NSA A new Day in Wilmington

I would like to give a short announcment to the teams who come to Wilmington. ?Because you have come and after eight months of work with the businessses of Wilmington... I received a phone call this morning from the Business Association there and they are going to re do the diamonds in Wilmington for the girls. ?This benefits not only the elite teams who come to our city... but to the children who use the Park during the week.

This would have never been possible if it wasn't for the teams who came to Wilmington last Fall and this JUne to the two (2) tournaments held there.

My heart felt thanks to all of you for it has been my intention to make it better for the girls and the children of Clinton County and Wilmington who call Wilmington home.

We have a wonderful park to offer to the girls, the teams and the parents.... and now that the businesses of Wilmington have joined hands in this effort .... better days are ahead.

Thank you one and all for coming to Wilmington and giving our facility and park a try.

This has always been a softball community..... and now that the businesses are willing to help anyway they can.... it proves that this city welcomes the teams with open arms.

A special thanks to Holiday Inn Express rep Beth for forming the committee to make it better for the girls. Damons and Wilmington INN as well as they saw the need and step forth with their efforts and gather other businesses to rally to the needs of the Park in Wilmington.

Tim Cleaver

The order of things to come:

1. Drainage

2. Dirt (many businesses have bought a load each)

3. Red brick dust

4. Tarps for the three little fields to start

The Wilmington businesses saw that you like Wilmington for the park setting, not having to worry about foul balls from other fields (and I have heard that comment many times), no gate fees or parking fees, things for the boys of the family to do (heard we need to sell duck food), 20 plus restaurants within 3 blocks, motel accomodations with four blocks (4 major motels), and just a city that welcomes you with open arms.

This has always been a softball city and a sports-filled enviroment county wide. I am indeed of proud of the businesses who have stepped forward to make things better for the teams, the parents, but mostly for the girls..... which also benefits the children of Clinton County as well that call the ballpark home.



Meeting with the businesses is set up for next week.

And no NSA????

Please no NSA!!! We were at Wilmington a few weeks back for the first time. You have a very nice park in the making. We would love to come back, but if it will be sanctioned by NSA there will be no way. Not playing in NSA sanctioned tournaments is the only way to get through to them. If we hit them where it hurts the most (their wallets) eventually they will get the picture that something has to change. Tim I think you do a good job and your heart is in the right place, so don't take it personally. This has nothing to do with you and your effort. From other threads I beleive our team is not alone in our thinking.

Mike Thomasson
12u Shock

Mike and to everyone: ?Thank you for your words. ?I try to do the best for the girls. ?That June 28th and 29th weekend, teams came from everywhere to give their girls a chance to play in the NSA World Series and I believe I was one of the last stops for the opportunity. ?This is why I went to the extreme of bringing in the helicopter to help clear or gather the water from one spot. ?Many who was standing at Krogers at 11 pm on Saturday night was telling their parent and wives that they might as well pack up and get out early as there was no way they were going to play the next day with "lakes" for fields.

I went home to shower and get the helicopter people's number as I had left my briefcase on Friday night at home. ?

I called her and told her that I was planning on bringing in a helicopter and with the other expenses.... I would lose money on this tournament. ?This is a fact.
? She said to do it for the girls and the respect for their parents who spent a lot of money to come give their girls the opportunity as she knows me and my thoughts after 10 years of our friendship for these girls through mostly umpiring. ?I took a beating financially but your kind words of respect I shall cherish forever.
? I'm just a 50 year old man who grew up on the diamonds every day, with older brothers who use to hit lines shots and hit me when Dad pitched batting practice to them....lol...
? My love for the game is just that: ?LOVE . ?Some say I am a dying breed, some think I just think out of the box. Some think I have no sense.

Last Fall, I took an experiment to see if teams would come to Wilmington, a "new" place on the circuit. ?I had three tournament where we gave uniforms for first place teams. ?I have many pictures on my walls sent to me by the coaches of the girls in their new uniforms. ?I love this game and Wilmington loves you. ?Iget that sense from these businesses.

