Highlights of the 2024 Winter Meeting by Clayton Afinowicz

I urge everyone to read the 2024 Winter Meeting Minutes that are posted here on the THPA website so that none of you are surprised when certain changes take place. Some key takeaways are:

• Defending State Champions will be seeded 1st in the Championship Class the following year, despite any change in ringer percentage. This was voted on and passed unanimously by present Delegates.

• There will be no handicapping at any State tournament, regardless of class. This was voted on and passed by large majority. In cases of large percentage gaps lower classes may be mixed (per NHPA By-Laws).

• Those that do not pre-pay for the State Doubles or Singles will not be permitted to pitch. No more paying upon arrival.

• Jackets will no longer be awarded to 1st Place winners at State. Winners will instead receive trophies along with 2nd and 3rd Place. Primary reasons for this decision are the rising costs and time required for production. They've been a headache for years and the patience of our membership seems to diminish more and more each year. Also, jackets just aren't that practical in Texas.

• Texas will not observe the 20ft Elder Women's rule this year and will await the NHPA's final wording on the rule following the 2024 Delegate's Meeting at the World Tournament. While in support of the rule, we feel that we cannot "wing it" as the NHPA has implied while they themselves are still unsure of how to approach the rule. This was voted on and passed unanimously.

• A 100% cap will be placed on teams at the State Doubles. This was voted on and passed by majority. Combined ringer percentages of both team members shall not exceed 100%. Stats will be pulled at the tournament's cutoff date. This will hopefully encourage more Class A pitchers to participate in the Doubles again.

• A physical copy of The Ringer newsletter will no longer be mailed out. Copies will now only be available via the THPA website. Because of this, more issues will be published than the standard set in the By-Laws. This was voted on and passed unanimously.

• Beginning in 2025 the State Singles will be held in mid-late September as opposed to early October. This is to assure we have plenty of time afterwards to make up State should it be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather.