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ENYTB Names Its First Ever Man-Of-The-Year (x4) and Man-Of-The-Deacde (x2) Recipients
On the occasion of ENYTB's 15th Anniversary it seemed fitting to start a new tradition of recognizing those of you who contribute w/o limit to the success of your individual organizations and in the process to the success of ENYTB. The Man-Of-The Year awards from here on out will be given out annually. In addition, we plan on naming a Man-Of-The-Half-Decade every five years as well. Because we waited 15 tears to start this tradition and because of the events of 2009, it seemed appropriate to name four individuals to receive the first ever ENYTB Man-Of-The-Year Awards:
(1) Ray Seefeld - Burnt Hills Spartans
(2) John Barna - Brunswick Buckeyes
(3) Matt Terry - DevilCats Baseball
(4) Rick Miller - BSPA Jr. Baseball
Oddly enough, all four individuals were selected for very similar reasons. Each has been head of their own organizations for a considerable period and I have observed each work tirelessly and unselfishly to advance their own organization's travel and recreational baseball programs. Coincidentally, all four are charter members in ENYPONY (ENYTB's "League-Of-Leagues" for ENYTB members who operate their own house leagues) and all four, when faced with the ultimatum by Babe Ruth, Inc. in 2009 of ENYTB or Babe Ruth, chose ENYTB. Not only do these individuals support their own organizations but each has always been there to say yes whenever the league needed help hosting tournaments or in any other way where they could find a way to be supportive. And, from a personal standpoint, each has been a pleasure to work with, always willing to work with me to find new ways to do things so that the league benefits everyone.
Congratulations guys, you richly deserve this honor, enjoy your ENYTB DIAMOND awards, and thanks!
In addition to the Man-Of-The-Year awards, ENYTB also recognized two individuals as Man-Of-The Decade:
(1) Bill Kelts, Waterford Summer Baseball
(2) Rich Foster, CNY Pioneers
My relationship with Bill goes back to 1998 when he took over the existing ENYTB franchise in Waterford. From the beginning Bill and I hit it off well. We both shared a strong interest in the well-being of the league. Coincidentally, at the end of his first ENYTB season I drafted his son, young William, to go to a AABC Regional Tournament in New Jersey. With the understanding that he might only play one game, when my regular 2B was pitching, Bill and Billy, happily said yes. When Billy's turn to play came around he did not disappoint, leading the team offensively and defensively. Soon afterwards, Bill and I worked together to write the Constitution, which was the basis for much of the league's eventual success. Bill was also a great ambassador for the league, bringing other members to the league in our early days when our numbers were relatively small. Bill has served on the ENYTB Board in many different capacities over the years and was part of our two-man team that negotiated many agreements with AABC. Bill has always been partial to AABC. Bill also played a major role in urging the league to go "cradle to the grave", a term that he introduced to our lexicon.
Around 2004, Bill and I went in somewhat different directions. He threw himself into building his beautiful field from the sweat of his brow and I threw myself into creating the website. Bill's son assisted him in his efforts while mine assisted me in mine. The League has greatly benefited from both these significant efforts. Not only is Bill's field a great place to play during the regular season but Bill is a regular host of ENYTB hosted tournaments. And, for more than 10 years, Bill has routinely registered five or more ENYTB teams. Bill was also an early proponent of ENYPONY. So, we salute Bill Kelts and recognize him for his dedication to his own baseball organization and this league as well as his great contribution to the success and longevity of ENYTB. Congratulations Bill and thanks!
My relationship with Rich Foster also spans nearly a decade. He is the longest continuing league member from the Utica area. Long before there was a website, Rich was the man with everyone's phone numbers from "out west". For several years we held annual Kick-Off Meetings for Utica members in Utica. Rich always generously hosted those affairs. Other Utica Area members have come and gone but Rich remains. Together, Rich and I have witnessed quite a cast of memorable characters come through the league from the Utica area. He too has served as a great ambassador for the league and is usually one of our largest members each year, often registering as many as 7 or 8 teams. All his teams play weekend only and travel to Albany 4 or more times each season. Rich maintains his own facility and rents time at quality venues from DeLutis to the local colleges. Rich has been a major supporter at the younger age levels and every year he takes a 12U team to DreamsPark in Cooperstown. Several years ago he was a key member of our effort to create a league similar to ENYTB but for Utica area teams only, called Utica Amateur Baseball Association (UABA). It only lasted two years but as co-Commissioner, Rich made many significant contributions as to how the league was ultimately structured. Aside from Bill Kelts, I have spent more time on the phone discussing league and other matters with Rich than anyone else. And it is rare that we end a conversation in less than an hour or w/o him telling me a great joke or two. I guess I laughed hard enough at his jokes because he added me to his jokes email list, which I always read. So, we salute Rich Foster and recognize him for his great dedication to his own baseball organization as well as this league and his great contribution to the success and longevity of the league. Congratulations Rich and thanks!
