Olde Tymers Softball of Delmarva

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

March 20, 2018  

In attendance: Executive Officers - Bo Wood, Steve Carey, Keith Purdy, Tom Wendorf.

Team Managers - Johnny Allen, Russ Bowen, Pat Carey, Harry Gowl, Dave Lovelace, Phil Martin, Grady Meredith, Bob Miller, Dick Mullins, Dave Sroka and Steve Unger.

• The meeting was called to order at 1:00 by Bo.}
• Keith presented the Treasurer’s Report. A balance of $6,431 was carried over from the end of 2017. Many expenses have been paid for 2018, but there are still some to come, including field maintenance and grass cutting services.
• In the absence of Carl, Tom reported that there were 170 players registered for the 2018 season. Steve reported that he had received 2 registrations the day before, which brought the total to 172. (Post-meeting update: As of 3/26, 173 players are currently registered.)
  • American Legion Post #24
  • B & E Tire and AlignmentFox’s
  • Pizza Den
  • Pivot Physical Therapy (post-meeting update: check has been received)
• The American Legion Post #28 in Long View was announced as a new sponsor, taking the place of Diamondblade Tileworks. Keith Purdy will manage this team with Buddy Griffith as his assistant.
• Harry Gowl announced his resignation as team manager of Fox’s Pizza Den due to health reasons. Harry will not be a player to start the year, but will continue to be active in OTS, including doing some umpiring. Bob Miller will take his place as manager of Fox’s.
• The sponsors, managers and assistants for 2018 are:
  • All Out Sports - Pat Carey, Gene McCloskey
  • American Legion Post #24 - Johnny Allen, Bucky Wicklein
  • American Legion Post #28 - Keith Purdy, Buddy Griffith
  • Atlantic Orthopaedics - Steve Carey, Mike Krieg
  • Atlantic Physical Therapy - Steve Unger, Paul Moloney
  • B & E Tire & Alignment - Grady Meredith, Neil Fleming
  • Bin 66 - Dave Sroka, Mike Ohr
  • Colonial East Ltd. - Dave Lovelace, Bill Straughan
  • Community Bank Delaware - Russ Bowen, John Bradshaw
  • Edward Jones Investments - Dick Mullins, Eddie Sternberg
  • Fox's Pizza Den - Bob Miller, Dave Archer
  • Ocean View Family Restaurant - John Walker, Phil Martin
  • Pivot Physical Therapy - Bo Wood, John Bokop
• Bo gave a status of several items:
  • The new irrigation system is being installed Sequoia, the company that was used last year to cut our grass on several occasions, has indicated that they cannot to continue to cut our grass at the 2017 price. A substantial increase is expected. Bo will request an estimate from Sequoia and other options will be explored.
  • The first fence ad sign, sponsored by B&E, is in the making and will be displayed as soon as it’s available.
  • A wooden roof will be put over the bleachers on the 1st base side of Field #1 to provide shade. Plans are to have OTS players do the work. A work day will be announced.
• Steve announced that an umpire training session will be held on Thursday, April 12th starting at 2:00. The location will be announced once arrangements are finalized.
• Tom presented the proposed By-Laws amendments an answered questions pertaining to them. A motion was made and seconded to accept all the amendments. The motion passed unanimously.
• Tom presented 2 rule changes made by SSUSA which will be followed by OTS: 
  • SSUSA now allows any player to wear any glove or mitt. (Note: this rule has been in the OTS By-Laws for several years. Since it is now in the SSUSA rules, it has been removed from the OTS By-Laws.)
  • Starting this season, a courtesy runner may enter the game only prior to the first pitch to any batter.
• A motion was made and seconded to change the starting count for a batter to 1 ball and 1 strike and allow a courtesy foul once there were 2 strikes on the batter. The motion carried by a vote of 9 – 6.
• Several topics for open discussion were presented:
  • Steve Unger questioned whether OTS should require pitchers to wear face masks and not give them the option of signing a waiver since this is the SSUSA rule and we get our liability insurance through them. Keith didn’t think this was a problem with the insurance but said he will check with SSUSA. (Post-meeting update: Keith has received confirmation from SSUSA that this is not an issue.)
  • Pat Carey introduced an idea for an OTS Hall of Fame to honor significant accomplishments of OTS players on and off the field. After discussion, the Executive Committee authorized the creation of an ad hoc committee to investigate the development of an OTS Hall of Fame. Pat Carey agreed to be chairman of this committee. Grady Meredith, Harry Gowl, Russ Bowen and Steve Carey volunteered to be members.
  • Pat Carey requested that each team hit their own league softball, which would be marked with the team’s name or other identifying mark. This would ensure that a team was hitting a new ball at the beginning of the game. Currently, the home team manager is to provide 1 new ball and 1 playable backup ball to the umpire at the beginning of each game. It was pointed out that this proposal would double the amount of softballs needed for the season which is an expense the league is not willing to accept. It was agreed among the managers that the new softball for each game would be given to the umpire still wrapped.
  • Pat Carey proposed the creation of a Suspension Review Committee that consisted of more than the Executive Officers. It was pointed out that Section V of the By-Laws allows for an appeal of a suspension of more than one game that will be heard by the Board of Directors. No further action was taken.
  • Pat Carey opened discussion on allowing a non-playing roster player to enter the game as a courtesy runner. Due to the OTS rules allowing substitutions for non-playing roster players, it was deemed to not be appropriate to allow this. No further action was taken.
• The practice schedule was distributed. (Post-meeting update: changes had to be made to the practice schedule. The revised practice schedule will be distributed shortly.)
• Everyone was reminded that anyone pitching, even during batting practice, is required to wear an approved face mask unless they sign a Face Mask Waiver. If a player has already signed a waiver, there is no need to sign another one. Waivers are available in the shed on Field #2.
• Several managers asked for a list of players who have signed a waiver. This will be given to them shortly.
• It was noted that the date for this year’s Golf Tournament is Tuesday, October 16.
• Attendees were reminded of important dates for the 2018 season: 
  • OTS General Meeting - Monday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m., Bethany Beach Town Hall
  • Pre-season practices start Tuesday, April 3 with 2017 teams
  • New Player Evaluation Day – Tuesday, April 17
  • Player draft – Monday, April 23, 10:00 a.m., Dagsboro Fire Department
  • Practice with new teams starts –Tuesday, April 24
  • Season starts – Tuesday, May 1 and runs through August
• The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

T. Wendorf, Acting Secretary