Announcement
After 14 years and six championships, General Manager Nick Frese has announced that the Washington Township Senators 35+ team is leaving the South Jersey Men's Senior Baseball League after the 2010 baseball season. The Senators are making this announcement up-front and early, so that everyone will know where the team stands going forward, and so that there are no misconceptions come next Spring.
"This was not an easy decision, as we've spent many great years in what was the premier men's wood-bat league in the area," Frese said. "However, it is my duty to do what I believe is in the best interests of the ballplayers, and I firmly believe the time is right for this move. It's a matter of simple logistics, and of looking to the future."
Actually, it is not known whether the team will even exist beyond 2010 -- that will most certainly be up to the players on it. But if there is a 35+ Senators club in 2011, it is certain they will be playing in the two-year-old NJIBL.
"It's difficult to speculate on what 2011 will bring, as it's a full year away," Frese said. "I sure hope there is a 35+ Senators team next year, yes. But that will depend solely upon what the guys want to do.
"We've been at this a long time, and there may be guys who simply want to hang 'em up. There may be guys who want to move up and play 45+ ball. And there may be guys who do not wish to move to a new league at this time. But let me be clear about this: the 35+ Senators will NOT be playing in the SJMBL in 2011 as long as I am the General Manager of this organization. That ship has sailed. It's the NJIBL or nothing in 2011."
Frese refused to elaborate on his reasons for making this move saying simply that anyone who wants to know, "knows how to reach me and ask." When asked whether things could change if the Senators happened to win the 35+ SJMSBL championship here in 2010, Frese replied, "Nope. Won't matter a lick -- the decision is made, and it is final, and irrevocable."
The disposition of the defending champion 45+ Senators is, at this time, unknown. However, the NJIBL currently does not have a 45+ Division, so speculation is that the 45+ Senators will remain in the SJMSBL in 2011.
