Keeping Focused in the Central North Carolina MSBL
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Central North Carolina MSBL league president Rob Isbell trys to work out with his fellow players every week and they continue to attempt it, though the ever-changing North Carolina state and local policies update what you are permitted to do on an hourly basis. As crazy as it gets continuing to update schedules and brackets for a hopeful end of May startup, you can still find Rob busy getting ready. Cleaning the balls to be ready is just one of the ‘down time’ presidential duties!
Rob and his buddies Mark Simpson, Dave Halley and Anthony Saccavino got together and answered a few questions for us regarding what they are doing to stay busy during this down time. They all compete in either the 40+ or 50+ divisions.
“I’m the new guy with only 14 years in the league,” stated Isbell. “The other guys have played MSBL for over 20 years.
Baseball is a huge part of our nation and this form of entertainment is much needed to help us all cope with the daily grind. Games on weekends and perhaps a bull pen or batting practice during the week is needed to keep us all sane.”
“Many of us are fortunate enough to work from home and see little or no impact on actual work during this crisis. I am also able to catch up on my yard work and am able to walk the dogs!”
The CNCMSBL is currently under restricted use of parks and spaces and the local fields are locked up. Bullpens and batting cages are available outdoors as long as they are in groups of less than 10 and are able to practice social distancing.
“We’re trying to hit once a week and let pitchers/catchers get a bullpen session in once a week,” said Isbell. “We encourage each other to work out and get some conditioning in so we’re ready for Memorial Day tournaments and season openers. So far we’ve been able to work out a couple of times per week. We have our fingers crossed!
The CNCMSBL typically is well represented in both Florida for the Fall Classic and the World Series in Arizona. “I don’t expect this year to be any different once we get things back to normal,” they all insisted.