In this issue: From Our League Commissioner€¦ · West End Slo-pitch Association 2015 ~ “Together In Pride” ~ 37th Season Since 1978! WESA.net June 2015 Page 2 Wow, you guys

West End Slo-pitch Association 2015 ~ “Together In Pride” ~ 37th Season Since 1978! WESA.net June 2015 Page 1

Our 37th Season is now halfway through and I trust you are enjoying all the benefits that WESA Softball has to offer. What a wonderful opening day the League experienced and it was great to have much of the League together on the diamond for an “en masse” membership photo (see page 8)! This is the largest the League membership has ever been with 16 teams. Our D division in particular is still bursting at the seams even though last years’ graduating class moved 15 members from D to C division. Let’s hope this years’ graduating class moves several more skilled members to the C division. This year the Commission took feedback from the WESA coaches and tried

to field a 17th team. Although there were enough potential members on the League’s wait list, the challenges of finding a 17th coach and securing additional field playing permits proved unmanageable. These two challenges will remain with the League in the future and may limit our ability to grow. To grow WESA beyond 16 teams, the League needs to secure additional field permits from the Vancouver Parks Board. The solution appears simple, secure additional playing time at the Strathcona diamonds. The Parks Board assigned WESA a handful of extra hours at Strathcona in 2015. However, the allotment of hours was not enough to allow the League to expand our schedule with a 17th team. Even though the Strathcona Junction SW diamond often goes unused on Sunday afternoons, WESA is not able to secure a permit for this time slot as another League possesses the permit. It may be possible to secure additional field permits at a second location on Sundays. This would facilitate expansion, but would mean our members would be split between two different parks on Sundays, less than ideal for League socializing. Other options exist:

1. extending the season; 2. playing more night games; 3. reducing the quantity of games; or 4. shortening League games to 55 minutes.

Challenging decisions and choices must be made in order to come up with a new strategy to grow WESA. With this article, I hope to educate our membership about the challenges the League faces, the parameters that go into our decisions, and the external limitations that our League faces. The Commission with help from the membership will work to come up with a new plan to manage growth in 2016 and in future years. We will target growth in both divisions by focusing on three priorities:

1. Securing additional field permits; 2. Migration of players from D to C; and 3. Recruitment of additional coaches.

In the meantime, enjoy the League to its fullest. Teams have now qualified for the 2015 Gay Softball World Series, C+D Mixer games are back for 2015, the WESA Picnic is June 7th, and the fabulous WESA Pageant is on June 14th (see Special Events Commissioner Lance’s article on page 3 and the WESA Pageant advert on page 4). The Commission is here to ensure a great member experience for everyone. Feel free to chat with us or email us anytime. Darcy Simpson ~ WESA League Commissioner 2015-2016 ~ [email protected]

Remember that your WESA Athletes Card does not expire and is good for as long as you have the card. You can find out the details at WESA.net and the information is also optimized for smart phones. Visit WESA sponsors as often as you can, show your Athlete Card and personally thank our business partners for their generosity and support. *NO information about members will be collected, stored, or shared with the use of this Card. The Card is simply a way for WESA

Members to legitimately identify themselves for promotions or discounts being offered from participating Sponsors. The WESA Athlete Card is non-transferrable nor assignable.

In this issue: From Our Commissioner ........ p.1 Membership Commissioner ... p.2 WESA Athletes Card ............... p.3 WESA Pageant ........................ p.3 Members-at-Large.................. p.5 First Aid & Defibrillator .......... p.5 New Hot Dot Softball ............. p.6 Jersey Pick-up Party Pix ........ p.7 2015 WESA Membership

Group Photo ........................ p. 8 Adding Game Schedule to

Smart Phones ....................... p.9 WESA 2015 Financials.......... p.10 Proposed Lifetime

Membership Criteria. ......... p.11 WESA Fundraising Tee ......... p.12 Pacific Cup 2015................... p.13 Newsletter Credits &

Commission Emails .............. p.14

From Our League Commissioner

WESA 2015 Sponsors Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

WESA Athlete Card Program Continues


Wow, you guys amaze me! Eight months ago as I was asking to be your Membership Commissioner I was challenging you to prove this league has what it takes to remain healthy and support both of our divisions. I joined the Commission in taking on the challenge underway to add a team to the C division for the 2015 season.

That happened, but in the end it was YOU that did it. 19 members moved from D to C this season. That’s unprecedented - and it’s humbling. It shows there’s a commitment to our league that will carry us through another 37 seasons and beyond.

