Aug. 10, 2022
New Player Evaluation Session
When: Weds. August 16, 2023
Where: MD Sports Hall (McBride-Dags Gym)
534 4th Ave
Troy (Lansinburgh), NY 12182
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
All new players must participate in an Evaluation Session prior to playing in the league. Players will play in pickup games against other new players or some current league players while being observed and ranked by team captains and Board members. The purpose of this session is to give team captains and Wait List Managers an idea of each new player’s skills and how they compare to existing league players. This information is used by team captains when they draft players at the beginning of each season and by Wait List Managers when assigning a sub to replace a roster player for a short period of time. This helps to maintain balance and parity in the league. Thank you for participating.
Dec. 16, 2022
All games on Dec 17 are cancelled due to weather conditions. The school district has closed the school. All of the games will be made up on the open date of March 11
Dec. 14, 2022
There are no league games on Dec 24 and 31 but Dags gym (MD Sports Hall) in Troy is available to the CSBL for pickup games on those dates. The cost is $10/person and you can bring a guest. Albany division plays 9:30-11:00 and Colonie division is 11:00-1:00 each day. Please RSVP to Bob Corcione (bob@soccerunlimitedusa.com) for a head count to be sure we have enough players to open the gym each day.
Dec. 1, 2022
Hoopster sub announcements
The Hoopster is great but we’ll make it a little better. In recent weeks a number of captains and players have spoken to me about making the Hoopster announcement about replacement players more in-depth and functional to help game planning. Starting this week we will try to include information about the expected duration of each replacement (ie 2 week, 3 weeks, long term). We will repeat the list of all players who are out each week rather than listing them just once when they first go out and will include a designation next to their name to indicate where they are in the sequence ( 2/3 would indicate they are in week 2 of a projected 3 week absence). We will now note in the Hoopster when a player comes off the injury list and returns to action. Also, the Hoopster is published and distributed on Thursday but sometimes a replacement can’t be confirmed until Friday. If this happens we will post the late replacement notice on the website on the same page as that week’s edition of the Hoopster. If this is something that is important to you, check the website Friday evening or Saturday morning to be sure you are aware of any late assignments.
Thanks for your feedback and input.
Nov. 14, 2022
Commissioner’s Message:
Here we are almost half way through the season! Which only means your 2nd half dues are due. Please send $150.00 for all drafted/roster players for the second half of the season to Bob Corcione, Commissioner. The dues need to be paid by 12/10/2022 to be eligible to play the second half. YOU CANNOT PLAY AFTER 12/10 UNTIL YOU PAY THE LEAGUE FEE. If you do not plan to play in the 2nd half please notify me and your captain asap. You can mail me a check or pay at the scorer table.
October 25, 2022
Please note that the season schedule has been revised. The games of Nov. 12 that were to be played at Dags Gym in Troy will now be played at Lishakill School. Lishakill was originally unavailable on Nov 12 but that has changed and we will play all games there on Nov. 12. Also, there will now be open gym at MD Sports Hall in the mornings of Sat Dec 24 and Sat Dec 31. Details to follow.
August 31, 2022
Tryouts/rankings for new players will be on Saturday Sept 10 starting at 10:00 am at Lishakill Middle School at 68 Waterman Ave in Colonie.
All returning players should register and submit 1st half payment of $150 by Sept 5 to Bob Corcione 1272 Central Ave Albany 12205 518-225-6766
Season starts Sept 17 at Lishakill School
August 9, 2022
Monday August 1, 2022
Follow CSBL hoopsters!
Thursday March 10, 2022
Playoffs
Albany Division
McBride currently is 1st and has a 1/2 game lead over 2Shea. 2Shea plays a makeup game against Realty Sold on 3/12 If 2Shea wins they are tied with McBride. We are unable to schedule a tie breaker game between the 2 teams so they will be declared co-champions and both teams will receive awards at the banquet. 2Shea would get the top playoff seed based on winning 2 of 3 games head to head in the season. If 2Shea loses then McBride is champion with 2Shea in 2nd. Other spots are settled. If Realty wins on 3/12 they claim the 4th spot outright. If they lose they would be tied with Coldwell but clinch 4th based on their 2 to 1 season advantage over Coldwell. Morris Auto has the 6th spot with Barclay Damon in 7th.
