April 25, 2011

Dear Members of Over Thirty Baseball, Inc.

On behalf of the OTB Board of Directors, welcome to our 20th season on the field!

Congratulations to the 2010 OTB Champion Twins for repeating and defeating a very strong Phillies team in front of a capacity crowd at LeLacheur Park!

Leadership changes:

Serving as Secretary since 2006 Brian Miner was responsible for documenting OTB business, communications, OTB history and archiving and resolving urgent business. Brian was a terrific asset to OTB and exemplified our Philosophy and Creed in both words and deed. Replacing Brian as our Secretary is Cubs Manager Wally Klezkowski.

Serving as Vice President since 2007, Bill Brooks was responsible for rules review, our annual player draft, purchasing, urgent business and more. ’Brooksie’ streamlined our purchasing process (together with Steve Wall and Wally K), improved our draft format, rules review process, created our ’E’ handbook and weekly team reporting...just to name a few of his accomplishments. For his outstanding effort and commitment to OTB, Bill was recognized as our 2010 Dr. John Gianino President’s Award winner.

Serving as Treasurer since 2006, Mike Gilronan was responsible for financial organization, receivables, payables, disbursements, annual budget recommendations and urgent OTB business. Mike streamlined our accounting process, online payment systems and technical committee operations. Replacing Mike as our Treasurer will be Paul Pustorino of the Twins.

Please join me in thanking Brian, Bill and Mike for their contributions to OTB.

Team leadership changes:

Managing the Athletics from 2003 through 2010 OTB veteran Jim Shaughnessy has stepped down and is taking a break from managing and playing this year. Hopefully we will see Jim on our fields again soon. The new manager of the Athletics is Tom Coffey.

Managing the Brewers from 2009 through 2010 Walter ’Chip’ Richards has stepped down as manager. The new manager of the Brewers is our webmaster, former assistant manager of the Brewers and OTB veteran Tony Coppola.

Managing the Giants from 2008 through 2010 OTB veteran Mike Correa has stepped down as manager. The new manager of the Giants is OTB veteran Barry Margolis.

Managing the Phillies from 2008 through 2010 OTB veteran Bill Keefe has stepped down as manager and is taking a break from playing this year as well. Hopefully we will see Bill on our fields again soon. The new manager of the Phillies is OTB veteran and former award winning OTB umpire John Kelley.

Managing a team in OTB is a difficult and demanding job. On behalf of the OTB Board of Directors and Executive Committee I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for their commitment and contributions to OTB.

Rules:

Please read rules posted on our website. Note rule changes below from 2009 (no changes in 2010).

• Defensive players may not block (with or without the ball) and must allow base runners a clear and reasonable path, to the plate or base. As a reminder, offensive players are likewise not allowed to cause a collision with defensive players.
• For three (3) scheduled games this season wood bats only will be allowed to be used. OTB has purchased two (2) bats for each team to help players comply with this new rule.

As a reminder, rule changes occur only once per year (December) however the process includes feedback from the membership during the entire season. This feedback is reviewed and rule change revisions are presented in October to the Board of Directors. Please contact Chris at otbpresident@otbinc.com for more information.

Rainout Policy:

During inclement weather, fields are checked to determine the safe condition of the field well in advance of game time. Notices are posted no later than 6:45 on both the OTB website and the OTB telephone line (978-453-4444). For your convenience you may also choose to receive automated game cancellation messages sent to your cell phone. Please check the website for more information.

Please join me in welcoming our new players in 2011!

Joe Sousa - Orioles
Ken Delaney - Cardinals
James Schorr - Pirates
Justin Spurr - Pirates
Mike Burns - White Sox
Matt Christy - White Sox
Dave Brien - Brewers
John Klimarchuk - Cubs
Jason Messina - Braves
Mike Chateauneuf - Tigers
Robert Fitzpatrick - Tigers
Caleb Perrin - Yankees
Marc Baillargeon - Brewers
Eric Powell - Brewers
Rich Gottesman - Cubs
Chris McDonald - Phillies
Gary Olmsted - Cardinals
Rich Caron - Cardinals
Frank Gainley - Yankees
Dave Lopez - Cardinals

Please welcome back players from previous seasons in OTB:

Mike Fratus - Tigers
John Kelley - Phillies
Ken Machado - Cardinals
Joel Wetherell - Dodgers
Scott Ulrickson - Indians
Rich Shinkle - Cubs

Important Events:

February:	Presentation of UMass Baseball OTB Scholarship at UMass Lowell hockey game
February 24:	Registration deadline for returning OTB players
March 6:	OTB Draft
May 1:	Opening Day
May 8:	Mother’s Day Breast Cancer Awareness
August 28:	Scheduled start of playoffs (no rain games will be made up)
September 5:	Labor Day All Star Game under the lights at Alumni Field
September:	UMass baseball homerun contest fundraiser at LeLacheur Park (TBD)
October 2:	Tentative date for championship game at LeLacheur Park
September/October:	Annual OTB Golf Tournament Fundraiser (TBD)
November:	Season ending banquet
December:	Annual Meeting

Contact info:

Please note contact info on our website for various OTB issues including rules, draft, umpire, website etc.

Chris Augeri
President

Over Thirty Baseball, Inc.