TUES - Patriots

CSSA BOARD MEETING
September 20, 2021
The monthly meeting of the CSSA was held September 20, 2021, at GameDay
Grill, and called to order by Norm Thiem at 6:30 PM.

Members present: Ray DeLuca, Dick O’Conner, Robbie Crider, John Humeston,
Bob Werner, Norm Thiem, Mike Parson, Andy Tubbs, Dewey Hom & Randy
Bergman

Absent: Brad Tafoya & Leland Brown

A. Minutes from August 9, 2021 meeting were discussed & approved.

B. BOD’s discussed the budget for trophies, championship shirts and other end of
the year awards.

C. Budget was presented, and the current balance is $30,887. This includes
approx. $5000 earmarked for charitable purposes and not part of the general
operating budget. Our goal is to have a cash balance of $10,000 to pay for the first
of the year expenses including insurance, softballs, uniforms & field rentals. With
projected expenses through the remainder of the 2021 season, the balance
should be approximately $15,659. This balance will be used to get the 2022 CSSA
season off and running.

D. The contact information on ALL players must be updated ASAP. Due to player
injuries, illness, etc, the rosters have been extremely hard to keep accurate. ALL
league directors need to contact their managers and have them get all of their
players information up to date and corrected as needed. Any questions or
changes to the rosters can be addressed to Norm at the following e‐mail address:
Staciep@n2plusllc.com

E. Current changes to the CRPA (Cherokee Recreation & Parks Association):
1. Camille is no longer the Park Director;
2. Shawn Schumaher has been appointed as the new Park Director;
3. CRPA is interested in moving Skip Wells league to Hobgood Park;
4. CRPA is interested in making a new league for ages 40‐49 as a feeder
system for the CSSA
5. CPRA interested in allowing CSSA use of the extra field, at Hobgood Park,
on Thursday nights to be used for make‐up games.

F. Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM.
1. Banquet location ‐ Fendley Farmstead;
2. Ticket sales will begin the week of October 4th;
3. All ticket sales MUST be completed by October 31st in order to have an
accurate head count… NO SALES AT DOOR;
4. Ticket prices are: $25 for player and $15 for each guest;
5. Players OVER 80 will be admitted FREE;
6. We will try to use a credit card system for payments if a program can be
instituted over the next two weeks. If not, checks and/or cash will be accepted;
7. The banquet will also have some surprises and a new award;
8. We ask that everyone attending the banquet to bring at least 1
unwrapped toy to be used for: All Children Deserve a Christmas.

G. The BOD is looking for volunteers to run for a board position for 2022. It also
asks that all current board members should try to get at least 1 person to run for
an officer position. Players may also nominate themselves for a position.
Nominations should be turned into anyone of the BOD’s by October 15, 2021.
Election voting will be held at all league games the last 2 weeks of the season.

H. Nominations for the Arnold Fowler and Lowell Lawson Awards will be accepted
until October 15, 2021. The written nomination should contain a reason as to why
the person should be considered for the award, and also contain the nominating
person’s name & phone number. Nominations can be given to any BOD member,
or sent via e‐mail or regular mail to Ray DeLuca at:
1. djray351@aol.com
2. 105 Rock Creek Drive, Canton, GA 30114
Voting for the Arnold Fowler Award will take place by the players the last 2 weeks
of the fall season. The Lowell Lawson Award will be voted on by the BOD’s and
team managers the last week of the season.

I. The fall golf tournament will be held on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11,
2021. Thanks to Tom Cameron for heading up this fundraiser. Remember that we
ask everyone who attends to bring at least 1 unwrapped toy to be used for
children for Christmas.

J. Next BOD meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2021, 6:30 PM at
Gameday Grill.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM

ARNOLD FOWLER AWARD – Nominations Guidelines

In 1997, the Board of Directors (BOD) recognized that there was more to softball than things like batting averages, home runs and RBI’s. It was decided that one player should be chosen, who demonstrates the qualities of sportsmanship, integrity, dedication, teamwork and other intangibles to the highest degree. This is the most special award issued through the CSSA, because the winning player is chosen by his peers.
The 1st winner of the award was Arnold Fowler. Because he brought all of these qualities to the field each and every day, the award was named in his honor.
In the world of sports some people stand out. They hit, run, and field with exceptional skill. In life there are people who emerge as outstanding. They are leaders. They go the extra mile. They care about others. Integrity is their trademark. They are exemplary.
If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please do so by submitting a written detailed justification as to why you think this person deserves this prestigious award. Please include your name and phone number. Nominations MUST be received NO LATER than October 14, 2021.
Address nominations to Ray DeLuca by e-mail or postal service:
1. djray351@aol.com
2. 105 Rock Creek Dr, Canton, GA. 30114 (770) 355-3911

Past winners of this award are not eligible.

