Spring 2007 Newsletter

President’s Message

Welcome back to all returning families and players a= nd hello to all new Greece Little League registrants.

Please take a few minutes to review the Newsletter for important information regarding player and league insurance, league philoso= phy, rules, important dates and other miscellaneous tidbits. As always, we welcome any comments, suggestions or assistance you can provide us. Remember we are a volunteer organi= zation – save for a few umpires who receive remuneration.

You should receive a call from your manager in the near future for introduction and to set up practices prior to the season commencing. Practice time is = set by each manager and based on field availability. Game schedules will be handed out = once final permits are secured from the Town and School District. For th= e 2007 season no regular season games will be allowed on Town fields prior to May 15th. Please practice or play= on fields we have authorized permits for, this will minimize conflicts with ot= her organizations and help us obtain future permits from the Town or School. Any use of Town or School fields must be per the rules and regulations given to= our league. Any use of school gym= time must be paid by the team using the facility.

We ask that a= t least one parent be in attendance at all times (this pertains to both games and practices!) in the event= that medical assistance is necessary. We ask that you resolve any conflicts or weather cancellations with your manag= er and through use of www.greecelittt= leleague.org our league website for updates. Under no circumstances can games be played or rescheduled without pr= ior authorization from a league Board member or division commissioner.

Should you have any serious concerns and cannot work t= hem out with the team manager, please call the division commissioner. The next level of contact would be= any league officer or board member. We again will have a Manager Evaluati= on Form available at the end of the season to obtain your valuable comments and feedback on your league experience.

One item that continues to be a topic of discussion is= the request to play on the same team as a friend. A draft is held for minor and high= er divisions with a maximum number of players for a given age. For T-Ball and Rookie divisions we= also look at age balance and cannot guarantee assignment to a given team. Finally our two charters require groupings based on location of residence.&= nbsp; We regret not meeting all requests but league balance is a priority.

We hope the season is enjoyable and rewarding for ever= yone!

Player Accident Insurance

Greece Little League is required by our charter with <= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Williamsport to p= urchase standard player and volunteer accident insurance. The AIG Little League Insurance Pr= ogram is designed to offer a level of protection to all registered participants at the most economical cost to the local league. It can be used to supplement other insurance provided by the parents’ employer. If there is no parents coverage, A= IG Little League Insurance , which is purchased by the league-not the parent, takes over and provides benefit= s (after a $50 deductible per claim bor= ne by you), for all covered treatment costs up to the maximum stated benefits.

The plan makes it possible to offer broad, low-cost = protection with assurance to parents that Williamsport recommended coverage is in force at all times during the season.

Should your child sustain a covered injury while participating in Little League Baseball or Softball, here is how the progra= m works:

1.&n= bsp; = You should file a claim initially under insurance carried by the family, i.e., Blue Choice, Preferred Care or any other health insurance plan available = to you.

2.&n= bsp; = Should your family insurance not fully cover the injury treatment, the Little Leag= ue AIG Insurance Policy will help pay the difference-only after you pay a $50 deductible per claim-up to the maximum stated benefits. This includes any deductibles or exclusions in your own insurance.

3.&n= bsp; = If your child is not covered by any family insurance, the AIG Little League Po= licy becomes primary and will provide benefits for all covered injury treatment costs, after you pay a $50 deductible per claim, up to the maximum benefits= of the policy.

4. Treatment of dental injuries can = extend beyond the normal 52-week period if dental work must be delayed due to physiological changes of a growing child.&= nbsp; Benefits will be paid at time treatment is given, even though it may= be some years later. Maximum ben= efit is $500 for eligible dental treatment after the normal 52-week period (subject to the $50 per claim deductible)

WARNING: Prot= ective Equipment Cannot Prevent all Injuries a Player might receive while participating is Baseball/Softball.

IMPOR= TANT: Notification of a clai= m must be filed with Little League Headquarters within 30 days of the incident. The claim form can be downloaded f= rom our website, please forward the completed information to Gene or Diane Noga= GLL P.O. Box 16133 Rochester, NY 14616.

TEAM PICTURES

Team and individual photos will once again be availa= ble through Delmar/Upstate Portraits. Information on cost, date and location of your picture day will be g= iven to each manager for distribution. The finished pictures will be available for distribution in mid June. Pictures will be taken = at either the complex or Bad= gerow Park in May and in = July for the second season.

WEBSITE INF= ORMATION

Our official league website is www.greecelittleleague.org.= No password is required. Site information includes current = general information, league history, complex information, registration & volunt= eer forms, newsletter, list of league officers and key volunteers. You will also have access to sched= ules, the accident reporting form, sponsor list/links and have e-mail capability = to league officials.

