DOSEN

Finding a balance

from page B7 fense has earned his team invitations to the No Gloves tournament two years in a row.

“The No Gloves is recognized by everyone as the biggest and best softball tournament,” Dosen said, “It’s the highlight of the summer for us. It has an aura. The food is great and the grounds crew is like a major league crew.” Player attendance is mandatory for the tournament, so Dosen’s teammates don’t schedule weddings for the last weekend in July. Meatball City, though, isn’t just showing up, Dosen sees them making a good run at the No Gloves. “I like our chances against anyone. We can hang with any team in the tournament. Our goal is to maximize the number of games we play.” Meatball City is accustomed to the pressure of playing in close games They have also battled their way through the Loser’s Bracket at the No Gloves.

“There’s more pressure with the Loser’s Bracket,” said Dosen.

As for the team’s curious name, Dosen believes it comes from an insult hurled by someone while they were trash talking. The team is sponsored by the Berwyn Municipal Police Association Local 1 and the FOP Brotherhood of the Fallen. Being sponsored by two police unions means Meatball City doesn’t have the usual bar sponsor for team gatherings

This may be helping the team’s performance but it’s also appropriate for Dosen who is a patrol officer for the River Forest Police Department. “It was never on my radar to become a police officer,” Dosen said but so far it’s been a good fit

Softball has also been a good fit for Dosen, because he keeps his priorities straight. “Family and work come before softball,” said Dosen, “It’s not very healthy when softball takes away from family.” His wife enjoys coming out to the games and soon there will be three in the family. They were expecting their first child in mid-July.

To leave time for his family, Dosen only commits to playing one or two games on weekdays and tournaments on the week- ends. He sees a divide between younger players like himself and older players, like his grandfather. “I didn’t grow up in the city.” He can’t picture himself playing softball every night at the local park. “You can’t sustain that nowadays. It’s recreational – not a profession.”

“Some of the older players want the game to go back to how it used to be.” Dosen doesn’t see it happening. “The world is so different now.” There are more entertainment options than softball. Dosen also believes the tournaments go on for too long. “They should end on Saturday and leave Sundays free for the family.”

He acknowledges there are not as many spectators at softball games as there once were. “But there are more eyes on the game than ever, thanks to social media.” He believes live-streaming games is increasing softball’s popularity from coast to coast.

When Dosen calls for shorter tournaments, he’s not including the iconic No Gloves.

“It draws good crowds. You don’t see anything like it anywhere else.”