BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY OF BASEBALL since 1987 AGM PACK

A NNUAL G ENERAL M EETING

ELECTIONS President, Officials and Commissioners. RESOLUTIONS Rules, Policies and Amendments. PRESENTATIONS 2017 Outlook FEEDBACK Long term direction for success

Member club representatives are only allowed to attend. If you have not registered your attendees, please send an e­mail to [email protected] (all seat reservations are first come first serve). There are limited seats, so e­mail your interest promptly.

WHEN: SAT 26TH NOV 2016 (10:00 - 17:00) WHERE: HOLIDAY INN, LEICESTER

www.britishbaseball.org [email protected] ABOUT US

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) since 1987, is the national governing body of baseball in Great Britain. The BBF receives no public funding and is made up of non-paid volunteers (including its supervisory board). It is authorised by its members (clubs, life time members etc) and governed by its constitution etc.

All of the BBF funding comes from its members fees. Annually, per its constitution it holds an AGM, whereby (but not limited to) its members vote for a new supervisory board (who are up for re-election or the posts are available), motions, rules and policies. In addition, its annual budget is approved at the AGM.

The BBF is responsible (but not limited to) for overseeing our sport, management and supervision of our leagues (senior and youth), rules and regulations, national teams (GB Baseball), insurance, national awards, disciplinary tribunals relating to Federation members, affiliation and representation to international bodies, organisation and management of Federation meetings (AGM, EGM), tournaments, annual operating budget, overseeing our Federation members through its elected supervisory board of officials.

(50% BBF) BSUK (BSF 50%)

Since 2007, the BBF is a 50% controlling member of BaseballSoftballUK Limited (BSUK). BSUK was set-up by the British Softball Federation (BSF) and the BBF. BSUK promotes and develops the playing of both sports in the UK.

BSUK, does receive public funds from Sport England (SE) and has a paid staff. Its next funding cycle from SE is in 2017. BSUK is a company limited by guarantee. A members agreement between the three entities and Articles of Incorporation sets out how BSUKs affairs are managed.

The BBF is a non-incorporated entity, although it is a 100% member of a dormant company called BBF Limited.

www.britishbaseball.org Notice is hereby given that our Annual General Meeting of the members of the British Baseball Federation (BBF) will be held on Sat 26th Nov 2016 at the Holiday Inn, 129 St Nicholas Circle Leicester LE1 5LX.

Only invited and registered voting club members/representatives are able to participate in the AGM.

www.britishbaseball.org VOTING MEMBERS 2016 are in black text and red text are non affiliated or non­financial clubs (no vote)

Votes Club name N/A Birmingham Bandits Baseball Club 1 Bolton Baseball Club 1 Bracknell Baseball Club 2 Brentwood/Stags Baseball Club 3 Brighton Baseball Club N/A Bristol Baseball Club 1 Cambridge Baseball Club 1 Cartmel Valley Baseball Club 1 County Durham Spartan Baseball Club 1 Daws Hill Spitfires 1 East London Latin Boys 3 Essex Arrows Baseball Club 4 Essex Redbacks Baseball Club N/A Exeter Spitfires Baseball Club 2 Guildford Mavericks 2 Halton/Polecats Baseball and Softball Club IMPORTANT: Club votes are 1 Harrogate Tigers Baseball Club determined by how many teams (youth 1 Haverhill Blackjacks Baseball Club and senior) a registered club have paid 5 Herts Baseball Club their BBF registration fees, etc. Clubs 0 Horsham Junior Baseball Club listed to the right, which have not paid 2 Hull Scorpions Baseball Club their BBF fees will not be allowed to 1 Kent Baseball Club vote at the AGM. An updated list 4 Leicester Blux Sox Baseball Club of eligible voting members (which have 2 Liverpool Trojans Baseball Club paid all of their fees) will be made 15 London Meteorites Baseball Club available before the AGM. 21 London Sports Baseball and Softball Club 14 London Youth Baseball League In addition, life­time members etc are 1 Long Eaton Storm Baseball Club assigned a vote (1x), per our 3 Manchester Baseball Club constitution. 2 Milton Keynes Baseball Club N/A Newtown 1 Northants Baseball Club N/A Norwich Baseball Club 1 Nottingham Rebels 1 Old Timers Baseball Club 1 Oldham Baseball Club 1 Oxford Kings Baseball Club N/A Plymouth Mariners 4 Richmond Baseball Club 1 Romford Wasps Baseball Club 1 Sheffield Bladerunners Baseball Club 3 South London Pirates Baseball Club 3 Southampton Mustangs Baseball Club 1 Stourbridge Titans N/A Taunton Muskets 2 Tonbridge Baseball Club www.britishbaseball.org VENUE

Holiday Inn, 129 St. Nicholas Circle, Leicester, LE1 5LX www.hileicesterhotel.co.uk tel: 0871 942 9048

Book a room: If you decide you would like to stay the night at the Holiday Inn, please book your room in advance (as prices and availibility vary). We have organised a special discount for attendees, so quote the BBF during your room hire.

Parking: Parking is available at the hotel (availability is limited and prices vary).

Resturant: There is a resturant at the hotel and other resturants are a 10 minute walk from the hotel.

www.britishbaseball.org AGM AGENDA

SUP MOTIONS: Submitted from non-voting members are not allowed and will be excluded from the AGM agenda. Motions or statements received after the deadline of Thursday 27 October 2016 will also be excluded from the AGM agenda. Voting members moving a motion, will have a maximum of five minutes to present their motion at the AGM floor. Voting members who wish to counter or comment on a motion will be provided with a maximum of three minutes to speak.

Voting members exceeding the aforementioned limits will be asked by the Chair to sit down. Any comments, statements or actions that disrupt the AGM, will not be tolerated. Any person who persists with causing such disturbances may be asked to leave the AGM. Disturbances or actions by any attendee that bring the AGM into disrepute could be subject to formal disciplinary action by the BBF. It is recommended that you allow plenty of time for your journey, ideally arriving early. Please note we cannot delay our AGM proceedings or allow sections to overrun as there is a full schedule for the day.

www.britishbaseball.org BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) AGENDA

Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

09:00 to 10:00 Attending representatives (delegates) from member clubs register at the front desk of the AGM room (in the Holiday Inn) and take their seats in the conference room.

10:00 to 10:10 Announcements by the Chair.

10:10 to 11:00 Structural Review Presentation (15 minutes of questions at 10:45 to 11:00).

11:00 to 11:30 Presidential candidates (Gerry Perez and Kevin Macadam) will each give a nomination statement to the attendees.

11:30 to 11:45 BBF member clubs, life time members and eligible associations vote (ballot box) for the Supervisory Board candidates, only:

• President: Gerry Perez or Kevin Macadam • Secretary: Lisa Janson* • Treasurer: Amanda Kettle* • Officials Commissioner: Chris Deacon* • Southern Senior Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: Ben Davis* • Southern Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: Mike Holm*

11:45 to 12:30 BBF Budget 2017 presentation by Dan Lally (Treasurer).

12:30 to 12:45 Votes tallied for the BBF 2017 Supervisory Board, announced and recorded. Short statement from the newly elected president of the BBF.

12:45 to 14:00 Lunch

14:00 to 15:00 Motions submitted debated and voted for by the members, life time members and associations. Vote tallies taken and recorded.

15:00 to 16:30 (Interactive session) Feedback from the club members attendees as to the Outlook 2017 for the BBF (communications, leagues, seniors, youth etc.).

16:30 to 17:00 Closing statement by the newly elected president.

17:00 BBF AGM closing.

NOTE: There will be an informal gathering after the AGM at 18:30 at the local pub (to be announced at the end of the AGM).

*sole candidate.

SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATESUP STATEMENTS ELECTIONS

Officials (up for election, in red bold font), Per our constitution (section 5.3)

5.3.1 President: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.2 Secretary: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.3 Treasurer: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.4 Development Official: up for election: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.5 National Teams Programme Official: N/A 5.3.6 Officials Commissioner: up for election | serve a terms of two years. 5.3.7 Coaches Commissioner: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.8 Northern Senior Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: N/A 5.3.9 Northern Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: N/A 5.3.10 Southern Senior Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.11 Southern Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: up for election | serve a term of two years. 5.3.12 Northern Youth Affiliated Clubs Assistant League Commissioner: up for election | serve a term of two years. (These positions are co-opted, only if required). 5.3.13 Southern Youth Affiliated Clubs Assistant League Commissioner: up for election | serve a term of two years. (These positions are co-opted, only if required).

Note: (Per BBF constitution - section: The Officials at 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4 and 5.3.5 shall be collectively termed “Officers”. The Officials at 5.3.6 and 5.3.7 shall be collectively termed “Commissioners”. The Officials at 5.3.8, 5.3.9, 5.3.10 and 5.3.11 shall be collectively termed “League Commissioners”. The Officials at 5.3.12 and 5.3.13 shall be collectively termed “Assistants” and shall be co-opted by the Board on the recommendation of the Youth Commissioners at 5.3.9 and 5.3.11.

Terms: 5.11 Each Officer will serve a term of four (2)years. 5.12 Each Commissioner will serve a term of two (2)years. 5.13 Each League Commissioner will serve a term of two (2) years.

www.britishbaseball.org BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: President No. 1 Candidate: Kevin Macadam Nominated: Hull Scorpions and Daws Hills Spitfires.

I, Kevin Macadam, am standing for the position of BBF President. I ask for your teams support and below, lay out below the reasons why I am the best candidate for the position.

For those that do not know me I have been extensively involved in baseball since 1990. I have held various positions on the BBF Board including BBF President, Treasurer, Competitions Director, Academy Director and Great Britain General Manager and therefore have a wide range of experience and knowledge and understand the journey that BBF baseball has been on over the years. I have arranged and ran European Baseball tournaments and built up a significant network of baseball contacts around the world. More recently as General Manager of Hull Scorpions I have recently helped them raise finance via grants and sponsorship to build an enclosed baseball field.

In 2000 myself, along with Bob Fromer from the BSF and with help from MLB, set up BSUK to develop baseball and softball for the benefit of the two federations and to drive participants towards the two sports. My dream then was for an increase in players which would help local clubs to recruit players, an increase in playing facilities and the continuation of the thriving youth programme the BBF had then.

Since re-joining the BBF board last year, it would seem that the majority of the funding that BSUK have been successful in raising over the years has not filtered down in tangible benefits for the federations teams. It would also seem that the relationship between BSUK and the BBF has broken down with BSUK increasingly ignoring input offered by the BBF. As a friend recently put it it’s not so much the tail wagging the dog, it’s actually a different dog!

Whilst it saddens me to see that BSUK is largely not performing the role I had in mind when I helped establish the organisation, the BBF has to take some responsibility for taking a back seat over the years and letting BSUK run the show and BSUK have done what they thought was best after receiving little direction from BBF.

I have suggested that the BBF should consider separating itself from BSUK in order to reclaim responsibility for driving development however events over the past couple of weeks have finally brought the important issues to the surface and I hope will be the catalyst to creating a more effective working relationship between the BBF and BSUK. It is important to state that the future of the relationship with BSUK is always with the membership and any ending of the agreement requires 75% board approval followed by 75% approval from the BBF Membership.

Some of my plans for the federation include: • Helping clubs to write development plans to enable them to grow the sport in their area. • A targeted schools programme aimed at primary school pupils and to establish a solid foundation for the future of our clubs • Assisting clubs with approaching their local council to secure land for baseball facilities • Launching a sponsored National Baseball League which teams will aspire to join • A centralised advertising campaign to drive players towards BBF Clubs

The BBF board now has a set of committed volunteers who are keen to be involved in development. I will provide strong leadership that will ensure that the BBF receive the support and funding that should be allocated to them in a way that our clubs and membership deserve.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: President No. 2 Candidate: Gerry Perez Nominated: Richmond and LondonSports.

My name is Gerry Perez, and I declare my candidacy for the presidency of the BBF.

Attributes and Experience

I am authorised and regulated, as a director (CEO) for a leading financial services company. I am a former compliance officer, company secretary, clients’ money officer, and I have been a part of for-profit and non- profit boards. I have appeared or have been interviewed for international TV, radio, at exhibitions and by publications regarding: management, financial products and governance related matters.

Knowledge and skill I would bring to the role

I have been involved in baseball for over 35 years from the US to the UK. I have coached, organised and placed athletes in high school, university and professional baseball. I belong to the largest charity baseball and softball club in Great Britain (LondonSports), with over 500 youth players. I sit on the boards for both BSUK and the BBF.

Vision

My vision for the British Baseball Federation is (but not limited to) in alphabetical order:

• Accountability: I will create a process whereby our board members, volunteers, myself and any committee member will be measured on agreed KPIs of delivering our vision on a quarterly basis to authorised club representatives. If I continuously do not meet on any recognised milestone, I should be held accountable and resign. I further challenge my fellow directors to sign-up to do the same, as for too long we have had too much non-activity, by some well-meaning directors. Further, I expect to have all board officials to sign a Code of Conduct within 30 days of our new board. The aforementioned Code will outline the behaviour for all board members and how they will conduct themselves as appointed representatives of the BBF. • Assets: I plan on inventorying our assets (leagues, GB Baseball, brand, etc.) to ensure we can quantify their value and risks applicable to our Federation. Moreover, with my business connections and a network of skilled volunteers, we will try to maximise our assets value as if we are an efficient business. • BSUK: We will continue to support our BSUK relationship and adhere to our commitment under our agreement. We expect for BSUK to be openly collaborative and we will assess them as to how they perform per our KPIs and report back to our members. I plan on fostering a better relationship with BSUK as we expect them to assist in the development of baseball throughout the country, in working with schools, harnessing the development of participants playing our sport and working for our sport to be played in every park. However, we will explore our own internal and external relationships and opportunities (competitive, commercial, etc.) with organisations, donors, advertisers, other Federations, baseball groups, etc. As a professionally run organisation the BBF under my guidance, we will lead, not follow. • Clubs: As president, I have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the rights and best interest of our member clubs. I plan on facilitating plan on how to best support our clubs which are under stress as well as increase baseball growth. For example, regarding the Structural Review proposal (for us to merge with BSUK and BSF). I will not support any proposal to merge that does protect or enhance our member club’s rights or veto power as it exists today in our tri-party agreement with BSUK and the BSF. I have volunteered to lend my time to the talks for merging all three (continued...)

