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Concentration and Training
With the
season running short, division races tightening, and state tournaments approaching now is the time to re-new efforts to finish
on top of your game. Continue to practice. Determine to improve even this late in the schedule. All
experiences combine into a body of work that counts towards that next opportunity. Memorable finishes leave
lasting impressions.
Spirit
Into every
season rain will fall. This season was no different. Finally we near the end of another successful
season. That good news still does not dim the personal tradegy 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 are continuing an assistance plan and memorial to Thelma Sinks and family.
Looking Up
2009 registration has seen a net gain of 22 baseball teams. That's approximately 76 percent growth.
We are accomplishing our goals of attracting new outside membership and forging alliances to create the necessary base of
youth sports enthusiasts that will bring new facility construction closer to reality.
It has been the
long held belief of the Northeast Baseball and Softball Association that success will be difficult for the new complex
unless a viable league operation and volunteer base is already established. Thus we continue efforts
to steadily develop player skills, retain current membership, and identify appropriate partners that will enhance
opportunities to build the critical mass of interested parties working towards the common cause. Play Ball
Plans for upper and lower division levels
of playing become a reality as we forge common ground with the City of Wichita's Parks and Recreation Department
and Blessed Sacrament-Air Capital Leagues. If high expectations of field conditions, umpire development, and qualified
oversight can be successfully maintained we will have enlisted additional partners to "Lead The Way"
in forming a more comprehensive youth sports experience.
We are nothing but pleased with our entire collection
of current players, parents, and coaches. Good luck to everyone who has participated and welcome to those considering
the Northeast Baseball and Softball Association for the first time. We truly appreciate your efforts in bringing a positive,
robust, and varied activity to the youth of the area.
By partnering appropriately
the new complex gains the greatest chance of becoming a reality. Additional partners will be needed to resolve
the lack of softball teams in our association. We continue evaluating necessary steps to address along the path.
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.
Raising the Play
Any new complex must be structured to include all players. We are reaching out to increase participants so
as to allow choices. No program should be exclusively competitive or entirely recreational. Coaches and
parents must have options to appropriately place their players. An accumulative experience of playing through
t-ball, coach pitch, machine pitch, limited kid pitch, upper and lower division league play, concluding with championship
tournaments are necessary to put a new facility on a path towards reality.
Removing the Doubt
Since beginning this independent phase of league operations, the Northeast Baseball and Softball Association with Central Plains Youth Sports, have had to consistently overcome the residual sentiment of failed efforts and uncertain ownership. What does it mean that three different groups have tried to facilitate this project? It means that having a youth
sports destination has remained important enough to try again and this collection of partnerships and associations
must not fail. This coalition knows well the impact to the general quality of life and increased intrinsic community
value that properly managed youth sports programs and facilities can produce. |
