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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-17 - Parks and Rec Advisory Council Meeting Minutes AMENDED MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 938 KING STREET RYE BROOK, New York 10573 April 17, 2012 Convene Meeting: Chairman Marc Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 8:l Opm The following Members of the Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Marc Zimmerman, Ken Frankel, Frank Carbone, Kevin O'Neil Brian Funtleyder, Jamie Schutter, Adam Berman, Glenn Brettschneider Absent Council Members: Recreation Department Member: Robert Bertolacci, Parks &Recreation Superintendent Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant Convene Meeting: Chairman Marc Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 8:l Opm 1. Minutes: Chairman Zimmerman asked for a motion to accept the March 6, 2012 Minutes. Committee Member Berman made a motion to accept the March 6, 2012 Minutes and Committee Member Frankel seconded the motion. The March 6, 2012 Minutes were approved and accepted. IT. Public View Points: iii. Superintendent's Report: a. County Center Tournament Superintendent Bertolacci reported that the 5th grade boys lost in the semi-finals. This was the first time we got that far in the tournament. Our 6t1, grade girls lost in the finals. Both of our teams lost to Harrison. The girls lost on a 3 pointer at the end of the game. b. RBLL Pre-Season and Opening Day The parade for Opening Day is this weekend. The weather for Saturday is calling for rain. The Opening Day will be weather permitting. A decision will be made that morning if we are going to have the parade or not. An e-mail will be sent out to all the players through Community Pass if we are going to cancel. An e-mail went out on Community Pass today reminding everyone about the Opening Day Parade. Last years all star team will lead the parade. The Little League teams will be announced at the Opening Day Ceremony. One of our Village Board Members will throw out the first pitch. After the ceremony the Pitch, Hit and Run will start followed by two games. 1168377.1 Superintendent Bertolacci said if the weather is not good, we would not reschedule the Opening Day ceremony. Superintendent Bertolacci said volunteers are needed for the Pitch, Hit and Run. If anyone on this Council is available or know of anyone who can help, have them get in touch with Kyle. Superintendent Bertolacci said the concession stand will be opened on Opening Day. Also, the concession stand will be opened on the weekends at all the parks. Parents will volunteer an hour or so to work the concession stand. Superintendent Bertolacci said he will work out a schedule with the parents for each weekend. Superintendent Bertolacci said at last month's meeting we talked about looking at last years baseball registration and comparing it to this year's registration. Minor League Softball......14 girls didn't return Major League Softball.......7 girls didn't return Major League Baseball......3 boys didn't return Minor League Baseball.....29 boys didn't return Rookie League..............26 boys and girls didn't return This year's registrations we picked up: In Minor League Softball 35 new registrations and Major League Softball 1 1 new registrations. In Minor League Baseball 10 new registrations and Major League Baseball 13 new registrations. Superintendent Bertolacci reported that the scoreboards are working. IV. Old Business a. RBLL Rules Update Committee Member Carbone reviewed the rules for Major League Baseball as follows: Uniforms will consist of team shirt, hat, socks and white baseball pants. Metal bats are allowed, but must say Little League. Committee Member Berman said when they opened the equipment bag for practice there were no bats in the bag. An e-mail was sent to Kyle about where the bats were and Kyle said the kids bring their own bats. Committee Member Berman said there was a discussion at the last meeting that aluminum bats would be supplied. If not aluminum bats then some wood bats would be supplied. Committee Member Carbone said he doesn't remember discussing whether metal bats would be supplied or not, but bats should be in the equipment bag. Committee Member Berman said the Recreation Department should supply bats for the Little League program. Superintendent Bertolacci said bats should have been in the equipment bags. Teams should have a minimum of 8 players and 1 coach to start a game. Innings will consist of 3 outs regardless of how many batters come to the plate. The inning will be played until 3 outs are recorded. Each team may bat the maximum number of the larger team present in order to bat through their bating order. 1168377.1 Each player may pitch a maximum of 3 consecutive innings per game. That player cannot return to the mound. A mercy rule will go into effect if a team is down by 15 runs after 4 innings (3 '/z if it is the visiting team that is down.) Chairman Zimmerman commented that some pitchers may not be able to pitch at their Little League game because either a father or a coach doesn't want him to because he is playing in Travel Baseball, which may cause an issue for our Little League program. Perhaps the Village Board would like to know about this issue in determining the future of the Travel Baseball program. The Travel Baseball program is not suppose to be competing with our spring program. Superintendent Bertolacci said the entire game is pitching. if you have a pitcher that is going to pitch and is not going to be stifled by the Travel program then the program will run itself. The problem is that the Travel Baseball kids are not allowed to pitch in Little League. Chairman Zimmerman said last year's rule was each kid plays an inning in the outfield and an inning in the infield before the 4th inning. If we keep that rule that will make things easier for coaches because the pitcher can pitch 3 innings. If you have a good pitcher that pitches 3 innings it doesn't matter for most of the players whether you have your weakest players in the field because they will very likely not see as much action as maybe if you have a weak pitcher. Coaches should use their discretion in positioning the players. Chairman Zimmerman said if we want Little League to be more competitive and to be a better program, then you may get some better players who never played Little League before. Chairman Zimmerman asked for a vote to change the rule as follows: Coaches should use their discretion to play players at positions they deem appropriate and give them opportunities to try different positions throughout the season (i.e.: if player expresses a desire to play second base, make sure he is given the opportunity to work on the position and get quality game time experience.) The vote was 6 in favor of changing the rule and 3 opposed to changing the rule. Committee Member Berman would like to go on record that he thinks the rule will go back to last year's ruling. Chairman Zimmerman said if you sent the correct message to the coaches, we have to explain to them that we want the game to be more competitive, we want to play baseball, we don't want the kids to get hurt and we don't want parents calling saying they don't want their kids to play the infield. Committee member Carbone said we are trying to teach the kids to play as a team. Chairman Zimmerman said we are trying to build a better program whether it be a more competitive program or just a better program in general. We have scoreboards, some good changes, and some very good coaches, so lets see how it works. If something is wrong, lets address it right away with that coach or that parent . Lets make it a good season for the kids. 1168377.1 Committee Member Funtleyder said there are bees at Pine Ridge Park, Old Field in the dugout and under the bleachers. It was also reported that there is dog poop all over the infield at Pine Ridge Park, on the new field. People have been seen walking their dogs in the fenced area of the field. V. New Business: a. Council Membership Changes Chairman Zimmerman announced that the term of 3 esteemed members of this council are up. This is Kenny, Sari and my last meeting which is bittersweet because it has been my first service in Rye Brook. It has been a great experience working with this Council. The only ones that have been consistent through the whole period is Glen, Bert and Carm. I liked working with you and think you are a great Council. We have improved the basketball program, the baseball program, brought some non-sports programming and think we have done a good job over the past couple of years. Committee Member Jablon said she joined the Council 4 years ago because I was unhappy with the way some of the things were going. i feel that this year we made the most progress. I will miss all of you but will be back for Public View Points. Don't forget the mom's perspective because sometime the dads get a little too caught up in the programs. It has to be for our kids. Committee Member Frankel said he has been on the Council for the last 4 years. it has been a lot of fun working with everyone and trying to improve the rec programs for the kids. Superintendent Bertolacci announced that Committee Member Schutzer would be the Chairman starting next month. The 3 new members are Chris Dutra, Adam Zahl and Jenifer Wohl. Vi. Adjournment: Committee Member Schutter asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Chairman Zimmerman and seconded by Committee Member Jablon. The next meeting will be held on May 1, 2012 at 8:30pm. Minutes prepared by Carmella Swick. 1168377.1