Our back up site is www.eteamz.com/greecell. We will update this site with simi= lar information, for general information you will not need to be a member.

FINANCES

Greece Little League is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit corporation. Our fiscal year-= end audited financial results as of 9/30/06 show the following:

INCOME &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; EXPENSES

Registration/Tournament Fees$112,300 = Uniforms/Equipment/Awards $39,400

Special Events = &nb= sp; 3,400 = Umpires/Tournaments = 32,000

Bingo/Bell Jar = &nb= sp; 67,600 = Bingo/Bell Jar &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = 39,500

Concessions = &nb= sp; 26,800 = Utilities/Concessions/Misc. = 24,900

Sponsors/Advertising Panels 6,600 &= nbsp; Field Construction/Maintenance 27,800

Fundraising/Donations = 36,400 Insurance/Charter/ Fees = 11,600

Interest/Miscellaneous 1,900 = Mortgage Payments = ; = 52,000

TOTAL INCOME &n= bsp; = ; $255,200 = TOTAL EXPENSES = ; $227,200

Our debt obligation stands at $243,000 as of 9/30/06= . Most of the profits we realized we= re placed in our concession/restroom building fund

BINGO

Our monthly mortgage payments are primarily funded from proceeds from weekly BINGO sessions held at BINGO WORLD on Sunday afternoons. Workers are neede= d from 11:45 to 3:30 to volunteer their time in support of our new complex. You can earn a free registration (excepting any fundraiser) by working a nominal number of hours. Please call our BINGO coordinator, Emilio Savina at 957-0039 for further information. BINGO players are also welcome, co= me and check us out; kids 8 years of age or greater are welcome if accompanied by a parent. Thanks to all who hav= e helped out on Sundays.

SPONSORS

Our league sponsors help keep our program affordable a= nd available. Additional sponsor= s, advertising panels/banners are available.&= nbsp; If you know of a potential sponsor (still $100 a team) or banner/pan= el advertiser ($1,150 over 5 years), please let us know and we’ll do the chasing. Please support those that support our league! A list of sponsors is posted o= n our website and at our complex as well as in this newsletter.

GREECE ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT

The annual= Greece Rotary Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 11^th at Ridgemont Country Club (team scramble form0at). A major portion of proceeds will benefit our Challenger Field and Program. If you can play = as a single or foursome, be a hole sponsor ($75/one h= ole; $125 two holes), be a patron underwriter ($500) or have your name on a hole flag ($250), give Gene Noga a call= . Door prizes and raffle items are a= lso greatly needed and appreciated.

CHALLENGER DIVISION

Our program for our special kids who are mentally and physically challenged will be run this year by John Walzer and his daughter Lisa. This is our 15th year of offering the program to youth living west of the Genesee River. The first game will be held on Jun= e 9^th at our complex at 9:30. Addit= ional games are scheduled for June 16, June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21 (with July 28^th as a rain date) at this time. The annual World Series game again= st Fairport will be on June 16th at Frontier Field also at 9:30 AM. We are in need of “Guardian Angels/Buddies” for each event. The experience is wonderful and looks great on a college application. Volunteers must be at least 11 years of age. Contact John Walzer at 227-3804 if= you are willing to help in any way.

GREECE LITTLE LEAGUE/ROCHESTER RED WING NIGHT

This great family event in scheduled for June 16^th at Frontier Field. Join in the fun and march on the f= ield with your teammates! Tickets = will be available at the complex starting June 1^st, so please contact your team manager or team parent. Reserved seats and upper box seats= will be available (with part of the proceeds benefiting our program). All tickets are on a first come-first served basis. We cannot hold any tickets. Let’s have another good show= ing and continue the tradition of staging the largest Littl= e League group at Frontier for the season.

CONCESSIONS

We will again be providing various concession items su= ch as food, drinks, pins, team hats and other items at the complex. Your support of our mini-kitchen is needed and appreciated. Each team will be required to su= pply volunteer workers at least once during the season. Tournament and second season teams= will be also be asked. Profits are= used to maintain the fields (mowing, utilities, fertilizers, waste removal). You will be advised which night you will be required to work. If you cannot make your assignment you will be rescheduled, please call and le= t us know. We will schedule yo= ur team in advance through the team manager or team “mom” on a day= the team will not be playing. The concession stand also houses our first aid supplies including a defibrillator. It is critical= we have the help to keep the stand open during all scheduled games.

Please consider purchasing your team snacks at the concession stand, discounts are available for snacks and drinks.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PARENTAL BEHAVIOR

= 1.      Talk about the kids on both teams in the same manner you would want others to ta= lk about you child.

2.      It’s nice to give the manager a compliment when he or she wins. It’s even nicer to give the manager a compliment when they lose.

