LOL LL: Actual cost per 2009 Spring player

2009 Fall Practice Schedule

Board Minutes – 08/17/2009

LOLLL Board Meeting, Monday, 8/17/2009, 7:00 PM

All members were present except for Debbie Felts, Russ Holland, and Dave Redman.

Fall registration numbers are close to last year’s.  So far, we have about 600 players signed up. 

Concession Cmte. Update:  We renewed our contract with the Slush Puppy company.  A representative from Pepsi presented the pros and cons as to bottles vs. fountain drinks.  Due to ease of operation, we are leaning towards selling bottles.  We have many parents who have heard that we are going the “all-volunteer” way in the concession stand and most have given positive feedback.  We will be developing a way for volunteers to sign-up.  We are also recruiting area school kids who need to earn their service hours.

Manager Selection Cmte. Update:   Dennis has completed the background checks with no negative results.  Chosen for managers (so far) are Greg Nadeau, Kim Stinger, Steve Ramsey, Kim Herrmann, Daniel Broderick, David Culver, Sean Christie, Chris Cotogno, Mike Piltaver, Bryan Irvin, Jeffrey Diokas, Jesus Leal, Craig Truso, Steve Jones, Jay Black, Andy Winspear, Matthew Marzullo, Brent Williams, Anthony Haught, Dave Smith, Jeff Reynolds, Robert Forgas, Chris Lockler, Russ Holland, Jack Kovach, Bryan Carroll, Bill Baskind, Gabe Baez, Noel Alfanador, Charles Bennett,  Mike Gray, Anthony Politano, Jay Dusek, Shane Coughlin, Bob Armstrong, Frank Hegedus, Scott Ward, Anthony Saccomanno, Chris Schmelter, Rob Robinson, Jason Petry, Julie Ketterer, Ray Meunier, Fred Holtz, Jack Knowles, Terry Boulden, Gary Gwinn, and Craig Custer. These choices were made based upon factors such as the individual applicant’s baseball/softball knowledge, temperament, control, and communication skills.
Uniform Cmte. Update:  We have received interest from three uniform companies who are interested in supplying our fall uniforms.  Details are listed on our website.

Minutes from the board meeting dated 8/10/2009 were approved.

Our next board meeting will be on Monday 8/24 at 6:30PM.

The meeting was concluded at 9:00 PM.

Board Minutes – 08/10/2009

LOLLL Board Meeting, Monday, 8/10/2009, 6:30 PM

All members were present except for Debbie Felts who had an excused absence. Also present was Joe Fountain who is the LL Administrator for District 25.

Dave Herbert made the motion that Kim Walsh be dismissed from our board for being detrimental to the best interests of our Little League. The motion was seconded by Stacy Hill. A secret vote was conducted and there were 12 votes to dismiss Kim, one to keep her, and 2 abstentions. More than two-thirds voted to dismiss Kim and the motion was passed.

Stacy Hill asked that it made a matter of record that she is eligible to serve as a board member even though she does not live within LOLLL boundaries. She checked this matter with both District 25 and our regional office.

A discussion ensued as to whether LOLLL would give the 10-11 softball all-star team and the 11 baseball all-star team additional money to help parents to defray the costs associated with travel, hotels, and meal while playing in the State Tournaments. The motion was tabled so that additional research could be done on the state of our finances.

Player Agent Laurie Tipton advised that she is receiving dozens of requests for fall players to be placed with particular teammates or coaches. A motion was made to not honor these request due to the difficulty in accommodating everyone. That motion passed with the stipulation that requests for exceptions to this policy must be made in person to the board at the meeting scheduled for 8/17.

The executive Committee will be comprised of the Pres. (Dennis), VP (Stacy), Treasurer (Crystal), Sec. (Dave H), and the Player Agent (Laurie). If the bylaws are changed accordingly, the Information Officer (Dave S.) will be added at a later date.

Concession Cmte. Update: We will reduce the variety of candy we offer to save carrying too much inventory. We are looking into selling Pepsi products in bottles to eliminate maintenance on soda dispensers. Outside vendors will have to go through the concession stand; they will accept tickets sold by our stand and we will settle up with them at the end of the night. Our arrangement is that they donate 15% to the league and this donation has never been accounted for. Next meeting is 8/11 at 7.

Manager Selection Cmte. Update: We will have a shortage of managers for the real young kids. That is not unusual and hopefully we can twist some arms among the ranks of people who volunteered to assist the coach. Candidates for both softball and baseball are strong. Dennis will conduct background checks before final selection. Next meeting is 8/11 at 7:30.

Uniform Cmte. Update: Have finalized specifications as to what we want for fall ball. These specs. will be posted on the LOLLL web site and emailed to the entire league. We are ahead of schedule and anticipate awarding the bid in plenty of time to accommodate fall season games.

Our next board meeting will be on Monday 8/10 at 7:00PM.

The meeting was concluded at 8:45 PM.

Board Minutes – 08/03/2009

LOLLL Board Meeting, Monday, 8/3/2009, 7:00 PM

All members were present.

