Shades Mountain Park

In the 6 YO League, the No. 2 seed Yankees face No. 5 seed Braves in tonight’s Championship.  First pitch is at 6:05 p.m.

We invite any/all to attend as we watch what should be a great game.  In a brief recap of last night’s activities, the Yankees outlasted the Reds, 21-19 on a pair of 3-run homers while the Braves took down the No. 1 seed Diamondbacks.  There will be a medal ceremony immediately following the game.  If you can’t make it check out ESPN-8 The Ocho.

Don’t forget Saturday May 18th is our Moms vs Moms game at 11am on Field 1. 13 moms signed up so far – we need 20 to play… 7 more moms come on.

Dad’s HR derby will be at 1pm on Field 2. Outfield fence will be 250 feet. 8 dads are signed up so far… come show your kids how to hit.

Kids HR derby will be at 2 pm on Field 6. We are doing home run derby for ages 6-10.  We will have a champion in each age division. We don’t have many kids signed up so get your email in. We will have awards for winners in each division.

Again – send your emails to Ky Gregory or Shawna Holley.

Thanks for your support of SMP.

Annual moms game at SMP will be Saturday, May 18th on Field 1 at 11am.  The Dad’s Home Run Derby will follow at 1 pm (on Field 2 w/Special Fence).  Kids Home Run Derby (10 and under/by league) at 2pm on Field 6.  If interested in playing or for more details, please email the Park Commissioner (Ky Gregory) or the SMP Park Mom (Shawna Holley) by this Saturday, May 11th.

Attention All SMP Players and Parents:

It is time for the 2013 All Star Season…………

I wanted to share a few things on one of the most exciting times for player at SMP league ages 7 – 14…Metro Baseball All Stars. This is an opportunity to play against and with some of the best baseball players in the Birmingham area.

Every year in May and June we have the opportunity as a park to participate in All Stars with other parks in Metro Baseball including Homewood, Vestavia, Mt Brook, Hoover East, Trussville and Pell City.  Specific Dates to commit to for practice and games are on the All Star Commitment Form.

Any player age 7-14 wanting to be considered for an All Star team representing SMP must first complete a 2013 All Star Commitment / Consideration Form to begin the selection process.

Please read the form and understand, in order to be considered for the selection process you must agree and commit to all the terms on the form including the financial and time commitments. If you can not commit to BOTH…PLEASE DO NOT turn in a form. There will be No exceptions made for players for vacations and traveling during this time period including coaches wanting to be considered for coaching. If you have a vacation planned and can not change or cancel it; then please do not sign up for All Stars this year and plan accordingly next year and sign up next year.

This is nothing new except for those new to All Stars and it is the only fair way for all involved. Why should one child/ family be allowed to go on vacation while another does not because of their commitment to All Stars? If you look at some of the Metro rules (www.metrosportsbaseball.com) you will have a better understanding on this position.

A portion of the All Star cost (stated on the Commitment Form) will be due at the 1^st practice and the other cost will be paid through donations, sponsorships and fund raising. Many All Star teams purchase additional items like new and matching bat bags and helmets, T-shirts, goodie bags, trophies ect., which are additional cost on top of the fee due at the first practice. A team mom will be in charge of coordinating this and keeping up with the monies.

After committing and submitting the form, the head coaches will have an All Star Draft where they vote on teams from the players who submitted forms. This meeting will be head coaches only and only head coaches vote.  Commissioners and Assistant Coaches do not vote in the draft.

From the number of players available the coaches will vote on how many teams to have represent SMP. If we have 40 players from the 7-year-old league submit forms and the coaches vote for 1 National and 2 American All Star teams then 4 players will not make a team. By rule we have to have exactly 12 players on a roster, therefore if you submit a form you are not guaranteed to make a team or be selected.

Once the number of teams and players on each team are voted on practice will begin as early as May 14th and the last game is “scheduled” for Sunday June 16th. Play may extend past this date due to rain but is unlikely so please do not plan anything until June 19th just in case.

The above message definitely does not include all of the details but hopefully gives more insight on All Stars and I hope you and your child have a great All Star experience and one which will last a lifetime.

