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BHAA News

BHAA Needs You!
A pair of important positions are in need of candidates to take charge of BHAA's immediate and long-term futures:

Fall Ball Coordinator: BHAA began offering fall baseball in 2007, and interest grew to also include softball in 2009. To carry this program forward this fall, BHAA needs a coordinator to step forward immediately to coordinate the registration and scheduling process. If no one fills this position, fall ball will not be offered. To express interest, contact Nicole Knupsky at 412-513-7087.

2011 President: Nicole Knupsky will be resigning the presidency, a position she has held since 2008, at the close of this season. BHAA is currently seeking nominations for presidential candidates. An election by BHAA's membership will take place in August, and the new president will assume duties September 1, 2010, to prep for the 2011 season. The president is supported by BHAA's Administrative Council. To nominate yourself or someone else for this position, contact Joe Kocay (412-414-3840).

Administrative Council in Place
BHAA has formed an Administrative Council in an effort to get back to having a functioning executive board and an elective process. The council includes Nicole Knupsky (president), Joe Kocay (vice president), Donna Hirschfield (secretary/treasurer); Pete Schell (field maintenance director), Mike Albright (member at large), John Salamacha (softball representative), Brian Daeschner (teeball coordinator) and Franklin Rouse (member at large).

The Administrative Council remains open to new members. It meets one hour before each monthly general meeting and conducts discussion and voting on important league matters.

"As we move toward electing an executive board, this council provides the administrative structure and transparency we need to keep BHAA healthy and viable for years to come," says Nicole Knupsky, BHAA president since 2007.

BHAA will require that anyone running for an elected executive board seat following the 2010 season have served on the Administrative Council for at least a season. "The only way to learn how our league runs and the infinite tasks involved is to get involved," Knupsky adds.

BHAA had a full executive board in place until about five years ago when a decreasing volunteer base threatened the league's viability. A small group of volunteers have helped to put BHAA back on a growth tract and attract new volunteers from BHAA's families. To express interest in serving on the Administrative Council, contact any of its members listed on the FAQs page of this website.

2010 Coaching Staff

The following individuals will be head-coaching teams this season with BHAA:

Teeball
Brian Daeschner (Bats)
Todd Ferraro (Bandits)
Mike Gavlik (Bulls)
Don Green (Raptors)
Bill Goodrich (Hooks)
Lorenze Jefferson (Mudcats)
Chad Minton (River Dogs)
Courtney Nagy (Lugnuts)
Jim Notaro (Hot Rods)
Josh Sand (Defenders)

Farm League Baseball
Jeff Bees (Mariners)
Andy Gamblin (D-Backs)
Matt Koval (Cubs)
John Otstot (Orioles)
Franklin Rouse (Phillies)

Jr. Little League Baseball
Mike Albright (Red Sox)
Jeff Bees (Angels)
Marc Calderaro (Dodgers)

Sr. Little League Baseball
Mike Bierce (Giants)
Franklin Rouse (Braves)
Bill Sinagra (Pirates)

Pony League Baseball
Joe Knupsky (Pony Red)
Shawn Tunstall (Pony Blue)

Colt/Supercolt Baseball
Gil Villanueva (Colt Blue)
Tim Winters (Supercolt Red)

Softball
Maryann Bowman (8u Blue Bandits)
Randy Davis (8u Blue Lightning)
Bill Fonzi (8u North Side Sluggers)
Joe Knupsky (10u Rock Stars)
Brandon Kretzler/Tana Kretzler (10u SWAT)
John Salamacha (12u Crush)
Jack Shannon (15u Heat)

Coaches Forum

What can parents do at home
to help their children become
better baseball/softball players?

"Spend time with them throwing, fielding, and hitting the ball around. The more they practice the fundamentals and get used to seeing the ball being released from someone other than their peers, the better they adjust to different ball speeds. Do this, along with giving them the encouragement to master the game and, most importantly, have fun!"

— Franklin Rouse

"Soft toss, even in the basement. Ten to 15 minutes a day of grounders, playing catch, or snagging pop flies."

— Jeff Bees

"Play catch! It's that simple. You don't need a strong arm. Even if you throw underhand to your children, they can learn to get in front of and underneath the ball. Roll ground balls to them. Teach them to move left and right, even if just a little bit at a time. They will grow to be confident in their ability to catch the ball, and last I checked, that's still a pretty important part of the game."

— Pete Schell

"There are three things I recommend: Simple throwing and catching. Easy soft toss with no glove to teach catching with two hands. Hitting off the tee, which is the best way to teach proper technique.

— Jack Shannon

Coaches Forum

What's the best way to break in a brand new glove?
"I recommend a healthy dose of Rawlings Gloveoleum, followed by 50 to 75 good, hard tosses into the pocket of the glove. Afterwards, fold it over with the ball in it and tie it tight with rubber bands or shoelaces. Might even put it under the mattress for a week or so."

— Jeff Bees

"I have heard to use shaving cream to soften the leather, but I've never actually tried that myself. Any glove I have ever needed to break in, I have done by putting a baseball in the pocket, not the webbing, and then wrapping that baby up good and tight. Be sure to tuck the 'little fingers' in around the ball first when wrapping/rolling it up. Leave it wrapped for a couple of days, then start playing a lot of catch!"

— Pete Schell

"A new glove is a thing of beauty — it looks good, feels good, even smells good. You hate to get it dirty. But you've got to oil it then get the darn thing dirty. Use it and abuse it. Play, play, play."

— Nicole Knupsky