Buck O’Neil/North Florida Chapter meeting recap – 10/4/2023
Members and guests of the Buck O’Neil/North Florida Chapter gathered on October 4, 2023, at Casa Grande Margaritas & Cocina in Tallahassee, Florida, for their monthly meeting. In attendance were:
- Matt Keelean, President
- Matt Hudson, Vice President
- Renee Watters, Communications Co-Director
- Brent Kallestad, Communications Co-Director
- Rick Swain, Treasurer
- Kent Putnam, Secretary
- Frank Alarcon
- Fred Dunphy
- Ben Gaddis
- Bruce Grant
- John Nogowski
- Chuck Rosciam
- Jim Turner
- Andrew Waber
- Jim Wolf
President Keelean called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM. Chuck Rosciam took the floor and began by reviewing the MLB 2023 season. He then reported on the status of the Chapter’s MLB prediction contest where Brent leads by the slimmest of margins heading into the postseason. Chuck also previewed upcoming Hall of Fame elections.
Brent offered a personal note, recalling a meeting he had with Brooks Robinson who passed away this week. All who knew him, as well his many, many fans, regarded him as a worthy Hall of Fame ballplayer and a kind and generous man.
Our next agenda item was the Chapter’s baseball card project, where cards would be created for the members. It was decided that the cards will be provided to members in digital format, and may be included in an expanded form in both a future new member welcome package (digital format) and perhaps on the Chapter’s Group page within the SABR member directory.
VP Matt Hudson stepped up and reported on a possible masthead/logo for the Chapter. He shared a first draft, created by a graphic artist who has done work for him before. Suggestions were offered by attendees. Next, the Veep talked about our visit to the FSU Softball Complex last month; all who were there agreed it was an exceptional experience. We heard outlooks for local hardball and softball teams of FSU, FAMU, and TCC in their upcoming seasons. Matt H. also previewed presentations in the pipeline for upcoming Chapter meetings, highlighted by FSU Coach Link Jarrett’s appearance at the November meeting on November 1, and TCC Coach Bryan Henry’s appearance at the December meeting on December 6.
President Keelean introduced a new topic, a possible Chapter-wide research project on the history of baseball—professional, semi pro, junior college, and college—in Tallahassee. Rick Swaine took the podium and spoke of the results of some of his own research to date. It was agreed that a special meeting would be scheduled at a future date to be determined for those interested in participating.
After a few closing remarks, the meeting was adjourned at 8 PM.
— Kent Putnam, Chapter Secretary