Adolfo Gonzalez, Insurance Agent, will be on hand to offer SAMSBL members some personal medical insurance. He will provide the details that Managers can pass on to their players.

Tryouts for the SAMSBL are targeted to be held at Wolff Stadium on Sunday, February 15, 2009 beginning with the 55+ group at 9:00 AM, the 45+ group at 10:00 AM, the 35+ group at 11:00 AM and the Open Division will commence at 1:00 PM.

The Offer for each team to put up funding to upgrade the Batter's Box at Sanchez-Spencer Field is has been withdrawn. The SAMSBL has received official notice from (and has officially repsonded to) County personnel that our last day at SZ-SP will be February 22, 2009. The SAMSBL has been at the facility for 5 full years. And, as everyone knows, we have upgraded, dramatically improved, and made the site nationally known and sparkle during my tenure-ship. However, we will not be granted an extension unless either Judge Wolff or Commissioner Rodriguez (Pct 1) personally intervene in our favor. The possibility exist for that to occur. The Bexar County Courthouse number is 335-2011. Pct 2 is Commissioner Elizondo. Pct 3 is Kevin Wolff (newly elected). Pct 4 is Commissioner Adkisson. Bear in mind that others out there will lobby against us.

We had a really big day on December 16 known as SAMSBL Day. Our League was honored that day for winning three national trophies during 2008. The 55+ Yankees, the 35+ Bulldogs, and the 55+ Rangers all won national titles during National MSBL tournaments. The players felt very good to be at the Courthouse to receive their official kudos from the Commissioners' Court. The SAMSBL has been fortunate to earn 11 National Championships during the last 7 years. We have won 9 of those in the last 3 years. This fact is unparalleled in any league ever in the history of amateur baseball. Those same Commissioners also heard that the common denominator for our tremendous success was the use of Sanchez-Spencer Field to provide consistency of practice and games to further hone excellent skills of our obviously numerous talented players.

I have been named the Project Manager for the new Missions Baseball Academy construction site located at Hwy 151 and Callaghan Rd. As a result of a YES vote in May 2008, four or more new baseball fields will be constructed beginning in early 2009. The target grand opening will be Fall of 2010. For those who know the setups in Phoenix, AZ, think Fitch or Papago, or Maryvale. I expect at least two of the fields will be lighted. Standby for further updates on this subject throughout 2009.

Do notice the photographs of the Robstown (RBST) Fairgrounds Field. We have been offered the opportunity to play some of our games there in 2009. The field is 125 miles south of SZ-SP on Hwy 77S off of IH 37S to Corpus Christi (about 1 hr 45 min drive). We had 21 SAMSBL player participate in a weekend tournament there recently. The facility is really first class. We may even have a team or two based out of Corpus who can be opponents, sometimes.

The expected fields for 2009 include VJK, UIW, UTSA, TLU, FRG, SCHR, AH, WAG, JUD, BLM, SSAN, TSU, RBST, WOLFF, LAFB, and a new site at Basse/McCollough.

According to their web site, the other league out there is touting that they are just like us only better, and much, much cheaper. Their main cost centers on one poor quality field that they get to play on. When players in the SAMSBL lose their privileges of playing through their own disrespectful actions, it is probably nice for them to have someplace to play ball. Our League just gets better and better when the argumentive types move on. With quality, 1st class members like ours, I expect 2009 to far exceed a tremendous 2008. The competition will be keen in each age division. The fields will be plentiful. Even with the world economy collasping all around us, baseball brings us together in such a unique way. Gentlemen, it is my privilege to serve you as president going into our 18th year of existance. We will celebrate 2008 accomplishment more in '09 with a banquet in late March/early April. Please plan to attend. You will not want to miss this one.

You are viewing the picture of Adolph holding his 2008 San Antonio Texans 'Most Valuable Inspiration' plaque. Harold Hughes from Athens, GA is presenting Adolph with # 86 Texans jerseys for the 2009 season. Harold and Adolph met a couple of years ago at a Texans game and discovered they both have 'special needs' children. The two of them bonded and keep in touch on a regular basis. Harold promises that as long as Adolph keeps playing the game he loves, a new jersey # will be forthcoming each year!! Harold, we may have to use a smaller font size when Adolph hits 100!! Adolph figured he'd better live up to all of this attention as he went 2 for 4 and delivering two 2RBI doubles (including the game-winner) in the ensuing game!!