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December 2004 Meeting Minutes

Posted by Ron Weber at Dec 21, 2004 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
Minutes of OTS Board/Managers Meeting Eagle Diner, Hillsboro, DE December 3, 2004 11:00am Attending: Tom Harvey (Pres), Sal Corrallo (VP), Bill Neyen (Treas.), Don Clements, Bo Wood, Pete Rendina, Ray Meyers, Rich Berry, Wayne Smith, Ed Sternberg, Gary Meredith, Archie Alexander, Mike Hopkins, John Bokop. Minutes of the November 12 Meeting was approved as presented. Treasures Report. Bill Neyen reported that OTS has $6294.00 in the bank. Coming due are ASA membership and Liability Insurance for 2005. The cost per team for liability insurance is $103.00. This does not include the ASA Membership fee. He also presented a summary of expenses in 2004. They totaled $6300.00 to date. New Ball Fields. Don Clements led the discussion on the proposed contract submitted by the Church of God, with the following conditions: 1. The contract period will be from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005 2. Practices will be conducted Tuesday and Friday Mornings in April. 3. Summer Games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays from May to Labor Day and September a through November 15 for the Fall League. 4. No alcohol. tobacco,, drugs, or swearing are allowed 5. The league will provide toilet facilities. 6. Fields are to be policed after the final game. 7. Parking is to be in designated areas. 8. Conflicts with church activities will require rescheduling of games. One week’s notice will be given. 9. Liability insurance of $2 Million is required. Copy of the policy is to be given to the church prior to use of the field 10. The church will not be liable for the safety of athletes or guests. 11. A copy of the ASA Rules is to be provided to the church. After much discussion the Board countered with the following provisions: 1 .The time period must be extended to from three to five years. 2. Only one field will be developed although two may b used for spring practice. 3. The League will expend no more that $5000 for the initial improvements, which will include widening of the base paths and enlargement of non-grassy areas around home plate and each base. The rest of the infield will be grass cut very short. 4. Permanent improvements will include bases and a pitches mound, a back stop, 100 feet of 31/2 foot fencing along the outside of the base paths, and players benches. They become the property of the church Discussion on the source of funds followed. It was suggested that perhaps some church members might be willing to help with the construction. Also the 2005 Spaghetti Dinner will cover some of the costs. Don was asked to find out if the Church would be willing to set up a tax deductible field improvement fund. If yes then donations will be solicited. (It should be noted that the Indian River High School Fields would be available to OTS as in the past, however they will be used only if other facilities are not available.) Don will report on his meetings with Church of God at the next meeting. Gary Meredith made a motion, which was approved, to increase the 2005 players fee to $50.00 if paid by March 1, 2006 to help pay for the improvements and to offset increases in other expenses. The fee will increase to $60.00 after March 1, 2005. Don made a motion to purchase a pad for the batter’s box on the M&T Field in Millsboro. The cost $300, was approved. A brief discussion was held on the forming of teams for 2005. No decision will be made until April 2005. (Suggestions are welcome. Send them to Sal Corrallo). Archie Alexander gave a report on the status of the work to obtain sponsors. Seven are needed. Two have already been identified. The fees for 2005 are $350.00 (Motion passed to raise fee from $300) for team sponsorship and $100 for patrons. Both will be listed under sponsors on the web page. He also showed the Ocean View Family Restaurant sponsor’s frame box presented to each team sponsor at the end of the season. The Board praised his work and dedication to the league. Discussion was held on the 2005 call for players and 2004 registration form. It was suggested that a call for volunteer umpires are added to the registration form. It was suggested that a call for donations for field improvements be added to the materials Finally discussion was begun on updating the OTS By Laws and Playing Rules for 2005. The group approved Section I, Items 1-1 to 1-5 as written. Item 1-6 Parts 1-3 and Parts 5-6 were approved. Part 4 was amended as follows: For a game to be counted in the standings, a team must have 9 roster players present and will play only with those players. A team has less than 9 players will forfeit the game. If forfeited, the two teams may share players or use a substitute and play a scrimmage game that will not count in the standings. The next meeting has been scheduled for January 12, 2005 at 1:00PM in the Ocean View Family Diner, Route 326, in Ocean View. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm
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November 2004 Meeting Minutes