You know what else? The league replaced those 19 members and then some - with 42 members joining WESA for the first time this year. These new members in general are attracted to our league because you have invited them or because they have seen you making this league what it is - an amazing sporting community that knows how to have a good time. Out. Of. Control. Meeting all these new members has been my favourite part of the season so far. At our annual Rookie Camp we had a record 71 attendees (up from 38 last year). We were able to host a Spring Training for the C newbies at the same time with these high numbers and had both C and D coaches attending. Turns out we could actually have added another D team as well, had we been expecting this. Which gives our league something to work toward in the future. Darcy your League Commissioner and Kevin your Rules and Regs guy are getting awfully creative at sourcing new fields and clever scheduling options to make that happen. Did you realize your league is stressing the city of Vancouver’s ability to host you? You are quite the Phenom. Going forward this season I want to continue highlighting skill development opportunities and social outlet events for all our members. That’s what you’ve told me you’d like to see! Please hit me up and give me any further feedback or ideas you have - I’m ready for you to wow me again!

Bill Ignacio ~ WESA Membership Commissioner 2015-2016 ~ [email protected]

Important Dates

Saturday, April 11, 2015 Open Practice @ Strathcona Park

NW Diamond 10am-12pm

Monday, April 20, 2015 Jersey Pick-up Party

@ AllStar Wings & Ribs (808 Bute @ Robson) 6-9pm

Sunday, April 26, 2015 37th Annual Opening Day

Social Sunday Opening Day Party @ PumpJack 5-9pm

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 WESA Mixer Game #1

@ Strathcona Park @ Celebrities NW Diamond 6:30pm

Friday, May 22, 2015 WESA Mixer Game #2

@ Strathcona Park @ Celebrities NW Diamond 6:30pm

Sunday, May 24, 2015 GO! Team Fundraiser

@ Junction (NON WESA EVENT)

Sunday, May 31, 2015 Social Sunday Party

@ Fountainhead Pub 5-9pm

Sunday, June 07, 2015 WESA Picnic In The Park

& Exhibition Games @ Strathcona Park 2:30-5:30pm

Saturday, June 13, 2015 28th Annual WESA Pageant

@ Celebrities 7pm

Thursday, June 18, 2015 WESA Mixer Game #3

@ Brockton Oval in Stanley Park 6:30pm

Thursday, July 9, 2015 WESA Mixer Game #4

@ Brockton Oval in Stanley Park 6:30pm

Saturday, July 18, 2015 WESA Cup League Play-offs Day #1

Sunday, July 19, 2015 WESA Cup League Play-offs Day #2

Social Sunday WESA Cup Bash @ PumpJack 6-9pm

Sunday, August 02, 2015 Pride Parade WESA Entry

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS! Email [email protected]

Friday, September 04, 2015 36th Pac Cup Tournament Registration @TBD 7-9pm

Saturday, September 05, 2015 36th Pac Cup – Play Day #1 Talent Show @ TBD 8-10pm

Sunday, September 06, 2015 36th Pac Cup – Play Day #2 Awards Party @ TBD 7-9pm

Sunday, September 12 or 19, 2015 2015 Awards Celebration Event @ Holiday Inn Downtown 6:30-11pm

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 2015 Annual General Meeting

@ TBD 7pm

Dates may change as required and WESA will let you know if they do.

Questions?

Email us at [email protected]

You Amaze Our Membership Commissioner!

People in Pictures (L to R) C+D Mixer (May13/15) Back row: Bill Ignacio, Daryl Roche, Eddy Abbey, Daniel Villeneuve, Jonny Lebosh, Steev Letts, Cameron Francis, Ashley Letts, Andrew Merwyn-Fenton, Patrick King, Jordan Uyede; Front row: John Lauder, Ian Clarke, Todd Legrée, Michael Cosman, Donny Steel, Lance Sandover, and Scott Allen.

West End Slo-pitch Association 2015 ~ “Together In Pride” ~ 37th Season Since 1978! WESA.net May 2015 Page 3

“Life must be lived as play.” ~ Plato Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m Lance Sandover, your friendly neighbourhood Special Events Commissioner! I love doing this so much that I keep coming back for more and now this is my fourth year at it! Also because nobody else can do it as good as me… JUST KIDDING! Just wanted to get your attention! I wanted to quote Plato because I really believe in his words in that quote. We all work so hard to make our lives, but “life must be lived as play” for sure! Hence, the real reason why I keep coming back is because simply I love doing it and putting on fun events for everyone, I love to play at everything! We’ve already had several fun events for the membership and friends: the Welcome Party

@ Junction (February 25th); the Jersey Pick-up Party @ AllStar Wings & Ribs (April 22nd); the Opening Day Party @ PumpJack (April 26th); and a Social Sunday @ Fountainhead Pub (May 31st).

