The meeting held at Shriners was called to order at 1pm by President Ken Shepard.  Attending was VP Frank Lyons, Secretary Ron Giovannucci, George Wacaser, Bob D’Angelo, Luis Negrete, Chuck Cason and Gary Goldberg.  Absent was Treasurer Mike Mahan.  Scott Kowit and Mike Cox attended as guests. 

 

Ken presented the financial report.  He stated there will be a positive balance after all bills are paid.  $60 was received from a member who joined a team midseason.  The board approved the financial report.   

 

The prior meeting minutes were approved. 

 

Ken received a suggestion from member Dave Hirschfeld to hold pitching clinics to develop more pitchers.  Ken is looking for someone to take the lead on this suggestion.  Dave also suggested encouraging members to make a planned or legacy gift to SSSA.  There was a discussion about putting something on the website about encouraging a planned or legacy gift to SSSA. 

 

The Amish games were well attended.  The Tribune was on site taking photos.  $1700 was raised at this event, which was donated to the Gator Wilderness Camp School, which is supported by the Amish community.  The school is a year-round camping program designed specifically to serve adolescent boys from the ages of 11-15 years old.  The goal of the school is to pursue relationships with those in need and to offer a navigational beacon of hope and healing in the name of Christ.  There is a possibility that campers will provide assistance at future Amish games (cooking etc.).  A suggestion was made to pass around a donation bucket during future games.  Ken thanked everyone who was involved and is looking for a Board member to be the point of contact for future games. 

 

It was suggested that the 2024 Amish games be held on a Friday or Saturday to avoid conflicts with league games. 

 

Feedback was received about changes to the Winter league.  George Wacaser stated this is still a “work in progress” and encouraged more feedback. 

 

Steve Arsenault purchased and donated 4 new pitching protective screens to SSSA.  Two new screens will be stored in the Fruitville equipment box and the remaining two at the 17th Street park shed.  Steve will purchase more on an as need basis. 

 

Voter eligibility for Board elections was tabled.  Ken will provide the printed ballots for March 13 and 14. 

 

George handed out player rating sheets to the league coordinators.  Ratings need to be completed by the draft date of April 4.  The draft for summer and winter leagues will be at Shriners.  George stated there needs to be more flexibility out of necessity in the summer leagues.  A game will be marked as a “rainout” if a team does not have enough members on a holiday play date.  The Winter drafts will be October 23 and 24.  The combine is October 17.  The Fall registration fee is $60 per league.  The Winter leagues will start on November 6. 

 

At this time, 35 managers will attend the dinner.  Dinner will be served at 6pm.  Gary and Frank will follow up with managers who failed to respond to the initial email. 

 

Ken will get the championship shirts which will have nothing printed on the back.  

 

Pizza days was a success and Marc Jacobs agreed to sponsor next year’s event.  The Board thanked Doug Smith for providing the drinks. 

 

The by-laws review was tabled until the April meeting when the new board takes effect. 

 

Chuck Cason presented details of a “Wall of Honor” for past members. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:06pm.  The next meeting is April 12 at 1pm held at Shriners.