The Bullpen Anniversary 1955-2020 1955-2020

BLL/BCB BLL/BCB 65th 65th Anniversary The Bullpen Anniversary 1955-2020 1955-2020

Published Periodically By, For and About Boardman Community Baseball

Volume 22 March 2021 Number 1

Welcome to Late and Final Registration: Boys ages 11-14 and girls ages 11 thru 12, can still register and tryout Boardman Community Baseball until Friday, March 20, 2021. Boys ages 15-18 can register up to May As Opening Day approaches, plans are well under way to make this 15, 2021. All other players can still register on a space available basis an exciting and memorable season for you and your children. This depending on division and number of teams. Registration is available newsletter contains important information and dates regarding the online at www.boardmanbaseball.com. upcoming season. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE SECTION For more information please call 330-758-2123. PERTAINING TO YOUR CHILD. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT A $25 LATE REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE ASSESSED FOR facebook.com/boardmanbaseball REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED AFTER March 7, 2021. BCB is pleased to offer the following programs:

Boys Programs - Ages 4 to 18: Dates For Your 2021 Calendar March 20…………Boys tryouts (8-12-yr-olds) Sluggers - South Ave Ext. • 4, 5 & 6-year-old boys play MUSHBALL: (Coed) Basic skills taught, See times on page 2. coach pitch, tee used if needed, emphasis on learning and having fun. March 22-25…….Varsity/JV/Minor Boys Player Draft •6, 7 & 8-year-old boys play MINOR : Basic skills taught, coach/kid March 15-18……..Varsity/JV Girls Player Draft pitch emphasis on learning and teamwork. March TBD……...PONY A & B Players Division Draft •8,9 & 10-year-old boys play JUNIOR VARSITY: Players pitch and April 17…………..Team Mom Meeting 10am Fields of Dreams are assigned according to draft and skill level. Late April………...PONY Boys Opening Day •10,11 & 12-year-old boys play VARSITY: Players assigned April 20-21……....Picture Days according to draft and skill level. April 23-25………Ohio Baseball Boys Travel Tournament • INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: 13-yr-olds: 50ft mound 70ft bases, April 26………… Opening Day Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls and Boys District League. Will need 30 players to offer. See page 4. April 27………… Opening Day Mushball, Boys Minor, & Rookie Girls May 8-9...... Classic Tournaments Boys Travel Tournament • 13 & 14-year-old boys play TRI-T PONY/LL Jr Lg. Play in May 21-23………Sluggers Softball/Baseball Travel Tournament surrounding communities and the Fields of Dreams. May 29-31……….Ohio Baseball Community TeamsTravel Tournament • 15 thru 18-year-old boys play TRI-T COLT. Play in surrounding June 11-13..…… Atlantic Coast Boys Travel Tournament communities and at the Fields of Dreams. June 18-20……...Sluggers Travel Softball Tournament Any questions regarding Boys Programs, please contact the June 21-24……...Varsity/Junior Varsity Boys/Girls Playoffs begin league office at 330-758-2123 or Vice President of Boys, Tom June 25-27…..…..Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship Tournament Harris at 330-881-6766. June 28-July 12...Little League District-2 Softball/Baseball Tournament July 2-4…………..Ohio Baseball Travel Tournament July 9-11………....Lady Spartan Fastpitch Club Softball Tournament Girls Programs - Ages 4 to 15: July 14-18……….8U/9U/10U BCB Tournament • 4 & 5-year-old girls play MUSHBALL: (Coed) Basic skills taught, July 24-30………. Little League 10u State Tournament coach pitch, tee used if needed, emphasis on learning and having fun. July 30-Aug1…….BCB Softball/Baseball Tournament • 5, 6 & 7-year-old girls play ROOKIE: Basic skills taught, coach August 8.……..….BCB Golf Outing-Mill Creek- 1:30pm Shotgun/Scramble pitch, tee used if needed, RFI ball used. • 8, 9 & 10-year-old girls play JUNIOR VARSITY: Basic skills taught, players pitch and assigned by draft and skill level. Play in surrounding communities and Fields of Dreams. • 10, 11 & 12-year-old girls play VARSITY: Players assigned by draft. Play in surrounding communities and the Fields of Dreams. • 13 thru 15-year-old girls play TRI-T PONY/LL Jr. Lg.: Play in surrounding communities & the Fields of Dreams. Any questions regarding the Girls Programs, please contact the league office at 330-758-2123 or Vice President of Girls Chris LaCivita at 330-423-2261.

