There was a correction to the report that H. Bray will now play for Hills Little League while ever it remains in that competition.  The decision was made by ABF, following a complaint by Hills.

Little League

The feeling of euphoria around Little League certainly turned bitter with the advice that neither Dean Frew nor Isaac Whatson would be able to play in Hong Kong. We were expecting to ‘lose’ Isaac but Dean’s exclusion was a little unexpected. Passing that news onto the players certainly overtook any feeling of elation that one may have ever had.

The problem comes as the Tournament Rules of Little League are different to the rules for Regular play. In Regular play players can be aged between 9 to 12 years of age. In Tournament play players can only be 11 or 12 years of age- the ages being as at 1 May.

On top of this Zachary Shepherd initially withdrew from Little League in favour of Cal Ripken. Zach later changed his mind.

It was a disgraceful situation to place both Hayden Bray and Zachary Shepherd in a position where they were forced to choose between Little League and Cal Ripken Tournament. We did express our dissatisfaction to both the ABF and Baseball NSW but as usual we did not even receive the courtesy of a reply. It is becoming their normal method of operation …if they don’t answer then they seem to consider that the problem does not exist. However they would be forced to defend the indefensible.

Dennis Grogan resigned as Manager of the team as he had committed to a trip to the USA with Zachary to the Cal Ripken tournament. Applications were invited for a replacement Manager. Applications were received from Allen Power, Dale Richards, Louise Dent and Dave Frew. The Executive appointed Dave Frew.

The replacement players were Steven Murdocca and Ryan Bartolo. Steven would have been selected in the original team other than his family had organized holidays at Easter.

The Executive then considered the situation of Dean and Isaac. While being unanimously in favour of having both players accompany the team to Hong Kong with Hills paying the cost of air travel it was decided to leave the decision to the clubs. The vote, without the Executive voting, was 7-2 in favour. One club never voted. The cost involved is $2,033.

The team leaves on 17th July and we are becoming increasingly nervous about the supply of playing uniforms, walk out uniforms, swap gifts etc. There will be no swap caps for players.

Rep Coaches

Applications for positions of coaches of representative teams closed yesterday. The nominations received were

• Under 12:  Nigel Hern, Robert Stone

• Under 14: Jeff Catt, Greg Robinson, Scott Wakefield, Bruce Vigenser.

• Under 16: John Chapman.

Logistics

Baseball NSW has issued its Playing Calendar. It is making us re-think our competition. Baseball NSW is recommending that Associations commence their competitions on 6 September and conclude on 14 March, 2009.

• The Champions of Champions is scheduled for 21 – 22 March, with Little League scheduled for 28 -29th March, 4th-5th and 8th April

• Historically Hills clubs have never been ready to commence its competition in the first week of September. If we are to have our competition to conclude by 14 March Grand Final day, probably for first division competitions, would have to be 28 February – with the 7th March as a washout date. The problem here is that it is the period when the finals of the representative competitions are played. Clubs are going to be unhappy when their ‘star’ players are placed on restrictions. Not a lot of planning happening here.

Rep Trials

Trials for representative teams commenced on Sunday. The number of triallists for Under 12 was very, very disappointing. The Under 14 trials were disrupted with a number of players being involved in Baseball NSW TIP games. Trials will continue for at least the next two Sundays.

Our real concern is that not all the players are aware of the trials commencing. Sunday was also a washout replay for Soccer. So concerned are we, that we have altered the Under 12 trials. We will continue with Sunday afternoon trials and will conduct additional trials on Tuesday the 15th and 22nd July at Knights Field commencing at 6.30pm. Hopefully this may be a way around conflict with representative football.

I will write to clubs asking that they advise their players – is that is at all possible?

General

• The date and venue of the Rules Night has not been set  - it will be held in the last week of August.

• The practical explanation of T Ball Rules and teaching throwing, hitting fundamentals and organizing practices for T Ball Coaches will be conducted on 31 August (9.30am start) preferably at Castle Glen. It will two and half/ three hour duration.

• The winter Junior competitions in Under 12 and 14 have reached Grand Final stage. The Under 16 competition is at semi final stage. The date of the Under 14 Grand Final was brought forward a week to enable teams with Little League players in the team to play in the finals before leaving for Hong Kong.

  •    It was disappointing that Castle Hill had to forfeit its Under 14 semi final due to a combination of players away on school holidays and commitments to Baseball NSW.

