Lowell Highlands Little League

Lowell Highlands Little League

LOWELL HIGHLANDS LITTLE LEAGUE

BY-LAWS

  1. ORGANIZATION

A)ORDER OF BUSINESS: The order of business of this League shall be as follows:

1)Calling the meeting to order

2)Reading and accepting the minutes of the previous meeting

3)Report of the Treasurer

4)Reports of the Standing Committees

5)Reports of Special Committees

6)Old Business

7)New Business

8)Adjourning the meeting

B)PURPOSE

The managers and coaches shall bear in mind that the attaining of exceptional athletic skills and the winning of ball games is SECONDARY, and that the molding of future adults is of prime importance.

C)FISCAL YEAR

1)The final meeting of the fiscal year of the Board of Directors shall be conducted during the regular monthly meeting in August.

2)The reading of the final reports of the fiscal year, and the election of Directors and Officers shall be conducted at the first fiscal year meeting in September.

  1. MEMBERSHIP

A)To become a member of the League Board of Directors (BOD) a person must:

  1. Attend a Board meeting
  2. A current Board member nominates the candidate to the Board

Individuals may be nominated to the BOD at the first meeting they attend.

  1. Candidate accepts the nomination
  2. Nominee attends the next BOD meeting, at which time he may be elected to the Board,
  3. If elected, the new member will have voting privileges at the second meeting he attends
  4. If nominee fails to attend the BOD meeting following his nomination, the election process begins anew at step 1.

B) A committee of the BOD shall have the authority to recommend the suspension of any member of the League whose conduct is proven to be detrimental to the best interest of the League. A member shall be given an opportunity to be heard if he so requests, before the proposed suspension is submitted to a vote.

C) The BOD may, by a majority vote of the members present, remove from office any officer or director who has not lived up to the obligations of his office.

D)Board members who miss three (3) consecutive unexcused meetings will be removed from the BOD. Those who are unable to attend due to work, etc. must inform an executive board member requesting to be excused.

3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: The following elected offices are to be filled:

  • President
  • Executive Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Vice President of Little League
  • Vice President of Minor League
  • Vice President of Instructional League
  • Vice President of T-Ball League
  • Vice President of Softball League
  • Player Agent

Theduties of each office are:

A) PRESIDENT

The president shall preside at all meetings of the League. He shall appoint all committees with the consent of the BOD. He shall enforce all rules of parliamentary procedure. He shall be EX OFFICIO member of all committees with the right to participate, debate, and vote. He shall see to it that all decisions of the League are carried out. He shall authorize and sign checks in the absence of the treasurer. He shall be bonded by the League in a reasonable amount as required by the BOD. He shall appoint annually, with the approval of the BOD, the following positions:

1)all managers and coaches

2)an umpire in chief

3)an equipment manager

4)a publicity manager

It is the responsibility of the President to receive and process all CORI/background checks. In the event that he cannot fulfill his duties, this task is delegated to the certified alternate.

B) EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

He shall act as chairman of any meeting in the absence of the president. He shall act as coordinator of all committees. He shall fill the office of president, treasurer, or secretary when such office becomes vacant, until the next election of officers is conducted or a special election is conducted.

C) VICE PRESIDENT OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MINOR LEAGUE

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE T-BALL LEAGUE

VICE PRESIDENT OF SOFTBALL LEAGUE

(The following duties apply to all five (5) above offices.)

He shall be safety manager for his league. He shall be present at the draft of his league. He shall schedule all games and request umpires for this schedule. He shall be EX OFFICIO in all committees involving his league. He shall not be associated in any way with the league he directs (i.e., manager or coach). All League VP’s are expected to distribute the CORI/background check forms to all managers, coaches, and volunteers in their division (Instructional, T-Ball, Minor League, Little League, Softball). All CORI/background check forms must be submitted to the league president no later than one week prior to Opening Day. After the season begins, league volunteers, new BOD members, etc., must complete their CORI/background check forms within 2 weeks of receipt. Any BOD member or volunteer who does not comply with the CORI/background check requirements will not be allowed to participate as a volunteer for the League.

D) TREASURER

He shall sign all checks issued. He shall dispense the League funds as approved by the BOD. He shall report the status of the League funds. He shall keep the League’s financial books and records. He shall be responsible for all League finances. He shall make financial reports. He shall be bonded by the League in a reasonable amount as required by the BOD. All financial transactions must be made in a timely manner as prescribed by the BOD.

E)SECRETARY

He shall maintain a register of members and directors. He shall record the minutes of the meetings. He shall send out notices of meetings and maintain a record of the League’s activities. He shall maintain a record of attendance of the BOD. He shall receive all correspondence and convey the contents to the BOD, and make replies as he may be directed. He shall maintain an archive. He shall post all changes to the By-Laws and rules or regulations.