Our next event is the 28th Annual WESA Pageant @ Celebrities Nightclub on Saturday, June 13th, our BIGGEST and SIGNATURE event of the season! The Pageant this year is called “Academy”! Why? Well an academy is a society or institution of distinguished scholars, artists, or scientists, that aims to promote and maintain standards in its particular field. Well to expand on that definition, our little ole pageant brings together the best of a group of people (your teammates on your team and our audience), trying to maintain the best standard of play and performance! We want the Pageant contestants to be the best at their craft. Anyone who has the balls to get up on stage to perform—sometimes for the first time ever in whatever garb and drag, lip-synching to a song—is definitely doing the best that they can, all for the audiences’ enjoyment while raising funds for charity! Contestant Packages (which include details and instructions about the pageant, a blank sash that your team will decorate for their contestant, a flash drive for teams to save their music files to, and names of the past couple years of pageants—names are hilarious!) have already been distributed to eager contestants.

$20 tickets are on sale now at Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium (1238 Davie Street), at barrette salon (1318 Hornby Street), and I will also be selling tickets at the fields every Sunday. We will also have a VIP Section at Celebrities where there will be bottle service, a dedicated bartender, and a private seating area! VIP Tickets are $40 each and there are only 50 of them.

All Proceeds of the Pageant will go to a local charity or community organization. Get your tickets now! For some giggles, here are the 2014 WESA Pageant contestant names: 1. Miss Anya Knees – Team Pacific Spirit Massage 2. Miss Stella de Whoro – Team Celebrities Nightclub C 3. Miss Anita Brazilian – Team Vancity Lofts 4. Miss Amy Whorehouse – Team Score on Davie 5. Miss Dusty Fields - Team barrette

6. Miss Ellaneous - Team Numbers 7. Miss Phyllis Hull – Team Sotheby’s Realty 8. Miss Olivia Newton Long Dong – Team Fountainhead Pub 9. Miss Phyllis McMuffin – Team Oasis Bar & Grill 10. Miss Carriage – Team Celebrities Nightclub D

And 2013 WESA Pageant’s contestant names: 1. Miss Ursula Major – Team barrette 2. Miss Sally Swallows – Team Celebrities Nightclub 3. Miss Whore-ia-Estafan – Team Fountainhead Pub 4. Miss Chardonnaynay – Team Junction 5. Miss Penny Tration – Team Numbers C 6. Miss Hannah Jobs – Team Numbers D 7. Miss Dawn. K. Punch – Team Pacific Spirit Massage 8. Miss Delilah Fridays – Team Priscilla's on Davie

9. Miss Delilah – Team PumpJack C 10. Mister Hugh Schwollenpecker – Team PumpJack D 11. Miss Shequanda BooBoo Child – Team "Richardson GMP 12. Miss Cher Nobyl – Team Score on Davie 13. Miss Tranyelle – Team Sotheby's Realty 14. Miss Jasmin Joxxtrap – Team TRG Realty 15. Miss Donita Neal – Team Vancity

Lance Sandover ~ WESA Special Events Commissioner 2015 ~ [email protected]

28th Annual WESA Pageant 2015 Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

WESA needs YOU! For what you ask?!

This year’s Pride Parade Entry needs WESA Members

to coordinate a FUN & Amazing entry! Interested

Members please contact [email protected]

for more details!


WESA Pageant Winners

Throughout The Past 27 Years!

2015: XXVIII – YOU COULD BE THE NEXT WINNER!

2014: XXVII – Logan Chinski (Celebrities Nightclub D)

2013: XXVI – Micah Gilbert (Richardson GMP)

2012: XXV – Sean Gregor (Priscilla’s on Davie)

2011: XXIV – Scott Robertson (Sotheby’s Int’l. Realty)

2010: XXIII – Aaron Farr (Vancouver Downtown Rentals.com)

2009: XXII – Greg Lawton (Dahl & Connors Lawyers)

2008: XXI – Shawn Maslechko (PumpJack)

2007: XX – Michael C. (F212 Steam)

2006: XIX – Denis Laferrière (Tiffany’s on Denman)

2005: XVIII – Brian D. (Vancity)

2004: XVII – Aaron Ursaki (F212 Steam)

2003: XVI – Drew H. (Numbers)

2002: XV – Ann T. (F212 Steam)

2001: XIV – Guy G. (Davie Flight Centre)

2000: XIII – Jamie Simpson (Brockton Clubhouse)

1999: XII – Keith Layman (Xtra! West)

1998: XI – John C. (Royal Hotel)

1997: X – Julie S. (Little Sister’s)

1996: IX – Darren B. (Maxell Canada)