3.      Don’t hesitate to give the umpire a compliment as well!

4.      Remind your child that it’s the eff= ort that counts.

5.      Avoid the post-game analysis, instead, savor the fun of having participated and b= eing there to watch your child.

6.      Smile…a lot! Your child’s sports are about having fun!

7.&n= bsp;     If you aren’t a good sport at the games, the kids won’t be eit= her.

8.      Take the time to learn the rules of the game.

9.      If you must make noise at the game, <= /b>shout only praise and encouragement.

10. Abov= e all, be there for your children. Support them, praise them and let = them know you can always be counted on for unconditioned love-regardless of the final score.

GENERAL REMINDERS

v&nb= sp;    All softball players need to purchase white baseball pants.

v&nb= sp;    All baseball players (minors division and up) need to purchase gray or anot= her color pants as agreed by the team that will be worn by all players, mixed colors are not allowed.

v&nb= sp;    Our league does not allow player names on uniforms – up to and including the Major Division.

v&nb= sp;    Greece Little League complex rules are post= ed at the entranceways. We expect everyone to comply. This = includes no pets and smoking is not allowed anywhere on the playing fields.

v&nb= sp;    Pathways to all fields and the parking lots = must be kept clear of vehicles to allow emergency and handicap accessibility

v&nb= sp;    Please pick up any refuse after all games to ensure cleanliness for the next game at all playing fields. There are several containers avail= able to place the items in.

v&nb= sp;    Managers and coaches will be instructed on h= ow to make fields playable after inclement weather, please do not push any standing water out of the base paths, pitching mound or home plate areas. This will only create a deeper hol= e and allow more water to accumulate the next time it rains. Our volunteers do not usually arri= ve at the complex prior to 5:15 so many times decisions on playing conditions can= not be made immediately and you should plan on going to the fields. We ask all managers or coaches to = carry a rake in their vehicle to help prepare fields prior to and after each game= if warranted.

MEMBERSHIP

Become more involved with Greece Little League by be= coming a member! The cost is only $1= and entitles you to vote for the Board of Directors. You can register at the concession= stand at the complex throughout the season.

BIG LEAGUE

Players ages 16-18 can still sign up for the BIG LEA= GUE DIVISION which is a travel league. Contact Frank Padalino at 401-5950 or Diane Noga at 663-7024 for additional information. We wi= ll have at least one and possible 2 teams depending on interest. The season starts in late June and= runs through July with possible doubleheaders played on Saturdays or a 9 inning game.

MANY THANKS=

Our sincerest thanks go out to all those who volunte= er their time and talents to assist in the day-to-day and year-to-year operati= on of our league. We couldn̵= 7;t do it without you!

We’d like to extend a special thanks!<= /b> to the following for their continued support!

Ø      Emi= lio Savina and all of the dedicated BINGO workers who show up regularly to = help raise funds to support our mortgage payment on our complex.

Ø      Gre= ece Rotary for their continued support of our Challenger program

Ø      To = the Board of Directors and other volunteers for their many hours during and off= the season

Ø      To = Adam D’Amico and Nolan Lafler for setting up very successful Eagle Scout projects to assist our Challenger program and dugouts respectively

Ø      To = Bill Guzik DDS for his continued support of our program

Ø      Joe Edmund and Green Acre Farm & Nursery for the field marker and flowe= rs

FUNDRAISING=

GLL usually operates one fundraising project for the season. For 2007 we have again selected World’s Finest Candy. Each registrant will have the opti= on of selling a box to recoup $20 of their cost or donating $20 in addition to the registration fee. Proceeds fr= om the 2007 sale will be placed in a special bank account for the construction/rest room project.

=

COMPLEX IMPROVEMENTS

We do have a limited number of parking spaces availa= ble at the N. Greece Rd. entrance, we ask that these be reserved for the softball field use. Please do not park on Latta Road, if we all park closer together, t= he lot can accommodate all vehicles.

We have als= o been instructed by fire department and Lakeshore Community Church not to use the= ir parking lots. Violators are s= ubject to being towed.

We are moving ahead with construction of a combined restroom, concession and storage building. Our committee and board of direc= tors have approved the architect drawings and final construction plans are being= put together. Once Town approvals= are secured we will extend the sewers to the building, put in a hydrant and gas line and start work on the 2 story structure. Contacts are being made with busin= esses, volunteers and donors for assistance – if you know of anyone that cou= ld help please contact us. More information on the project will be put on our website.

The annual maintenance= day is scheduled for April 14th from 8:30 to 12:00 (rain date is 4/21). We can use your help in gettin= g the fields ready for play, bring a rake and a willingness to work!