Many players and those associated with the CSSA bring new members into the organization, often friends and family, but sometimes even strangers they meet throughout their daily lives. Dewey Hom acts more like an ambassador of the CSSA. He has held practically every significant post in the group, and has done so not only because of the satisfaction he receives from playing softball, but due to the multitude of players he’s seen significantly improve their lives because of their association with their peers on and off the field.
Beep! Beep! Virtually everyone in the league knows Dewey. He’s the slender guy who always wears that white helmet with yellow bolts and his legs churn like a determined road runner. He just received his third Most Valuable Player award, this time a co-MVP for his Spring season performance with Long Tire in the Legends Gold Seniors League. In his thirteen years in CSSA, he’s won the Arnold Fowler Award (2013), the Spirit Award (2017), the Lowell Lawson Award (2020), along with multiple batting and home run titles.
It’s his speed that gets him noticed and led to his proudest moments in sports. Surprisingly, those memories are not in the CSSA, or even softball. Board members of the CSSA encouraged him to compete in the Senior Olympics track competitions, where Dewey discovered his true gift. So much so, that in 2019 in Lynchburg, VA, he earned gold medals in the 60-64 age group for finishing first in the Long Jump and 50 Meters events.
This brings us to the reason you always see that safety cap on his head. A few years ago, he was running the bases when an outfielder’s arm released a softball rocket targeted to reach second base ahead of Dewey. The ball’s impact with the side of Dewey’s skull caused a severe concussion and almost ended his life. He has made a full recovery, but he doesn’t accept the premise that lightning never strikes the same spot twice. He credits his faith with an assist that he survived that incident, and won’t ignore a simple precaution such as wearing a helmet.
This senior softballer appreciates that his wife of twenty-five years, Deborah, enabled him to pursue softball and track while she maintained a strong home front for their three children. He has always been active in his church, and understands his beliefs and related lifestyle have allowed him and his family to enjoy their lives to the utmost.
He is most appreciative of the CSSA’s existence, and pleads for more players to step up to volunteer, even in the smallest way. As in most all-volunteer organizations, a remarkable few who can always use more help do most of the work.
So, when you see this sprinting player at the rover position, perhaps spend another moment thinking if your life has any time to pitch in and support the CSSA. Then, remember what Dewey often says, “Anything can happen in ol’ men’s softball,” and have fun.

Written by Marty Aftewicz

Due to excessive rain the past so many days, the games for tonite have been cancelled. Andy will send revised schedules asap.

CSSA BOARD MEETING
August 9, 2021

The monthly meeting of the CSSA was held August 9, 2021, at GameDay Grill, and called to order by Norm Thiem at 6:20 PM.
Members present: Ray DeLuca, Dick O’Conner, Robbie Crider, John Humeston, Bob Werner, Norm Thiem, Mike Parson, Leland Brown, Andy Tubbs, Dewey Hom & Randy Bergman

Absent: Brad Tafoya
A. Minutes from June 28, 2021 meeting were discussed & approved.

B. The CSSA has a new sponsor: Cancun Mexican Restaurant 4451 Towne Lake Pkwy #200, Woodstock, GA 30189. Thank you for joining our organization, and we wish you good luck on your business. Two other businesses have expressed interest in joining the CSSA family, and we appreciate their possible sponsorship.

C. The rules committee reviewed, consolidated and made some corrections on the updating of the CSSA rules. The rules must be completely reviewed by the entire BOD, and discussed over the next several Board meetings prior to a final
vote and printing.

D. Fall evaluations went very well. There were more morning league drafts than the evening leagues, but everything was worked out for the fall season.
1. Rosters must be confirmed and sent back to Norm ASAP so they can be entered into the CSSA data base.
2. ALL PLAYERS must pay league fees prior to playing.
3. Any questions or changes to the rosters can be addressed to Norm at the following e-mail address: Staciep@n2plusllc.com

E. Constant contact needs to be in the database for ALL players. Directors will be given information on how to edit and create a database over next few weeks.

F. Managers need to request new player jerseys ASAP. The jerseys take about 2-3 weeks, so it’s imperative that the ordering is done in the next few days.
G. New softballs have not arrived. We ask that all league directors pole their managers to see if they have any extras, from previous seasons to get through this set back. The new balls will be delivered to each team manager as soon as they are received.

H. Marty Aflewicz will be writing profiles of players on Teampages starting with MVP’s from last season.

I. The 2021 fall golf tournament will be held on *Thursday, November 11, 2021* – Veterans Day. Thanks to Tom Cameron for heading up this fundraiser. Remember that we ask everyone who attends to bring at least 1 unwrapped toy to be used for children for Christmas

J. The CSSA Awards banquet will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021,
(9 days prior to Thanksgiving).

K. The BOD is looking for volunteers to run for a board position for 2022. It is a HIGH paying job that does not pay with money, just love!!! If anyone feels that they would like to serve on the BOD, please notify any board member ASAP.

L. Ann Ryan has gone through some hardship over the past month and Jeff Nichols is battling Covid 19. We will review their needs over the next two weeks to see how the league can help them both and their families.

M. Next BOD meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2021, at 6:30 PM at Gameday Grill.

• At the time of the writing of this report, Jeff Nichols has passed away due to the Covid 19 infection on August 14, 2021. Jeff played in the league over the past 10 years and will be greatly missed as a GOD loving, kind and gentle human being. He leaves behind a loving wife Shanna, and a nine year old son Tommy. At this time there is no visitation or funeral service scheduled. A memorial service / celebration of life will be conducted at a later date, and we will notify everyone when that day occurs. We pray for Jeff’s family and our condolences go out to ALL who knew him.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM