HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-YB-1954-12-16 MINUTES OF YOUTH BUREAU ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING, DECEMBER 16, 1954
Present: Mr. Samuel Woodside Mr. Edward Pierce
Mr. Harry Sutherland Professor J. P. Porter
Miss Katherine Reeves Reverend Frank Sperduto
Mrs . Lois O'Connor Mr, William Simmers
Mrs. R. C . Osborn Mr. E. E. Bredbenner
Mrs . Esther Freeman Dr. William Gragg
Mr: Merrill Shipherd Mr. Judson Hill
Mr, Lawrence Gaurnier
The meeting was opened at 4:00 P.M. by Chairman Woodside.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The Chief of Police, William Simmers, was introduced as a regular mem-
ber of the Advisory Council.
The Director's report was presented in mimeographed form and a brief
discussion ensued regarding revision of the method of presentation of
the Financial Report.
The Director explained City Attorney Dahments recommendation to trans-
fer the'old Ithaca Youth Theater Account to the. Festival Playhouse'
Project. This account will hereafter require the signatures of the
Treasurer of the Festival Playhouse and the Director of the Youth
Bureau.
Mr. Gaurnier moved that we accept the City Attorney' s recommendation
regarding the former Ithaca Youth Theater Fund. This motion to super-
sede the one made on November 18 regarding this account. The motion
was seconded by Mrs. Freeman. Carried.
The committee made up of the following members . - Mrs . Freeman and , .
Messers Sutherland, Woodside, Stagg and Gaurnier, which was appointed
to find a new permanent director, gave its report. Committee Chairman
Gaurnier read the list of eligible candidates and reported that his
committee recommended the appointment of Judson Hill as permanent
Director of the Youth Bureau.
Mr. Gaurnier moved that Judson Hill be recommended for appointment as
permanent director of the Youth Bureau and notification of this rec-
ommendation sent to the Mayor. Mr. Porter seconded the motion.
Unanimously Carried.
Mr. Hill expressed his appreciation to the Council.
Mr. Pierce reported on a Small Fry Football Committee Meeting held on
December 15. He stated that the Small Pry Football Committee feels
the Youth Bureau has primary responsibility regarding the outcome of
the Small Fry Football program. The Committee recommends having the
Advisory Council authorize its Director to draw up a set of over-all
objectives and policies to govern the operation of Small Fry -Football.
This set of objectives and policies to be written up by Mr. Hill with
the assistance of the Small Fry Football Committee and submitted to
the Youth Bureau Advisory Council for its approval.
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Mr.. Pierce made the motion that the Youth Bureau Advisory Council
hereby direct Mr. Hill to draw up a set of objectives and policies
regarding the over-all operation of Small Fry Football and submit them
to the Youth Bureau Advisory Council for its approval. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Sutherland. Carried.
Mr. Gaurnier introduced the subject of the Youth Bureau Director's
obligations regarding committee chairmanships, formal offices and like
duties in civic clubs, fraternal orders and other organizations.
After considerable discussion it was generally agreed that the Dir-
ector's primary responsibility is to the Youth Bureau and its activi-
ties . He should assume only such other duties as he feels are directly
and vitally concerned with the successful operation of the Youth Bureau
and its program.
The following Youth Bureau Advisory Council member' s first 3 year term
of office expires as of December 31, 1954: Mr. Woodside, Mr. Bred-
benner, Mrs . Grover and Mr. Lockwood.
Mrs . Osborn moved that the Council's recommendation for reappointment
of these members to their second 3 year' term beginning January 1, 1955
be sent to the Mayor. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pierce.
Unanimously Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Cameron, Secretary
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
December 1954
Matinee Series (a) Dates - Nov. 20, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 19,
March 5, April 23
(b) Attendance - 1600, 1590
(c) Staff - Mesdames Heimlich, Donnelly, Van
Sickle, Parsons, Beck, Holden
(d) Program - Dr. Allen, Dance Review, Tommy
Tucker, Community -Players, Wizard
of Oz, Young Audiences, Inc.
(e) Finances - Income (Season tickets -
1936.25) Expenses (Program -
91.50)
Junior Music Clubs (a) Dates - Dec. 4, Jan., Feb. , Mar. , April,
May
(b) Attendance - (Silver Tea - 150 Registered
members - Approximately 135)
(c) Staff - Mesdames McNair, Wickstrom, Dorf,
Summers
(d) Program - Silver Tea Dec. 4, five monthly
concerts beginning in Jan. and
a festival during March
(e) Finances - Income (Scholarship donations-
25.00) Expenses (Supplies -
8.50)
Festival Playhouse. (a) Dates - Monday evenings
(b) Attendance - Over 60 registered
(c) Staff - Advisors - Dr. Gregg, Mrs. McNair,
Mr, Ed Barron
(d) Program - Variety Show in Jan., Red Mill
in April, Summer ( roduction
not yet determined
(e) Finances - None
Committee on (a) Dates - Every Wednesday at 1:30 in
Youth Problems Children' s Court Room
(b) Staff - None
(c ) Program - The school representative has re-
ferred- 2 cases to the Committee,
and one case has been presented
by the Southside Community Center
Director. Other cases have been
drawn-from Probation Department
files.
