BJ Roberts Steps Down from Suburban/SKS
by TJ Jorgensen, SKS
1/22/2010
Portage, MI-
Suburban/SKS will enter the 2010 season without the manager that led them to an ASA
World Championship just two short years ago.
Brian “BJ” Roberts has stepped down as manager of Suburban after six years with the team.
During that tenure, he has led the team to multiple state titles, a regional championship, an
ASA North National title and of course, the ASA Hooters World title. On Friday, I sat
down with the man I have worked closely with for two years and one of the best managers
in slow pitch softball.
1/22/2010
Portage, MI-
Suburban/SKS will enter the 2010 season without the manager that led them to an ASA
World Championship just two short years ago.
Brian “BJ” Roberts has stepped down as manager of Suburban after six years with the team.
During that tenure, he has led the team to multiple state titles, a regional championship, an
ASA North National title and of course, the ASA Hooters World title. On Friday, I sat
down with the man I have worked closely with for two years and one of the best managers
in slow pitch softball.
“The most important thing is people need to know that I'm leaving the team on good terms with MOST of the guys,” he began. “There are
some others that I have not talked to in quite some time. It’s a shame because I considered everyone on that team a good friend of mine
and would not want to go to battle with anyone else. It’s hard to manage a team with people you consider friends because what you are
doing most weekends is putting the best team out there to win, but sometimes personal relationships play a part. And that makes it hard to
manage.”
I asked him about his relationship with Suburban/SKS team owner, Matt Lavender, who is also a major part of the team on the field.
“As far as Matt and I go, I consider him a great friend, almost like a big brother and I want to thank him for the opportunity he gave me to
be a part of something special these past several years,” Roberts said. “There is a side to Matt that many people don’t have the luxury of
seeing, and working close with him over the years I have been able to see that.”
“So why would you want to step down?” I asked him.
“The past season seemed to be the hardest for me,” Roberts explained. “I can’t pinpoint the reason and that is why I'm
stepping away from the game this year. It’s not like I am retiring from the game.. I would call this a one year hiatus as I’m
returning next year in 2011, but in a players role along with managing a team of guys that I have played with in the past,
some of them old Suburban guys. I think I still have the ability to play and manage, and with Suburban, I really don’t see
that happening. I have had thoughts of leaving the team before but I always seem to come back and say ‘one more year’.
This year was just mentally draining on me. It seemed as if there was always something going on with this team whether
its players, people involved with the team or just little things and I just don’t want to deal with that side of things anymore.”
“You are not leaving because Suburban had a sub-par season, according to their standards, right?” I asked.
“Not at all,” he replied. “Suburban has been a team that for the last few years, people didn’t want to play, or we always had a target on our
back because we were hated by most other teams. Part of that came from winning the world titles and the other part because we had that
swagger that we felt we earned. We have had a lot of talent, and this past year I would be willing to go on record and say this was the
most talented team I have ever been a part of. However, we didn’t accomplish what we have in the past and that said to me in a way it was
time to step away and see if it was me or was it just chemistry. People have said good chemistry can outplay and beat the most talented of
teams and after this year I would have to agree. I have seen teams beat us that were not even close to our talent level, but they had
something we lacked this year: chemistry and passion.”
Being someone that runs a team similar to Suburban, I know the amount of time that goes into
being a manager, including stress and the amount of personal time away from family that can also
be a headache. I asked Roberts if the stress got to him.
“You know there is a lot of stress and personal time that I put into this team that I don’t think is
realized and appreciated,” he answered. “You of all people obviously understand that, TJ, and
Matt by far recognizes this as well as a few other people but that is a big part too, on why I am
leaving. I think people need to take a step back sometimes and realize that we are not getting paid
to do this at our level, and realize they are spending time away from family, kids, etc so we are
there for one reason...WINNING!! People seem to bring drama along for the smallest of reasons
and if that would all be put away and people go out and play for the love of the game, and to
spend time with their friends, and use softball on the weekends as a mini vacation people would
have a lot more fun. It might also lead to winning more games.”
“What will you take away from your time with Suburban?” I asked.
“I have had some great times with this team and cherish a lot of memories,” the veteran said.
