The BSF Executive held a conference call meeting on the evening of Wednesday, July 4. Below are highlights of discussions and decisions.
Attendance
Present: Mike Jennings (Treasurer and Chair), Vicky Hall (Administrative Officer), Liz Graham (Tournaments Officer), Chris Moon (BASU Representative), Beth Perkins (General Officer).
Apologies: Stella Ackrell (President), Lesley Morisetti (Tournaments Officer), Mark Wigington (Marketing Officer), Julie Calver (Website Officer), Rory Lynch (General Officer), Bob Fromer (BSUK).
Guidance on protecting young players
General Officer Rory Lynch has emailed some thoughts to the Executive on safeguarding young players who play on adult teams and on developing structures for youth softball.
These topics will be further discussed and developed at the Executive's next meeting in September.
GLSML umpiring development
Mike Jennings has spoken to Greater London Softball Mixed League Technical Officer Simon Gordon about getting more trained BASU umpires from the GLSML, and Chris Moon has spoken to League Director Dan Armstrong, who is keen to advance umpire training within the league.
Further discussion is needed, but one idea on the table is for BASU to run a Trainers' Course for the GLSML.
Coaching for B and C-grade teams
A BSF initiative to offer free coaching support for B-grade and C-grade teams interested in taking up the offer has failed to bear fruit this year, despite interest expressed at and after the BSF AGM by around seven teams.
The BSF is keen to make the scheme work in 2013, possibly through making arrangements in November for sessions in March/April next year.
Tournaments
BSF Tournaments Officer Liz Graham confirmed that the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Co-ed Slowpitch National Championships will be held in Wokingham on the weekend of August 11-12.
Fencing for the tournament has now been arranged and the BSF is making arrangements to transport bases from BSUK storage to Wokingham.
Use of BSF website
Jason Greenberg from BSUK has emailed website usage reports to the BSF Executive.
It appears that about 50% of affiliated teams are using the website for rostering, and Liz Graham commented that the website registration process is good, particularly if completed in one session. Improvements are being made regarding invoicing.
Rostering of teams and players is important for public liability insurance, BSF budget calculations and so that the BSF and BSUK can maintain accurate records of participant numbers.
BSF Website Officer Julie Calver will be asked to look at the figures more closely and report back to the September meeting.
Sport England Small Grant 2011
Following an audit of activities and expenditure, Sport England has confirmed they are satisfied with the use of the Small Grant of £10,000 made in 2011 to fund fastpitch development work in schools during the first year of a three-year programme. The Sport England grant was for 2011-12, with the BSF contributing £2500 in 2012-13 and 2013-14 to keep the programme going.
The meeting thanked Bob Fromer and Stan Doney from BSUK for their work on this project.
ISF memo on Olympic bid
The BSF Executive has received an update on the proposed joint Olympic bid with baseball from the International Softball Federation (ISF).
The key issue is whether the International Olympic Committee will accept a joint bid, in which baseball and softball would be seen as male and female formats of one sport.
BSUK Marketing, Communications and Events Officer
Jason Greenberg, BSUK's Marketing, Communications and Events Manager, is leaving the agency to take up a job with a major events company in San Francisco.
Jason has provided BSF with excellent assistance on numerous issues and projects, particularly the development of the new website. The meeting asked Administrative Officer Vicky Hall to draft a thank you letter.
Trevor Clissold will be taking over as interim Marketing, Communications and Events Officer for the rest of the current financial year.
London Baseball and Softball Week
BSF Tournaments Officers Liz Graham and Lesley Morisetti have accepted BSUK’s request to run an international co-ed slowpitch tournament that will be part of the proposed London Baseball and Softball Week, scheduled for July 1-7, 2013.
BSF Treasurer Mike Jennings has been asked to function as Finance Officer on the project Committee.
GB T-shirts
BSF Marketing Officer Mark Wigington has been working with designer David Baird to develop a suitable design for T-shirts (and hopefully other merchandise) that can be sold to raise funds for GB national teams.
Mark has asked for feedback on a new GB Lion logo and shirt design.
Next meeting
The BSF Executive will not meet in August, and the next conference call meeting will be on Thursday, September 6.
Anyone with items to raise at the meeting should email Administrative Officer .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).