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May 17, 2009
The season is almost over and the play-offs are just around the corner. Right now by looking at the standings it appears that all the leagues will have a play-off. The play-offs which will be a best of 3 series between the first half and the second half winner will begin on Monday night June 1st. The games are scheduled for 6:00pm on Monday June 1st and Tuesday June 2nd and if a third game is needed it will be played at 6:00pm on Wednesday June 3rd. We must play on Wednesday just in case we have rain, this way we will have Thursday and Friday open to make up any games we need too. This 2 out of 3 series will also apply to T-Ball. The tournament is currently going on and the winner of Pool A and the winner of Pool B will meet in the best of 3 series beginning on Monday night June 1st. All T-Ball championship games will be played on Rylas Ellis Field so that we can have use of the scoreboard.
Don’t forget about Closing Ceremonies which will be Saturday June 6th at 10:00am on Gibson Field. We will be presenting a lot of trophies to the players so please be in attendance for this event. I also ask that each player wear their uniform.
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April 24th
It is hard to believe that the 2009 season is at the halfway point. The season is really going by fast. I would like to congratulate Jerry Nicholas manager of Civitan for winning the Major League, Paul Tanner manager of LaFont Inn for winning the Minor League, and Hank Torjusen manager of Orion Engineering for winning the Rookie League. There were some very exciting games played during the first half and I am looking for more of the same in the second half. As of Monday night April 27th everyone’s record will be 0-0 as we kick off the second half. So when checking the standings on the website, be sure you are looking at the second half not the first half.
When visiting the fields next week you will notice a few posters here and there advertising for Youth Sports Live. For those of you who are not familiar with Youth Sports Live they are a company who contacted us last season wanting to record some of our games and place them on their website. As much as we tried to push them last season this really never happened because of some internet and camera problems. This year we struggled with them in the beginning but now it seems that things are looking up. The games being played on Gibson Field and John Engel Field are being recorded. To view these games you must go to www.youthsportslive.com and click on “Replay-On-Demand” then scroll to the very bottom and look in the lower left hand corner and click on the #2 to go to the next page. There you will see our baseball logo and click on it. At this point you will be prompted to type in your user name and password. If you do not have one click create new account. It is at this point that you will need to subscribe to the service which is $14.95 per month. This is a fundraiser of sorts because our league will get $5.00 for every account opened through Pascagoula Youth Baseball. Currently there are 17 games available 8 major league games and 9 rookie league games. This is a great opportunity to see the games you missed or for grandparents or other realities living out of town to watch. We hope to add T-Ball and Minor League games next season and our intent at this point is to play the T-Ball championship games on John Engel Field so they can get recorded. Be looking for more information on this in the upcoming week as I will scan the brochure and get it on the website for you to review.
On Monday night April 27th the T-ball scoreboards will come on and we will begin keeping score. We do have a problem with the scoreboard on J.C. May Field and we hope to have it resolved by the time the tournament begins on or around May 18th. I would like to ask the parents and fans on the T-ball fields to continue to watch and support the players and not to get caught up in the scores. We will make every effort to have umpires at each of these games and they will be in control. If in their opinion a parent of fan becomes irate they will be asked to leave.
Also, on Monday night as the second half begins the Rookie League managers and coaches will no longer be allowed in the outfield to direct the players. You may continue to do this from the sidelines but not on the field. We ask for everyone’s cooperation and the umpires will be asked to enforce this.
I am looking forward to a great second half of the season and hope to see you all at the ballpark.
Eric Hartman
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April 2nd
Wow! It has been a fast paced two weeks of baseball. So far the season has been great with very few problems. Opening Ceremonies was a big success with great weather. I would like to thank everyone for coming out to the ballpark and spending the day with us. All the leagues are in tight races right now with some teams still undefeated. Keep up to date by checking the “Standing” and “Game Results” page.
The main problem we have had this season has been the rain. As you know we were rained out last Friday and Saturday but have managed to make-up Friday’s games. The weather does not look too promising for today but we are going to wait it out and see what happens. Hopefully we can play and avoid playing make-up games. These make-up games are just as much an inconvenience for us as they are for you. The weather is something we can’t control so we have to work around it. Thank You all for working with us on the rescheduling dates and times.
