Olde Tymers Softball of Delmarva

Executive Committee Meeting

December 30, 2009

 

 Bo, Tom, Archie and Dick met at the Ocean View Family Restaurant at noon on 12/30/09 to conduct league business and discuss issues for the upcoming season. 

 1) Registration Form and Letter - approved as amended, minor grammar and rearranging but nothing to change the form or letter from the draft sent to the managers.  To be sent out on January 4, 2010, and will be sent to all past players that we have information on.  Also discussed was the budget for the coming year, the anticipated 12 teams, ASA rule changes and the fee for the upcoming season. 

2)  Bo discussed the infield mix they are looking at, it was used by a local high school with great success, they had the same infield problems that we currently have (same guy provided their dirt).  Cost may be an issue, still being investigated to determine if and when we can get it on our fields.  Also, the Church of God has a Jugs pitching maching that we can use, we will look into buying/building a batting cage to accomodate it.

3)  We will use the same rules and guidelines for the bats and balls in our League as we did last year.  The ASA is experimenting with using a very restrictive ball but lifting all restrictions on bats to be used, this is under trial in Montgomery County, Md.  We will monitor closely.

4)  Pitching Rule:  Our league is Highly Recommending that all pitchers wear a mask and shin guards.  We will require all pitchers to sign a waiver stating they are aware of the recommendations to wear these safety items but have declined to use them if they so desire.  The ASA now recommends this due to injuries resulting from balls hit back to the pitcher.  We will purchase a pair of shin guards for each field, we already have a mask available for those who do not want to purchase their own.

5)    2010 League Fee:  We must increase the fee to $50 due to increased costs for insurance, uniforms, balls, supplies and other maintenance and operating items.  We are looking at starting a reserve fund to purchase a suitable infield mix, and possibly buy/build a batting cage.

Those on a wait list will not pay until they are placed on a team to play in games.  The fee schedule is $50 for the season, $35 for players coming in after the 1st half, and $15 for fall ball players.  Our liability insurance cost is over $1500 per year, which translates to about $10 per player, therefore we felt it appropriate to charge for fall ball to recover some of this cost, plus the cost of balls, field lining material, gas/oil/maint. on tractors for field maintenance, etc.  The fall ball fee is only for those joining only for fall ball, and who have not paid to play in the regular season.  Those who signed up and paid their 2010 fee will not pay any additional money for fall ball.

6)  Financial:  Archie reported that the insurance premium for 2010 has been paid, leaving us a balance of $1264.  Uniforms for 12 teams have been ordered.  Archie will handle new sponsors, anyone with prospective sponsors or supporters should communicate with Archie.  We also need managers, anyone wishing to manage should contact Bo.

7)  Manager's Meeting:  There will be a meeting of the 2010 teams managers and the Executive Committee at the American Legion Post #24 on Thursday, March 25.   The Time will be announced.  The purpose of this meeting will be to finalize changes to the rules, adopt the set of By-Laws and Rules and Regulations that will be in effect for 2010, discuss the League operation for the coming season and prepare for the player draft.

 A revised set of the proposed By-Laws and Rules and Regulations will be sent to each manager via e-mail.  It's basically the same as the ones distributed back in September.  These are for review and adoption at this meeting.

 

 

 

NEWS FROM . . .   Olde Tymers Softball   . . . SUSSEX COUNTY DELAWARE’S AGES 55 AND UP SLOW-PITCH LEAGUE

 
                                                        

DE 19930

  
Olde Tymers League Senior Softball 70+ TeamWins MCSSA Tournament       Bethany Beach, DE, July 21, 2009 “  

Get your glove and get in the game! SO YOU’RE OVER 55, BUT CAN YOU STILL RUN?  HIT?  CATCH?  THROW? n  If you still have at least 3 of these 4 skills, and you’re 55 years or older (male or female), contact OTS!   n  If you can use some fun, exercise, camaraderie and fresh air twice a week on a competitive—but supportive—team that will impress friends and family (or convince them you’re crazy!), contact OTS!   n  Even if you haven’t played in over 20 years, if you’re in reasonably good physical condition, contact OTS!   n  Seeking 30-40 more players to fill expansion rosters (Sorry, no million dollar contracts). Contact OTS!

# # #      

Bo Wood reports that the OTS 65ers won one, lost one in extra innings and lost a third game.  The team was very competitive as OTS continues to improve in the Olney Tournament each year.  All are looking forward to the 2010 Tournament.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

JULY 10, 2009

 

This is the second of three summer BOD meetings.  Present were Bo, Tom F., Dick, George, Jessie, Joel, Pat, Graydon, Eddie, Terry T. and John.  Also present were Ass't Managers Phil Martin and Lennie Gray.  The following items were discussed.

1)  Field Maintenance- Bo reiterated from last meeting that everyone is doing a great job with the field preparation.

2)  Tournaments- Senior Olympics is out, it was a poorly run tournament last year and we will not participate.  We will send two teams to Olney, 65 to 70 and 70 to 75.  No team from the over 75 age group is going.  OTS will put up the money for the tournament and it will be reimbursed by each participant.

3)  Sponsors- No OTS member is to approach any sponsor for support without the approval of the Executive Committee, and then it must be done through the individual who is responsible for the sponsor being with OTS.

4)  Schedule- we have left 3 dates open at the end of the second half before the tournament to ensure we can make up rain dates.  If not rain dates are needed we will examine the possibility of a double elimination, two day tournament to end the season.

5)  Equipment for Fields:  Bo discussed that we raised $639 from the Golf Tournament, and should use the money to purchase something beneficial to all OTS players, such as a pitching machine.  It would also be able to throw balls to outfielders.  Eddie discussed several options, and the need to look at cost, new or used, that it meets our needs, is user friendly and the need to look at future maintenance responsibilities.  More research will be done to determine which direction we move.

