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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-05 - Parks and Rec Advisory Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 938 KING STREET, RYE BROOK, NEW YORK 10573 June 5, 2007 CONVENE MEETING: Chairman Steve Schoen called the meeting to order at 8:35pm The following members of the Council were present: Advisory Council Members: Chairman Steve Schoen, Cliff Shaw, Richard Gutner, Jeffrey Kornblum, Kenneth Finder, Debra Tempesta and Steven Epstein Recreation Department Members Present: Robert Bertolacci, Parks and Recreation Superintendent John Swick, Recreation Leader Carmella Swick, Sr. Office Assistant Janice Kunicki, Recreation Leader Paul Rosenberg,Village Trustee and Rye Brook Recreation Liaison Little League Committee Members: John DiCanio, Ted Sabato, Cliff Shaw, Debra Jond, Ron Freundlich Debra Tempesta, Richard Gutner, Robert Bertolacci Steve Schoen introduced himself as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss any number of items relating to the Recreation Department and its many programs. These meetings are open to the public and we are available to hear your feedback. The original purpose of this meeting was to hear feedback on wood bats vs. metal bats; however, the Council is also asking for your thoughts on all matters related to baseball/softball. Chairman Schoen stated that any feedback we hear tonight will be evaluated and followed-up by the Little League sub- committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. At the same time, we want you to understand that change doesn't occur that quickly and not all recommendations that we receive from you will be implemented for any number of reasons; including financial resources, human resources etc. We want to make sure that any changes made are favorable to the majority of the participants in the programs. Chairman Schoen introduced the Members of the Parks and Advisory Council: Debbie Tempesta, Jeff Kornblum, Richard Gutner, Ken Finder, Cliff Shaw, Steve Epstein and Superintendent Robert Bertolacci. Chairman Schoen also recognized Village Trustee and Recreation Liaison, Paul Rosenberg, and Carmella Swick, who is taking the Minutes and is a member of the Recreation Department. Chairman Schoen would like to thank John Swick and Janice Kunicki, Recreation Leaders, for being here this evening and for their tireless efforts administering recreational programs for our children. Chairman Schoen introduced the members of the Little League sub-committee, Debra Jond, Ron Freundlich, John DiCanio, Ted Sabato, Debra Tempesta, Richard Gutner, Cliff Shaw, Rob Bertolacci, and Gregg Picker who couldn't be here tonight. To understand how we all work together, the majority of baseball/softball issues are evaluated by the Little League sub- committee. The primary purpose of the Little League sub-committee is to be a strong working sub-committee of the Recreation Council. When necessary and appropriate, the Little League sub-committee provides recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council based on the issue at hand and the Recreation Council discusses these matters and votes on it. The Recreation Council is the decision making body. Assuming the Recreation Council is in agreement, after modifying whatever changes the Recreation Council deems appropriate, if any, the role of the Little League sub-committee is to work together to establish roles, responsibilities, and timelines for implementing these ideas. The Little League sub-committee's primary role is to create a year-over-year cycle of continuous improvement in our Little League programs. As Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, I will now open our meeting to the public. The primary task tonight of the Recreation Council is primarily to listen to the feedback from the public. We ask that you keep the meeting constructive - no personal attacks, no piling on another person's comments - and we ask that you raise your hand and wait your turn. After you have been recognized, step up to the podium and give your name and address. We ask that you limit your comments, suggestions etc. to a 5 minute time limit. If your 5 minutes are up and you have not finished your comments, you may come back to the podium after everyone else has had their turn to speak. Howie Wynn, 18 Paddock Road— Mr. Wynn coached Rookie ball this year. Particularly, in the Rookie league, there are a lot of younger kids and the move to wood bats has not been productive for them. Most of the wood bats are too heavy for them so they can't generate enough bat speed to get a swing at the ball. A metal bat gives them the ability to have both the right size barrel and weight to learn how to get a real productive swing. The move to wood bats has not been productive in terms of developmental skills for some of the smaller kids. The league should be a week or two longer, and at least two weeks of practice before the games start. Lastly, the sun is in the batter's eyes the way the field is set up for the evening games. The coaches running the league have been very helpful and productive. Chairman Schoen received an e-mail from Keith Hughes, 8 Robins Roost, who couldn't attend tonight. Overall, he thought that Rookie ball was a great experience. He also suggested that the program start a couple weeks earlier and allow some practice time. He also thinks that some of the coaches should go to the T sooner because the kids in the field get bored waiting for the ball to be hit. Brian Grodin, 79 Belle Fair Road— Mr. Grodin thought it was a great experience. He suggested that after 7 pitches, the batter should go to the T or whatever number would be appropriate. James Jond, 5 Bayberry Close - Mr. Jond commented that in general that Little League is run well. Mr. Jond doesn't think that the fields are being taken care of properly, not groomed properly. There have been some improvements, but the mound is getting dug out and is not filled properly. The grass is bumpy. The overall conditions of the fields should be improved in some way. As an observer, some coaches don't seem to be doing kids justice. Coaches not prepared, coaches come late and kids don't know what to do. He doesn't know if the coaches are prepped for what their role is, and if they are trained at all. Mr. Jond appreciates the parents volunteering and wished he could volunteer but with his job, unfortunately he cannot. He does feel they need more training to benefit the children and make it more competitive. Seth Milbauer, 19 Holly Lane - Coached the Minor League team and also the Rookie league. Mr. Milbauer suggested starting the season earlier. Maybe the Board of Ed would let us use the Ridge Street Gym or BBHS gym for practices. Dedicate the first two weeks to just practice for Rookie League, Minor and Major League and have a dedicated time instead of when the coach or players are available. If they know a month or so ahead of time regarding their practices, they will be there. In reference to the Rookie League, have 10 kids in the field and teach the kids the rules of the game from the beginning and it will help get them to know where 2nd base is, etc. In the Minor and Major Leagues have a required parents meeting prior to the season so the parents know what the commitment is. It is upsetting and distracting for the kids who do show up every week for practices and games and we have to struggle to pick up other kids from other teams or younger siblings to have enough players for a game. It is hard to coach a team that is never there. Mr. Milbauer stated that he likes the wood bats. Get lighter wood bats for the Rookie league. If a kid knows how to swing a bat it doesn't matter if it is wood or metal. When the kids get into the Major league you could teach them how to bunt. We want to teach these kids but there is no time in the Rookie, Minor or Major league when there is a dedicated time to teach these kids the basic skills. The kids want to play and have fun but we want to teach them something but we are not getting the opportunity to do that because there is not enough time. Perhaps we can dedicate some gym time or a practice time before each game. Jeff Jablon, 8 Red Roof Drive — Coached Little League at Minor League level last year and Major League this year. Our community is growing and Rye Brook in general is demanding more from our community in terms of what we can present in sports. I think we have to grow with it and change for the better. Basically all kids should have fun and enjoy the game. Rye Brook Little League is not a travel league or a competitive league and all children should be included. That is the message given to us. What I have seen with some of the coaches is quite horrible. You see coaches arguing the calls, and yelling. This is about playing and we should be setting a good example for our kids. When I see this, it makes me uncomfortable and that issue should be worked out in a professional manner. There are a lot of kids in the Rye Brook League and some kids help the other kids out, most coaches think it is a good idea and some coaches don't want any part of it. In terms of the 5t1i 61h and 7' grades, if they don't show up for practices, they don't play in the games. Some kids want to excel and do more and want more competition and I am not sure we are giving it to them with Rye Brook Rec. I can't tell you how many games the 7t}' graders miss and they are not part of the team on many occasions. It's hurtful especially for kids who have a strong interest in playing baseball. Chairman Schoen stated that Jeff brought up some very valid points but realistically, we can't answer them right now. There are obviously improvements we would like to make, and some will be easier to do than others. Seth Milbauer — Speaking to other parents on the issue of Rookie Ball, the suggestion that came up is that the first 15 minutes is for teaching one skill each game. Give a list to the coaches at the beginning of the season to teach one skill, run the bases, how to throw a ball, how to catch a ball. If we teach the kids one skill each week, by the end of the season they may have one skill more than what they had a year ago. I also think we should add a little competition to the Recreation League. There should be some kind of playoffs at the Minor and Major League levels. Audrey Kaplan O'Neil, 9 Park Ridge Court— Mrs. O'Neil has 3 boys and they really appreciate all the time people put into the baseball program. Mrs. O'Neil has a 3rd grader and 5th grader. You said earlier that travel baseball is supposed to be for kids to have fun and it also about a competitive program. I recognize that but there are more and more kids in this district with my third graders class being one of the biggest classes with 145 children. My incoming kindergartner will also be one of the biggest classes with over 140 kids. The League should add additional opportunities for playing in the summer, for the children who do remain in town, for them to enjoy staying in town and give them some opportunity to play sports. I wonder why there is this maximum 13 per team. I don't understand why 40 kids show up for tryouts and only 26 kids made the team. I've been told that some kids will be going to camp, and why do they even belong at the tryouts if they are really going to camp. Mrs. O'Neil stated she was confused on whether there was a 12U team because she heard there weren't enough kids to make