President Report December 2023

With just one round remaining before Santa visits, I have a few issues to raise for clubs and members to ponder over the Christmas break.

​Out of Area Players

We have always had players from other associations playing in our competition. Over the past 3-4 seasons these numbers have increased significantly and exposed some deficiencies with our rules. To address these deficiencies, I am proposing some additions to the rules for the rules committee to review prior to commencement of the 24-25 season.

• Out-of-area players are to be known as Imports
• Imports are automatically classified as DLRP's
• Imports do not gain "home-grown" status
• All import registrations are to be approved by CSJBA Exec

There will be further detail to flesh out, but I feel with the addition of these 4 points we are close to addressing the current deficiencies. Happy to hear and consider other views.

Grading Profile Document

​This document is used as the basis of team gradings, exemption requests, friendship requests and transfer requests for all age groups from TBall minors through to SL. The accuracy of the information included in this document is critical to assist with decision making for the Executive and Grading Committee. We understand there are often last-minute changes but some of the information we are provided is far from reality and well beyond last minute changes. Making clubs accountable for the accuracy of this document will be a topic for discussion at future meetings.

Spectator Behaviour

It has become apparent that some spectators and coaches in the SL1 & JL1 competitions think it is ok to continually question umpires calls and their ability to control a game. We ask clubs to remind their members that this will not be tolerated, it is a breach of the Code of Conduct. Furthermore, as per Rule 3.11 coaches are held responsible for their spectator behaviour. Coaches can be ejected for poor spectator behaviour.

Playing for Sheep Stations

We still have coaches out there looking to fill their coaching resume with T-Ball and Zooka trophies. This is not acceptable, and clubs need to take some responsibility and coach their coaches. I am not a fan of putting more rules in place to combat super competitive coaches as this only serves to complicate what should be a pretty simple and fun game.

Expanding the non-competitive grades into TBall Majors and Zooka is gaining more and more support. This is not something I would like to see but looking more and more likely.

Enough of the cranky pants good luck, and best wishes to all those involved in baseball tournaments and events over the Christmas period. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very merry and Safe Christmas and look forward to seeing you back around the diamonds in the new year.

Darren Cummings
CSJBA President