The BSF Executive held a conference call meeting on the evening of Thursday, July 7. Below are highlights of discussions and decisions.
Present: Mike Jennings (Treasurer), Liz Graham (Tournaments Officer), Julie Calver (Website Officer), Mark Wigington (Marketing Officer), Vicky Hall (General Officer).
Apologies: Stella Ackrell (President), James Reilly (Coaching and Development Officer), Richard Hanby (Youth and Schools Officer), Chris Moon (BASU Representative), Debbie Moores (General Officer), Bob Fromer (BSUK).
Guest: John Boyd (BSUK.
Spawtz tournament functionality
The BSF continued a previous discussion on whether to recommend the use of tournament functionality on its new website to teams and tournament organisers, given that there is a cost involved.
The meeting agreed to fund the costs for a tournament to trial the system (£5 per team but £2.50 to the BSF because BSUK will contribute 50%). The meeting suggested trialling the system at the Softball World Series in September, but Bob Fromer, who organises the World Series for BSUK, has suggested that this may not be the most suitable event because of the number of overseas-based teams that attend and the way that tournament fees are paid.
BSF Tournaments Officer Liz Graham has trialled the system at an Edinburgh tournament and has sent a memo to the BSF saying that she found no benefits over the current system she uses except the for the collation of payments, and that she also had concerns over incorrect data produced by the system. But Jason Greenberg at BSUK feels that Liz's memo does not present a full picture of the potential benefits of the system to tournament organisers in general, and so discussions will need to continue.
NSL 2
Another continuing discussion at BSF Executive meetings is around extending the National Softball League structure in 2012 by creating an NSL2. The objectives of doing so are to bring the benefits to B-grade softball that the current NSL has brought to A-grade, and to rationalise the structure for Nationals qualifications.
But a sticking point with A-grade teams and thus with the BSF has been the question of promotion and relegation between the two NSL divisions once NSL2 comes into being.
To address these concerns, BSUK Joint CEO and Head of Development John Boyd, representing BSUK at the meeting, presented an updated proposal for NSL2 and its interface with NSL1.
John pointed out that the BSF took a decision in April to cap the current NSL at 12 teams at the end of the 2011 season and relegate any teams below the top 12. Since there have been dropouts from the NSL in the meantime, this would now amount to only one team. From the end of the 2012 season, the idea was that there would be promotion and relegation between the two divisions (of an as yet unspecified number of teams). Capping NSL1 in this way would facilitate the creation of a viable NSL2.
But since publishing this decision, the BSF has had strong opposition to the capping of NSL1 at 12 teams and to the automatic relegation of a team at the end of this season.
The updated proposal that John Boyd brought to the meeting would drop the idea of promotion and relegation after the current season, freezing entries to NSL1 to the current 13 teams for 2012. Instead, promotion and relegation would be introduced after the 2012 season. With NSL2 already in existence, that would ensure a place in the NSL structure for teams demoted from NSL1 (if they choose to take them up). From 2013 onwards, the only route for new teams to enter the NSL would be to be promoted from NSL 2. The suggestion is that two teams would be relegated from NSL1 after the 2012 season and one promotedThe key issue, John Boyd told the meeting, is that in order for NSL2 to solve the skills gap between A and B grades and the declining quality of B-grade play, there does need to be a system of promotion and relegation. Without this, it will become more and more difficult for teams to move up from B-grade to the NSL.
Following more discussion, the BSF Executive agreed to consult formally with teams. Tournaments Officer Liz Graham will produce a memo clarifying the issues around promotion and relegation and a questionnaire for teams to complete.
Development grant application
An application for a BSF Development Grant from Manchester Thunder Softball Club was considered and unanimously agreed, though clarification will be requested on some aspects of their proposal, which is to do in part with coach development.
A grant has also been agreed in principle to match-fund money from BSUK to develop a DVD on slowpitch pitching, which former GB Slowpitch Team Head Coach Mark Saunders and David Lee will create. Bob Fromer, who is overseeing the project on behalf of BSUK and the ESF Development Commission, is waiting for a content outline from Mark and David, and then will complete a Development Grant application form.
European Gay Games
Mike Jennings reported to the meeting that a major European Gay Games event has been proposed for London in 2013 and it is hoped that softball will be one of 10-15 sports involved. If so, it is likely that all formats -- slowpitch, fastpitch, single-sex and co-ed -- will be included.
Neither the bid stage or the event itself will require financial support from the BSF unless the BSF chooses to offer it.
