Following the outcome of yesterday’s Youth and Southern League Meetings I can confirm the following changes affect the club.

Adult Team

Wooden Bats

We do have to change over to wooden bats this season, there was some opposition to the change but in the end it was agreed to go with the BBF’s decision from two years ago and make the change.

We are allowed Wooden/Composite/Bamboo and I have arranged to borrow a Bamboo Bat (Betts) so you can have a go with it.

Obliviously the club will look to make a purchase of three bats for all to use and I will take my direction from Darrin on this, if anyone is in a position to get hold of wooden bats cheaply please let me know.

Youth Teams

Diamond Sizes

The BBF past a new ruling on the following Diamond Sizes

There was a lot of opposition to the new changes but it was decided to run with them for a year with Bronco probably reverting back to 70’.

Due to most of the opposition coming from coaches who had concerns about young and new players struggling with the 90’ bases it has been decided to look at implementing age restrictions as follows.

Please note the age restriction is not a ruling yet but the BBF should meet several times before the start of the season so it may become a ruling.

Broncos "Playing Up"

I have had correspondence from several Bronco players who have indicated that they wish to play Pony next season by means of playing up.

Following the last Committee Meeting it was decided that no Bronco player will be allowed to play-up for the whole of this season as it will upset the infrastructure of the whole club, so those players in Years 8 and below will play Bronco.

At this present time there are 17 eligible Pony players without the need for players playing-up, it has been clearly stated by the Pony Team that all eligible Pony players would take to the field first with any player playing-up being benched.

This figure includes the 7 Bronco players that move up this season, however this ethos my change if the age restriction is enforced and the Pony Team are then looking for players.

We are sorry if this upsets anyone but we have to look at the whole club infrastructure for the club to continue.

Pitch Counts

The following Pitch Counts will be implemented with immediate affect.

Umpires/Scorers

Whilst it has been a ruling for several years that the home team provides a qualified ABUA-GB Umpire we have managed to flout this, but not anymore, from now on the visiting team can provide an umpire but we have to cover their costs, so we need to be looking at getting our own Umpires.

Adult/ABUA-GB Umpire Training

There will be an Umpire Training Course on the weekend of 3^rd/4^th March 07 @ Upper Heyford and the club would like some volunteers to attend the course to become qualified, the club will cover the cost of the course and all reasonable expenses.

The club will also look to pay £10 for every game that you umpire or £7.50 each if two of you umpire a game.

Youth/ABUA-GB Umpire Training

The ABUA-GB are looking at running training road shows that will come to our location before the start of the season and run a day course for older Pony Players and Parents who will then be able to umpire youth games.

Again the club will pay £10 per game for you to umpire the game.

Scorers

We need to have official scorers at every game but more importantly at all home games.

Should anyone know of someone who may not be related to Baseball who may be interested in becoming an umpire to let me know so I can make the necessary arrangements?

Regards

Keith Sherman
BaseballMK General Manager