National Beep Baseball Association

2018 NBBA Committees

2018-2019 Committees, Chairs and Members

Tournament Committee

  • Chair: Jan Traphagan
  • Members: Blake Boudreaux, Stephen Guerra, Kenny Bailey, Kathy Quinn, John Lykowski, Janet Leonard, Kevin Daniel

The tournament committee will be chaired by the 1st Vice President of the NBBA and sitting members will be appointed by this individual. The NBBA Tournament Committee will be responsible for the selection process for bids submitted to host the annual World Series event and bring forth their recommendation for a vote by the board of directors. The planning, organization and operations of the World Series tournament and events will be the focus of this committee. One member of this committee will be designated as lead to the annual awards banquet following the conclusion of our championship game.

Public Relations Committee

  • Chair: Darnell Booker
  • Members: Adam Rodenbeck, Cassie Nipp, John Lykowski Jr., Missy Lykowski, Kevin Daniel, Timothy Syphers, Kevin Barrett (Liaison to Lions Clubs International)

The public relations committee will be chaired by the 2nd Vice President of the NBBA. This committee and its members will be responsible for all media inquiries and depictions of the National Beep Baseball Association through all media formats. Focus will be placed on the following topics and events: Public relations opportunities, live streaming and broadcasts of sanctioned NBBA events, Major League Baseball All-Star Fanfest and any other opportunity that will allow for the greater promotion of the sport of Beep Baseball.

h2>Awards and Recognition Committee:

  • Chair: Kathy Quinn
  • Members: Brandon Chesser, Jason Walters, Kyle Lewis, Janet Leonard, Bob Bigger, Kevin Barrett

The awards and recognition committee will be responsible for the following: The NBBA Hall of Fame, Jim Quinn Award, the NBBA Memorial Plaque and any additional awards or recognition given by the National Beep Baseball Association. This committee will also provide focus on the development and implementation of new awards that would allow appreciation to be given to groups or individuals who would not necessarily qualify for existing recognition. This may include awards such as the “Rookie of the Year” or “Outstanding Outfielder.”

Ethics Committee

  • Chair: Doug Van Duyne
  • Members: John Stark, Kenny Bailey, Terri Smolka, Greg Gontaryk, Blake Boudreaux, Larry Reed, Marc Morris

The ethics and disciplinary committee will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a code of conduct that will assist in upholding a high ethical standard for the National Beep Baseball Association. An incident report will be drafted, made accessible to our membership and be reviewed by this committee prior to its presentation to the NBBA Board of Directors. This committee will review existing and develop new policies and procedures to eliminate unethical practices on and off the field of play. Cheating, substance abuse and all other unethical or illegal activities that occur during an NBBA sanctioned event by its members will be the focus of all committee members.

Web Design and Development Committee

  • Co-chairs: Stephen Guerra and Justin Romack

The web design and development committee will be responsible for the creation, implementation and operation of the official website of the National Beep Baseball Association. Members of this committee will also assist with troubleshooting regarding any issues that may arise on any official NBBA platform and assist the Nominations and Election Committee with the creation and logistical knowledge regarding electronic voting.

Vision and Eligibility Committee

  • Chair: Andrew Bernet (certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist)
  • Members: Crystal Stark (certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor), Samantha Smolka (certified Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Jerry Wendell (Former Committee Chair), Blake Boudreaux, Stephen Guerra

The focus of the vision and eligibility committee will encompass: Eligibility of all players based on vision criteria outlined within our by-laws, efficient and proper collection of eye medical reports and the development of policies and procedures that will allow for adherence to NBBA guidelines and remain in compliance with all HIPAA laws and regulations. This committee will also explore measures that would allow individuals who may not meet the criteria set forth by the NBBA to continue participating in the sport of Beep Baseball.

Outreach Committee

  • Chair: Jamie Sibson (Texas, Mid-South United States)
  • Members: Tanner Gers (Southwest United States, Liaison to USABA), Isaiah Wilcox (Southeast United States), Kevin Daniel (Northwest United States), Kirstyn Smith (Northeast United States), Jared Woodard (Midwest United States), Mariano Reynosa (Latin America), James Gong (Asia-Pacific), Brenda Horwitz

The National Beep Baseball Association outreach committee will be responsible for assisting with the growth and development of new teams and introducing the sport of Beep Baseball to the public within the United States and internationally. This committee was established to provide a point of contact for regions throughout the world to provide support to those interested in becoming members of the NBBA. This committee will reply to all incoming communications regarding outreach and take proactive measures to facilitate expansion in areas that have not been exposed to our sport. Our Liaison to the USABA will work to develop a strong partnership allowing for growth in both organizations and create opportunities for all blind and visually impaired athletes to participate in any athletic venture they choose to pursue. The World Series Liaison will provide support and guidance to all teams who will be first time attendees to our annual World Series event.