a team. I don't know if it is true and whether you want to address the comment or not. Why can't there be an 11U team. Mrs. O'Neil's son is 10 and has played with 10 to 12 year olds and is rated against 10 to 12 year olds trying out against boys who are 9 and 10 year old playing on the younger league. I don't know if that rating process by coaches is totally fair because if he is an average player for a 10 to 12 year old, he might have been a top player for a 9 and 10-year-old team. If it was by age, he could have played down. What is the organization for the tryouts and how are they are rated? The kids really want to have fun and maybe there could be another team to let all the kids play on the travel team. Superintendent Bertolacci stated that there is a 12U team. There were 40 kids that tried out on the 10 and under team of which there was a handful that would miss their games because they weren't going to be around for the summer. We made two teams of 13 boys, one IOU and one team with 9U. The Little League committee and the Advisory Council came up with the number 13 and that is the number for the travel team. We have been doing travel for 5 years and we tried it with 15 players one year and it was too many, we tried with 14 players and still too many. It is very hard to juggle and give everyone a fair amount of playing time when you have more than 13 players on the team. Mrs. O'Neil suggested that there be 3 teams of 11 instead of 2 teams of 13. Superintendent stated that 11 players on a team is not enough, you need to have 13. Chairman Schoen stated that you don't want to find yourself in the position of not being able to field a team each game. Committee Member Shaw stated that you need a few pitchers during the week and being they are only allowed to pitch so many innings per week, you need 2 or 3 pitchers and with I l players, one player maybe not being there leaves you with 10 and that isn't enough. Committee Member Shaw stated that when he coached the travel team 5 years ago there were 16 players and that was too many. You don't want kids just sitting there without a chance to play. Scott Zecker, 16 Red Roof Drive — Mr. Zecker coached the Major league and stated that the wood bats are not an issue. If a kid can hit a ball, he is going to hit a ball whether he is using a wood bat or metal. Even though parents are giving up their time to coach, a majority of parents don't know what they are doing out there. They don't know what the rules are, yelling time out when the ball is in the outfield. You have to teach the parents first before you teach the kids. I think a structured environment with proper coaching will help us build our programs. My recommendation is to start from the ground up at T-Ball, teaching the parents and the kids how to coach, how to pick up a ball, how to throw a ball. Mr. Zecker suggested that the baseball committee and the recreation council have to sit down and look at the ground level. Buy a book on the techniques of how to coach baseball and start working that way and maybe we can get to the Major Leagues where parents aren't fighting over if a kid steals first or second and the guy at 3rd goes home and if it is allowed or not. The issue at hand is teaching the parents first and then teach the kids how to play the game properly. Brian Berk, 11 Edgewood Drive — Mr. Berk suggested that clinics for coaches and kids is the best thing we could do not for just travel but also for Rec baseball. The clinic would teach parents how to coach and learn techniques. We don't have time to allow for practice but running a clinic starting at rookie level will reap benefits for our children and coaches. George Weltman, 46 Talcott Road- Mr. Weltman asked about a J.V. concept. If you have 20 or 30 kids, they may not go out and play the games but they can go out and have competition at the practice, run skills and everyone has fun. It may get a little crowded out there on the field but I am throwing it out there as an idea. Scott Zecker — Mr. Zecker said that he had 15 kids on a team and that number of kids is impossible to play on a travel team. What is fair for one child isn't always fair for another child on a travel team. When you look at travel, its not about having fun but its about playing Dobbs Ferry where they bring kids in a IOU environment and they have 11 year olds on that team who are eligible and we have a kid who is 9 years old and can't catch the ball but made the team by default. We can't compete. You have to take the best of the best. If you want to have fun, there is Frozen Ropes and other activities for the kids. Travel is about winning. Mr. Weltman would like to clarify his statement. He stated that the kids who don't make the travel team could practice with the players, and learn skills that will help them to develop. You are always going to develop the best players but all these other kids who would like to play have no opportunity except in the fall or spring when there is some Rec activity. Mr. Zecker stated that for the last 5 years, on my own time, I have met with an average of 20 to 25 kids every Sunday morning and have taught them how to pick up a ball and throw a ball, both boys and girls. Debra Tempesta, 6 Oriole Place, Parks and Advisory Committee Member. It is very much appreciated the passion parents have as coaches. It is great to coach but unfortunately we don't get the commitment from parents and children. It is wonderful that you want to have clinics, and practices and a longer baseball sesason, but we need the parents, coaches and players all on the same page. When you sign up for Rec programs, don't say it is just Rec and show up whenever you want because it is just Rec. You still have to make