VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
PLAT E
TA LK
JANUARY 2013
A MESSAGE FROM THE WMBA PRESIDENT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
HOUSE LEAGUE
HITS
2
HOUSE LEAGUE
HITS CONT.
3
WMBA DAY AT
JAYS GAME
3
COACH CLINIC
SUCCESS
4
COACH CLINIC
SUCCESS
PHOTOS
5
UMPIRE
UPDATE
6
COACHING TIP
OF THE MONTH
7
STARS OF THE
WMBA
7
BASEBALL LOLS
7
STARS OF THE
WMBA
8
BUT WAIT, I
HAVE A
QUESTION
8
DATES TO
REMEMBER:
 Wednesday February
20 & Monday February
22—Umpires Open
House
 Sunday April 7—WMBA
Day at the Rogers
Centre

It won't be long before the warm
sunny days return, winter will be
a distant memory, and baseball
will be on the minds of kids in
Whitby everywhere!
season promises to be a fantastic one!
On behalf of the WMBA, I
welcome back those who have
already registered, and invite
With an excited and energetic those who have yet to do so,
executive team of volunteers
to visit our website at
lined up to deliver baseball this www.whitbyminorbaseball.ca.
I have had the honour to be
year, I am confident that your It'll be a grand slam!
elected as President of the
child will have a great
Whitby Minor Baseball
experience meeting new
Play ball!
Association for the 2013
friends, learning new skills,
season. This will be my 26th
and aspiring to reach new
-Ryan Gordon
consecutive season affiliated
levels of achievement in their President, WMBA
with the WMBA - as a player, an baseball career. Whether your
umpire, a coach, and since
child is brand new to the sport
2003, a member of the board- or a seasoned veteran, Whitby
and I am thrilled to say that this is the place to be when it
comes to baseball!
HOUSE LEAGUE HITS:
A WELCOME NOTE FROM YOUR HOUSE LEAGUE DIRECTOR
Hello and welcome to another
season of House League Hits.
My name is David McCulla and I
wanted to take a moment to
thank you for your support with
our baseball program and also
to introduce myself as your
2013 WMBA House League
Director. Some of you may
know me from my prior WMBA
involvement - whether it be
coaching, XTRA Innings, or last
year as Assistant House League
Director. To those that I haven’t
had the pleasure of meeting,
please feel free to come up and
introduce yourself if you see me
at any of the many WMBA
events we have planned for this
season.
of a parent, coach, and baseball fan, my vision as House
League Director is to provide a
positive environment where
players, coaches, umpires, and
parents can have fun, develop,
and have the best baseball
experience possible. At the
end of the day, I believe it is
important for all of us to
remember that baseball is just
a game, these are young
people playing it - and success
should not be measured by
wins or losses but by how
many players had fun, made
some new friends, and
developed their baseball and
team skills.
accountable for all
aspects of the house league
program and the experience of
itʼs participants and stakeholders. If you have any
questions, suggestions or
feedback (positive or
constructive) about any aspect
of our program I invite you to
email me at [email protected]
On behalf of the 2013 House
League Committee, I would
like to lead off this year’s
edition of House League Hits
by letting you know what we
have been up to in the off
season and some things you
can look forward to this
As House League Director I will season.
While I am also wearing the hat be ultimately responsible and
PLATE TALK
Page 2
HOUSE LEAGUE HITS
2013 Divisional Conveners
In December we drafted and announced our line-up of directors and conveners for the 2013 season. I am very excited by the
strength of our team - and we have a great mix of rookie enthusiasm and veteran experience. Here is our 2013 Convener’s
roster:
DIVISION
CONVENER
SCOUTING REPORT
Blast Ball
Ryan Gordon
- Former WMBA player and HL Director
- 2013 WMBA President
- Brings a lot of WMBA experience
T-Ball
Preston Wasmund
- 2013 Assistant HL Director
- Currently playing senior baseball for Whitby
- Brings a lot of baseball experience and enthusiasm
First Pitch
Tim Imeson
- 2013 WMBA Assistant Umpire In Chief
- Former WMBA player
- Experienced coach
Rookie Ball
Steve Smith
- 2013 Assistant HL Director
- Former WMBA player
- Experienced coach and convener
Mosquito
Thad Miksza
- 2013 Assistant HL Director
- Experienced coach and convener
- Prior experience with WMBA XTRA Innings program
Peewee
Sue Geller
- Experienced convener
- Experienced Skills Day volunteer
- Actively involved in year end banquets
Bantam
Stefan Calderon
- Current WMBA Umpire
- Current WMBA Umpire Crew Chief (Mosquito)
- Experienced coach
Midget / Junior
George Brown
- 2013 HL Equipment Manager (his 19th season)
- 24 years of Whitby coaching experience
- Brings veteran experience across all facets of HL program
2013 Assistant House League Directors:
In addition to the strong line-up of conveners, I also have the pleasure and benefit of having three of these gentlemen as my
assistants for the 2013 season - with each having their own specific areas of responsibility:
Thad Miksza, who has been involved in many different aspects of our program, will be responsible for overseeing all of our
divisional tournaments. Thad will also be working closely with Keith McGregor, WMBA Secretary, to help ensure all our
coaches are in compliance with our CIR policy.
