I must say that having a background of actually playing the game for many years gives a person a different perspective than people who stopped after little league. As far as "beer leagues", I think that must refer to softball. I have never really heard of beer league baseball around this area. I can say that city leagues are abundant and are extremely competative and filled with quality players from colleges, high schools and 20 and 30 somethings with gas left in the tank. Softball players are not to be confused with people who played little league, Pony league, High School and then perhaps College followed by city leagues. My experience playing in city leagues was that the consensus was that it was of better quality than the Wisconsin State college league. Playing the game DOES sharpen ones senses when looking at the professional game and stat geeks and fatsos sitting at their computers need to understand that. Geeks and tubbies .......start your keyboards and bash away.