Diversity Projects Committee

  • Chair: Justin Romack
  • Members: David Smith, Rebecca Lewis, Marc Morris, Crystal Melero, Cassie Nipp, Rich Kopenjan, Brandon Chesser, Steve Rutsch

The focus of the diversity projects committee will be to highlight the diverse participation within the National Beep Baseball Association and establish new ways to make the sport of Beep Baseball inclusive to all. This committee will establish programs and projects to enhance and increase the participation of blind and visually impaired youth within the NBBA. The primary focus will be creating the framework for local, national and international youth Beep Baseball programs that will introduce the sport to NBBA athletes of the future.

Budget and Finance Committee

  • Chair: John Lykowski
  • Members: Blake Boudreaux, Jared Woodard, David Smolka, Mike Woodard

The budget and finance committee will be chaired by the Treasurer and CFO of the National Beep Baseball Association. This committee will provide oversight and collaborate with the Fundraising Committee to create funding sources to support the growth of the NBBA. Essential duties of this committee will be: Monitoring and management of all budgets, investments and expenditures associated with the National Beep Baseball Association. This committee will oversee the management and distribution of the Nubson grants and provide analysis to determine if these funds are being utilized in the most efficient and impactful manner. The NBBA CFO and committee will conduct research and develop strategies for effective cost saving methods and best use of NBBA funds as they become available.

Fundraising Committee

  • Chair: Tanner Gers
  • Members: John Lykowski, Liaa Michaels, Blake Boudreaux

The NBBA fundraising committee will work in conjunction with the budget and finance committee and Treasurer. This committee will be responsible for creating opportunities for small- and large-scale sponsorships and donor sources to support the growth of the organization and all member teams. This committee will also work with new and established teams to create dynamic and diverse ways of increasing and tapping into new funding resources. Coordination and communication between the NBBA and the Challenged Athletes Foundation will be spearheaded by the Fundraising Committee to ensure all members are aware of and can access grants to attend the annual World Series tournament.

Rules and Bylaws Committee

  • Chair: Janet Leonard
  • Members: Kenny Whittier, Jerry Wendell, Kenny Bailey, David Smolka, Stephen Guerra

The rules and bylaws committee will be responsible for: Updating and clarifying existing rules and bylaws, developing new changes that would have a positive impact on our organization and the sport of Beep Baseball and managing and providing guidance for all rule and bylaw proposals submitted by the membership of the NBBA. This committee and its chair will serve as subject matter experts when questions arise, or clarification is needed regarding the rules and bylaws of the National Beep Baseball Association.

Nominations and Election Committee

  • Chair: Mike Woodard
  • Members: Kathy Quinn, Crystal Stark, Justin Romack

The nominations and elections committee will be responsible for the management and oversight of all nominations that are brought forth by the membership of the NBBA and the preparation, organization and supervision of the election process that occurs during the General Assembly at the annual World Series tournament. Primary focus will be placed on ensuring the accessibility of voting for all members and working to develop more efficient, streamlined and modernized solutions for the National Beep Baseball Association elections.

Equipment Committee

  • Chair: Tim Hibner
  • Members: Kevin Sibson, Alfonso Medrano, Mike Woodard, Danny Foppiano, Kyle Lewis, Wayne Sibson

The equipment committee will be responsible for the procurement, maintenance and development of all existing equipment utilized by the National Beep Baseball Association. Specialized focus will be placed on research, exploration and development of newer, better quality and/or cost-effective versions of the Beep Baseball, bases and blindfolds. This committee will be the point of contact for the Denver Beep Ball Group and any other inquiries or communications regarding Beep Baseball equipment.

Statistical Research and Development Committee

  • Chair, Jerry Windell

Members: Rob Weissman, Kevin Sibson, Jon Walker, Stephen Guerra, Jerry Windell, Darnell Booker, Kevin Daniel

The statistical research and development committee will be responsible for continuing the development and presentation of new strategies to seed teams for the annual World Series tournament. Focus will also encompass finding a more efficient and accurate way to obtain, manage and analyze statistical information from all NBBA sanctioned events. Development of a more effective or in-depth scoring system that could eliminate confusion and human error will be managed by this group of individuals.

WOOL Committee

  • Co-chairs: Faith Penn, Rebecca Lewis
  • Members: TBD

The WOOL (Women of Our League) Committee will promote and enhance the participation of all female athletes within the NBBA. This committee will plan and oversee the annual WOOL game to take place during the week of the NBBA World Series. The growth of the WOOL game in participation and publicity will be the responsibility of the members of this committee with the support of the NBBA Board of Directors.