The meeting agreed unanimously to support the initiative and to inform the ESF and ISF about the proposal. The Games will contribute to world recognition of softball and may help the campaign for Olympic reinstatement.
ISF Congress
The meeting agreed that BSF President Stella Ackrell and Bob Fromer will represent the BSF at the ISF Congress in Oklahoma City at the end of October.
During the Congress, Bob will attend a "Slowpitch Summit Meeting" proposed by the American Amateur Softball Association to look at possibilities for the further development of slowpitch worldwide. With reduced funding for Congress attendance this year from UK Sport, the cost of Bob's attendance will be shared between BSUK, the BSF and possibly the ESF, where Bob serves on the Development Commission with a special remit for slowpitch development in Europe.
Mike Jennings is also considering attending the Congress with regard to rule and scoring changes that may be proposed by the ISF, but if he does go, it will be at no cost to the BSF.
BSF presence on the website
Additional material about the BSF will shortly be uploaded to the new BSF website.
This will include a formal Mission Statement, more information about BSF Executive Officers and their roles and a page listing recipients of the annual awards presented by the BSF to individuals, leagues and clubs for exceptional achievement or service.
European Slowpitch Cup
The meeting expressed disappointment about the late withdrawal of Guernsey from the European Slowpitch Championships, bringing this year's numbers back to six countries after a record eight countries took part last year in the Czech Republic. The withdrawal was made reluctantly, according to Guernsey Softball Association President Curt Taylor, because a number of players that had been selected dropped out of the squad.
The BSF is committed to further development of the slowpitch format in Europe and will work towards a sharp increase in entries for the next competition in 2013.
Hall of Fame
The Executive agreed that the BSF Hall of Fame, established in 2007, is important and valuable for its recognition of those who have made a significant contribution to the sport through years of service, but the process of nominating and voting new members into the Hall has stalled since the initial 12 members were inducted.
A website article and an advert in Tournament Packs will be produced to invite nominations for people in the different Hall of Fame categories: players, coaches, umpires, administrators and development workers. It was suggested that nominations should no longer be restricted to those who have retired from the sport, but should include those who have contributed to softball for a substantial numbers of years -- and may still be doing so. Executive members were asked to consider this idea and suggest what should constitute a "substantial" amount of time.
Nominations received will be considered by the BSF Executive for induction into the Hall of Fame at the 2012 AGM.
Banners
The BSF would like to create signage and bannering to give it more of a presence at softball events. John Boyd told the Executive how much BSUK had spent to create its own single-sided and double-sided banners and other materials.
Treasurer Mike Jennings will advise how much money is available for this purpose and Marketing Officer Mark Wigington will have further discussions with John Boyd and propose some options, with the aim of having banners available for the Premier Nationals in September.
Interviews for new BSUK Chair
President Stella Ackrell, Treasurer Mike Jennings and Tournaments Officer Lesley Morisetti will act as BSF representatives (as their availability allows) on an interview panel that will select the new BSUK Chair, as the current Chair, Geof Ellingham, is stepping down later this year. Interview dates will be advised by BSUK.
Wickes Softball League
John Boyd updated the meeting on the success of the Wickes Softball League, a major BSUK development project. There are 71 teams playing in regional leagues and the top eight teams will compete in an all-day final on September 4.
The venue is still to be confirmed, but the event could be held at Farnham Park alongside the Premier Nationals.
Criminal Record Bureau checks
It is good practice for all Executive members to have a CRB check. These checks need to be specifically done for the BSF.
Youth and Schools Officer Richard Hanby will co-ordinate the checks and contact BSUK to facilitate the process.
The CRB system in Scotland is different and John Boyd will ask Donald Morris-Vincent, who was looking into this when he worked for BSUK, how we can register for CRB checks in Scotland.
Executive members will advise Richard whether they have had a softball CRB and the date, but it was unclear whether CRB checks will be compulsory for all Executive members. President Stella Ackrell will consider this and welcomes feedback.
Face-to-face meeting
BSUK has requested a joint face-to-face meeting with the BSF Executive in the autumn. Dates and venues are to be proposed.
Next Meeting
The next BSF Conference Call Meeting will be on Thursday, August 4 at 7.30 pm.
Anyone with an item to bring to the meeting should contact BSF General Officer Vicky Hall.
Further meetings will be on the following dates:
Thursday, September 1, 7.30 pm
Thursday, October 6, 7.30 pm
Thursday, November 3, 7.30 pm
Thursday, December 1, 7.30 pm