Edward Jones Investments

Chris Davis, aka Johnny Allen, has announced a Winter Ball game on Tuesday, December 3.

Per Chris/Johnny:

Weather looks great for Tuesday, December 3rd. Batting practice from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Nine inning game will follow.

Break out the softball gear and burn off some Thanksgiving calories. 

OTS Secretary Dick Mullins announced the beginning of the registration period for the 17th OTS season.

Spots are limited, so get your registration form and payment sent in early.

We anticipate a limit of 156 players for the 2014 season with 13 players on each of 12 teams. After the limit is reached, additional players will be put on a wait list based on the receipt date of their registration form and payment.  Email will no longer be accepted for registration.

If you are interested in managing a team, or assisting in managing a team, contact President Bo Wood at (302) 945-1849 or lobo306@verizon.net.

Check the Registration Letter for details. The Letter and Registration Form can be downloaded by clicking on the Handouts link below. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

November 12, 2013

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

1) Discussion brought up by Harry Gowl on the financial process we use to track income and expenses, how often we issue statements, etc. We also discussed our non-profit status with Sussex County, and the upcoming efforts to obtain a 501(c)(3) certificate from the Federal government.

2) Registration Letter: Discussed the format of the letter and the need to ensure we emphasize the Capital Fund for those who wish to contribute. Also went over important dates that will be included in the 2014 registration letter. It was determined we would make an effort to try to allow for more practice days with the teams after the draft, rather than before it. So the draft has been moved up a week, there will be up to 3 practice days after the draft before the season starts to give teams the opportunity to work together.

Dates are:

League Meeting March 31st – 6:00 pm, location to be announced

Spring Practice starts April 1st – 9:00 am and 10:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday (new players at 9:00 am on Field 2 every Tuesday and Thursday)

New Player Evaluation April 16th – 10:00 am (rain date is the 17th)

Player Draft April 21st – 10:00 am at the Church of God (old Chapel)

Practice w/2014 teams starts April 22nd – every Tuesday and Thursday

Season Starts May 1st – every Tuesday and Thursday (makeup games last Wednesday of each month)

3) Discussion on the number of teams and maximum players, as voted on at the Board of Directors meeting in September, 2013. Vote was to have a maximum of 13 per team with 12 teams, for a total of 156. If we get less than 156 but more than 144, there will be 12 players on 12 teams, the rest will be placed on a wait list based on the date their registration was mailed. The Executive Committee discussed recommending to the Board of Directors the possibility of having 13 teams with 12 players, as opposed to 13 players on 12 teams. The issue is having too many players on a team, having some sit innings instead of playing, also makes the manager’s job more difficult when they have to move players in and out with 13 on a team. This issue will be placed on the agenda for the next Board of Director’s meeting which will be after the registration process and we get a feel for the number of players we’ll have for 2014.

4) Managers: Need a list of who is in or out for 2014. Mullins to survey 2013 managers.

5) Maintenance on the driveway to the fields was discussed. There are ruts, etc. in it. Who owns it and who is responsible? Possible the County will make improvements since it’s a named road. We’ll check. If no County maintenance, OTS may need to do something, since we’re the main ones who use it. This would require a load of gravel and some work on the ruts.

6) Hats: Question about hats, are players getting new ones? Answer is no. Those players from 2013 were given hats and told they were for two years. This saves about $1,400 in cost to the league this year. Most of us have numerous hats in good condition. If a player needs a hat due to loss or wear, Keith Purdy will handle. Team jerseys can be turned in or kept, up to the player.

7) Civility/Verbal Abuse/Etc.: There have been issues in the past in these areas. We need to enforce, and if necessary, strengthen the penalties for violations of the existing rules and regulations to ensure we maintain a safe and friendly atmosphere on and around the fields.

8) Illegal Bats: Discussed the problems that seem to continue with people bringing illegal bats to the field and “accidentally” using them in practices and games. The current penalties in the rules and regulations do not adequately address this problem.

The Executive Committee will place this matter on the agenda for the next Board of Director’s Meeting for discussion and updating the rules and regulations. The feeling of the Executive Committee is that if a person brings the bat to the field, there is intent to use it if they remove it from their bag. Best thing is to leave these bats at home or in the car. Do not even bring them to the field, then they can’t “accidentally” be used and potentially injure a player.

The Executive Committee recommendation is for the following penalties to be passed by the Board of Directors to stop this dangerous practice. Players new to the league will get a one time pass (warning), but will be made aware of the rule and held accountable for further offenses.

A player who brings an illegal bat to the field and removes it from their bag will have the following action taken:

First offense, immediate suspension from the game and a full two game suspension.

Second offense, suspended for the remainder of the season.

A third offense would result in being banned from OTS for life.

9) Umpire Training: There will be annual umpire training to train new umpires, and for existing umpires to reinforce rules, umpire positioning, etc.

10) Outfield Fence on Field 2: We have sufficient funds in the Capital Fund to purchase a fence for Field 2. It will be the same as on Field 1. This will be at a distance of about 277 feet, the maximum allowed by the Church of God. Cost is $6,600 installed. We will evaluate the warning track on Field 1 next year to determine if we need one on Field 2.

Richard B. Mullins Secretary, OTS

The Executive Committee met on November 12, 2013 to begin preparations for the 2014 season.

The minutes from this meeting can be found on the Meeting Minutes page.

Several dates were set for the 2014 season. 

League Meeting March 31st – 6:00 pm, location to be announced (all players welcome)

Spring Practice Starts April 1st – 9:00 am and 10:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday (new players at 9:00 am on Field 2 every Tuesday and Thursday)

New Player Evaluation April 16th – 10:00 am (rain date is the 17th)

Player Draft April 21st – 10 am at the Church of God (old Chapel)

2014 Team Practice Starts April 22nd – every Tuesday and Thursday

Season Starts May 1st – every Tuesday and Thursday (makeup games last Wednesday of each month)