Motivated by a recent conversation with a well-known Maine educator, basketball Commissioner Pete Webb, today’s thoughts turn to an overused sports expression that needs addressing.

The gentleman in question told this writer that he tires of the overuse of the term “bush league,” used by columnists, sports announcers, and, of course, fans to describe action which is less than professional in nature. I agree with him.

“What a bush league operation,” for example, may refer to action that is totally uncalled for by athletes who, quite frankly, know better. Thoughts come to mind such as taunting the opposition after a score, or pointing into the crowd with the wrong finger – that type of thing.

According to this particular educator, attaching “bush league” to the event is and of itself an insult to the real bush leagues in America.

What are they, you’re asking?

Let me elaborate.

For my money, the real bush leagues are the heart and the soul of our athletic lives.

Bush leagues are the town baseball teams, which gathered on Sunday afternoons at the local diamonds. Yes, there were expenses for equipment and the like, but if you are old enough to remember “passing the hat” to raise a few bucks for the participants, then you’re old enough to remember being a part of a legitimate bush league operation.

Same formula was true for the old fast-pitch softball teams that graced the region 40 years ago. Teams such as New England Pipe and Grant’s Dairy come to mind. Those teams squared off at the old Broadway Park in Bangor.

Yes, the games were in the so-called bushes, but the fervor and excitement generated by those athletes and that level of play are still talked about in this region.

Out in the bushes isn’t such a bad thing when communities unite to support small school basketball.

This month, we are all on the verge of witnessing once again the phenomenon that is known far and wide as the purest form of hoops in the country.

In our state, the bush leaguers by the thousands come to tournament venues to celebrate life, the games, and each other.

Hey, writers, broadcasters, and all you national guys and gals, think twice before you fall again into the pitfalls of poor nomenclature choice for the greatest level of play there is: The bush league.

It was in the bush leagues that guys like Danny Coombs made their mark on baseball. The bush leagues of Brewer, Maine, propelled this kid into the majors.

It was also in those bush leagues of Clinton, Maine, that a young female hoop sensation named Cindy Blodgett honed her craft. Consider that, then consider where the majority of great athletes come from. That’s right: The bushes.

Bush league, like a lot of cliches, is ready for the dumpster. Its overuse is tiring, redundant, and ready for its demise.

30-Second Time Out

Old friend and former player Nathan Cyr checks in – our son Nate is named after him – to wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hoop fans will remember Nathan as a sharp-shooting guard for Penobscot Valley High in Howland, Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, and Husson College in the Queen City.

In 2000, Nate averaged 29.9 points per game for our state champ EMCC Golden Eagles hoop squad and garnered National Small College Athletic Association All-American honors.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net