Kiwi a is Baseball The final meeting of the year was held on
December 9, 1954. Carlton Wood gave his report
as Director.
FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE
Bergholtz Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - New portable backstop
Finances - Income - None Expenses (Repairs - $24.59
Equipment - $211.06 Total - $235.65)
Bryant Tract Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - Grading and fencing
Finances - Income - None Expenses (grading $228.34)
Percy Field None
Southwest None
Stewart Park None
Red Wagon Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - None
Finances - Income - None Expenses (Supplies - $49.50)
FINANCIAL REPORT
Bills Paid December 1, 1954
Salary of Director Kiwanis Baseball
Salary of Stenographer---- Ice Skating
Transportation 24..57 Tennis
Office • 4.0.34 Knot Hole Gang
Telephone 17.00 Boy' s Supervisor
• Travel Girl's Supervisor
Insurance Golf
Promotion South West Playground
Red Wagon Maintenance I 4.9.50 Dance Orchestra $111.00
Bergholtz 235.65 Red Wagon Supervisor dk 57.00
Mental Clinic Bryant Tract
Water Safety Children's Matinee $ 91.50
Juvenile Work Small Fry Football
Boy-Girl of Month Fourth of July.
Youth Band Festival Playhouse
Junior Music Clubs $ 8.50
REPORT ON 1951+ KIWANIS BASEBALL PROGRAM BY
CARLTON WOOD
General policies, time of games, etc.
Two games *ere played every Monday night at Percy Field in the
Junior A league. The first game was supposed to start at 6:00 P.M.
This first .game was usually started late. The second game usually
began about 7:t5 or 8:00. The Junior A teams played 7 innings .
Two games were played nightly Monday through Thursday in Junior
B and C at the high school field. Four or five nights the high school
field was used for Grasshopper games, The first game was scheduled
for 5:00 P.M. and the second game at 6:30. These teams must hustle
all the time to play their 5 inning games before darkness.
Five fields were used at Bergholtz; the A games on the north
field; B American on south field; B National on east central field;
C on vest central field; and D on southeast field. All games were
5 innings until D games were lowered to 4. A few times a doubleheader
was scheduled in order to play all the B games. The Afield was used
also for additional B games . All Grasshopper games were scheduled for
5: and usually started by 6:00.
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Size of fields
All Junior leagues played on regulation fields. A and B Grass-
hopper used 75' bases and 50' pitching. ' C and D used 60' bases and
45' pitching. At times the D were allowed to stand in front of the
rubber. The C pitching distance was increased after the first week to
471 .
Postponed games
Games were scheduled Monday through Thursday with Friday open for
rained out games. Of the nine weeks only one Friday was not used.
When teams had special problems and wished postponement, it was left
up to the two coaches to agree to the postponement and to re-schedule
the game themselves . The directors would. assist but it would be very'
impractical for the directors to try and handle special postponements.
Number of teams and games
*Junior A - t. teams - triple round robin - 18 games
*Dryden dropped out early and two Junior B teams took turns at
filling in
Junior B - 6 teams - double round robin = 30 games
Junior C - 7 teams - 1 1/2 round robin = 30 games
17 Junior teams 78 Junior games
bin = 30 games
42 Grass o per teams 186 Grasshopper games
Total - 59 teams Total - 261.. games
Rosters and formation of teams
In general the rosters were turned in sooner than a year ago.
The rosters were kept at the Youth Bureau. There were some requests
by coaches to check the rosters of some of their opponents. I believe
it should be impressed upon coaches that all players should be listed
upon the rosters and that changes and additions during the season
should be so registered. An effort was made this year to contact boys
who did not live in sections of the city where Kiwanis teams had been
organized. Reed Snyder and Tex Goodman signed up boys at the East
Hill, St. Johns, Central, and Parochial schools. Teams were organized
with boys from these schools and it should not be necessary for Kiwanis
directors to contact these schools in another year. It would still
benefit some boys to do so, and probably this year's coaches would
help in the signing of boys. The. Belle Sherman, Cayuga Heights, Fall
Creek, South Hill, and West Hill schools are quite well handled by
former coaches.
Duties of directors
The Director and the Assistant Director helped in pre-season
organization of teams, formulation of league rules, organization of
equipment.