The Disciplinary Committee will be headed by Michelle Witt. Other members are Dave Millen, Debbie Felts, and Stacey Hill. The full board determined that it will be best if this committee is comprised of non-managers.

Russ Holland and Ken Witt will be the league’s liaison with the Parks Department regarding our facilities.

Craig Custer will be the Umpire-In-Chief.

Dennis Plaisted, Kim Walsh, and Tim Henderson will be on the District Committee.

Here is the approved timeline for the next month or so:

8/1 manager applications in;
8/15 background checks completed on managers, board members, coaches, and other volunteers;
8/17 Fall Ball managers presented/approved by full board;
8/20 players assigned to teams;
8/28 uniform bids to the Uniform Cmte.;
8/30 Fall Ball uniforms selected/awarded by full board;
9/8 start practice.

Dave Smith and Stacey Hill advised that our league’s constitution and by-laws need to be updated. A Rules Committee will appointed at a later date to get this done.

Stacey Hill advised that she has gotten an anonymous, threatening telephone call due to her research into the league’s problems associated with our concession stand. She asked that people refrain from such cowardly acts and speak to her face-to-face about this issue. She is happy to consider all viewpoints in this matter, but does not want any additional threats.

Our next board meeting will be on Monday 8/10 at 6:30PM.

The meeting was concluded at 8:15 PM.

Board Minutes – 08/01/2009

LOLLL Board Meeting, Saturday, 8/1/2009, 10:00 AM

Only nine people applied to be 2010 LOLLLL Board members during the 2009 Season. Those individuals are: Dennis Plaisted, Laurie Tipton, Dave Millen, Stacy Hill, Kim Walsh, Tim Henderson, Larry Jasper, Michelle Witt, and Dave Herbert. All were present at this meeting except for Tim Henderson who was representing our league as the All-star manager of the 11 year old baseball team at the state tournament.

The addition of new board members was the first order of business. It was decided that the present 2010 board members would elect additional people to serve on the board. Prior to those discussions, old business was the topic of conversation.

Dave Herbert asked that rumors be addressed which concerned the three break-ins at the LOLLL concession shed and office during June of 2009. Dennis Plaisted said that five individuals were arrested for the crimes and that the names of those arrested were not shared with the 2009 LOLLL Board since minors were involved. Dave Herbert stated that, since we as board members, are elected representatives of the league (a victim of a crime), we have the right to know the names of the parties involved. The truth revealed was that one of those arrested is the minor child of one of the sitting 2010 board members. Another child of that same board member was also implicated in the first two break-ins, but not charged because of his/her young age. The arrested minor child of the LOLLL Director was allowed by his/her parent to continue representing LOLLL as an all-star after his/her arrest. Pasco County has pressed charges against all five arrestees. Damages are believed to approximate $1,000.

Discussions about disciplinary measures against the arrestee affiliated with LOLLL and the board members who failed to address this matter in a timely matter were postponed until such time that a full board could be seated and a Disciplinary Committee appointed.

The new board was seated. Members added to the original nine are: Crystal Sowa, Hunter Anstine, Maria Brockway, David Smith, Craig Custer, Russ Holland, Mike Peeples, Dave Redman, and Debbie Felts. Both Redman and Felts were not at this meeting.

Election of new officers:

President: Dennis Plaisted;
Vice- President: Stacy Hill;
Secretary: Dave Herbert;
Treasurer: Crystal Sowa;
Player Agent: Laurie Tipton (will not handle softball matters if her husband elects to coach or her daughters elect to play during the Spring season);
Safety Officers: Maria Brockway and Hunter Anstine;
Information Officer: David Smith (won election between him and Kim Walsh. Dave Smith had 9 votes and Kim Walsh had 3);
Equipment: Craig Custer and Russ Holland;
Coaching Coordinator: Mike Peeples;
Sponsorships: Michelle Witt.

V.P. Stacy Hill shared her research regarding the paid Concession Manager that this league has had for many years. Hill learned from our Regional Little League Headquarters and from the main office in Williamsport, PA that this practice must cease immediately or our league’s charter would be terminated. A motion was made to declare that no money would be paid to concession workers and that motion was passed without objection. A Concession Committee was appointed to address the concession operation from this date forward comprised of Dave Herbert, Michelle Witt, Mike Peeples, Dave Millen, Stacy Hill, and Crystal Sowa.

A Uniform Committee was appointed which is made up by Tim Henderson, Maria Brockway, Mike Peeples, and David Smith.

A Manager Selection Committee was appointed and participants are Crystal Sawa, Dave Herbert, Stacey Hill, Laurie Tipton, and Michelle Witt. This committee will have its first meeting on Tuesday, 8/4 at 7:00.

The full LOLL Board will meet each Monday until the details for the upcoming fall season are organized.

The meeting was concluded at 1:30 PM.

