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Thanks to all for Final McCully Field Day for 2009
Thanks to the usual suspects for the work in closing down the McCully fields and concession stand for 2009.
The original October 31 date dawned and--guess what?--it was raining. So the following Saturday all the batting cage nets were taken down and everything was finalized.
The contractor finished the on-field work. Several inches of new infield mix were spread, graded, and rolled on all 3 fields. The infield/outfield lip was removed on all 3 fields and replaced with sod level with the infield. The fields will open next March for school ball.
See you next spring!
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Where's Dave Barry when you need him?
Got some time to burn and need a laugh? Read a recent article from the Post Gazette about a concession stand experience. It's in the Handouts section.
The author attempts to humorously describe his concession stand experience, but comes off as a misogynistic creep, evidently flourishing in a community of like-minded cretins. The requirements for the profession of syndicated columnist appear to have dropped precipitously low, so those of you looking for a mid-life career change--you may want to consider this.
You'll still need a laugh, but at least you will have burned some time. Batting .500 isn't bad.
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Wanted: Ace Fundraiser
The HAA Executive Board is looking for a Director of Fundraising.
This person should be an HAA member with a knack for fundraising ideas and the initiative to follow them through as a member of the HAA Board of Directors. The Association is looking at some ambitious plans for the McCully fields and wants to put fundraising in place to help accomplish them--as well as defraying ever-increasing costs to minimize the impact on annual registration fees.
If reading this makes your heart go pitter-pat pitter-pat, or your socks go up and down, please contact Bruce Steckel.
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Your HAA Registration Fees At Work
As part of the ongoing maintenance of fields for which the HAA is responsible, additional infield material has been purchased, and will be professionally spread and leveled prior to closing the McCully fields for the year. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin Monday October 26, in order to avoid frozen ground. This date may change depending upon prevailing weather. The fallball season may be cut short by a week.
All three fields will receive 1-2 inches of special infield mixture. It has been several years since the last addition of dirt, and this addition will promote better safety and water absorbtion.
Almost as important, the "lips", where the infield meets the grass, will be cut out and re-sodded at the same time. Safety is the primary goal here, to prevent injuries from ground balls suddenly becoming airborne when they reach the grass outfield.
The advantages will be enjoyed by all baseball and softball players during the 2010 season, and years beyond.
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McCully Batting Cage Net Take-down Day October 31
Everyone.
Your presence is cordially requested at 9 am Saturday October 31, for the annual "taking-down" of the batting cage nets at McCully Fields. Please assemble promptly at the McCully Concession Stand. BYOC, doughnuts will be provided.
The goal is to take down and store the netting on the 3 batting cages, so that winter weather does not deteriorate them. Stepladders, the taller the better, are needed. Also diagonal cutters (wire cutters) for the nylon tie-wraps.
As usual, the more people, the sooner everyone goes home. Please check the field hotline the night before in case the weather is uncooperative. It has been for most of the fall.
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Many Thanks to the U10 and U12 Fastpitch Tournament Teams
The HAA U10 and U12 Softball Tournament Teams combined to host a fastpitch tournament at McCully this July, for their respective age groups. In addition to the concession stand revenue (which goes to the HAA), they held various fundraisers during the tournament (which usually goes to the host team). Both team's parents decided, however, to contribute all their proceeds to the HAA. At the September 2 board meeting, Tournament Team Managers Bob Sheetz (U10FP) and Steve Thornton (U12FP) presented the HAA with a check for $335.
Thanks again to all the HAA tournament teams and parents that hosted tournaments this summer. Anyone who has done so knows the tremendous time and effort required. Additional thanks to the U10 and U12 fastpitch tournament teams for their generous donation.
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2009 Player Evaluation Form
All Baseball and Softball Managers.
The 2009 HAA player evaluation form can be found in the Handouts section of the website.
For those of you new to the process, some imporant notes. The age of the player being evaluated is the age they played as during the 2009 spring season--not their current age nor the age they will play as next year. The ratings are 1-5, with "1" being the highest rating and "5" being the lowest rating. Ratings are based on the 2009 regular season performance--not tournament or travel team play. Each category is rated 1-5, and sub-categories similarly. The overall rating at the top right of the form is an average--not a total--of the ratings for each category. And it is an approximate average, since different categories are weighted differently by each manager. The overall rating is a whole number. There are no "2.5" players. They are either a "2" or a "3". Ratings meetings in the fall and drafts in the spring will review all evaluations.
If you haven't been told this already, this is one of the more important things you will do as a Manager--and it actually involves making a decision. This season's evaluation is the basis for next season's draft, at all levels. The goal is to be conservatively accurate about each player. Basically, would you be happy if you drafted the player you are evaluating at the rating you gave them?
End of soapbox speech. Thanks as usual for helping out.
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2009 HAA Golf Outing Sunday October 4
All HAA members (who like to play golf--who can play golf--who like hanging out at golf courses--who know that it's a sport that involves hitting a tiny dimpled ball on grass until it goes into a hole)...