The Dixie Boys will be kicking their season off on Monday night April 13th at MCC Park on Orchard Road. If you are able to go out and support these teams please do so. I have heard reports of mosquito problems so be sure to take your bug spray with you.
I would like to take a minute to remind everyone of a few basic rules of our complex. There are signs posted but most people do not slow down to read them but there is no smoking inside the complex, if you need to smoke please go outside the fence or to an isolated area inside the complex. There are no pets allowed inside the complex even if you have them on a leash, there are also no skateboards, rip sticks, inline skates, or bicycles allowed either. If you ride your bike to the complex all we ask is that once inside you push your bike. We have too many people of all ages walking around the complex and do not want anyone to get hurt.
Parents, we need your help on this next issue, The Rylas Ellis T-Ball field is for T-Ball and T-Ball aged kids ONLY. When the bigger kids get on the field they tend to hit the baseballs over the fences hitting the houses that face Convent Avenue and the jump the fence to get the baseballs back. There is one lady who calls the police and the Recreation Department when this happens so please help us by talking to your children about this.
Next week is Spring Break for Pascagoula High School and there are no games scheduled. Some teams may have practices next week just to give the kids something to do and keep them sharp. For anyone who is traveling next week I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip and we will see you back at the ballfield on Monday April 13th.
Eric Hartman
President Pascagoula Youth Baseball
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March 9, 2009
Tournament time has finally arrived. We will kick-off our 2009 season with the Glen Kirkpatrick Memorial Tournament tonight for every league except T-Ball. We are using this tournament for a fund raiser so there will be a $2.00 admission fee for everyone 17 years old and up. The tournament will run from March 9th through March 16th playing every day except Sunday. The Monday night games on March 16th will be the finals. Currently we are experiencing some electrical problems with the concession stand behind Flanagan Field so it will not be opened for this tournament. The city is addressing the problem and we hope to have it corrected soon. The concession stand at Gibson Field will be open and the workers there will be eager to serve you.
The money taken in at the gate during this tournament is used to help with the Glen Kirkpatrick Memorial Scholarship that our league gives each season to a deserving Pascagoula High School Senior who meets the requirements and fills out an application. If you have a high school senior attending Pascagoula High School and they have played baseball at our Dixie Youth Complex then they are eligible. Have them go by the Guidance Office and see Mrs. Broome or Eddie Burgo to pick up an application. Submittal deadline is April 13th.
Just so some of you parents new to the league will know we are not overlooking the T-Ball league in this preseason tournament we like to give the managers the opportunity to work with the players in this age group during the season and then we will have a tournament for this group at the end of the season. This will give the new 5 year olds time to learn to play the game first.
Some of the uniforms are ready. Steve Haygood and his crew have done an excellent job getting these uniforms to us. So far we have the Major League and Minor League complete and they have been handed out. The Rookie League will have uniforms toward the middle of the week and hopefully T-Ball will be ready by the first of next week. If anyone has problems with the uniforms please call me or Peyton Bond for a resolution. Please do not call Haygood’s as they will not do anything unless it comes through the league. If you would like to get a team shirt to match your child’s team get with your manager and get the information from him on ordering parent or sibling shirts or hats from Haygood’s.
Opening Ceremonies will be or next big event and it is coming up on Saturday March 21st at 10:00am on Gibson Field. Parents please have your child there by 9:45am so we can get them lined up for team introductions. We need all the players to be present in full uniform for this event. There are games scheduled all during the day and we will have a photographer onsite to take team photos so if your child is absent on this day he/she will not be in the team photo. We will be giving the managers a schedule for pictures in the upcoming days.
The concession stand will be open for this event so come spend a day at the ballpark and have lunch with us.
Season schedules are being prepared at this time. When we get them completed and approved we will give them to the managers and they in turn will pass them along to you the parents. We will also get them posted on the website as soon as we can.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to continually check our website. As the season progresses we will be adding additional information, game photo’s, special events, rain-out information as well as other items that come up. I would also like to encourage you to check out our sponsor’s page to see all the sponsors in our league and go out and support these businesses because they help make this all possible. If you have any ideas for the website give us some feedback and we will see if we can make it happen.