Posted by Ron Weber at Nov 14, 2004 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
OTS Board/Manager Meeting Eagle Diner, Millsboro, DE Friday, November 12, 2004 – 12:00 Noon In Attendance: Tom Harvey (Pres.), Sal Corrallo (VP), Bill Neyen (Treas.), Ron Weber (Sec.) Rich Barry (WF), John Bokop (DPT), Don Clements (OVFR), Ray Meyers (OC), Pete Rendina (VFW), Bob Shaefer (RR), Wayne Smith (TT), Gary Meredith, Ed Sternberg, Archie Alexander Meeting Minutes 1. Minutes of the October 22, 2004 mtg. were approved 2. Treasurer’s Report: Bill Neyen a. No change from last month 3. Report on the New Ball fields at Church of God in Dagsboro: Don Clements a. Bill Neyen and Gary Meredith met with Indian River High School representatives. IR will allow us to use the same 2 ball fields that we’ve used in previous years. They will not allow us to improve those fields or use the hardball field in 2005. These fields are not available for our use until the close of the 2005 school year, June 15. b. John Walker contacted the Dagsboro Church of God. Due to possible expansion of the church facilities, they can only commit to letting us use the fields for the next 3 years. This would not be a sufficient amount of time for OTS to recoup the costs of improving the 2 fields. The church has approved the remove all of the infield sod, should we decide to use the fields. This will minimize injury caused by the ball taking a bad hop on wet grass. c. After much discussion on which fields to use for 2005, there was a motion to make improvements to the M&T Bank field and the one Church field that will not be impacted by future development at the Church. This will reduce our improvement costs while providing 2 excellent facilities for play. The Indian River fields would be kept as backup for the 2005 season. If the M&T and Church fields work out, we will likely drop the IR fields in 2006. This motion was approved. The field committee will present estimates on the cost of improving the fields, at the Dec. 3rd meeting. 4. Sponsorship and Publicity: Archie Alexander a. Blockbuster Video and Anne Maries restaurant in Rehoboth are two new sponsors for 2005. Ocean View Family Restaurant and Dynamic PT are expected to re-up for 2005, leaving a need for 4 more sponsors. Archie will solicit additional sponsorship by introducing the OTS league at the Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce meeting in January. Sponsors will be listed on the sponsors section of the OTS web page. b. Archie showed an example of the shadow box that each sponsor will receive from OTS. The box incorporates the team jersey, an OTS Sponsorship Certificate and a Delaware Senior Olympic medal. Everyone agreed that this was a great way to show our appreciation for the support of our sponsors. c. The concept of a patron program for individual contributors was also presented. This decision will be added to the January meeting agenda. d. During the January meeting, Archie will provide a progress report on his publicity efforts. These include contacting local churches, displaying posters in local business and media contact, about the OTS league. 5. Player Opinion Survey: Tom Harvey a. Tom has drafted a player survey which encourages players to provide suggestions on improving the league. The survey will be distributed via email, shortly. 6. New Managers: Sal Corrallo a. Ed Sternberg and Gary Meredith will both be managing teams for the 2005 season. b. All managers participate in league meetings and have a vote in each league decision. c. The league still needs 3 additional new managers for 2005. OTS has many players qualified to do this job and contribute to the welfare of the league. You are encouraged to contact Sal by the end of November. 7. 2005 Registration a. A motion was made and approved to change the registration fees for 2005. The cost will be $40 for anyone registered by Feb. 15, 2005, and $50 after Feb. 15, 2005 8. Meeting was adjourned at 1:30p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2004, 11:00a.m., at the Eagle Diner in Millsboro.
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October 2004 Meeting Minutes

Posted by Ron Weber at Oct 26, 2004 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
OTS Board/Manager Meeting Eagle Diner, Millsboro, DE Friday, October 22, 2004 ¡V 12:00 Noon In Attendance: Tom Harvey (Pres.), Sal Corrallo (VP), Bill Neyen (Treas.), Ron Weber (Sec.) Bo Wood (DPT), Neil Flemming (VFW), Ray Meyers (OC), Rich Barry (WF), Bob Shaefer (RR), Jim Steinmacher (GH), Wayne Smith (TT) Meeting Minutes 1. Minutes of the September 2004 mtg. were approved 2. Treasurer¡¦s Report: Bill Neyen a. Report was reviewed and approved b. Bill noted that the Porta Jon at the M&T field was paid through the end of Oct. c. Sal noted that the $75 Web page subscription for the upcoming year had recently been paid. d. Current balance in the OTS account is $7,020 3. Report on the New Ball fields at Church of God in Dagsboro: Ron Weber & Bo Wood a. Due to the high expense, the committee is recommending that OTS look into continued use of the fields at Indian River. The estimated cost to improve the COG fields in Dagsboro would be in excess of $5,000. This includes backstops, benches, bleachers, and equipment rental to remove sod from the infield. b. This item be tabled until: „Ï Don Clements and Gary Meredith contact IR to obtain approval on the use of the fields, as well as our ability to improve them as needed. „Ï Ron Weber and John Walker contact the Church of God to see if they will commit to letting us use the fields for the next 4-5 years. This would help us recoup some of the improvement costs, should we decide to use them. They will also ask for approval to remove all of the infield sod, to minimize injury caused by the ball taking a bad hop on wet grass. 4. New Managers for 2005: Tom Harvey a. 5 new managers are need for the 2005 season. Gary Meridith and Ed Sternberg have indicated an interest, which needs to be confirmed. b. Tom stated that current managers and board members are to submit nominations for new managers to Sal Corrallo by December 1, 2004. 5. Manager Player Ratings: Sal Corrallo a. Ratings for each players fielding, throwing, hitting and running skills, were presented by their respective team manager or assistant manager. Ratings were then discussed by all present, and modified where appropriate. b. Ratings will be incorporated into the 2004 roster and distributed to managers and board members. 6. Meeting was adjourned at 2:00 7. Officer Planning Session: Tom Harvey a. The 4 board members identified and briefly discussed key activities and critical issues that need to be addressed between now and the start of the 2005 season. b. Items were prioritized with a timeline established for each. c. Meetings will be scheduled to address each of the items.
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September 2004 Meeting Minutes

