As the Herts adult and youth team players prepare for the first Spring Training session of 2014 this Saturday, 25 January, everyone seems to be doing some very valuable forward-planning. We are seeing fielding gloves and all sorts of other equipment being delivered for the players. Others are checking their uniform items to see what they will need to restock for the upcoming season. This is where the Herts Club Shop can give players and fans a head-start.

For most of the first 5 months of the season weather conditions are likely to require an extra layer. Herts Shop Manager, Mark Caress, has the solution. “We have just received the shipment of Herts training fleeces which are available at £29 in all sizes from small to XXXL” said Caress. He added that “sizes tend to run small so I would suggest ordering a size bigger than players normally have. Players may also want to consider Majestic therma-base feather-lite undershirts available in sizes Large and XL which are ideal to use as winter undershirts and currently available in stock at only £20. We will have these and other items available to sell at the first training session this Saturday.”

Players and fans can indicate the items which they may be interested in by sending a message to the club to make sure that the products and sizes they are looking for are available on Saturday.

With no baseball on TV it is easy to assume that baseball clubs around the world simply lock up their ballparks and fly off to warm destinations for the five months of the winter close season between November and March. In fact the close season is a very busy and important period for the MLB clubs.

This is also the case at Herts Baseball Club. The club held its Annual General Meeting appointing the Executive Board for the upcoming season.

Herts will go into the new season with a strong team in all departments, the number of which seems to be increasing every year. There are some new faces joining the club’s Board who will bring fresh ideas and new energy, and at the same time the club has retained a large number of the 2013 Board members which will provide continuity in the club’s pursuit of growth and success on and off the field.

The following is the full list of the 2014 Herts Baseball Executive Board. There are several vacant positions which the club is aiming to fill in the coming weeks as it prepares for another season of Herts baseball. Those interested in any of the vacant Board positions or for more information about them can contact the club.

President – Aspi Dimitrov

Co-Treasurers – Chris Jones and Aspi Dimitrov

Secretary – Vacant

Manager (First Team – NBL) – Lee Manning

Manager (Second Team – AAA) – Carlos Casal

Co-Managers (Third Team – AA) – Andy Cornish and Greg Bochan

Manager (Fourth Team – A) – Vacant

Manager (Fifth Team – A) – Vacant

Youth League Commissioner – Aspi Dimitrov

Head of U17 Baseball – Cristobal Hiche

Head of U14 Baseball – Jake Caress

Head of U11 Baseball – Vacant

Softball League Commissioner – Vacant

Club Shop Manager – Mark Caress

Communications Director – Ben Marques

Facilities Manager – Ben Marques

Board member-at-large – Joe Gray

Board member-at-large – Kevin Freeman

After the Board’s 2013 report and approval of the 2012 accounts, the Co-Treasurers presented preliminary financial results for the year to 31 October 2013. The full financial statements are expected to be finalised and presented to members for approval over the next few months. The preliminary results are positive with a good accumulation of reserves which are available for the club to invest in its future development and growth and as partnership funding in grant applications. Despite a reduction in debtors compared to 2012, the balance remained high and it was confirmed that the Treasury department is in the process of implementing various steps, from sending out reminder notices to court proceedings where necessary. It is hoped that these stricter procedures will address this issue.

Two constitutional amendments were approved unanimously. The implications are that Board members will now serve 3-year terms as opposed to the 1-year terms in previous years. In the interest of continuity, a rotation system will be in place every year so that only a third of the Board will stand down. At the same time the amendments give members and the Board some safeguards when it is in the club’s best interest for a member of the Board to stand down before the end of their term.

With a large number of changes in youth baseball announced earlier this month at the British Baseball Federation Congress, the Herts AGM assessed them and considered the available options. The transition will not be easy but significant gains are available for those who put the time and effort into youth baseball.

A proposal for the start of a Herts regional league were put forward. There can be significant benefits from this project provided that it can fit into the timetable of players and around the club’s existing departments and events schedule. The club will assess potential demand, scheduling and other aspects of the project.

The Single-A League department was covered extensively with various topics from the process of drafting the players to an option to enter a Herts team or teams in a proposed Midlands Single-A league.

Herts Baseball Club has confirmed that its 17th Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, 17 November 2013.

2013 has been one of the most successful years in the club’s history with five of the club’s nine teams reaching the postseason in the various senior and youth British Baseball leagues. The AGM will provide a deeper understanding of what that on-field success means for the club’s various departments, whether the club has achieved growth financially and an increase in the number of its members and fans.

Members will receive the AGM Information Pack in due course and that will give a better idea of what to expect. We understand that the meeting is likely to look at the options available to the club to make the step up to the next level and stay ahead of the rest.

Apart from the end of year financial and other reports from the club’s departments, club members will be asked to elect the members of the Board for the forthcoming year. Nominations for Board members are currently invited and those who are interested to put their name forward or second a nomination can contact the club for more details.

Although only 2013 paying members have the right to vote at the AGM, the meeting is very much open to former members and those who are considering joining the club in 2014 as players, members of staff, volunteers and fans. This is a good opportunity for newcomers to learn more about the club and meet its members. The meeting is also open to observers who are not members of the Club, but they would need to advise the club in advance as spaces are limited. If you are not a current member and wish to attend the AGM please contact the club.

The AGM will be held just a few minutes away from Grovehill Ballpark. The venue is the Gadebridge Community Centre.

DATE: Sunday, 17 November 2013

TIME: Registration starts at 2:00pm, the AGM will commence at 2:10pm (expected to end at around 5:45pm)

VENUE: Galley Hall, Gadebridge Community Centre, The Nokes, Rossgate, Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3LF (Directions and Map)