CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2022
The monthly meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held September 12, 2022, at Wicked Wings, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:40 P.M.
Members Present: Norman Thiem, Dick O’Connor, Dan Bonham, Mike Maguire, Dewey Hom, Maria Burden, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, Leland Brown, Robbie Crider and Ray DeLuca.
Board Members John Humeston, James Bauch, Randy Bergman and Steve Fleming were absent.

A. Minutes of the August 8, 2022 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. 2022 Sponsors: Leaf Cremations, Beckett’s and Door to Door are no longer sponsors. Team jerseys with those company names will be replaced in the spring 2023 season. Rather than reprint jerseys and rename teams at this late date, it was decided that the fees would come out of our charity fund and new sponsors and new jerseys would replace them in the 2023 season. Mellow Mushroom would like to return as a sponsor, and Wicked Wings, Kennesaw will be approached as a new sponsor.
C. Treasurer/Financial Report: Norman Thiem presented a complete profit/loss report showing that after all financial commitments are met, CSSA will be in good shape as we enter the last quarter of the year. Dan Bonham reported that the online payment portal he set up at www.cssasoftbal.org for player fees worked very well, collecting about 90% of the player fees for the Fall 2022 season. This resulted in a vastly more streamlined payment collection process, and less for the managers and league directors to keep track of, etc. This payment portal will be used for future player registration fees and events like the banquet and golf tournament, etc.
D. Rule Clarification: The Board voted to add a few words to the language of Rule 15 (Mercy Rule), subsection c. to more clearly state its original intent.
E. 2022 Banquet: Ray DeLuca discussed plans for this year’s banquet, which will take place November 15th at Fendley Farmstead in Canton. The event will be catered by Sidelines Prestige Catering and ticket cost will likely be $25.00 depending on prevailing cost of products. The menu and details will be finalized in the next few weeks. Player-sponsors will receive 2 free tickets as usual. Tickets can be purchased on the payment portal at https://cssasoftball.org/product-category/events/ , and paper tickets will not be issued. All those attending are requested to bring a new unwrapped toy for the holiday toy drive, and there will be a 50/50 fundraiser at the event. There was a discussion of trophies/medals and future ideas for player achievement awards.
F. Arnold Fowler Award: All are encouraged to participate in nominations for this award, and the cutoff for nominations will be October 7th. Here are details on the Arnold Fowler Award: In 1997, the Board of Directors recognized that there was more to softball than batting averages, home runs and RBIs. 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. The Arnold Fowler Award is the most special award issued through the CSSA, because the winning player is chosen by his or her peers.
If you would like to nominate someone for the 2022 Arnold Fowler award, please do so by submitting a written detailed reason as to why you think this person deserves this prestigious award. Please include your name and phone number
Address your nominations to Ray DeLuca via email Djray351@aol.com or postal service: 105 Rock Creek Drive, Canton, GA 30114 (770) 355-3911
Nominations must be received NO LATER than October 7, 2022. Past winners of this award are not eligible. To view the list of previous recipients, click here: https://www.teampages.com/organizations/2042/pages/85742
G. Championship Shirts: Norman Thiem shared the design for the 2022 championship shirts, which will be produced by DeWayne Logan of Misfit Sports Apparel.
H. Hardship Funds: The board voted to assist a CSSA player in need from the charity fund.
I. Fall Charity Golf Tournament: This popular fundraiser will take place on November 2nd. Fees will be $90 per player and participants should bring a new unwrapped toy for the kickoff of our annual toy drive. Fees should be paid as soon as possible at: https://cssasoftball.org/product-category/events/ An article will be posted on TeamPages with full details.
J. Celebrating Lee Molway and Les Taylor: Dick O’Connor announced that Wednesday, September 14th during morning games at Hobgood Park, Lee Molway would be brought with his wife to the park in a limousine (ride donated by a CSSA friend) to spend some time watching games and visiting with friends. Lee has entered hospice. Les Taylor turned 90 years old this week and he will be celebrated for this landmark birthday. It goes without saying that both men are treasured friends and invaluable contributors to the CSSA organization.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next BOD meeting will be Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 6:30 p.m., location to be determined.

The Arnold Fowler Award
In 1997, the Board of Directors recognized that there was more to softball than batting averages, home runs and RBIs. 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. The Arnold Fowler Award is the most special award issued through the CSSA, because the winning player is chosen by his or her peers.