organisations. I know I have the most skill and experience in negotiating the rights of my client or company in mergers (and in this case the BBF). Thus I welcome the opportunity to represent the interests of our member clubs during the negotiations of the Structural Review and report to our membership at our AGM or EGM, for members to make an informed decision. • Culture: I will devote time to creating a culture of professional values (integrity), behaviours and attitudes by carefully overseeing the actions, development and code of conduct of my fellow board members, volunteers, members and participants. • Expansion: One of my objectives is to expand our Federation by attracting participants, leagues or teams not affiliated with the BBF. • GB Baseball: I will reinforce the promotion of the GB Way (player development etc.) for our skilled players. GB Baseball is a part the BBF. I will be supportive of its success, and its assets, finances, alignment and governance will continue to be centralised under the BBF. I expect a National Team Committee (as required by our constitution) to be formed by the 31st December 2016. • Facilities: I plan on supporting any club which will commit to building and/or redevelop their facilities. Plus, I will lend my support for a national facility to be constructed in the north. • Financing: Considering we do not receive any funds from Sport England (unlike our development agency BSUK), we will foster a programme of financial independence and efficiency, via private donations, commercial opportunities, etc. • Plan for Activity: I will finalise my strategic plan, set timetables, recruit my first set of volunteers, set KPIs and disclose them on or before the 31st December 2016. • Operationally: I am committed to improving our members (users) experience in registering their teams and players, providing us feedback, and communicate key information sooner to them. • Senior baseball: We need to evaluate the needs of our clubs. Our clubs are in distress, so I propose to freeze the club’s senior team fees for 2017, while we roll out a programme to assist them in developing their teams, competition, youth programme, participants and value. We will realign the competition if necessary to ensure the NBL expands and is made up of the best talent in Great Britain. We will work with clubs to improve the experience of our other divisions and make corrective changes. • Skilled volunteers: I need a variety of qualified volunteers to make my vision a success. I will be securing volunteers who will have clear terms of reference. I am seeking volunteers who we can champion their knowledge, demonstrate flexible capacity, lack biases, and demonstrate a willingness to be engaged in the commitment to deliver results, within a certain time. • Youth baseball: I proposed to enhance opportunities for our youth teams (we will seek new competitive opportunities/tournaments for teams to play in locally and abroad, we will increase the possibilities for all of our players, not just the top players). Youth and senior baseball needs are not the same. They each require careful consideration and remedies. I plan on addressing their needs separately as one model does not fit all. We will provide support and tolerance to any club trying to develop youth programmes as our future depends on it.

Our Federation and sport are in a period of distress. I plan if elected to implement constructive disruptive change (focusing on the future, near and far), productive activity, governance, obtainable KPIs, acceptable behaviour from its volunteers or members, leadership, and for skilled volunteers to make the BBF, great again.

We need funds to make my vision work. I propose to raise money to execute my vision for the BBF becoming self-sustaining, e.g., of prosperity, growth and financially self-sufficient NGB. I will start with my pledge to raise funds, e.g., £10,000 in 2017. If not, I will be accountable personally for any shortfall (my commitment is legally binding). I seek your support for the presidency of the British Baseball Federation (BBF).

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: Secretary No. 3 Candidate: Lisa Janson Nominated: Hull Scorpions and Daws Hill Spitfires.

I, Lisa Janson, wish to re-apply for the position of Secretary on the BBF Board.

In the last 12 months I have sat on the board in two co-opted roles as special projects consultant and also as secretary. In the short time I have been working with the board I feel I have been able to bring both important skills and perspective to the board as well as providing important diversity to the board mix.

In the next 12 months I would like to be able to continue with the secretary role in order to provide more rigorous organisation and governance to the BBF to help make us a more effective body. A key part of the role will be to develop a strategy around marketing and communications to ensure that our clubs get the exposure nationally and in their local area.

In my career I project manage organisational design and culture change which, in the coming months, will be important skills to have on the board whether the structural review goes ahead or not.

The BBF secretary roles and responsibilities are significant and a key area of the role includes collaboration and communication with many of our stakeholders and partners (such as our membership, BSUK, BSF, CEB etc.). Over the coming months it will be important for me to be able to commit the time and utilise appropriate skills in these areas to ensure that the BBF is effective in its dealings with these and other organisations.

There are many improvements that need to be made both organisationally and culturally to increase the impact that the BBF has on development of baseball. Based on the journey so far on the BBF Board, I feel I have proven that my skill set and approach to matters will be important ingredients in our success.

In 2016 the BBF Board asked me to take up one of the three BSUK Board positions allocated to the BBF. In the short time that I have undertaken the role I believe I have begun to make an active contribution in driving the effectiveness of the BSUK board and have a clear view of the work that needs to be done.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: Treasurer No. 4 Candidate: Amanda Kettle Nominated: Brighton and LondonSports.

Amanda Kettle (FCCA)

I am a qualified accountant with +20 years’ experience in business, practice and commercial finance. Since returning to full time work some eight years ago, the majority of my focus has been as the lead finance role within small/medium sized sales focused businesses. I would consider myself to have a pragmatic and people orientated view of finance recognizing that the style of delivery is as important as the information provided in getting the message across, and that my role is as much about facilitating good decisions by the management team as it is about counting the pennies.

Working in a SME environment has meant I have remained very hands on, including transaction processing, compliance & internal controls, preparation of statutory and management accounts, ensuring all financial deadlines are met. I am used to dealing with volumes of payments and receipts, and have experience of processing both domestic and international payments with all of the main UK High Street Banks.

Based in Horsham, West Sussex I was introduced to baseball in 2008 when my children all started playing for fun at HJBC. Although my daughter retired from the game at 16, eight years later both my sons are still playing with an undiminished passion for all things baseball. As a family we have made the journey through British baseball from complete beginners, through Academy & HPA to the full GB program and adult leagues, and it has been a positive experience for all.

In terms of directly relevant experience I was the treasurer of Horsham Junior Baseball Club for 4 years, which in its heyday had +200 playing members. As well as balancing the books and ensuring the bills were paid on time, I guided the Chairman on in year and strategic spending, applied for specific grants and managed the membership and subscriptions.

At the end of my term I left HJBC with a considerably larger bank balance than I inherited, without any impact on player experience.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: Officials Commissioner No. 5 Candidate: Chris Deacon Nominated: Daws Hills Spitfires and Hull Scorpions.

I have been in involved in British baseball for 8 years, the last 2 years of which I have been the Officials Commissioner Being a keen sportsman throughout my life, I played competitive hockey at school and in the Royal Navy and have played a number of other generic bat and ball sports to varying degrees of success – in particular golf. I am also an avid rugby union follower and have always been keen to understand the laws of the games I either participate in or watch. Many of you already know that I am the chairman of the Daws Hill Spitfires and on the board at LYBL, the league in which my son plays.