After that tournament in Wilmington, I went to the businessses to ask for help. ?I told them I just couldn't afford to have another tournament in Wilmington unless the diamonds are fixed properly for drainage. ?They are in need and if you was there that weekend you know. ?I can't hide that fact . ?Now, are teams afraid to come to Wilmington because of the drainage problem.. Are teams and parents willing to make Wilmington their scheduled stop the rest of this year or nxt, when they are afraid if it rains.... the tournament is rained out.

Believe me when I say, the coaches and parents help was so dramatic of an experience to me. ?What a great thing it was to see the love of the game from them when they grabbed rakes and even went and purchased every single one in Wilmington at Lowe's and Ace Hardware. ?I hope it was out of respect that they did so.

I went to the businesses to ask for their help. ?DHL hub here in Wilmington is going down and change over to UPS people for the sorting. ?It will put thousands (6000) out of work. ?I have always said the softball people will come if you give them a good product and they will honor the businesses who think enough of them. ?Human nature.

Holiday Inn Express/Residency Inn are run by the same people. ?They gave a wonderful donation to the Park for the fields. ?Damon's followed as well ?as Wilmington Inn after I ask for them to invest in their future and invest in these kids and the parent who spend countless dollars for their children.

I hear from everyone that they love Wilmington. ?One lady said it was the first time all year she could actually enjoy a game without worrying about foul balls. ?For all of you that have never been to Wilmington, Mickey Mantle would have to foul one off to reach you as the fields are spread apart in a city park setting. ?The boys of the family have many things to do as well instead of being stuck in a concrete jungle watching Sis play ball.

Well, it seems that one business thought it was a shake down, because I asked for donations and I did tell them truthfully and honestly that I just could take another chance on another rainy tournament with poor field drainage and that I would move my tournament to Goshen, Ohio, a well outfitted ballpark with plenty of drainage that is unbelievable.

This business owner complained to the mayor yesterday and as of yesterday I am no longer allowed to have tournaments in their park. ?The businesses who gave are quite upset... not with me but the mayor (part-time actually) of this fine softball city.

Unbeknowest to you, I have been being watched by the officials of a new and upcoming softball organization called NAFA, North American Fastpitch Association. (www.playnafa.com) ?These are men who have the taste of not being greedy tournament drirectors and association officials that exist in the United States. ?These are men who come from USSSA and ASA who was fed up with the greed.

I must have been a fit for their agenda as they have been asking for awhile to come join them as a State Director for Ohio and NOrthern Kentucky. ?Needless to say, it is my dream part time job after years of beating the dust umpiring and holding mostly men's softball tournaments. ?I had to quit playing this game at 23 when I hurt my knee and to stay in the game I took up umpiring to be with friends at the Sunday night leagues. ?I have always worked hard and gave everything I had on the field of play for the teams who pay for my employment. ?They laugh at Pastime Park ?and tell everyone I came with the Park when them bought it ... ?My friend Bobby at Expressway has always been a honorable man in my book and his love for the girls is the same as mine as well as John and Dave at Pastime Park. ?Good people they are.
On Saturday night after offering my services to NSA and Tealtown, that being six diamonds at Goshen Jr. Sports Park www.heislerpark.com because I ask a friend if we could get them up and running for the girls and offering up Wilmington as well... I was told no and that they had all their fields up and running. ?I knew this wasn't true and said nothing.

I called NAFA that night, Saturday night, and asked to come aboard as a member. ?The president Benjie Hedgecock gave me the kindest offer to become State Director of Ohio and NOrthern Kentucky. ?He said he was watching the posts from my tournament and saw I brought in a helicopter and that was the final decision to bring me on board.

Next page. Out of characters...lol

It is nice to know, in life in general, that someone appreciates you. The Chill coach in the 12uB told me the other day that any tournament I ever held they will be there for them because I care about his girls.

Softball is indeed a business... but you don't have to act like one when dealing with the girls and the wonderful parents.

