It certainly has been a tumultuous and extremely busy four weeks or so since the last meeting.

• The Final Series certainly did not go without its controversy.

There was a protest upheld in the Final of Cashmore North involving a ‘head first’ slide that would have produced the winning run. With the protest upheld Baulkham Hills and Winton Hills drew and it was ruled that extra innings were played on Tuesday night.

We needed to suspend the Youth League Final after the Baulkham Hills and Quakers Hill were tied at 8-8. At 9.50pm Umpires were not prepared (correctly) to continue with a new innings as the curfew (automatic ‘lights out) at 10pm. That game was resumed on Monday night. Game finished 8-8 and Baulkham Hills qualified.

There was an un-necessary argument, at least in my view, about the playing of the Hay League Grand Final. Castle Hill wanted the game to start later to suit its coaches availability – despite the fact that we had advised Clubs a month earlier that the game would be a night game.

I could not push the start time back without jeopardizing the Youth League game. Baulkham Hills would not play Saturday (claiming no coaches available- that I did not believe). So we swapped the game times. Youth League played in early time slot and the Hay League played late.

Next season, unless we can obtain an extension of time for the lights Hay League will revert to a Saturday morning game.

T Ball Presentations were a disaster. When you ask the clubs they like their T Ball teams to attend Grand Final Day to (i) support that Club teams in Grand Final and (ii) for players to see the next level of play that they will encounter.

Blacktown Under 9, Quakers Hill Under 10 Daisley, Castle Hill Under 8 Super T Ball never attended the presentation. While Rouse Hill Petroff had two players attend. What is a little odd, neither Quakers Hill or Blacktown have enquired about the trophies.

Thanks to the clubs that hosted games in the Final series, particularly Hawkesbury and Kellyville. It is a major exercise to host nine Grand Finals at one venue, but Hawkesbury and Rod Tuckwell have it well organized.

We were extremely lucky with the weather on Semi Final day and survived a scare from the weather forecast early in Finals week.

Results of the competitions were:

• Under 17 Barry Shipley Youth League

  • Winston Hills 9 d Baulkham Hills 2

• Brian Cashmore North

  • Carlingford 12 d Winston Hills 0

• Brian Cashmore South

  • Rouse Hill d  Kellyville

• Under 14 Graham Hay

  • Baulkham Hills  6 d Castle Hill 5

• Peter Street West

  • Winston Hills  9 d Eagles 4

• Peter Street South

  • Schofields  18 d Kellyville 17 (extra Inning)

• Under 12 Ken Douglass

  • Castle Hill Crusaders6 d Castle Hill Squires4

• Ken Douglss Plate

  • Hawkesbury 8 d Winston Hills2

• Phil Leonard  North

  • Carlingford 7 d Kings Langley 3

• Phil Leonard South

  • Castle Hill d Kellyville

• Under 11 Jim Bergan

  • Carlingford 5 d Kellyville 2

• Under 12 Jeff Catt T Ball

  • Premiers Kings Langley,   Runners Up Castle Hill Lancers

• Under 10 Don Petroff League 

  • Premiers Castle Hill, Runners Up Rouse Hill

• Under 10 Col Daisley League 

  • Premiers Castle Hill, Runners Up (joint) Quakers Hill & Winston Hills

• Under 10 Jeff Catt T Ball  

  • Premiers Castle Hill Archers, Runners Up Rouse Hill

• Under 9 Wendy Vigenser

  • Premiers Kellyville Kolts, Runners Up  Blacktown

• Under 8 Akers Super T Ball 

  • Premiers Castle Hill Archers, Runners Up Castle Hill Cavaliers

• Koala League

  • Premiers Kings Langley, Runners Up Carlingford

· The Winter Development for under 12 has commenced. Last night was its second night. Invitations for the  Under 11 Program have been sent out and will stsrt on Tuesday 20th. We were pleasantly surprised with the standard of players last Monday night. A third phase will be on Thursday nights for players not involved in BNSW Training Programs

• Little League was played over four days last week and it was won by Cronulla defeating Hills South 6-2 in the Final.

Cronulla deserves that success having been Runners Up in the previous two years.

Tournament was played as a Double elimination tournament.  After dropping into the losers pool on Day One (errors at critical time to lose 1-3) South had to play eight games to Cronulla's four. I really think a Pools type structure is fairer than a double elimination – where some teams are drawn to play less games.

Having said that North ‘had the draw’ to win the tournament but could not convert that advantage.

South was aided by some very strong pitching displays by both James McCallum and Tom Roberts (who again put up some outstanding pitching numbers- 5 and 2/3rd innings in 65 pitches) and an outstanding hitting streak by Mackenzie Bohan who on Saturday, in two games, hit four home runs, including a Grand Slam Home Run.

South’s game record was – defeated Bankstown 14-5, Lost to Manly 1-3, beat Greater West  11-6, Ryde Falcons 5-4, Hills North 11-5, Cronulla North 10-6, Hornsby Eagles 10-1 before losing to Cronulla 2-6. It was a performance when losing actually felt like winning – such was the gutsy performance by the South team.

I have no doubt some teams under estimated South but it was always going to be competitive with its pitchers and catchers. It had five or so players that North would have ‘killed for’

North had a better depth of player talent and a bit better team balance. It defeated Cronulla North 8-3 but were eliminated in three games. Losing to Hornsby Eagles 6-7 and to Hills South 5-10

 LL in Sydney has nothing to do with a team's player depth or balance - all to do with pitchers and hitters. The poorer quality players get one AB and three outs- per game. That is a fact that will distress those players’ parents. The five or so best hitters play every innings of every game. Teams need the older, stronger and bigger 12 year olds to be successful.

