Batters Up USA will hold its annual meeting in conjunction with the American Baseball Coaches Association convention on Jan, 7-10 in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.

At its  meeting will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Batters UP USA will elect its directors and officers for 2010, set its program priorities, and recognize some outstanding volunteers who have helped the organization show strong growth over the past two years.

Batters Up USA will also be displaying Nov. 7-8 at the ASA Annual Meeting in Reno with its yearly report at the Commissioners Meeting occurring on Sunday. The organization noted that many of its new programs have resulted from support by ASA commissioners, who have helped with contacts with local Parks & Rec departments that have interest in starting up new youth recreational ball programs. Additionally, many commissioners make personal financial contributions to help pay for the equipment Batters Up USA contribute.

The organization also announced a new online auction fund-raiser.

The organization said in its newsletter,  “In January 2010, we will run a month-long online auction using the services of Charity Buzz, an organization that specializes in putting on auctions for non-profit organizations. I encourage you to check out www.charitybuzz.com to see the quality-type auctions they run. We have long wanted an annual fund-raising activity to help support our annual budget, and hopefully this will develop into a major event for us. Our goal is to have at least 20 high-quality auction items of at least $250 value so we can net at least $10,000 in our first year.

“Among the auction items will be several “experiences” such as vacation residences and special instructional clinics for boys and girls. And, of course, we'll have a good collection of memorabilia items.”

Contributions can be made to Jess Heald, executive director, Batters Up USA at playballusa@msn.com.