Angels

The monthly meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held June 6, 2022, at Gameday Grill in Woodstock, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 12:07 P.M.
Members Present: Norm Thiem, Maria Burden, Dewey Hom, Leland Brown, Dick O’Connor, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, John Humeston, and James Bauch.
Board Members Randy Bergman, Robbie Crider, Ray DeLuca, Dan Bonham and Mike Maguire were absent.
A. Minutes of the May 2, 2022 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. Treasurer/Financial Report was suspended due to Dan Bonham being absent.
C. 2022 Sponsors: Donovan’s Irish Pub is still unpaid for the Spring 2022 season. Beckett’s and Door-to-Door have been moved on the books to the Spring season, and we now have Misfit Sports as a sponsor, and Cancun and El Ranchero are back and paid sponsors as well. We need only one more sponsor for Thursday nights. As Jerr-Air will sponsor multiple teams, it was suggested that the sponsor names should be Jerr-Air 1 and Jerr-Air 2 to distinguish the teams.
D. Concussion Protocol: The BOD discussed this at length, and studied the procedures in use by other recreational softball associations. The board decided to establish a set of instructions and procedures for Team Managers to use in identifying a possible concussion situation requiring intervention and actions to protect that player, as an injured player is not not able to assess their own level of injury. Maria Burden will draft the policy for discussion and revision/approval and possible vote at the next BOD meeting. Norm Thiem proposed that Fall 2022 should be a “Season of Encouragement” in which infield players will be encouraged to consistently wear head/face protection in games to avoid injury. The Board agreed to purchase 4 headgear units and make them available for players to try using them. Maria Burden will write an article on the benefits of face/head protection to be posted before the start of the Fall 2022 season, and Dewey Hom donated photos of the facial injury he sustained before he began wearing protective gear, for use in the article.
E. First Aid Kits: Norm Thiem has ordered softball-specific first aid kits for Hobgood Park and Skip Wells and kits will be stored in CSSA’s own locker at the park with access available during games.
F. Replacement for TeamPages and Constant Contact: Dan Bonham has established a website to replace TeamPages, which is WordPress platform and component-driven. It should simplify the process of updating rosters, schedules, news, statistics and much more. The site will be run parallel to Team Pages until any bugs have been worked out and a switchover can be carried out.The new site will also eliminate the need for ConstantContact, and enable online payments right on the site, and offers easy-to-access support.
G. 2022 Golf Tournament: Plans for the 2022 CSSA Charity Golf Tournament, which takes place Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club are coming along well. Twenty-two hole sponsorships have already been secured at a rate of $100 per hole. All members of CSSA are encouraged to recruit foursomes to sign up for the event and to bring awareness to this event.
H. Home Plate Mats: Members continued the discussion of comprehensive home plate mats that have integrated right- and left-handed batters boxes. It was decided that Mike Parson will order a sample mat in a 12 foot x 6 foot size and it will be tried out at Thursday pickup games.
I. Bat Checking: The issue of stickers falling off bats due to wet weather was discussed. The Patriot League will need to have all bats tested again, and it was decided that two umpires should test bats, and Mike Parson will run the log book to record results.
J. Balls: The board decided that League Directors would provide balls to the umpires before games, and take that responsibility off Team Managers to reduce delays during games.
K. Players Not Wearing Sponsor Jersey at Games: The board agreed that, out of respect for our sponsors, all players must wear their team (sponsor) jersey at all games; players who violate this requirement may be subject to disciplinary action.
L. Players Who Violate the Code of Conduct: The board discussed some situations in the Spring 2022 season in which unsportsmanlike player conduct during games necessitated that warnings and disciplinary action be taken.
M. Tryouts for Fall 2022 Season: Tryouts will be held July 23rd & 24th and July 30 & 31st from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Hobgood Park. Signs and business cards will be printed to promote new player tryouts.
N. Commitment Line: The rulebook says the commitment line should be drawn 20 feet from the back point of home plate, but the board agreed that 30 feet from the back point of home plate would be better. This item will be voted on at the next BOD meeting.
O. Pitchers Uncovering from Screen before Ball is Hit: In order to reduce the risk of injury to pitchers, it was proposed that penalties be increased to deter this practice. Dick O’Connor will write the rule proposal and it will be voted on at the next BOD meeting.
The meeting adjourned. The next BOD meeting will be Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 12:00 p.m at Gameday Grill.

