Lake Country This Month

By Mark Hutchinson Freeman Staff WAUKESHA — There will be something missing when the 2016 Land o' Lakes Base- ball League season draws to a close. For the first time since the league's inception in 1922, there will be no Grand Champion. During the offseason of 2015-16, team representatives from the different divi- sions were unable to agree upon playing rules and bylaws. The 14 Western Division team leaders voted to break away from the Land o' Lakes Board of Directors and operate independently in 2016. Shortly thereafter, six former LOL Northern Division teams joined the Rock River League. The schism also led to the disbanding of the East Group (North), with the New Berlin Lakers, West Allis Nighthawks and Racine Kiwanis moving to the LOL South- western Division to take the place of the Oconomowoc Titans, who folded. Once the dust settled and opening day arrived, the LOL landscape was dramati- cally different than it was just a year ago. Team leaders are still attempting to find common ground, with the goal of restor- ing as much of the LOL's 95 years of tra- dition as possible. Some strides have already been made in that direction. "Unknown to a lot of people, the two remaining divisions have essentially got- ten back together for the exception of the Grand Championship in 2016, due to scheduling issues," Western Division com- missioner Craig Larsen said in an email. "This happened in April. The Southwest and West share a website and social media, we still obtain releases and work together on league issues. "The league will look to move forward in 2017 with looking at ways that all teams can succeed now and the future, just as we have since I have been involved in Land o' Lakes. We will be working with our teams to ensure that their concerns are met and our teams will come up with the solutions for the group. Every team will have a voice in the road map to our future." Brookfield Bulldogs manager Jason Booth, who has been involved in Land o' Lakes baseball for 26 years, is optimistic about the developments he has seen. "Currently in my 26th season in Land o' Lakes, I must say I am extremely excited about the direction the league has taken and equally excited about the future of the league," Booth said. "Regarding our cur- rent administration, Craig Larsen has been doing a phenomenal job of not only the day-to-day operations, but has done an unbelievable job of marketing the league. We have seen attendance rising and com- munities interacting positively on social media, including both Facebook and Twit- ter. The new website (landolakesbase- ball.com) is a great tool where fans and players can go to find box scores, game write-ups and player-of-the-week awards. "Craig is drawing in sponsors that are all engaged with our teams and communi- ties. Most importantly, he has developed an open line of communication with every team and takes our input at every chance. The motto he shares with us often that, 'This is your league, not mine,' is paying dividends. He has clearly helped guide us in a direction that has me very encour- aged about the future of Land o' Lakes baseball." The Pewaukee Muskies won Land o' Lakes Grand Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. They won't be able to extend that streak this summer, but manager Mike Wichser is more concerned about the wel- fare of the league and its history than hoisting another trophy. "If we're not going to get to go for a fourth, it's not that it's unimportant," Wichser said. "It's very important. We're proud of what we've been able to do. "But would I rather have another Grand Championship or have the divisions back? I'd rather have the divisions back. I'm really serious about that. Days and years later, people forget who won the champi- onship. But this league has meant so much to so many people for so many years. "All I've ever wanted was for the Land o' Lakes to stay together. If we can get back together, it would be awesome. If we can get back to three divisions, that's better than two." Oconomowoc Five O's player/manager Steve Rhoads is in his 28th Land o' Lakes season. Like Wichser, he is a traditional- ist. "My overall view of it is that what we're doing this year is OK, but I'd rather see all of the teams back together," Rhoads said. "We've had our differences. Ultimately I would like to see everyone find a middle ground — over things like eligibility rules and waiver requirements and the number of games for the playoffs. "We're hoping we can at least get back together with the Southwest and the East. The West will have its own playoffs this year, which is fine, but I'd like to see that tradition of the Grand Championships brought back. The West won something like seven of the last eight, but the games were really good, competitive games." The Wester n Division has developed some intense rivalries over the years, but Rhoads appreciates the solidarity its teams have displayed this season. The West's Lake Country and Suburban divi- sions will play an All-Star Game on July 9, then compete in