Steve Smith, having spent the previous three years coaching and/or convening Blast Ball, T-ball, and First Pitch, will be working
closely with the conveners and coaches in these divisions. Steve will also play a leading role in our communication efforts this
season.
Preston Wasmund, while in his inaugural season on the WMBA executive, comes to us with an impressive baseball resume.
His vast knowledge of the game coupled with his extensive playing experience will serve him well in his roles as our Coach &
Player Development Liaison and Rally Cap assistant.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
Page 3
HOUSE LEAGUE HITS CONTINUED…
NEW FOR 2013:
We are excited to share with you a few of
the new things we have planned for the
2013 season:
seeing a kid "get it", develop and
succeed on the field and have fun. The
smiles on their faces and the thanks
coaches get along the way are
priceless!
(i) 2013 House League Program Guide:
We are in the process of creating a 2013
program guide. Our goal is that this PDF
document will serve as a complete
resource manual for our program. Once
the guide is complete we will email it to
every registrant and also make it available
on our website.
We recognize that a child’s baseball
coach can have a dramatic influence on
young athletes’ development and
enjoyment of sport. If you feel you have
the right coaching attitude to help us
achieve our vision of providing a
positive environment where players,
coaches, umpires, and even parents
(ii) New Jerseys & Catcher’s Equipment
can have fun, develop, and have the
We have purchased new catcher’s
best baseball experience possible - then
equipment for all Mosquito thru Midget
we invite you to use the following hyperteams. Stay tuned for more information
link to register online. For those that
regarding our new jerseys.
feel that they may lack the necessary
coaching experience - you have our
Coaches Wanted:
commitment that we will support you
It is because of dedicated volunteer
and provide you with the coaching tools
coaches that the Whitby Minor Baseball
to ensure a successful, fun, and
Association can offer a rewarding baseball rewarding season.
experience for young people in our
community. Last year we had over 200
Tentative Playing Nights:
coaches assist us with running our
If you are unsure what evenings your
program. Coaching youth baseball takes child will likely play baseball this year,
a commitment however it is also
please visit the playing nights section of
extremely rewarding - there is nothing like
our website under the House League
banner.
House League Sponsorship
Opportunities:
Sponsors are an important part of our HL
program - without their support and
commitment we could not run our
program and offer the same value per
player registration dollar. Sponsorship
opportunities still exist for the upcoming
season - both at the team level and the
divisional level. Sponsors get more than
just their corporate logo on a jersey many of our sponsors have been
involved in WMBA events such as throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at our
WMBA HL All-Star Games. Some of our
larger sponsors have sponsored a
division. If you, or someone you know,
would like to sponsor a team or further
information please email Jim Taylor,
WMBA Sponsorship Director, who will be
happy to provide a sponsorship
information package.
Need More Information: Please visit our
website. If you still have questions you
can send an email to David at [email protected]
WMBA DAY AT THE ROGERS CENTRE
WMBA Day @ Rogers Centre
Sunday, April 7th @ 1:07 pm
Special Game Day Promo Amateur Baseball Photo Day
Come out and cheer on the Toronto Blue
Jays as they host the Boston Red Sox in
an exciting divisional match-up opening
weekend of the MLB regular season.
Let’s show some added spirit by coming to
the game in a WMBA jersey and hat. You
may also want to bring your glove along –
as the section reserved for the WMBA is
right behind the Blue Jays’ bullpen. And
what’s a trip to the ballpark without family
and friends? Invite everyone you know to
join in on the fun and make our group
the biggest and loudest in attendance!
With a special price of just $30 per
ticket (a savings of $6 ticket face value
plus $5 booking fee), this is a great opportunity to come out and see all the
new players acquired by the Jays during
the off-season.
Special arrangements have been made
to have all WMBA players gather on the
field after the game for a group photo
(or smaller subsets based on size of
group).
For more information, please email
Steve Smith (Assistant HL Director) at
[email protected]
Additional information and updates will
also be posted on the WMBA website
leading up to the
event.