League Age Determination: Payment Plans: The BCB age is the age of your child as of 08/31/21 for BOYS and OPTIONAL PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE, SEE BCB 12/31/20 for GIRLS 4-15yrs old.. Due to Little League rules BCB will REGISTRATION FOR INFO. CALL BCB WITH QUESTIONS AT strictly observe the age rules. All players must reside in the Boardman 330-758-2123. WE DO NOT TURN AWAY ANY CHILD BASED ON School District, attend a school in BCB’s boundary map or obtain a LL waiver. THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

11-yr old Boys…………………....Saturday March 20…..1:00PM Website and Online Registration: 12-yr old Boys……………………Saturday March 20…..3:00PM You may register online at www.boardmanbaseball.com. This year, our website will list schedules, scores, rainout dates and much more. DUE TO COVID REGULATIONS AT SLUGGERS Thanks to Jeff Wilson and Dean DeMain for their help with the Sports PARENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE Connect website. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REGISTER YOUR SLUGGERS DURING TRYOUTS. PARENTS WILL CHILD AT THE BOYS TRYOUTS.YOU MUST REGISTER HAVE TO WAIT IN THE PARKING LOT TILL YOUR IN ADVANCE. THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. PLAYERS TRYOUT SESSION HAS FINISHED.

Parents: please call the appropriate player agent regarding any BCB Policies: questions you or your child may have regarding this process. Our ALL 10, 11 AND 12-YEAR-OLD BOYS AND 11 AND 12-YEAR-OLD divisions of play are set based on skill and ability levels, not necessarily age. With that being said, if you have a child that you feel GIRLS MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO TRYOUTS ON MARCH 20, needs to be in a lower or higher division than their age permits, please 2021. reach out to the appropriate player agent and our board will consider Those who do not, will be on a waiting list to play in Boardman your specific situation. Community Baseball this season. ALL players in this age group must participate in tryouts. Those who elect NOT to participate in tryouts will Please plan to be at Sluggers AT LEAST 15 minutes before your scheduled time. All BOYS DIVISIONS player drafts will be held be drafted to a Varsity or JV Division team. Those boys who cannot attend the March 20th tryouts must contact their player agent to be March 22-26th. All drafted players should receive a phone call from managers within 48 hours of the draft; please do not call league excused. officials or player agents before that time. Call a player agent if you do PLEASE COME EQUIPPED WITH A GLOVE AND BAT TO not receive a call from a manager by March 29, 2021. TRYOUTS, IF POSSIBLE. BATS WILL BE AVAILABLE. Boys Player Agents: Major Boys & Girls Draft: Mushball Division (4-6-yr-olds): Kent Mcmurray 330-502-7686 BCB OPERATES UNDER ONE LITTLE LEAGUE CHARTER - BCB Minor Division (6-8-yr-olds): Joe Marzano 330-518-6764 LITTLE LEAGUE. THE DRAFT SYSTEM FOR THE 2021 SEASON Junior Var. Division (9-10-yr-olds) James Ramunno 330-518-4374 WILL BE A RE-DRAFT OF THE VARSITY/ JUNIOR Varsity Division (11-12-yr-olds): Tony Provenzale 330-565-9343 VARSITY/MINOR BOYS AND VARSITY/JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS 50/70 Division (13-yr-olds): Tom Harris 330-881-6766 DIVISIONS. THERE WILL BE 5-6 TEAMS IN ONE DIVISION FOR Pony Division (13-14-yr-olds): Tom Harris 330-881-6766 THE BOYS VARSITY AND 1-2 TEAMS FOR THE GIRLS VARSITY Colt Division (15-18-yr-olds): Tom Gay 330-770-7725 DIVISION. Boy’s managers will observe ALL boys trying out. Following Vice President Boys: Tom Harris 330-881-6766 tryouts the managers will draft players to their respective team. All drafted players should receive a phone call from the manager within Boys 13 thru 18: 48 hours of the draft date. PONY LEAGUE/LL JUNIOR LEAGUE (AGES 13-14 YRS OLDS): This year in the PONY/LL JR. Leagues, players will be allowed to play Boys 4 thru 9: in other Leagues (i.e. Class B 14U) while playing in the PONY/LL JR. All 4 and 5-yr-old boys will be assigned directly to a Mushball team. Leagues. The