Colonie Division
1st National has clinched 1st place. Labatt clinched 6th and Mamba is 7th. Spots 2-5 are still undecided with a makeup game between Lark and Orchard on 3/12
If Orchard wins : they would be 10-8 and clinch 2nd. Lark would be 8-10 and finish 5th. 518 and Arsenal are tied at 9-9. 518 won the season series so they would be 3rd and Arsenal 4th.
2-Orchard
3-518
4-Arsenal
5-Lark
If Lark wins: we have a conundrum with 4 teams tied at 9-9. We researched tie breaking procedures. 3 of 4 procedures produced the same result.. The procedure that we will follow is to calculate total wins of each team vs the other teams in the 4 way tie then use head to head results to resolve any ties.
2nd – Lark 6 wins 3-0 vs Orchard, 1-2 vs Arsenal, 2-1 vs 518
3rd- Orchard 4 wins 0-3 vs Lark, 2-1 vs Arsenal and 2-1 vs 518 They win the tie breaker vs both 518 and Arsenal in head to head
4th 518 4 wins 1-2 vs Orchard, 1-2 vs Lark, 2-1 vs Arsenal, They win the tie breaker in head to head vs Arsenal
5th Arsenal 4 wins 1-2 vs Orchard, 1-2 vs 518, 2-1 vs Lark They lose the tie breaker in head to head vs 518
Friday Feb. 25, 2022
Playoff Schedule
Week 1 March 19 -1st place team has a Bye
9:30 Albany 4 vs 5
10:55 Albany 3 vs 6
12:20 Albany 2 vs 7
1:45 Colonie 2 vs 7
3:10 Colonie 3 vs 6
4:20 Colonie 4 vs 5
Week 2 March 26
10:55 Albany winner of 2/7 vs winner of 3/6
12:20 Albany 1 vs winner of 4/5
1:45 Colonie 1 vs winner of 4/5
3:10 Colonie winner of 2/7 vs winner of 3/6
Week 3 Championship April 2
10:55 (or 10:40) Albany championship
12:20 (or 12:05) Colonie championship
Banquet at Italian American Center after the games
Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
This is the most current information regarding determining playoff eligibility for roster players and subs and determining team playoff seeding.
Eligibility of roster players for the playoffs: Discussion was held regarding the current procedure that a roster player must play 9 games to be eligible for the playoffs and the By-laws statement that an injured player can return anytime and play, including playoffs, after his sub has played the minimum of 3 games. After discussion it was decided to re-write and amend the policy to be as follows:
a. a non-injured player must play in a minimum of 9 games
b. a player who has a long term injury or medical issue may count the games on the inactive list towards active time. Games missed for personal reasons or travel are not counted. The total number of games on the injured list will be subtracted from the team’s total number of games for the season. The player must play in 1/2 of the balance of his team’s games with a minimum of 3 games played to be eligible for the playoffs. This must be actual games played and cannot count byes, league off -weeks, weather cancellations, etc. For example, in an 18 game season if a player misses 9 games due to injury or medical issues (18-9=9) he must play in 5 of his team’s remaining games. If he misses 14 games (18-14=4) he must play in the minimum of 3 games. Any disputes about a player’s eligibility will be resolved by the Board.
c. the roster player cannot bump his sub to return to active status to gain playoff eligibility before the sub has completed his minimum of 3 (2) games
2. Replacement player rules:
a. the seniority rule applies when selecting replacement players. The Wait List manager will contact the player with the highest seniority at that ranking first. If that player declines it will proceed down the seniority list until a replacement is available. No player with a lower seniority ranking may be contacted until players above them on the list have declined. If a captain accepts a lower ranked replacement that sub must play the required minimum number of games and cannot be removed early if a higher ranked replacement should become available. That team cannot place a “hold” on the newly available higher ranked player during that period as the replacement player will be assigned to the first available matching opening.
b. if a replacement player does not respond to contacts or declines to accept a position for 2 consecutive requests, he will be moved to the bottom of the seniority list for the remainder of the season. If he declines a 3rd request to play he may be removed from the league’s registration and lose his seniority and be required to initiate a new registration and tryout evaluation to re-enter the league. This policy may be waived if the replacement player is injured or has a medical issue that prevents play or in emergency situations such as have occurred during the COVID pandemic.
c. when a replacement player finishes his assignment he is returned to his previous position on the seniority Wait List.
d. a replacement player must be given the option to play in a minimum of 3 games (2 games for the current season for the Colonie division). This does not count team byes, league off weeks, or weather cancellations. The sub remains active for 3(2) consecutive team games.
