Cal Ripken Board Meeting Minutes

2/24/14

Present:  Tom Barter, Matt Cassidy, Derek Hewson, Laura Lee, Gary Lord, Joe Marquis, Rick Masse, Matt Orlando, Brian Rapoza, Tim Richardson, Ryan Sullivan, Jay Taylor, Anthony Wolverton

Absent: Mike Connolly, Mike Nussbaum

1. Last month’s meeting minutes were approved.

    

2. Treasurer’s Report

   Tom assured that we have plenty of cash going in to the season. Do we want to consider doing fundraising since we lost a little last year?  We might consider hosting a tournament (usually make money on concessions), registration fee increase, or some other kind of fundraising.

    

3. Registration Update

   Barb sent out email with update.  The fees are the same as last year:  $55 early reg, $65 after 3/15.

   We are getting free web hosting through Blue Sombrero.  Family discount cannot be processed through the web site.  We cannot charge families for credit card processing fees in the state of Maine so we will pay for it this year and we can decide if we want to raise the fee next year to cover this cost.  We discussed ideas for getting more kids involved.  Brian suggested having kids with flyers outside Wal-Mart or like places, but hard to get volunteers.  Barb handles Facebook page and anyone active on FB can help spread the word there.  Cal Ripkin is not a Rec Dept program, but they stock our flyers and we can ask if they will include our info on their web site.

    

4. Preseason Clinic Update

   Rick talked to Jim at Coastal and Jim at the Dome.  It costs $295/hr to rent the Dome.  Coastal has more reasonable rental fees, but not as much space.  After March 19, 4-6:45pm time slot available on Wed and Fri at Coastal.  We could buy 3-4 slots and break them up for minors, majors, and softball.  We would need to have players pre-register.  Anthony could have people respond to his email and keep track of sign-ups.  Brian emphasized the importance of having more space like at Bowdoin’s field house or maybe the Dome.  Matt O. volunteered to look into securing the Bowdoin field house.  Back-up plan would be the Dome and charge $5/head.  Proposal to buy an hour for each team at Coastal was voted on and approved. 

   Post-meeting update: Matt O. secured Bowdoin field house on Sunday, March 16, 1-4pm for $140.  Planning meeting scheduled for Monday, March 3 at 6:30pm at the field house.

    

5. Sponsors

   We haven’t kept track of how long sponsors have been on and when they are done.  Anthony proposed setting up a spreadsheet to keep track.  Tom can look up to see how long any sponsor has been paying.  Rick jumped into managing sponsors last year and will ask for help if he needs it.  Any Board member can solicit banner sponsors but first check to see if they already have a banner.  Banners cost $200 for first year, $150/year thereafter.

    

6. Softball Update

   Ryan is all set and had nothing to report at this time.

    

7. Volunteers for Dick’s Appreciation Day

   We need to have a presence 11am-3pm both Sat 3/15 and Sun 3/16.  Matt C. & Derek will be there on Sat.  Brian & Jay will cover Sun 11am-1pm; Laura & Matt O. have 1-3pm.  We will have table set up with registration forms and flyers.  Bring laptop if they have wifi (Anthony to confirm) to do online registrations.  Coupons are only supposed to go to Brunswick residents.

    

8. Opening Day—Saturday, April 26

   Tom volunteered to be coordinator.  Slugger is not available.  Tom is planning a bunch of different activities.  He will ask Brunswick PD to borrow a speed gun to clock throws.

    

9. Coordinators
   1. Softball, all levels - Ryan
   2. Rookie – Joe
   3. Minors – Mike N.
   4. Majors – Laura
   5. Concessions – Tim volunteered his wife Jessica

       

10. Fundraising ideas for 2014

    Discussion postponed to next meeting

     

11. Tournaments
    1. Districts:10/12 on June 21 weekend (no host site identified)
    2. States:10 (no site yet)/12 (Skowhegan) on July 5 weekend; 9 (Cornish)/11 (no site yet) on July 18 weekend

        

12. Rec Dept. Update

    Anthony sent email with an update. There were no follow-up questions.

     

13. Schedule
    1. Pictures:Need a Saturday when all teams are home. Have done on Opening Day in past but makes it too crazy.Some thought we could manage on Opening Day, others were concerned that we would be missing many because of the overlap with school vacation.Did not end up deciding on a date.
    2. Sunday games?This has been a question because the season is so short.Also there aren’t many practices.Voted in Sunday games noon-2pm and 2:15-4:15pm.This schedule was later revised by email vote to games starting at 1pm and 3:15pm.
    3. Longer All Star season? Will discuss at next meeting.

        

14. Sea Dogs

Discussion postponed to next meeting

Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. 

Next meeting is Monday, March 10 at 6:30pm in Buck 211.