I am standing again to continue the work I started 2 years ago around officials development. There was no incumbent commissioner and as a consequence, it was a steep learning curve, not only around the officials side but about also British baseball and the organisations themselves associated with our sport. However, it has been rewarding and challenging, and resulted in me representing the BBF at this year’s CEB congress and on the structural review group looking at the options for the BBF to merge with BSUK and BSF. Outside of baseball, I represent the BBF at Sports Officials UK, the leading officials’ representative body in the UK which provides the BBF with invaluable knowledge around officials development. This has led to meeting key contacts in other sports and sporting bodies, where the BBF can learn about others experiences and challenges, and importantly, provide a recruitment ground for new umpires & scorers into our sport.

With regard to umpire development, a new development pathway for umpires is drafted along with plans to launch an umpire assessors’ programme in early 2017 and recruit new umpires & scorers for the coming seasons.

The next 2 years will see some significant changes in and to the profile of our sport, with a new approach to the whole sport plan funding cycle, the run up to the 2020 Olympics, and should it happen, some regular season MLB games coming to London. Therefore, I would not only very much welcome the opportunity to continue the work I have started around officials’ development and see it through to completion, but also to continue to build on helping to promote and lead our sport domestically and internationally which I believe I am well equipped to do.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: Southern Senior Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner No. 6 Candidate: Ben Davis Nominated: Southampton Mustangs and Daws Hill Spitfires

No nomination statement submitted by the candidate.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Position: Southern Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner No. 7 Candidate: Mike Holm Nominated: LYBL and LondonSports.

Background: Mr Holm is the current league president for LYBL. He has been involved with LYBL for the last five years. He has served in the following positions over this time: coach, commissioner, welfare officer and president. LYBL offers youth baseball leagues for kids aged 4 to 16 years old. Mr Holm also runs the only youth American Football club in the UK and assists in the administration of the largest youth basketball league in the UK. Mr Holm has 20+ years’ experience in the financial industry and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Mandate: I pledge to work with the BBF and BSUK boards to grow youth participation in baseball. I believe we must start with kids aged 4-7 years old and work upwards. The best way to achieve this is to reach out to the schools in the areas of our existing clubs and expand outward as we realize the results. I will also assist with the organization of a southern youth league where all the clubs will be able to play competitive games for an official 2017 season. I will assist and advise any club that needs help with respect to setting up, running or maintaining a youth program.

Thanks Michael Holm

CLUB MOTIONS

SUP

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Richmond Baseball Club Number of motions submitted: 3

1. Limiting Single, A games to 5 runs per inning for the first 5 innings

Adding a 5 run inning limit to Single A games. A teams at bat would end after five runs scored in the first five innings. The final play ends when the 5th run scores with the exception of an over the fence HR or ground rule double in which case all resultant runs count. The 15 run mercy rule is eliminated, but the 10 run mercy rule after 7 innings still applies.

Benefits: Allows single A teams to experiment with new pitchers and player positions without having a devastating impact to the game and will shorten the overall game time. Long innings are common in Single A and can de-motivate teams and players resulting in reduced competitiveness, players abandoning the game and eventually more forfeits as teams struggle to get nine for game day.

2. Single A teams are allowed 3 player re-entries per game.

Single A teams can re-enter up to three players per game. However, a player can only be re-entered at the start of an inning and cannot replace someone who has not had at least one plate appearance. A player can only renter a game once and cannot pitch after re-entry unless the game goes beyond nine innings. If a game goes into extra innings each team gets one additional re-entry.

Benefits: Gives managers more flexibility to play more players but keeps the game competitive.

3. Player movement limitations apply when a club has two teams in the same league.

Structured the same as the playing down rules on pages 28-29 of the 2010 BBF Handbook, the key points are:

• Players are deemed rostered to the first team for whom they play 6 or more games. • Up to a combined total of three players may “play across” or “play down” at any one time. • Players are considered a “team pitcher” once they pitch 14 innings for a team. “Team pitchers” may not pitch for another team. • Failure to notify the opposing scorer and manager and the umpire of players “playing across” may result in the game being forfeited.

Benefit: Closes loophole in handbook.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Northants Baseball Club Number of motions submitted: 1

4. Northants baseball club would like to motion that the midlands single A have the ruling put in place for a timed 7 inning game 2 hours and a double header on the day.

The first that happens 2-hour limit or 7 innings. This will allow the people who are trying to develop still have enough of a taste of the game to play. We feel over the last 2 years of being moved from league to league this has been the best set-up for developing clubs as going back to 9 inning games has seen the time go up and week in week out commitment to numbers lower.

This would be across 7 Sunday’s or Saturday’s rather than 14 straight weekends which proved difficult to manage as a club.

The club feels that this is the right move for developing clubs players and fits well with the standard of lower level baseball in this country. Even this year because of rain delays and unforeseen field issues throughout the league we had to re-arrange fixtures and then have double headers in this fashion.

Thank you Paul Rance President Northants Baseball.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Leicester Blue Sox and Long Eaton Storm Number of motions submitted: 1

5. BBF to recognise joint-venture teams (inclusive of player movement rules) to help expand number of baseball teams in BBF leagues:

Currently Leicester and Long Eaton each have one adult team playing in the BBF Central Double-A division. Both clubs have a number of beginners within their ranks but not enough players to field separate 'second teams'.

Our proposal is for the BBF to recognise a new 'joint-venture' team, comprising beginners from both the Blue Sox and Storm organisations. Each club has about 5-6 beginners each, so a joint-venture team will help offer these players an opportunity to play in the BBF league (probably at Single-A).

This joint-venture team will have a separate identity from the Blue Sox and Storm parent organisations. A team moniker is yet to be decided but we expect the team will be titled East Midlands ("moniker"). Resources will essentially be pooled, ie each club will charge their separate membership fees to their individual members, and then share costs for uniform, BBF team registration fees, umpires etc.

The main issue we can foresee with this proposal is the playing up and down rules. Along with a joint- venture team being accepted into the leagues, we would also ask that playing up/down rules can apply to each parent organisation. Whilst this does technically increase the pool of players that can be pull down from the next level up, it does actually help ensure the new team has sufficient players every week.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Kent Mariners Baseball Club Number of motions submitted: 2

6. BBF change tie-breaker: if all other methods have not resolved tie, the teams' average run differential (in non-forfeited games) to be used to break a tie. 7. All teams to play same number of games: all teams in the same league should play the same number of games, in 2016 some teams played 12, and others played 15. In fairness to all teams (as they pay the same membership fees) everyone should play the same number of games. This is also to ensure fairness across the league.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Long Eaton Storm Baseball Club Number of motions submitted: 1

8. The BBF should not allow players to transfer to another organisation once they have fulfilled 50% of the leaving club's regular season schedule

A number of Long Eaton players have been approached by other BBF clubs to transfer to their organisation in the later stages of this season (with the incentive of joining a team that is in playoff contention). We accept this isn't a professional league and we cannot avoid players being poached but we believe a fairer approach would be to legislate that a player cannot leave their club if they have already completed 50% of their regular season schedule (rounded-up).

For example, in a 25 game regular season schedule, if a player has appeared in 13 regular season games then that player is locked to that organisation for the remainder of the season.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: South London Pirates Number of motions submitted: 1

9. Do not hold BBF fixtures on the same weekend as the London Tournament.

I (David Ward) believe the London Tournament has helped the baseball community in the UK but it’s existence is under threat and I would like your support to secure it’s future.