COLT League will also allow play in other leagues. Managers are not required to give these players any special Six and 7-year-old boys will be assigned directly to a Minor Team. consideration. Coaches pitch at the Minor level. Minor team’s players pitch part of the There will be at least 2-3 teams in the PONY/LL JR. Leagues, all season. Previous evaluations will be held for 7 thru 8-year-old boys to participating in the Tri-T/LL & Jr. Leagues for 2021. There will be an A ensure that the talent level is evenly distributed amongst the teams in and a B Division with the number of teams in each division to be each division. determined. The divisions will be based on players’ ability. Managers will pick their teams at the March draft. Each team will consist of 13-15 All 8-yr-old boys will be considered for the Minor Draft. 8-yr-old players. Non-drafted and Non-assigned players will go into a player boys have the option of being considered and entering the Junior pool for possible future participation. PONY/LL JR. season will begin Varsity draft and can Tryout ( see below the time by age). Any in late April. For more information, call PONY Player Agent TOM 8-yr-old that is not drafted to a Junior Varsity team will be drafted HARRIS at 330-881-6766. to a Minor team. COLT LEAGUE (AGES 15-18-YRS-OLD): 10-yr-old boys have the option of being evaluated and entering BCB’s COLT League program continues to grow with play at the the Varsity draft (see below the time by age). Any 10-yr-old that is Fields of Dreams. BCB continues to offer the COLT League program not drafted to a Varsity team will enter the Junior Varsity draft. to boys ages 15-18. We are accepting applications for qualified managers and registrations Any 11-yr-old player not drafted to a Varsity team will enter the for players. Junior Varsity draft. Our goal is to have a program that teaches the finer points of baseball, All 12-yr-old players will be drafted to a Varsity team unless is highly structured, disciplined, and allows an opportunity for all team parents make a specific request to play in the Junior Varsity members to participate. Division. (THE DEADLINE FOR MANAGER APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 15, 2021 AND PLAYER REGISTRATION IS MAY 15, 2021). If you are BOY’S tryouts will be held on SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 as interested in managing, please contact BCB as soon as possible by follows: calling the BCB office at 330-758-2123. For more information, call Vice Saturday, March 20 at SLUGGERS-SOUTH AVE. EXT. ---Boys 9-yr-olds…………………………....Saturday March 20…...9:00AM President of Boys Tom Harris at 330-881-6766 or COLT Player Agent 8-yr-olds trying out for JV……....Saturday March 20…...9:00AM Tom Gay at 330-770-7725. 10-yr old Boys…………………...Saturday March 20….11:00AM

Girls 5 thru 15 Fast-Pitch: Volunteers: All 4, 5, 6, 7-year-old girls will be assigned directly to a Mushball or We would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have Rookie team, Coach pitch. Most 8 and all 9 and 10-year-old girls volunteered their services. Boardman Community Baseball is an adult, play Junior Varsity League. Player pitch. All 11 & 12-year-old girls volunteer work project, constructed, supervised and assisted by who PLAYED on a LL Varsity Team in 2020 will be assigned to a parents who desire to make its benefits extend to their children. Varsity team in 2021. BOARDMAN COMMUNITY BASEBALL COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT YOUR HELP. DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PLAYERS REGISTERED AT THIS TIME FOR THE VARSITY AND Complex Field Days: JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL DIVISIONS, TRYOUTS During the next two months, we will be preparing the fields for play. If WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR 2021. PLAYERS you can spend some time helping us, contact Greg Krieger at WILL BE ASSIGNED TO TEAMS AT THE DRAFTS. 330-565-3114 or check the “Work Party Hot-Line” at 330-758-2123. Each Team will have a mandatory workday where they will need to