The Commitment Form must be turned into your coach no later than Friday, May 3rd.

Thanks for playing at SMP,

Will Hawkins
Park President

SMP Members:

The Shades Mountain Park, Inc. Board of Directors will host our Annual General Membership Meeting on Saturday, May 4th at 8:30am at Cuppett Field.   This meeting is open to all properly registered members of SMP, currently in good standing. Park Members present at this meeting may address the meeting to make a presentation, comments or introduce a motion. Each member will be limited to five minutes to make their presentation, comments or motions unless additional time is given by the Presiding officer.   Any member present at the meeting shall have the right to vote on any motion properly placed before the membership; however, each family shall have only one vote.

Following this meeting, a table will be set up between Field 2 and Field 1 for all members to vote for the nominees for the open Directors and Officers positions.   Again, each family is limited to 1 vote.

SMP’s Annual Park Day will continue all day Saturday, May 4th.   Please plan to hang around the park all day so your children can enjoy the inflatables, rock climbing walls, and more.

I hope you and your player are enjoying this baseball season at SMP.

Thank you for playing,

Will Hawkins
President

May 4, 2013 – 11:00 – 4:00

Mark your calendars for this don’t miss day filled with fun for everyone in your family regardless of age!  This is a day to celebrate with your team, old and new friends, and the approaching end of the 2013 baseball season!  Inflatables for ALL ages, a rock climbing wall and a dunking booth that your favorite coach may appear in!

Thanks for your support of SMP.

1. From I-459, take the AL-150 exit, EXIT 10
2. Turn onto AL-150/John Hawkins Pkwy AWAY from Target
3. Turn left onto Preserve Pkwy (Walgreens is on the corner)
4. Turn right onto Sulphur Springs Rd. (at Traffic Light and across from The Grove Shopping Center)  - 0.8 mi
5. Turn right onto Al Seier Rd.

1211 AL SEIER RD is on the right.

Baseball Fans and Players,

This Saturday we will have our traditional “Opening Day Ceremony” from 11am to 12noon on Cuppett Field (Fld 2).   The Speaker for the ceremony will be Hoover High School’s Head Football Coach, Josh Niblett.    Please plan on coming out and joining us for this event.

Here are a few quick notes;

1. The concession stand is open on game nights from 5pm to 8:30pm and all day on Game Saturdays.  Please support the concession stand.

2. Please Remember that the SMP park motto is :

3.  SMP Does Not have a Golf Cart for Shuttling this season.

4.  Park in a designated parking spot.  No parking on the curbs or against a yellow curb. Also, please remember that there is plenty of parking across the road from Field 1.

5.  The SMP Gift Shop will be open this Saturday at 11:30am until 2pm and will be set up near the Main Concession Stand.  (SMP Hats, Shirts, etc….)

6.  No Dogs at Park please.

7.  SMP Board Member Elections will be held in May (more information will be published on the website regarding which day and where the table will be set up).  If you want to nominate someone, please email info@shadesmountainpark.org  (See website for available positions)

8.  Metro All-Star Tournament Dates and Sites are posted on the Metro website (www.metrosportsbaseball.com).

9.  Please visit the SMP Website for general information and updates or email us at info@shadesmountainpark.org

Thank you for playing at SMP,

Will Hawkins

President / SMP

SMP Coaches, Parents, and Players are reminded to review the SMP Bat Rules to ensure your equipment is in compliance.  Access the SMP Bat Rules by going to www.shadesmountainpark.org, SMP Links on the right hand side, and then SMP Documents Library.  The direct link is also listed here - http://www.quickscores.com/downloads/shadesmountainbaseball_SMP_Bat_Rules.pdf.

New this Spring for SMP Coaches and Parents – in addition to the SMP Rainout Number (822-4606), you can now receive instant email and/or text message notification when SMP fields change status (i.e. close or open).  Sign up for this free service by registering at www.statusme.com.  Need to know if your practice or game is cancelled – check out the Field Status sidebar online at www.shadesmountainpark.org website.