Thanks for trusting us with your children this season and we appreciate you letting them play baseball here in Pascagoula. We are looking forward to a great season and with your help we can make this a great one.
See you at the ballpark,
Eric Hartman
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March 2, 2009
Baseball is in full swing now with different teams practicing every night. It is nice to go by or come up to the fields and see kids out having fun. All of our teams are almost full. We do have a couple of openings left in Rookie League and T-Ball so if you know someone interested let them know.
Uniforms have been ordered and when they are ready an email will be sent out to let all the managers know so please don’t start calling board members about uniforms. We have also determined all the team colors and your manager now knows the color and the sponsor name of their team.
Beginning on Monday March 9th we will be beginning our Kirkpatrick Preseason Tournament for all leagues except T-Ball. T-Ball will have their tournament at the end of the season. All teams in Major, Minor and Rookie League are required to participate. Schedules have been emailed to all managers and schedules are also posted at the fields in the display boxes. The way the tournament is set up this year it will guarantee each team 3 games. Each league will be divided into a Pool “A” and a Pool “B” with the winner of each Pool playing each other on Monday March 16th for the Championship of their respective league.
Just to let everyone know there will be a $2.00 admission charge to the Kirkpatrick Tournament for everyone 17 years of age and above. Managers and coaches are exempt providing you are playing that night. The money generated will go toward the Kirkpatrick Scholarship Fund and be used as a fund raiser. The Scholarship fund is for Pascagoula High School Seniors who have played baseball at our facilities. If your child is participating this season that will make them eligible for this scholarship once they become a senior at PHS. Please support this effort and do not complain to the personnel working the gates during this week.
Mark your calendars now for Opening Ceremonies set to take place on Saturday March 21st at 10:00am on Gibson Field. We will have team pictures scheduled for this day as well as baseball games. The concession stand will be open so come out and join us for this fun filled day to kick off the 2009 Pascagoula Dixie Youth Baseball season. If your son/daughter is not present they will not be included in the team pictures.
I would like to thank each Sponsor that we have this season for supporting Pascagoula Dixie Youth Baseball. I would like to ask everyone to please support these businesses during the year as they help make this program possible. I would also like to thank all the managers for stepping up this year and managing a team. This program would not exist if it were not for you guys doing what you do. A special thanks go out to the parents of all this kids participating in our league, we appreciate you letting your child be a part of Pascagoula Dixie Youth Baseball.
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February 13, 2009
Registration has ended for the 2009 season. We have now switched to late registration which means we will only accept players until all the teams are even with the same number of kids. If you intend for your child to play and you have not yet registered you need to do so immediately. You can register by contacting our player agent Bo Cole, his contact information is on the website under the “Contact” tab. After all the open slots have been filled we will begin a waiting list in case some player drops out or is unable to play. Once your name is on the waiting list you are NOT guaranteed a spot. We apologize for this cut off but we have been registering the entire month of January and into the second week of February and we have to order uniforms by a certain date so they will be ready by the time the season begins.
We drafted all the teams on February 11th and 12th. A manager should be contacting you over the weekend. Some of you may have already been contacted. If no one has called you yet please be patient as you will get a call. If for some reason you have not been contacted by Saturday February 21st, please notify a board member and we will find out why. All the board members are listed on the website under the “Contacts” tab.
Tomorrow February 14th is Valentine’s Day. It is also the day of our managers, coaches, and parent clinic. I hope there is a good turn out for this. If you read this before 9:00am on Saturday please make plans to come out. Even if you never plan on managing or coaching I can guarantee you will learn some things to practice with your kids in the backyard to make them better ball players. This clinic is being put on by Simply the Best Baseball out of Panama City, Florida and the cost is $25.00. This clinic is open to both male and females. Hope to see you all there. Just as a side note you must be registered in order to manage or coach on a team. The clinic will be held inside the gym at the Recreation Center on Pascagoula Street formally the old Pascagoula High School. Come early so you will have time to register.
