On behalf of the OTB Board of Directors, welcome to our 19th season on the field!

Please take a moment to read this pre-season newsletter along with complete rules posted on our website. Noted below are leadership changes, rule changes, important events and other pertinent information.

Congratulations to the 2009 OTB Champion Twins for defeating a very strong Indians team in front of a capacity crowd at LeLacheur Park!

Leadership changes:

Since co-founding OTB in 1992, Dr. John A Gianino has served us faithfully and guided us with caring, sensitivity, genuine honesty and tireless dedication. Serving as our original president, chairperson, registrar and countless other roles John has also been a tremendous source of support and friendship. Attending christenings, weddings and funerals he was always there for us when we needed his strength most.

John never viewed OTB solely as an amateur baseball league. His vision included the gift of fostering true friendship on and off the field in an atmosphere of competition and gentlemen’s rule of play. And his commitment to this mission was unwavering. It is said you only get out of it what you put into it and thanks to John’s leadership we enjoy playing in one of the most respected amateur baseball leagues anywhere.

John has decided to step away from OTB to spend more time with his family and while I am hopeful he will return to us someday I know I speak for all of OTB when I say we will miss seeing him on the field on Sunday mornings.  Look for a message board we will be setting up on our website for players to post comments for John. Please join me in thanking him for his leadership.

NOTB:

In 2004 White Sox Team Manager Mike McNally founded our Night League…NOTB. As Chairman, Mike worked hard to offer players a league in which competition was combined with an emphasis for player development. Players interested in learning new positions or those looking for playing time during the week continue to enjoy a well run league to compliment OTB. Mike will stay on as Registrar to help brothers John and Paul Saunders, formerly of the OTB Cardinals and White Sox stepping up as Co-Chairman of NOTB. Please join me in thanking Mike for his efforts and to wish John and Paul the best of luck in their new roles.

Tigers and Twins:

As manager of the Tigers (2001 – 2009) Kevin Crampton did a terrific job keeping the Tigers competitive while maintaining the OTB Philosophy. Along with taking his team to the OTB finals, Kevin was awarded the Dr. John A Gianino Presidents Award for his leadership and dedication to OTB. Stepping up as the new Tigers manager for 2010 is Brad Smith, formerly of the OTB Marlins. Please join me in thanking Kevin for his efforts and to wish Brad the best of luck in his new role.

Managing the Twins since 2008 Ethan Bloomberg took over from longtime manager Glen Geikie. With big shoes to fill, Ethan did an admirable job of maintaining team unity and the OTB Philosophy as he led the Twins to the 2009 championship. Stepping up as the new Twins manager is teammate Adam Scharff. Please join me in thanking Ethan for his efforts and to wish Adam the best of luck in his new role.

Rules:

Our Board of Directors were hard at work during the offseason in preparation for 2010 creating new rules including but not limited to these two key changes:

-          Defensive players may not block (with or without the ball) and must allow base runners a clear and reasonable path, to the plate or base. As a reminder, offensive players are likewise not allowed to cause a collision with defensive players.

-          For three scheduled games this season wood bats only will be allowed to be used. OTB has purchased 2 bats for each team to help players comply with this new rule.

As a reminder, rule changes occur only once per year (December) however the process includes feedback from the membership during the entire season. This feedback is reviewed and rule change revisions are presented in October to the Board of Directors. Please contact Bill at vpadmin@otbinc.com for more information.

Rainout policy:

During inclement weather, fields are checked to determine the safe condition of the field well in advance of game time. Notices are posted no later than 6:45 on both the OTB website and the OTB telephone line (978-453-4444). For your convenience you may also choose to receive automated game cancellation messages sent to your cell phone. Please check the website for more information.

2010:

Please join me in welcoming our new players in 2010!

Joseph Beitz                       White Sox
Michael Belair                   Orioles
James Corbett                   Cardinals
Michael Daigle                  Orioles
Jay Epstein                         Tigers
Paul Firicano                      Indians
Douglas Hart Jr.               Orioles
Omar Hernandez              Pirates
John Hernandez               Phillies
Shawn Hullihen                Orioles
Adam Lordan                    Tigers
Stephen Martin                 Cardinals
Thomas Matias                 Braves
Thomas Monks                  Tigers
Jason Nagle                       Giants
Michael Rivera                 Pirates
Donnie  Settlemoir          Athletics
Michael Sheehan             Red Sox

Please welcome back players from previous seasons in OTB:

Larry Cymbura                Pirates
Stephen Gapp                    Dodgers
Randy Ochab                    Cubs
Joshua Prost                     Tigers
Jay Sousa                           Brewers
Jason Zakrewski             Cubs

Important Events:

February 12:                Presentation of UMass Baseball/Softball OTB Scholarships at UMass Lowell hockey game.

February 18:                Registration deadline for returning OTB players

February 28:                OTB Draft

April 25:                         Opening Day

May 9:                             Mother’s Day Breast Cancer Fundraiser

August 15:                     Scheduled start of playoffs (pending rainouts)

September 6:                Labor Day All Star Game under the lights at Alumni Field

September:                    UMass baseball homerun contest fundraiser at LeLacheur Park (TBD)

September 26:              Tentative date for championship game at LeLacheur Park

September/October:  Annual OTB Golf Tournament Fundraiser (TBD)

Contact info:

Please note contact info on our website for various OTB issues including rules, draft, umpire, website etc.