GENERAL LEAGUE ANNOUNCEMENTS
BOARD ACTIONS. During our weekly meetings conducted in October and November, issues expressed by League members were revisited and fully discussed with the following actions taken:
Division Organization. The Cape OldTimers Softball League shall continue to be organized into four separate divisions according to the established age requirements-(57-64); (65-69); (70-74); (75+). Although several options for restructure were discussed, it was decided to retain our current format.
Winter Softball Practice Schedule. Mark your calendars! Thanks once again to Dick Carroll, the "Dome", located in Bridgewater, has been reserved for the League on Mondays for the months of January 9 - March 27, 2006. It will be available to League members from 10:00AM -12:00 Noon.
Players from the Lower Cape areas are to meet at Patriot Square, Dennis (Exit 9B) by 8:30AM.
Players from the Upper Cape areas are to meet in the Cape Cod Community College parking lot #12 (near the tennis courts) by 8:45AM.
The "Dome" is a facility where you can keep you r softball skills sharp or just "hang out" with friends during the winter months.
Bat Use. The Board will continue to review the bat list adopted during the 2005 season. An approved bat list will be made available to members prior to the opening of the 2006 season as determined by A.S.A. regulations. We advise members to withhold bat purchases until an approved ASA list is announced early in February 2006. A final approved bat list will be included in the Spring 2006 Newsletter. Official ASA Non-Approved Bat List w/pictures. 
Game Rules. Our Standing Rules Committee will again review game rules for each Division in order to make revisions or modifications as needed and/or proposed by players or managers. Special attention will be given to courtesy runs, in-field fly rule (Division 4) and further interpretation and clarification of the 2nd base-veering rule. More later!!
Assignment of Umpires. Suggestions were made at the October 20th General Meeting to assign umpires to a field closest to their home in order to save on time and gas. The Board agrees and will direct the Umpire Coordinator to make every effort to accommodate this request as the 2006 schedules are being prepared.
Annual Dues. At the November 10th meeting the Board unanimously approved an increase in the annual player dues, effective May 1, 2006. due to a significant increase in many of the League's operating expenses, i.e. uniforms, field maintenance, softball purchases, etc., it was determined that a fee increase from $50.00 to $60.00 was needed to balance our 2006 line item budget. Players who may experience difficulty in paying this increase are encouraged to contact the Commissioner.
Waive Fee Cape Cod Classic. At the October 20th General meeting a member requested that entry fees be waived for those home League teams who participate in the Annual Classic. Following Board disucssion it was voted to retain the current fee structure at the current rates: $150.00 Home/Cape Team Entry and $300.00 Off-Cape Entry. These rates shall continue to be assessed for the 13th Annual Cape Classic.
Sponsors Fee Payment Policy. Further action was also taken at the November 10th Board meeting with regard to proposed changes in the sponsor Fee Policy. Effective January 1, 2006 the 20 teams presently under sponsorship by local businesses shall continue to be grandfathered at their current sponsor rate of $250.00 annually. However, new sponsor memberships required for the League during the 2006 softball season shall have a revised rate of $350.00 annually. The Board strongly supports this new rate increase in order to help defray many of our annual operating costs.
Member Request. At the October General Meeting a member made a request to enter his championship team, or any League team, in the Annual Classic. The Board encourages any members to enter any local team into the Classic so long as that team fulfills the age (pure) requirements already predetermined by the Classic Rules and its Director.
75+ Classic/Travel Team Issues. A League member at the October General meeting initiated this issue. Again, Board members did revisit this matter and agreed to fully address all aspects of the 75+ Travel Team problems experienced by those directly affected during the 2005 season. Be assured that a 75+ Travel/Classic Team will be organized and operational for those who wish to participate on a more competitive schedule. Furthermore, Dick Carroll has agreed to accept responsibility for planning future tournament sites and for scheduling practice games during the 2006 season. More information will be forthcoming as we plan for the 2006 season.
League Website. At a recent Board meeting members were provided an outstanding presentation by Frederick Volpicelli, computer consultant and owner of mikron, located in Harwich, with regard to the purchase of an annual contract for a comprehensive League-wide website. The newly purchased site will be maintained by mikron and will provide our membership access to a broad and full range of softball information throughout the year. We believe that once the site is fully operational members will be excited and pleased with the vast amount of information that will be available to them and other interested users.