• The July camp started today. The numbers attending are not as high as previous years. The camp planned for next week will, in all probability, be cancelled due to a lack of players nominating.

• Baseball NSW has released its fees for season 2008/9 and clubs will need to increase their registration fees to cover the increase.  The new fees are

  • Under 8 - $35.

  • Under 10 - $35.

  • Little League $57.

  • Juniors $55.

  • The difference between Little League and Under 14-16 age groups is that they have appeared to pass on the $2 cost payable to Little League. This information has been issued to clubs.

  • Hills’ fees remain unchanged.

  • Peter has written enquiring whether the discount for prompt payment still applies. We have not had a reply.

• There are again changes mooted to Little League. Baseball now suggest that the Little League competition in Regular Season will be an Under 12 competition and it be played on Saturday mornings over Little League distances and with the hard 9”ball.

  • The eligible 12 year olds can play in the Tournament Play’ without having played Little League. We take that to mean that running a separate competition, as we did earlier this season will not be permitted. 

  • Yet we have the JLSC saying that the representative Under 12 competition  be played over the larger distance of 48’x70’ and with an 8.5”dia Reduced Injury Factor Ball.

•  Mr. Yard reported that Hills had voted for paying the airline costs for D. Frew and I Whatson.  Due to the differing dates of the booking the cost of tickets varied.  He recommended that the amount refunded to both be the same (lower amount).   Agreed.

The Secretary’s report was accepted.

Mr. Catt reported that the meeting was the Annual General Meeting.  

• The existing Committee of Mrs. Barnier (President), Messrs, Farrell (Vice President), Yard (Secretary) and Royce (Treasurer) were re-elected.

• Greater Western are not charging T Ballers any registration fees for this season.

• Report the passing of Neville Smith, former President of Bankstown and NSWJBL Umpires Co-Ordinator and illness of Dennis Castle.

• The Under 12 representative competition will be as last season and not Little League ages.

• There were no answers to the queries Hills had raised re Little League.

• The subject of bats were again raised.

Mr. Catt also advised that he had received an apology from Baseball NSW over a coaching appointment issue.  He also queried the representation on JLSC of a person who has a commercial interest in the sport.

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

Competition structure:  Mr. Yard advised that Baseball NSW has issued a calendar for the coming season.  This locks Associations into certain dates.  Having said that there is no need to apply the dates to all competitions

• The first division competition in Under 17, 14 and 12 have to be completed by 14th March to enable them to participate in the Champion of Champions.  This means that these competitions will probably have to commence on 6 September and Grand Final Day will be 7 March.

• There will be very few games after Christmas in these competitions.

• There is no need for the other competitions to have same restrictions.  History tells me that clubs have difficulty being ready for the competition to commence during the first week of September.

• Planning at this stage is for Under 17 Cashmore, Under 14 Street, Under 12 Leonard, Under 10 Petroff and Daisley including Under 9 first division, competition will commence on  13 September

• Grand Final date for these competitions will be 21 March with a wash out provision on 28 March, 2009.

Base Paths:  Mr. Niemi advised the playing distance for Under 14 Street League remains unresolved. The change is necessary if the clubs are not ‘forced’ into another distance for the drop in bases.  It was decided that the playing distance for this age group be 50’x 80’ - an increase of 5 ft. in base paths.

Come and Try Days: Mr. Whatson advised that Hawkesbury has a Come and Try Day on 10 August.

• Mr. Blundell advised that Kings Langley’s Come and Try Day was 17 August.

• Mr. Petrone advised Kellyville’s Come and Try Day is 27 July.

• The Clubs were requested to advise Mr. Schmidt of the details so they can be included on the Hills T Ball Web site.

D. Castle:  Mr. Yard reported that Dennis is in a Mt. Druitt Rehab Hospital as he recovers from a stroke.  He is said to have lost 40 kg in weight and is in good spirits.

Under 17 Competition:  Mr. Blundell enquired if it was possible for the Youth League competition to revert back to a Saturday morning competition. Mr. Yard replied that it would be possible but there are advantages for the competition to be played Friday nights.  Baulkham Hills would ‘struggle’ to be able to play at Northmead on Saturdays – same with Kellyville.

Trials:  Mr. Yard asked that the clubs go back to their players with details of the representative trials.

Representative Competition:  The meeting voted against the extension of the representative season by playing the ‘top 6’ in another round of representative games.  The extension would have an adverse effect on the domestic competition. The matter will be voted on at the next meeting of Baseball NSW JLSC.