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Final Ceremonies
With the regular season complete. The Northeast Baseball and Softball Association conducted
a final assembly to hand out league trophies. The awards ceremony for league play was scheduled for Thursday,
July 15th at the adjacent soccer and football fields across from the baseball diamonds. Freddie's
Frozen Custard and Steakburgers again provided free ice-cream.
Though final standings are complete, your sportsmanship and positive attitudes during this season are very much appreciated. Remember
that an aging trophy gathering dust on a shelf will be forgotten much faster than a display of poor sportsmanship,
reckless behavior, and undisciplined actions. Those coaches who have not picked up team trophies or participation
awards can call 684-3150.
Communication
Operational
feedback is vital for the efficient operation of our league. The Northeast Baseball and Softball Association board
of directors with our umpiring corps try to provide well organized and clearly sorted information to assist in the operation
of our activities. From winter rules modifications to in-season interpretations we try to keep everybody informed
of the practical application of rules.
Each game coaches must meet with the umpires prior to the start of
games. The umpires are prepared to inform coaches about run rules, time limits, field conditions, and age specific
rules. If you are a coach with questions, the best time to address questions is before the game
with the umpires. They will be able to provide their interpretation of some of the nuances of certain age specific
rules. If you have continuing questions the second best time is after the game with league directors.
Getting umpires and coaches on the same page with league expectations for player development takes time and patience. All
of this requires ongoing communications.
Good Spirit
Into every season rain will fall. Last spring was no different. The successful
completion of the summer did not dim the personal tragedy that struck Umpire Coordinator, Robert Sinks,
with the passing of his wife Thelma early in the 2009 campaign.
"It's something every family will
face," Bob says, "It's just our turn." Perhaps that is true, but very few would have
their spouse pass away in the morning and still attend to duties later that evening. "I'm responsible,"
he says, "She would have wanted me there." Somewhere in the delicate balance of dedication and passion maybe wives
do understand. Many of us hope so. It is within that spirit we will be continuing an assistance plan
and memorial to Thelma Sinks and family. Gifts can be mailed to:
Thelma Sinks Family Memorial
c/o Northeast
Baseball and Softball Association
P.O. Box 20051
Wichita, Kansas 67208.
Positive Growth
2009 league participation grew by an astounding 80 percent. The Northeast Baseball and Softball Association with
cooperation from the City of Wichita, Air Capital, and Blessed Sacrament Leagues achieved an overall league roster
of 51 baseball teams and engaged more than 600 youth participants. Continuing cooperation with these organizations has
the potential to yield even more growth and synergy.
With our current nucleus of teams, additional
partnerships with local city, school, church, and specific membership organizations we recognize the sizeable constituent
base capable of inhabiting a premier regional destination.
Our goals are simple. It has been the
long held belief of the Northeast Baseball and Softball Association that success will be difficult for a new complex
unless a viable league operation and volunteer base had already been established. Thus we continue efforts
to steadily develop player skills, increase coaches experience levels, and identify appropriate partners that will ensure a critical
mass working towards the common cause. Spreading The Word
We are offering full scale league operations for the Central Plains Youth Sports Complex being developed in Northeast Wichita, Kansas. As you may know, the complex at 29th and Greenwich
Road has been on the drawing board for almost two decades.
The Northeast Baseball and Softball Association has pledged it's membership and contributed
league assets in the amount of $100,000 to create the operational organization to drive field completion. We
have made the full commitment of league reserves to show the strength of our beliefs and total support of the project.
Preparations are being made to utilize the new facility when available. Meanwhile we develop
plans to continue at our current location and\or other more suitable assets of the City of Wichita when
opportunities arise. With so much to do building partnerships, setting capitalization goals, and constructing a
new facility, please check for updates and opportunities to assist in this important community project.
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