Arlington Little League - League Athletics
Arlington Little League Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 – 7:15 PM Washington-Lee High School, Room 1019 Present: Louisa Marinaccio, Adam Balutis, Mike Romano, Robert Hammer, Eric Hansen, Jason Rizzo, John Makara, Jeremy Rosen, Shirley Brothwell, Aija Moeller, Clarette Yen, Dave Anderson, Kim Witeck, Matt Carlson, Sean Carrig, Todd Reed, John Relyea, Chris Witeck 7:15 PM
Call to order, approval of minutes Adam Balutis from Apr. 10 meeting Minutes reviewed; one change of “preference” bullet to “Filed fund purpose is to be used for . .. “;no other comments/discussion; approved by voice vote
7:20 PM
Remembering Andrew Alford and Coach Coop Adam Balutis Ways to remember Coop o Scholarship to VBC? o Motion to approve $2,000 for Coop patches - passed o Motion to approve $1,000 on D4 opening ceremonies – passed o Smaller ceremony beforehand for locals o There will be a memorial for Christopher Cooper at the District 4 all-star tournament hosted by ALL. In addition, all Majors teams are or soon will be wearing patches in memory of Coop. The Board is eager to consider other ideas of ways in which to honor Coop’s memory both through one-time events and ongoing initiatives. Board approved procurement of Coop patches up to $2k as well as a budget for District 4 opening ceremonies up to $1k.
7:40 PM
President’s report Adam Balutis Long Branch fund being collected for field improvements in memory of Andrew Alford; Adam Rasmussen is leading, is pursuing process of adoption, and will come up with an improvement plan for review by Board.
7:50 PM
Sports Commission and Field Fund update Shirley Brothwell Craig Stronberg trying to develop “agenda” Robert Hammer: o Tarps? o Lower level fields? o Our board should have a list of projects ready to go Survey to determine priorities to go out after Memorial Day Weekend
7:55 PM
Uniform costs Shirley Brothwell Higher division = greater cost per player Sliding scale in past One model: as you develop into a better player you go to a better uniform
Coach hats Moving to cool base material = $5,000 increase Fees have been kept low to compete with Babe Ruth but that’s not really relevant anymore; if we raise fees, they will also Need more time to think through – no motion tonight
8:15 PM
Lower level play improvement initiative Sal D’Itri Minors and below farm system for ALL Focus on farm system because so many leave between rookies and minors Roadmap needed for short-term and long-term improvements o Player and Coach skills o Rules of the Game o Amenities o Fields
8:35 PM
All-stars update Chris Witeck Candidates were solicited from active AAA and Majors coaches All-Star committee members interviewed candidates and talked to parents who had experiences with coaches 9/10: AL – Roger Bhojwani; NL – Glenn Swanson 11/12: AL – Rich Erler; NL – Mike Goldsmith Slate approved by board Games at Majors will run 6/27-7/6; Minors 7/6-13 Uniforms will be updated Letter for LLI team waiver was not approved
8:50 PM
Commissioner updates
9:10 PM
Jason Rizzo, Sal D’Itri, Robert Hammer, Mike Romano, Eric Hansen, John Anderson, John Makara Jeremy – working with commissioners has been great in terms of operations Jason Rizzo – Jr. Tee Ball – things are great o How to transition Jr. Tee Ball players to fall ball? o Tuckahoe field working fine Sal D’Itri - Tee Ball – ER visit by player; suspicious person at Barcroft Robert Hammer – Rookies – trying to reschedule games; next week switch to strike-outs Mike Romano – Minors is great; would like to see umpire at minors John Makara – Challenger jamboree in Norfolk last weekend; Better Sports Club of Arlington wants to give Challenger award – going to Owen Connelly’ Eric Hansen – AAA going well, transitioning to “real baseball” Jeremy for John Anderson – Majors going well – 15/16 HRs hit so far
New Business/Adjourn
Update from Dave Anderson via email: o “Please report that I purchased more game balls, which are being shipped. But we still have some in the Shirlington Self Storage, which can be placed under the press box at BC1 for majors teams if Adam didn't do this already. I am already sharing more game balls with AAA coaches. o Lastly, can I get the play off schedules for all leagues, or just dates when they are done, so that I can schedule equipment return dates?” Meeting adjourned 9:52pm.