“There really are too many to name - obviously the World Championship in ASA is the biggest
win Suburban has ever had and to be a part of that is a lifelong memory. The state championships
and the regional were right behind it, along with road trips with (Steve) West and (Kevin) Wilson
and big Timmy (Medema). Now it’s time to start a new chapter in my life with some new and
lasting memories with my girlfriend Michelle, and some former teammates and players when I
return to the diamond in 2011.”
“To my former team Suburban, I wish you guys all the best with the upcoming season and your
endeavors. To the Street Kids organization as a whole, this is something special to be a part of
and I will continue to be a part of this organization as long as they will have me.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
some others that I have not talked to in quite some time. It’s a shame because I considered everyone on that team a good friend of mine
and would not want to go to battle with anyone else. It’s hard to manage a team with people you consider friends because what you are
doing most weekends is putting the best team out there to win, but sometimes personal relationships play a part. And that makes it hard to
manage.”
I asked him about his relationship with Suburban/SKS team owner, Matt Lavender, who is also a major part of the team on the field.
“As far as Matt and I go, I consider him a great friend, almost like a big brother and I want to thank him for the opportunity he gave me to
be a part of something special these past several years,” Roberts said. “There is a side to Matt that many people don’t have the luxury of
seeing, and working close with him over the years I have been able to see that.”
“So why would you want to step down?” I asked him.
“The past season seemed to be the hardest for me,” Roberts explained. “I can’t pinpoint the reason and that is why I'm
stepping away from the game this year. It’s not like I am retiring from the game.. I would call this a one year hiatus as I’m
returning next year in 2011, but in a players role along with managing a team of guys that I have played with in the past,
some of them old Suburban guys. I think I still have the ability to play and manage, and with Suburban, I really don’t see
that happening. I have had thoughts of leaving the team before but I always seem to come back and say ‘one more year’.
This year was just mentally draining on me. It seemed as if there was always something going on with this team whether
its players, people involved with the team or just little things and I just don’t want to deal with that side of things anymore.”
“You are not leaving because Suburban had a sub-par season, according to their standards, right?” I asked.
“Not at all,” he replied. “Suburban has been a team that for the last few years, people didn’t want to play, or we always had a target on our
back because we were hated by most other teams. Part of that came from winning the world titles and the other part because we had that
swagger that we felt we earned. We have had a lot of talent, and this past year I would be willing to go on record and say this was the
most talented team I have ever been a part of. However, we didn’t accomplish what we have in the past and that said to me in a way it was
time to step away and see if it was me or was it just chemistry. People have said good chemistry can outplay and beat the most talented of
teams and after this year I would have to agree. I have seen teams beat us that were not even close to our talent level, but they had
something we lacked this year: chemistry and passion.”
Being someone that runs a team similar to Suburban, I know the amount of time that goes into
being a manager, including stress and the amount of personal time away from family that can also
be a headache. I asked Roberts if the stress got to him.
“You know there is a lot of stress and personal time that I put into this team that I don’t think is
realized and appreciated,” he answered. “You of all people obviously understand that, TJ, and
Matt by far recognizes this as well as a few other people but that is a big part too, on why I am
leaving. I think people need to take a step back sometimes and realize that we are not getting paid
to do this at our level, and realize they are spending time away from family, kids, etc so we are
there for one reason...WINNING!! People seem to bring drama along for the smallest of reasons
and if that would all be put away and people go out and play for the love of the game, and to
spend time with their friends, and use softball on the weekends as a mini vacation people would
have a lot more fun. It might also lead to winning more games.”
“What will you take away from your time with Suburban?” I asked.
“I have had some great times with this team and cherish a lot of memories,” the veteran said.
“There really are too many to name - obviously the World Championship in ASA is the biggest
win Suburban has ever had and to be a part of that is a lifelong memory. The state championships
and the regional were right behind it, along with road trips with (Steve) West and (Kevin) Wilson
and big Timmy (Medema). Now it’s time to start a new chapter in my life with some new and
lasting memories with my girlfriend Michelle, and some former teammates and players when I
return to the diamond in 2011.”
“To my former team Suburban, I wish you guys all the best with the upcoming season and your
endeavors. To the Street Kids organization as a whole, this is something special to be a part of
and I will continue to be a part of this organization as long as they will have me.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
