About
Since 2002, the Cinema Studies Softball Team, also known as the Straayers Playaz, has been playing in the NYU Intramurals Co-Ed Softball League. The team consists of graduate and undergraduate students, most of whom are in the Cinema Studies department. (Occassionally, students from other departments play with us.) Because the league is co-ed, there must be at least two players of each gender on the field and in the batting lineup.
The following should answer most questions about the Cinema Studies softball team.
Who can play on the Cinema Studies Softball Team?
The team is open to any matriculated graduate or undergraduate student with a Coles membership. In other words, if you are allowed to use the athletic facilities at Coles or Palladium, you are eligible to play.
Do I have to pay anything to play?
Your tuition covers the league fees, however I want to order team t-shirts. I expect them to cost between $8.00 to $10.00.
When do we play the games?
Games take place on Sundays, beginning on Sunday, March 30, 2009, and ending on May 3, 2009, with the end of the semester. We will play each Sunday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Each game lasts seven innings or 90-minutes, whichever elapses first. On rare occassions, we may be scheduled play two or three games in one day.
Consult our team schedule for the specific dates and times of our games, practices, and meetings.
Where do we play the games?
For the last two years, games took place on an asphalt field at St. Varten's Park, located between East 35th, East 36th Street, 1st and 2nd Avenues.
The site may change for 2009.
How do I get to the games?
On game days, the league charters a bus. The bus picks up players at Coles Recreation Center, corner of Bleecker and Mercer Streets, forty-five minutes before the scheduled start of the game. The team schedule and the league schedule list the exact pick up times.
For practices, there is no bus. Please consult the East River Park page on this site for directions.
I have not played softball in ages. Can I still play?
Of course! The softball team is meant to be a social space for our students so if you're an active person (or would like to be) and don't mind showing up to practices and games, please sign up. You'll have a blast!
Will we practice?
We will try to have a team practice on the week of March 22. More details to come.
How much of a commitment is this?
It won't take too much of your time. All we ask is that you make your best effort to attend any meetings, practices, and games, which are listed on the team schedule. There will occassional practices and about six weekly games.
Is this a competitive team?
Yes. We don't like to lose. But at the same, we're a positive team. No one will ever yell or berate you. That is simply not tolerated and against the spirit of this team.
How have we fared in the past?
Believe it or not, we're one of the league's best teams. We have a winning record over the last four years. Were it not for the league cancelling the tournament in 2005 and 2006 due to inclement weather and lack of playing fields, we would have been league champions both years. In 2007, we were eliminated by the Furies, the team that won it all. In 2008, there was no tournament champion.
What's the deal with the statistics?
The younger team captain is a big geek with computers, softball, baseball, and elementary sabremetrics. The stats are a way to join all those unhealthy interests to stave off any urge to write his dissertation.
Does the team have a uniform?
Yes. Between 2004 and 2008, we had a grey and black, long-sleeve, raglan shirt. It features a logo designed by Professor Straayer's nephew, lettering in Old English style, and a player number of the back of the shirt. A picture is available on the team jersey page.
For 2009, I am ordering shirts that we'll likely have to pay for ourselves. They should only cost between $8.00 and $10.00.
Do I need any special apparel?
Our games take place throughout April and early May when temperatures are usually cool and there is always chance of light rain. We recommend wearing long pants and a number of thin layers. Avoid bundling up as you do tend to warm up as the game progresses and become a sweaty mess by the middle innings. Also, if you're an aggressive baserunner, wearing pants or a pair of sliding pads is recommended to protect your legs.
Do I need any equipment?
The league supplies balls, bases, a catcher's mask, some bats, and umpires who have a tendency to run a mouth.
We recommend that you bring your own mitt. A mitt with a pocket deep enough to wrap around a softball and with a length of 12 inches or longer will suit most positions. Infielders, on the other hand, will want to use a glove with a maximum length of 12 inches and a pocket deep enough to barely wrap around a softball.
If we play on a grass/dirt field, we also recommend having a pair of cleats, although they don't have to be designed for baseball/softball. Football or soccer cleats work fine. However, metal cleats are not allowed.
Aside from that, you're welcome to bring any equipment you might have, such as batting gloves, slow-pitch softball bats, or any protective gear.
Where can I buy any gear that I might need?
- Paragon Sports. 867 Broadway at 18th St.
- Widest selection of gear in NYC, including from the most basic to the very expensive, professional grade.
- Sports Authority. 636 6th Ave at 19th St.
- For the more budget conscious, recreational athlete.
- Fog Dog Sports. http://www.fogdog.com/
- An online shop with a good selection and competitive prices. Cheap shipping available.
Do we socialize after the games?
Sometimes. In 2003, we began using the grills at East River Park for postgame barbeques. Over the last couple of years, however, due to early games times we have settled for a postgame breakfast at area diners.
This is an excellent FAQ, but I have more questions.
Email the team captains at softball@cinematologists.com.