• Certainly has not been a stellar month for Hills. There were problems at the Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill Under 17 game on Friday night. Baulkham Hills have lodged a formal complaint. There will a hearing next Wednesday probably at Demons Sporting Club. The scope of the enquiry will not be narrow but address all the ‘rubbish’ that happens whenever these two clubs meet.
• The problem is pure and simple the absolute ‘rubbish’ that happens in Major League has become commonplace in Juniors. There are just absolute cheap shots happening each and every time these teams play. If spectators cannot behave then stay away. By the way have you stopped to think who will umpire your games next year? No, of course not, someone will turn up each week just for the pleasure of being abused by ill informed spectators who think baseball is a ‘blood sport’.
• The Judiciary will be busy – Dominic Woodward was sent off in an Under 14 game and coach Telfer ( Kellyville) ejected from an Under 17 game.

Finals ...

Normally at this time of the year we announce the venues for the finals – but we are not in a position to do it this year. Up until the weekend’s rain we were very concerned with the playing surface of a number of grounds. We still have the same concerns. Venues will be the best playing surface available then the facilities/ amenities available to us. Neutral venues will not be a consideration.

Administration ...

We have concerns with club’s attention to detail and simply we have ‘had it’- we do not go outside our rules yet clubs think its fine.

• Point One – No team is to have coaches on the base paths or anyone in the dugout that is not registered with the Association. Baulkham Hills have not registered Rowan Standish as a coach who was in the centre of the trouble Friday night. It is very difficult for Hills to discipline anyone if they are not registered with the Association.
• Point Two – Clubs are continuing to play players who are not registered. The cut off date for late registrations has long passed.
• Point Three – Clubs ignore the rules. On the long weekend just decided to make their own arrangements despite what the rules require. Don’t worry what was going on in other areas – where clubs would not agree-or where clubs realized that they had insufficient players and took the unpleasant medicine of forfeiting.

In the end where there was no request through the Associations, the games were declared ‘no games’.

Imagine my surprise to be asked by the father of a six and half year old for advice what age should his (talented) son play in. Seems the boy regularly plays two games a Saturday – Under 8 and Under 10! We have never ever seen a dispensation request.

Same with midweek games and/ or washouts – there has to be a query over whether the games will be played by Wednesday and a couple will affect the final standings. There will be no extensions. It seems that once the calendar reaches December 1 in Hills – there is an automatic switch to December 25.

The rules are the fabric that binds the competitions together – break that fabric and everything fall apart.

• Point Four – Results do clubs check them? It will be hard to categorically say yes. There is a game for which no result has been received despite prompting. Maybe we will just assume that the game was never played. Someone will wake up as it may effect the final positions.
• Point Five- At the December meeting we issued instructions regarding Conference Rules being (a) a full set being available in the canteen, and (b) relevant Conference Rules being available in team’s score book. Saturday we have a disagreement/ uncertainty over what rules the Under 10 Daisley were playing to – after all it was on the draw. The problem would have been simply overcome had the instruction been adopted. We are considering fining both clubs.
• Point Six- We know the information we send to clubs re opportunities for training, overseas trips etc never reach the players. I have to assume Rule changes etc don’t reach coaches as well. We don’t have to look far for proof.

Rep teams ...

The finals of the representative competition are this weekend. Both the Under 12 and 14 go into the finals as undefeated however that means nothing as the format tests both tactics and the overall strength of the squad. The old adage of the squad is only as strong as its weakest player will again be proven to be true again. There is no certainty that the best team will win the competition given the format and the rules.

• The Under 16 team has qualified for the final series in either second or third place - those finals also start this weekend.
• The Under 14 Association Cup team qualified, somewhat fortunately, for the grand final going through the rounds undefeated. They were defeated in the grand final 10-7 with some players being overawed in the final game. That is our major fear with Under 12 and 14 as not all the best players will be on the playing field at same time in every game.

Development ...