If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please do so by submitting a written detailed reason as to why you think this person deserves this prestigious award. Please include your name and phone number
Address your nominations to Ray DeLuca via email Djray351@aol.com or postal service: 105 Rock Creek Drive, Canton, GA 30114 (770) 355-3911

Nominations must be received NO LATER than October 7, 2022. Past winners of this award are not eligible. To view the list of previous recipients, click here: https://www.teampages.com/organizations/2042/pages/85742

First Ride Friday, October 7th!
We will meet at Hobgood Park at 9:30 a.m., and after a safety briefing, it’s kickstands up as we head for Dahlonega and Dawsonville where we’ll have lunch at the Dawsonville Pool Room http://www.dawsonvillepoolroom.com/
Call Jerry King if you’d like to join us! (404) 317-9199 or email Jerry at coolbreaze@bellsouth.net

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 8, 2022
The monthly meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held August 8, 2022, at Ralph’s Tavern, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:34 P.M.
Members Present: Norman Thiem, Mike Maguire, Mike Parson, Dewey Hom, Maria Burden, Leland Brown, Dick O’Connor, John Humeston, James Bauch, Robbie Crider, Randy Bergman and Dan Bonham. Mike Wootton and Steve Fleming were also present.
Board Members Ray DeLuca and Bob Werner were absent.

A. Minutes of the July 5, 2022 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. 2022 Sponsors: Two sponsors still have not paid, which leaves us with team jerseys with those company names on them. Rather than reprint jerseys and rename teams at this late date, it was decided that the fees would come out of our charity fund and new sponsors and new jerseys would replace them in the 2023 season. A new sponsor, “Refreshment Works,” has signed on for the Skip Wells league.
C. Treasurer/Financial Report: Dan Bonham reported that the online payment portal he set up at www.cssasoftbal.org for player fees, is working very well. As of the time of the meeting, 159 players had used the payment system successfully. The goal is for 75-80% of players to use the system, to reduce the need for on-site fee collection at the first games. Checks and cash will still be accepted if presented. All players are required to pay their fees before their first game.
D. Evaluations Review: The fall 2022 player evaluation sessions and draft went smoothly and every player who tried out was placed on a team. There are still a few openings left, and a few potential new players have inquired about playing since the draft ended.
E. Jerseys for New Players: League Directors need to collect orders for any new player jerseys from their team managers and turn them in to Norman Thiem ASAP, as jerseys are subject to minimum order quantities, and he will be placing a bulk order in the next week or two.
F. Code of Conduct: A hard copy of the Code of Conduct has been/will be distributed to all new and returning players, to remind them that any conduct infractions will be handled promptly per written policy if/when they arise in game settings.
G. Balls: Norman Thiem reported on how the current shortage of good quality softballs will affect the season. New balls for the fall season in the brand we have been using were ordered in April, but the estimated delivery date was changed by the supplier to October 24, 2022. Prices have also risen substantially, thus the $5.00 increase in player fees for the fall 2022 season. The decision was made to test some alternate balls with a good rating, which were available immediately, but they did not perform as well as hoped. Norman was able to source only 14 dozen of the original brand by ordering available quantities from multiple sources, so some leagues will be starting the season with the alternate balls. In order to stretch the stock we have for as long as we can, the umpire will be provided two new balls and two used balls at the start of each game, and used balls will be substituted if a new one gets hit out or damaged.
H. Home Plate Mats: A comprehensive home plate mat (12 foot x 6 foot) that has integrated right- and left-handed batters boxes has been purchased and will be used in the fall season on field #3 to see how it works, and work out the process of placing and removing it on game days/nights.
I. Edwin Pickering’s Passing: At Ray DeLuca’s suggestion, a motion was introduced to purchase, with CSSA charity funds, an urn for Edwin Pickering’s ashes. The motion was voted upon and passed by the Board.
J. Steve Fleming Joins the Board: The Board discussed the fact that pickup games are a CSSA activity, and those coordinating pickup games should be protected by the organization’s directors and officers liability insurance. As Steve Fleming coordinates pickup games, a motion was introduced to elect him as a new member of the board. His role will be as board liaison for pickup games. The motion was voted upon and passed by the board. The BOD now has 15 members. Steve will have any pickup game players not associated with CSSA, sign a copy of the waiver form before playing, and keep them on file.
K. Concussion Protocol: A draft of the final concussion protocol will be emailed to all members of the board for comments/approval. Once consensus has been reached on the document, a vote will be taken via email. The protocol will be posted on TeamPages, emailed to all CSSA players, and copies will be provided to Anne Ryan for inclusion in the scorekeepers books to be available at each game. Managers are requested to strongly encourage players (especially infielders) to wear face protection.

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next BOD meeting will be Monday, September 12th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m., location to be determined.

THE FALL 2022 SEASON IS HERE!
It’s time to pay your fees! This year, we’ve set up a new website to make it easier than ever to pay online with your credit or debit card. Just click on the attached PDF document below this text to learn the easy steps to pay your fees. Then go to http://WWW.CSSASOFTBALL.ORG and pay for all leagues you’re participating in, with just a few keystrokes!