National Pro Fastpitch Announces National Tryouts for its Elite 8

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From National Pro Fastpitch, Denver, Colorado. September 19, 2004: National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) has announced that the 2005 National Tryout for its elite professional teams, and the only U.S. major league of fastpitch softball would be held on Saturday, December 4, 2004 from 9 a.m-2 p.m. PDT at Desert Bloom Field (8405 S. Maryland Parkway) in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Jump to Tryout Forms


The National Pro Fastpitch Championship, Akron Ohio, August 29, 2004: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut and the New England Riptide at gametime. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto & the NY-NJ Juggernaut.



Team representatives from all eight NPF teams, the World Champion NY-NJ Juggernaut, New England Riptide, Texas Thunder, California Sunbirds, Akron Racers, Arizona Heat, and its two new teams in Chicago and Omaha,  will be on hand searching for the best fastpitch talent to invite to spring training in May.


The tryout will again be held in conjunction with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national convention, which will also host the 2005 NPF Senior Draft, Sunday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.

All interested women’s fastpitch players who are at least 21 years of age (no later than 5/1/05), and have completed their collegiate fastpitch softball eligibility at a four-year college or university are encouraged to register for the invitation only tryouts. Tryout registrants will be reviewed based on their application materials and an invitation to participate will be sent to only those athletes who qualify.



NAUTS Courtney Scott behind the plate as Carri “Lightning” Leto at second anticipates the play. Photo, Courtesy Nick Leto & NY-NJ Juggernaut.




Players must be prepared to demonstrate a wide variety of skills including, but not limited to, hitting, fielding and base running. All equipment, with the exception of a personal glove, bat, cleats and catcher’s gear, will be provided.

All tryout materials, including the $60 pre-registration fee, must be received in the NPF office no later than November 19, 2004. On-site registration will not be allowed at this year’s tryout.

NPF athletes are gifted athletes who possess great softball skills and present a resume of outstanding softball accomplishments including, but not limited to the following: collegiate All-American, conference MVP, leader in one or more NCAA statistical categories, U.S. National Team or Olympian.

Most NPF players have the educational background to pursue other careers in the off-season or after their playing days are over. That education also allows for a certain level of sophistication and judgment that serves them well in negotiating endorsement deals, interacting with fans and dealing with the media.

Current NCAA athletes should keep in mind that if they participate in a professional tryout, even if unsuccessful, they risk the loss of amateur status and the loss of current or future collegiate softball scholarship opportunities.

To find additional information about NPF players, the game, the season, spectators & media, team staff, etc. visit the FAQ section of the NPF website.

Please read all of the forms completely! If you are having difficulty downloading the registration materials in PDF, the materials can be mailed or faxed to you by emailing a request to Danielle Cox at [email protected].

NPF, the world’s premier professional fastpitch softball league for women, consists of eight teams located throughout the United States and features former USA Softball Women’s National Team members, collegiate All-Americans and all-conference selections. The 2004 season featured the inaugural NPF All-Star Game, the first-ever NPF Championship Semifinal and the first NPF Championship Game, won by the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut.

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, and has been in operation since 1997 under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).


2005 Tryout Forms
2005 Tryout Registration Form
2005 Tryout Waiver



CHAMPIONSHIP OUTFIELD of the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut celebrate first ever NPF Championship,  after Kellie Wilkerson, (center) grabs the final out in Amanda Scott’s 10-1 victory over the Riptide. Left is Lauren Bauer, at right is Venus Taylor. Photo, Courtesy, Nick Leto & NY-NJ Juggernaut.




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Veterans Registration Day for VA Medical Benefits for those Not Signed Up

WPCNR STARS AND STRIPES. September 16, 2004: Westchester County Executive Andy Spano is urging veterans to visit the County’s Veterans Service Agency to register for medical benefits that could make them eligible for a variety of benefits including services at VA hospitals.


The Veterans Service Agency in conjunction with the Bronx VA Medical Center is sponsoring the “Veterans Registration Day” on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at the agency’s office on 112 East Post Road, 4th floor, Room 442, White Plains.