The Director made up the league schedules.
During the playing season the Director supervised the Junior A
games on Percy Field, checked daily with the Assistant Director at
the High School Field, paid the umpires and helped with supervision at
Bergholtz Field, The Assistant Director supervised all games and
equipment at the High School Field. The Director and Assistant Dir-
ector cooperated in turning in reports of Junior games to the Ithaca
Journal. The Grasshopper Director and Assistant handled all equipment,
supervised all games, turned in game reports of all Grasshopper games
at Bergholtz.
Classification of teams ba age
This years classification for the Grasshopper C and D leagues
proved very successful.. Because of this years experience, I believe
FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE
Bergholtz Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - New portable backstop
Finances - Income - None Expenses (Repairs - $24.59
Equipment - $211.06 Total - $235.65)
Bryant Tract Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - Grading and fencing
Finances - Income - None Expenses (grading - $228.31 )
Percy Field None
Southwest None
Stewart Park None
Red Wagon Staff - None
Program - None
Repairs - None
Finances - Income - None Expenses (Supplies - $49.50)
•
FINANCIAL REPORT
Bills Paid December 1, 1954
Salary of Director Kiwanis Baseball
Salary of Stenographer---- Ice Skating
Transportation 24.57 Tennis
Office 40.34 Knot Hole Gang
Telephone 17.00 Boy' s Supervisor
Travel Girl's Supervisor
Insurance Golf
Promotion South West Playground
Red Wagon Maintenance 49.50 Dance Orchestra 111.00
Bergholtz 235.65 Red Wagon Supervisor 1 57.00
Mental Clinic Bryant Tract
Water Safety Children's Matinee $91.50
Juvenile Work Small Fry Football
Boy-Girl of Month Fourth of July
Youth Band Festival Playhouse
Junior Music Clubs $ 8.50
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Grasshopper A • 7 teams - 1 1/2 round robin : 30 gamras
Grasshopper B (N) • 10 teams - single round robin s 45 games
Grasshopper B (A) 10 teams - single round rcloin = 45 games
Grasshopper C - 8 teams - 1 A round robin = 36 games
Grasshopper D - 7 teams _ 1 1/2 round robin : 30 games
42 Grasshopper teams 186 Grasshopper games
Total - 59 teams Total - 264 games
Rosters and formation of teams
In general the rosters were turned in sooner than a year ago.
The rosters were kept at the Youth Bureau. There were some requests
by coaches to check the rosters of some of their opponents . I believe
it should be impressed upon coaches that all players should be listed
upon the rosters and that changes and additions during the season
should be so registered. An effort was made this year to contact boys
who did not live in sections of the city where Kiwanis teams had been
organized. Reed Snyder and Tex Goodman signed up boys at the East
Hill, St. Johns, Central, and Parochial schools. Teams were organized
with boys from these schools and it should not be necessary for Kiwanis
directors to contact these schools in another year. It would still
benefit some boys to do so, and probably this year's coaches would
help in the signing of boys. The Belle Sherman, Cayuga Heights, Fall
Creek, South Hill, and West Hill schools are quite well handled by
former coaches.
Duties of directors
The Director and the Assistant Director helped in pre-season
organization of teams, formulation of league rules, organization of
equipment.
The Director made up the league schedules.
During the playing season the Director supervised the Junior A
games on Percy Field, checked daily with the Assistant Director at
the High School Field, paid the umpires and helped with supervision at
Bergholtz Field.. The Assistant Director supervised all games and
equipment at the High School Field. The Director and Assistant Dir-
ector cooperated in turning in reports of Junior games to the Ithaca •
Journal. The Grasshopper Director and Assistant handled all equipment,
supervised all games, turned in gamo reports of all Grasshopper games
at Bergholtz.
Classification of teams ba age_
This years classification for the Grasshopper C and. D leagues •
proved very successful. Because of this years experience, I believe
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that further age classification would benefit the program. Here is
my suggestion.
Grasshopper D - 7 to 8 1/2 - Can't be 8 1/2 before June 1.
Grasshopper C - Can't be 10 before June 1.
Grasshopper B - Can't be 12 before June 1.
Grasshopper A Can't be l before June 1.
Junior B or A - Can't be 1 before June 1.
Senior or Junior A - Can't be 18 before June 1.
This classification would be raising the Grasshopper A limit one year
and thus put more games upon Bergholtz. As played this year a few
Grasshopper games had to be scheduled on the High School Field.
Possibly the Grasshopper A teams could use a regulation field and use
the one regular field on Bergholtz.
