Club Picnic with a Twist Softball Game

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Summer Picnic was started as the last hooray to end the summer and bring the membership together as a whole. To being a fun element to the event, I thought of having a baseball game between the current Board members and the members. Our Board agreed to play after a little nudge from me. Our average age of our board members was 59 but 10 members to agree to play. Our shortstop, the Vice-President, was 72 years old and had not thrown a baseball for 30 years, and our pitcher had not pitched softball since his company softball team 30 years ago (we nicknamed him "Fireballer" Prox). I called Board members team the "Deciders". Now to find their opponents, which was called "The Members". Putting that team together only took a few calls as with each call, they suggest a friend to call until I had a team of 10. Once I told Dr. Jennings, our Board President, who they were playing, and by his look, I thought I might lose my job; the average age of the "Deciders" was 59 and the average age the "The Members" was 41, only an 18-year age difference.

We made the 1st fairway into a baseball field and even striped the infield with chalk from one of the board members who helps run the local little league. All players were given a pack of Big-League Chew to make them feel like kids. I ordered uniforms for both teams and the numbers on the jerseys were their birthday dates. We hung the jerseys in the hallway of the clubhouse 2 weeks prior to the game to generate more interest, which it did. We sold hot dogs, cracker jacks, beer and soda, and we had about 75 fans (other members in attendance). We thought would they would play 1 or 2 innings but lasted 5 innings until someone got hurt. Everyone had a wonderful time re-living their youth. The staff was included too, as umpires. It turned out to be one of the best member relations’ events we have ever done and still continued doing it.

It developed a sense of friendship among the members and the board that may not have been before. The members that make decisions (hence the team name "Deciders") much more open to the membership ideas in the best interest of the club. The feeling of the Board vs. the Members is now only during this game and the walls have been taken down. It started as a fun event but turned into a positive attitude for the Club.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

Once both teams were filled, now we had build the event. Where would it be played, getting equipment, uniforms, giving the event the feel of a baseball game, serving baseball food, place for fans to watch and ensue the safety of the players.

Superintendent chalk off the fairway with equipment donated from a member, who ran a youth baseball league. A local t-shirt company made the shirts. Baseball equipment and bases was borrowed from a local college, and chef prepared the food.

The members’ reaction was very positive. Everyone had fun watching the game, laughing at times. The Board lost the game 13-3, but they gained the respect of the members. The members now look forward to that second Sunday in August for the Annual Club Picnic and the Annual Board Softball Game.

I recommend everyone put a membership softball team together. With the right attitude you don't always have to win to have fun. Maybe in 2019 the Annual Club Picnic may feature the Board Members "The Deciders" vs. the Club Employees the "Country Clubbers".