Extra Innings - KC Metro Senior Softball League
Transcription
Extra Innings - KC Metro Senior Softball League
February 2016 The Kansas City Metro Senior Softball League’s Extra Innings Have a uniform? Remember to wear it? It has been brought to the attention of the Board of Directors that not all teams and players are following the league’s uniform policy, which calls for team members to wear “like” shirts with 6-inch numbers. In some conferences, the amount of players not wearing a uniform has progressively gotten worse in recent years. In response to complaints, the board formed a committee of four board members and four league managers to discuss the issue and make recommendations. The board also sought input during the membership meeting in December. Some enforcement suggestions discussed by the committee: 1. Prohibit any player not in uniform On the inside... Field of Dreams update.. . page 2 World champs from KC .... page 2 SSUSA award to Rowe..... page 2 Registration information.... page 3 Pitching screen update..... page 3 Rule changes.................... page 3 Annual meeting news....... page 4 Tourney information..... pages 4-5 Draft conference news ... page 6 Draft registration form .... page 7 Spring matrix ........... pages 8-10 Women’s conference ..... page 9 Medicare planning.......... page 10 www.kcseniorsoftball.org Also look for us on Facebook Committee, board, members talk about enforcing uniform rule. from playing 2. Allow them to play but charge the team one out per player out of uniform, with the outs spread across the innings. For example, if two players were out of uniform, the team would lose an out in the first inning and another in the second inning. 3. For every player out of uniform, award one run to the opposing team. So if two players are out of uniform, the other team gets two runs to start the game. 4. Assess a $5 penalty per player out of uniform at each game. 5. Let team managers police their teams this year, and recommend that managers carry a couple of extra uniforms with them to serve as emergency shirts for players who forget theirs. During the annual membership meeting, it was obvious that there are strong and varied opinions among the members about this issue. After more discussion, the board voted to have managers police the situation this year. Compliance with the uniform policy will be monitored. If at season’s end compliance is judged to be unacceptable, specific penalties will be instituted for the 2017 season. -- Submitted by Rocky Osborn Managers’ meeting is March 12 Our winter managers’ meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at the Jewish Community Center. President Randy Rowe and other board members will discuss plans for the 2016 season, including costs, payment deadlines, rule changes, conference locations and our registration process. We plan to provide AED training at the meeting so that many league managers will know how to use the life-saving machines. Also, conference coordinators will pass out rule books and answer questions. All managers should plan to attend or send a team representative. All league members are welcome. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided. The Jewish Community Center is at 5801 W. 115th St. in Overland Park, not far from Town Center Plaza and the Sprint Headquarters. From Interstate 435, take Nall Avenue south to 115th Street. Turn west (right) onto 115th. Take the first left, which is the JCC driveway. Turn right in the parking lot and follow the bend around to the parking area near the west entrance. We will be in a meeting room near the theater. February 2016 Extra Innings Page 2 Field of Dreams could become reality Editor’s note: For some time now, the Board of Directors has been discussing the need for the league to have a guaranteed place to play games, so that we don’t get pushed out by little league, soccer or another sport. This is an update on progress toward achieving that goal. The long-range planning committee has had two successful meetings with Kansas City Parks and Recreation department. In our initial meeting, committee members shared our vision for the city park property sitting south of Interstate 435 and 103rd Street, about ¼ mile east of Holmes Road (Blue River Park). Many of you may have played there in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After many phone calls, we were able to schedule a face-to-face meeting to discuss our proposition. We were informed that Parks & Rec already had a plan to create soccer and rugby fields at that location, but the winds switched and their interest in our vision peaked. We were invited