(1) Ray Seefeld - Burnt Hills Spartans
(2) John Barna - Brunswick Buckeyes
(3) Matt Terry - DevilCats Baseball
(4) Rick Miller - BSPA Jr. Baseball
Oddly enough, all four individuals were selected for very similar reasons. Each has been head of their own organizations for a considerable period and I have observed each work tirelessly and unselfishly to advance their own organization's travel and recreational baseball programs. Coincidentally, all four are charter members in ENYPONY (ENYTB's "League-Of-Leagues" for ENYTB members who operate their own house leagues) and all four, when faced with the ultimatum by Babe Ruth, Inc. in 2009 of ENYTB or Babe Ruth, chose ENYTB. Not only do these individuals support their own organizations but each has always been there to say yes whenever the league needed help hosting tournaments or in any other way where they could find a way to be supportive. And, from a personal standpoint, each has been a pleasure to work with, always willing to work with me to find new ways to do things so that the league benefits everyone.
Congratulations guys, you richly deserve this honor, enjoy your ENYTB DIAMOND awards, and thanks!
In addition to the Man-Of-The-Year awards, ENYTB also recognized two individuals as Man-Of-The Decade:
(1) Bill Kelts, Waterford Summer Baseball
(2) Rich Foster, CNY Pioneers
My relationship with Bill goes back to 1998 when he took over the existing ENYTB franchise in Waterford. From the beginning Bill and I hit it off well. We both shared a strong interest in the well-being of the league. Coincidentally, at the end of his first ENYTB season I drafted his son, young William, to go to a AABC Regional Tournament in New Jersey. With the understanding that he might only play one game, when my regular 2B was pitching, Bill and Billy, happily said yes. When Billy's turn to play came around he did not disappoint, leading the team offensively and defensively. Soon afterwards, Bill and I worked together to write the Constitution, which was the basis for much of the league's eventual success. Bill was also a great ambassador for the league, bringing other members to the league in our early days when our numbers were relatively small. Bill has served on the ENYTB Board in many different capacities over the years and was part of our two-man team that negotiated many agreements with AABC. Bill has always been partial to AABC. Bill also played a major role in urging the league to go "cradle to the grave", a term that he introduced to our lexicon.
Around 2004, Bill and I went in somewhat different directions. He threw himself into building his beautiful field from the sweat of his brow and I threw myself into creating the website. Bill's son assisted him in his efforts while mine assisted me in mine. The League has greatly benefited from both these significant efforts. Not only is Bill's field a great place to play during the regular season but Bill is a regular host of ENYTB hosted tournaments. And, for more than 10 years, Bill has routinely registered five or more ENYTB teams. Bill was also an early proponent of ENYPONY. So, we salute Bill Kelts and recognize him for his dedication to his own baseball organization and this league as well as his great contribution to the success and longevity of ENYTB. Congratulations Bill and thanks!
My relationship with Rich Foster also spans nearly a decade. He is the longest continuing league member from the Utica area. Long before there was a website, Rich was the man with everyone's phone numbers from "out west". For several years we held annual Kick-Off Meetings for Utica members in Utica. Rich always generously hosted those affairs. Other Utica Area members have come and gone but Rich remains. Together, Rich and I have witnessed quite a cast of memorable characters come through the league from the Utica area. He too has served as a great ambassador for the league and is usually one of our largest members each year, often registering as many as 7 or 8 teams. All his teams play weekend only and travel to Albany 4 or more times each season. Rich maintains his own facility and rents time at quality venues from DeLutis to the local colleges. Rich has been a major supporter at the younger age levels and every year he takes a 12U team to DreamsPark in Cooperstown. Several years ago he was a key member of our effort to create a league similar to ENYTB but for Utica area teams only, called Utica Amateur Baseball Association (UABA). It only lasted two years but as co-Commissioner, Rich made many significant contributions as to how the league was ultimately structured. Aside from Bill Kelts, I have spent more time on the phone discussing league and other matters with Rich than anyone else. And it is rare that we end a conversation in less than an hour or w/o him telling me a great joke or two. I guess I laughed hard enough at his jokes because he added me to his jokes email list, which I always read. So, we salute Rich Foster and recognize him for his great dedication to his own baseball organization as well as this league and his great contribution to the success and longevity of the league. Congratulations Rich and thanks!