Call to order, approval of minutes Adam Balutis from Apr. 10 meeting Minutes reviewed; one change of “preference” bullet to “Filed fund purpose is to be used for . .. “;no other comments/discussion; approved by voice vote
7:20 PM
Remembering Andrew Alford and Coach Coop Adam Balutis Ways to remember Coop o Scholarship to VBC? o Motion to approve $2,000 for Coop patches - passed o Motion to approve $1,000 on D4 opening ceremonies – passed o Smaller ceremony beforehand for locals o There will be a memorial for Christopher Cooper at the District 4 all-star tournament hosted by ALL. In addition, all Majors teams are or soon will be wearing patches in memory of Coop. The Board is eager to consider other ideas of ways in which to honor Coop’s memory both through one-time events and ongoing initiatives. Board approved procurement of Coop patches up to $2k as well as a budget for District 4 opening ceremonies up to $1k.
7:40 PM
President’s report Adam Balutis Long Branch fund being collected for field improvements in memory of Andrew Alford; Adam Rasmussen is leading, is pursuing process of adoption, and will come up with an improvement plan for review by Board.
7:50 PM
Sports Commission and Field Fund update Shirley Brothwell Craig Stronberg trying to develop “agenda” Robert Hammer: o Tarps? o Lower level fields? o Our board should have a list of projects ready to go Survey to determine priorities to go out after Memorial Day Weekend
7:55 PM
Uniform costs Shirley Brothwell Higher division = greater cost per player Sliding scale in past One model: as you develop into a better player you go to a better uniform
Coach hats Moving to cool base material = $5,000 increase Fees have been kept low to compete with Babe Ruth but that’s not really relevant anymore; if we raise fees, they will also Need more time to think through – no motion tonight
8:15 PM
Lower level play improvement initiative Sal D’Itri Minors and below farm system for ALL Focus on farm system because so many leave between rookies and minors Roadmap needed for short-term and long-term improvements o Player and Coach skills o Rules of the Game o Amenities o Fields
8:35 PM
All-stars update Chris Witeck Candidates were solicited from active AAA and Majors coaches All-Star committee members interviewed candidates and talked to parents who had experiences with coaches 9/10: AL – Roger Bhojwani; NL – Glenn Swanson 11/12: AL – Rich Erler; NL – Mike Goldsmith Slate approved by board Games at Majors will run 6/27-7/6; Minors 7/6-13 Uniforms will be updated Letter for LLI team waiver was not approved
8:50 PM
Commissioner updates
9:10 PM
Jason Rizzo, Sal D’Itri, Robert Hammer, Mike Romano, Eric Hansen, John Anderson, John Makara Jeremy – working with commissioners has been great in terms of operations Jason Rizzo – Jr. Tee Ball – things are great o How to transition Jr. Tee Ball players to fall ball? o Tuckahoe field working fine Sal D’Itri - Tee Ball – ER visit by player; suspicious person at Barcroft Robert Hammer – Rookies – trying to reschedule games; next week switch to strike-outs Mike Romano – Minors is great; would like to see umpire at minors John Makara – Challenger jamboree in Norfolk last weekend; Better Sports Club of Arlington wants to give Challenger award – going to Owen Connelly’ Eric Hansen – AAA going well, transitioning to “real baseball” Jeremy for John Anderson – Majors going well – 15/16 HRs hit so far
New Business/Adjourn
Update from Dave Anderson via email: o “Please report that I purchased more game balls, which are being shipped. But we still have some in the Shirlington Self Storage, which can be placed under the press box at BC1 for majors teams if Adam didn't do this already. I am already sharing more game balls with AAA coaches. o Lastly, can I get the play off schedules for all leagues, or just dates when they are done, so that I can schedule equipment return dates?” Meeting adjourned 9:52pm.