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 2, 2022
The monthly meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held May 2, 2022, at Gameday Grill in Woodstock, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:30 P.M.
Members Present: Norm Thiem, Maria Burden, Dewey Hom, Leland Brown, Randy Bergman, Mike Maguire, Dan Bonham, Dick O’Connor, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, John Humeston, Robbie Crider, Ray DeLuca and James Bauch. No Board Members were absent.
A. Minutes of the April 4, 2022 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. Treasurer/Financial Report, showing projected assets of $15,000 by the end of the Spring season, was Board approved.
C. 2022 Sponsors: All CSSA sponsors have either already paid or have committed, and we have enough sponsors to cover the Skip Wells League for the first time.
D. Jerseys: Most teams have their new jerseys and the rest are in the works. 2021 championship shirts, which will be produced free of charge to the CSSA, are being designed and will be ready by the end of the Spring season.
E. Possible Replacement for TeamPages and Constant Contact: Dan Bonham is still exploring alternative options and will have more to report soon.
F. Collection of Old Jerseys for Charity: CSSA will be collecting as many old CSSA jerseys and used softball equipment as possible, to be donated to Gloves for God and other organizations that sponsor baseball and softball teams for those in need. A collection box could be established for the jerseys to be kept at games. This will be posted on the TeamPages site.
G. 2022 Golf Tournament: Plans for the 2022 CSSA Charity Golf Tournament, which will take place Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club are coming along well. Twelve of the eighteen hole sponsorships have already been secured at a rate of $100 per hole. More than one sponsor may be accepted per hole if interested sponsors exceed eighteen. This needs to be finalized ASAP to allow time for printing of signs, etc. City of Refuge, which focuses its efforts on ending human trafficking and homelessness, will be an additional beneficiary of this year’s charity golf tournament. All members of CSSA are encouraged to recruit foursomes to sign up for the event and to bring awareness to this event.
H. Player Injuries from Batted Balls: Some recent injuries have brought to light the need to establish a concussion protocol to be employed, and a set of instructions to be used in the event of a possible concussion during a game. The BOD decided to establish a set of instructions and procedures for Managers to use in identifying a possible concussion situation requiring intervention and action to protect that player, as an injured player is not not able to assess their own level of injury. Maria Burden will research and draft a concept document for review at the June 1st BOD meeting.
I. First Aid Kits: The BOD discussed the need for a new set of First Aid Kits to be created and kept in the scorekeepers booth at every game in case a player is in need of an instant ice pack, wound cleanser, antiseptic, coverage for abrasions, etc. While kits were purchased in the past, they became depleted and eventually lost. Leland Brown was nominated to be the Safety Director in charge of establishing the new first aid kits and conducting a monthly inventory/audit of the new kits during the season. Kits will be purchased by the start of the 2022 Fall season, and the Safety Director will get them resupplied before the start of each subsequent season. Maria Burden will assist.
J. Pinch Runners: The BOD voted to uphold the rule which states that in order for a player to be eligible as a pinch runner in a game, that player must be in the lineup.
K. Field conditions: Field conditions were discussed, with emphasis on recent injuries to infield players from excessively hard-packed dirt with serious undulations causing bad hops off batted balls. The home plate area has also become hollowed out and hardened and is potentially hazardous to runners approaching home plate and having to step into a deep recess to hit the plate. The board discussed what can be done to level out the home plate area for batters and runners. James Bauch volunteered the possibility of bringing his skid steer to level off the infield (if the CRPA allows it). Members also discussed the possibility of obtaining a comprehensive home plate mat that has integrated right- and left-handed batters boxes. Some members felt that unless the home plate area is leveled out, the flexible mat will follow the topography and dip into the hollow areas, potentially creating a new trip/pitching hazard. Mike Parson will research the mat concept and report back to the BOD at the next meeting.