• We made an offer to conduct specialist pitching clinics on Wednesday evening. The offer was for the smaller clubs – Hawkesbury, Oakville, Rouse Hill, Kings Langley and Carlingford- in an attempt to lift the playing standard in those clubs. Only Hawkesbury and Oakville bothered to nominate players. Unfortunately week one was washed out.
• There were two camps held in January- the method of participation altered with individual nomination accepted rather than by invitation. The five day camp was more of a child minding exercise. Certainly we are under valuing our clinics – in the correspondence is an article that appeared in the local newspaper for Basketball clinics @ $90 a day compared to $40 a week.
• While clubs did not support the Under 11 concept it was obvious at the two day pitching clinic that the competition has played its role in developing pitchers. There were a number of players that impressed.
• What is a laugh is the acceptance by some people of the Under 12 T Ball concept. The five day camp again proved how poor are some of the players skills in all four aspects, throwing, hitting, running and fielding. At least in T ball it is almost certain that there will have to be a play on every batter in one or two swings. That fact alone can only improve the players’ skills by giving them opportunities to make plays.
• The winter elite development program will commence on 3rd April. Participation will be by invitation. We have identified a number of players for Under 12. There is a significant change in our thinking where we will charge a fee for winter development. In return we are considering issuing players with a kit including a theraband, skipping rope, shirt and development cap.

Primarily the program will be for Under 12 although we will conduct another program earlier in the evening for Under 13 and 14 players who are not involved in Baseball NSW Program. Again participation will be by invitation.

Winter ...

• This winter we will be able to offer a trip to Victoria for Under 12 and should be in a position to include other age groups as well. It has the possibility of being a reciprocal visit and probably will.
• There will be a winter competition this winter – offering competitions in Under 10, 12, 14 and 16/17. Date of Birth eligibility will be under the age as at 31 December, 2007. Competitions will commence on April 15.
• The rumour that there will be no club teams in winter is completely unfounded. It seems if you don’t know an answer then start a rumour – at least it improves your standing as a person ‘who knows what is going on’. What we are seriously considering though is a compulsory development activity prior to the Under 12 teams playing. It would run for approximately 45 minutes. We were extremely disappointed with the pitching standard in last winter’s Under 12 competition when games become a ‘walkathon’.

Protests ...

There is a protest in Under 17 Cashmore North Lansvale v Hawkesbury. Hawkesbury have over pitched a player by allowing him to throw 83 pitches instead of 75. Game finished 7 all and at time Lansvale led 7-6. Do I think the result would have altered – no I don’t but rules are rules and the protest is likely to be upheld.

Knights Field lights ...

• Everyone should know that the matter of lighting at Knights Field has been before Council for months now and it was necessary that residents had the opportunity to list their objections.
• Approval was received last Friday at about 2pm that the Club was advised that the curfew was extended until 10pm only on Fridays and only in summer months.
• Conditions include the requirement for spectators to park in the soccer car park – this requirement is effective immediately. Personally I think the banning of parking is a great thing- it will be the same at winter development. As it is now it is only a matter of time before a child is struck by a car.
• There are other conditions relating to the use of Knights Field on Friday night that we will issue in time.

Daisley Trophies ...

Kings Langley wants to rescind the ruling made in December not to issue trophies for the revised Under 10 Daisley competition that started in December. Letter is in correspondence.

• The point that this should have been discussed was December – but we have not altered our thinking. The split in Daisley came about when Leonard South had to be regarded and we were looking at giving the two Under 12 T Ball teams (Kellyville and Kings Langley) additional opportunities – which opportunity was to move them from T Ball to Mod Ball.
• If you look at the original draw for Daisley it is clear that it was never intended to split the competition at any time. We had previously advised that due to the overall poor playing standard that age group would not be playing live ball this season.
• With two additional teams available the competition was able to be split – nobody was denied the opportunity to win a trophy in Under 10 Daisley it were only the weaker performed teams that were placed in Under 10 Daisley – allowing Daisley North to move to live ball.
• Who went down was really the luck of the ‘draw’ – we asked clubs for their opinion and as usual received very little feedback. Following the 18th November the point score was: Castle Hill Crusaders 16, Oakville 15, Baulkham Hills 13, Winston Hills 12, Castle Hill Bowmen 12, Hawkesbury 8, Kings Langley 6, Rouse Hill Jaguars 6, Schofields 2, Rouse Hill Cougars 0. The point score from Under 12 T Ball was Winston Hills ‘Xenas’3, Kellyville ‘Mustangs’ 0.
• Teams that had no chance of winning Daisley North were left in the top division just to have a viable competition while others with two more points went up. We never thought that was a problem as there were not going to be any winners in Daisley South. Imagine the ‘hue and cry’ if we made the same decision but offered trophies. What the clubs give the players in the way of trophies/ jackets is their own business.