have 2 representatives present to work. Please plan to participate The player drafts will be held March 15-17th. This draft is for when your manager asks for volunteers. managers and ONE established coach only. All drafted players should receive a phone call from managers within 48 hours of the draft; please do not call league officials or player agents before that time. If Umpiring: you have not received a call by March 22, 2021 call your player agent. Anyone interested in umpiring at the Varsity and JV level for both Boys TRI-T PONY tryouts will be announced if needed. A notice will be & Girls should contact Chad Miller at 330-717-6981. All of our umpires mailed to each player regarding tryouts if held. Any questions, contact are offered training and with the number of games we play at the Varsity and JV level it takes many individuals to assure coverage for Tri-T Player Agent Dave Matz at 330-519-5389 or Chris LaCivita each game. 330-423-3361 Again this season we are forming our own umpiring crews to work our Varsity and JV Boys and Girls Divisions. Umpires would be Parents: Please call the appropriate player agent regarding any paid for services rendered. Please contact BCB if you are interested in questions you or your child may have regarding this process. Our becoming a registered umpire for BCB 330-758-2123 or Chad Miller. divisions of play are set based on skill and ability levels, not UMPIRE CLINICS: necessarily age. With that being said, if you have a child that you feel BCB AND DISTRICT 2 DA CHET COOPER WILL CONDUCT UMPIRE CLINICS THIS SPRING. CALL CHET AT 330-518-3977 needs to be in a lower or higher division than their age permits, please FOR MORE INFORMATION. reach out to the appropriate player agent and our Board will consider your specific situation. Team Moms: A great way to participate is to volunteer as a “TEAM MOM”. If you Girls Player Agents: would be interested in helping this way, please let your manager Mushball Division (4-5-yr-olds): Kent Mcmurray 330-502-7686 know, or if you would like more information, call Valerie Jones at Rookie Division (5,6-7-yr-olds): Chris Lacivita 330-423-3361 330-501-2933 or [email protected]. You can register to become a Jv Division (8-10-yr-olds): Kevin Haase 330-507-9698 Team Mom for your team through the BCB registration site and Varsity Division (10-12-yr-olds): Ralph Rivera 330-506-2634 your account. The Team Moms meeting will be held on Saturday, Tri-t Division (13-14-yr-olds): Dave Matz 330-519-5389 April 17, 2020, 10AM AT THE FIELDS OF DREAMS ADMIN. BLDG. Vice President Girls: Chris Lacivita 330-423-3361

Requests: Intermediate 50/70 Division: For 2021 BCB is still waiting to hear if Ohio District 2 will be offering We will not be able to honor requests by parents for their sons or a League at this Division. For more information call Tom Harris - daughters to be placed on a particular team or with particular players or managers. Little League Baseball recommends that all players at 330-881-6766. the Varsity, JV, Minor, Rookie and Mushball divisions go back to a pool after each season to be placed on a new team the next year. The Team Sponsors & Signs: goal is that players will make new friends and have new opportunities. SAFETY AND SKILLS ISSUE REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED A great way to support Boardman Community Baseball is to sponsor a BY THE LEAGUE. PLEASE CONTACT THE PLAYER AGENT FOR team, especially if your child is on the team. Support can also come in the form of an outfield or scoreboard sign. Please contact Dean Ball YOUR DAUGHTER OR SON’S AGE GROUP OR THE VP OF GIRLS OR BOYS TO DISCUSS. at 330-629-2368 or Rick Schafer at 330-507-3598 for team sponsors and Donnie Nameth for fence or scoreboard signs at 330-233-1400. Challenger Division: We are excited to announce the 32nd season of our Challenger

Division; a program designed for physically & mentally challenged youth, age 6 thru 22. If you know anyone who would like to take part either as a player, coach or volunteer, please contact Jim Colaluca at 330-651-4006. The Challenger season will start on June 6, 2021. Picture day will be announced. If you are interested in being a “BUDDY” for a Challenger Player contact Jim Colaluca at 330-651-4006 or the BCB office at 330-758-2123.