Sunday October 4 is the HAA's annual golf outing, at Pittsburgh North Golf Course. 18 holes, with cart, 4-golfer scramble, optional Skins game, Noon shotgun start, dinner and prizes immediately following at the Pittsburgh North Patio. Good time, good food, good company (mostly)--what more could you want? And the Steeler's game against the Chargers isn't until 8:00 pm!
There's a maximum of 80 golfers, so register soon. The complete announcement and registration form are in the Handouts section. Contact information for details is also on the announcement. Print the form, fill it out, and mail a check with it to the address shown. Or just mail a check! All proceeds help fund covered dugouts for the McCully fields. (Yeah, you read that right)
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Thanks for a Successful Field Day
Everyone who helped September 5.
Thanks again to the usual suspects that helped prepare the fields for fall baseball and softball.
Now the challenge to teams using the fields is to make use of the rakes and drags before and after every game to maintain their quality.
Stay tuned for the final field day (before the first freeze) where additional infield mix will be added to all fields.
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McCully Field Day
All baseball and softball managers, coaches, and parents.
Ready for Fallball? Help us get ready as well. Bring your rakes, shovels, work gloves, work boots, and willing spirits to the McCully Concession stand pavilion 8:00 am Saturday September 5 for the HAA's annual Fallball Field Day. Work will be done on McCully fields 2, 3...and possibly Central (if time and manpower permits). The goal is a general prep for fallball--cleanup, weeding, dragging, etc.
If you have a player on any HAA baseball or softball team, this is a great opportunity to help all the teams out by getting the fields ready for the season. The more volunteers, the faster the necessary work will be accomplished.
Hampton students can earn Community Service hours as well.
Thank you for your support!
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Noooooobody expects the Spanish Inquisi--er--Fallball!
All baseball and softball players.
It's never too early to start thinking about Fallball. Announcements and registration forms for both baseball and softball are in the Handouts section. The softball registration form was also emailed to every spring softball registrant and to every team manager.
Print 'em, fill 'em out for each player, write a check, and mail it all to HAA P.O. Box 45 Allison Park PA 15101. Teams will be formed in August from registrations received in July. Positions are limited so register as soon as possible!
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THANK YOU!
With in-house championships finished, the spring season has ended for the majority of baseball and softball teams.
At this time, a collective "Thank you." goes out to the HAA directors, league commissioners, managers and coaches whose teams played this spring. Because of your efforts, 900 Hampton players were on the fields this season--enjoying the benefits of playing an organized team sport.
Stay tuned. Tournament season is upon us, then fallball, then we get to do it all again next year!
Have a fun summer everyone!
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2009 Manager Evaluations
All baseball and softball parents.
Manager evaluation forms have been made available to all baseball and softball families (softball parents check your email). The form is also available in the Handouts section of the website. Please complete your form, from whatever venue, and submit it. Additional comments may be added at the bottom, sides, and back. Mail your completed evaluation to: HAA P.O. Box 45 Allison Park PA 15101.
Thanks to those who participate.
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McCully Field Day Sunday June 20
Because of the recent rains, Saturday June 20's field day has been rescheduled for 8:00 am Sunday June 21.
This field day is to prepare the fields for the National, American, and Minor league playoffs. Rumor has it there will be doughnuts.
Happy Father's Day!
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Team/Player Pictures Have Arrived
All baseball and softball managers.
All team and individual player pictures from the original picture day May 17 were delivered June 18. All pictures and products are organized by league and team. You can pick up your team's products any time the McCully concession stand is open.
League commissioners. Just in case you're being really, really, nice, and distributing your league's pictures yourself, please advise your managers accordingly so everyone knows what's going on. Failing that, all managers should pick up their team's materials as soon as possible.
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Team/Player Photo Make-up Day June 18
Photo make-up day Thursday June 18 6pm McCully Pavillion.
Any team or players that missed the first photo day.
TSS Photography will be at the McCully Pavillion for a short time to take individual and team photographs of HAA teams that missed the original May 17 photo day.
Please contact Ron McKinney to make sure you get your picture taken!
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May 30 McCully Field Day Best Yet!
Thanks to all the softball managers, coaches, and parents that came to the May 31 field day.
Over THIRTY...Let's repeat that...Over THIRTY people came to work on the McCully fields in support of all the baseball AND softball teams. We even had enough to go to Central Elementary and work on the field and field boxes there.
This was the best showing except for the initial field day in March. The National league and American league assigned field days had about 10 people each show up.
Thanks again Softball for the numbers and the accomplishments!
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Summer Baseball/Softball Clinics
Baseball and Softball players. Want to get better? In the Handouts section are bulletins for local summer baseball and softball clinics. You can register by mail with the organizers.
At the moment we only have information for Hampton Coach Wilson's summer baseball camp, for ages 8-12 and 13-15. This will be conducted June 15-18 and June 22-25 on McCully Fields 1 & 2, at the Hampton Community Park. Directions are available in (wait for this) in the Directions section. Players can attend either week, or both. Registration is limited, so apply soon!
The Hampton Athletic Association does not endorse any specific clinic, but provides this information as a service to our visitors.
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Looking for a Tournament?
