A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER

BARON TALKS SUMMER SOCCER

Good Morning Readers!

Just looking outside today...seeing the melt and the ponds forming in my backyard. Reminds me that summer is going to come shortly!

This year, the Oshawa Kicks has made the BFL part of their offerings.

IT's 7 v 7, on a 9 v 9 field.
This gives lots of room to race, exploit mistakes and have a lot of fun.

We will attempt to balance the teams more stringently this season.
Last summer, Oshawa City Lokomotive was the team without much challenge.
In the winter, Dynamo Bowmanville S.C. are in the same boat.

While it's great to play with friends, the fact is that the BFL was founded on the principle of each team having a realistic chance at actually taking the Cup.

It's a long road and process to get to that point.
A lot of minds need to change.

I ran a league decades ago where the teams were selected on who showed up and we played for 90 minutes, adjusting the teams to ensure that the games were close.

I'm sure that, as men, we can do without our security blankets for an hour.

And after the summer games, we usually plan BBQ's for the guys and their families.
At one point we had over 100 people crowded around a small portable BBQ.

Everyone had a good time.
And that's what the BFL is all about...getting a good time in with people who share a love for the beautiful game.

FEBRUARY 17th STATS

(COR) Aaron S (A)
(COR) Kirk S (G)
(COR) Peter C (GWA)
(COR) Kirk S (GWG)
(COR) Aaron S (A)
(COR) Derek P (G)
(COR) Derek P (A)
(COR) Aaron S (G)
(COR) Aaron S (G)
(COR) Kirk S (A)
(COR) Aaron S (G)

Man of the Match: (COR) Aaron S
Honourable Mention: (COR) James P
Keeper: (COR) James P (WIN)

(SPP) Chris K (A)
(SPP) Derrick M (G)
(SPP) Kyle A (GWA)
(SPP) John S (GWG)
(SPP) Marco S (A)
(SPP) John S (G)
(SPP) Kyle A (A)
(SPP) Marco S (G)
(SPP) Steve S (A)
(APP) John S (G)

Man of the Match: (SPP) Darren M
Honourable Mention: (SPP) John S
Keeper: (SPP) Darren M (WIN)

(WHI) Roland K (PK)

Man of the Match: (WHI) Roland K
Honourable Mention: (WHI) Carlos R

(OSH) Curtis P (A)
(OSH) Stephen D (G)

(OSH) Abe J (YELLOW)

Man of the Match: (OSH) Curtis P
Honourable Mention: (OSH) Nate H

PREVIOUS MATCH ADJUSTMENT:

(SPP) John S (RED)
Honourable Mention: (OSH) Nate H

Happy Family Day Readers!

BARON FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONTINUES...

So, here we are, on the eve of one of the greatest days to get together with family.

I can remember when there were no holidays in February.
It was about time that little oversight was corrected.

Losing sight of why we're here...

Over the past few weeks, I've been noticing a trend that I'd like to stop.

Instead of getting competitive, we're getting lazy.
And this lazy is getting us into trouble.

Baron, what are you talking about?

I'm talking about the raw and stupid pseudo violence against our BFL brethren.

Accidents happen.
I'll step on somebody's foot, attempting to grab the ball.
I may overstep my bounds and kick someone by accident.

This is when I, as a man, need to acknowledge I made a mistake.
As a responsible male, I need to take ownership of this.

A simple apology goes a long way.
Helping someone up.
Telling them "hey, I f*cked up, I'm sorry"
Yeah, they may be angry.
So would you.
But at the very least, you proved that you are better.

And that's what this league is all about.
Becoming better in all aspects of life.
And moving forward to enjoy the beautiful game.

STATISTICS:

February 10

(COR) Ken (A)
(COR) Doug (G)

Man of the Match: (COR) Derek
Honourable Mention: (COR) Doug

(BOW) Brandon (A)
(BOW) Jeff E (G)
(BOW) Brandon (A)
(BOW) Ales C (G)
(BOW) Jeff E (GWA)
(BOW) Brandon G (GWG)
(BOW) Brandon G (A)
(BOW) Greg E (G)
(BOW) Brandon G (A)
(BOW) Kyle C (G)
(BOW) Kyle C (G)
(BOW) Jeff E (A)
(BOW) Brandon (G)
(BOW) Brandon (A)
(BOW) Jeff E (G)
(BOW) Brandon G (A)
(BOW) Jeff E (G)

Man of the Match: (BOW) Kyle C
Honourable Mention: (BOW) Jeff E
Keeper: (BOW) John G (WIN)

