette - MWB

All dates are tentative and subject to availability. All practice and opening day dates are also subject to CDC, State of Maine and City of Bath Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

Indoor Practice - Coastal Performance:
Saturday, April 3 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 10 - 10AM - Noon
Saturday, April 17 - 10AM - Noon

Outdoor Practice:
MW45 - Saturday, April 24 - 1PM - 4PM
MW60 - Sunday, April 25 - 1PM - 4PM

Draft Day:
Wednesday, April 28

Opening Day:
MW45 - Saturday & Sunday, May 1 & 2
MW60 - Sunday, May 2

Mothers Day Weekend:
MW45 play Saturday, May 8th, 10AM - 1PM - 4PM  at OOB.

Postseason:
MW45 - First Round - August 15
MW45 - Second Round - August 22
MW45 - Championship Game - August 29 at OOB

As always this plan is subject to change. Also keep in mind there will be safety measures and protocols in place to help give players peace of mind and keep everyone virus free. The safety protocols will be released once the final details are hammered out and approved by the city of Bath and town of Brunswick.

NOTE: Time for all practices have yet to be determined. Contact your manager for more information.

Saturday, 20 June - MW45 rookie and manager practice and evaluation at Kelley Field.

Sunday, 21 June - MW60 rookie and manager practice and evaluation at Kelley Field.

Wednesday, 24 June - Rookie draft and roster confirmation by managers.

Saturday 27 June - Open league practice for MW45.

Sunday, 28 June - Open league practice for MW60.

Opening day MW45 scheduled for June 30, July 1st and July 2nd (weekday evening games)

Opening day MW60 schedule for July 5th.

The goal is to play as many games as possible between June 30th and August 30th with MW45 playing at least 10 games and MW60 hopefully playing 7 games. Weather and field availability will have a lot to do with the final number of games played.

I know June seems far off and we are all itching to get on the diamond, but I ask you to remain optimistic. It won't be long before we will be smelling fresh mowed grass and the leather of baseball gloves.

Below is the plan for opening day.

1. Opening day for Maine Woods 45 is tentatively scheduled for June 13/14th.

2. Opening day for Maine Woods 60 is tentatively scheduled for June 14th.

3. Scouting and rookie workout will be Saturday, June 6th

4. League wide outdoor practice will be June 7th for MW45 and MW60.
(MW45 - 10am to noon) - (MW60 - noon to 2pm).

5. Draft Day will be Wednesday, June 10th.
(unless players are assigned sight unseen before rookie camp on June 6th).

6. MW45 and MW60 schedules will be finalized by May 24th, if not sooner. The odds of playing the same number of games as last season is unlikely, but every effort will be made to play as many games as possible.

7. All MW45 & MW60 managers will communicate with their team to make sure players who committed to playing this season are still willing, and able to play. Things may have changed for some players given the current Covid-19 situation so we need an accurate head count.

8. Managers will discuss and formulate a comprehensive plan to help keep team players and equipment virus free and safe. More on that at a later date!

Based on the current coronavirus pandemic, State of Maine mandates, and input from league managers we are implementing the following plan.

1. May 3rd opening day is postponed.

2. MW45 opening day will be May 31st...if possible.

3. MW60 opening day will be June 7th...if possible.

4. Health conditions permitting, we will have outdoor practices and new recruit scouting on Saturday, May 16th & Sunday, May 24th.

5. Draft Day will be Wednesday, May 27th.

6. We will attempt to finalize the MW45 regular season schedule by May 15th.

7. We will attempt to finalize the MW60 regular season schedule by May 22nd.

Just to be clear....these plans remain tentative and are subject to change. We play baseball only when it is safe to be on the field, and State of Maine mandates allow us to do so. We will not put anyone's health at risk....period!

Spring training workouts and practice need to be canceled based on the latest mandate from the state of Maine. The countdown clock to May 3rd is still running but keep in mind opening day may be in jeopardy given the current status of the coronavirus pandemic. To recap....

1. April 4th, 11th and 18th, indoor workouts at Coastal Performance have been canceled.

2. April 22nd, draft day and league meeting will need to be done remotely or at a location were social distancing can be observed.

3. April 26th, outdoor practice at Kelley Field has been canceled.

4. May 3rd, opening day might be in jeopardy, and unless there are some major, positive improvements we might have to consider postponing it until mid, to late May.  A thoughtful decision will be made by the league in the next few weeks.

Below is our preseason status as of 3-25-20. The coronavirus outbreak may currently be putting spring training in jeopardy, but we remain optimistic that baseball season is right around the corner.

Current Status:

1. Coastal Performance is closed until further notice. In addition, the state mandates that all fitness and gym facilities stay closed until at least April 8th. In other words, our April 4th spring training workout is canceled due to current coronavirus restrictions. The countdown clock has been reset and we hope April 11th works out for those willing and able to practice indoors.

2. If conditions don’t change drastically we may need to consider canceling the remaining Coastal Performance dates. We suggest you check the website or stay in touch with your manager so you don't miss any updates.

3. Currently we are still hopeful that opening day will be May 3rd. If anything changes we will let you know ASAP.

There have been some questions raised about our preseason schedule and opening day so I thought I should share the following information so we can all be on the same page. I have been in touch with Coastal Performance and the Bath Rec. Department and based on conversations and correspondence with them this is where we stand as of March 19th.

Coastal Performance is currently closed but hopes to open in a couple weeks. As long as there are no setbacks we might be good-to-go on April 4th for anyone who is willing and able to practice indoors. If anything changes last minute it will be easy enough to cancel one, or all the dates and look forward to the league wide outdoor practice on April 26th.

Bath Rec fields are closed and due to reopen in a couple weeks. According to the Bath Rec Department, they did not see any problem with us starting our season on Sunday, May 3rd given the current situation. Of course that could change at a moments notice! Their suggestion was to schedule games, make plans to play and adjust our schedule as needed. Good advice.

To summarize, and in my opinion....It's too early, and there are too many unknowns to cancel Coastal Performance now, or delay the beginning of the season in May. We continue on the path of planning, practicing and opening the season May 3rd, but assess week to week and plan accordingly. Fingers crossed that we kick off the season on time, but keep in mind we take the health and well being of all our players seriously. In other words.....if we need to postpone or cancel the season we will!

I welcome your thoughts and input.  mainewoods45@gmail.com

Mike Doucette - MWB

Our Maine Woods 45 season came to a ceremonial close on Sunday at Sebasco Harbor Resort when the Pirates were officially presented with the league trophy by last years champions. A classy transfer of power and a great end to the season. Everyone have a safe and healthy off season and be ready to go in 2020.