Two exceptions to the age classification were made this year in
the C and D leagues. The exception in the D league was for one boy
who for personal reasons belonged with his friends in that league. The
exception in the C league was Danby who would have been unable to
field a team of boys under 10 years of age. Danby was asked not to
use the overage boys as a pitcher or catcher. I believe that usually
they played only one boy overage.
Equal competition
The age classification seemed to solve the problem as well as
possible in the Grasshopper C and D leagues. The three year range in
the Grasshoppor+B and A leagues could easily lead to quite a difference
in team ability. The twenty B teams were divided into two leagues.
The loss experienced teams were put together in one league. In general
the coaches classify their teams as to whether they should be A or B.
Very few complaints were voiced as to a boy being too good in ability
for his league.
This year the problem of equal competition was more pronounced
in the three Junior leagues. Competition in Junior C was good except
for one team too young, one team unorganized, and one team lacking
desire. Two teams more or less dominated the Junior B league until
Dryden dropped their A team and combined for a better B team. In
Junior A the Ithaca High School team was too good for Dryden, Trumans-
burg, and a combination of Ithaca J. V. 's and Lansing. The Ithaca
High School team may generally prove too good for the smaller outside
villages. This could be restricted by limiting the number of Ithaca
High School varsity players on a Kiwanis team. This would not be a
benefit to improving the High School team.
Umpires
This the number one headache. In general, high school boys lack
the maturity and ability to Umpire real well in the Grasshopper leagues
where some coaches and adults become too emotionally aroused. Some
of the good umpires will not take the abuse from coaches and adults
for $1.00 a game. I suggest an attempt be made to obtain umpires from
the Umpires Association. It might be good.to put the umpire behind
the plate and use a volunteer on the bases.- A problem of an
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umpire behind the plate is the equipment. Shinguards might not be
necessary in some leagues.
The umpires in the Junior B and C leagues were fairly satisfactory.
One reason is that supervision is present at all Junior games . Tom
Decker, Dave Sutherland, and Don Hatt worn the most frequent umpires .
Junior A umpires were good. Bill Freeman and Joe Hamilton did
a good job. I believe -everyone would be happy if they could be ob-
tained in another year.
All player participation
There were two or three specific complaints this year concerning
coaches who did not use all of their players in every game. In general
I believe that most of the coaches used most of their players. There
are several angles to the fine idea of every player participating in
every game, and my present belief is that this should be left to the
discretion of the coaches with encouragement by the directors for the
coaches to use as many boys as often as possible. It does not seem
practical to always follow the all player participation idea. Several
coaches, who in the past have used every player, stated this year that
they did not "believe they should try to use every player in every
game. In a very important game I believe that most of the substitutes
would rather not play instead of losing the game. I have seen coaches
deliberately lose games this year by playing all of their boys.
There are other reasons such as lack of interest or poor sportsmanship
when it might do a boy good to sit on the bench. .
Complaints (by parents and coaches )
1. Against three teams (Belle Sherman, South Hill, Fall Creek) for
not playing all the boys.
2. By South Hill stating that the field was too slippery for safe
playing. Asked if we knew that the City of Ithaca could be sued
for damages, etc .
3. Several complaints against umpires .
L . By Trumansburg in Junior B that other teams were too good.
5. As usual concerning shirts and caps .
6. Against the West End Tigers for playing two boys overage.
Insurance and injuries
Pre-season information should explain that there is no insurance.
For the second successive season there were no serious injuries.
Whenever an injury does occur, the directors are asked about insurance.
I believe it would be a good idea to present insurance information to
the coaches at the pre-season meeting.
•
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Baseball fundamentals and skills
As to be expected there is plenty of opportunity for improvement
by both coaches and players. Two separate clinics were held at Percy
Field this year concerning pitching and hitting. There were not more
than eight coaches present at either clinic, but if only one coach
learned something and transferred the knowledge on to his players, I
believe the time spent was worthwhile. If there is any such program
next year, I suggest that time be spent on baserunning. I believe
that as many games are won or lost by baserunning as there are by
pitching and hitting.
Forfeits
Junior A - no forfeits but Dryden dropped out
Junior B - 1 forfeit (F. C. Nats )
Junior C - 3 forfeits by P. C . Bisons and then dropped
1 forfeit by F. C. Bombers
1 forfeit by Varna
Grasshopper A - 2 forfeits by F. C. Tigers
1 forfeit by Cayuga Heights
1 forfeit by Northside Buc 's
2 forfeits by Belle Sherman
B American - 1 forfeit by Cayuga Heights
1 forfeit by Varna
B National - 1 forfeits by All Westerns
1 forfeit by East Hill'
Grasshopper C - 1 forfeit. by; Danby,
Particularly in the Grasshopper leagues the forfeits were caused
by the lack of one or two players . Almost always the ball game was
played as a practice game.