THE 2016 Bendigo Baseball Association season is in danger of not going ahead if key off-pitch positions aren’t filled at next week’s annual general meeting.
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The BBA will hold its annual general meeting next Wednesday from 7.30pm, where nominations are required for the positions of president, vice-president and secretary.
The AGM was to be held at Eaglehawk’s Albert Roy Reserve, but will now be shifted to the Golden Square football rooms in Wade Street after the Albert Roy Reserve clubrooms were gutted by fire early Thursday morning.
In a statement, the BBA said “without these essential positions being filled, drastic measures may be implemented”.
“If the BBA is unable to elect a committee on February 10, then it may be forced to consider options which may prove unpopular, but necessary. All players, members and supporters are urged to attend the AGM to ensure that a positive outcome is achieved.”
A key area of focus for the BBA is to ease the burden on office bearers who have been forced to shoulder multiple positions.
“This must change. The BBA will no longer encourage this practice and has moved to prevent it,” the statement said.
“The association realises that finding more people to fill roles such as that of secretary is becoming increasingly more difficult, and so is prepared to offer remuneration to a suitable candidate from either within or out of the organisation.”
While the association is facing a challenge off the pitch to fill the crucial office bearer positions, it cites an increase in senior players with each club fielding teams in A, B and C grade, the number of local players involved in Melbourne clubs and in state and national teams, and more umpires and participants in the Bendigo Academy of Sport program as strengths in 2015.
In 2015 Bendigo also hosted the under-12 Baseball Victoria Championships – and will do so again this year – a Victorian Summer Baseball League match between Essendon and Geelong, a Matt Lawry benefit game and successful awards night.
Meanwhile, the BBA is holding a junior twilight competition from 6pm starting this Monday and running until March 14 at Albert Roy Reserve. The competition is for players aged eight to 12. For more information contact Pam Dawkins on 0407 308 392.