PLATE TALK
Page 4
COACHES DEVELOPMENT CLINICS A HUGE SUCCESS!
The Whitby Chiefs rep program
sent numerous coaches to the
first ever Blue Jays Baseball
Academy Coaches Clinic on
January 4-6, and also sent
coaches to the annual Best
Ever Coaches Clinic on January
18-20.
Sr, and more! Coaches also
participated in a clubhouse
tour, and took part in live
batting practice. The clinic was
a huge success, and is
definitely recommended for all
coaches (rep or house league)
in future years! The Blue Jays
also put on a clinic for players
across Ontario on the Saturday
morning. In addition to the Blue
The Blue Jays Baseball
Jays guest clinicians, members
Academy Coaches Clinic took
place at the Rogers Centre, and of the Blue Jays Academy
Instruction team led players
had a large number of former
through various drills to improve
major league players and
their basic skills. The WMBA is
coaches as the guest
proud of former Chiefs player
clinicians. A coaches social
Nur Osman who is now a Blue
took place on the Friday
Jays Academy instructor and
evening, and featured a hot
helped facilitate the youth
stove discussion with the
program as well as throw
clinicians and Blue Jays GM
Alex Anthopoulos. On Saturday batting practice for the
morning, coaches took part in coaches!
NCCP workshops to further
their coaching development in
different aspects of the
The Best Ever Coaching Clinic
game: hitting, infielding, outtook place at the DoubleTree by
fielding, or baserunning.
Hilton hotel at the Toronto
Beginner coaches were also
Airport. This year was the 26th
given the opportunity to
straight year that this clinic has
complete their Initiation
taken place. Guest speakers at
Coaching course, which is
the Best Ever clinic included
required for all Rep coaches
Lloyd McClendon (hitting coach
across Ontario. Saturday
for the Detroit Tigers), Jerry
afternoon and Sunday, the
Weinstein (catching coach for
attending coaches took part in the Colorado Rockies) and US
numerous stations, put on by
University and College coaches
Blue Jays coaches, alumni and Gary Gilmore, Shaun Cole, Gary
clubhouse personnel. The
Picone and Rich Maloney. The
guest clinicians included Pat
event also featured a trade
Hentgen (1996 Cy Young Award show with major baseball
Winner and current Jays
suppliers setting up
bullpen coach), Duane Ward,
booths. Each year this clinic is
Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks, attended by more than 300
Chat Mottola (current Jays
Ontario coaches. For those
hitting coach), Homer Bush,
interested, a coach resource
DeMarlo Hale (current Jays
package for the clinic can be
bench coach), Sandy Alomar
found online at
www.baseballontario.com. As
with the Blue Jays clinic, the
Best Ever clinic is highly
recommended for all coaches
in upcoming seasons!
“No matter how
good you are,
Both clinics also provided
NCCP professional
development points for
attending coaches. A new
policy in Baseball Ontario
requires that certified
coaches (those who have
received official on-field
evaluations) need to achieve
a set number of professional
development points to
maintain their coaching
status. Whitby Minor
Baseball encourages all of
their certified coaches to
continue accumulating these
points in order to maintain
their status, and, above all, to
become better coaches
themselves!
you're going to lose
one-third of your
games. No matter
how bad you are
you're going to win
one-third of your
games. It's the
other third that
makes the
difference.”
~ Tommy Lasorda
Questions about either clinic
can be directed to Derek
Brown, chair of Coaching and
Player Development at
[email protected].
Special thanks to Sean Lee &
Nur Osman for providing
photos from the Blue Jays
Baseball Academy Coaches
Clinic on the page to follow.
Spring Training?
Did you know many of the WMBA Rep teams have already begun practicing for the 2013 season?!
PLATE TALK
Sean Lee (Whitby Midget Tier II Coach) with Lloyd Moseby
(Jays Alumni) at Coaches Social
Page 5
Sandy Alomar Sr (Jays Minor League Instructor)
Instructing
WMBA Coaches Listening to Instruction
Pat Hentgen (Jays Alumni) Instructing
Chad Mottola (Jays Hitting Coach) Instructing
Derek Brown (Whitby Midget Tier I Coach)
with Pat Hentgen (Jays Alumni)
PLATE TALK
UMPIRE UPDATE:
Page 6
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Page 7
COACHING TIP OF THE MONTH:
This month's drill is called 'Pass It On'. It
is an easy drill to do with players of any
age and skill level which helps to improve
players' hand-eye coordination and
concentration.
PASS IT ON
their right.
