Manager's,  please make a great effort to get these notes to everyone on your team.  I am sure someone on your team has the ability to get everyone's email and get these out, just in case you don't.

 

I have several things for you:

 

Weather  -  We seem to talk about the weather quite often because it is Florida and we get a lot of rain and wind, especially in the summer and fall.  We check the forecast continually starting at least 2 weeks prior to each tournament.  We want every tournament to be played of course but if we feel there is an eminent danger driving to the Sites, playing the games, and driving home, we will not play.  I will mention last January in Vero.  I have had some contact from a couple of our players who felt we missed the boat by not playing because the weekend was nice.  But, I tried to explain that there were downpours throughout the week and the fields were just to dangerous the play on.  Even the Tourism Team there agreed and of course they want us to come and spend our money.  So, once again we want to play but we also worry about travel and your wellbeing.

 

There seems to be a big interest once again by some of our 70's Teams to move up and have a 74+ Division.  If you are interested in joining that division please contact me in an email.  We must have at least 8 Teams to declare in order to solidify that division.  Once again, the FHC Rating Committee will determine if a Team qualifies for that age group or not.  Once we have enough teams to have that division I will meet with them at a tournament and go over our expectations.

 

*** We will begin to check FHC Cards and licenses next month (October) and will check those through March of 2025.  Don't let your Team be surprised.  Check everyone to make sure they have a card.  If they do not have them fill out a form at the next tournament or fill out a Replacement Card Form and send it in to me ASAP. ***

 

Rabbit Runner  -  The Board has determined we need to add to our rule.  Here is the scenario:

There is a runner on 1st base.  The Rabbit Runner is in place.  The hitter hits a one hopper to the Shortstop.  He fields the ball and throws to 2nd and he throws to 1st for a 'double play.'  However, the hitter runs pass the 10' line and the umpire calls him out and puts the Base Runner back on 1st.  That is the old rule.  Going forward if this same scenario occurs the umpire will raise his arm for a 'delayed dead ball' and allows the double play.  The Board feels that the hitter may run past the line on purpose just to keep the double play from occurring. 

 

The FHC Board of Directors has voted to allow the 50's and 65's Teams to play on the same weekend in 2025.  This will allow Players to be a part of 60 and 65 Teams each month.  This is an experiment and does not need Manager approval.  We already polled most of our 65 Teams and the overwhelming majority is in favor of this experiment.

 

X-tra Inning Rules  -  There seems to be some confusion so here is the rundown:

 

Bat Testing  -  This will still be on a random testing policy.  We are determining if we should continue with this type of testing or go to something else like 'bat weighing.'

Stay tuned!

 

If a Team folds then the Players on that Team have the opportunity to go to another Team and receive credit for the tournaments played.  If a Player leaves a Team or they are released they do not have that opportunity.  However, they can appeal to their Area Director to ask the Board for a waiver.  This is done on a case by case evaluation.

 

God bless,

 

Coach Mike Knowles
FHC Chairman