Youth baseball and softball pitching limitations were adopted Monday by the Great Bend Recreation Commission. A pitcher may not pitch in more than five consecutive innings in one game, and no more than eight innings in any two consecutive games.
     Other changes approved by the GBRC board state that no team will be allowed to play more than four games in one day, and both league and tournament play will be completed by July 31.
     Sports Director Chris Umphres said there were no changes to adult softball rules this year.
     Executive Director Diann Henderson showed board members a new handout, “A Guide for GBRC Youth Sports Parents,” which answers many frequently asked questions. “We’re also developing a coaches’ manual,” she said.
     The parents’ guide and all rules can be found on the recreation commission’s website, greatbendrec.net.
     Umprhes also announced that the Kansas State High School Activities Association will hold a tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex, May 29-30. “We are officially the host of the 2-1A tournament for state baseball and softball,” he said.

Audit contract
     The board also approved a new three-year contract for auditing services. After the first year, the board has the option of continuing the contract for two more years. Henderson said Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball submitted the only bid, for $5000 for the 2014 audit, $5,115 in 2015 and $5,305 for 2016. The firm will also do the audit for the GBRC Foundation, which is maintained by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, for $1,000 in 2014, $1,030 in 2015 and $1,060 in 2016.
     Henderson said D. McMillen Chartered, which did the GBRC audit for $4,375 in 2013, chose not to submit a bid. According to a letter from the accounting firm, “McMillen Folkerts is repositioning its business model not to do governmental audits,” she said.

Programs and attendance
     For the month of February, GBRC had 3,055 enrollments and 9,680 activity participations – of which 3,956 were spectators – and offered 1,085.5 hours of supervised activities. Programs directors reported on recent activities:
     • Special needs - Program Director Megan Hammeke said weather affected February attendance, and bowling days were limited when the Great Bend High School bowling team used Walnut Bowl. Bowling met twice with 72 participants (about 31 each time). There were also 72 participants at the Valentine’s Day dance. Crafts and easy cooking classes were also offered. This month’s easy cooking subject will be chips and dip.
     • Seniors (50-plus) - Hammeke said exercise classes met 11 times with 248 participants; Tai Chi met seven times with 132 participants; and Beginner’s Tai Chi met three times with 65 participants. Fifty-five people attended the Valentine’s Day Party. Also offered were a defensive driving class, crafts, zoo programs and “Know Your Credit.” The Spring Style Show will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Ave.
     • Sports - Umphres said weekend soccer has begun, with instructional leagues for kids, 31 youth teams, and a dozen high school boys’ and girls’ teams. There are also nine adult men’s teams, with games followed by the adult women’s teams. Baseball and softball leagues and tournaments are coming.
     • Leisure - Program Director Garet Fitzpatrick said the winner of the Longest Tail Feather contest was Aaron Befort, who turned in a pheasant tail feather measuring 21.5 inches. Last year’s winning entry was 24.5 inches long. Befort received a $30 Great Bend Chamber of Commerce gift certificate donated by Goss Insurance. A hunter education class offered this past weekend had 20 participants. Several activities for students are offered next week during spring break.
     • Other: Walk Kansas starts Sunday, March 16; as does lifeguard training. The deadline is approaching to enroll in summer leagues. Henderson said three people from the GBRC will attend the National Recreation and Parks Association legislative forum in Washington, D.C., at the end of March.