Lathamtown Mules

The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held December 4th, 2023, at Ralph’s Tavern, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:40 P.M.

Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Mike Parson, Robbie Crider, Dick O’Connor, Maria Burden, Marty Aftewicz, Randy Bergman, Dewey Hom, Dan Bonham, John Humeston.
Paul Markley was a guest.

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

A. Minutes of the October 23rd, 2023 meeting were reviewed and Board approved.
B. Treasurer’s Notes: Norman Thiem reported that Mike Maguire would have a full financial statement ready by year end with final reporting on the golf tournament and award banquet financials.
C. Board Members Retiring: Leland Brown and Bob Werner have resigned from the board. Their service and commitment to CSSA are greatly appreciated and they will be missed. Paul Markley was invited to join the meeting to observe and consider a position on the board as a league director/manager. The question of the need for player representatives was discussed.
D. Legends League Director: Randy Bergman volunteered to serve as Legends League Director if Paul Markley would take over the directorship of the Legacy League. The board voted to approve that change.
E. Storage Shed: Norman Thiem proposed the purchase of a storage shed and hand truck to move batting mats at Hobgood Park to secure our equipment, considering the ongoing problem with equipment and supplies being taken from the existing storage area at the park.
F. Batting Titles and Forfeits: The board discussed the impact of forfeited games on qualifications for batting titles and the number of games a player must play in order to be the batting champ.
G. New Balls for 2024 Season: A temperature-controlled storage space will be used for the safe storage of the balls arriving in late December – early January. It was decided that two new balls would continue to be used for each game for the upcoming spring season.
H. Patriots League: The board concluded that 70-year phase-out rule qualifies as league-specific and can be modified with board approval.
I. 2024 Sponsors: The board voted to make sponsor fees $400 for the 2024 seasons.
J. 2024 Scorekeepers and Umpires: Fees will remain the same as last season.
K. 2024 Player Fees: Fees will remain at $55 per player per league. Eighty-up players will continue to be awarded one fee waiver each for the 2024 seasons. Scholarships are available for fee payment based on need, and should be submitted to Stacie Pittman by league directors so they can be properly accounted for in the system.
L. 2024 Calendar: Norman Thiem presented a 2024 calendar with slightly earlier dates for spring evaluations, drafts and league start dates than previous years. As always, weather may affect dates. The calendar will be confirmed and announcements made accordingly.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting will be January 8th with location TBD.

The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held October 23rd, 2023, at Ralph’s Tavern, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:45 P.M.

Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Mike Parson, Robbie Crider, Ray DeLuca, Maria Burden, Bob Werner, Dan Bonham, John Humeston, and Mike Maguire.

Board Members Dick O’Connor, Marty Aftewicz, Randy Bergman, Dewey Hom, Leland Brown, Steve Fleming and James Bauch were absent.

A. Minutes of the September 18th, 2023 meeting were reviewed and Board approved.
B. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mike Maguire presented financials and the report was Board approved.
C. Hall of Fame Committee: Ray Deluca, on behalf of the nomination committee presented the list of veteran and current player nominees for the 2023 inaugural class who will be inducted into the HOF at the annual awards banquet.
D. Charity Funds: $500 was given to a CSSA member who was injured on the field, requiring surgery and loss of work.
E. 2023 Annual CSSA Awards Banquet Tuesday, November 14th: Ray DeLuca, special events coordinator, reminded the board to promote ticket sales for the annual awards banquet. He also called upon league directors to reach out to all team managers to promote the event among all players.
Tickets will be available for purchase on CSSA’s TeamPages website until noon on November 3rd with a tab on the main banner.
F. Lowell Lawson and Jeff Nichols Civic Award: The Board of Directors voted on the 2023 winners of these two awards, which will be announced at the November 14th banquet along with the winner of the Arnold Fowler award.
G. End of Season Awards: Norman Thiem reminded everyone that names for MVPs and batting champs, etc. need to be submitted to Randy Bergman as soon as the last games are completed so he can order the trophies in time for the banquet.
H. CSSA Fall Charity Golf Tournament: Norman Thiem reminded the board that this year’s fall charity golf tournament will be held Monday, November 13th at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club with tournament fees to be $90/single – $360 /foursome. Also available for purchase….Strings, Red Bombs and Mulligans. Package Includes: Green Fee, Cart Fee, Range Balls, Tax & Gratuity, and lunch. The deadline for registration is November 8th, and the deadline for hole sponsors is November 3rd.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The date and location of the next meeting will be announced later.

Hello All CSSA members and fans. As members of this amazing organization, one of the best gifts we can give to each other is the power of friendship, support and kindness when one of us is working through a difficult time. Our good friend Barry Atkinson is working his way through an unexpected loss, family health issues and related challenges and we hope you will join all of us in sending up positive thoughts and prayers to Barry and his family.

Bless you and yours, Barry and we hope you can get back to join us on the fields soon!

Calling all Players, Team Managers and fans! CSSA really needs your support and participation in our November 14th Annual Awards Banquet at Fendley Farmstead! Deadline to purchase tickets is TOMORROW—Friday November 3rd at NOON! No ticket sales at the door.

Buy your tickets here and now:
https://www.teampages.com/forms/25278-CSSA-Awards-Banquet

This event is so important to our association. In one amazing evening filled with great food, laughter, and friendship, we honor our standout players, and of course celebrate this year’s winners of the prestigious Arnold Fowler, Lowell Lawson and Jeff Nichols Civic Awards. Also, we will induct the first honorees into the CSSA Hall of Fame!

Bring your appetite and some cash for the 50/50 raffle. It’s always a special evening at the awards banquet.

Attention players, managers and sponsors, don’t miss your chance to attend this year’s awards banquet, which will take place on Tuesday, November 14th from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Fendley Farmstead, 1287 Sardis Road in Canton, Georgia. Ray DeLuca, CSSAs special projects director and banquet coordinator, has a very special event planned for us this year. Not only does he make all arrangements for this annual event down to every detail, he serves as Master of Ceremonies and always does a fantastic job. Come join the fun as we award batting titles, MVPs and more plus the worthy recipients of the 2023 Arnold Fowler Award, Lowell Lawson Award and the Jeff Nichols Civic Award.

This year’s menu will feature delicious pulled pork and pulled chicken with sauce served on the side, green beans with small potatoes, baked mac and cheese, dessert and drinks.

Tickets are only $25.00 per player and just $20.00 per spouse, family member or guest…a great deal for a wonderful evening of delicious food, celebration and fellowship. Tickets MUST be purchased by NOVEMBER 3RD at the CSSA payment portal:

BUY TICKETS NOW!

No paper tickets will be issued, and tickets will not be sold at the door.

All those attending are requested to bring at least one new unwrapped toy for our holiday toy drive, “Every Child Deserves a Christmas.” And be sure to have some cash on hand for the 50/50 raffle/fundraiser too!

As always, player-sponsors receive free tickets–just be sure to contact Ray DeLuca ASAP (by November 6th) at (770) 355-3911 to secure your reservation. Sponsors who are not players will receive their ticket information by mail.

You don’t want to miss this year’s awards banquet. Only 200 tickets are available, so get them early!
BUY TICKETS NOW!

We can always use a few volunteers to check people in at the door and assist with the toy drive, 50/50 raffle, etc. so please reach out to Ray DeLuca (770) 355-3911 if you can help out!