back to revisit our plan on a more specific basis. We were informed at that meeting the next step was to attend a stakeholders meeting and that all concerned parties would be invited. This meeting would include neighborhoods, soccer and rugby proponents, and anyone else who may have a stake in the location. This meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 16. Ball diamonds vanished years ago from Blue River Park in KC. At that meeting, the long-range planning committee will present the league’s case for a multi-purpose athletic complex with six softball fields, a soccer field and a football/rugby field. Our vision is to light these fields using solar power energy and to have them turfed. The walking trail that runs through the park and shelters for picnickers, et al., would remain. The committee met again Jan. 24 to jump-start the process. Our architect is going to ready us with a ball park cost figure so we can get our grant writer(s) -- Submitted by Tim Burkindine Congratulations champs! SSUSA picks Randy Rowe for award Senior Softball USA honored Randy Rowe at its winter meetings as its 2015 Regional Director of the Year. Rowe, president of the KCMSSL, praised the league’s Board of Directors for its work. started on finding money. Our project manager already has made contact and is in discussions about the cost of turf. The final piece to that meeting helped to lay out the talking points for our proposal. Hopefully after the Feb. 16th meeting, the committee will have even more exciting news. If you have talents, especially in grant writing or finding donors, let us know. Any other positive ideas that will get this done are always welcome. Randy Rowe Once again, a team from the Kansas City area has won a SSUSA/LVSSA World Masters championship. This time, the title went to R&D Leverage in the 14-team Men’s 65+ AA division. In addition, the KC Naturals took second place in a recordsize, 68-team bracket in the Men’s 50AAA division. The bracket was so large, it took 155 games to determine the winner, and that does not count the games from pool play! In addition, the Midwest OG’s finished third in the 10-team Women’s 40+ Major division. Congratulations to all for representing the Kansas City area so well. February 2016 In brief... Rookie of year award The Board of Directors awarded the league’s 2015 Rookie of the Year award to Lisa Kraxner, a standout for the Grass Hoppers in the women’s 40+ conference. The board would like to expand awards in 2016. If you have nominees, or ideas for specific awards, please let the board know or forward your suggestion through a conference coordinator. Board officers elected Officers recently elected to the board’s 2016 Executive Committee were: Randy Rowe, president; Tim Burkindine, vice president; Donna McGuire, membership secretary; Susan Scholler, secretary; and Clint Berger, treasurer. Extra Innings Page 3 An update: On-line registration and dues payments The 2015 KCMSSL season was the beneficiary of a successful transition period from hard copy paperwork and check-writing to on-line registration and credit card payment processing for our members. This new Leaguesheets.com membership database has provided us with an accurate method of validating several requirements of our members’ records, and it is almost foolproof in verifying everyone’s dues’ payments. For the 2015 season, our active membership count climbed to 854 members. Our “active” membership counts over the past 4 years: 2012: Men – 536, Women - 123 = Total of 659 2013: Men – 574, Women - 135 = Total of 709 (8% increase over 2012) 2014: Men – 628, Women - 131 = Total of 759 (7% increase over 2013) 2015: Men – 696, Women - 158 = Total of 854 (13% increase over 2014) New member registration, and the 2016 annual dues payment process, opened as of Jan. 1, 2016. Nearly 300 had registered by Feb. 14. We encourage on-line payment if you have the ability to do so. The Leaguesheets.com website – where our membership database is housed, and the Stripe.com site – through which dues payment transactions are authorized, are both https (secure) sites. If anyone requires assistance in navigating through the registration process, or dues payment, please get in touch with Clint Berger (913-481-7937), or clintberger@ hotmail.com for assistance. -- Submitted by Clint Berger New pitcher-protection screens coming to all conference sites Over the years, the chain link “guts” of our pitcher-protection screens have required repair, and sometimes even replacement. During this period we’ve come to realize the 6-foot height of the screen frame is not tall enough. So, in 2015 we replaced the chain link gutting of four pitcherprotection screens (at multiple conference venues) with “netting” material, and raised the height of each of those screens to a minimum Chain-link screens on way out. of 6-feet, 8 inches. Feedback from the players, teams and conference coordinators was very positive. As a result, we purchased replacement netting for all of our pitcher-protection screens. By the start of the 2016 season, it is our intent to have all chain-linking removed, and replaced with the netting. -- Submitted by Clint Berger Rule changes include expanded rosters for 2016 Rule changes this year deal with the flip-flop rule, roster size and extra-inning games. 