March 8, 2010 Meeting Minutes

5^th Meeting of the 2010 OPLL Board 

President Report:  Tom Roward

The 2010 season starts in less than 2 months.  Softball almost 100% sponsored.  The concession stand vendor and umpires will be discussed at this meeting.

Treasurer:  Jim Biddle

The number of players registered is down a bit from last year.

A question was raised regarding the Balance Sheet and the OPLL money in an investment account.  The organization has many expenses to run the program.  Reserve is needed for expenses like new a new tractor, fencing, etc.  The organization now has a credit card expense with the on-line registration as well.

Baseball: Tom Prince

Evaluations complete for ages 7-14.  The first day of evaluations had a record-breaking turnout of 202 players.  The evaluation program was consistent and successful.

The first draft is this Sunday, 3/14/10.  Others will follow.

Majority of the teams have a coach in place at this time.  Next meeting the board will need a list of ALL of the coaches.

Softball:  Joe Pici

The number of softball players registered is a bit behind for the upcoming season.

The OP Girl’s Softball Tourney is full.  Top’s Markets will provide participants with a gift. 

There is an interest in the possibility of a Women’s18 and over softball league.

Safety Officer:  Jim Ryan

There is a potential sponsor for the AED batteries.  The cost per battery is approximately $300.

Sponsors:  Pete Murray

The organization has 75 sponsors so far.  15-20 more sponsors are needed.  Sponsorship revenue should exceed last year’s revenue.

Field sponsorship is yearly.

Baseball Equipment:  Don Jank

Joe Stallone will send an out e-mail to the National League coaches to let them know the bags are ready.

March 19 is the deadline date for sponsorships.

Grounds: Tim Fitzgerald

The grounds crew is on schedule with everything.  Tim has an appointment with highway supervisor.  Eight crewmembers ready to work. 

Clean-up Day at the Park is April 10, 9 a.m.

 Website:  Anna Radin (not in attendance)

Anna is doing a fantastic job on the website!

Clean-up day should be on the home page of the site.

Travel & Tourney Baseball: Eric Dietz

Travel try-outs March 17 and March 24 at Sahlens Park. 

The teams will participate in the Southtowns league and there will be a meeting in a few weeks.

The Tournament and Travel Procedure has been created to keep a consistency throughout the organization.

Travel & Tourney Softball:  Tim Frappa

The Metro organization schedule is complete.

Looking to Joe Pici for field usage.

All orders for bags and visors need to go into Laux soon.

Special Events Coordinator:  Dave O’Brochta

The following events are planned:

·         The parade is Saturday, May 8.

·         OPLL Fundraiser, Saturday, June 12- Social Gathering at the VFW Post.  Evening will include Chinese auction items, basket raffles.  Looking for entertainment.

·         1^st Annual OPLL Golf Outing at Harvest Hill to take place in September.

Strategic Planning

No progress at this time.  Tim Fitzgerald will be meeting with OP Highway Supervisor to discuss the Holmes and Murphy property.

Old Business

Coaches, coaching assistants, parent volunteers all need to complete a volunteer application.  Applications can be found on the website.  All applications must be approved.

Also, a parent code of conduct is in all coaches packets.

Ted Chmeil and Shawn Gavigan with Kevin Hassan’s assistance will manage the umpires. Ted being the board member is in-charge, Shaun non-voting member but able to attend the meetings.  Right now there are 50 kids signed up to ump.

Discussed the Concession Stand vendors for upcoming season and the two proposals.  The vote was tabled until some of the board members meet with the two vendors.

New Business

Potential Change for the American League- Rule Amendment-

I would like to propose a rule change to the American League.  I would like to eliminate stealing home.  Currently, we implement that you can steal home halfway through the season and all of the playoffs.  My feeling is this puts a tremendous amount of pressure on these young athletes, especially the pitchers and catchers.  They seem to pay more attention to the runner on third base then their duties as a pitcher or catcher.  I was fortunate enough to assistant coach the 9U travel and tournament teams last year and stealing home in all of these games was strictly prohibited.  My feeling is at this age stealing home is more of a distraction then a benefit.  I hope you can see where I am coming from.  At this age, we are still trying to teach the kids how the game is played fundamentally and they will learn the proper way to steal home as they play in the older divisions.

Sincerely,

Scott Addeo

American League Commissioner