e. Players are ranked by their draft position or evaluation by league representatives for the purpose of parity and fairness. The ranks are Colonie division 1-7 or Albany division 1-7. If a replacement player is not available at the same rank as the roster player a replacement can be made from a lower ranked player but not by a higher ranked player. If a sub is assigned at a designated rank and during his playing time it becomes evident that he was “mis-ranked” either higher or lower, he can be removed after the minimum game assignment and replaced with a correctly ranked player. The sub who was withdrawn will then be re-ranked and placed into the wait list at the corrected rank while keeping his seniority.
f. a player who registers for the league during the season will be evaluated and ranked and placed on the Wait List but must then wait for 2 weeks of scheduled league games (holiday weeks, league off -weeks are not counted) before being eligible for assignment . This rule may be waived in emergency situations when no subs are available and if approved by the Board.
g. to be eligible for the playoffs a sub must play for a minimum of 3 games for that team and must be on that team’s roster for the final 3 consecutive games of the regular season. If that team has a bye within the last 3 weeks of the season the bye will be counted as an active game for the sub to determine playoff eligibility.
h. to qualify for an award, a replacement player must play in 5 games during the season for that team
i. if a team picks up a sub for the final 3 games of the season and that sub becomes injured and cannot play the team can get a replacement to finish the season but that replacement player would not be eligible for the playoffs
3. Playoff Roster-a team’s roster is locked once the playoffs begin. No substitutions are allowed during the playoffs. An injured player cannot be replaced. A roster player cannot return after the playoffs begin-he would have to be on the team’s active roster for their game 1 of the playoffs to be eligible.
4. Playoff Seeding -if teams are tied at the end of the regular season the tie will be broken and playoff seeding determined by head to head competition between those teams. If the tie is for 1st place and affects awards, the tie will be broken by an additional game between the 2 teams that will be scheduled by the Commissioner before the start of the playoffs. If a game cannot be scheduled or in the event of a 3 way tie, the tie will be broken with a foul shooting contest. Each captain will select 3 players from his team. Each player will shoot 10 free throws. The team with the highest cumulative total of made free throws will be declared the winner.
Friday Jan. 28, 2022
Schedule Change
A change has been made to the end of the season schedule to accommodate make-up games due to COVID postponements and possible games to break a tie in the standings. The games scheduled for March 12 will now be played on the previously open date of March 5. March 12 will be used for make-up games and tie breaker games.
Tuesday January 25, 2022
Open Gym
Monday January 10, 2022
Gym Schedule
On Saturday Jan 15 all games will start 30 minutes earlier than usual due to a special event that is scheduled in the gym for Saturday evening. The first game will start at 9:00. Gym doors will open at 8:30.
There are no league games scheduled on Saturday January 29 and on Saturday March 5. This is due to previously scheduled events in the gym on those days that were set before we made arrangements to rent MD Sports Hall and move the remainder of the season there to avoid COVID conflicts in the school. The gym is not available to us on those dates and no league activities are scheduled.
Nov. 2: MD Sports Hall
Next Saturday, November 13, our game site will switch to MD Sports Hall at 534 4th Ave in Troy for the remainder of the season. In August, the Board decided to make this move to provide us with the highest probability of avoiding interruptions or cancellations of our season from COVID restrictions that could be set by the school district and affect our use of Lishakill. Bob Corcione has discussed this with school district officials and an agreement is set for us to return to Lishakill next season.
To reach MD Sports Hall take Interstate 787 into Cohoes and cross into Troy using the Ontario St bridge (route 470 East to 112th St). The gym is just a few blocks from the bridge exit in Troy. Parking is on-street. We can also use the parking lot of Snowman ice cream stand which is located on the corner one block behind the gym.
Face masks will be optional. Everyone must be vaccinated and a copy of your vaccine card must be received by Commissioner Bob Corcione (text to 518-225-6766) by 11/10 to play.