playoffs following the reg- ular season. "One thing that has been obvious since the meetings is the West is unified," Rhoads said. "We're almost like a union. When we voted to pull away from the rest of the league, the vote was 13-1. We've got each other's backs and made sure we're strong together. "Craig Larsen has done a very good job as our commissioner. He's on top of things." New Berlin manager Paul Vlaj, whose Lakers had been one of the most competi- tive teams in the erstwhile Eastern Divi- sion, likes the direction in which the LOL is heading, too. "I believe some of the prior Land o' Lakes Baseball board members and com- missioners forgot what matters most in running a baseball league — the players," Vlaj said. "They failed to listen to the play- ers' concerns for several years. My players have been telling me things like, 'End the season prior to Labor Day as the prior for- mats of starting in May and playing through the end of September was too long of a season.' Players have family commitments, too, and do not want to play on holiday weekends. "I think it is good that the Land o' Lakes shook things up and created two divisions — the Southwest and the West. The New Berlin Lakers are enjoying the competi- tion in the Southwest. I believe our cur- rent commissioners — Craig Larsen (from the West) and Dick Imrie (from the South- west) — are both listening to their coaches and players and are willing to keep things flexible for improving Land o' Lakes Base- ball." Vlaj is grateful to another colleague for his work to make the transition work. "I give our former (Eastern Division) commissioner kudos," Vlaj said. "Andy Steinbrenner was able to coordinate the three for mer East teams joining the Southwest. Andy was the one looking for solutions with the other commissioners for the past two to three years." Vlaj likes the potential of a two-division playoff format. "I believe some of our past commission- ers were too concerned with maintaining the prior four-division format," he said. "I believe a two-division format is better suited for flexibility and allowing teams to add and drop off based on availability of players. "We need to be asking, 'How can we improve play and conditions in the Land o' Lakes each year?'" Larsen believes the players and man- agers who populate the Land o' Lakes will make that happen, and he has had discus- sions with a few teams about them rejoin- ing the league. "Our division is strong, and we as always have been united by the belief that the brand of baseball and the brand of community we live by is first-class and a model for future success," he said. "We are a band of brothers that has always looked to have each others' backs. We are united in the fact we know our brand is tried and true. "I am beyond proud to represent this group of players, managers, directors and franchises. This is the greatest group of guys in all amateur sports, in my opin- ion." Email: mhutchinson@conleynet.com Page 4B • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY August 2016 Find Out Who Won This Season! 3 MONTHS FOR $ 33.00 With our Fall Sports Package, the offer is GOOD! Name ________________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________________________________________________ Phone ( ) ______________________ E-mail ______________________________________________ Check Enclosed Bill my: Credit Cared Number ___________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date _____________Signature ________________________________________________________ SC: HouseAd RC: WF3MPROMO *New subscribers only. Those who have not subscribed in 60 days. Payment must accompany order to qualify for offer. Waukesha County addresses only. Offer expires 10/1/16. (262) 542-2500 Please mail payment and form to: The Freeman, PO Box 7 Waukesha, WI 53187 Or click on the FREEMAN link at gmtoday.com/wfpromo Thank you for subscribing. Delivery will begin soon. Yes that is the Yes that is the Winning Team! Winning Team! Yes that is the Winning Team! Send me 13 weeks of home delivery for 33.00 - my payment is enclosed. SAVE $6.00 off regular rate! Bill my credit card $11.00 per month on a continual basis. A must for area high school football fans. Every day people make informed decisions about their health & wellbeing. Inform them about your business. Advertise in the Freeman's semi-annual Health & Wellness Directory. Coming to Waukesha County in October. Call 262-542-2501 today for details! Ad Deadline Wednesday, September 7th Brookfield & Elm Grove T H I S M O N T H Lake Country T H I S M O N T H LOL still thriving through turmoil First time since 1922 there won't be a Grand Championship Robert F. Borkowski/Special to The Freeman Lake Country Division All-Stars second baseman Greg Harder of the Pewaukee Muskies gets the out on Suburban Division All-Stars Dean Haase of the Lannon Stonemen as he attempts to steal second base in the fifth inning in the Land o' Lakes All-Star Game this season at Sus- sex Village Park.

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