General ...

• Travis McDonald was selected in the Australian Under 16 squad selected from the National Under 16 tournament.
• Attempts are being made to arrange a Dinner celebrating Hills’ 21st year of operation. Still have a few details to iron out. The proposed date is 21 March, 2007. It is a user pay function.
• Nice to see Ken Sharpe at baseball last Saturday after a health scares the week before. Ken had three stents inserted in the arteries to his heart.
• Finally it is fitting to suggest that clubs to recommend the NSW Sport & Recreation has produced a kit on Sports Rage – the link is www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportrage/index.asp
• As a result of the representative finals being this week the rounds of Douglass and Hay League on 17 February will be transferred to 24 February. Some venues and times will alter.
• In the last few weeks there have been two rounds of representative baseball. The weather conditions were in stark contrast. Oakville had very hot conditions while Kellyville was affected by wet weather. Both clubs handled the conditions very well.

• The tour to Taiwan is to proceed, cost is approx $2,150. There is an opportunity to take another player.

• Winter Program will be Under 12, Under 13 and Under 16 to Japan and Under 15 to USA. There is also an opportunity to participate in Pan Pacific Championship to be held in China. In addition a Pacific Friendship Tournament, involving teams from USA, Chinese Taipei, Japan and NSWJBL will be held in Sydney in August.

• The organisation is undertaking a review of its constitution. Only very minor changes are envisaged.

• Consideration of non members of NSWJBL being able to nominate for tours is being considered. It is very much a ‘Work in Progress’ thought of “do we go outside membership to fill touring teams”? There is no intention that non members could replace a member of NSWJBL –  no matter how good a player the non member was.

Mr. Catt reported on the J.L.S.C. December meeting. 

•   Koala League owed player registration fees. Also it has not paid this season’s registration fees.

•   March meeting of J.L.S.C. will be a debrief of representative season with all coaches.

•   Baseball NSW will meet every second month.

•   Quakers Hill was voted Club of the Year.

• Mr. Schmidt reported that Hills would be staging a 21st Celebratory “Dinner at Rydges Hotel, Rosehill.  We have booked for 200 – cost $60 a head.  We would appreciate anything that can be done to publicize the dinner.

• Mini Ball term 1 in 2007  - not as good a response as last year.  The reason for that is at least partly because we were unable to publicize in the schools.

• Mr. Schmidt stated that the Mini Ball concept is proven – all kudos go to the Kellyville club.

• Youth League. Mr. Schmidt stated that there will be an enquiry into the conduct of the domestic Youth League competition. Mr. Schmidt stated he was frankly disgusted with the behavior he has witnessed.  It is mainly when the parents become involved.

• There was discussion including an indication that parents are ‘crossing the line’  and of unacceptable behavior in competitions as young as Under 10.

•  Mr. Schmidt added that the problem does exist now in Under 12 and 14.  It is a cultural thing in Hills caused by parents.

• Statement of Financial Position tabled and accepted.
• Accounts for payment approved.
• We also have a financial contribution in Mini Ball that is yet to be recovered.
• Clubs/ Individuals that owe money or equipment to the Association as at 2 March, 2007 will be ineligible to play in final series.
• The two camps in January resulted in a loss of $70. There were too many coaches at the pitching camp as a result of a substantial number of registered players failing to attend.

Trophies: Mr. Blundell requested that there be trophies awarded for Daisley South competition. The club was prepared to purchase the trophies if necessary.

• Mr. Yard stated that there was never intention of splitting Daisley League into two competitions at any time. The change came when it was necessary to redraw the Under 12 Leonard South competition and it was considered the best way forward was for the two Under 12 T Ball teams (Kellyville and Winston Hills) to play mod ball. Having made that decision it was an easy decision to play live ball for the top six teams in Daisley and mod ball for bottom four teams plus the T Ball teams.
• There were not a top six teams, rather a top three or four, the others were not really competitive. If there was no competition to be won the split was easy – otherwise the split was very difficult. Hawkesbury was one club that certainly would have been regraded down.
• It was resolved four votes to three not to award trophies.