If you want to register for Dixie Boys Baseball, it is not too late. We will be having an additional registration for Dixie Boys ONLY at a later date. This season Dixie Boys is open for players age 13, 14, and 15. Check this website often for the next registration or contact Lance Thompson whose contact info is on the website under “Contacts”.
See you at the ballpark,
Eric
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January 31, 2009
Whew, registration has ended and what an end we had. We were totally swamped today and that is a good thing. This will help us stay on the schedule that we had originally set. I would like to thank all of you parents who registered your players during the month of January. But for those of you who did not register yet there is still time. Read below to see how you can still get registered.
We will have try-outs on Monday February 9th at 6:30pm (be there by 6:15pm) for Major League (ages 11-12) and T-Ball (ages 5-6). Major League will be on Gibson Field and T-Ball will be next door on John Engle Field. We will have try-outs on Tuesday February 10th at 6:30pm (be there by 6:15pm) for Minor League (ages 9-10) and Rookie League (ages 7-8). Minor League will be on Gibson Field and Rookie League will be next door on John Engle Field. All players need to bring their glove.
Here’s the deal, we will have extended registration on both of these nights with no late fees. We will accept registration on both Monday February 9th and Tuesday February 10th upstairs in Gibson Field Pressbox. Registration fee is $80.00 and first time players in our league need to bring a copy of their birth certificate. If you register on these two nights you will be able to try-out. After the try-outs on Tuesday February 10th registration will be closed and we will roll into late registration to which a $5.00 late fee will be added. We will only accept late registrations until we have filled our roster with an equal number of players on each team. After that we will begin a waiting list and place kids on teams only should another player not participate thus leaving an opening on a team.
Spread the word because every season we get parents that say we did not know about registration. We have done our best to spread the word, we have sent fliers to all public and private schools in Pascagoula, we have advertised in the Sun Herald which was gracious enough to run our notice everyday. We also advertised in the Mississippi Press who ran our notice very rarely, we advertised on Cable Channel 19 with Coast Project Media, we did a show on WPMP radio with Hal Comello and also have signs at the Soccer Field and Recreation Center and sent out notification emails to all who have subscribed to our website mail. If you have not signed up please do so today. If you have any other ideas of how we could spread the word please let us know.
Please do not come to the Field next Saturday to register. We did intend to have an extended registration on this day and have told some of you this and also sent notification to the papers but the City Parks and Recreation have leased the fields out to someone for a two day tournament thus causing us to cancel. Instead please come to register on February 9th and 10th.
We are looking forward to a great season and hope that you will be a part of it.
Eric Hartman
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January 27, 2009 --
January 27, 2009
Well here we are almost at the end of January. The last day for registration is supposed to be on Saturday January 31st. After our registration ended last Saturday, we checked our numbers and we need about 300 additional kids to sign up to equal last year’s numbers. I know most everyone will wait until the last Saturday to register and I hope that true. The only problem with this is that the pressbox will be crowded so we ask for your patience. We will open the doors around 9:30am and remain onsite as long as people are coming. So come early, we’ll be waiting for you. If your son is a first year player in our league please bring a copy of his birth certificate.
We are still looking for sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring a team please let us know. It is not too late. Just look on the sidebar and click on the tab “Handouts” and download the Sponsorship letter, fill it out and mail it along with a check to the address shown.
Don’t forget about our coach’s clinic. We have had a lot of response but have plenty of room for more. I would like to encourage all the parents to come out to this clinic even if you do not want to coach because I can guarantee you will learn a lot of information that you could take home and help your child become a better player. This clinic is open to everyone. Remember, you must be certified to manage or coach in our league. After completing this clinic you will receive a coach’s certification.
See you at the ballfield,
Eric Hartman
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January 7, 2009
Thanks to everyone who attended the General Membership Meeting on Tuesday. We had a good crowd and got most of our managers in place. We do still have openings in the T-Ball league if you are interested in managing in that league please let me know ASAP. We also need some help in our Dixie Boys League as well.