1995: VIII – Jeff K. (Xtra! West)

1994: VII – Michael M. (Royal Hotel)

1993: VI – Wayne Pickerell (D&R Clothing)

1992: V – Art Gullett (Numbers)

1991 – No Pageant

1990: IV – Martin MC (Streets)

1989: III – Hans L. (Doll & Penny’s)

1988: II – Wes B. (Doll & Penny’s)

1987: I – Derek T. (Odyssey Nightclub)


Hello Members and Welcome to the 2015 Season! WESA OPEN PRACTICE We had a successful Open Practice on Saturday, April 11, 2015 as 24 members participated, all coming from a wide range of backgrounds and play experiences. Thank you to everyone to came out to this practice. Much time was sent on theory on both outfield and infield positions and ended off the practice with a scrimmage game. Huge Thank Yous for taking the time out of your busy schedules to Heywood Wu for coaching, Scott Fullerton for umpiring our scrimmage game afterwards, and Darcy Simpson for your guidance at this Open Practice. We have received a lot of positive feedback about the Open Practice and many inquiries as to when the next one will be which is great to hear. We will try to arrange additional Open Practices with the Coaches and the game schedule as we would like to host a few more throughout the season. FIRST AID AND AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) The Commission decided to invest in a portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and it will be located on the Centre Diamond supply box at Strathcona Park. We expect to receive the AED sometime in June. Given WESA has an older demographic than other sports such as soccer or volleyball and a heart stoppage can occur as a result of sudden blow to the chest, the Commission decided to add an extra layer of precaution for the safety and welfare of its members. Features of the AED are:

1. 8 year warranty; 2. Adult SMART Pad Cartridge; 3. Battery Pack with 4-year warranty; 4. Owner’s Manual and Quick Reference Guide; 5. Fast Response Kit; 6. 200 shock battery capacity; and 7. User info button, dust, water and humidity resistant.

I would like to acknowledge the 19 WESA members who have a valid First Aid Certificate and are willing to be called on in case of an incident. Each supply bin will be posted a list of their names and the teams they play for. Lastly, due to work commitments I will not be playing as often as I would like, however I will remain behind the scenes in making this season as successful as possible.

Denis Laferrière ~ WESA Member-at-Large D Division 2015 | [email protected]

From Our 2015 Members-at-Large: C Division & D Division Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

People in Pictures (L to R) WESA Open Practice (Apr.11/15) Back row: Darcy Simpson, Greg Coram, Scott Fullerton, Ryan Cheys, Steve Schaffrick, Rick Schippanoski, Donny Steel, Julian Crane, Sydney Malcolm, David Bishop, Colin Bell, Steev Letts, Ashley Letts, Alex Crabtree, Andrew Fong, Denis Laferrière, Tim Bauer, Heywood Wu, and John Ruffo; Front row: Sam Prasad, Greg Lawton, Kyle Boivin, and Scott Robertson; Missing from Picture: Gio Branco, Colby Brose, Gary Glans, Jody Neid, and Justin Mui.


All of you now know that WESA switched to a new ball this season, the “Hot Dot” ball, because the softballs that we used to purchase are no longer being made. This ball is designed to give players consistent hit distance at all temperatures—especially true in the hotter weather, when the balls dramatically drop in performance and distance. Especially with the way our weather fluctuates. With the softer and decreased compression of the core, the ball will not come off as hot or carry as far as the Gold/Gray Dot balls. This basically means that you may lose 5-7 feet in hit ting distance, but for our infielders and pitchers, hopefully a safer ball. Ball specs are: Unique core formulation reduces compression loss in hot weather

creating a ball that plays long in all temperature conditions ProTac Cover 12”, .52 COR, 300 lbs. max compression Red stitch, C-LOK.

* * * The following is copied from http://www.bestcovery.com/best-softballs: All softballs may seem similar to the untrained eye, but there are differences that you should know about before you buy some for your team or league. Size, COR, and compression, are the main things to be concerned with. Size is the first measurement to consider. Size will depend on the rules of your league. Softballs come in different sizes. In fastpitch, the standard size is 12”, but younger youth leagues may use an 11” or even a 10” ball. In slo-pitch softball, either an 11” or 12” ball is used. If you are from Chicago, you may know that the game was first played in the Windy City, and that 16” softballs were used. They were perfect for small neighborhood parks as the ball did not travel as far. In Chicago, the game is still played with 16 inch balls and no gloves. The COR measurement tells how bouncy a softball is. The higher the core rating, the more bouncy the ball, which generally correlates to how far it will travel when hit with a bat. Here is what the measurement means: If a softball is thrown at a wall at 60 miles per hour and it bounces off that wall at 30 miles per hour, it experienced a 50% reduction in speed. The COR would be measured at