That unfortunately maybe the ‘last hurrah’ for South as its future now looks bleak for a number of seasons.

Waverley again won the Victorian LL Title defeating South Eastern in the Final.

There were two downsides to the LL Weekend.

Hills will get fined as it was unable to field two umpires for the competition. We decided to pay the fine – and make it some one else’s problem

Phil Griffiths volunteered but we were unable to find a second Umpire.

Really it was an unrealistic ‘ask’ to expect someone to volunteer and lose two day’s work plus umpire on the weekend as well. Makes you wonder what have happened if the tournament had been held in Shellharbour.

What was really disappointing was that the North team did not attend the Opening Ceremony, opting to practice. That certainly was disappointing and reflected Hills in a poor light. Certainly did not improve our image. No wonder other Associations and BNSW think we are arrogant.

· A Playing rule that we need to revisit is the play off provision for teams finishing equal fourth.

We were fortune this season in Leonard South where there were eight or nine teams that could have made the semi finals- with a ‘log jam’ of teams between third and ninth place.

Should that rule be altered and be replaced by the rule that governs ties for positions one to three, determined on Head to head results and /or runs for and against?

The problem of games not being played will always be exacerbated when not all games are played. The most difficult Conferences to have play washed out games are the Southern Conferences.

This season did not end up a major problem, however we still needed a Play Off on Saturday and a semi final on Tuesday. Any extended period of wet weather would have been a major problem.

· As advised last meeting we accepted an invitation to participate in a ‘Rubber Ball’ (read Kenko) tournament in Melbourne.

It was a hectic schedule with 10 games in four days. I thought the trip was a success. The team as a whole was up to the Victorian playing standard, even though we never had the top nine players all on the field at the one time. The aim was to share the playing time as equally as possible. That was achieved, in the end the difference between the highest and lowest Defensive outs was in the order of 20.

We won six of our 10 games, losing to all three Japanese teams (who it must be said were not as good as players that we normally are exposed to) and a not so good Victorian team. Of the four losses, three were avoidable and lost by poor execution- literally threw away two of these games.

We defeated Waverley, South Eastern (twice) and North Eastern who were the top three LL teams in Victoria.

We were well received in Victoria – like us in NSW we were every body’s friend when we beat Waverley. The ‘Tall Poppy’ syndrome remains alive and well.

Our aim was (and still) is to be invited back next year.

Hills paid the Coaches’ Air Fare and Accommodation. I paid my own accommodation and coaches shared the cost of the rented car.

· One action that still has to be achieved is to cite a Castle Hill coach (Allan White) on a breach of Code of Conduct allegation.

It will a BSC type hearing as umpire took no action. Need members for that Committee.

Trent Oeltjen has started the season in AAA with Nashville Sounds. I guess he will be satisfied with his start of four hits in the first four games and three stolen bases (all achieved in the one game)

· The ABF is sending a Girls team to this year’s World Children’s’ Baseball Fair (WCBF)

Associations were asked to nominate one girl, aged 10 or 11 as at June, 2010. I did ask the clubs if there were any girls we should consider. Only Quakers Hill answered.

Hills nominated Siobhan Bennett (Baulkham Hills) after consultation with Dennis Grogan and Vicki Galea who were the coaches of the Girls teams.

In the end we were influenced by the fact that one of the Girls nominated by BNSW has to be a catcher, which is Siobhan’s position. We thought that was the best way of having a Hills girl selected

Other girls considered were Tegan Whincello and Allana Smith

Nominations closed last Wednesday. BNSW did not acknowledge receipt of the application. I do not know the selection process after the Associations nominate a player.

· The Winter Comp is in bits of disarray – partly because of other events taking available time and the fact that a number of Clubs have their Presentation Day scheduled for the 18th April. The following week is Anzac Day when games will not be drawn.

Castle Hill report low number of players wanting to play in Winter. 

Baulkham Hills were in a similar situation early last week but may have improved by now.

· It was confirmed that the Winter Junior Competitions would be conducted in the age groups of 11, 13 and 15 years of age.  Eligibility date as at 31 December, 2010.

The Secretary’s report was accepted.

Mr. Schmidt reported on the February meeting.

The agenda was mainly confined to the trials for Overseas tours and the Presentation of the BNSW Blueprint

Mr. Whatson reported that there is no meeting of the JLSC in April, 2010, as there was only one Agenda item submitted. There are new rules for Representative Baseball next season.  Unfortunately these ‘dumb down’ the existing rules.

• Statement of Financial Position was presented.
• Payments were approved.
• Debtors and liabilities were disclosed.

Rule Changes – Mr. Schmidt advised that proposed rule changes for season 2010/11 are due by the May meeting.

Winter Juniors  -  Mr. Blundell advised that Kings Langley teams (11 and 13) are ready to play.

Annual General Meetings  -  Mr. Frew advised that Oakville has held its Annual General Meeting and there are a lot of changes at Committee level Mr. Neimi advised that Castle Hill’s Annual General Meeting is Sunday 18th April.

Mr. Yard stated that unfortunately at this time of the year it will be sad to lose some of our volunteer administrators.  Among those not seeking re-election included:-

• Andrew Woodward (Winston Hills), replaced by Mark Bricknell

• Garry Bailey (Oakville)

• Eddie Bray (Castle Hill)

• Already ‘lost’ Todd Clapson (Rouse Hill)     

• Neil Austin is the new President of Quakers Hill.  Michael Gibbons moves from Secretary to Vice President but remains on Hills Board.

Blueprint  -  Mr. Schmidt advised that people still do not like the Blueprint.  Mr. Schmidt stated that it would be unreasonable to expect too much too soon. Mr. Schmidt also advised that he made a private submission to the Major League Committee on an alternative structure.