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League Fees: To Pay, or Not to Pay?
 It’s almost that
time of the year when HFWBers turn out their pockets in search of the ever elusive league fee. Some players simply ask their
parents for a crisp $20 to contribute to their team, while others, often characterized by the trademark “I’m trying
to take care of rent, food, and student loans” look, really feel the pinch of the pocket. There are those that just
grin and bear it, while others have put up a fight. However, this year, Commissioner Chris Hess vows that, “teams that
don’t pay, won’t play. If you don’t have the money in by the first game you’ll just forfeit all your
games, until you pay.” With what may seem like stricter rules, it is becoming increasingly important to know where
your league fee money is going.
It is estimated that in 2005 Chris Hess and Ben Lamb lost a combined $300 in out-of-pocket
expenses. Not much, you say? Let’s take a moment to think of what Hess and Lamb could have bought for $300 instead of
spending money on our beloved HFWB:
300 Wiffle Balls
 130+ Bottles of Powerade
 50+ Taco Bell meals
 12 Video games
 1 19" LCD HDTV
Starting to get the picture? There have been monetary
sacrifices, along with the obvious use of time and energy to keep our league up and running, as well as enjoyable. Yet, the
most important piece of information is not where the money could be going, but instead, where our league fees are going.
Each year, the money collected from each team goes into field supplies such as plywood (for the homerun fence), paints, wiffle
balls, bats, food and drinks for the All-Star Game, and this year, money will also be allotted for All-Star Uniforms and Championship
uniforms for the winning team. Additionally, the fees will also help with the construction of a new field in West Glenville.
Chris Suriano, the current captain of the Cyclones, who are HFWB veterans, explains
that league fees “are not easy to collect, so they're a hassle. But I understand that they're completely necessary for
the league to operate, so I can't complain about them.” For the 2008 season, the league fee will be $100 per team, with
deductions made to those teams which are eligible for last year’s rebate (teams that did not forfeit any games are being
allowed a certain percentage refund). So this year, when you are begrudging the fact that you have to pay around $20 to help
your team pay their league fee, keep a few things in mind: the previous and future sacrifices of the HFWB leaders, the fun,
summer wifflin’, and the fact that if you pay your league fee, Chris Hess might be able to achieve his life goal of
buying 300 wiffle balls.
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