COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT
MARCH 2008
I am sorry to say that no one has stepped up to take the Sec/Treas position. Again this year the three officers up for reelection is going unopposed. However, I am happy to report that Byron Jarrett Second VP, Vicki Marteney Forth VP and YES! John Peplinski have decided to seek reelection. I want to thank all three for their continued dedication to the association. The membership should be thankful that John is willing to be your Sec/Treas for the next two years and when you see him next time thank him in person for a job well done and putting the association first. Over the next year the Executive Council will be looking for John’s replacement so that he can train the incoming Sec/ Treas to take his place in 2010. I also want to thank the Nominating/Election Committee of Joe West, Jim Hayden and Charlie Thornsburg for their effort in trying to get a replacement for John.
The Club Team Championship tournament was held on January 26th at Clearwater with fifteen teams from eight clubs participated in this year’s event making it the largest participations since its inception. This year is the first year that the tournament was held as a handicap count all tournament with the team accumulating the highest points declared the winner. This year’s winner was Clearwater Team 4 with a point total of 4293. Second place went to Brooksville with a team total of 4260, third place Clearwater Team 1 with 4240 points, forth place St Cloud with 4231 points and a tie for fifth place between Clearwater Team 2 and Brevard Team 1 with 4222 points. Thanks to Ron Deckard Tournament Director for a job well done in setting up this tournament and the Clearwater HSC club in doing an outstanding job as host.
The Clearwater HSC will host this years State tournament to be held April 23 through the 26th. Look elsewhere in the Newsletter for information on Motel, Banquet information and other state related items. As soon as John Peplinski has completed setting up the mixed doubles, doubles and single classes Jim Smith and Marvin Grubb will post them on the State and Clearwater website.
As most of you know the NHPA came out with guidelines on sanctioning horseshoe courts. This was no small undertaking for our clubs. You probable noticed that foul lines have been repainted and in some cases moved to meet the new requirements. Pegs have also been reset where needed. Now all courts are standard which is a good thing. I want to thank Ron Deckard Regional Director who had the task of seeing that all clubs (with the exception of a few) in Florida completed the requirements to either meet Conditional or Full Court Sanctions requirements and thanks to all Club Presidents and their members in getting the work completed.
On a sadder note we loss two of our members, Bill
Leahy and Ed Senger. We also lost Luther Adams who was a charter member of the
BCHC. My sincere condolence goes out to their families and I know that they
will be missed.
I am looking forward to seeing you all at this years State Tournament and wish each of you the best. Again good luck and good pitching.
Bob Hilpertshauser
President FSHPA, Inc.