For players who need a challenge,
have them stand up, back up and
throw the ball around the
circle. Increase speed as you
Have players kneel in a circle. You will
go so that the players are forced to
need one baseball for every two players in concentrate on their hand-eye
the circle.
coordination!
Players are to simply receive balls from
the player on their right and lob them to
the player on their left. After going left,
have players switch direction to throw to
STARS OF THE WMBA: CHIEFS COACH INDUCTED INTO OSHAWA
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The WMBA
would like to
extend a huge
congratulations
to Peewee Tier
1 Head Coach –
Chris Jones as
he is being
inducted to the
Oshawa Sports
Hall of Fame!
The Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame Mission
“is to recognize and honour the
achievements of Oshawa individuals
and teams who have attained
prominence and distinction in sports as
well as those who have made a major
contribution to the development of
sport.”
http://www.durhamregion.com/sports/
article/1573092--two-more-generals-join
-oshawa-sports-hall-of-fame
This achievement is bestowed on Chris Congratulations Chris!
for his contributions to Canadian softball. As a player Chris was awarded 12
gold medals at International Softball
Congress
BASEBALL LOLS
The Wrong Club
Yogi’isms
George Strickland once took a very low
pitch (in his opinion) which the umpire
called strike two. Strickland didn't say
anything but started to walk back to the
dugout.
Yogi Berra while talking to Stan
Musial and Joe Garagiola about a
restaurant—"Nobody goes there
anymore. It's too crowded"
“A nickel ain't worth a dime
"Hey, where are you going?" protested the anymore!”
umpire. "That's only strike two."
"I know", said Strickland, "but I brought
the wrong club up to the plate. I'm going
back to get my wedge."
Below is also a link to an article highlighting the induction. It includes some
features of Chris’ softball career.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
STARS OF THE WMBA:
Page 8
EOBA WINNERS
The WMBA is proud to announce several
winners at the EOBA level! The Eastern
Ontario Baseball Association awarded
winners at their Annual General Meeting
November 24, 2012 in Oshawa. The
WMBA extends congratulations to all of
their winners!
In addition to his EOBA Award, Riley won
Senior Rep Player of the Year from the
WMBA and was selected as MVP on his
Midget AAA Team. Riley was also nominated at the OBA Level
won Senior Umpire of the Year from the
WMBA and was honored for his
In addition to his EOBA Award, Mike won
contributions to minor league hockey as
Senior House League Player of the Year
well.
from the WMBA.
Eastern Ontario Baseball Association of
Eastern Ontario Senior House League
the Year—Whitby Minor Baseball
Coach of the Year—Mark Magder
Association
In addition to his EOBA Award, Mark
Additional congratulations goes to
won Senior House League Coach of the
Eastern Ontario Pitcher of the Year—
Year from the WMBA. This is the
Wesley Paquette
second time Mark has won this EOBA
In addition to his EOBA Award, Wesley
award.
won the Pitcher of the Year Award from
Eastern Ontario “True Spirit” Award
the Oshawa
Winner—Brianna Rass
Legionaires
In addition to her EOBA Award, Brianna Minor Baseball
Association.
won the “True Spirit” Award from the
WMBA. The True Spirit Award is given to Wesley now
plays for the
a returning female HL player Major
WMBA Midget
Mosquito age and up).
AAA team.
Eastern Ontario Senior Umpire of the
Year—Kevin Spinney
Eastern Ontario Senior House League
In addition to his EOBA Award, Kevin
Eastern Ontario Junior Rep Player of the
Year—Cole Iantomasi
In addition to his EOBA Award, Cole won
Junior Rep Player of the Year from the
WMBA and was selected as MVP on his
Rookie Ball AAA Team. Cole was also
nominated at the OBA Level.
Eastern Ontario Senior Rep Player of the
Year—Riley Sewell
Player of the Year—Mike Barton
BUT WAIT, I HAVE A QUESTION!
FAQ
If you have a question about the WMBA, make sure to contact the correct
person. See the list of contacts below.
I Have a Question About…
Contact
E-Mail Address
2013 Registration
Chris
[email protected]
Coach and Player Development
Derek
[email protected]
Mel
[email protected]
Featuring a WMBA Team/
Players Achievements in the Newsletter
When can I register for the 2013 season?
Registration for 2013 is already open!
Visit our website to register online. Login
using your account from last season.
Families can create a new account online
if you have not set up an account since
General Inquires
Keith
[email protected]
House League Program 2012
David
[email protected]
Obtaining a Tax Receipt for 2012
Chris
[email protected]
Rep. Program 2012/ 2013
Paul
[email protected]
Sponsoring a Team
Jim
[email protected]
Umpires
Jim
[email protected]
our new system became available in
2012.