Start time for the first game will be 9:30 with all games starting 15 minutes later than the schedule traditionally followed at Lishakill. Doors will open at 8:45. Doors will be unlocked during the day but if the front door is locked there is a doorbell that rings inside the gym. The gym will be set up with the scorer’s table and team benches on the right side of the gym as you enter. The score clock is a table top model-there is no wall mounted clock. The home team bench will be at the far end of the gym by the stage with the visitor’s bench closest to the entrance/lobby area. Spectator seating will be on the left side of the gym. There is a balcony above the lobby with 2 basketball hoops. Players can use this area to warm-up and to watch the game action before their own game. You can reach the balcony from the stairway to the 2nd floor located at the entrance. Restrooms are located downstairs using the stairs inside the front entrance. All of the equipment in the athletic training space in the basement is off-limits. The locker room and showers can be reached from a hallway on the left side of the basement or from a stairway located at the left rear corner of the gym. The toilets and sinks in the locker room do not work-we need to use the main restroom. The gym floor was re-finished this week. Please keep all chairs and tables inside the gym on the carpet runners to protect the new floor. Our scorekeeper Steve Gay will be our on-site facility manager and will open and close the building each Saturday.
Sept 17: Please note that all games will be played at MD Sports Hall at 534 4th Ave Troy beginning on November 13. Starting time for games at MD Sports Hall will be at 9:30 am rather than our unusual start time of 9:15. Starting time for each game during the day will be 15 minutes later than the usual time.
SEPT 9: TRYOUTS/OPEN GYM Tryouts for all new players will be conducted this Saturday, September 11 at Lishakill Middle School beginning at 9:00 am. Everyone must wear a mask while inside the building and while playing. New players will play pickup games which are observed by team captains and league officials to obtain an estimate of their skill level compared to current players in the league. This is used by captains when drafting players and for determining appropriate substitute players when needed. The gym will be open for pickup games for returning league players following the tryout period. You must be registered and fully paid by noon on Saturday to be eligible for the draft. If not drafted you will be placed on the sub list for this season. Colonie division draft will occur on Saturday afternoon. Albany division draft will occur early next week. Captains will call players after the competition of the draft with team and schedule information. Team rosters and schedules will be posted on the website. Remember that you must submit a copy of your COVID vaccination record prior to playing.
AUGUST 31: SEASON PLAN The Board has solidified plans for our season. School districts recently mandated wearing of masks inside school buildings so we will be required to wear masks while playing at Lishakill. COVID is still volatile, fluid, and unpredictable. The situation may remain stable then gradually improve and we could weather the storm at Lishakill. However, schools are among the first settings to place restrictions and it’s unknown but a high possibility that they would close the schools to outside groups if there are any further COVID expansions. If that happens our season would be cancelled. For that reason the Board has decided to move our season to MD Sports Hall (McBride-Dags gym) at 534 4th Ave in Lansingburgh (North Troy) beginning on November 13. We will open the season at Lishakill and play there thru November 6. MD Sports Hall has already contracted with other groups for use of the gym on multiple Saturday dates thru November 6. MD Sports Hall is a private gym and not subject to public setting mandates. They remained open from June, 2020 throughout the pandemic and hosted a group of 20 Albany Division players from November thru August. This facility has the highest probability of remaining open. The Board, with input from players, will be able to make our own decisions and policies to guide us thru any changes in the situation and give us a very high possibility of having a full season. The situation is fluid and ever- changing and we will be faced with making many decisions to adjust. Be flexible. Proof of vaccination or weekly testing will still be required for our league at both venues (Board policy).
AUGUST 30: TEAM JERSEYS Many jerseys were not turned in after the abrupt covid-induced end to our last season. Please check to see if you still have your jersey and contact your team captain or a Board member to turn it in. The jerseys are needed for this new season
FACEMASKS: many of us experienced playing and exercising with facemasks during this pandemic. It’s not desirable but it is manageable. One group of 20 of our comrades played outdoors and indoors from July 2020 thru May 2021 while wearing facemasks. Many found that a sport specific type of facemask was most desirable. The UVShield Cool Facemask is one example of a sports mask that was used and found effective by some of our comrades.
August 27 UPDATE: The Governor and the school district now MANDATE wearing facemasks in the school. Facemasks will be required on tryout day. You must also show or submit a copy of your vaccination card or a negative test result before entering the gym. The Board is actively evaluating the changing situation and the potential that school districts may ban outside groups at some point. This is a big unknown. The Board is actively looking at alternate gym sites and planning for the best route to take to ensure the health and safety of the players and to try to ensure that the season can be played in its entirety.
August 13: The CSBL 2021-22 season is scheduled to play at Lishakill Middle School. Changes could occur due to the changing COVID situation
September 11 – new player registration/ tryouts and open gym for returning players at Lishakill School 9:00- 12:00 Open gym following completion of the tryouts will be available. . Draft will occur after the tryouts. Players will be contacted by their team captain after the draft.
September 18 – first day of the new season.