About Us
The purpose of Alden Youth Baseball and Softball (AYBS) is to provide a developmental, fun, appropriately competitive and safe environment for the enjoyment of the games of baseball and softball.
Objectives:
- Skill Development: To offer structured training and practice sessions that help young athletes improve their baseball and softball techniques, from fundamentals to advanced skills.
- Teamwork and Sportsmanship: To instill the values of teamwork, fair play, and mutual respect both on and off the field, encouraging positive behavior in competition.
- Character Building: To develop qualities such as leadership, perseverance, and discipline in each player, preparing them for challenges in sports and life.
- Community Engagement: To create a welcoming environment that brings together players, families, coaches, and volunteers, fostering community spirit and support.
- Inclusion and Fun: To ensure that every child, regardless of skill level, feels valued and has fun while playing, making the experience enjoyable for all participants.
This mission and set of objectives would emphasize both personal development and athletic growth for the kids involved.
Staff and Responsibilities
Executive Board Members 2025
President – Christopher Knapp
The President Shall:
- Preside at all regular meetings of the AYBS Board of Directors
- Set the agenda for all regular meetings of the AYBS Board of Directors
- Serve as an ex officio member of all standing or ad hoc committees
- Act as a liaison to other organizations and agencies, including, but not limited to the Alden Town Board, Alden Schools, Alden Parks Department
- With approval of at least one other member of the Executive Board, have authority to receive and distribute monies in the absence of the Treasurer.
The Past President shall be responsible for advising the President as both he or she and the President see fit for any other duties as determined by the President. The order of succession, should the President leave or be dismissed from the Executive Board, shall be as follows: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
Vice-President – Andy Grabski
The Vice-President shall:
- Serve as an ex officio member of all standing or ad hoc committees.
- Act as a liaison to other organizations and agencies, including, but not limited to the Alden Town Board, Alden Schools, Alden Parks Department.
- Report from committees to general board during regular board meetings.
- With approval of at least one other member of the Executive Board, have authority to receive and distribute monies in the absence of the Treasurer.
The order of succession, should the Vice-President leave or be dismissed from the Executive Board, shall be as follows: Secretary, Treasurer.
Administrator – Nicole Braun
The Administrator shall:
- Work with baseball/softball coordinators in establishing home field schedules
- Assign players to teams in Sports Engine with approval from coordinators, coaches, and executive board
- Correct any irregularities on the registration platform
- Create and maintain a master spreadsheet of all teams/coaches/players
- Submit complete roster with sizing and teams on March 1st to Uniforms Committee
- Ensure coaches are eligible for coaching (background checks, etc.)
Secretary – Kristen Ellis
The Secretary shall:
- Be responsible for keeping an accurate record (Minutes) of each regular or special meeting of the AYBS Executive Board of Directors.
- Record the results of each roll call vote and maintain a record of all Executive Board members’ attendance at meetings during each term.
- Ensure that copies of AYBS’s By-Laws and league rules are available at each AYBS Executive Board meeting.
- Post and notify meeting dates two weeks in advance of meeting as mentioned
- Submit proper paperwork to town for all events.
In the absence of the Secretary at any meeting, the President (or presiding officer) shall appoint another member of the Executive Board of Directors to keep an accurate record (Minutes) of the meeting.
Treasurer – Jaclyn Long
The Treasurer shall:
- Receive and disburse all monies of AYBS.
- Maintain an accurate record of all AYBS financial transactions.
- Prepare for presentation at all regularly scheduled monthly meetings a summary of AYBS revenues and expenses on a year-to-date basis as well as a report of all available balances in AYBS bank account.
- Prepare for presentation at the regularly scheduled March and September meetings, a set of AYBS financial statements. Such financial statements must include, at a minimum, a balance sheet as of the most recent moth end, a year-to-date income statement for the fiscal year. These financial statements should be prepared on a comparative basis so Board members can easily compare AYBS’s financial position and results to the budget and to the previous fiscal year.
- Pay those expenditures authorized by the Executive Board.
- Work with the Fundraising/Sponsorship Committee in planning the collection of player dues, sponsorship fees, and fundraising monies.
Sergeant at Arms – Matt Newman
The Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for:
- Fielding feedback from parents, guardians, coaches, umpires, and any other person or persons with concerns and/or comments about AYBS.
- Bringing feedback to Executive Board of Directors in a timely manner.
- Alerting President if immediate actions need to be taken in regards to issues brought up from the community.
- Shall keep a bound book available at all meetings for each attendee to sign.
- Said book shall separate Board of Directors from the general membership signatures.
- Shall take roll call of board members prior to the reading of the minutes.
- Shall tell from the general members who is eligible to vote. It is then up to the discretion of the board if there is an ineligible voter.
- Shall appoint a minimum of two (2) members of the organization to be on the grievance committee. Said members shall NOT be on the Board of Directors when said appointment is made.
- Shall insure that the grievance committee follows the procedures for a grievance.
Maintain a shared spreadsheet with board members/coaches/players/etc.
Committees
The Baseball/Softball Coordination Committees –
Baseball – Ryan Tracy/Mike Puzan
Softball – Nikki Marchewka/Mike Stepnick/Matt Newman
- Indoor practice schedule – find and book indoor practice facility
- Determine start dates and schedule
- Schedule umpires when not provided by league.
- FIRST AID KITS:
- Make sure that there are proper supplies in each coach bag (ice packs, Band-Aids, ace wraps,)
- Keep checking supplies during the season and replenish as needed.
- Led by a single Baseball and Softball Committee Chair
- Work with administrator and executive board to determine coaches and rosters
Town liaison – Ryan Tracy
One person shall be town Liasson in conjunction to scheduling
- Work with town to schedule batting time and indoor time at the schools
- Fields – Work with town to ensure fields are properly set up and lined on game
- Practice schedule and game schedule (coordinate with town and league)
Registration – Nicole Braun
Set registration date, set in person dates(If applicable), fees, keep track of registrations, from GLOW site to a master list, fees, concession deposits etc. This will be in conjunction with Administrator.
Equipment – Russell Conway
Ordering, distributing, collecting, and keeping track of team and umpiring equipment owned by AYBS.
Sponsorship – Samantha Willard/Amanda Guarino
Keep up on current sponsors/signs, find new sponsors
Fundraiser – Jaclyn Long/Christina Klyczek
Plan any fundraising opportunities, mandatory or voluntary
Opening Day – Nicole Lombardi/Kari Loos/Kristen Ellis
Plan/coordinate parade / work with operations to get schedule coordinated
Concessions – Nicole Lombardi/Jaclyn Long/Kristen Ellis
Handle daily operations in stand, inspection, set up sign-ups for board members and parents, coordinate with volunteers in stand, return concession money to volunteers. Order items as needed with approval from Treasurer
Uniforms/Jackets/Apparel – Kari Loos(Jackets), Stephanie Moreland/ Christina Klyczek/Kristen Ellis(Uniforms)
Order uniforms and 5-year jackets in conjunction with board approval.
End of year awards – Mike Puzan
Purchase end of year awards for all players with approval from board.
Communications – Nikki Marchewka/Kristen Ellis
Including E-mail & Social Media – Post all events and functions to community. Prepare and post end of year videos for each team. Collect photographs from teams for website and social media.
Yearly Photos – Nikki Marchewka
Determine if team and individual photos will be taken for the season. If so, set dates and costs for parents