Manager's, here we are on the last day of August hoping for good weather in what we know is the height of the Tropical Storm and Hurricane season.  We certainly have had our share of wet weather enough where we have had to cancel tournaments or go to 'shortened games' in several instances.  I want to mention the 'shortened games' one more time this year leading up to the December State Tournaments.  Our Tournament Committee does that only when there has been a lot of rain leading up to a tournament or there is a great possibility of bad weather coming in early in the afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday.  If we get to a Site and the Maintenance men  say we have too much rain and the fields are unplayable we try to find a way to come back later in the day.  If the fields are already wet and cannot take much more we may go to the shorter game plan before the rains come in later in the day.  There are a myriad of things that happen but understand this, "we do everything we can to help you play ball."  We have a 10 member Board and 9 of us play on a team so we want to play, be it short or regular time.

 

There seems to be some confusion on when you are required to be at the field to play your game.  The By-Laws state that you will be at the game Site 1 hour before your scheduled game in case we must start early based on what I wrote about in the previous paragraph.  This would only happen in a bad weather situation so MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE WEATHER LINE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED AND AGAIN WHEN YOU FIRST WAKE UP.  If you have any questions call your Site Director.

 

We are 'bat testing' again at the Sites.  

 

Make sure you check your Roster on the website before you get to the Site.  If you think you sent in the proper paperwork, maybe you didn't.  So, Player Roster Addition Forms are found on the website and must be sent to our Secretary no later than Monday of a tournament week to make sure he is on the Roster.  You should also check your Rosters after every tournament to make sure that your Players got credit for being at the tournament.  It is your responsibility to make sure your Players are eligible for the December Tournaments.  If you think we made a mistake call Bob within a week after a tournament.  Don't wait until November and expect us to remedy your mistakes.

 

We had a situation recently where a Team just walked off the field in the last inning because they were upset about an umpire's decision.  If you feel an umpire missed a rule interpretation then contact your Site Director and he will get your UIC involved.  Do not come and try to discuss a 'judgement call.'  The Team that walked off the field was fined and suspended.  Do not let that be you please.

 

Make sure you declare your intention to play in any tournament by the deadline.  Make sure you pay the entry fee on time.  Failure to do so will cause a problem like not getting in a tournament or paying an additional fee.

 

Your Roster must be completed by October 1st.

 

If your Team or individual Player started later in the year the formula for playing in the State Tournament can be found in the By-Laws.  If a Team or Player starts in FHC after August they cannot play in December.

 

I am reminded that throughout the year we lose teammates, family members, old and new friends, and so on.  That is one of the most difficult things we deal with as we get older in life.  But, I find that my faith in a greater power helps me get through each and every day of my life.  I pray that you feel the same way.  If you or any member of our FHC family ever needs to talk, tell them to call me.  

 

God bless you all,

 

Coach Mike Knowles
FHC Chairman