This year Simply the Best located in Panama City, Florida is coming to Pascagoula to put on a coaches clinic for certification. This is a hands on type clinic, there will be no sitting and watching a film you will be taking an active part in the training/certification process. This is open to everyone. It is mandatory for all managers and coaches to be certified before taking the field. We are looking forward to parent involvement as well. Even if you are not coaching or managing a team but just want to come out and learn some new things to help teach your child at home by all means come on out. After the class is over all those attending will be certified. This way if you as a parent gets certified and for some reason you have to help with a practice or assist in a game you will be certified.
The cost for this certification class is $25.00 per person. It will be held on Saturday February 14th (yea I know that is Valentine’s Day) but his is the only date they had available from 9:00am until 12:00 noon. It will be held inside the Recreation Center Gym on Pascagoula Street, this way we will not have to worry about weather conditions. I hope everyone will make plans to attend this clinic. Having gone through this clinic myself several years ago, I can tell you it is well worth the money and the time.
If you want to attend, there is a form on the website that you can download to your computer and fill it out and then email it to Bo Cole at bcole@cityofpascagoula.com. Remember by sending in the form you are committing to paying $25.00 for this clinic. If you would like to go ahead and pay by check you can do so by filling out and printing the form and mail it along with a check made out to Pascagoula Youth Baseball to:
Pascagoula Youth Baseball
Att. Bo Cole
P.O. Box 539
Pascagoula, MS 39568
Eric Hartman
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January 2, 2009
Happy New Year! Our General Membership meeting is only 4 days away which is January 6th at LaFont Inn at 6:30pm. This is the meeting at which we will nominate and approve managers for the 2009 season. If you are interested in being considered for a manager’s position please make plans to be at this meeting. If you are unable to attend be sure to send someone to the meeting to nominate you.
We are having a problem this year with the Mississippi Press Register as they are not printing our local notices. (imagine that) So I need your help in spreading the word about this meeting and any other activities that we plan. This is one reason it is so important that you sign up to be on our email list so that we can send out notifications to you. You can sign up by scrolling down and looking on the left side of the page and lick on the link that says "Join Our Email List" and enter your name and email address. Please tell this to others as well.
I would also like to say that depending on the number of players we have registering will determine the number of teams we have. Therefore every person that is approved to be a manager may not actually get a team. I do not want anyone to think that because they were approved as a manager entitles them to a team. However, your name must be on the approved managers list to be considered for this position.
The Board of Directors are still searching for an individual to head up and run the concession stand. If you are interested or know of someone who is send me an email at goulabaseball@bellsouth.net and let me know who they are and a contact phone number.
Looking forward to seeing all of you this season around the ball park,
Eric Hartman
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December 9th, 2008
Welcome! This is something new that I want to try this season to maybe keep you a little more informed on things. To start off if you want to download any photos from the 2008 season please do so within the next couple of weeks as I will be erasing all the photos from the site with the exception of the World Series Photo's to make room for the 2009 season photos. I would also like to invite each of you to participate in sending in pictures that you take at the fields. Although I try to take pictures along the way there is no way I can be assured of getting a photo of each child and or team. With your help maybe we can accomplish this. Throughout the season I see lots of parents with digital cameras so please email the photos to me at goulabaseball@bellsouth.net.
Next I would like to encourage you to sign up and use the forum this season. I think we as a league could have a lot of fun and interesting conversations this season. I would like for you to also sign the guestbook but let's try to use the forum this season. Setting up to get a password is fairly simple. If you can't figure it out try these steps:
Click on "Forum" in the column on the left and it will take you to the forum page.
Then click on "Register" in the bottom left hand corner of the login box
Fill out the information on the page that appears
(be sure to write down your Member ID and Password)
That's it! You should be registered and ready to post on the forum.
The Board of Directors of Pascagoula Youth Baseball are looking forward to a great year of baseball in 2009. If there is anything you would like to see us do, change or try let us know by posting it on the forum or sending one of the board members an email.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of you reading this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to seeing all again this season and looking forward to making new friends. If I can be of assistance to you please let me know.
See you at the ballpark,
Eric Hartman
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