The first London Tournament was first held in 1995 and 8 teams attended from UK based teams At its peak in 2004-6, 18 teams entered the London Tournament

Since the early day’s there have been additional teams compete from different countries other than the BBF leagues, teams from Holland, America, Ireland, Norway and Portugal ……. Have all participated in the tournament.

Below are some of the ways I believe the London Tournament benefits the Baseball community in the UK:

• It allows the baseball community in the UK to gather in one place for a weekend of baseball, where players from lower divisions have the opportunity to play against and with players from the premier division and in the past GB junior teams have played in the tournament as part of their development • It gives players new to the UK an opportunity to play baseball and find a team to join. • It provides the opportunity for new/inexperienced umpires to gain experience in a structured and relaxed environment. • It provides a date for retired players to meet on an annual basis to reminisce, maybe play a few games, but also pass on their experiences to current players and umpires. • It is a showcase event that can help advertise and promote the growth of all UK baseball • From 1996 to 2013 the BBF assisted the London Tournament by not scheduling games for teams in NBL, AAA, AA and A divisions, which allowed players and umpires to be able to attend the tournament.

In the last 3 years the BBF have scheduled games on the weekend of the London Tournament, which not only stops players and umpires from attending the tournament but also had the impact of reducing the quality of the baseball played, attracting teams from abroad, reducing the number of ex-players and fans attending.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) MEMBER CLUB MOTION STATEMENTS

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Club member: Daws Hill Spitfires Number of motions submitted: 4 (sub sections within each point).

10. Membership

After 4.2.2: and if active, 4.2.3 etc to 4.2.5 University Association (rather than BUBA as it is too specific) 4.3 An Affiliated Club shall be formed of one or many baseball teams, either senior, youth or both, and such teams may or may not apply to be entered into BBF leagues as each Affiliated Club sees fit subject to approval by the Board or appointed committee.

11. BBF Board

5.3.6 Change title to: Officials and Technical Commissioner Remove 5.3.12 and 5.3.13 Remove the following form 5.4: The Officials at 5.3.12 and 5.3.13 shall be collectively termed “Assistants” and shall be co-opted by the Board on the recommendation of the Youth Commissioners at 5.3.9 and 5.3.11. Add the following to 5.7: The regions will be defined each year by the Board taking into account the numbers and location of Affiliated clubs. Replace the entire section 5.14 with the following: 5.14 The election of Officials shall take place at the next AGM when either the term of an Official has come to an end or if a position is vacant. Remove 5.17 5.21 Amend to read as follows: The Board shall hold a Board Meeting at least four (4) times a year, two of which must be held quorate in person with other current Officials able to attend by toher means as described in 5.25. The Board shall ensure that accurate minutes are kept and are published on the official BBF website in a timely manner once approved by the Board

12. General Meetings 6.14 Amend to read as follows: Each Voting Member shall have one (1) vote except Affiliated Clubs that shall have an additional vote for each additional registered league team other than its first team that has paid the appropriate league or affiliated age group fee as determined from time to time.

13. Finance 9.6 Replace with the following: Bank Accounts shall be held with UK banks and only in the name of “British Baseball Federation”. The Board shall nominate up to four (4) authorised signatories on Bank Accounts, two of which must be Officers. Bank Account transactions shall require at least two (2) signatories’ approval, one of which must be an Officer. The opening and/or closing of Bank Accounts shall require two (2) signatories’ approval after recommendation and minuted by the Finance Committee. Amend 9.9 to read as follows: Monthly bank statements (or at a lesser frequency as issued by a bank for any Bank Account) for each Bank Account shall be made available or issued to all signatories via an appropriate medium. Amend 9.10 to read: The Treasurer shall promptly notify the bank of changes to authorised signatories.

FINANCIALS

SUP 2015-16 accounts

The BBF result for the year ending 30 September 2016 is a surplus of £2,290. See below for a comparison of actuals against budget:

CATEGORY Budget Result Variance Full Year Full Year INCOME Affiliated club fees - Senior teams £ 21,623 £ 21,677 £ 54 Affiliated club fees - Youth teams £ 4,350 £ 3,605 -£ 745 Little League Charter fees £ - BBF service fees £ 400 £ 600 £ 200 Insurance (civil liability) £ 5,456 £ 6,026 £ 570 Insurance (personal accident) £ 2,326 £ 2,657 £ 331 Commercial income £ 5,900 £ 2,267 -£ 3,633 Other income £ 200 £ 429 £ 229

TOTAL INCOME £ 40,255 £ 37,261 -£ 2,994

EXPENDITURE

League Operations Insurance: civil liability £ 5,456 £ 5,609 -£ 153 Insurance: personal accident £ 2,326 £ 2,666 -£ 340 Grants / rebates to new clubs £ 150 £ - £ 150 Little League affiliation £ 700 £ 570 £ 130 Tournaments and events £ 6,500 £ 2,858 £ 3,642 Umpire development £ 2,000 £ 1,216 £ 784 Coaching development £ 2,500 £ 1,500 £ 1,000 League reporter £ 300 £ 300 £ -

Championships Senior NBCs £ 3,500 £ 3,393 £ 107 Youth NBCs £ 3,000 £ 3,543 -£ 543

Communication & Promotion Website costs £ 1,350 £ 1,348 £ 2

National Programme National teams costs £ 3,400 £ 4,353 -£ 953

International Representation International affiliations : CEB £ 300 £ 262 £ 38 International affiliations : IBAF £ 125 £ 145 -£ 20 International conferences and meetings £ 1,500 £ 1,405 £ 95

General Administrative Costs Bank charges £ 180 £ 108 £ 73 AGMs/league/board meetings £ 2,000 £ 2,229 -£ 229 BSUK service charge £ 3,000 £ 3,000 £ - Marketing costs £ - £ 629 -£ 629 Bad and doubtful debts £ 500 -£ 453 £ 953 Transition to limited company £ 300 £ - £ 300

Other Costs Contingency for other expenses £ 500 £ 291 £ 209

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £ 39,587 £ 34,971 £ 4,616

EXCESS / (DEFICIT) £ 668 £ 2,290 £ 1,622

FINANCIAL MATTERS

1. 2015-16 Financial Statements

See separate document

2. 2016-17 Proposed Budget

CATEGORY Budget Full Year INCOME Affiliated club fees - Senior teams £ 22,020 Affiliated club fees - Youth teams £ 2,750 Little League Charter fees £ 855 BBF service fees £ 600 Insurance (civil liability) £ 6,118 Insurance (personal accident) £ 2,764 Commercial income £ 2,000 Other income £ 200

TOTAL INCOME £ 37,307

EXPENDITURE

League Operations Insurance: civil liability £ 6,118 Insurance: personal accident £ 2,764 Grants / rebates to new clubs £ - Little League affiliation £ 570 Tournaments and events £ 1,500 Umpire development £ 3,500 Coaching development £ 2,500 League reporter £ 300

Championships Senior NBCs £ 3,500 Youth NBCs £ 3,500

Communication & Promotion Website costs £ 1,575

National Programme National teams costs £ 3,400

International Representation International affiliations : CEB £ 300 International affiliations : IBAF £ 150 International conferences and meetings £ 2,500

General Administrative Costs Bank charges £ 120 AGMs/league/board meetings £ 2,550 BSUK service charge £ 3,000 Marketing costs £ 1,500 Bad and doubtful debts £ 518 Strucural review £ 2,500

Other Costs Contingency for other expenses £ 500

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £ 42,865

EXCESS / (DEFICIT) -£ 5,558 3. 2017 Fees Proposal

The total fee per club shall be calculated by reference to the total number of teams it wishes to affiliate to the BBF. The 2016 fees are shown in brackets.

