Ramblings of a soccer fan:

As I was driving to work the other day I was reminded of the June 2, 2010, Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers.  For those of you that don’t recall (or don’t really care), Detroit’s pitcher, Armando Galarraga, had pitched the perfect game through 8 and 2/3 innings.  He was facing his 27th Cleveland batter of the evening.  Cleveland’s Jason Donald hit a ground ball between first and second base, Detroit’s first baseman, Miguel Cabrera, fielded the ground ball and threw it to Galarraga, who was now covering first base.  Galarraga caught the ball, with his foot on first base, a step ahead of Donald reaching first base seemingly closing out the perfect game.  Unfortunately, the first base umpire called the runner safe thus costing Galarraga the perfect game, which, as an aside, would have been the first ever perfect game pitched by a Detroit Tiger pitcher.  (As a side note, the next Cleveland batter grounded out and Detroit won the game 3-0.)  In the firestorm that followed the call there was an outcry for expansion of instant replay in baseball, there were those that wanted the call overturned thereby giving Galarraga his perfect game in the record books, many called for the umpire to be fired, the umpire received threats, etc.

ESSL Philosophy

The East Suburban Soccer League and it's membership are affiliated with the national organization of The Soccer Association for Youth (SAY). It is their philosophy to provide an organization, within which children can learn and play soccer. The East Suburban Soccer League provides recreational soccer to children of any skill level. There are no try outs and all players play at least 50% of each game. One major goal is for all participants, players, coaches and spectators to have fun. Please remember the East Suburban Soccer League has a "0" tolerance policy in regards to language, fighting and unsportsman like conduct. All Participants, including parents, are urged to display good sportsmanship and remember that in the East Suburban Soccer League, We play soccer "for the fun of it."

The East Suburban Soccer League Board meetings are open to the public. The Board meets the 2nd Wed of each month at 6:30p.m. The location of the meetings change from month to month. Please contact an ESSL board member to inquire about location should you wish to attend a meeting.

The East Suburban Soccer League is made up of all volunteers, if you would like to volunteer or need more information please feel free to contact any Board Member or your District Representative.