An excellent resource for local tournaments is the McCandless Athletic Association website. It can be found in the Links section of this website.
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McCully Field Day Saturday June 20
All Baseball and Softball Managers, Coaches, and Parents.
Saturday June 20 is the last regularly scheduled field day for the 2009 spring season at McCully. Please assemble at the McCully pavillion at 10:00 am (everyone sleep in). This is for routine maintenance of the fields in preparation for all the playoff games, rather than any heavy-duty projects. Depending on the turn-out, the tasks should be accomplished fairly quickly. Softball people U10 and up; even though your GPGSL playoffs are elsewhere, your presence and help would be greatly appreciated. If you're playing elsewhere that morning, good luck in your games!
Call the McCully Field Hotline Friday night and Saturday morning for updates, depending on the weather. If the weather doesn't permit working Saturday morning, the the maintenance and work to open the fields for play will be rescheduled for later Saturday or Sunday morning. Please make yourself available for these times if needed.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's single league per field day system. In order, they were:
May 2 National League Baseball
May 16 American League Baseball
May 30 All Softball (U18, U15, U12, U10, U8)
June 13 Minor League Baseball
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Does this uniform make me look fat (part 3)?
All baseball and softball teams.
On Sunday May 17, team and individual pictures will be taken by TSS Photography at the North Hampton Volunteer Fire Hall on South Pioneer (behind the Eat N Park on Route 8 by the PA Turnpike entrance. It is indoors, so no rain date is contemplated.
Team appointments have been distributed to league commissioners and team managers. If you haven't received your time yet, check with your team manager.
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McCully Field Day Saturday May 16
All American league Managers, Coaches, and Parents.
Saturday May 16 is the second regularly scheduled field day for the 2009 spring season at McCully. Please assemble at the McCully pavillion at 8:00 am. This is for routine maintenance of the fields, rather than any heavy-duty projects. Depending on the turn-out, the tasks should be accomplished fairly quickly. The biggest item, other than general maintenance, is weed control on McCully 2 and 3.
Call the McCully Field Hotline Friday night and Saturday morning for updates, depending on the weather. If the weather doesn't permit working Saturday morning, the the maintenance and work to open the fields for play will be rescheduled for later Saturday or Sunday morning. Please make yourself available for these times if needed.
Once again, the HAA decided to try, for this year, having single leagues be responsible for each maintenance field day. The schedule thusfar is:
May 2 National League Baseball
May 16 American League Baseball
May 30 All Softball (U18, U15, U12, U10, U8)
June 13 Minor League Baseball
Each league will be reminded prior to their scheduled field day.
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McCully Field Day Saturday May 2
All National league Managers, Coaches, and Parents.
Saturday May 2 is the first regularly scheduled field day for the 2009 spring season at McCully. Please assemble at the McCully pavillion at 8:00 am. Unlike the earlier field days, this is for routine maintenance of the fields, rather than any heavy-duty projects. Depending on the turn-out, the tasks should be accomplished fairly quickly.
Call the McCully Field Hotline Friday night and Saturday morning for updates, depending on the weather. If the weather doesn't permit working Saturday morning, the the maintenance and work to open the fields for play will be rescheduled for later Saturday or Sunday morning. Please make yourself available for these times if needed.
The HAA decided to try, for this year, having single leagues be responsible for each maintenance field day. The schedule thusfar is:
May 2 National League Baseball
May 16 American League Baseball
May 30 All Softball (U18, U15, U12, U10, U8)
June 13 Minor League Baseball
Each league will be reminded prior to their scheduled field day.
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Thanks for a Successful Field Day!
Everyone who helped April 25.
Good weather and an impressive turn-out allowed us to accomplish a great deal Saturday April 25. Dirt was spread and infields prepared at McCully 1, 2, 3, and Meadow. The concession stand was prepped for the season. And a group went to Central Elementary and did a spectacular job on the infield there.
Thanks again to everyone. Your efforts resulted in a great season opening. A special thank you to Bob Sheetz, Steve Thornton, and Shawn Wanner. The heavy equipment cut the day's work in half.
Now the challenge to teams using the fields is to make use of the rakes and drags before and after every game to maintain their quality between regular bi-weekly field days.
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Field Day Saturday April 18
Everybody!
Especially Minor League and U8 managers, coaches, and parents.
If you haven't already gotten your email, the HAA is holding a pre-season field day Saturday April 18. 8 AM at the McCully pavillion.
We need to unload our season order of field line, and quick dry into the maintenance building.
We need to finish preparing McCully 1 with the delivered dirt from last field day.
We need to complete Meadow field (and High School 2?).
Bring rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows--the usual.
The more the merrier! And the sooner everyone goes home.
Great weather, so just show up!
See you there!
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April 5 Field Day Thanks
Thanks to everyone who helped out Sunday. We were able to spread dirt on McCully 2 and 3. By the evening, we were able to roll it in preparation for precipitation to come.
Meadow's infield remained such a quagmire that we were unable to get equipment on it. Minor League and U8 teams--please watch for updates on times to work on the fields.