that commitment as parents, coaches and children. Andrew Rosson, 27 Dorchester Drive — Mr. Rosson is coaching the Minor League this season. In the Minor League, the kid pitch has been a little disappointing and over extended. We had problems with the machine. We did coach pitch for the first couple of innings and then 3 or 4- kid pitch; the kid pitch was somewhat painful. Most teams can't field more than one, possibly two pitchers, and then you rely on that pitcher every game. I personally would extend coach pitch in the Minor Leagues for at least 3 or 4 innings and go 3 or 4 innings for kid pitch. Mr. Rosson suggested that maybe some Blind Brook High School kids help with some skill practices on a regular basis and at least for the travel teams and it reduces some of the burden on the travel coaches as well. Wood bats are a non-issue in the Minor League. The grass and dirt at Garibaldi Park is terrible and it doesn't look like it has been tended to at all. Steve Epstein, 233 Country Ridge Drive—Parks and Advisory Council—First I would like to say that I share Mrs. O'Neil's pain. I have a 14 year old who tried out for the 15U and didn't make the team. The problem was there weren't enough 14 year olds who tried out. He tried out with a group of 15 year olds who were terrific baseball players. Two 14 year olds who play a ton of baseball made the team, one of them not my son, and the rest of the team were made up of 15 year olds. We talk about these issues a lot and being we are a public organization we try to provide something for everybody. But we are a small community and don't have the number of kids you have in Scarsdale and other communities that have very sophisticated travel programs and also Rec programs. There is truly a commitment to have as many travel teams that can play and be marginally competitive. Travel is only 5 years old and is relatively new. We still need to do better, and I think we try to be as inclusive as possible to have the kids play in the summer. Mickey Marks, 18 Mohegan Lane — Mr. Marks would like to reiterate on the issue of wood bats vs. metal bats, and commend the Little League sub-committee and the Recreation Department for taking a leadership position. Any professional youth coach will tell you that a wood bat rears the proper swing. It may be more difficult for a 2nd or 31d grader to get the hits they would normally get with a metal bat. One point Mr. Marks stated as a parent watching, it is very important Rye Brook never compromises sportsmanship and its efforts to be competitive. In the travel league we want to teach our kids to be competitive and to win but it is no fun winning if you are doing it through poor sportsmanship. I have seen decisions being made by coaches that were not proper. It should be noted that when a coach yells or argues with the ump, he should be spoken to by the committee and warned about his manners. Mr. Marks also likes the idea of high school kids helping to run a clinic and practices for the younger kids. Chairman Schoen stated that there is a group of individuals that look into formalized complaints that are made to the Recreation Department. Then steps taken are in consideration of the issue at hand on a case-by-case basis. Seth Milbauer commented that there is no benefit using the pitching machine. It is more beneficial to have the coach pitch. Mr. Milbauer also would like to see the scoreboard at Pine Ridge Park used during the Little League season. Rob Leshman, 992 King Street — Mr. Leshman coached 9U travel last year and Minor League with Seth Milbauer. Mr. Leshman stated that at the beginning of the season we need to initiate the structure of the program by telling the parents that your child has to be at the program 1/2 hour before a game starts and they have to attend the clinics. Let the parents know that if the kids don't attend the clinics and don't come early enough to practice before a game, there will be repercussions. Parents will get upset with the rules especially the first year. Mr. Leshman stated that in 5 of the games, he had 5 kids show up. We should spell it out and this is what they are responsible for. It may be a very difficult first year, but you have to set an example. John DiCanio, 43 Lincoln Avenue - Mr. DiCanio is on the Little League sub-committee and has coached Travel baseball for a couple of years and has coached Minor League. Mr. DiCanio stated that he sees no difference with the players using wood bats. The players seem to enjoy using the wood bats. As a member of the Little League Committee we take all the necessary steps for safety. Mr. DiCanio has been involved in the Travel baseball program since its inception. We have tried a number of combinations of teams, players etc. and 13 on a roster seems to be working best. The number of teams is based on the number of kids that try out for the travel teams. As a committee member, we try to make as many teams as possible. Chairman Schoen thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and stated that we value the input you have given to us. As stated earlier, the Recreation Department and the Little League sub committee will look into as many of these issues as possible. Change is slow and gradual but as long as we continue to improve our programs we are headed in the right direction. Given the value of tonight's baseball/softball open meeting, we will look into having a similar open forum for basketball long before the basketball season begins. Adiournment Chairman Schoen asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Committee Member Finder and seconded by Committee Member Shaw. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be held on, July 3, 2007. Minutes prepared by Carmella Swick