.50. Most leagues use a ball around .44 or .47 COR. A change from a COR of .44 to a COR of .47 would result in a 6% performance increase. This

means that a 240-foot out with a .44 COR ball would turn into a 254-foot home run with a .47 COR ball. The last measurement to be concerned with is compression. This is basically a measure of how hard the ball is. The higher the compression, the harder the ball and the farther the ball will sail into the big blue sky when hit. Compression measures how many pounds of force is required to squeeze two sides of the softball in by one-quarter of an inch. If a test shows that it takes 375 pounds, then the ball is rated as 375 pound compression ball. Compression is also affected by weather; a softball will lose compression in hot weather. A wet

ball will initially experience an increase in compression, but as more moisture is absorbed, compression will decrease.

* * * If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please email me! Sam Prasad ~ WESA Member-at-Large C Division 2015 | [email protected]

New “Hot Dot” Softball for 2015 Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor


WESA 2015 Jersey Pick-Up Party @ AllStar Wings & Ribs ~ April 20, 2015



Did you know you can import all of your games and WESA events into your phone? Here’s how to subscribe to your Team’s WESA Calendar through your phone.

If you have any questions about this or anything else technology related, please contact me! Scott Allen ~ WESA 2015-2016 Technology Commissioner | [email protected]

1. On your smart phone, use your browser to go to WESA.NET and Tap “LOG IN”

2. Enter your email, PW, then tap “SIGN IN”. *Please note the instructions if you can’t remember your PW

3. Tap “TEAMS”, then tap “SCHEDULE” from the menu

4. Tap your Division and select the Team

5. Tap the super tiny “Schedule Icon” (Sorry, we can’t change it)

6. When Prompted tap “SUBSCRIBE”

Tutorial on adding your WESA games & events to your smart phone!

7. Tap “VIEW EVENTS” 8. You should now have all your games on your smart phone, as well as general WESA events in your calendar! We hope that will never miss a game again


WESA 2015 Financials (approved by 2015 Commission)

Updates to the budget are as of May 26, 2015. If you have any questions about any of the line items, please feel free to contact me. Adrian Pape ~ WESA Treasurer 2014-2015 | [email protected]

As of: May 26, 2015 2015 Budget 2015 Actual (16 teams) (16 teams)

REVENUE Membership 29,120.00 29,570.00 Sponsorship 15,850.00 15,850.00 Pac Cup sponsorship 3,000.00 2,000.00 Pac Cup revenues 4,200.00 600.00 Miscellaneous 400.00 823.44 NAGAAA Offset revenue - 1,200.00 Spare fees - - WESA pageant 9,000.00 - WESA T-shirt sales 500.00 - Total revenues $62,070.00 50,043.44

EXPENSES Administration Adjustment to opening balance - -

Athlete Cards - - Banking fees 100.00 126.32 Director liability insurance 900.00 883.00 Mailbox 300.00 248.64 Meetings 300.00 32.48 NAGAAA Meeting expenses 2,700.00 1,394.82 NAGAAA Membership dues 350.00 350.00 NAGAAA Offset expenses - 1,200.00 Team sponsor expenses 500.00 252.56 Website/Software 750.00 725.39 Total administration 5,900.00 5,213.21

Operations Equipment and supplies 3,000.00 1,723.87 Field permits 5,000.00 4,266.00 Insurance 1,440.00 1,530.00 Publishing 350.00 466.77 Storage locker 1,000.00 1,121.40 Umpires 8,000.00 5,806.00 Uniforms 11,200.00 10,995.22 Total operations 29,990.00 25,909.26

Special events Awards 2,500.00 - Banquet 7,000.00 - Charity donations 6,000.00 - Draft party 200.00 337.38 Feedback Session 250.00 277.45 Opening Day - - Pac Cup expenses 6,700.00 898.70 Pride 800.00 - Registration parties 75.00 58.99 WESA Pageant 2,000.00 - WESA T-Shirt Costs 500.00 - Total special events 26,025.00 1,572.52

Total expenses 61,915.00 32,694.99

Surplus/Deficit Current Year $155.00 $17,348.45

Notes to Budget:

Awards Awards, medals, honours, etc.; decreased from 2014 actual based on repairs now complete.

Athlete cards WESA membership discount cards.

Banking fees

Cheque printing, returned item fees, PayPal and other service fees. The Vancity account has no fees for basic banking services, returned cheque fees are recovered from members.

Banquet Estimate $40 per member @ 175 attendees.

Charity donations To be determined at WESA year end.

Director liability insurance $900 premium estimate, to be confirmed with renewal.