All teams with assigned practice slots, please check the field hotline for updated field opening/closings. The weather this week is particularly changeable. Similarly, any team practicing--please continue to rake and drag the field flat before you leave. The practice and regular season field maintenance procedures remain in the Handouts section.
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APRIL 4 FIELD DAY POSTPONED TO APRIL 5
Because of the heavy rains Friday, the Saturday field day has been postponed to Sunday April 5.
Meet at McCully pavillion at 9 am (yes, 9 am) Sunday morning for just a couple of hours work.
Bring wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes--but especially wheelbarrows shovels and rakes. We will focus on Meadow (weed control, etc), but if the McCully fields are dry enough to work on, we will spread dirt on them as well. Same deal as always; the more people who show up the more (and quicker) we accomplish.
Minor League and U8 teams particularly. This is your opportunity to work directly on the fields your players will be using.
Check the field hotline Saturday evening just in case anything happens.
Thanks in advance for those who can help.
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Field Hotline Number Back for 2009
All Managers, Coaches, Parents.
As a reminder, the field hotline number is now flashing at the top of the Welcome Page of the HAA website. This will remain through the 2009 season. This number has field open/closed information for the fields in the McCully area--McCully 1, 2, 3, Meadow, and High School 2.
Following the instructions when the line answers, you can hear a dated announcement for:
Mailbox 1: McCully 2, Mccully 3, Meadow, and High School 2 fields
Mailbox 2: McCully 1 field
As a default, if the announcement discusses a date in the past, that means that the fields are open. Central Elementary field is not included, so you should check with your team's manager, who is responsible for evaluating the field conditions there.
The field hotline has been in service for several years, but someone suggested at this year's registration that it be part of the regular website. Thanks for the suggestion.
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April 4 Field Day
All baseball and softball managers, coaches, and parents.
All Minor League and U8 softball managers, coaches, and parents.
Another field day for McCully fields, focusing on McCully 2, McCully 3, and Meadow Fields. Assemble at the McCully pavillion 8:00 AM Saturday April 4, and work crews will be dispersed. Bring wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes--but especially wheelbarrows. Infield mix has been ordered for the fields, and we need to spread it. Weed control will also be performed at Meadow. And if we can arrange for the delivery of the season's Rapid-dry, we will unload it into the maintenance building. Same deal as always; the more people who show up the more (and quicker) we accomplish.
Minor League and U8 teams particularly. This is your opportunity to work directly on the fields your players will be using.
An HAA email blast will go out beforehand to remind everyone.
Check the field hotline late Friday night and early Saturday morning in case the weather changes plans.
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Assistance for McCully Maintenance
Thanks to everyone that showed up for the first McCully field day Saturday March 14.
But it doesn't end there. Prior to every home baseball and softball game, the HAA prepares the fields for play. This usually occurs between 10 AM and Noon for every game through May. If anyone is available at that time, can can help Bruce Steckel, it would be most appreciated. Please call his cell phone (412-638-9204) to coordinate.
After baseball and softball regular seasons, the fields are used by WPIAL and PIAA, for section and state playoff games. This extends their use through the month of May.
As everyone knows, part of the agreement between the HAA and Hampton Township that allows the HAA to control the fields, is that the HAA will maintain and prepare the fields for all school team use. This is particularly true for game days. Thusfar, Bruce Steckel (and Eric Marsonek) have been shouldering the lion's share of time and effort in fulfilling the HAA's obligations.
Again, if you have the time and opportunity, please call to help.
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Does this uniform make me look fat?(part 2)
Change in venue for "2009 Picture Day".
Team and individual pictures will be taken by TSS Photography at the North Hampton Volunteer Fire Hall on South Pioneer (behind the Eat N Park on Route 8 by the PA Turnpike entrance. This is a change from the original location. It is indoors, so no rain date is contemplated.
Team appointments will be distributed in late March and early April with spring schedules, practice schedules, concession stand schedules, team field day schedules, etc.
The date is still Sunday May 17.
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Does this uniform make me look fat?
Sunday May 17 has been designated "2009 Picture Day" by the HAA Board of Directors.
Team and individual pictures will be taken by TSS Photography at the Hampton Volunteer Fire Hall on Duncan Avenue (by St. Ursulla's). This is indoors, so no rain date is contemplated.
Team appointments will be distributed in late March and early April with spring schedules, practice schedules, concession stand schedules, team field day schedules, etc.
In other spring updates...
Uniforms for all teams are being prepared. Baseballs and softballs and additional equipment has been ordered. Spring softball scheduling meetings are set for the end of March. As you can see from the announcement above, the fields are being prepared. As the countdown to opening day continues, we're preparing for another fun season of sports.
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FIRST MCCULLY FIELD DAY!
Saturday March 14. 10 AM to Noon.
Calling all baseball and softball parents. Please come and help prep the McCully fields for the 2009 spring baseball and softball seasons.
Activities include general maintenance of the fields, dugout, and warmup areas. This includes putting up the backstop screens and the batting cage nets.
So bring rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, a strong back and a willing heart. The more people, the faster we can accomplish our goals and make a better place for the kids to play.