Norman Thiem reminded league directors that all team managers must collect the new jerseys from players at the end of the Spring season so they can be reused for future seasons. Players who do not return their jerseys will be required to pay for them.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
The next BOD meeting will be Monday, June 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

Attention all golfers!! It’s time to register for the 2022 CSSA Charity Golf Tournament June 23rd at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club! Let’s get together and make this our most successful event ever.
Register Here: https://www.teampages.com/organizations/2042/pages/187047
Proceeds will go to benefit the following charities:
• Circle of Friends – This group works with mentally challenged young adults and offers them employment in a coffee shop in Woodstock. They have a website for more information:
https://circleoffriendsinc.org/wp-content/cache/all/coffee-with-purpose/index.html
• Cherokee Family violence Center – CFVC provides a variety of free services to domestic violence survivors and their families in our community and beyond. Their website is https://cfvc.org
In addition, a small percentage of the proceeds will go to the CSSA Fund for member’s special needs.
BE A CSSA HERO AND SPONSOR A HOLE THIS YEAR!
You can also make a special impact and show off your business for only $100 by sponsoring a hole at the tournament! Only 18 sponsorships are available. Contact Tom Cameron or Norman Thiem today to secure your sponsorship of a hole in this prestigious event.

We need Hole Sponsors for the 2022 CSSA Charity Golf Tournament June 23rd at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club! This is your chance to show off your business for only $100 and make a big difference in our community. Only 18 sponsorships are available. Contact Tom Cameron or Norman Thiem today to secure your sponsorship of a hole in this prestigious event. Proceeds will go to benefit the following charities:
• Circle of Friends – This group works with mentally challenged young adults and offers them employment in a coffee shop in Woodstock. They have a website for more information:
https://circleoffriendsinc.org/wp-content/cache/all/coffee-with-purpose/index.html
• Cherokee Family violence Center – CFVC provides a variety of free services to domestic violence survivors and their families in our community and beyond. Their website is https://cfvc.org
In addition a small percentage of the proceeds will go to the CSSA Fund for member’s special needs.

Tom Cameron: tom.cameron60@gmail.com
Norman Thiem :nthiem@aol.com

CSSA BOARD MEETING
April 4, 2022
The monthly meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held April 4, 2022, at Ralph’s Tavern/Zucca Pizza in Kennesaw, and called to order by Norm Thiem at 6:35 P.M.
Members Present: Norm Thiem, Maria Burden, Leland Brown, Randy Bergman, Mike Maguire, Dan Bonham, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, John Humeston, Robbie Crider and Dick O’Connor.
Absent: Dewey Hom, Ray DeLuca and James Bauch
A. Minutes of the March 7, 2022 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. Treasurer/Financial Report was Board approved.
C. 2022 Sponsors: All CSSA sponsors have either already paid or have committed, and we have enough sponsors to cover the Skip Wells League for the first time.
D. Jerseys: Norm Thiem gave an update. Orders are underway, although button shortages have delayed production somewhat. The Patriot League jerseys are complete, with exception of Premier Collision, which will be ready for the current week’s game. Some teams in other leagues have their jerseys already, and the rest are in the works.
E. League Fee Collection: Norm asked for feedback on the method used for the Spring season fee collection. Issues were discussed, particularly the challenge of assigning payments for multiple teams when a player has given one check to one manager for fees for all teams he is playing on.
F. Possible Replacement for TeamPages and Constant Contact: Dan Bonham presented the cost figures for current website and database services. He is exploring alternative options and will get quotes/proposals for further review by the BOD.
G. New Facebook Page for CSSA: Dick O’Connor has created a new Facebook page featuring photos, videos and writeups on players. There is a link on the “Links” page of TeamPages and an announcement banner at the top of CSSAs TeamPages home page with links to the Facebook page. All players, sponsors and fans are encouraged to join the page.
H. 80 UP CLUB: This special group of better-than-80 year-old CSSA players will soon be featured on TeamPages with a list of members, and articles by Marty Aftewicz as well. An anonymous donor has purchased deluxe carry bags for all members of the 80 UP CLUB to honor their continued participation in CSSA into their eighties. The current members are: Ron Wakefield, Bob Maranghi, Bill Hanzlick, Jerry King, Nick Scivilli, Ken Toy, Pete Berger, Bill Degitz, Steve Scully, Benny Hendricks, Howard Gunn, Carl Brown, Les Taylor and Howard Schoen.
I. 2022 Golf Tournament: The 2022 CSSA Charity Golf Tournament will take place Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. The tournament will be a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Tom Cameron will take charge of the event. The board recommended volunteers to assist with in securing some hole sponsorships in advance, at a rate of $100 per hole. We will also need help with sign-in and the putting contest on the day of the tournament. There will be a 50/50 raffle. The tournament is expected to gross $14,200, with expenses of $7,450 for a net profit of $6,750. Flyers will be posted on TeamPages as soon as online registration form and online payment capture are established.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 P.M.
The next BOD meeting will be Monday, May 2, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.