News and Announcements
Board of Directors Meeting - July 10, 2009
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.
Board of Directors Meeting - June 12, 2009
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.
OTS ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Bethany Town Hall, April 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Bo Wood called the meeting to order at 7 pm. An agenda was passed out to those present. His first remarks were to thank the Church of God in Dagsboro, Delaware and John Walker for the use of the fields over the past few years. Improvements to the fields have been made by OTS, and more are to come. He stated the average age of our league is about 67 years old, we have 5 players who are 80 or more this year.
1) A "manager's recognition game" that Hal Alpiar arranged is being held on April 25, rain date is May 2, at 11:00 am at our fields against a team from New Jersey. Next time we play them will be at their field, as we hope to make this an annual event. The players will include managers and assistants from 2008 and 2009, as well as the OTS officers from both years.
2) Bo then introduced the league officers and managers for this year. They are Bo Wood, President; Tom Farrah, Vice President and Director of Umpires, Archie Alexander, Treasurer; and Dick Mullins, Secretary. Managers and assistants are: Bo Wood and John Bokop; Jesse Bare and Butch Taras; John Mancuso and George Tavenner; George Hunt and Mike Carta; Terry Tomas and Hal Alpiar; Roger Howard and Jack Daly; Pat Sherry and Johnny Allen; Sal Corrallo and Eddie Sternberg; Grayden Meredith and Neil Fleming; and Tom Harvey with his ass't to be named later. If we go from 10 to 12 teams we will need more managers and assistants.
3) Discussion took place concerning the number of players per team and when we would go to 12 teams. We are not there yet with players paid, but it looks likely we will have over 150, which means we will likely go to 12 teams. If we do, the league players will decide how we split the players. Do we divide into 2 groups by age, with the older players in one group and the younger in another, or do we divide by ability, or do we stay the same? This will be decided by a league wide vote if we do go to 12 teams.
4) Only those players who are paid as of May 1 will be included in the draft. After the draft is completed, any players who want to join the league will be put into a pool of players who will be assigned to a team by the league, as space is available. Therefore, if anyone want to ensure themselves a spot on a team this year, they need to get their money in to the Treasurer no later than April 30. The draft will take place at 10 am on May 1, so any monies arriving on that day may not be collected from the Post Office box until after the draft is over. Players are encouraged to contact those who they know are playing to get their registration forms in now.
5) Treasurer Report: Archie Alexander presented the Treasurer's Report, anyone with questions can contact him. His report showed all income and expenses, and he made the point that we will be a transparent organization as far as our finances are concerned. We lost 4 sponsors from last year, they are Pepper Creek, Bayside Homes, Vickie York and Grotto Pizza. The remaining 6 are committed this year, as well as the American Legion Post #24 in Dagsboro thanks to Pat Sherry. There are 3 other pending sponsors, the managers and sponsors will be finalized by the May 1 draft. If anyone knows someone who would like to be a supporter, they will be listed on our webpage and letterhead, the cost to be a supported is $100.
6) Bo discussed field maintenance. Last year, John Bokop and he arrived early and prepared the fields each day for the games. This year, the responsibility for field maintenance will be assigned to each team on a weekly basis. This includes dragging, rolling (if needed), lining, etc. Also getting the first aid equipment out of the shed and take to the field. The home team of the last game will put away the mats, home plate, the first aid kit and other equipment.
7) Equipment for 2009: Bats must be ASA approved; Balls will be 44, 375 ASA yellow; new shirts and hats will be given to each team. Discussion as to using a hard home plate, such as plywood or metal, so when the ball hits it there is a clear indication if the pitch is a strike or a ball, by sound. Takes away controvery.
8) Umpires: Tom Farrah is scheduling an umpires meeting/training session on April 27 at 10 am at the fields. He hopes to pair umpires to work together all season. We will be providing striped (zebra) shirts for the umps for use during the games to make them stand out more from previous years.
9) First Aid/Player Safety/Weather Line: Dick Mullins went over plans to train some players in CPR and how to use an AED (defibrillator) which we will have at the fields on game days. Those who expressed an interest will be contacted to set up a training date. We are also putting together two stocked first aid kits to be taken to each field for use if needed. If any items are removed, notify Dick Mullins. The weather line will be activated on April 1, number is 1-877-839-0500.
10) Bo Wood went over some schedule issues. They are:
April 2 - first practice day, 10:30 and 12:00 noon. New players report at 10:30. Report to old team
April 27 - managers recognition game
April 29 - new player "intramural" game
May 1 - Player Draft at 10 am at the Ocean View Town Hall
May 5 & 7 - Practice games with new teams
May 12 - League Play begins.
11) Open Discussion
Sal stated that Open Practices would be moved to Friday, not Mondays as previously stated.
Sal proposed that a substitution rule be enacted that states that before a player sits more than one inning, all players on a team must have been replaced for at least one inning. This will allow everyone to play a maximum amount of innings. Did not appear to be enough interest to cause a vote. Also, it was brought up that the Board had already considered a substitution rule, and that is stated that all players must play as close to 1/2 the game as possible, which means 3 innings for a 7 inning game and 4 for a 9 inning game.
Bases are to be set at 65', we may have to replace them through mid May, the fields are used by the church youth leagues and the bases may be set for them.
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Bo Wood.