High school students seeking community service hours, you're in luck! This qualifies. See Mr. McKinney for details, per the announcement further on down the Welcome page.
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2009 Spring Season Dates
The HAA spring season began for almost all ages Saturday April 25. In-house baseball and softball leagues from ages 7 through 12 began this date. Home games for softball teams playing in the GPGSL will also began this date. The current schedule will have in-house playoffs begin by June 20, and conclude with championship games by June 24.
T-ball games traditionally start in May, when the weather is (hopefully) warmer for younger players, and run for 5-6 weeks. The season for older baseball and softball teams (Pony, Bronco, Palomino, U15 and U18 fastpitch) starts in May, to follow the school seasons.
More detail is available for U10 through U18 teams playing in the GPGSL by looking at the 2009 GPGSL Schedule in the Handouts section.
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2009 Spring Registration Has Ended
Because of the inclement weather, registration for spring baseball and softball was extended for extra days, January 17, 18, 19, and 20. Registration has ended and teams are being formed for all leagues. Any players trying to register are no longer guaranteed a team or roster spot.
If you've missed the signs, announcements in the Hampton News, announcements on the Hampton School District website, flyers sent to all local public and non-public schools, or numerous emails issued by this website--and still want to try to register for spring baseball or softball; the only way is to email Ron McKinney per the Contacts section of the website.
If your player's league has any room for additional players, he will send you the necessary information to register. All registrations are subject to the late fee and no uniform is guaranteed. Registrations received without first contacting Mr. McKinney will not be processed.
Any and all questions should be directed to Mr. McKinney per the Contacts section of the website.
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Calling all Team Sponsors
Would you like to see your company's name proudly displayed on the uniform of your son's or daughter's team? Would you like to help out an organization that annually puts over 900 Hampton youths on the playing field?
If the answer to any of these questions is: Yes; you are halfway to being a baseball or team sponsor. $150 will help defray the cost of one team's uniforms, and provide your company with some nice publicity and goodwill. More details and an application form are in the Handouts section. If you missed contacting an HAA board member at registration, please contact Ron McKinney, using the email links in the Contacts section.
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Evaluate your 2008 Managers
Baseball and softball players' parents. When at registration, don't forget to help the organization out by completing a simple form.
No, we're not asking you for any more money...
No, we're not asking you to volunteer for anything else...
No, we're not asking you to identify yourself...
Please just take a minute to complete one of the managers' evaluation forms for your son's or daughter's 2008 playing experience--good or bad. This feedback is totally confidential and will be used to help select managers for the 2009 teams.
The HAA usually gets only a smattering of evaluations, very few going beyond the perfunctory: okay, okay, average, okay, average, okay...
And when complaints start to surface after teams are picked, our only reply is that not one single negative evaluation was received. This was the case last year.
While a single negative evaluation will not necessarily blackball a potential manager, a bunch will allow the league commissioners and HAA board to better evaluate the candidates. And it also helps us to hear about positive experiences as well.
Thanks for your help! (End of editorial)
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Join our email list
Using the "Join-our-e-mail-list" button right below the site menu list on the left, you can register your email address with the HAA. When there are important announcements--registration, field days, etc--you will receive an email from this website. If, at any time, you want to stop receiving email from the HAA, you can reply to the announcement so indicating.
Please remember to select whether a "baseball" or "softball" parent. Some new emails have come in with neither selected. They will receive both baseball and softball information until otherwise advised.
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McCully Field Day
Thanks once again (albeit late) to everyone who helped at the last McCully field day of 2008. Due to their efforts, all of the goals of closing down the fields and concession stand for the winter were met, as well as setting the posts for the new batting cage for 2009.
The rest of you; locate your shovels, rakes, and work gloves. March will be here before you know it!
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2009 Spring Registration Held over due to popular demand
Because of the inclement weather both scheduled days of registration, additional opportunities to register are available. You can register in person for 4 additional days, or mail in your registration. Instructions for each are below.
Please register as soon as possible. Team formation will begin the weekend of January 24-25, and players cannot be guaranteed a team after these dates.
In person.
Registration materials for both baseball and softball will be available this coming Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at the All-Star Baseball and Training Center located at Butler Plank Road off of Route 8. Directions and address for All-Star Baseball are in the Links section. The hours for registration are Noon - 3pm Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18. And then 6pm - 8pm Monday and Tuesday, January 19 and 20.
By mail.
You can also register by printing out and completing the registration form, uniform sizing worksheet, pricing sheet and mailing all with a check to the HAA, PO Box 45, Allison Park, PA 15101. These are bundled together as 2009 Late Registration Packet in the Handouts section. A separate registration form and uniform worksheet must be filled out for each player. Please be sure that the pricing sheet amount is correct for the age bracket of each player. And please remember to add the obligatory $15 per family for a fund-raising lottery ticket for May.
Any questions for either method can be emailed to Ron McKinney per the Contacts section of the website.
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McCully Field Day
Last one (hopefully) of 2008! Saturday, November 8, 9:00 AM.