With the state directorship job came opportunities for my city. State tournaments in Wilmington and other places in Ohio as well would be wonderful for the girls. I had been on the NSA thread asking if posters thought one age group - one state tournament per age group on different dates would better suit the teams. Many believed so and this was my plan for these girls and the parent who went through the past Weekend tournament. To make the point to not make the same mistake. Just too many teams in one place. And rain aggrevates the problem. I know Lisa Simpson, of NSA, and she is a good person and she loves the children as well and as much as I do. Mistakes were made, indeed, but not by the heart. By the mind. We saw this unfold this past weekend. After a year of weekend rains, poorly ran tournaments and coin flips deciding berths on a Sunday at one tournament (illegally I might add)... it has been quite a year for all Associations. We hope as TD's we have learned. I only wish as TD's we only listened to the people of the OFC. I have always said that the best advice comes from the people in the know.... that being YOU . Some listen and some sadly don't.

My work as an umpire has been effected for when I stood up for the children and the man cussing at Beavercreek in front of the children. NSA would not put me on the field... telling me I was a liability to them on the field. Being a man has made me a liability.

The happiest day every in my life was Saturday when NAFA believed in me and my principles and acknowledged my hard work for only two days later receiving a fax from the Mayor of Wilmington telling him I was no longer allowed to use the fields in Wilmington because one (1) lousy businessman was screaming at him about my request for help for the diamonds and the girls.

Needless to say, they were concerned and the City did not have the guts to tell me in advance or even give or e-mail me a copy of that fax. I still do not one today and have no idea what was said in it.

One businessman and personally, I have the e-mail from the businessman and it was the most awful words I ever heard coming from a man of business... especially after you girls and the parents gave them so much business when you were in this city.

My heart is broken and they have taken my dignity by taking everything I ever tried to do for the city and the businesses and one person turn it against me.

I am resigning from softball and Benjie of NAFA, I appreciate the post of State Director and it was quite an honor to be chosen... but I must decline and resign the post. I have had two mini strokes in the last 16 hours and I must get away from the game I so love and that thought has upset me so.

I thank you everyone for your kind words over the past few months. Old time softball needs to make a come back to the girls game. This points crap by different associations is just that....crap.

May God bless each and everyone of you and remember the game is for the girls and the parents part is the encouragement of your daughters and the friendships they make along the way. Those friendships last a lifetime.

The Bear May, Coach Morehead, Mr. Clark : Take me down off the board please. I'm done. I leave with my dignity.

Respectfully yours,

Tim Cleaver
The Quakerman

Tim,

We are sorry to hear about this situation and sorry to see you leave :'(.We know that you were truly in it for the kids and it would have been nice to see you as a NAFA State Director since you would have brought this sport back into the right direction.
We're hoping you will change your mind,but whatever you decide to do,we wish you the best and Good Luck to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Cincy Shock 12U

Tim,
Sorry to hear about this and your health. You get well. You are always welcome in our softball world. Those who know you truly respect you and your Love for the game. Best wishes to you and your family. Look us up sometime and just watch us play, relax, and enjoy for a change. Hope to see you.

Brian Douglass
11U Ohio Stingrays

Thank you Brian and the Shock. I have a special hook up with your team Brain, as last Fall your 11u girls stood right in there with the 14u girls they were up against in a three game round robin. Never backed down... never scared. A true Stingray. Didn't they win the tournament the following weekend ?

Let me know where you are at the next couple of weeks. I'd love to sit down and enjoy a tournament with you, your girls, and your great parents I met. Love to.

I had over 20 phone calls last night from well wishers who wish I would sit back and think about taking the NAFA State Position. My mind was going at fast pace all night doing the pros and cons of it all.

The pros is the fact I know these people at NAFA think like me.
The cons is my health.

I have 5 TD's wanting to join me. Respected one in their area. I have two UIC, one in the North in Canton, one in the South as well who want to go after this for the girls. That's the people I want on my team. People who care about the girls, period. Nothing less.

I have asked the OFC for our own section in the forum like ASA, NSA, USSSA as I don't want to hid our tournaments in the "Other Tournaments" section.

I want NAFA to stand up and stand out for these girls.

I need to rest... didn't sleep much last night. I told NAFA I would give them my decision by Thursday night.

Thanks to all of you.

I am having a scrimmage in Goshen on Sat and Sun August 16th and 17th. Cost is $50.00 dollars and the teams pay 27.00 to the umps on the field.

