UPDATED: New PBAA Executive Board is in Place

A new Plum Borough Athletic Association executive board is in place.

The organization's vice president Bill Auth and secretary Jim McGrath resigned from their positions on Tuesday. President Richard Claypoole and five other board members .

According  to the PBAA website, new members include Bob Schmidt as president; Dennis Lynch as vice president; Sally Getsy as secretary; and Ruth Ann Pivik as treasurer.

Councilman Mike Doyle, who has called for the entire executive board to resign, said it's a step in the right direction.

"They finally did the right thing," he said. "It should have been done weeks ago."

Borough officials have filed a with Plum District Magistrate Linda Zucco against the PBAA.

The effort to terminate the organization's lease—based on —on eight ballfields along Ross Hollow Road began in September. The organization was to remove its property from the ballfields by Nov. 30, but has yet to do so.

Soon after the initial termination notice was sent out, borough officials withdrew it in an effort to work out a resolution with PBAA members. Schmidt was one of the PBAA members who met with council in October in an effort to work out a deal.

Schmidt said he hopes the new board can work with borough officials to build a better organization.

"I have communicated with the borough manager to arrange a meeting with our elected officials in an effort to save the PBAA with this new executive board in place to provide the necessary accountability and fairness to the community," he said. "I am sure our membership will be encouraged by these efforts to maintain the fields, equipment and processes which have proven to produce not only top notch teams, but excellent young citizens who pursue sportsmanship and values."

A detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office also has charged Claypoole with theft by deception; and misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions. Claypoole is accused of payments to himself and his business, Richmar with PBAA funds between 2008 and 2011. The association is being investigated by the DA's office for misuse of funds.

Schmidt promised the organization would change its previous practices.

"There will be significant changes within the operations end of this organization, but this restructuring effort will provide the kids with all the amenities they are accustomed to," he said. "This restructuring is exactly what the borough officials have been asking for and exactly what our community and children deserve. It is paramount that this organization be a 'good neighbor' with the community and the borough."

Doyle, however, said he doesn't think the borough can work with the PBAA organization because of all the baggage it carries.

"It's too tainted," he said. "We need to start fresh and on a clean slate."

PBAA member Mike Norcutt has formed a new group—the Plum Baseball and Softball Association (PBSA). and said the current members of the PBAA board should step down.

Doyle said he hopes the new board members of the PBAA and the PBSA can get together to come to a solution.

"Hopefully, they can come to a consensus so things can move forward and the kids can start registering to play ball," he said.