B and E Tires

The 2014 Fall Ball season got underway, sort of, on Tuesday, 9/9. Unfortunately, after a whole summer season and tournament without a rainout, the weather wasn't kind and the opening games were canceled because of rain.

The first games were held on Thursday, 9/11. There are 8 teams in the league for this fall, managed by Bo Wood, Paul Litwin, Pat Carey, Keith Purdy, Mike Krieg, Grady Meredith, Mike Luke and Dave Sroka.

It's not too late to join the fall season. If you're interested, send an email to tomwendorf@comcast.net.

Click the links to download the season schedule and rosters.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

September 2, 2014

Present: Bo Wood, Harry Gowl, Keith Purdy, Dick Mullins, Tom Wendorf

1) Discussed the date for the end of the season Board of Director's meeting, which includes rating the players after the 2014 season. The date is Tuesday, September 9, 2014 around noon at the fields after the fall ball games. Managers are asked to get their ratings to the Secretary by this coming weekend in order to have time to compile them in one document and send out to the managers.

2) Bo discussed the future of the league with respect to the number of players allowed, the number of teams, size of teams, etc. There are a few options that need to be explored by the Board of Directors. They include keeping the number of players and teams the same, increasing the number of teams to 14, with 12 on a team, for a total of 168 players, or increasing the number of players per team. The conversation also included changing the minimum age of the league to 60, which would reduce the eligibility pool. Those 55 - 60 currently in the league would be grandfathered in, this would only affect new players joining the league. Each option has to be explored fully. Trying to play 7 games in one day would require playing in to the afternoon. To avoid that we would have to add a day (Wednesday, for example) to the schedule, and teams would have to rotate through. This could be a problem for those who work and make their schedules up to play on Tuesday and Thursday. More thought needs to take place, including discussion with the Board of Directors.

This discussion included a recommendation that would give priority registration to those players returning to OTS. A cutoff date would be established and any returning player that registers before that date would be guaranteed a spot on the roster. New players would be placed on a wait list in the order they registered, and moved to the active roster in that order to fill in the number of players needed for the draft.

3) The Code of Conduct was discussed. This year, there has been an increasing amount of foul language and inappropriate behavior on the fields. This includes threats against other players. The Executive Committee was firm in their stance that this is not acceptable, and action will be taken to stop this from occurring in the future. Cursing that is loud enough for the spectators to hear, and especially the children playing at the church basketball courts, will not be tolerated. Threats against other players uttered so that others can hear them will also be dealt with firmly. The Executive Committee will be discussing this issue with the Board of Directors. There are currently two players who will be receiving letters stating that any more infractions will be handled by immediate suspension and, if appropriate, expulsion from the OTS league. No behavior that could adversely affect our relationship with the Church of God, who owns the fields, will be tolerated. Umpires for next year will be trained on this to ensure compliance.

4) Bo requested the appropriation of approximately $300 - $400 to purchase materials to cover the bleachers on the home team side of Field 1 to get the spectators out of the sun. Approved.

5) Bo advised that he has been approached by a couple of local businesses with respect to placing large signs on the outfield fences on each field. The Executive Committee briefly discussed pricing, how long the "rental" of sign would be, sign makeup, etc. No decision, further consideration will have to take place.

6) Bo advised the Executive Committee of gifts, trophies, etc. for OTS members that will be presented at the picnic on September 4th. This is an annual presentation done by the President. Bo requested funds to purchase a gift certificate to the AL Post 24 for the 6 members of the grounds crew to thank them for the work they've done on the fields. Approved.

7) The issue of players on the field not wearing their team's shirt during games was discussed. The consensus of the Executive Committee was that players must wear their shirts during games. If they are playing for another team as a sub, they need to wear either their team's shirt or a shirt similar in color to the team they are playing for. This is being addressed mainly to recognize the sponsors who support our league. We need sponsorships to keep the player fees down. If a player loses their shirt, they may purchase another one for $25. Players will not be allowed to play on the field without the appropriate shirt.

Richard B. Mullins Secretary, OTS

Our year-end picnic was held shortly after the championship game ended at the American Legion. Most people were very happy that it was indoors in the relative coolness instead of outdoors in the heat.

Sky Brady from the Colonial East team was our DJ and master of ceremonies. As always, Sky provided great music, great sound effects and great commentary.

After everyone had their turn at the buffet table, Glenn Kohr from the Edward Jones team impressed us all with his prestidigitation skills and other feats of magic. By the way - did anyone see Chris Davis at the picnic? Maybe Glenn really did make him disappear! Great job Glenn.

Bo Wood (President) took over and presented the Season Championship trophy to Delmarva Long Term Care Insurance Center (LTCI) represented by Dave Sroka, Terry Thomas and LTCI owner Joe Gahm. Congratulations to all the LTCI team players. Bo then presented the Tournament Championship trophy to B & E Tires represented by Grady Meredith and Neil Fleming, although it must be noted that Neil didn't say much and it was almost as if he wasn't there. Congratulations to all the B & E team players.