I did promise this wonderful group a tournament and I will never back out on my word to them. I think a scrimage format and an introduction to NAFA would be a good thing. They will make their money from the concession stand as well. They are geared up for it.

I have 6 fields open from 8 am to 8:30 p.m. 2 more for the 8u teams as well. both days. I'd like to get some imput on this place as I know they are wonderful fields and great drainage as I saw them put it in myself. I volunteer there mowing on Friday nights sometime. 2 miles from the house.

I still would like to have a uniform tournament for the girls in the fall. I like that part of it.

It is important for everyone to understand what makes a good tournament versus a bad one, has very little with the sanctioning body. Tournaments that are organized and ran by an organization, that has a built in army of parents and coaches to help plan, organize, execute and actually work the tournament are the ones who are capable of responding to bad weather conditions quicker and more effectively than the tournaments ran by an individual or small group of a few people.

The Wilmington Park (Denver Park) is a beautiful location for tournaments to be held. Can there be some improvements?...of course, what park couldn't use that. Rain is something every Tournament Director dreads.....those who have the experience and the human resources available to them are the ones who successfully counter the rain.

The OFC Heat held the Heatin' It Up in Wilmington for the first time ever 6/6-6/8. Over six months of planning went into that tournament. We visited the park and worked with the parks folks three times over the winter just to get them up to speed and to visually plan out our event. Then for a full week prior to the tournament we were physically at the park everyday for 6-8hours a day, helping prep the park for the event......AND most importantly, we bring with us a small army of 50+ parents to actually work the tournament, fields and concessions. We had rain, not nearly what Tealtown experienced this past weekend, but we only delayed games 30 minutes because of our ability to quickly respond (hitting virtually all fields at once with rakes, field dry and drags)....we were back up and running quickly. The morning our tournament was to begin (tourney started at 3:00 pm Friday), there were two fields with water standing on them (a lot of water), Wilmington's Park folks and our folks worked those diamonds to death right up to start of tournament........and they were playable....it can happen, if you are determined, have the people and willing to get dirty.

The NSA, ASA, USSSSA, NAFA....non of them had anything to do with it other than they sanctioned our tournament. The 2008 Heatin' It Up was an extremely successful tournament, we have planned a couple of improvements for next year (organizationally) to help it run even smoother....but Wilmington was and is a wonderful location with an excellent group of people to work with.

Please quit bashing all of the sanctioning bodies for poorly organized tournaments (State Tournament is an exception here as NSA did the organizing for that one). Rather look at the tournament directors and their organizations (if they have an organization).

ohioquakerman said:

The Bear May, Coach Morehead, Mr. Clark : ?Take me down off the board please. ?I'm done. I leave with my dignity.

Click to expand...

In response to your request - the answer is, it will be a cold day in hell before I take you off of OFC. Take a rest, regain your health and when you feel up to it - come back. I will NOT remove you, but I will await your return. Thank you for what you do for softball....

johnnies

Spoken by a man with class for a man with class!

Quakerman,
Now I understand the references made about you leaving softball from some other post. Like I mentioned in the other post, you are a gentleman & a scholar and we need more people like you and less people like the A-hole who got the mayor on your back.

I have business ties to the Wilmington area and do some business within that region. I'd like to lend you a hand in your efforts but I'm not sure what you need. We can dialouge with some PM's as I'd like to know more about what caused you the grief.

On a side note, I thought you were joking about the helicopter thing and the only thing I can say about that is OMG, that is awesome. Hate it that you lost money, granted you seem to be the type that doesn't have money as top priority, but making money isn't a sin and it's a shame you couldn't have made some money for your efforts. I like the idea about the uniforms as the prize and I can even help you there. My wife distributes textiles and can get just about any uniform on the market. I'd be willing to sell them to you at our dealer cost in order to save your tournaments a little extra (and to help buy some JP4 aircraft fuel), unless you already have a good source.

Got to take care of the good people and you definetely sound like good people to me. I'm not trying to interfere only to give you a hand if I can. I was looking forward to getting our teams down your way next year and support your iniatives. Hope we still can.

PS. if you did seriously have some mini-strokes, then maybe taking it easy would be best. Without getting a chance to meet you, you truly seem to be a good candidate for the Directors position as you have your priorities in order IMHO.