Senior teams

Number of Senior teams Fee per Senior team 1 £400 (£393) 2 £320 (£316) 3 £320 (£316) 4 £320 (£316) 5 £320 (£316) 6+ £320 (£316) Table 1

The BBF board proposes to retain a flat affiliation fee for all teams subsequent to a club’s first team. This fee structure was introduced for the 2016 season.

A £100 supplement payable by all NBL teams (2016: £100) is proposed.

Youth teams

The board proposes to break down Youth fees into two elements.

1. Little League Charter Fee

All teams wishing to be eligible for Little League competition will be subject to a £15 fee. This covers the costs charged by Little League to the BBF plus a contribution to administration costs incurred in reporting to Little League.

2. BBF Affiliation Fee

The proposed fees are as follows:

Under 11 (Minors) £75 per team Under 13 (Majors) £100 per team Under 14/15 (Intermediate/Juniors) £125 per team Under 17/19 (Seniors/Big League) £150 per team

Affiliation fees must be paid by all programmes who have teams in those age groups, with the intention of participating in UKLL tournaments and/or YNBCs/preceding qualifiers. There is a single fee per age group, regardless of the number of teams entering that age group.

Personal accident insurance premium

At the time of writing it is estimated that each registered team in a club will pay a flat premium of £22 (2016: £21). This is calculated on an average 18 participants (players, coaches, umpires, scorers, etc.) per team. Civil liability insurance premium

At the time of writing it is estimated that each affiliated club will pay a flat premium of £133 (2016: £131). This is a pass-through cost. The BBF charges exactly what it has paid the insurance broker.

Payment of affiliation fees and insurances

30 April 2017 is the deadline for all affiliation fees and insurance premiums to be paid. An additional £100 penalty will apply if any sums remain outstanding following this date.

31 May 2017 is the deadline for all affiliation fees and insurance premiums to be paid, including the £100 penalty. Clubs will be suspended from BBF leagues and competitions if any sums remain outstanding following this date.

Removal of the suspension will require both payment of all fees and agreement of the BBF board to the removal. League games missed as a result of suspension will be recorded as forfeits against the club.

Arrangements may be made with the BBF Treasurer for settlement of fees; such arrangement to be agreed no later than 30 April 2017. Such arrangements will avoid penalty fees or suspension if the terms of the arrangement are subsequently met by the club.

F1 – Appointment of auditors

To accept the board’s recommendation to not have an external audit performed on the 2015- 16 financial statements.

F2 – 2016-17 Budget

To adopt the 2016-17 budget in table above.

F3 – 2017 Fees Proposal

To adopt the fee structure in Table 1 (above), including the proposal to charge an NBL supplement of £100.

F4 – Insurance provided to unaffiliated clubs

To charge a £100 administration fee to unaffiliated clubs which source insurance cover, website coverage and related services via the BBF.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

(AN UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATION)

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Contents

BBF Board report 1 Statement of profit and loss 3 Statement of financial position 4 Financial statements of the Great Britain Baseball programmes 5 Notes to the financial statements 13

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

The British Baseball Federation is the National Governing Body for the sport of baseball in Great Britain. It is an unincorporated body comprising affiliated clubs and their members (players, officials, etc.). The four Great Britain national team programmes also fall under the organisation of the BBF. A General Manager is appointed to each of the four programmes.

Officers of the Board:

President: Vacant Secretary: Vacant Treasurer: Daniel LALLY

Elected Board Officials:

Matthew CRAWSHAW – resigned March 2016 Marty CULLEN – resigned November 2015 Ben DAVIS Liam CARROLL – appointed November 2015 Chris DEACON Earl DIX – resigned July 2016 John EATON – appointed November 2015 Erick HENSON – appointed November 2015; resigned July 2016 Daniel LALLY Kevin MACADAM – appointed November 2015 Gavin MARSHALL – appointed November 2015; resigned January 2016 Gerald PEREZ Rob RANCE – resigned November 2015

Co-opted Board Officials – the following were co-opted to the board during the period following 30 September 2015:

Lisa JANSON – co-opted May 2016

1

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

We, the Board of the British Baseball Federation, are of the opinion that during the year to 30 September 2016:

 Proper financial records were maintained, and financial statements prepared in accordance with the organisation's constitution.

 A system of internal control appropriate to the size of the organisation was operated.

 An effective system of corporate governance was in operation.

 Value for money was sought in the expenditure of funds.

 Assets were properly safeguarded.

These financial statements were approved by the Annual General Meeting of the British Baseball Federation on 26 November 2016.

On behalf of the Board

……………………………………………..

2

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Notes Year Year ending 30 ending 30 September September 2016 2015 £ £ Income

Affiliated club fees 1 25,282 24,410 Affiliated club insurance premiums 1 8,683 7,640 Ball deal income 2,267 1,954 Other income 1,029 1,583

Total income 37,261 35,587

Expenditure League Operations Insurance: Civil liability and personal accident 2, 3 8,275 7,704 Umpire development 1,217 769 Coaches development 1,500 - Grants to clubs 4 - 150 Little League affiliation 570 60 League reporting 300 300 Championships Senior NBC costs 5 3,393 3,415 Youth NBC costs 6 3,543 2,780 Other tournaments and events 7 2,858 2,210 Communications & Promotion Website costs 1,348 1,291 National teams 4,353 3,343 International Representation International affiliations 406 409 International meetings 8 1,405 454 General Administrative Costs Marketing expenses 629 380 Bank charges 108 150 AGM/EGM/League meetings 9 1,642 1,556 BSUK service charges 3,000 3,000 Other board meeting costs 586 154 Movement in provision for bad & doubtful debts (club (650) (426) fees) Bad debt write-off 10 197 440 Other costs 291 (46)

Total expenditure 34,971 28,093

Net surplus / (deficit) 2,290 7,494

3

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Notes 30 Sep 30 Sep 2016 2015 £ £

CURRENT ASSETS Affiliated club debtors 11 572 1,222 less: Provision for bad & doubtful debts (572) (1,222) Net club debtors - - Stock 3,055 3,055 Other debtors and accrued income 12 4,816 2,454 Prepayments 920 2,420 Cash at bank 15,236 19,223 24,027 27,152 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors 13 (1,018) (6,772) Accruals 14 (2,000) (1,661)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 21,009 18,719

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 21,009 18,719

REPRESENTED BY: Accumulated funds 15 21,009 18,719

The notes on pages 13 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

These financial statements were approved by the members of the British Baseball Federation on 26 November 2016 and were signed on their behalf by:

D. Lally

4

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN CADETS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Year Year ending 30 ending 30 September September 2016 2015 £ £ Income