Please come and help close down the McCully fields for the winter. The more people, the faster things will be done. On tap for this field day:
- take down batting cages
- place tarps on the mound and batter's box on McCully 1
- take down the wind screens on McCully 1,2,3, and Meadow
- clean out the concession stand
- clean out the storage area and reorganize
- move team equipment bags to winter storage at the warehouse
- dig and cement pipes for the 3rd batting cage (weather permitting)
Please bring shovels, wheel barrow, post-hole diggers. Digging the pipes for the 3rd batting cage must be done by hand--no machines.
Everything above absolutely needs to be done, so only a blizzard will cancel the activities. Check the field hotline Friday evening November 7 or Saturday morning November 8.
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Fall Travel Teams
Fall baseball and softball players, parents, and team managers. If you are forming a team outside of the HAA to play in other associations' fall leagues, please advise the appropriate member of the HAA board so that the association is at least aware of members participating. This is not to discourage participation, but to allow the HAA to know what is happening.
Please be aware that HAA insurance does not cover any teams or players that are not registered with, or sponsored by, the HAA.
Thank you for your courtesy in keeping the HAA informed.
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Students can earn Community Service Hours
Hampton HS students. You can earn required Community Service hours helping out the HAA. There is always a need for help during the regular season and fall seasons. McCully field days, concession stand help during school and recreation games...
Contact Mr. McKinney using the contact list on the site to volunteer or find out more information as to how you can help and earn hours.
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THANK YOU!
With in-house championships finished, the spring season has ended for the majority of baseball and softball teams.
At this time, a collective "Thank you." goes out to the HAA directors, league commissioners, managers and coaches whose teams played this spring. Because of your efforts, almost 1,000 Hampton players were on the fields this season--enjoying the benefits of playing an organized team sport.
Stay tuned. Tournament season is upon us, then fallball, then we get to do it all again next year!
Have a fun summer everyone!
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McCully Field Day
Ready for Fallball? Help us get ready as well. Bring your rakes, shovels, work gloves, work boots, and willing spirits to the McCully Concession stand pavilion 8:00 am Saturday September 6 for the HAA's annual Fallball Field Day. Work will be done on McCully fields 2, 3, Meadow...and possibly Central (if time and manpower permits). The goal is a general prep for fallball, and installation of the netting posts for the new batting cage between Fields 2 & 3. For the latter, bring your post-hole digger, if available.
If you have a player on any HAA baseball or softball team, this is a great opportunity to help all the teams out by getting the fields ready for the spring season. The more volunteers, the faster the necessary work will be accomplished.
Hampton students can earn Community Service hours as well.
Be there or be square!
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Baseball and Softball Playoffs affected by Weather
National League, American League, Minor League, U8 Softball teams remaining in the playoffs. The thunderstorms Sunday and Monday wrecked havoc with the schedule, and caused substanial rescheduling late into Monday night.
All teams, please check with your league commissioners for the time and location of remaining playoff and championship games.
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Where are the pitching machines?
Baseball and Softball teams. In case anyone is looking for the electric pitching machines normally in the equipment box by the batting cage on the first base side of McCully 1, they have been moved to safety in the maintenance part of the Concession Building. If your team needs to use them, you can make arrangements with Bruce Steckel.
On 2 separate occasions in first 2 weeks of June, some genius (or geniuses) left the box open and unlocked. This was discovered at the end of the evening both times. Fortunately, this was before they either "grew legs", or were rained on. Since replacing the machines amounts to several thousand dollars, it was decided to place them in a more secure and controlled location.
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Fallball! Of the baseball or softball variety.
Baseball and Softball players. It's never too early to start thinking about fallball. The registration forms for each are in the Handouts section of the website. There are only so many weekends, so many field slots, and so much daylight in September and October, so registration for both is limited.
For softball players, registration forms have been delivered to spring team managers for distribution prior to, and during your GPGSL playoffs.
The HAA will be fielding both fast and slow pitch teams for the fall. The GPGSL planning meeting is early August, with the scheduling meeting the week after, so we need to form softball teams by the end of July. Hence the July 25 deadline.
If you wanna play, don't delay!
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Minor League Baseball and U8 Softball Championships Set
The Championship game for Minor League baseball has been set for Wednesday June 25, at 6:00 pm on McCully 2 field. This will be the culmination of the Minor League playoffs that will be held starting the weekend before. See your team managers and league commissioners for more details.
The American League baseball championship game will follow immediately after, on the same field.
The Championship game for U8 Softball has been set for Wednesday June 25, at 6:00 pm on McCully 3 field. The 2 teams playing will emerge from the playoff schedule finishing the weekend before. See your team managers and league commissioner for more details.
The National League baseball championship game will follow immediately after, on the same field.
Good luck to all teams!
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2008 Player Evaluation Form
Baseball and Softball Managers. The 2008 HAA player evaluation form can be found in the Handouts section of the website.
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Summer Baseball/Softball Clinics
Baseball and Softball players. Want to get better? In the Handouts section are bulletins for local summer baseball and softball clinics. You can register by mail with the organizers. The 2 at the moment are Hampton Coach Wilson's summer baseball clinic, and North Hills Coach Pecanis' summer softball clinic.