6)  Electric/Water- we are looking into running electric to Field #2, and installing a well to irrigate the grass when we have a dry spell.  We have electic on Field #1.

7)  The ASA is changing the specifications for their balls.  We currently use a ball that is 375 w. .44 core.  Their new balls will be less active than these.  Since manufacturers will stop making the old balls, we are going to purchase a gross of the current balls.

8)  Rules discussed:

     a)  Pitching distance to stay at 53', with no quick pitches.  Pitcher must stop and present the ball for 1 second before pitching, no more pitching out of the glove.

     b)  All teams must keep a book to maintain the score in event of a conflict.

     c)  Mercy rule:  7 inning game is after 5 innings, 9 inning game is after 7 innings.

9)  Umpires are doing a great job.  Some think we should look into incentives for them, such as lowering the league fees.

10)  Survey:  The Board asked the OTS Secretary to prepare a survey for all players to determine their preferences of two issues:  The days of the week we play, i.e. Tues/Thurs vs Tues/Fri., and the length of games (7, 8 or 9 innings).  The Secretary is also responsible to ensure that each team manager receives the survey and that all players have the opportunity to submit a survey, since last year there may have been at least one team that did not receive a survey.  The survey results will be considered at the September meeting.

Future discussion in September will include looking into:  the Rules and Regulations and By-Laws, the substitute runner rule, setting the maximum number or players per team so we can determine the number of teams, and other issues that will improve the league.  Determining the number of players per team is vital, since that is eventually needed to determine the total number of players in OTS.  With the rapid growth of the league this year (over 30 new players), it may be soon that we have to put a cap on the number of players we can accept applications from.  If we have 10 teams and the limit is 14 per team, then 140 is the maximum.  To move to 12 teams with 13 players, we need 156 players, and 178 to maintain 14 on 12 teams.  There will be no more odd number of teams, only even numbers.  In reality, the maximum number of teams we can accomodate is 12, unless we go to playing all day, which we don't think is practical.

No further business, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

OTS Board of Directors Meeting

June 12, 2009

 

The Executive Committee (OTS Officers) and the Managers, which make up the Board of Directors of OTS, met today, along with some of the assistant managers.  The meeting took place at the Arby's in Millsboro due to rain.

Bo announced this was the of 3 summer meetings that would take place.  These meetings are to go over any issues that come up, vote on issues where needed and plan for any events/activities that OTS may be involved in.

1)  An issue that came up during a game was discussed, Bo investigated the incident and reported on what he found.  The conduct of one or more players, the fact the running rule was not followed and the perception of how team assignments of players after the draft were all issues that contributed to the incident.  Bo is satisfied that after his investigation and actions, the incident is closed.

2)  The running rule was again discussed, and will remain as it is at this time and will be revisited at the September BOD meeting.

3)  Bo went over the method he uses to place new players on teams, some teams expressed their needs due to injuries, etc.

4)  The first annual OTS Golf Tournament will take place on June 24th at the Deer Run Golf Course in Berlin, Md.  We have the opportunity to make up to $1000 if we can get 40 golfers to play.

5)  Bo reported that all teams are doing a great job preparing the fields each week.  When doing the fields, consider this:  If the field is wet, roll it only, do not drag it.  If the field is dry, drag it, no need to roll it.  If moist but not wet, can be rolled, then dragged.

6)  Rain outs-  The high number of rain outs were discussed.  An idea to make up the games was discussed, basically if a rainout occurred on Tuesday the games would be played on Wednesday, and if on Thursday the makeup would be Friday.  At this time in mid season it was thought this could not be done since some players would not be able to participate, it was agreed that this is something to look at for next season, held for future discussions.

7)  Bo discussed the "one-pitch" tournament and picnic that would be held on July 4th at the COG fields.  Family invited, games would take place and then a cookout at the fields after the games.

8)  OC Tournament - Bo discussed a request to have OTS put money up front with the anticipation that American Legion Post #24 would reimburse up to $300 for players aged 55 to 64, who do not have the oppotunity to play in other tournaments, such as Olney, Md. which is for ages that start at 65, 70 and 75.  This was approved.

9)  New Business included discussion on the following:

     a)  AED - automatic external defibrillator - an AED is being donated by Rescue One for Life out of Montgomery County, Md.   It will be kept at the American Legion #24 when not in use, and be taken to the fields during games.  A group of OTS players who want to become certified will be offered that opportunity at no cost to them.  The unit will be kept in a car parked away from the others so there is access from both fields.

     b)  Player ratings for some needed to be re-done  That will be taken care of.

     c)  The odd number of teams, which forces a Bye, was discussed and it was generally agreed that this was not a good idea, it really has not worked out.  In the future, the league may look into only having an even number of teams, which could force a player limit for the league so each team's rosters are kept to a manageable level.  For example, if we have 10 teams and we want no more that 13 per team, we will accept the first 130 applications (with payment), the rest will be placed on a "wait list" and called up as people become injured, leave a team, etc.  For 12 teams, the maximum for 13 per team is 156 players.  No decision was made, just a general discussion for the future, but with the growth of the league this year (over 30 new players) we may have to look at limits on the number of players we can accept.

     d)  There have been conflicting e-mails issued, we will take steps to prevent this in the future.  Most e-mails for OTS activities, practices, etc. should go through the OTS secretary for player contact.

     e)  The pickup games that were going to take place for the Bye teams aren't working, and as we get in to the hot summer months it is unlikely they will take place.  If a Bye team wants to play a game, we can contact players to see if a pickup team is available, let the OTS secretary know.

Ed Sternberg bought coffee for the group, thanks go to him for that.  Meeting was adjourned.