pbpacontact posted on February 13, 2015 16:35
February 10, 2015
Dear PB&PA Members,
At the 2014 Convention held in Decatur, the board was asked to consider a rule change related to the Annual State Softball Tournament. The Association has had many local units sponsor and support this fraternal activity for several years. As many of you know, organizing and funding such an event is a monumental task for the host unit, all so that those members, whether participating on a team or cheering them on, can enjoy themselves.
The rule has been that members participating on a team must be an active or lifetime PB&PA member in good standing at the time of the event.
Many of our larger units have enough manpower to field at least one team and in some cases 2 or 3 teams. However, it can be tough to get time off from your respective departments, especially the smaller ones, which prevents some units who would like to participate from fielding a team at all.
The Executive Board met on February 7th, 2015. This matter was discussed at length. In an effort to increase participation and continue sponsoring the Annual State Softball Tournament the following changes are effective immediately: units in good standing may assemble a team or teams made up of non-members of the Association, provided that all those participating are active sworn law enforcement officers, either full or part time, including state and local correctional officers.
The Association shall have the right to question and investigate any participating unit or participating team member on any submitted roster to verify that this rule is being followed.
Any team that is found to have participated in this activity with an ineligible, non-sworn team member will be disqualified.
Please note that this change does not apply to the golf tournament or other PB&PA events.
With this new rule in place, if there are any units interested in hosting the 2015 State Softball Tournament, please contact the state office by phone at (217) 523-0034 or by email at: office@pbpa.org.
Fraternally,
President Troy Hogren
State PB&PA Executive Board