The Ground Crew was recognized for their continuous service throughout the year and the excellent job they did keeping the fields in great shape. Johnny Allen was presented with a gift certificate to the American Legion for him and his team consisting of Ed West, Johnny Walker, Carl Pierce, Terry Thomas and Pat Sherry. Thanks guys.

Gary Kane was recognized for his job of running the Monday morning practices, which, by the way, will continue until the end of October. Thanks Gary.

Bob Schaeffer and Ducky Clements were given plaques for their long years of dedication to OTS. Bob and Ducky are the only remaining players still in OTS from the original 11 players that went to the Delaware Senior Olympics in 1997 and won the tournament. Ducky made some comments about the "good ole days", including saying that if you think our rules situation is bad now, you should have been around back then. "There was new rule made every inning."

Sherry Walker and Joyce Clements were recognized for running the concession stand all summer long. Great job ladies. Tom Hunsberger was recognized for his contribution towards the sprinkler systems which have been installed on both fields. Rick Duncan was thanked for his contribution of a roller and a backstop pad. Grady Meredith was recognized for his contribution of dog silhouettes which are guaranteed to keep the geese (and their unwelcome deposits) away from the fields. Thanks to all of you.

Bo made a presentation of the 12th Man Award to Jeff Martins for his work over the years in obtaining the league trophies and plaques.

As Bo was now finished, Dick Mullins (Secretary) took center stage and presented Bo with a gift certificate to Hammerheads Restaurant for all the hard work Bo does for the league. Thanks Bo.

Harry Gowl (Vice President) then announced that he had just received a $500 contribution to OTS from Buddy Robinson and Robinson Furniture. Thanks Buddy.

Dick Mullins announced the results of the yearly election. Since all incumbents this year were running unopposed, Bo Wood (President), Keith Purdy (Treasurer) and Tom Wendorf (Information Officer) were elected by default.

Mike Fleetwood then talked about the upcoming golf tournament on October 29th. Players and sponsors are welcome and needed.

Bo then ended the official proceedings.

Tom Harvey, who played for Dynamic PT this year, has had a solar energy system installed at his house. He is very happy with the system and the installation company.

A couple of players have expressed interest in solar systems. Tom is passing along the information below to those interested.

From Tom: 

Several guys in the league have expressed an interest in a solar system I recently installed. I sent them this note. As an after-thought it occurred to me that others in OTS may have an interest in checking it out…and saving some money too. I do get a referral fee if someone buys or leases a system and gives them my referral code. I would be pleased to contribute $200 of that to the league for every system sold or leased using my code.  

Tom Harvey

Below  is contact information for Sungevity, my solar energy provider. I got hooked up with them through Lowes, who is an investor in the company and a marketing outlet. Sungevity is currently marketing its solar systems in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington DC, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

My experience with Sungevity can only be described as OUTSTANDING! They handled everything. About all I did was, during the initial telephone call, provide them with a monthly summary of my electric bills for the past year. They used this information as the basis for designing the system. It took them less than 24 hours to provide me a proposal for 3 alternative/possible systems, one of which they recommended. The proposal was emailed to me including actual Google earth photos of my house with each of the 3 alternative systems super-imposed on the house. I could even see my cars in the driveway.

After that I didn’t have to do anything but sign a couple contracts sent to me on line, and in my case, get an approval permit from our Home Owners Association. Sungevity took care of all the other permits, inspections, etc.

The actual installation was completed in one day. The entire process from first contact to finished installation took about 100 days My system is 27 panels rated at 6,750 KW. Sungevity projected that my first year saving will be in the $850 to $900 range. Actual saving will vary depending on factors such as location of shade trees, the direction your home’s roof line faces (the more southern the better). These savings should progressively increase as electric rates increase, which they undoubtedly will.

I spoke with another fellow at Lowes who has a similar sized system. He said he saved closer to $1,400 last year. The way it works is Sungevity guarantees a minimum production based on your system's size. If for some reason it doesn’t meet that minimum, they reimburse you the difference. If the system produces more, it flows into the grid and you receive credits against your remaining electric bill equal to your suppliers KWH rate charge. Considering it didn’t cost me a dime, and it required minimal personal time and effort, it seems like a no-brainer to me. So far the only problem has been Delmarva Power dragging their feet in installing the two way meter.

Sungevity is a pretty laid back company. I didn’t feel pressured at any time when I spoke with their reps.

GET $500 (increased to $1000 off for the month of September) off when you use my referral code!

Request a quote today @ SUNGEVITY.COM OR CALL 866-786-4255

Thomas S. Harvey Referral Code: 986991

• Installation, maintenance and insurance are FREE.

• Your custom-designed system is based on your family's energy needs.

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