1. The flip-flop rule for non-draft conferences has been tweaked to add a second section. We still have a mandatory flip-flop if the visitors are leading by at least 10 runs when the open inning arrives. In addition, if the visiting team bats because it leads by less than 10, and its lead reaches 15 runs, the teams will flip-flop at that point. Managers and umpires shall note any runners on base, the outs and who is up to bat, in case the home team ties or takes the lead, and the visitors need to finish their at-bat after the home team’s final out. 2. Roster size has been expanded from 20 to 25 players. 3. Extra-inning games have been limited to one extra inning. If the game remains tied, it ends tied. Each team receives half a win and half a loss. Also, the draft conference rules have been added to the rule book, after the co-ed section. --submitted by Donna McGuire February 2016 Extra Innings Page 4 Door prizes, board elections highlight meeting The league gave away shirts, bats, batting gloves, a fielder’s glove and five free membership payments as door prizes at its annual membership meeting in December. Though the league has given away shirts and hats several times, this year the other giveaways were added in hopes of luring more people to the meeting. It worked, as a large crowd attended. The meeting featured a discussion about the need for teams to follow the league’s uniform rule. A committee studying the issue took the input into account before presenting the board with its recommendation. (See page 1.) In addition, the annual election took place for four positions on the 12-member, all-volunteer Board of Directors. Four persons are elected each year to three-year terms. The KCMSSL Board of Directors (Year denotes when term expires) Clint Berger Bob Reynolds Randy Rowe Rocky Osborn Bobby Gregg Jody Myers Susan Scholler Mark Splettstaszer Tim Burkindine Donna McGuire Bill Nees Steve Krull (2016) (2016) (2016) (2016) (2017) (2017) (2017) (2017) (2018) (2018) (2018) (2018) Incumbents Tim Burkindine and Donna McGuire won re-election. Bill Nees, a former member, rejoined on the board. Newcomer Steve Krull rounded out the winners. (Also, after Bill Klinkenberg resigned in January, the board appointed Jody Myers to fill the final two years of his term.) Randy Rowe thanked outgoing board members Larry Green and Chris Laddish for their contributions. Treasurer Clint Berger announced the KCMSSL’s donations to charity for the year: $1,000 to the American Cancer Society and $500 each to the Dream Factory, Special Olympics and the Salvation Army’s Hope for Heroes program. Oh, and about those prize drawings. Here are the winners (except for the shirts and hats): Free memberships: Mike Abernathy, Dave Berthof, Tom White, Jeff Friedman and Shana Palla. Bats: Jim Cook and Scott Pemberton. Glove: J.B. Saddler. Batting gloves: Terry Davis and Richard Hite. -- submitted by Donna McGuire Pre-season tournament set for April The pre-season league tournament has been set for April 9 and 10 at Black Bob Park in Olathe. In case of rain, the tournament will be rescheduled for the following weekend, April 16 and 17. The cost is $250 per team for a threegame guarantee event. To enter, contact Randy Rowe at [email protected] or call 816-718-3221. Sights from the 2014 league tournament Last year, rain forced cancelations of two tournament dates. Teams finally got the chance to play in September. February 20156 Extra Innings All-star games and picnic set for July The league has planned its annual allstar games and picnic for July 23 at Hartman Park in Lee’s Summit. Mark your calendars now so that you don’t miss out on the fun, fellowship and food. All-stars represent teams from all the KCMSSL conferences. It’s a blast! Tournaments offered across Midwest Midwest Championships move to Arkansas for 2016 Because Senior Softball USA could not rent Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee the week it wanted to run its Midwest