(OSH) Leigh (A)
(OSH) Mike S (G)
(OSH) Derek P (A)
(OSH) Steve M (G)

Man of the Match: (OSH) Leigh
Honourable Mention: (OSH) Mike S

(SPP) Tom L (A)
(SPP) John S (G)
(SPP) John S (GWA)
(SPP) Tom L (GWG)
(SPP) John S (A)
(SPP) Pat S (G)
(SPP) Tom L (A)
(SPP) Kyle A (G)

Man of the Match: (SPP) Tom L
Honourable Mention: (SPP) Darren M
Keeper: (SPP) Darren M (WIN)

THE ROAD TO THE BARON's CUP

BARON TAKES TIME TO ANSWER MAIL

Salutations Sports Watchers!

Running a league can be serious business.

And performing your duties while being sick is a chore.

One of the pleasures I get from running this league is seeing people who could normally not play, enjoying the beautiful game.

The trophies and accolades are just a side venue to put more entertainment into the BFL.

I also love the Fan mail that comes in.

Here are some of the letters from you, the Fans, that will be answered.

LETTER ONE:

Why do you hate REP teams playing in REC leagues?

It's not the teams I hate.

It's the idea that REP teams that can't handle their leagues, need to push out guys who just want to run about, have some fun and socialize with other men.

I've been on REC teams that get demolished 11 - nil. It's not fun. It's not productive. And it has the effect of turning people off to a game that should be enjoyed.

The BFL is based upon getting anyone into the field again, and playing on balanced teams. Sure, sometimes there's a blow out, but for the most part, the games are competitive and fun!

LETTER TWO:

I don't understand why you have a Baron's Cup Tournament and mix up all the players.

This was a difficult idea for me as well.

But I've run the Baron's Cup for over a decade.

The guys, for the most part, get a kick out of new teams and playing a "C" level game.

It also has the effect of getting players to know their rivals, competitors and gaming friends.

When we get to that level of social interaction, it makes cheap shots and stupidity LESS likely.

LETTER THREE:

What do you see the BFL doing in future seasons?

I hope to see the BFL continue to expand and help men back into the game.

I have experimented with the Baron's Cup, and it will continue to evolve.

In the future, I have as my targets:

An All-Star Game

Grape Vine Tournament

Relegation league

Continued Sports Experimentation for games.

Well, that's it for now...more letters for the future my friends!

GAME STATISTICS

January 20th

(SPP) John Silva (G)

Man of the Match: (SPP) John Silva

Honourable Mention: (SPP) Pedro T

(COR) Aaron S (G)

(COR) Leigh A (G)

(COR) Aaron S (G)

Man of the Match: (COR) Aaron S

Honourable Mention: (COR) Leigh A

Keeper: (COR) Derek P (TIE)

(WHI) Loli F (A)

(WHI) Saul T (G)

(WHI) Saul T (A)

(WHI) Antonio G (G)

(WHI) Antonio G (G)

Man of the Match: (WHI) Antonio G

Honourable Mention: (WHI) Loli F

Keeper: (WHI) Steve R (TIE)

(BOW) Greg E (A)

(BOW) Tyler B (G)

(BOW) Jeff E (GWA)

(BOW) Greg E (G)

(BOW) Jeff E (A)

(BOW) Greg E (G)

Man of the Match: (BOW) John G 

Honourable Mention: (BOW) Greg E 

Keeper: (BOW) John G (WIN)

January 27th

(WHI) Allan F (YELLOW)

(WHI) Ramy M (YELLOW)

Man of the Match: (WHI) Saul T

Honourable Mention: (WHI) Wayne B

(OSH) Leigh R (GWA)

(OSH) Mike S (GWG)

(OSH) Steve M (A)

(OSH) Curtis P (G)

(OSH) Tom I (A)

(OSH) Steve M (G)

(OSH) Curtis P (YELLOW)

(OSH) Derrick M (YELLOW)

Man of the Match: (OSH) Leigh R

Honourable Mention: (OSH) Steve M

Keeper: (OSH) Leigh R (WIN -- CLEAN SHEET)

(COR) Cory W(A)

(COR) Tray S(G)

Man of the Match: (COR) Derek P

Honourable Mention: (COR) Tray S

(BOW) Greg E (A)

(BOW) Tyler B (G)

(BOW) Brandon G (GWA)

(BOW) Kyle C (GWG)

Man of the Match: (BOW) Jeff E

Honourable Mention: (BOW) Kyle C

Keeper: (BOW) John G (WIN)