Fundraising: Golf Outing: TH In our continuing effort to raise funds to support our baseball programs A Fields of Dreams 25 Anniversary Golf Outing will be held on and our complex, Boardman Community Baseball needs your help to Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Mill Creek Park Golf Course. The Outing make our fundraiser a success. Our goal is to raise $25,000 dollars via will be a Scramble with a shotgun start at 1:30PM. Funds raised will our fundraiser. BCB is a private self-supporting operation that receives benefit the Fields of Dreams. Please mark your calendar and put your no financial support from the township, county, state or federal foursome together for a great day of golf to benefit the fields. More agencies. The main source of income to support our facility and information will follow. SEE YOU AT THE CREEK! operations is the hosting of tournaments and the annual fundraiser that we ask each player (up to two per family) to participate in. Again this year we have included the fundraiser in the registration fee. The 2021 Tournaments: cost of the fundraiser is $50/player. We will supply each player with In 2021 fifteen tournaments will be held at the Fields of Dreams. $60 worth of DISCOUNT CARDS for community business discounts. Volunteers will be needed for all of the events. Please call Chad Miller After players sell all of their cards, it will actually serve as a $10 at 330-717-6981 if you can help with gate, parking, officer of the day discount on the cost of your registration fee. We THANK YOU in and other activities. Dates include: advance for your support of the fundraiser and we hope your player will sell the discount cards to take advantage of the $10 discount. April 23-25 Ohio Baseball Muddy Fields Boys Tournament May 8-9 Classic Tournaments Boys Tournament New LL Residency Rule: May 21-23 Sluggers Softball/Baseball Tournament May 29-31 Ohio Baseball Community Teams Tournament In 2014 Little League changed the residency boundary rule regarding June 11-13 Atlantic Coast Baseball Battle at the Border where a player lives and the LL League they can play in. Each Little June 18-20 Magic Softball Tournament League organization has a boundary map by which their players must June 25-27 Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship Tournament reside to play in said league. Now if a student attends a school that is June 28- July 12 LL District 2 Tournaments-TBD within the league’s boundary that player can play in said league July 2-4 Ohio Baseball Fourth of July Tournament regardless of their community residence. Proof of attendance is July 9-11 Lady Spartan ASA Softball Tournament required from the school’s administration. Schools included within July 14-18 BCB 8u/9u/10u Tournament BCB’s Boundary Map include South Range Schools, Kirkmere July 9-18 PONY 13-14 / Colt Tournaments - 2 weekends Elementary, St. Charles, St. Christine and Valley Christian School. A July 23-30 Little League 10u State Tournament LL WAIVER MAY ALSO BE APPLIED FOR TO PLAY AT BCB. July 30-Aug1 BCB Softball/Baseball Tournament CONTACT LL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR CHET COOPER AT 330-518-3977 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship Tournament: The 18th Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship Tournament will be held June 25-27, 2021. The tournament raises funds for the Chuck Schafer Scholarship and Boardman Community Baseball. Age divisions will include 9U, 10U, 10-11U, 11-12U and 13-14-yr-old divisions for boys. Cost per team is $300 for LL teams and $325 for PONY teams. A discount will be offered to BCB teams entered into the tournament. For more information contact Mike Trell at 330-509-8110 or [email protected].

Chuck Schafer Memorial Scholarship: The Chuck Schafer Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic years. Scholarships will be available to graduating students. Criteria includes: (1) senior status, (2) accumulative GPA of 3.0, (3) participated in BCB for 5 years in the baseball or softball program, (4) complete application and essay. Scholarship applications will be available at Boardman High School, Cardinal Mooney High School and Ursuline High School. Application deadline is May 1, 2021. For more information, contact Rick Schafer at 330-507-3598.