Ralphs Tavern

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 4, 2023

The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held April 4th, 2023, at Wicked Wings, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Dick O’Connor, Dewey Hom, Maria Burden, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, Leland Brown, Robbie Crider, Marty Aftewicz, John Humeston, Randy Bergman and Dan Bonham.

Board Members James Bauch, Ray DeLuca, Mike Maguire and Steve Fleming were absent.

A. Minutes of the March 6, 2023 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.
B. 2023 Sponsors: For the first time we have no shortage of sponsors and we have several entities wishing to sponsor teams waiting in the lineup.
C. New Pitching Screens: After a few games using the new pitching screens, the Board decided to maintain the pitcher’s distance from the screen at 15 feet, and re-evaluate based on feedback after the spring season ends.
D. Runner Protection Rule: Several leagues have already adopted this as a league-specific rule, and Dick O’Connor proposed that it be adopted as a rule of play for the entire CSSA organization.The rule reads: Runners on first and third base may stand 3-4 feet in foul territory at the time of the pitch to protect themselves from line drives. They must retouch their bases after the ball is hit and before advancing. Penalty for failure to retouch the base is that the runner is out on appeal. The runner may not use this as a running start before the ball is hit. Penalty for a running start is a dead ball, and the runner is out. This would be an option for the baserunner and not a requirement. The Board voted to adopt this into the Rules of Play. An announcement will be made on TeamPages and the rule will be added to the Rules of Play.
E. Jerseys: New jersey orders are underway for teams with new sponsors and/or players needing jerseys in a different size, and should be ready next week.
F. CSSA 25th Anniversary Hats: Twenty hats are still available in two styles for $10.00 each. Anyone interested in buying one can see Randy Bergman at Hobgood Park Monday mornings, Tuesday evenings, Wednesday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
G. Evaluations: The Board discussed evaluations and how to balance player evaluation results, appropriate league assignments commensurate with skill level, and each player’s availability to play on that leagues day or night. For the Fall evaluation days, every league director will be present and will evaluate players to provide more information for the draft. New players will be assigned a league or leagues based on the results, and can only be drafted to teams within that league (or leagues). There was discussion of the possible creation of a new league for new players who may not have played ball for many years, to give them a place to play, rebuild their skills and bring them up to playing speed. After a season in the new league, these players could be reevaluated and placed in a league commensurate with their updated skill level.
H. Electronic Scorekeeping: Norman Thiem brought up the idea of electronic scorekeeping, having seen it in action successfully at a recent game in another location. He asked if the Board should consider this as a future option. Previous use of electronic scorekeeping by CSSA was discussed.
I. Charity Recreational Senior Softball Tournament: The BOD discussed the tournament in Cartersville to raise money for a children’s charity on Saturday, April 22nd. CSSA is putting together a team, and we have invited other senior recreational softball associations to participate and raise money for a good cause. Teams must be 50+ in age and using ASA/USA bats. Cost per team is $250.00 and we have four teams so far.
J. Waivers for All Players: Waivers are up to date for all current players, except those who have not yet played their first games.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next BOD meeting will be Monday, May 1st at 6:30 p.m. at a location to be determined.

We are sad to just now receive news that Howard Gunn passed earlier this week. He would have been 86 in August and was a member of CSSA’s 80’s Club. He loved his sports, not only joining CSSA but several other local Senior leagues and travel ball teams playing throughout the SE in tournaments of the area. After retiring as a Fulton County Civil Engineer, he also coached baseball and football in the Nickajack Youth Association, Wallace & Ward Park for numerous years.
His Wife Peggy and family will receive friends from 11am to 1pm Friday April 14, 2023 followed by services held in the chapel of Carmichael Funeral Home, 2950 King Street, Smyrna, GA with internment in Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery, 1306 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kennesawmemorialpark.com for the Gunn family.

Attention CSSA Managers and Players,
Several leagues have already adopted this as a league-specific rule, and Dick O’Connor proposed that it be adopted as a rule of play for the entire CSSA organization. The Board of Directors voted to make it so. The rule reads:

15. Runner Protection Rule:
Runners on first and third base may stand 3-4 feet in foul territory at the time of the pitch to protect themselves from line drives. They must retouch their bases after the ball is hit and before advancing. Penalty for failure to retouch the base is that the runner is out on appeal. The runner may not use this as a running start before the ball is hit. Penalty for a running start is a dead ball, and the runner is out. This would be an option for the baserunner and not a requirement.

To see the Rules of Play in their entirety, click here: https://teampages.com/organizations/2042/pages/84123

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 6, 2023

The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held March 6th, 2023, at Wicked Wings, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:45 P.M.
Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Dick O’Connor, Mike Maguire, Dewey Hom, Maria Burden, Bob Werner, Mike Parson, Leland Brown, Robbie Crider, John Humeston, Randy Bergman, Dan Bonham, James Bauch, Ray DeLuca and Steve Fleming.
No Board Members were absent. Marty Aftewicz was a guest.

A. Minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting, having been emailed to all, were Board approved.

B. Pre-Registration Online: As of today, more than 350 members have paid their fees at the payment portal. All returning players must pay their fees, (preferably online) before the start of their first game or they will not be allowed to play. If enough players to make up a full team (per league rules), have not paid their fees before the start of the first game, that team will forfeit that game. Fees can be paid here : https://www.cssasoftball.org/product-category/uncategorized/ A list of non-paid players will be available for team managers at their first game. Any fee waivers being requested due to hardship should be submitted to the board and that player will be removed from the unpaid fee list.

C. Evaluations: Evaluations were a success and we have a good number of new players in a variety of skill levels. There will be some new teams in the Masters and Legacy leagues. The Board discussed the subject of new players whose schedule availability may not match the league that best meets their skill level, and how to handle this.

D. 2023 Sponsors: Ray DeLuca continues to get sponsor payments in, and we have several new sponsors including Renasant Bank, Latham Town Mules, Home Glass, Citadel Home Solutions, Wicked Wings and TAC, with a few others still in the works, as we will have some new teams after the draft is complete. The online payment portal for sponsors is at this link: https://www.cssasoftball.org/product-category/sponsor/

E. Player League Assignments: Now that new player evaluations are complete, each league will complete its draft before the start of the season. Each league will determine its start week, which could be delayed by weather. Open evening practices have been scheduled for this week.

F. New Pitching Screens: CRPA has purchased new pitching screens for Hobgood Park, and as they are wider, taller and angled at the top, there was discussion of whether to adjust the pitching screen rules to accommodate the new screens. After much discussion, it was decided to try the screens for a few games to see if a rule change is necessary.

G Spring Break Game Scheduling: No games will be scheduled during spring break (April 3-7) with the exception of the Lowell Lawson league, which will play at Skip Wells during that week.

H. Charity Recreational Senior Softball Tournament: The BOD discussed the opportunity to host a tournament to raise money for a women’s center in Cartersville. The Cartersville Sports complex with 6 diamonds is available to us at no cost on Saturday, April 22nd and the Board approved the idea. We will put together a team, and invite other senior recreational softball associations to participate and raise money for a good cause. Teams must be 50+ in age and using ASA/USA bats.

I. New Board Member: The Board voted in the affirmative to welcome Marty Aftewicz as the newest member of the CSSA Board of Directors.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next BOD meeting will be Monday, April 3rd at 6:30 p.m. at Wild Wings, Kennesaw.

Both Monday morning Leagues – Gold Senior and Gold Legends games are cancelled today (Mar 27, 2023) due to copious amounts of rain past couple days. Reschedule notices to be issued as soon as possible.