Family Traditions

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 4, 2024
The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held Monday, March 4th, 2024, at Ralphs Zucca Pizza, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:40 P.M.

Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Mike Parson, Dick O’Connor, Robbie Crider, Maria Burden, Marty Aftewicz, Randy Bergman, Dan Bonham, and Ray DeLuca.
Board Members Mike Maguire, Dewey Hom, John Humeston, Paul Markley, Steve Fleming and James Bauch were absent.

A. Minutes of the February 5, 2023 meeting were Board approved.
B. Treasurer Report: Norman Thiem presented a profit and loss statement. The charity fund is robust, and Spring 2024 player fees are 70% in.
C. Sponsor Report: As in previous years, some sponsors are leaving, but new ones are coming on board. Of the 46 teams in 8 leagues, 28 have paid their sponsor fees and 18 are unpaid. The sponsor page on TeamPages will be updated soon.
D. Evaluations: The evaluation weekend yielded 36 new players, and in the end about 45 total new players joined as people found out about CSSA after tryouts and wanted to play.
E. 80-Ups Fee Waiver: Mike Maguire proposed that all players who are 80+ should have their fees waived for all leagues in which they play. The Board voted to make it so, with the caveat that the board will vote each year to approve the fee waivers, based upon resources available. Currently there are about 18 players that are 80+.
F. Jersey Orders: Teams with new sponsors need to have their jersey orders in by Friday, March 8th, and existing sponsored teams that need any additional jersey orders should have them in by Thursday, March 7th.
G. Rainout Protocols: The Board decided that rainouts would be confirmed by 4:00 p.m. for evening games.
H. League Specific Rules: Norman Thiem reminded all League Directors that League Specific Rules are now due, so they can be distributed to scorekeepers and umpires before first games are played. The Board confirmed that regarding home plate, with the ball in the catcher’s hand, and the catcher’s foot being anywhere on the home plate, it is an out and the runner is out.
I. Gloves for God: Ray DeLuca announced that Wes LeCroix needs 400 gloves to be donated (used, new, etc.) for this worthy organization.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next meeting date and location TBD.

CSSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 5, 2024
The meeting of the CSSA Board of Directors was held Monday, February 5th, 2024, at Wicked Wings, Kennesaw, and called to order by Norman Thiem at 6:40 P.M.

Board Members Present: Norman Thiem, Mike Parson, Robbie Crider, Maria Burden, Paul Markley, Marty Aftewicz, Randy Bergman, Dewey Hom, Dan Bonham, John Humeston, Mike Maguire and Ray DeLuca.
Board Members Dick O’Connor, Steve Fleming and James Bauch were absent.

A. Minutes of the January 4, 2023 meeting were Board approved.
B. Treasurer Report: Mike Maguire presented a profit and loss statement. The charity fund is robust, and funds are starting to come into the regular account from Spring 2024 player fees. The account was low due to the 2023 advance investment for game balls for the 2024 season at an excellent price, and with the CSSA branding on the balls. The new balls are due to arrive this week.
C. Sponsor Report: As in previous years, some sponsors are leaving, but new ones are coming on board, and even with the addition of teams in the new Dreamers League, we are pretty well covered for sponsors this year. New sponsors include Top Hat Limousine, co-owned by players Misti Deale and Eric Cole, Hunter Ramsey, Old Beach Bar and Chaos Owned by DeWayne Logan, (who now sponsors four teams). Sponsor fees are $400 per team per year.
D. Storage Shed: A 4’x6’ lockable storage shed has been approved and will be placed inside the gated maintenance area at Hobgood Park to keep CSSAs equipment safe and secure. Our inventory of new softballs will be housed in a climate-controlled storage facility held by Norman Thiem. Mike Maguire is heading up the purchase and will assemble a team of volunteers to erect the shed on an upcoming Saturday.
E. Preliminary League Head Counts for Spring: Norman Thiem did a roll call of leagues to determine where roster shortfalls might exist for the upcoming spring season.
F. Evaluation Weekend: Plans for the spring recruitment and evaluations were discussed. Yard signs were distributed to all board members for placement around the area. We will also post the details on the Next Door app where possible. We need a minimum of 25 new players this spring.
G. Bat Checks: Dan Bonham, Patriot League Director, confirms that every Patriot League player bat will be checked and stickered prior to play to insure that they comply with the ASA/USA bat requirement.
H. Update on Nicholas Deluca: Ray DeLuca gave the board an update on his grandson Nicholas DeLuca’s brave 18-year fight against cancer, and the incredible and well-deserved support he and his family have received from the community to continue the effort to cure him.

The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The next meeting will be March 4th with location TBD.

Our dear departed friend and teammate Tom Ballard will be laid to rest on Wednesday, April 17th, and we want to share the details below for everyone who can come to say a final farewell.

The memorial service will be at 11:00 am at Woodstock Funeral Home

Burial will be at 3:00 pm at the National Cemetery in Canton.

Steve Fleming wants any Veterans or Patriots that wish to participate in standing a flag line at Tom’s service to know that they are welcome to do so. If they have any questions about this, they may contact Steve at (770) 845-5640 for more information. Steve will be assembling with the Guard for Stage 2 at the National Cemetery.

Here are the details from Dave Lusk, National Deputy VP Operations, Georgia Assistant State Captain:

Honor Mission
Thomas Albert Ballard, Veteran
US Army
Woodstock/Canton, Georgia – April 17, 2024
About the Mission:
Thomas Albert Ballard was drafted to serve in the United States Army. SP5 Ballard was a Combat Medical Specialist during Vietnam and served with the Airborne earning his Parachutist Badge, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Medical Badge, and Bronze Star.

Primary Staging Details:
April 17, 2024 — 1:15 PM
Woodstock Funeral Home
8855 Main Street
Woodstock, Georgia 30188
Ride Captain:

Dave “Wizard” Lusk
WizardPGR@Gmail.com

Instructions:

Park to the right rear of the back parking lot and await a safety briefing.

KSU = 2:00 PM

Flags & Water:
Flags will not be provided.
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will not be provided, please bring your own.

Stage 2 Details:
April 17, 2024 — 2:30 PM
Georgia National Cemetery Public Information Center
1080 Scott Hudgens Dr
Canton, GA 30114
Ride Captain:

Dave “Wizard” Lusk
WizardPGR@Gmail.com

Instructions:

Stage at the front road of the Public Information Center. If the parking lot is full, we will stage at the left lane of Columbarium B to the very front of the exit but do not block traffic. We will move to the proper shelter when advised.

Service = 3:00 PM

Flags & Water:
Flags will be provided.
Large Bike Flags will not be needed.
Water will be provided.
Submitted by: Dave Lusk
National Deputy VP Operations, Georgia Assistant State Captain

Sorry Everyone, but the fields are just too wet to play tonight, so we are cancelling all games tonight.

CSSA Players, Family & Friends …

CSSA has recently added CSSA Logoed Visors to our headcover options for those who would prefer a Visor versus the Baseball Cap! The Visors are priced at $18 each, or two for $35.

Please see Paul Markley to purchase them. His Mobile is 770-337-7858; or reach out to him at the fields on Monday Mornings, and/or Tuesday / Wednesday Evenings.

As a reminder, the CSSA logoed Baseball Caps are also available at $10 each; and can be purchased from Randy Bergman. Randy also plays in leagues on Monday Mornings and Tuesday / Wednesday Evenings.