Championships, that tournament will be held outside Kansas for the first time in seven years. The tournament is set for July 12-17 in Rogers, Arkansas. As usual, it is a Tournament of Champions qualifier. SSUSA-affiliated tournaments being offered in the Midwest this year include: March 19-20, Midwest Season Open- er, Tulsa. March 31-April 3, Cowtown Classic, Mid-America Sports Complex, Shawnee. April 26-27, West Des Moines recreational tournament. May 5-8, Oil City Classic, Tulsa. June 2-5, Missouri Open, Columbia. July 12-17, Midwest Championships, Rogers, Arkansas. July 30-31, KC Monarchs charity tourney, Frank White Softball Complex at Longview Lake, Lee’s Summit. Aug. 27-28, Wes Weddle Fall Classic, Mid-America Sports Complex, Shawnee. Page 5 February 2016 Extra Innings Page 6 Draft conferences see some changes for 2016 Saturday at Martin City The Saturday 60+ draft conference will begin on April 16. Because of construction at Roe Park, we will play in Martin City at 140th Street and Holmes Road. Games will begin at 10:30 a.m. after the competitive conference games. The managers will be Jim Jones, Richard Hite, Chuck Bua, and Bruce Rogers. This is a fun league where players get to play with players from the competitive conference that they may have played against over the years. -- submitted by Bob Reynolds Monday at JCC The Monday evening 50 + draft conference will start on April 11 with double-header games at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Because of conflicts with the fields, the first session will be only seven evenings (14 games). The second session will start in July and run 10 weeks (20 games). The cost for the first session will be $40 per player. The Jewish Community Center complex is at 117th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park. Jody Myers, the conference coordinator, can be reached @ 913-814-7298. -- submitted by Jody Myers Tuesday at Independence The Independence 50+ draft conference will be moving from Monday night to Tuesday night for the 2016 season. The season should start April 11 and consist of two 20-game sessions. This is a double-header league with the games scheduled for 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. We play at the Independence Athletic Fields at 17450 East Salisbury Road, in Independence, about 1/2 mile east of Missouri 291. The cost per player is $40 for each session. Bob Reynolds, the conference coordinator, can be reached at 913-961-7562. -- submitted by Bob Reynolds Thursday at JCC 60+ draft conference players are invited to join us on Thursday mornings beginning April 14. Due to continuing construction at Roe Park, this year’s initial 10-week, 20-game session will be played at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. The weekly double-headers will begin at 10 a.m. each Thursday morning. The cost per player is $55. For more information contact Paul Heacock, conference coordinator, at 913-707-7079 or by email at [email protected] . -- submitted by Paul Heacock February 2016 Extra Innings K C METRO SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE http://kcseniorsoftball.org/ DRAFT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 10 Week Schedule Beginning Mid-April 2016 (Unless Noted Otherwise) ________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CHECK EACH CONFERENCE YOU WILL BE JOINING _________________________________________ Saturday Morning (1 Game) Monday Evening (2 Games) 7 Weeks Only 60+ Draft Conference 50+ Draft Conference Martin City Softball Complex Jewish Community Center 140th & Holmes Kansas City, MO 64145 117th & Nall Ave. -&Overland Park, KS 66211 Roe Park Coordinator – Jody Myers 104th & Roe Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66207 ___ $40.00 Coordinator – Bob Reynolds ___ $35.00 ___________________________________________________________________________________ Tuesday Evening (2 Games) 50+ Draft Conference Independence Athletic Complex 17450 E. Salisbury Rd. Independence, MO 64056 Coordinator – Bob Reynolds ___ $40.00 Thursday Morning (2 Games) 60+ Draft Conference Jewish Community Center 117th & Nall Ave. Overland Park, KS 66211 Coordinator – Paul Heacock ___ $55.00 ___ PLUS $20.00 membership dues (if not already paid on-line or through your team). Total Draft and membership dues: $_________. Make check payable to KCMSSL. Please return this form, and if you are new to us the completed A-1 League Membership form (on our website), as well as your check for fees to one of the Coordinators listed below by March 15TH. PLAYER REGISTRATION Name: ________________________________________ Age:______ Birth