Player contributions 11,193 13,322 Other income 255 18

Total income 11,448 13,340

Expenditure Playing equipment - - Uniform 329 462 Tournament expenses Entry fees - 279 Travel and accommodation 11,094 11,247 Other tournament expenses - 1,330 Other costs 25 22

Total expenditure 11,448 13,340

Net surplus / (deficit) - -

5

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN CADETS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

30 Sep 30 Sep 2016 2015 £ £

CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 8 556 Other debtors and accrued income 792 - 800 556 CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals and deferred income (800) (556)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

REPRESENTED BY: Accumulated funds - -

6

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN JUNIORS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Year Year ending 30 ending 30 September September 2016 2015 £ £ Income

Player contributions 21,300 13,735 Donations 2,831 - Other income - 1,689

Total income 24,131 15,424

Expenditure Uniforms 2,195 9,678 Tournament expenses Entry fees - 279 Travel and accommodation 21,709 4,205 Other tournament expenses 146 1,225 Other costs 81 37

Total expenditure 24,131 15,424

Net surplus / (deficit) - -

7

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN JUNIORS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

30 Sep 30 Sep 2016 2015 £ £

CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 1,309 1,504

CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors (540) (540) Accruals and deferred income (769) (964)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

REPRESENTED BY: Accumulated funds - -

8

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN LIONS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Year Year ending 30 ending 30 September September 2016 2015 £ £ Income

Player contributions (133) 6,205 Other income 211 568

Total income 78 6,773

Expenditure Uniforms - - Tournament expenses Entry fees - - Travel and accommodation - 6,515 Other tournament expenses - - Other travel costs - - Training costs - 240 Other costs 78 18

Total expenditure (78) (6,773)

Net surplus / (deficit) - -

9

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN LIONS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

30 Sep 30 Sep 2016 2015 £ £

CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 1,613 2,448

CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals and deferred income (1,613) (2,448)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) - -

REPRESENTED BY: Accumulated funds - -

10

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN SENIORS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Year Year ending 30 ending 30 September September 2016 2015 £ £ Income

Player contributions 6,245 585 BBF contribution - 1,500 Clothing sales 579 - Donations 5,780 - Other income 250 1,980

Total income 12,854 4,065

Expenditure Uniforms - - Playing equipment - - Tournament expenses Entry fees - - Travel and accommodation 11,587 - Other tournament expenses 398 - Training costs - 268 Other costs 869 138

Total expenditure 12,854 406

Net surplus / (deficit) - 3,659

11

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

GREAT BRITAIN SENIORS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

30 Sep 30 Sep 2016 2015 £ £

CURRENT ASSETS Stock 3,422 3,422 Debtors and accrued income - - Cash at bank 3,291 185 6,713 3,607 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors (3,453) (3,055) Accruals and deferred income (2,708)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 552 552

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 552 552

REPRESENTED BY: Accumulated funds 552 (3,107)

12

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Affiliated club fees

2016 2015 £ £ Affiliated club fees 25,282 24,410 BBF service charges for unaffiliated clubs 600 400 Affiliated club insurance premiums 8,683 7,640 less: Grants to new clubs - (150) less: Total fees & insurance premiums received (34,368) (32,300)

Shortfall in current year fees 197 -

Represented by: Birmingham Baseball Club - - Edinburgh Little League - - Southern Nationals - - Other (over)/underpayments (net) 197 -

Total 197 -

2. Insurance : Civil liability

The BBF entered into an insurance contract for 43 clubs at £130 per club.

3. Insurance : Personal accident

The BBF entered into an insurance contract for 2,308 participants at £1.15 per participant.

4. Grants to teams

2016 2015 £ £ Long Eaton Storm - 150

- 150

13

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

5. Senior NBC costs

2016 2015 £ £ Umpires’ fees 1,341 1,020 Trophies and awards 330 347 Facilities costs 1,040 720 Equipment costs 197 642 Other costs 381 1,109 Prior year costs 104 (423)

3,393 3,415

6. Youth NBC costs

2016 2015 £ £ Umpires’ fees 689 474 Trophies and awards 224 173 Facilities costs 1,956 684 Equipment costs 204 321 Other costs 395 570 Prior year costs 75 558

3,543 2,780

7. Other tournaments and events

2016 2015 £ £ GBASS - 1,678 Other BBF tournaments 2,858 532

2,858 2,210

14

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

8. International meetings

2016 2015 £ £ CEB congress 1,405 454

1,405 454

9. AGM/EGM/League meetings

2016 2015 £ £ AGM 1,642 1,556

1,642 1,556

10. Bad debt write-off

2016 2015 £ £ Affiliated club fines - 440 Net small debts and overpayments 197 -

197 440

11. Affiliated club debtors

2016 2015 £ £ Birmingham Baseball Club 572 1,222

572 1,222

15

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

12. Other debtors

2016 2015 £ £ Ransomes Sporting Goods 4,221 1,954 GB Baseball 500 500 Other 95 -

4,816 2,454

13. Creditors

2016 2015 £ £ BSUK - 3,893 Other creditors 1,005 2,866 BBF board members 13 13

1,018 6,772

14. Accruals

2016 2015 £ £ Senior NBC costs 444 - Youth NBC costs 748 - Other tournaments and events - 149 Umpire development 221 234 AGM expenses - 49 National teams - 130 Marketing costs - 380 Little League affiliation 570 620 Other accrued costs 17 99

2,000 1,661

16

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

15. Accumulated Funds

2016 2015 £ £ Opening balance brought forward 18,719 11,225 Surplus / (Deficit) for the year 2,290 7,494

21,009 18,719

17

YEAR END BOARD MEMBER SUPREPORTS BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD (2016) SECRETARY YEAR END REPORT

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Board member: Lisa Jason Title: Secretary

In the last 12 months I have sat on the board in two co-opted roles as special projects consultant and also as secretary.

In the short time I have been working with the board I feel I have been able to bring both important skills to the board as well as providing important diversity to the board mix.

I have provided detailed feedback on the Structural Review, the Whole Sport Plan and BSUK’s Equality and Diversity Report.

I have also been an active BBF board member and in July was nominated to be a Director on the BSUK board.

In the next 12 month I would like to be able to continue with the secretary role in order to provide more rigorous organisation and governance to the BBF to help make us a more effective body.

In my career I project manage organisational design and culture change which, in the coming months, will be important skills to have on the board whether the structural review goes ahead or not.

In the next 12 months, as well as my secretarial duties on the BBF board I hope to continue my role on the BSUK board and to support the overall growth of baseball and softball across the UK by doing so.

There are many improvements that need to be made both organisationally and culturally to increase the impact that the BBF has on development of baseball. I feel my stakeholder management skills will be essential in delivering the right outcomes for the BBF whilst we navigate these improvements.

For 2017 my role will also focus on ensuring that clubs get the relevant support from the necessary agency whether that be BSUK or BBF and that clubs have a clear idea of who is responsible for providing them the necessary help

Based on the journey of the last 12 months and the discussions that take place in the next 12 months, I feel I have proven that my skill set and approach to matters will be important ingredients in our success.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD (2016) DEVELOPMENT YEAR END REPORT

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Board member: Gerry Perez Title: Development Official

In 2016, in my position of Development Official consisted of sitting on the Baseball Softball UK (BSUK) board of directors. For example, I sat in on two committees (Farnham Park and DSC). I was the liaison between the BSUK Board and our own supervisory board. I provided my independent judgement on the Board of BSUK and Committees on such matters as to governance, development etc.

