NEWSLINE STORY

published March - April 2017

 

Sanctioned League Chatter

by Jerry Smith, 3rd Vice President, Sanction League Director

 

Several topics will be mentioned this month in a hodgepodge of Sanctioned League chatter.  The first of which is to announce the winners of the 2016 Junior Scholarship program.  This year six junior pitchers are being honored with scholarships ranging from $100.00 to $200.00 and one pitcher is receiving an honorable mention award.  The selection process involves ranking the applicants based on academic success with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA combined with their relative rankings of sanctioned league participation based on the amount of league pitching they did.  All applicants must be pitching as a junior and be enrolled in at least the seventh grade.  Under the guidelines of the 8th   edition of the Sanctioned Club/League Program or “Red Book”, the selected juniors will receive a certificate, a letter, and a patch honoring them as a member of the 2016 NHPA Student Honor Society.  The certificate will indicate a scholarship amount, if earned, which will be deposited in an NHPA trust account and be available to the recipient when they have finished their pitching career in the junior division and have enrolled in some sort of advanced training or education.  They must ask for their money before their 21st birthday by submitting proof of their enrollment.  The Sanctioned League Director will determine that the requirements have been met.  It is the NHPA’s intent to encourage junior pitchers to enhance themselves with higher training and/or education.  I wish to congratulate these Junior Scholarship Program recipients for their academic achievements and their NHPA involvement.

 

The 2016 Junior Scholarship Program recipients and their awards are:

 

1          Taylor Coile                 GA       $200.00

2.         Cali Terrell                  MO      $175.00

3.         Audrey Caravello        KS        $150.00

3.         Jessica Wilson             MO      $150.00

5.         Merissa Caravello       MO      $125.00

6.         Lauren Cook                WI        $100.00

7.         Shantz Vigil                 WY       Honorable Mention

 

Next, I want to remind all league pitchers to consider entering a team in this year’s Sanctioned League Tournament, which will be held on September 30 and October 1st in Wentzville, MO.  Fliers will be available later this year and again will be limited to 20 teams if I don’t mess it up again and let in 22 teams.  If you have an interest in helping to sponsor this fine event, please contact me as soon as possible.

I also am including a picture of some of my newly designed 2017 Sanction League patches.  The adult league member patches are $1.00 each and if you would like to show-off your sport be sure to order your patch soon.  The new league director patch is outstanding and can be ordered for $2.00.  All other patches are earned by pitching in sanctioned leagues and any club can start a league at any time.  Leagues are key to expanding your membership as new players fit right in and can enjoy success at any level.  Contact me to find out how easy it is and give it a try.

 

 

 

The 2016 “Top Ten” lists are being worked on and should be announced soon.  Some 60 plaques and 300 certificates are available to win under this program each year.  Anybody can make a list and earn an award but only if you pitch in an NHPA Sanctioned League.  Don’t wait, earn yours this year.

 

Last and certainly not least, I would like to thanks all of the pitchers and leagues out there that donated to the NHPA Sanctioned League Program.  I received almost $1500.00 in donation last year to help defray the costs of running this very expensive, but vital program.  It is my hope that more leagues will get involved with a fundraising process to help the NHPA out.  Every little bit helps.