The Hampton Athletic Association does not endorse any specific clinic, but provides this information as a service to our visitors.
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PICTURE DAY RESCHEDULED
All HAA baseball and softball teams. Team picture day has been rescheduled for Sunday May 18, at the McCully Concession Stand Pavilion. Your league commissioners will advise your specific team appointments. Any problems with your team time should be worked out through them.
Managers. Please have your team assemble no later than 20 minutes prior to your appointed time. The photographers are notorious for running on schedule.
Parents. Bring a player, pen, and checkbook. Order forms for photographs and packages will be available on Sunday. This is what the 20 minutes are for.
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2008 McCully Batting Cage Procedures
All baseball and softball teams. The McCully batting cages are primarily for the use of teams playing scheduled games--especially one hour before game time. Please read and respect the rules for using them, found in the Handouts Section.
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Field Maintenance
All baseball and softball team managers. Please note the field maintenance procedures (in the Handouts section of the website) to be followed before and after all games played, or any practices conducted, on HAA fields.
This is the only way we can provide the best playing surfaces for all teams at all times. Your cooperation is not only appreciated, it is absolutely essential.
And that goes for Fallball as well as the regular Spring Season!
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Tournament Team Manager Candidates
If you are interested in managing an HAA-sponsored tournament team this summer, please contact your League Commissioner as soon as possible. At the end of April, A-team mangers are chosen by a vote of the HAA Executive Board from the candidates who have submitted their names. They are announced at the HAA Board Meeting on May 7. They have until May 15 to finalize their rosters. At that time, B-team managers are selected by the League Commissioner and HAA Executive from those who have advised their interest.
A and B tournament teams may be formed for 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12-year old baseball players. Softball tournament teams may be formed for U8 (7 & 8), U10 (9 & 10), U12 (11 & 12), U15 (13, 14, & 15) and U18 (16, 17, & 18).
The only exception to this process the 7-year-old A-Tournament Team. The HAA holds a try-out open to all 7-year-old players and picks the team. The Manager is selected from the parents of those players. There is no 7-year-old B-team.
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Field Day Postponed (Sound Familiar?)
Weather forced postponement of Saturday's field day for Meadow and High School 2 fields. More to come when more is known!
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Field Day (One more time!)
Thanks to all those who came for the field day this past Tuesday evening. We got most of the delivered infield dirt distributed, dragged, and rolled.
Tomorrow, Saturday April 12, the HAA is working on Meadow field (by the outdoor pool) and the High School 2 field (right beside the pool and gym entrance of the High School). If you can, please assemble at the McCully complex with rakes and shovels at 9:00 am. We hope to finish the work that was started last week, and advanced Tuesday evening.
This is one of the dedicated fields for the Minor League and U8 softball. For the coaches and parents of players in those leagues, it's an opportunity to pitch in and help yourself directly.
Because of the weather, check the McCully fields hotline (412-487-2501, mailbox 1) this evening and tomorrow morning to make sure that work will proceed.
And don't forget to check the hotline if you have practices scheduled this weekend.
Thanks again for the efforts of all who have helped!
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HAA Field Day (Evening) at High School 2
Thanks to all those who came for the rescheduled field day this past Sunday.
Tonight, Tuesday April 8, the HAA is working on the High School 2 field, right beside the pool and gym entrance of the High School. If you can, please assemble with rakes and shovels at 6:00 pm. We're moving the dirt that was delivered last week to the infield in preparation for the season to come.
This is one of the dedicated fields for the Minor League and U8 softball. For the coaches and parents of players in those leagues, it's an opportunity to pitch in and help yourself directly.
Sorry for the short notice, but we're trying to take advantage of the good weather.
See you there!
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HAA FIELD DAY POSTPONED
Due to weather, the HAA field day originally scheduled for Saturday April 5 has been posponed to Sunday April 6. Same time and place, McCully fields at 9:00 am.
Check the HAA field hotline (412-487-2501)(voice mailbox 1) for more current updates.
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HAA Picture Day Saturday April 12
Picture day for all baseball and softball teams is set for Saturday April 12. Look for your team's scheduled times from your team Managers. Times will be issued as soon as possible.
Pictures will be taken outdoors at McCully field complex. Assemble at the pavilion (some call it a "grove") by the McCully concession stand. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the team's scheduled time to fill out order forms and write checks.
An alternate indoor site will be advised in case of inclement weather. Let's expect a sparkling day.
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HAA FIELD DAY SATURDAY APRIL 5
Bring your rakes, shovels, work gloves, work boots, and willing spirits to the McCully Concession stand pavilion 9:00 am Saturday April 3 for the HAA's annual Spring Field Day. Work will be done on McCully fields 1, 2, 3, Meadow...and Central (if time and manpower permits). Several loads of infield mix will be delivered to the High School 1 and 2 fields on Friday. The HAA is renting a Bobcat to distribute the mix and workers are needed to help finish and roll the fields.
