CAPE COD SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Minutes of the April 13, 2011 Board Meeting
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Rocco Annesi, Jack Carey, Dick Connolly, Frank Hallice, Dave Noonan, Bill Prodgers, Dennis Redding, Charles Salerno, Rich Sullivan and Commissioner Van Khachadoorian
Meeting called to order by the Commissioner at 9:02 Am
The Commissioner stated that this is the year of our 25th anniversary, exciting things are planned, and his wish is that the league continues to move forward in a positive direction. He also thanked the Board for their attendance today.
Rocco Annesi made a motion to revise the agenda so that the petitioners may be heard. Bill Prodgers seconded the motion. Discussion followed: Many players have come today to support the petition; I think we need to give them the time to present their issues. Jack Carey agreed. Dick Connolly felt a time limit needed to be imposed, so did Dennis Redding and Rich Sullivan.
The commissioner set a time limit of 15 minutes. If need be, the discussion can be carried over to the next meeting on 4/20.
A vote was taken on Rocco’s motion. All agreed. It’s a vote.
Brian Hastings presented the particulars of “The 75% Policy” petition.
· Active league member defined as one who has participated as a member of a team in at least 75% of the regular season games during the previous season
· Pool player not considered an “active member” unless they are placed on a team permanently and play in 75% of games remaining.
· For this 75% participation a player has earned one of the two following privileges for the next season:
A. A guaranteed place on a team in their age-appropriate division
B. The right to request to play “up” or “down” one division
i. Request is submitted in writing to the appropriate Division
President by the end of the General League Meeting in in October
ii. Participate in all tryout session for the Division in which they
have requested to play
If the Division PEAC does not place the player on a team, that player will be sent back to his/her age appropriate division and place on a team as space allows. Once the player chooses this option, there is no longer any guarantee of placement in hisi/her age-appropriate division. If there isn’t any space on a team, said person will become a permanent pool player for the season and he/she will lose “player” status in the following season.
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After 25 minutes of discussion, the Commissioner asked that the discussion be closed. The Board will need more time to discuss and we have to wait and see how the numbers shake-out; also, the Division III & IV list are not final.
Approval of Minutes: 12-1-2011: (Agenda says 12-8 but there was no meeting)
Rocco Annesi made a motion that the Minutes of 12-1-2011 be approved as written. The motion was seconded by Bill Prodgers. All in favor – it’s a Vote.
Business Matters:
- Report: Bat Committee – John Deschamps
[The Commissioner wanted it noted in the minutes that, on behalf of the Board, he thanks John and the committee for preparing a most superb document; we commend and thank you for your research and professionalism.]
· CCSSL is not alone in their concern about bat issues; from little league thru college, composite bats present problems.
· Some ASA approved bats, through usage, exceed the certification performance characteristics. The hope is that managers and players will police themselves regarding the use of individual bats that they suspect have exceeded their certification performance.
· It is also hoped that the honor system will prevail regarding “non-doctoring” of bats
· If a bat is challenged, it can be used by the owner only for the remainder of that game
· The challenger can request that the bat be tested at WSU (challenger will pay for freight)
· If the owner refuses to give up said bat the issue will be referred to the Division President, and if necessary, the Board who will decide on the penalty
- Report: 25th Gala Banquet – Rocco Annesi
· Visited various banquet facilities that could seat 300
· Prices ranged $125 per plate to $30
· Cape Cod Resort& Conference Center had great space and reasonable cost, so we chose to book the gala with them
· Choice of Native Cod or Chicken – cost would be $34.78 per plate
Recommendation from the Board for ticket cost of $30,
Dennis Redding made a motion that the cost of the tickets will be $30 per person. Motion seconded by Charles Salerno. All in favor. It’s a vote.
· Recommendation from the Board that there will also be a 25th Anniversary gift for each league member. Rich Sullivan made a
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motion to accept the gift idea. Dick Connolly seconded the motion. All in favor. It’s a vote
3. Report: Equipment/Apparel Purchases – Jim DeVoe
· Uniform needs were put out for bid.
· Five candidates bid: Cape Cod Embroidery, ESPtees, Advance Embroidery, Cape Cod Textile and Wolfpack Sports
· Wolfpack Sports of Brockton came in with the best overall package
· Summary of the base delivered cost is as follows:
Shirts, hats, socks = $7408.80 (Hats will have 25th Anniversary logo)
Budget Approved $9000.00
Difference $1591.20
Pants: unknown number at this time. Shorts are $8.00 more than pants. Will not order until the number is known.
· Umpire hats also ordered
Bill Prodgers made a motion to accept the report. Seconded by Dick Connolly. All in favor to accept. It’s a vote
4 Report: Publicity Committee/New Recruits – Dave Noonan
· Cape Cod Tech HS printed the brochures & Posters at no cost to the league
· Brochures were distributed in Feb/March throughout the Cape at Rec. Depts., Barber shops, Sponsors, stores etc...There is also a registration form on our website
· Ads put in local papers and the C C Times is currently running ad, with new player registration form, until try-outs
· Thus far the response is down as we only have 32 new recruits.
· The lowering of the age to 55 did not produce the #’s we hoped for
· The economy probably has a lot to do with this
· As it stands we do not have the #’s in Divisions I & II to field 5 teams each
· After much discussion on how to resolve the situation:
a motion was made by Frank Hallice to keep the divisions as they are now and to ask for volunteers from Division III to go back to Division II to fill the gap and ask for any 64 year olds (who feel they are ready to go to Division II) to volunteer to go to Division II; the PEAC would have to analyze the moves.
The motion was seconded by Charles Salerno
The vote result was: 1 abstention and 1 Nay, majority aye; it’s a vote
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5. Report: Umpire Rules/Clinic Preparation – Dennis Redding
· A written report was handed out to each, highlighting the major rule changes
· Rule changes regarding Pool Players
· Rule change regarding the “Veering” Rule – which is now called Interference/obstruction
Rocco Annesi made a motion to accept the report
Rich Sullivan seconded the motion. Vote taken – unanimous acceptance – it’s a vote.
6. Report: Pool Player Policy – Charles Salerno
· Same as last year except for one minor change
· If a Pool Player is called he plays unless the game is cancelled
Rich Sullivan made a motion to accept the report
Seconded by Dave Noonan
Motion voted upon – unanimous. It’s a vote
Commissioner’s Report:
1. Update Kelley #3 Maintenance Progress:
· New bases and temporary foul poles are in
· We have that field M-W-F and Sat AM
· Benches need to be built and safety fence to be put in
· Kelley I M-F need to be off by 5:30and Sat. AM
· Memorial we have 7 days a week
2. Potter Field
· New ASAU women’s softball team will be playing 18 games on this field
· A $20 user fee assessed on all user
· We will not use the field until July 1st
· We will not maintain the field except when we are using it
· Baker Field: we have use 7 days a week; however the is major renovation to Baker School.
· There will only be 25 parking areas for the players
· We will start playing there after school is out 6/25
· No Flax Pond Field because of major renovation project
· Townhouse and Sandy Pond usage is like last year
3. Umpire Coordinator/Scheduler
· Mel Fulcher cannot do it
· Right now we have no one
· Mel would give the software to the new coordinator and teach them how to use it
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Treasures Report: Jack Carey
· Recommends that we leave the approved 2011 Budget as is
· However, we can re-look at it at the next meeting
Meeting adjourned: 12:15 PM
Next meeting: April 20, 2011 @ 9:00 AM Harwich Community Center
Submitted By: Judy Kennedy, Recording Secretary
508-224-4267