ASAP (A SAF= ETY AWARENESS PROGRAM)

Our league first established a formal written safety= program in 1999 and has qualified for accident insurance discounts in each year sin= ce. ASAP is a team effort that involves not only the Board but also all volunte= ers, parents and participants. Our objectives for 2006 include manager and coach first aid training, mandatory= sex offender registry checks, fin= ishing the fence top rail protective covers and various clinics for participants.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Everyone has access to our safety = manual that is located on our website.

We encourage every team to conduct proper warm up dr= ills before each practice and game, we ask that you arrive early so your child c= an stretch and throw to lessen the possibility of injury. The league has a phone at the comp= lex for emergency use and ask each team to have a cellular phone handy at Town = and School fields at all times. We appreciate your cooperation.

One of our continuing objectives is to compile a listing of all EMT/first aid trained parents and those with AED/defibrillator training that will be posted at the complex concession stand in the event a need occurs. Please give us your name, we appre= ciate your willingness to be called on to assist.

The use of = throat guards for all catcher helmets will be strictly enforced again this year and the umpires will be asked to stop the game until the safety issue is correc= ted.

The Little = League website www.littleleague.org has safety related articles, training items and fun items for the kids.

WISH LIST

Please keep us in mind when you hit those garage, es= tate and business auctions and sales. Our needs for the upcoming season include:

¨      Kitchen items for the concession building

¨      Decorative trees or shrubs for the complex
¨      Baseball or party/good time songs on a CD for our sound system

=

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2006-2007 Term

Officers: Gene Noga, Jim Fetzner, Pat Harder, Emilio Savina, Diane Noga.

Directors: Frank Padalino, Todd Whelehan; Rob Bounds, Karl Gielenfeldt, Jim Schreiner, Steve Karol; Scott Murphy; Daryl Wolf; Jamie Augustine; Tony Bell

OTHER KEY VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

Challenger –&nb= sp; John Walzer and Lisa Walzer; Information/Website – Karl Gielenfeldt; Equipment – Steve Karol; Grounds Manager – Rob Bou= nds; Newsletter – Marianne Pastecki; Training – Ken Metzgar & Sam Bentivegna ; BINGO – Emilio Savina; ; Concessions – Diane Noga; Fundraising – TBD; Sponsors – Gene Noga

Additional volunteers are needed as backups in all areas with the hope = of taking on more responsibility in future years.

2006 - 2007 S= PONSORS

Many have supported our program for several years. A list of 2004 & 2005 sponsors follows. Please show your APPRECIATION AND THANKS by patronizing their establishments!

      = Pepsi-Cola Rochester Bottlers       Greece Rotary

TOPS Friendly= Markets    Fetzner Collision    Green Acre Farm & N= ursery

Bank of Ameri= ca     Horizon Homes, Inc.     Cortese Dodge

Rochester Home Builders Association    Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield

HD&K Mold= ing        Greece Festival for Youth    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Hy Tech Mold, Inc.

Upstate Portr= aits of Webster, Inc.   Horizon Homes      Wegman’s

USA Payroll <= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'>        &= nbsp;   Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester   Ocusight

John Agostine= lli, DDS       Rochester Red Wings Baseball

Funtastic Spo= rts/John Valle     Lifet= ime Health    John Sally Agency

Kitchens by Savina   Jacqueline Freit= as Photography

Pettis Pools = and Patio Locker Room Sports     University Sports Medicine

Begin’r= s to Pro’s Pro Shop    = ;     New York State Fence

ESL Federal Credit Union        &= nbsp; Long Pond Pediatrics

Monroe Ambula= nce      Heberle Di= sposal Service Assemblyman Bill Reil= ich

Parkway Pedia= trics & Adolescent Medicine Car= bone’s Pizzeria

Genesee Glass= & Mirror   Apartments   Betlem Residential

Signet Manage= ment        &= nbsp; Wendy’s Restaurants Rocheste= r

Rochester Pre= ss-Radio Club    Bank of Castile   The Mall at Gre= ece Ridge

McDonald̵= 7;s Restaurants     Red Fedele’s Brookhouse Restaurant
English Rd. Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine   Dan Barletta, DDS=

Upstate Cabin= et Co., Inc.     Debora= h Fox, DDS    Green Acre Fr= uit Farm      &nb= sp;

Milano & = Guzik, DDS      F= rozen Ropes of Rochester

Flower City Irrigation        = First Niagara Risk Management, Inc.=

Nothnagle Rea= ltors Greece    Greece Dermatological Associates

The 2007 spon= sor form is available online or at the LL complex

Greece Rotary= Golf Tournament major sponsors (benefiting our Challenger program)

ESL Federal C= redit Union

Pontillo̵= 7;s Pizza

Greece Hyunda= i

Enterprise Re= nt A Car

Senator Joe R= obach

M&T Bank<= o:p>