2009 All-Star Update – Sectionals

Kevin Epifanio’s 9-10 Softball team took runner-up honors behind District 13 Bloomingdale at the Section tourney last weekend despite beating Bloomingdale 2-1 earlier in the day.  They fought back from a 14-5 deficit following a rain delay, scoring 8 runs in the sixth inning, against Lake Wales but fell short 14-13.  They took a 21-1 victory over North River in four innings in the first game of the tournament.  In spite of outscoring their opponents 36-15, when the run differential was calculated they came in number two.  These kids had a great run through the all-stars and promise great things for LOLLL in the future.

Mike Hebert’s Junior baseball took runner-up honors this weekend in the Section 4 tournament.  More details to come as they are provided.

Major baseball did not win the Section 4 tournament in spite of a basket full of homeruns by KJ Bierly. More details to come as they are provided.

We had three Section 4 Champions!!!!!

Tim Henderson’s 11 year old Baseball team won the Section 4 tournament Saturday and will be representing Land O’ Lakes Little League/District 25/Section 4 at the state tournament next weekend.  This is the second trip to states in as many years for this team. Congratulations and good luck, boys!

Kenny Cochran’s Junior Softball team took the Section 4 Championship last weekend and represented Land O’ Lakes Little League/District 25/Section 4 in the State tourney this weekend where they played into the semi-final round today before falling to South Tampa, a conglomeration of Palma Ceia/Interbay/Tampa Bay junior softball.  They are one of the top four junior softball teams in the state of Florida.  Way to go girls!

Shamaine Douglas and her 11 year old Softball team are playing in the State Championship game tomorrow morning at 10am at Windemere Little League.  This team has sailed through the sectional and state tournaments winning all but one game by 10 runs or more.  They face Windemere Little League, a team they beat Saturday 5-4.  If any of you can make it to the game, please do, otherwise keep Shamaine and the girls in your thoughts as they play for Land O’ Lakes Little League’s first every State Championship in softball.

Fall Ball Registration Reminder

We just wanted to send out a quick reminder that our Fall Ball Registration deadlines are as follows:

For players:  August 15th

For coaches: August 1st

Additional information and online registration is available on our website at www.landolakeslittleleague.org.

Thank you!

2009 All-Stars Majors Baseball Captures District 25 Title

7/9 vs New Tampa

LOL 13 – New Tampa 0

WOW!!!  The LOL Major All-Stars finished off an incredible week of baseball capturing the 2009 Florida Little League District 25 Championship with a 13-0 win over the New Tampa Major All-Stars.   For the second straight night the LOL All-stars turned in another dominate hitting and pitching performance securing the victory.

The All-Stars jumped on the New Tampa team right off the bat, spurred by KJ Bierly’s towering homerun, they plated 3 runs in the top of the first.   The All-Stars increased the lead to 7-0 in the second inning led again by Bierly, who hit his second home run in as many innings, this one a 3 run shot.  Pitcher Alex Anderson turned in a great pitching performance himself, holding the New Tampa team to two hits for the game while striking out 5 in 4 innings of work.

The All-Stars closed out the win by plating 5 runs in the fourth inning, with a John Gyermeli monster homerun, that landed into a New Tampa backyard, and an RBI single by Sean Cunius.  After the last out of the game was recorded, on foul-tip strikeout caught by Chris Dorr, the LOL All-Stars all rushed out onto the field to congratulate each other with the realization that they were off to the sectionals.

The Major All-Stars and the coaches would like to thank the parents, the LOL Junior Baseball All-Stars, and the other LOL fans that came out to cheer us on to victory.

Next stop for the LOL Major All-Stars is the Florida Section 4 Tournament being held at the Manatee East Little League (Lakewood Ranch Blvd) on 24-25 Jul 2009.

2009 All-Stars Majors Baseball Update #4

7/8/09 vs New Tampa

LOL 12 – New Tampa 3

The Land O Lakes Major All-Stars followed up on their dramatic come from behind win over Temple Terrace with a solid offensive and defensive effort in a 12-3 victory over New Tampa. Coach ‘Jim’ lost his first coin flip and LOL was visitors for the time in the tournament. That was no problem though; the All-Stars used that to their advantage and jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Colton King and KJ Bierly led the game off with consecutive hits and LOL never looked back.

The All-Stars increased the lead to 4-0 in the top of the second and that was all the run support pitcher Brett Renner needed. Brett was outstanding all night keeping the solid New Tampa batters off balance throughout the game. Renner allowed only 3 hits, walked 2, while striking out 6 batters (all swinging) in his 68 pitch complete game performance. He was helped in the field with solid defensive efforts by Alex Burnham at 3B and Alex Anderson in the outfield.

Later in the game Bierly hit a towering homerun to centerfield to help increase the LOL All-Stars lead.

Overall, it was the most complete game the LOL Major All-Stars have played so far in the tournament. With the win they have earned the right to face the New Tampa team one more time in the “if necessary” game; with the winner being crowned the Florida Little League District 25 champions. The game is set for 7pm tonight (7/9) at the New Tampa Little League Complex; weather permitting.