Notes from the Commissioner

Yesterday the voting window closed for this years election and the results were announced at the Summer Pizza Party this morning. I want to congratulate Donnie Witmer who was elected to the position of Commissioner as well as Tom Hamilton and Bob Hite  who were elected to the Board of Directors. They will be replacing Al Andrews and Ron Butler. I also want to give a shout out to the other candidates that stepped up and ran for a position. This was the closest election in a number of years and speaks to the qualifications and commitment to the League of all the candidates.The installation of the Commissioner and newly elected Board Members will take effect 1 October.

As stated earlier, today was our summer pizza party. Hungry Howies provided the pizza and the cookies were once again provided by Bob Hites wife, Melanie. In addition to recognizing the newly elected officers, we recognized the ground crew with a cash donation for the outstanding support they continue to provide us every week. When you see them, please take a minute to personally thank them and let them know how much they are appreciated.

Today also kicked off our Sponsorship Program. It will run until the end of September.We need your support more than ever in acquiring new sponsors. As you know, sponsors, along with Enjoyment Book sales cover almost 60% of our annual budget. We currently have less than half the number of sponsors from this year so we are looking at a substantial deficit in the budget. This coming in the year when we have the additional cost associated with replacing everyone's hat and upgrading our uniforms to a dry wicking material. Without additional sponsors we are faced with reducing or eliminating services or increasing the annual membership dues. Something no one on the Board wants to see happen.

Please pick up or print out a sponsorship letter and take with you to a vendor or business that you frequent and ask them to support Senior Softball. The cost to the sponsor is $250 per year and the explanation of benefits are covered in the letter. Please put your contact information on the lines provided on the letter. If you recruit a sponsor for the year, your registration fees will be waived except for the $10 we must pay to the City of Winter Haven. That means a win-win-win situation.