Newtown Babe Ruth Softball Board of Directors Meeting 4/8/2009

Newtown Babe Ruth Softball Board of Directors Meeting 4/8/2009

In Attendance: Bill Darrah, Dave Ruscoe, Keith Cheh, Stacia Laaksonen, Allan Linden, Scott Beals, Jim Post, Tom Mulligan, Staci Nicholson, Wendy Merrick.

General Update: Stacey L. Thanked all for participating in evaluations. They all went smoothly due to the many volunteers.

Treasurer Update: Jim Post reviewed the current bank statement(handout). Largest withdrawals were for uniform payments and umpire fees. Registration now closed online. If necessary, contact Betsy Post for new/late registrations. Overall, nearly 200 registered. It was decided to shut down U12 for new regs. As there are now 39 girls and it would be difficult to manage more players on 3 teams. Numbers as follow: Student - 36, U8 -36, U10 - 60, U12 - 39,

U14 - 20/22.

Spring Season: Allan Linden provided status update. Evals completed, team selections completed and went well in all divisions. Score books, balls and keys were given to all coaches.

Code of Conduct was reviewed and signed by all coaches. Bins at all fields were filled with equipment and first aid supplies by the Division Directors. Discussion took place about U14 field. As long as NMS Field will be ready they will switch all games there instead of using both NMS and FFH fields. Hopefully there will be a smooth transition to the new field (per Parks and Rec).

Equipment: Each Division Director has 1 box of ice packs - should be plenty. Bill Darrah has offered to store some Speedi-Dry at his home -Thank you Bill! Batting cage will be set up Sat. 4/11 at 12:30 pm. All equipment is in shed. Park and Rec will perform initial lining of bases before the season starts.

Umpires - Steve Kolitz was given the April game dates. Jim states that we will assign U10 umpires in April.

Field Update: NMS Field should be ready in 3-4 weeks(early to mid-May), Reed fence to be done once Tilson Soccer Field is complete.

Volunteer Update: All-star games, picnic, awards scheduled by division on Sat June 6.. All star game will be followed by award presentations and pizza party. Pizza supplied by My Place Restaurant with the teams bringing the rest of the food/drinks. There is generally a DJ.

Sponsors: Unsure of status. Need 1 more for U10. .Need to pursue more sponsors that had previously sponsored a team. ?new restaurant in Sandy Hook. Only have a few days in order to get sponsor names on uniforms.

Uniforms/trophies: Staci N. Discussed original shorts sizes were off - have been returned and re-ordered. She will distribute to coaches for their teams. Shirts have been ordered for colors, but need to complete sponsors to get names on shirts. Allan L. Gave Betsy Post list of Sponsors/teams for shirts - will send out updated list sponsors/colors/teams ASAP.

No local deals for trophies. Will pursue online.

Scholarship : Deadline April 20. Wendy will pick up from Kitty in guidance at NHS.

Training/Travel Update: 4/20 - last pitching clinic with Barbara Reinalda,

4/20 - last night of clinic at MiddleGate School

Frozen Ropes training Saturdays from 4/25 - 5/16 at Reed Field. There is 1.5 hours scheduled for

NBRS Board of Directors Meeting (continued)

student div and 1.5 hrs for U8. Stacey L. To reconfirm with coaches and Bob Pagozzi. All coaches and assistants need to be present to get full benefit of this program.

in-house league game.

Travel - There will be a supplemental U10 tryout 4/9/09. There was a low attendance for U12/U14 workout -poor weather and poor confirmation. Still need U12 Travel coach - Decided to combine U12 and U14 for Travel - keep it in Newtown and still be able to play Babe Ruth.

Dave Ruscoe would be willing to coach, but would like a good assistant. Tryouts will be early May.

Miscellaneous: Discussion about decreased enrollments in other towns as well as Newtown. Girls participate in other sports, go to premiere teams, or just stop playing.

Bob G. Still wants to do Field Day for the League with the High School team. Will work out a date.

In season pitching opportunities discussed. Very limited, and need to provide equal opportunity if sponsored by the NBRS. May check with Becky for fee, # girls she’d be willing to work with and availability. Can get contact info from Barbara R

Submitted by Wendy Merrick.