Mailbox Mailbox rental to ensure all mail is centralized and separate address is available for league.

Draft party Draft party supplies.

Equipment and supplies All equipment and supplies required to operate the league

Feedback Session New initiative to gather feedback on increasing membership.

Field permits Reflect costs and field bookings during regular season & playoffs

Insurance $90 per team

Meetings Monthly Exec meetings.

Membership 224 members in 2016 (16 teams @ 14 players each); 218 in 2014; 223 in 2013

Miscellaneous Interest earned, recovered banking fees, banquet ticket sales, other misc.

NAGAAA Meeting expenses

Travel expenses as required per membership, further destination in 2015.

NAGAAA membership Annual membership dues

NAGAAA Offset expenses

These are the chargeable expenses that WESA must issue cheques for - GSWS team entry fee of $600 and team hotel room deposit of $300. Cheques will be issued to NAGAAA upon receipt of funds from the four GSWS WESA teams. The hotel room deposit will be refunded to WESA at which point refund cheques will be made to the two GSWS WESA teams. The NAGAAA Offset expenses will be offset by the NAGAAA Offset revenues per above.

NAGAAA Offset revenue

Funds received from WESA GSWS teams for entry fees and hotel room deposits, and funds received from NAGAAA for rebates of hotel room deposits

Opening day Opening day supplies.

Pac Cup expenses Incl. field bookings, equipment, promotions, awards, etc.

Pac Cup revenues Team registration fees - estimate 12 teams at $300 each.

Pac Cup sponsorship Sponsorship dollars dedicated specifically to Pac Cup - 1/3 of Diamond sponsorship + 1 additional event at $1,000.

Pride Expenses for the Pride parade entry

Publishing Similar to 2014 with intent of using updated website functionalities in lieu of historic publishing mediums.

Registration party WESA membership prize

Spare fees Funds received from non-member WESA players during the regular season

Storage Locker Decreased from 2014 actual as late 2013 fees incurred in previous year.

Team sponsor Exp. Team sponsor photos

Sponsorship - Teams Forecast 12 Gold team sponsors each sponsor paying $900.

Sponsorship - League Forecast 3 Silver sponsors each paying $350, 2 Diamond sponsors each paying $3,000.

Umpires Reflect costs of umpires during regular season & playoffs

Uniforms Estimate 16 teams and price of 2014 uniforms.

Website/software Includes wesa.net domain fees, network hosting, & software expenses

WESA Pageant Rev. Estimate $9,000 based on 2013 & 2014 averages and 450 people at $20 per ticket.

WESA Pageant Exp. DJ, rentals, Dancers, DVD editing/filming, ticket costs; additional media costs from prior year.

WESA T-Shirt GSWS fundraising effort for T-shirt swap Report from our Treasurer


The below is the proposed text that WESA will use to guide us in awarding Lifetime Memberships. We welcome ALL feedback and comments on the proposed criteria below at [email protected] by June 30, 2015. Any current WESA Member may nominate another longstanding current WESA Member, Sponsor, etc. for Lifetime Membership. The Commission will vote on the final criteria in July.

~ ~ ~ The intent of this designation is to recognize a person who is or has been associated with the West End Slo-pitch Association (WESA) providing substantially to it and has made a significant contribution to the softball association. Lifetime Membership is the highest Award available to recognise the exceptional contribution of individuals to the sports club. It is therefore only to be awarded in exceptional circumstances. In considering the award of Lifetime Membership an individual should have demonstrated significant, sustained, and high quality service enhancing the reputation and future of WESA. The nomination should be prepared so as to set out the achievements and activities of the nominee and at a minimum must meet the award criteria as set out below. Nominations must be received by the current Commission no later than the 1st of [month] in the year which the nomination is to be considered. The following rules govern consideration for the WESA Lifetime Award: The nominee’s length of service to WESA shall be at least ?? years in either or both an:

on field (i.e. coaching / managing); or off field (i.e. WESA Commission, association supporter / sponsor, etc.) roles;

with such service in either role being taken concurrently; The nominee must have made a substantial contribution to WESA and meet the following criteria:

Been an outstanding leader in the association through coaching/managing a team; Volunteered significantly to WESA in other areas other than coaching or serving on the Commission;

and or Provided useful experience, knowledge, support, and or sponsorship, etc. to guide WESA’s

operations, evolution, and or progression; The nominee will have demonstrated a commitment to the principals of fair play & good sportsmanship; The general attitude and overall demeanor of the nominee to ensure that the attitude is one that reflects a

dedication to the values of WESA; (what are our values?) The nominee will have provided valued leadership and / or been an outstanding role model to the members

in general; The nominees’ service must reflect favourably on and brought credit to WESA; The nomination must be submitted by any current WESA member in good standing; The person may not nominate himself or herself; No elected officer or officer by acclamation or appointment of the Association may be a nominee during an

active term of office; The WESA Commission has the right to forego a designation in a given year; The selection shall be made by the current WESA Commission;

