Opening Day in the NCBL is just over a month away, but I, Shaun Keay, have got a special treat for you today. Recently, I sat down with Cameron’s Misfits GM Ryan Campbell to talk about his team’s scheduling preferences for 2023. It’s all part of our ongoing ‘Around the League’ offseason series, brought to you by the fine people over at Beau’s: Great Beer Brings People Together.
Here is that uncut interview:
SK– What is your team name?
RC– Misfits.
SK– At the March 26th meeting, the league voted to discontinue scheduling practices prior to the season. Therefore, Bill will return field slots from May 1 to opening day unless teams want to retain some by paying for them separately from league fees ($145 per slot). If the Misfits want such a slot, Bill needs to know by this Friday March 31 as he must return fields one month in advance for refund. Bill needs to know the preferred field, date and time, first come first served for any slot requested.
RC– We do not require practice slots.
SK– Given the above, Bill would like to start the season earlier than Mother’s Day – i.e. as close to May 7 as possible. Are the Misfits willing to start the season on Sunday May 7, and if not, when would you prefer to start?
RC– We can start the season that week.
SK– Are the Misfits willing to play Sunday games with a start time of 11:30 AM at Brewer? The league will also have several Sunday afternoon double slots at Lower Kinsmen – are you willing?
RC– Yes and yes, but not too many. A few spread out over the year. Last year we had one weekend day game per month and it worked well.
SK– Are the Misfits willing to play Saturday games as the league does not require teams to play Saturdays? The league has a double slot at Brewer Saturday afternoons but if you say you are willing, please make sure you will be able to field a team even if you have to state which Saturdays will work for you.
RC– Yes, but not too many, a few spread out over the year. Last year we had one weekend day game per month and it worked well.
SK– Are the Misfits willing to play any games at McKendry park in Metcalfe on Wednesday evenings? The field is more suited to tier 3 and 4 given its dimensions. The park is 30 minutes/30 km from Brewer Park.
RC– We would not want to play there.
SK– Are the Misfits willing to play on long weekends (Friday night, Sunday night or Monday night) as the league does not require teams to play on long weekends? If so, please specify exactly which dates (this year’s long weekends are May 19-22, June 30-July 3, Aug 4-7 and Sept 1-4).
RC– No long weekends.
SK– Are there any dates that the Misfits cannot play for any reason (tournaments, weddings, team events, Mother’s Day Sun May 14, Father’s Day Sun June 18, etc.)?
RC– No mother’s day games.
SK– Are there any days of the week that are preferred?
RC– We usually have a lot of Tuesday games and that works well.
SK– Are there any days of the week that should be avoided?
RC– No.
SK– Are there any days of the week that are off limits entirely?
RC– No.
SK– Do the Misfits have a preference for early or late weekday games? NOTE that this is only a preference because if all teams want to play only late games, the league will not have sufficient fields.
RC– Late games preferred.
SK– Are the Misfits willing to play at Faulkner field in the 8:30 pm slot given the distractions from the soccer lights? The league has placed black netting (like they have at tennis courts) for the lowest 6 feet of part of the backstop and this seems to have somewhat helped fielders to at least see the ball better off the bat.
RC– We’ll play there if needed.
SK– Do the Misfits have a preferred area of the city (example West End, East End, Central)?
RC– We like Brewer as a home field.
[editor’s note: Tier 2 has to deal with Allen, whatever they call that shitty field in Russell, and now Brewer. Poor bastards. On the bright side though, at least they have Winchester now!!]
SK– Which field(s), if any, would the Misfits prefer to avoid?
RC– ??♂️
SK– Which field(s), if any, do the Misfits prefer? Please order from best to worst.
RC– Sportsplex, Kinsmen, Faulkner
SK– Is there anything else that I need to know about your team’s availability?
RC– ??♂️
Final Misfits Scheduling Preferences Notes/Thoughts:
- Brewer ?
Big thanks to my good friend Ryan Campbell for the sit down, and for the generous supply of Cameron’s. It’s no Beau’s though.
