Announcement
Minutes from 3-15-17 Board of Directors Meeting
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
March 15, 2017
In attendance: Johnny Allen, Steve Carey, Grady Meredith, Neil Fleming, Dave Sroka, Dave Lovelace, Pat Carey, Chris Houlday, Harry Gowl, Bob Miller, Don Hillock, Steve Unger, Paul Maloney, Bo Wood, Dick Mullins, Keith Purdy, Tom Wendorf, Carl Pierce. All teams were represented.
• The meeting was called to order at 1:30.
• Keith reported a balance of $7898 in funds after taking into account actual and committed expenses.
• Bo reported the infields are in great shape and the outfields will be the next job before the season starts. They will be rolled with a heavy-duty roller by a licensed operator, and then power-seeding and fertilizing will be done.
• Bo reported that new scoreboards have been ordered for each field. Installation has not been scheduled.
• Bo reviewed the rule regarding playing sponsors who wish to play on the team they sponsor. All managers agreed they understood. When a sponsor who wishes to play on the team he sponsors is in the general draft, the team that drafts him will have the company’s name.
• Carl updated the registration status. There are approximately 160 players as of now that will be in the draft. New sign-ups and inquiries continue to be received. Since in past seasons we have occasionally experienced high levels of dropouts in preseason practice, it was decided to delay a decision on the number of teams for the ensuing season until shortly before the draft. We will have managers in place for 13 teams if needed.
• Bo and Keith explained the re-rating of players who have experienced issues since their ratings were assigned at the end of 2016.
Affected players who will be in the draft will maintain the rating they were assigned but will be asked to note their issues so managers can make draft decisions.
Managers and assistant managers who have experienced issues since the ratings were assigned at the end of 2016 will have the opportunity to plead their case to the other managers. The affected manager/assistant will propose a new rating and the remaining managers will vote. If the majority does not approve the new rating, the affected manager/assistant will remain at the assigned rating.
• Bo presented a proposal by the Church of God (CoG) to share the costs in a joint venture for construction of a large storage pole building to be constructed between Field #2 and the soccer field, close to the farm field. OTS would have access to this building for storage and meetings. The cost to OTS would be about $6000. Harry Gowl suggested that the building be located closer to the woods. Bo is going to present that idea to the CoG.
• Dick went over the By-Laws changes for 2017 in general terms. A draft of the new 2017 By-Laws will be sent to the Board of Directors for review. (POST-MEETING update – draft has been sent out for review.)
• Port-a-Johns and the Weather Line will be available on April 1. Carl will continue to be the primary Weather Line man.
• Bo announced that five sponsors have not sent in their fees yet – American Legion, B & E Tires, Community Bank Delaware, Diamondblade Tileworks and Fox’s Pizza Den. (POST-MEEETING update – payment has been received from B & E and Community Bank has advised payment is on the way.)
• Bo reminded managers that 2016 players will not be given new hats this year. They are to use their hats from last year. New hats will be given to new players.
• Bo announced that a tentative agreement has been reached with an SSUSA representative to provide umpire training to OTS umpires. The basic training will be paid for by OTS. Any umpire who wishes to be certified for SSUSA softball games will be able to do that for an additional fee of $35 which won’t be covered by the league. The SSUSA rep is checking if May 10th will work for him.
• Dick has put together a committee to acknowledge and celebrate the 20th anniversary of OTS. A special Opening Day Ceremony will begin the festivities, followed by other events including a dinner for sponsors, supporters, and special guests, a Shorebirds game, creating an anniversary booklet and a day-long picnic with 1-pitch softball games. The Opening Day Ceremony will start at 10:15 on May 2nd between Field #2 and the soccer field.
• Keith will organize a Tuesday night league (which will use senior bats) and members who wish to play at this level are welcome. The season will start the end of May or beginning of June with games at 6:00. Volunteer umpires would be appreciated. More details later.
• Dick announced that CPR training will again be made available. Details will be announced.
• Dick announced that arrangements have been made to use a meeting room at the Dagsboro Fire Station for this year’s draft.
• Steve Carey announced that he and Mike Krieg will not be able to manage a team this year. Both players intend to be in the draft.
• On a sad note, Bo announced that former player Dave Crenshaw passed away on Sunday, March 12th.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted, C. Pierce, Secretary