These points apply in whatever role the nominee has participated in during their service in WESA (on or off the field). Achieving the minimum service levels will not in any way automatically guarantee the award of Lifetime Membership. Benefits of WESA Lifetime Membership: In addition to the status of membership of a select group within WESA, WESA Lifetime Members will be

recognised by: Award of the WESA Lifetime Membership at the WESA Annual Awards Celebration Event or Annual General

meeting; Exemption from regular league membership fees associated with WESA (i.e. Registration fees to cover

WESA operational costs would apply for on field activities); and Invitations to attend all official WESA functions (i.e. Annual Awards Celebration Events).

Retraction of a WESA Lifetime Membership Award may occur where the recipient has conducted him/herself in a manner that reflects directly and adversely on the image or activities of WESA generally or on a specific code. This provision will only be exercised in exceptional circumstances and will require the unanimous agreement of the current Commission to be enacted. As part of the deliberations, the WESA Lifetime Member in question is to be given an opportunity to present their case for retention of their Lifetime Membership status. Present WESA Lifetime Members (in no particular order): 1. Fraser Biggs* 2. Terry Wallace* (Deceased) 3. Dan Robertson* 4. Rick Vandebeld* 5. Gary Penny (2000) (Sponsor)

6. Art Gullett (2007) 7. Daryl Quick (2007) 8. Mike FitzGerald (2013) 9. Don Parker (2013)

*The years that the Lifetime Membership was awarded is not available ~ ~ ~

Justin Mui ~ WESA Secretary 2015 ~ [email protected]

PROPOSED WESA Lifetime Membership Criteria Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

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The 2015 Commission has introduced a fundraising WESA Tee this season that we hope many of the Membership, your friends, and family will purchase! For a low affordable $25 per Tee (including taxes!), you will sport a soft stylish 100% combed and ring-spun cotton V-neck black tee! Everyone loves an LBT (“little black tee”)!

Cash or credit card will be accepted by 2015 Gold Sponsor Attitude Promo (formerly Saige Consulting, who supplies WESA with our jerseys) who’s selling them on WESA’s behalf. Where do the raised funds go? Net proceeds collected from these fundraising tees will be used only to

subsidize and offset the entry fees for qualifying WESA teams to the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) taking place in Columbus, OH from Monday to Saturday, August 17th to 22nd. Should there be any funds left over after paying the entry fees, the Commission will hold the balance for future GSWS entry fees only. All WESA qualifying teams who accept the opportunity to attend the 2015 GSWS will continue to conduct their own fundraising efforts to cover costs of hotel deposits & accommodations, airfare for their team players attending, food & beverage, and entertainment costs. WESA 2015 Fundraising Tees are on sale online at http://scg.ca/products/wesa-2015-fundraiser-v-neck from Attitude Promo. Get one now for yourself and then get another when you go to GSWS to trade at the GSWS Opening Party!

Justin Mui ~ WESA Secretary 2015 | [email protected]

WESA 2015 Fundraising Tee

Open Batting Practice – May 17, 2015

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People in Pictures (L to R) Heywood's 2015 Batting Clinic for Weywood WESA Gurls! (May17/15) Back row: Miguel Mondaca, Jonny Lebosh, Sven Tsvetkov, Rachel Bradley, Michael Williams, John Lauder, Ashley Letts; and Nelson Santos; Front row: Heywood Wu, Bill Ignacio, Nathan Allison, and Craig Littlejohn; Missing from Picture: Rob LeBlanc, Jody Neid, Colin Briggs, Justin Mui, and four others.


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The Vancouver Pride Society’s Pride Legacy Orange Award for Healing & Sports recognizes an outstanding individual whose work in sports has enriched, or raised the profile of, Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community. Our very own member Scott Fullerton became this year’s recipient on May 28th in a packed house at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Here is part of the nomination that was submitted to the Vancouver Pride Society’s Pride Legacy Awards: Scott has dedicated thousands of hours to playing sports, volunteering in sports, watching sports, and officiating sports. He has an intense passion for what it brings to an individual’s soul and how it brings pride to the community. He continues to demonstrate this year in and year out. Some background on what Scott has done for LGBT sports over the years (and this only captures the work that he has dedicated to sports):