Good morning, good people. I have rested the past two days. I have little mini strokes every once in awhile and I take nitrates for it. Doc says take one, if it doesn't work take two and if it doesn't work take three and go to hospital.

I have these chest pains from irregular heartbeat. When stressed, it is even more.

As for comparing my rains my weekend versus the Heat's .. there is absolutely no comparison. The Heat, a wonderful organization, had brief rain and 95 plus degree weather all weekend and sunshine.
Where it took your organization a short amount of time... I can say for sure with me, the crew, and all these parents... you had no more in the amount than I did because of these wonderful parents and coaches.

I had rain Friday night at 7 pm, Saturday morning from 1:30 am to 3:30 a.m., we sucked water off the fields and at 9 am when my guys were doing the last puddle in the back, we was hit with another. The parents and coaches jumped in and we started up again only to be hit by 2 inches plus of rain in 40 minutes and a tremendous wind storm on deeply wet fields. I keep in constant contact with the National Weather Service at any of my tournaments. They are 1000 yards away. Why wouldn't I.
They had told me at noon on Saturday... that sunshine would not be my friend (due to building up a thunderstorm). They were right.

I had the helicopter come in and blow what he could off the fields and because of the "Cup effect" of the diamonds he couldn't on some. So he blew it to the lowest point and we started the pump thing again after he was done at 4 am. We then opened the fields up when we could actually get on the fields with a tractor (one field was late due to the tractor was getting stuck) and once again the parents etc... helped.

I had all the people in the world in these parents and coaches who help and again I thank you tremendously. The games were on a two and then a three hours delay on Sunday as we went from field to field opening and then back field to field bring diamond dry and then field to field lining it as well... on no sleep for three days. So fields #1 and #2 I couldn't get a tractor on to open until 12 noon.

I love Wilmington as much as you, Tim Florea. We have shared that thought on an occassion. But, after being informed yesterday that tile was just put in on the fields in Wilmington four years ago... then my suggesstion to Scott Parrish is to have the man come in and check them as they are clearly not working properly.

I agree, Scott Parrish of the Park is a good man. He is my friend and this matter has put a strain on a wondeful relationship we have had over the years. I have known him since the day he came to Wilmington in 1990 and the city businesses do love the girls (except for one and I will have more class than to name them outright to these teams who in turn would make their business a deserted isle due to loyalty when in town).

But, the facts is the facts and I can't hid it from the teams. Maybe we can get the drainage problem straightened out as these parents who spent big dollars expect to get a chance to play.

But, don't compare your weekend rain to the one I had. No comparion.

There is a meeting in Wilmington this morning with the business association and the mayor and I await their reply. But, when the mayor hung up the phone in my ears (based on one business complaining).. then I believe he is not a great rep for the city and definately owes me an apology. I know the DHL situation has him stressed... but I want to help the people of my county and city and if we can give these girls and parents a good product... they will come. They love Wilmington for what it is. A place to enjoy the game of softball..... a place they can always know they are welcome and appreciated.

And that is my kind of town. End of subject.

I thought they done told you no more tournaments.Tim just find a new location and let's have a tournament.We are always looking for a good tournament close to home.Hope you are feeling better.
Thanks

The businesses are working on it. They, of course, welcome the softball tournaments. The teams and parents love Wilmington as well. I just would like to do for my town and as I said , Wilmington is a wonderful softball city since the 60's. I grew up on those fields. I know them very well. Nothing wrong, with me wanting to do for my hometown.

I have other places available, of course, Goshen, Wheelersburg and Sims Valley (southestern Ohio), Marysville wants to have a state tournament, Zanesville is in as well with Coach Morehead running the show for the 16u and 18u state. God bless him for taking my offer. I have the most confidence in him to run a great tournament in Zanesville for the girls. Top notch and full of class.

My friends in Lancaster and the Heart of Ohio in Marysville. Greenville wants in for a state and when I go check out the facilities there, then I will decide. But, I hear wonderful things about Greenville.

But, in the same, I love Wilmington and the business people who care enough about these girls and their parents. You can't find that everywhere in many cities in Ohio.