Posted by Ron Weber at Sep 12, 2004 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
OTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (9/04) Sept. 10, 2004 @ Noon at Eagle II Diner in Millsboro Present: Outgoing and incoming Presidents Gary Meredith and Tom Harvey, Vice President Sal Corrallo, outgoing and incoming Secretaries Harriet Mair and Ron Weber, Treasurer Bill Neyen, and Bob Shaeffer. Gary Meredith transferred key documents with explanations to Tom Harvey including reservation for picnic pavilion, letters/permits for field use, and team insurance certificates. Taylor Bank will require new signature cards reflecting the new officiary. The following items were listed as requiring attention before the 2005 season begins. The new regime noted that player input will be sought as appropriate. 1. Evaluate current players now with a somewhat revised form; forms will be given to the managers at the picnic. 2. Identify managers for 2005. Four of the 2004 managers have said they will not manage in 2005. 3. Identify playing venue(s). A committee has been formed (Don Clements, Ron Weber, John Walker, Bill Neyen) to evaluate the Church of God (Dagsboro) fields. 4. Revise By-Laws. 5. Attract additional sponsors. 6. Plan publicity campaign. 7. Create 2005 budget. 8. Revise the registration form. 9. Decide on registration fee; consider penalty fee for registrations received after due date. 10. Discuss a code of ethics for managers/players. 11. Consider paying player-umpires a modest fee. 12. Decide on play-off format and special roster rules for play-offs. 13. Update rules on subs; consider that subs can only play C (1st sub), RF (2nd sub),1B (3rd sub). 14. Consider trades after draft but before player notification. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30PM. Harriet Mair League Secretary
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August 2004 Meeting Minutes

Posted by Ron Weber at Aug 28, 2004 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
OTS AUGUST ‘04 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Aug. 27, 2004 @ 12:30PM at Eagle II Diner in Millsboro DE Present: Pres. Meredith, VP Corrallo, Sec. Mair, Treas. Neyen, Slack + Smith (Turquoise), Steinmacher + Alexander (Green), Bokop + Wood (Dynamic PT), Myers (Orange), Clements + Weber (Ocean View Family Restaurant), Shaeffer (Long & Foster Milton), Rendina + Harvey (VFW). President Gary Meredith reminded us that the OTS picnic is Tuesday Sept. 14 at Holt’s Landing State Park (rain date is Wed. Sept. 15). It starts at 11AM and we’ll start serving food around noon. All players/spouses/significant others are invited; take a side dish or dessert. Gary also reiterated the philosophy of OTS. We play ball together for exercise, fun, and companionship. Our unique rules are for our safety. If there is a question/issue, do what is fair. The frequent rule changes during the 2004 season were a distraction. We learned a lesson - minimize rule changes during the season. On Tuesday Aug. 31, we will make up the games that were rained out on July 23. The League Championship game between the 1st half winner (Ocean View Family Restaurant) and the 2nd half winner (Dynamic PT) will be held on Fri. Sept. 3 at 10:30AM at the M&T Bank field. Make-up games for the Aug. 3 rain out date are cancelled. Instead, there will be an open practice/game on Fri. Sept. 3 at M&T from 8:30-10AM. Players are encouraged to stay and watch the Championship game. The slate of officers nominated for 2002-04 is as follows: Pres. Tom Harvey, VP Ron Allen and Sal Corrallo, Sec. Ron Weber, Treas. Bill Neyen. The ballot will provide for write-ins and will be prepared by the Secretary. Managers will distribute and collect the ballots at their Aug. 31 games. The new officers take office as of the picnic. Fall Ball games will begin Sept. 17. The 8 regular season teams will be merged to form 4 Fall Ball teams. Based on numbers of players agreeing to play Fall Ball by team, the mergers will be as follows: Dynamic PT – Orange Crush Long & Foster Milton – Turquoise Titans Ocean View Family Restaurant – Green Hornets Wells Fargo – VFW Don Clements and Bill Neyen will assess the Dagsboro Church of God fields as a potential venue for OTS. Ray Myers is investigating no-cost OTS return address labels for our new PO Box. Archie Alexander is working on awards for our sponsors. Meeting adjourned at 1:25PM. Harriet Mair, League Secretary