From 1996 to 2002, Scott ran the Competitive Division of the Vancouver Gay Volleyball Association (VGVA) which had only three divisions of play: Recreational, Intermediate & Competitive. From 1999 to 2004, Scott was the Chair (President) of VGVA, some years concurrent to his running of the Competitive division. In 2002, the largest VGVA Queen Vicki Prince Albert Cup Volleyball Tournament at the time with 33 teams (over 260 volleyball players from Portland, Vancouver, San Francisco, Victoria, Denver, Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle, & Sacramento) was something that he was deeply involved with, not to mention so many other volleyball tournaments in VGVA, including involvement with bringing the NAGVA Championships to BC Place! Around 1998-1999, he was instrumental in introducing “try-outs” at VGVA which provided a baseline of skills to better assign new and returning members into appropriately skilled and play divisions. This was a significant and fundamental change to the association which started in 1979. Today, there are five skill divisions during the regular season and VGVA still employs the “try-outs”. After playing as a member, travelling in tournament teams, and serving on the VGVA Board for more than eight years (he also played volleyball for years before joining the VGVA Board), he finally retired from VGVA in 2004, but he didn’t stop with sports then… He joined the West End Slo-pitch Association (WESA) in 2002, and from 2004 to 2008, he was the WESA Rules and Regulations Commissioner as well as continuing to be a regular playing member. For four years, from 2009 to 2012, Scott was the WESA League Commissioner and presided over the Commissions who eventually grew the association from 13 teams to 15 teams, thus increasing the membership. He wrote in the September, 2012 issue of the WESA internal newsletter, The Dusty Bag, this: “A lot has been accomplished and evolved over the past decade. When I first joined the Commission as Rules and Regulations Commissioner: the C and D Divisions did not exist and all teams played as one group; we had just 12 teams which all played on one diamond; you could not sign up with a friend, only with a partner; and WESA did not send teams to the Gay Softball World Series.” A lot happened during his tenure as League Commissioner. In 2011, Scott was instrumental in expanding WESA to playing at two locations: to Strathcona Park which was the new second location, from Brockton Oval in Stanley Park where WESA had played since 1984 and still has games at today. In 2013, after retiring from many years of volunteer service, he earned certification to be a softball umpire with the Vancouver Softball Umpires Association (VSUA), and now officiates many WESA softball games amongst other softball leagues, all the while still being an active playing member with WESA and also on traveling softball teams. With so many years of being involved in sports, there are a multitude of stories that could be told about how many times he got injured. He’s actually quite famous for getting injured and his friends and husband tease him often about when his next injury is going to come. After all the above, an important thing to note is he does not like the limelight (he’ll hate this article!) He is so very modest and completely believes that it takes a village of hardworking friends and colleagues to get all the stuff in both associations accomplished, and he is not one to take much credit either. He would work for hours and hours on VGVA volleyball tournaments. WESA softball tournaments, writing rules & regulations specific to WESA, game scheduling, etc. just so volleyball players and softball players

respectively would have the best time in a seamless and smoothly organized organization. HUGE Congratulations to Scott on your many accomplishments and dedication to sports! You are an inspiration to others to volunteers too!

WESA’s The Dusty Bag

© 2015

Editor: Justin Q. Mui Masthead & Headers: Contributors: Darcy Simpson, Bill

Ignacio, Lance Sandover, Sam Prasad, Denis Laferrière, Scott Allen, & Adrian Paper

Photos unless noted: Justin Q. Mui If you have an announcement, are

interested in writing an article, contributing photographs, have feedback for WESA, etc., this is the forum for it!

Opinions expressed in by-lined articles or columns are those of authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the current WESA Commission.

WESA 2015 COMMISSION

Darcy Simpson

League Commissioner 2015-2016 [email protected]

Miguel Mondaca

Vice Commissioner 2014-2015 [email protected]

Kevin Bastedo

Rules & Regulations Commissioner 2014-2015

[email protected]

Bill Ignacio Membership Commissioner

2015-2016 [email protected]

Scott Allen

Technology Commissioner 2015-2016 [email protected]

Lance Sandover

Special Events Commissioner 2015 [email protected]

Adrian Pape

Treasurer 2014-2015 [email protected]

Justin Mui

Secretary/Communications 2015 [email protected]

Sam Prasad

Member-at-Large – C Division 2015 [email protected]

Denis Laferrière

Member-at-Large – D Division 2015 [email protected]

Commission: [email protected]

General Contact: [email protected] Website: WESA.net

Newsletter Submissions:

[email protected]

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Vancouver Pride 2015 Legacy Award Recipient

Documents

In this issue: From Our League Commissioner€¦ · West End Slo-pitch Association 2015 ~ “Together In Pride” ~ 37th Season Since 1978! WESA.net June 2015 Page 2 Wow, you guys