 


“It’s very important that veterans take advantage of this opportunity to register for medical benefits,” said Spano. “We are holding these special registration days because we want to make sure that the veterans who served our country get all the benefits they are entitled to under the law. Registering takes only a few minutes, and it is well worth the time.”  Important Note:  If you are presently registered, there is no need to register again.


To register, veterans should bring a copy of their (DD214) separation papers to the Veterans’ Service Agency office from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2004. For more information, contact the Veterans Service Agency at 914-995-2145.

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County Executive Moves to Prohibit Alcohol Misting Machines in Westchester.

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) September 16, 2004: Acting to protect the health and safety of Westchester residents, in particular young people, County Executive Andy Spano proposed a local law Tuesday that would ban the sale or use in the county of a machine that vaporizes alcohol so that it can be inhaled or snorted.


            The so-called AWOL machine (“alcohol without liquid”) is dangerous and will encourage alcohol abuse and underage drinking, said Spano, who has initiated numerous programs to stop underage drinking and drunk driving.


 


 


“This machine is dangerous,” said Spano. “Permitting the use of devices designed solely to achieve a quicker high – devices aimed primarily at young people – will likely lead to an increase in inexperienced  drivers getting behind the wheel in an intoxicated state, endangering themselves and others who use the roads.”  


            Spano was joined at a news conference Tuesday  by several police chiefs, who gave their support to his proposal to ban the use and sale of the AWOL machine. The bill has been sent to the county Board of Legislators.    


            If approved, the bill would ban the purchase, sale, possession with intent to use or the use of alcoholic beverage vaporizers. Violators would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, a prison term of up to a year, or both. Enforcement would be the responsibility of local police departments and the county Department of Public Safety. 


 


            As detailed by Spano, liquor poured into the AWOL machine is mixed with oxygen and vaporized; the vapor can then be inhaled, effectively administering a “quick hit” of alcohol to the user. Because the alcohol is inhaled directly into the bloodstream via the lungs, its effects are felt immediately.


            AWOL’s distributor, Spirit Partners, is marketing the product as a hangover-free, calorie-free and carb-free way to enjoy alcohol.  They are marketing AWOL to bars and restaurants, as well as to individuals for parties and weddings. 


            Spano said the machine is  fraught with risks, for several reasons:



  •  While the distributor recommends limiting use time to 20 minutes, appropriate use and monitoring would be the primary responsibility of the purchaser. Use of the machine for more than 20 minutes at one time, or repeated use of 20 minutes each, could very quickly lead to blood alcohol levels at the impaired or intoxicated levels.  Further, what is to prevent customers from using the AWOL machine in addition to having ‘traditional’ drinks?  How accurately will a bar, restaurant, or party host be able to monitor the amount of alcohol consumed by each patron or guest?

 



  • Bars and restaurants that cater to the younger (21-30 year old) drinkers, in particular, may see this as a marketing tool, a new “party machine,” that could increase their business. One could even offer incentives, such as a discounted price on your first vapor shot, to further encourage its use.

 



  • It is well known that many underage drinkers still access bars with fake IDs and that binge drinking rates are high in this age group.  This machine could become just another binge drinking game for underage drinkers to compete in.

 



  • According to AWOL’s own  marketing literature, the distribution of this machine is not restricted to “on-premise licensed establishments,” and can be purchased or rented for weddings and other private parties. If left unchecked, this machine could be sold or rented to anyone, without regard to age or intent.

 



  • Many who are going to get behind the wheel of a car might not understand the immediate and direct effect of “vaporizing” versus drinking.

             

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TAX BUSTERS! Consumers Get Clout In Dealing With Shady Tax Prep Scam Artists

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) September 16, 2004:  County Executive Andy Spano today signed comprehensive legislation to regulate the preparer business.

            Initiated by Spano in 2003, the legislation was passed by the Board of Legislators Tuesday. It goes into effect in 60 days (Nov. 15).