Dave Janick, Board member, has been assigned to serve as Website Liaison between the League and mikron of Harwich. Members who wish to have softball information or other material included on the site must contact Dave Janick, Rocco Annesi, or Dick Larned with your requests, ideas or general comments. Website material and information must be approved by the committee members prior to inclusion on the site which is located at www.capeoldtimerssoftball.com
Uniform Purchase 2006 Season. Six teams have been designated to receive new uniforms (shirts) during the 2006 season as determined by their wear and longevity. The six teams are: Foley Medical; Bonatt's; Grumpy's; Ryan's Tavern; Fellman Brothers and Ferretti's Market. As requested by some managers, we will consider purchasing shirts consisting of a different color from those shirt colors already in use by the League. Furthermore, all League members will receive a new hat and an additional pair of socks for the 2006 season. Players who are in need of softball pants/shorts should contact our Equipment Manager, Dick Carroll. League umpires will also receive appropriate equipment: shirts, hats, pants, rule book, umpire pouch, etc., in order to fulfill your umpiring duties.
Annual League Banquet. A fun-filled, wonderful evening was enjoyed by players and their partners during our annual end of the year banquet held at Christopher's Restaurant in West Yarmouth on Friday evening, October 28th. Comments about the outstanding food continue to filter to the Board, particularly the plentiful variety of hors d'oeuvres as well as the main dinner course. Program and trophy presentations were kept reasonably paced so that banquet attendees would enjoy the music/dancing and other social act ivies. The 233 banquet guests appeared to genuinely enjoy the new site and many have expressed their wish to return to the same restaurant next year. Preliminary plans are underway to reserve the same location but on a different date-perhaps in late September-in order to encourage our annual "early snowbirds" to attend.
Change of Address. Any player who has a change of address, phone number, or email since October this year should contact the Commissioner at the Florida street or email address ASAP. We need your changes for the League's data base mailings and other business matters.
Special League Award. Congratulations to Dick Carroll and Joe Cassidy for being recipients of the given annually to the player(s) who exemplifies good sportsmanship, outstanding character, community/League service and the personal qualities that this League embraces.
Sponsor Acknowledgement and Appreciation. With the end of our 18th softball season we would like to express our League's deep appreciation and thanks to the twenty team sponsors for their continued support and financial assistance in making the Cape Old Timers' Softball League one of the most successful softball organizations to be found anywhere in the country. Again, sponsors, our heartfelt "thanks" and wholehearted gratitude for all that you continue to do for our League. Without your individual and collective support playing senior softball on Cape Cod would be difficult at best! We sincerely hope that each of you will continue to sponsor a team for the 2006 season thereby providing a large segment of seniors a healthy recreation outlet.
Letter of Thanks. Ed Mahoney (Ryan's Tavern) and his lovely wife Barbara, wish to thank League members for their continued and generous support of the 2005 "Sea of Hope" fund which helps to provide resources needed for research to find a cure for ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. We are pleased to help support this effort and know that our League will be available for future support.
Acknowledgments and Special Thanks. As Commissioner I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to those League members who willingly and generously gave their time and energy in the fulfillment of their duties during the 2005 season:
- Nomination Committee: Jim DeVoe, Chairman; Members Joe Barry, John Lewis, Gene Binda, and Jack Ryff.
- Publicity Committee: Hank Bowen, Chairman; Members Jim DeVoe, Jack Sullivan, Joe Barry, and Jim Rappolt.
- Former Managers: Charles Senesac, Ferretti Market; Ernie MacFadgen, Fellman Brothers; Frank Porter, Brewster Mobile; Dick Wilsack, Aggregate Industries; Dan James, Bonatt's Restaurant; John Lewis, Foley Medical; Gene Binda, Ryan's Tavern
- Pool Player Policy Committee: Dick Wilsack, Chairman; Members Dick Connolly, Dan DelMonte, Dave Walsh, and John Lewis.
- Cape Cod Classic: Dick Connolly and Tom Burke, Co-Chairmen. And, importantly, all of the many League members who volunteered their time, energy and commitment to make our 12th annual classic a huge success.
- Game and Playoff Schedules: Ray Beaupre and Dick Larned, Co-Coordinators
- Umpire Coordinator: Mel Fulcher and the 48 outstanding League umpires-great job!!
- Pool Player Coordinators: Dan DelMonte, Dave Walsh, Rocco Annesi-well done!!
- Game Rules/Umpire Clinic: Dan James and Tom Burke
- Field Maintenance: Tom Burke and Van Khachadoorian and all League members who continue to volunteer their time and efforts.
- League Equipment Manager: Dick Carroll. Your efforts are indispensable.
- Managers and Assistants: A difficult job well done by each of you.
- League Banquet: Van Khachadoorian assisted by MaryAnn and Dave Janick.
- League Fields (Potter and Memorial): Water Superintendent Ralph Harbeck, who devoted many hours moving the water cannon resulting in greener, plush grass.
- Newsletter: Sheila Khachadoorian, editor, data base manager,etc.. Prepares a variety of League materials throughout the season.
- League Game Standings, website: Jack Ryff. Great job!!
- Recording Secretary: MaryAnn Janick. Her clerical services are invaluable. Thanks!!