Achievement and efforts

• Governance: I assisted in creating the framework for our BOD to be a better governed organisation. I assisted select BODs to request clarification regarding the development team’s numbers from BSUK. That is, the aforementioned provided the BBF a better way to effectively establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), so we could plan and monitor BSUK development scope for our sport and the BBF (as part of their responsibility under our tri- party agreement). • Finance Committee: I am one of three participants on our BBF Finance Committee which oversees our finances. • Donations: I raised funds or volunteered to be accountable to partially underwrite: Northern Qualifiers, Mix-n-Match competition (youth), CEB Tournament (baseball) senior competition, Skills Competition, YNBCs and etc. • Mix-n-Match competition: I organised a Mix-n-Match competition at Farnham Park at the start of the season, whereby the scope was to offer an open mix play with youths from around the country. That is, any youth player or coach could sign-up to take part (with their own team or not; partial teams accepted). Then we organised games based off age, skill level, and availability. I then mixed and matched players and coaches, so players from different clubs could play with other players from other clubs. The same for coaches (they were mixed and matched to different teams). We had over 70 youth players take part and 11 coaches. New friendships, coaching exchanged ideas and the seed for future co-operation was formed. • Skills Competition: For our youth YNBCs I organised a team’s skills competition (e.g., homerun contest, who could throw the farthest for distance and accuracy and fastest around the bases). The resulting times, per team were tallied and the average best team scores won. There were skills competition for each age group (barring a rainout on one day). Each winning team won £100 discount which goes towards their BBF fees. • NBCs: I with select other board members organised the NBCs. • CEB competition: I agreed to provide support on behalf of the BBF, so the Mets could host the CEB Tournament this year. I further covered all the costs for the baseballs used in competition. • Pony Baseball: At the time of this report, I have discussed Pony Baseball (international) re- integrating Pony Baseball competition for 2017 in Great Britain. That is, as part of our fall YNBCs 2017, the winning team and another team can represent Great Britain in CZ in 2018.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD (2016) OFFICIALS YEAR END REPORT

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Board member: Chris Deacon Title: Official

The 2016 season saw increased officials activity from number of clinics and attendees to increased representation of our British umpires in Europe and beyond. Working with clubs, the GB staff, umpires, CEB and Sports Officials UK (SOUK) has significantly increased the knowledge & understanding around development planning and operational needs for our officiating needs. My original goals for officials are partly satisfied and continue as work in progress as we move towards 2017. While we had about 50 attending at clinics at clubs and other events, we still don’t have enough of those trained putting into practice what they have learned by umpiring games. On the positive side, more players have been educated about umpire’s responsibilities & challenges and this feeds through to a better playing experience for all with:

• Improved understanding of umpires’ game management • More detailed knowledge of the rules

Joining SOUK has been invaluable in understanding best practice for officiating and learning from other sports about some of the practical challenges they face, the wide variance between sports about their management & development of officials and most importantly, the evidence to demonstrate why officiating is an important part to the success of a sport. This is being recognised by Sport England and through ongoing engagement following the gap analysis exercise, is helping to shape how Sport England can best support further progress. This year 5 British umpires took part in CEB and Little League tournaments, including the Little League Junior Division World Series in the US. We also assigned umpires to many AAA games and will strive to increase this number for next year. There were two umpires new to NBL and there was a local umpire officiating at the AA Championship weekend in Hull. The work over the last year is culminating in the following:

• Delivery of an officials development pathway supported by an e-learning platform • An assessors’ development programme to enable officials’ performance to be evaluated • Recruitment drive for new officials (umpires and scorers) • Delivery of an online officials’ management solution to which the e-learning platform is linked • Officials clinics in the New Year to train new and experienced umpires • Officials conference

I’m looking forward to 2017 and the opportunities to drive forward the improvement of our officials’ programme. This will be best achieved with the support of our members throughout the year to fine tune the programme and to provide the opportunities for new and experienced officials to enhance their knowledge and experience. I hope to speak to many of you at the AGM in a few weeks’ time and share more of the plans for 2017 then.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD (2016) NORTHERN COMMISSIONERS YEAR END REPORT

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Board member: Kevin Macadam Title: Northern Seniors Commissioner

Playing Season

The Northern Leagues were split into three conferences with the aim to reduce travelling for the teams. This meant a total of 176 games spread out over 14 weeks. The season culminated in playoffs taking place in Hull and Manchester with Hull also hosting the AA Finals. The decision to leave all the rain dates until after the regular season fixtures had been completed helped with the scheduling and I think by and large it was a very successful season for the North as teams were very pleased with the new format.

Club Development

2016 was my first year back on the BBF Board after a break of 13 years. The main reason for wanting to get back involved again at a national level was to help develop the teams in the North as I could see that club development was needed.

When I left in 2003, the BBF had a sponsored National League, a youth development programme in conjunction with MLB in the form of Playball and it was the first few years of a new partnership with Softball in the form of BaseballSoftballUK, a new company formed to develop both sports, increase player numbers and improve facilities.

It is disappointing to find that since those 13 years have passed and over £7.5million invested by Sport England into BSUK, apart from a few isolated cases, there has been little to no tangible progress in facilities, club development, youth structure etc.

At the beginning of the year I set about trying to ascertain the state of play of baseball in the North of England because if you want to know what needs to be done in the way of development then you need to know where you are currently.

I contacted BSUK to find out what work had been done with the teams in the North with a view to reaching out to the teams to discuss their development needs and how we could utilise BSUK’s services to help them grow. Shortly after my contact I received a report from John Boyd detailing the work that had been done in the North and details of the 39 teams that included 3 university teams, 22 youth teams and 14 adult teams.

There are in fact 24 northern baseball teams, 5 university teams, 7 youth teams and 12 adult teams. There were significant inconsistencies in the BSUK report and the factual and subjective information acquired from the clubs themselves.

This led to a protracted dialogue with BSUK on what development work has and is actually being done. The clubs in the North, on the whole, said that there had been minimal to no support and only offer periodically, very little of which has been that useful and therefore not taken up.

For 2017 my role will also focus on ensuring that clubs get the relevant support from the necessary agency whether that be BSUK or BBF and that clubs have a clear idea of who is responsible for providing them the necessary help.

BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION (BBF) SUPERVISORY BOARD (2016) NATIONAL TEAMS YEAR END REPORT

AGM: Saturday, 26th November 2016 at Holiday Inn, Leicester (United Kingdom)

Board member: Liam Carroll Title: National Teams Official

Liam has a GB Baseball report to make public, although he will be making it available in a separate e-mail due to the size of the file.

DISCLAIMER: This AGM pack is incomplete. Due to a restricted times for our AGM, our agenda may change (but not the start or finish times 10:00 to 17:00 remain).

This information, publication, and/or documents within our AGM pack are provided to give general information and are not intended to be advice or reflect the views of the BBF.

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