Date:________________ Telephone(s): Home:__________________ Work:__________________ Cell:___________________ Physical Address: ___________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________ ST: ___________________ Zip: ____________ E-mail Address: __________________________________________________Years in League: ____ I rate myself 1 – 5 (1 being highest) on offense: ____ defense: ____ running: ___and overall: _____ My best position is: 1 __________________ 2: ___________________ 3: _____________________ Yes or No: I am willing to manage a team: ______. I might consider helping Manage: ________. Paul Heacock 11538 South Carriage Road Olathe, KS 66062 913-707-7079 [email protected] Jody Myers 2845 West 143rd Terrace Leawood, KS 66224 913-814-7298 [email protected] Bob Reynolds 12103 West 56th Street Shawnee, KS 66216 913-961-7562 [email protected] Page 7 February 2016 Extra Innings Page 8 Matrix shows fees, deadlines, sites The matrix that starts on this page shows each conference that is affiliated with the Kansas City Metro Senior Softball League. It is designed to help managers know when to turn in forms and money. But it also shows players all the opportunities that exist in our league for fun on the softball diamond. And there are plenty of opportunities! This year, we are adding a men’s 40+ conference at Hartman Park. We’ve also added a men’s 50+ in Independence. All players must register and pay their annual dues. In addition, all players new to the league must register online or complete form A-1 found on the league website and provide a photocopy of your proof of age to your conference coordinator. Rosters due before first games. Sunday, April 10 Monday, April 11 Monday, April 11 Monday, April 11 Men’s 35+, 9-inning games starting at 5:30 p.m. Men’s 50+ silver teams, doubleheaders, starting 7 p.m. Men’s 50+ draft, double-headers, starting at 6:45 p.m. Women’s 40+ 7-inning games, starting at 6:45 PM Independence Athletics Complex Jewish Community Center Hartman Park, Lee’s Summit Independence Athletics Complex Cost: $570 per team for 10-week doubleheader (based on 4 to 5 teams). Registration information in “Extra Innings,” page 7. Cost: $415 per team for 10-game season. Registration information in “Extra Innings,” page 7. Black Bob Park, Olathe Cost: $ 770.00 per team for 10-week season. Tuesday, April 12 Men’s 50+ draft, double-headers, starting at 7 p.m. MARCH 12: Check for $100 made out to KCMSSL will hold spot for your team. Membership fees: $20 per senior player and $10 per associate member younger than 50. April 6: $670 balance due to KCMSSL. Send all forms, checks to: Steve Carroll, 995 E. Charlotte Town Road, Shawnee, KS, 66216, 913-782-8889 Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. April 6: $315 balance due to KCMSSL April 6: $470 balance due to KCMSSL. Send all forms and checks to: Randy Rowe, 420 S.W. Seagull St., Lee’s Summit, MO, 64082, 816-718-3221 Membership fees: $15 per player. Send all forms and checks to: Jody Myers, 2845 W. 143rd Ter., Leawood, KS, 66224, 913-814-7298 Send all forms and checks to: Donna McGuire, 908 S.W. Hackney Ct., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816-214-6280 Send all forms and checks to: Bob Reynolds, 12103 W. 56th St., Shawnee, KS, 66216, 913-961-7562 February 2016 Extra Innings Page 9 Women’s conference gearing up for 15th season The Women’s 40+ conference enters its 15th season in 2016. We have been offering two divisions, gold and silver, for several years to make it more enjoyable for all skill levels. We award championship shirts in both divisions. Whether you are an experienced player or a recreational player, we have teams in both divisions looking for players throughout the season. If you have a desire to play a team sport, love making new friends and enjoy softball, we encourage you to contact us and we will get you on a team. Better yet, we encourage you to enter a team in our league. Our league begins Monday, April 11, at Hartman Park in Lee’s Summit. To be eligible, you must be no younger than 40 by Dec. 31, 2016. We have some players in their 60s still playing and enjoying the sport. There also are some tournaments throughout the year for local and national teams. It is a fun league and we hope to hear from you soon. For more information, please contact conference coordinators Susan Scholler at 913-579-8568 or Donna McGuire at 816-214-6280 or 816-517-2903. Tuesday, April 12 Tuesday, April 12 Wednesday, April 13 Wednesday, April 13 Thursday, April 14 Men’s 55+ gold teams, double-headers, 7-inning games, 6:30 p.m. start Men’s 60+ silver/ bronze teams, double headers, 6:30 p.m. start Men’s 40+ and 50+ platinum, double-headers, 6:30 p.m. start Men’s 50+ silver/bronze, double-headers, 6:30 p.m. start Men’s 60+ draft conference, starting at 10 a.m. Black Bob Park, Olathe Black Bob Park, Olathe Hartman Park, Lee’s Summit Hartman Park, Lee’s Summit Jewish Community Center Cost: $590 per team for 8-week season. Cost: $745 per team for 10-week season. Cost: $570 per team for 10-week season, based on number of teams registered. Cost: $570 per team for 10-week season, based on number of teams registered. Registration information in “Extra Innings,” page 7. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. April 6: $490 balance due to KCMSSL. April 6: $645 balance due to KCMSSL. April 6: $470 balance due to KCMSSL. April 6: $470 balance due to KCMSSL. Send all forms and checks to: Rocky Osborn, 12800 El Monte St., Leawood, KS, 66209, 913-681-8410 Send all forms and checks to: Terry Davis, 9805 Sagamore Rd., Leawood, KS 66206, 816-591-7528 Send all forms and checks to: Randy Rowe, 420 S.W. Seagull St., Lee’s Summit, MO, 64082, 816-718-3221 Send all forms and checks to: Randy Rowe, 420 S.W. Seagull St., Lee’s Summit, MO, 64082, 816-718-3221 MARCH 12: Check for $100 made out to KCMSSL will hold spot for your team. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. Send all forms and checks to: Paul Heacock, 11538 S. Carriage Road, Olathe, KS, 66062, 913-707-7079 February 2016 Extra Innings Page 10 Turning 65 this year? Here’s Medicare help Once again the league is pleased to announce that complementary Medicare classes will be available to league members and their spouses. The classes are taught by Larry Green, a long-time league member and former board member. The classes address Medicare eligibility, Medicare Parts A and B, the Part D drug benefit, Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. They are held at the Jewish Community Center. Not all class dates had been set at press time but it is anticipated that classes will be held periodically throughout the year starting in February and culminating in November during the Medicare open season. One is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Jewish Community Center. If you are about to turn 65, these classes will help you make informed choices. Larry is a retired 39-year veteran of the health insurance industry specializing in regulatory compliance. He has professional industry designations of Heath In- surance Associate and Managed Healthcare Professional. He has been teaching Medicare classes at the JCC for several years. These classes are free and open to the public. If you are interested, send Larry an e-mail at [email protected] or call him at 913-221-7475. Classes will be announced on the league website. You should start the Medicare enrollment process three months in advance of your 65th birthday. -- submitted by Larry Green Thursday, April 14 Thursday, April 14 Saturday, April 16 Saturday, April 16 Men’s 50+ gold, double-headers, 6:45 p.m. start Men’s 50+ silver/bronze, double-headers, 6:45 p.m. start Men’s 60+ silver/bronze, 9-inning game, 9 a.m. start Men’s 60+ draft conference, 10:30 a.m. start Heritage Park, Olathe Heritage Park, Olathe 140th & Holmes, Martin City 140th & Holmes, Martin City Cost: $720 per team for 10-week season. Cost: $720 per team for 10-week season. Cost: $515 per team for 10-week season. Registration information in “Extra Innings,” page 7. MARCH 12: $100 check to KCMSSL to hold spot for team. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. Membership fees: $20 per player. April 6: $620 balance due to KCMSSL. April 6: $620 balance due to KCMSSL. April 6: $415 balance due to KCMSSL. Send all forms and checks to: Mark Splettstaszer, 23280 W. 124th Place, Olathe, KS, 66061, 913-961-4084 Send all forms and checks to: Mark Splettstaszer, 23280 W. 124th Place, Olathe, KS, 66061, 913-961-4084 Send all forms and checks to: Bob Reynolds, 12103 W. 56th St., Shawnee, KS, 66216, 913-961-7562 Membership fees: $20 per player. Send all forms and checks to: Bob Reynolds, 12103 W. 56th St., Shawnee, KS, 66216, 913-961-7562 Players sought for 70+ tourney team Were you born in ’44, ’45 or ’46? If you were and would like to play some tournaments, Bill Nees would like to talk to you. He is forming a new 70+ tournament team to begin play in 2016 and would like to play 10 to 12 tournaments this year. Though looking for players born in ’44, ’45 and ’46, he will consider older players also. Please call Bill at 913-522-9160 if you are interested. Credits: Current and former board members produced the content for this publication. All photos courtesy of Donna McGuire.