UMBA: Welcome

Dear UMBA Member,

            Registration will again be held at the Walker field TAC house.  Participants will be accepted in numerical order of registration.  We may have to limit the number of participants in a division due to the availability of managers and umpires, so we suggest you register early.  Please refer to the enclosed “dates to remember” for registration dates and times and additional dates for this season’s events.  If you have any questions or need directions we can be reached at 610-265-4477, or at individual Board members phone numbers or emails provided at the end of this letter.

It is the wish of the UMBA board that all children are given the opportunity to participate regardless of their financial status. Please contact Tony Metricarti with any hardships.

              With the economic times as they are we are going to continue a new program from last year, an equipment exchange program. As younger kids grow out of their cleats and other items they are often in very good condition. We would like to ask anyone who may want to donate back into this program any equipment that is not being used. Feel free to take from the exchange program if needed. In the past we have been able to donate used equipment to programs around us in less fortunate areas so they may be able to offer programs to the kids in their area. After thinking about it we thought we may also have some in our registration that may be in need of a hand so we are going to give it a try this season. If you have any items that may be able to be used by someone else feel free to bring it to registration. If you are interested in helping to run this exchange program please contact Tony Metricarti. 

Please note:             NO REGISTRATION CAN BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR WITHOUT AN ADULT SIGNATURE.  BIRTH CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR FIRST TIME APPLICANTS FOR INSURANCE REASONS. REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED AFTER SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16^th. REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE 16^th ONLY IF THE INDIVIDUAL DIVISION HAS ROOM IN IT.  RESIDENTS NEW TO THE TOWNSHIP WILL BE CONSIDERED IF OPENINGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 15th. 

            UMBA is a volunteer organization that requires a great deal of effort behind the scenes.  We would like to thank all the volunteers who spent so much of their time to keep improving the product that UMBA continues to offer.  This year we are again in need of people to help with registration.  Computer skills (excel) are required.  Please contact Tony Metricarti for more information. We are also in need of Concession Stand help; this is a very essential position in the organization. Now that we are running 2 locations it is important to have as many willing hands as possible. All those nights of running to the field and grabbing a quick snack at the field has only been possible when we have the hands to do so. If you are able to help organize the concession program at either location please contact Cathy Farrell for more info. We have our board meetings each month on the 3^rd Monday of each month and would welcome any who would like to attend during the season starting in April.

               On 11/22/10 the Board of Directors voted unanimously to require that all UMBA-coaches submit to a PA State Police criminal check, or similar background check from the individual’s state of residence. Proof of background check must be turned in to the league commissioner prior to first practice. Certifications must be repeated each year. The process is easy, you can chose to perform this check online or by mail. If you chose to process your background check by mail, you will need to send a $10.00 certified check payable to the State Police. The certification can be done by mail using a form downloadable from the UMBA site under the ‘LINKS’ section. Certification can also be done online using a credit card. The web address is epatch.state.pa.us and will also require a $10.00 payment by credit card. Costs are the responsibility of the individual. This is a non-refundable fee for each request, regardless of the outcome. Customers will be charged for misspelling, duplicate submissions and user errors. 

Rules Individuals refusing to meet these requirements will be immediately barred from any coaching position with UMBA. Individuals whose background check reveals a conviction of any crime against a minor will be immediately barred from the club. Individuals whose background check reveals convictions of any crime or against a minor may be barred from the club or from certain activities by the Board of Directors. For example, individuals involved in a crime involving theft, burglary, embezzlement, etc. will be barred from treasurer or handling any of the club’s funds (registration, snack bar, etc.). Individuals who disagree with their criminal background check must contact the PA State Police. Individuals with appeals pending with the PA State Police are barred from the club until the appeals are resolved to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors.  

Privacy All information submitted per these requirements will be considered confidential between the individual and the Board of Directors. This information will be shared with the Cal Ripken organization in the event that an individual is barred from UMBA.  

Limitations and Parent Responsibilities The State Police Criminal Record Check is a valuable tool for UMBA and similar organizations to use to help protect our children from dangerous people. These tools are not 100% fool proof, and there is no guarantee. It remains your responsibility as a parent to supervise your children, to get to know the people working with your children, and to sound an alarm if you are aware of anything that goes beyond what you think is appropriate. Please contact Tony Metricarti, president of UMBA with any comments. It is mandatory for all baseball and softball managers/coaches in the minor and major divisions to be to be certified through the Ripken coaching website. Go to : www.ripkencoaching.org to get the certification, there is a small fee. The certification is good for the remaining time you are involved with Cal Ripken as a coach. There will be no exceptions to this for all managers and coaches! We also will be hosting a coaches clinic that will be mandatory for all managers and coaches and it will be very beneficial for all from T-Ball to Majors. Plan on attending Feb. 25^th 10:00 – 2:00 at the Heuser Park Bldg. There will be a break with food supplied.  

                An organization of this size requires many volunteers to provide an enjoyable experience for our children. We expect EVERY family to volunteer in some manner.  Please remember to fill out the parent questionnaire on the back of the registration form.  As in prior years, each FAMILY will be charged a volunteer fee of $10.00.  

 UMBA also will be the sponsor of the VF Generals Jr. Legion team again this year. This is a tryout team and is offered to boys 13 – 15 yrs. of age.

  UMBA offers a Challenger Team to our community.  This Division provides boys and girls, ages 6 through 18, who are mentally and physically challenged, the opportunity to play baseball on their own level. This also is a great time for our majors age kids who come out and help at the games. With the success of the program we have grown to over 20 players and look forward to next season. Check out the schedule and come out and cheer them on this season. Any questions please contact Donna DeSimone; her email is ddtalks@aol.com.