If you have a player on any HAA baseball or softball team, this is a great opportunity to help all the teams out by getting the fields ready for the spring season. The more volunteers, the faster the necessary work will be accomplished.
Last Sunday, a quickly assembled group of volunteers placed the backstop screening on all McCully fields and erected the batting cage nets. This week we can complete the spring preparations with everyone's help.
Be there or be square!
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2009 League Rules
Managers, Coaches, and people looking for a sure cure for insomnia...the 2009 official playing rules for baseball and softball are posted in the Handouts section. Please note that the GPGSL revised U10 through U18 softball rules for 2009. All other rules carry over from 2008, so don't be surprised if they still read "2008". Any changes will, of course, be posted.
Incorporated in every set of rules, for any games played on Hampton Home Fields, or by Hampton Teams on any fields, is the Thunder and Lightning Rule, which is also listed in the Handouts Section.
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Managers and Coaches Clearances
All teams have been formed. Ed Adams is in the process of insuring that every Manager and Coach named has submitted their Coaches Clearance Form. If you have not submitted your form for 2008 already, or are contacted by your League Commissioner, please complete it and submit it ASAP. Any HAA team (baseball or softball) cannot cannot take the field for a game or for practice unless supervised by a "cleared" Manager or Coach. The form is in the Handouts section.
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Congratulations Derek Layo!
Derek Layo is the winner of the design contest for the 50th anniversary patch that will be screened on all HAA baseball and softball uniforms this spring. Derek will receive his first prize of a DeMarini -3 baseball bat in time for this year's season. Congratulations also to second place winner Louis Ferraro, who receives tickets to a Pirates game and a $20 gift certificate to the Hampton Sports Zone. Thanks to all who submitted designs!
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50th Anniversary Celebration!
Mark your calendar for April 19th! The HAA will celebrate it's 50th year with a parade of all 2008 baseball and softball teams/leagues from the Hampton Community Center to McCully Field #1, where a commemorative picture will be taken of the entire association on the field. The photograph will appear on the cover of the next Hampton Quarterly Magazine. More details as the day approaches.
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Registration Has Ended
Wednesday January 9 was the last day for registration for Spring 2008 baseball and softball. Registrations are now subject to a late fee.
All late registrations (baseball or softball) are processed by Ron McKinney, fmmc@nauticom.net. You can contact any HAA person to inquire, but the actual registration will be handled by Ron. Ron will step you through the process and forward the registration information to the appropriate league.
If you are interested, please register as soon as possible. League drafts are almost all concluded. After the draft, registration is almost impossible because leagues and team sizes are set.
The registration forms for baseball and softball are in the "Handouts" section. All forms are in Adobe format, and can be downloaded and printed. Don't forget that copies of birth certificates must still be reviewed for players new to Hampton, and first-year T-ballers!
For all those who are already registered, Congratulations! Relax and enjoy the winter. Your next contact will be by your team manager
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Hampton Baseball and Softball Wear
Support the HAA with official baseball/softball wear and accessories! A variety of outerwear (hoodies, sweatshirts, windshirts), t-shirts and polo shirts are available, as well as bleacher blankets and car window decals. All declare your support for Hampton Baseball or Softball. If you haven't overdosed on royal blue and gold by now, this may just be the ticket to push you over the edge.
The products are on display during registration, and a brochure/order form is available on the "Handouts" page of this site. All orders need to be placed by January 20. Questions can be directed to Dianne Stuckman, per the contact information on the brochure.
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HAA Meetings Dates and Times
Dates and times for HAA General Membership and Board meetings have been set through June 2009. Days, dates, and times are all posted on the "Calendar" section of the website. Any changes will be circulated by email and on the website as soon as known.
Generally, the Board meetings are the first Wednesday of every month September through June. New for 2009, the general membership meetings are also on the first Wednesday of every month January through June, immediately following the Board meetings.
General Membership meetings are open to all. Board meetings are also open to all, but participation and voting is limited to Board Members. Business at board meetings is conducted by prior agenda only.
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HAA Unveils New Web Site
The Hampton Athletic Association is proud to unveil their new web site for the use of all their members. Upcoming events, schedules, league standings, and team information are but a few of the features of this new site. If you want to know who what where when and why for Hampton youth baseball or softball, this is the place to go.
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2008 Spring Registration, January 5 & 9, 2008
It's never too early to start thinking about next year! Registration for all ages and all leagues will be January 5 and 9, 2008, at the Hampton High School Cafeteria. Go the the "Handouts" section for more detailed information. Players need to be present at registration for uniform sizing.
If you want to speed up the process, download one registration form in the "Handouts" section for each player you are registering and bring them to registration already filled in. Don't forget to bring copies of birth certificates for players new to Hampton, and first-year T-ballers!
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2009 HAA Coaches Clearance Form
Prospective Managers and Coaches...you must submit an HAA coaches' clearance form and receive the HAA's approval prior to managing or coaching on any baseball or softball team. The form, and directions for submission, can be found in the "Handouts" section. Please note the new address at the bottom, if submitting by mail.
This form is required for fallball managers and coaches if not already submitted for the spring season.
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