June 30 - Note from the Commissioner Re: Cuba

I’d like to thank everybody for their interest in our proposed trip to Cuba. Your responses were impressive and your questions right on the money. This is what’s going on:

1. We have duly applied to the US Treasury for the requisite licenses. The approvals usually take 2-3 months.

2. Until the license is granted we are prohibited from engaging in certain trip related activities in Cuba i.e. actually going to Cuba, viewing the fields and meeting with Cuban softball officials to discuss rules and team equality.

3. Upon the issuance of the license, the travel arrangements for the trip will be coordinated by Educational Travel Alliance, Inc. which is a Cuba licensed travel service provider under the leadership of Michael Eizenberg, an EMASS athlete. Michael has personally visited or taken tours to Cuba more than 20 times and we are comfortable with the insights and leadership he provides.

4. Finally, upon the issuance of the license, and the follow through travel preparation we will hold a open meeting for all interested EMASS participants at which time all of your questions will be answered.

5. Until that meeting, which will be in early August, please address your inquiries to EMASS.Cuba@gmail.com and we’ll try to answer them via email or at the August meeting.

In summation, every voice will be heard, every question answered over the course of the summer. Let’s get the license and go from there.
~ Stu Gray, Commissioner

> > The initial announcement @ EMASS & Cuba, as well as future information will be posted under the section "Special Events" (on the drop down menu under
the main header "Current Events").

If you ever wondered why they do not show controversial instant replays during Red Sox games, here is the official response to an email sent by EMASS player, Mike Sobol:

Dear Mr. Sobol,
Thanks you for your interest in the in-game entertainment at Fenway Park. Unfortunately the reason that the close plays cannot be showed on the videoboard at Fenway Park (or any other MLB ballpark for that matter) isn't because of how the fans would react. We are issued a set of rules from MLB stating what plays we can & cannot show. In these rules it says "close plays may be shown, using good judgment & all plays must be reviewed by the Scoreboard Operator prior to being replayed on the scoreboard. The following plays may not be shown:
(a) Replays showing called balls or strikes from the current game or series;
(b) Brushback pitches; &
(c) Any instance where an umpire has clearly made an incorrect call.
...close plays may be shown only once, & none of the close plays may be shown in slow motion or freeze frame."

It is strongly suggested to us to not show close plays that may affect the game. The reason close plays can't be displayed on the video board is because by seeing a different angle or a different speed than the umpires, coaches or players could see during normal game action could have an effect on the game. For example a manager could argue a play differently upon seeing a video replay or an umpire could question an incorrect call after watching a replay of it.

By not showing any controversial calls not only can none of that happen during the game, but it also doesn't create the possibility of the home team only showing replays which are in their favor & not showing calls that don't go their way, thus creating an unfair home advantage. I can't speak for the reason the NFL allows all replays shown in stadium, but I do know that should controversial plays be shown in Fenway Park, MLB will fine us for the violation.

We aim to & will continue to show as many replays as possible in the Park & hope to continue to improve your fan experience.

Thank you, Sarah Logan
Sr. Manager, Video & Scoreboard Operation - The Boston Red Sox