            It does the following:


o       requires individuals engaged in the practice of income tax preparation to disclose their identity;


o       establishes and requires the distribution of a consumer bill of rights regarding tax preparers;


o       establishes notification requirements for the offering of refund anticipation loans;


o       creates a consumer alert registry to inform consumers about tax preparers who have engaged in unlawful practices.


           


 “This new law gives taxpayers important protections so they know who they are dealing with if they seek outside help in preparing their income taxes,” said Spano. “It protects people from fly-by-night preparers who prey on all segments of the population, particularly the elderly and uneducated. But even the more educated taxpayer can be misled by advertisements saying ‘instant tax refunds,’ not realizing that they are ending up with a interest-bearing loan.”


            He credited the Board of Legislators for acting on the legislation, particularly Martin Rogowsky, who chairs the Legislation Committee; Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the former chair of the Legislation Committee; and Jose Alvarado. 


 


Who Ya Gonna Call — Tax Busters


 


The law will be enforced by the Department of Consumer Protection’s Weights and Measures Division, which will also establish and maintain a consumer-alert registry of tax preparers that have violated the law. The registry will be available to consumers upon request and posted on the department’s web page.


First-time offenders will be given a warning. Second-time offenders can be fined $500. After that, violators may be fined $1,000 for each offense.


 


What Preparers Are Covered


 


The law would apply to anyone who charges a fee to assist with the preparation of tax returns EXCEPT employees of a  business enterprise who are preparing returns for that business; lawyers who assist in the preparation of income tax returns in the practice of law; fiduciary employees who advise or assist in the preparation of income tax returns on behalf of the fiduciary estate; certified public accountants and public  accountant licensed by the state; an employee of a government unit who is assisting in the preparation of income tax returns in the performance of his or her official duties; and IRS agents.


Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers


Every individual seeking help from a tax preparer in Westchester County shall be provided with a free informational flier, the “Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers”  to be produced by the preparer and available in both English and Spanish. It will include the following notice:


·        You are entitled to ask the individual tax preparer assisting or advising you on your tax returns or related matters what his or her qualifications are and he or she is required, upon request, to produce documentation to verify such qualifications.


·        You are entitled to know how fees and charges are computed, including minimum charges and any additional charges. You must be given a receipt which states the charges for each tax return.  The receipt must list the address and phone number at which the tax preparer may be contacted during the year.


·        You are entitled to know whether the tax preparer will represent you at a government audit.  Failure to make this disclosure means that the tax preparer agrees to represent the tax payer or to provide representation.


·        You are entitled to receive all personal papers you provided to the tax preparer upon request when the original tax return is given to you for filing, unless the tax preparer is specifically permitted to retain such papers under state or federal law.


·        You are entitled to know that any tax preparer who advertises the availability of a program by


            which a taxpayer may receive a loan against the taxpayer’s anticipated refund may not directly or   indirectly represent such loan as a refund.  Any advertisement for tax preparation services which mentions such a loan program must state conspicuously that a fee or interest will be charged by the lending institution for any loan, and must disclose the name of the lending institution.


·        You are entitled to receive a copy of every tax return that the tax preparer prepares on your behalf at the time the original tax return is given to the taxpayer for filing.


·        You are entitled to have the tax preparer sign every tax return that he prepares on your behalf.


·        You are entitled to know whether or not the tax preparer is a licensed accountant or attorney in New York State.


·        As the taxpayer you should:


o       Never sign an incomplete tax return or one that is filled out in pencil.


o       Never send cash to the government for payment of your taxes.  Always use a check or money order to pay your taxes.


o       Never allow your refund to be mailed to the tax preparer.  Keep a record of your tax preparer’s year-round address and phone number.


o       Review your complete tax return for accuracy before it is mailed and keep a copy in your files.  Make a list of the originals you have given your tax preparer and have the tax preparer sign it.


o       Check with the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection to determine if the individual or business preparing your taxes has ever been found to have violated the provisions of  Westchester County law related to the control and regulation of tax preparers.


o       Retain copies of your income tax return and supporting documentation for a period of three years.

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