F)PLAYER AGENT

He shall conduct annual try-outs and drafts. He shall assist the president in checking the birth records and eligibility of players. He shall supervise and coordinate the transfer of players to or from the different leagues, after the initial draft. He shall protect the rights of the players.

G)BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The management of the affairs of the League shall be vested in the BOD. The Board may adopt such rules and regulation for the conduct and management of the League, as it may deem proper. The umpire in chief shall be amember of the Board.

All BOD members and LHLL volunteers must complete CORI/background checks annually. The Secretary will distribute forms to the BOD in December for the following calendar year season. League VP’s are expected to distribute the CORI/background checks.

4. MEETINGS

A) Regular meetings of this League shall be held on the first Monday of each calendar month, with the exception of a holiday, which falls on the first Monday of the calendar month, in which case the meeting shall be held on the second Monday of the calendar month. A BOD majority vote is required to determine any future changes to the monthly BOD meeting times.

B) Meetings shall be held at such place as the BOD may designate.

C) Written notice shall be given to the BOD five (5) days in advance of any final fiscal year meeting, additional meeting, or special/emergency meeting.

D)Only the business stipulated in notice of a special/emergency meeting shall be taken up at such a meeting.

E)25% of the BODshall constitute a quorum at any given meeting and a majority vote of those present shall govern.

F)Parliamentary procedures shall govern the proceedings of all meetings.

G)In the event that two (2) or more officers vacate their office, a special election with notification shall be held at the next monthly meeting to fill the vacated offices.

5. DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

A)No dues shall be levied on the members of this league.

B) Assessments shall be only as set forth in By-Laws SECTION 7 FINANCIAL POLICIES.

6. RULES

A) The standing committees of this League shall consist of, but not limited to, the following:

1)League Development Committee

2)Finance Committee

3)By-Laws Committee

4)Fundraising Committee

5)Disciplinary Committee

B)By-Laws shall be reviewed for posting of all additions and deletions once a year between the last meeting of the year and the first meeting of the new administration, by the By-Law Committee.

C)League jacket process will be defined to indicate that jackets will be distributed on Opening Day.

7. FINANCIAL POLICIES

A)The Treasurer shall establish two (2) Accounts, one of which shall be known as the “RESERVE FUND”.

B)The Finance Committee shall prepare the annual budget and recommend a long range planning program for the League.

C)The President or the Treasurer only shall have the authority to expend up to two hundred (200) dollars per month for administrative emergencies, subject to confirmation by the BOD at the next monthly meeting.

D)An audit shall be conducted as of 31 October each year.

E)An adequate set of books shall be established and available to the Finance Committee.

F)A minimum of two (2) bids will be obtained for the annual purchase of all baseball and softball uniforms and equipment.

8. PLAY-OFF RULES

A) Park play-offs will begin on the first Sunday following the completion of the regular season play.

B) Park play-offs must be completed on or before the first Saturday in July.

C) Team finishing regular season in first place will meet regular season fourth place finisher in a semi-final double elimination tournament.

D) Team finishing regular season in second place will meet regular season third place finisher in a semi-final double elimination tournament.

E) The winners of the two semi-final double elimination tournaments will then meet in a subsequent double elimination tournament to determine the Minor andLittle League Park Champions.

F) During both semi-final and park championship play-off tournaments, the team with the best record during the regular season will be awarded home team privilege in alternate contests beginning with the initial contest.

G) Official regulations and playing rules of Little League Baseball shall apply.

H) Little League pitchers adhere to pitch count rules as set forth by Little League of America Official Regulations and Playing Rules. Pitchers must have the proper amount of rest as outlined in the Little League of America rulebook. Minor League and Softball League pitchers follow the LHLL Local Rules for their league.

I)Park play-off schedule:

1)Weather permitting, two play-off games will be scheduled on the first day of play-off tournament participation. The order of play shall be team 4 versus team 1 followed by team 3 versus team 2.

2)The tournament will then proceed on consecutive days in the following order to determine the park play-off finalist:

  1. Team 1 vs. team 4
  2. Team 2 vs. team 3
  3. Team 4 vs. .team 1 (if necessary)
  4. Team 3 vs. team 2 (if necessary)

3)In the event that weather does not allow the start of tournament play as required, play will begin on the first available date following the scheduled start. The tournament will then proceed on consecutive days in the following order to determine the park play-off finalist:

  1. Team 4 vs. team 1
  2. Team 2 vs. team 3
  3. Team 1 vs. team 4
  4. Team 2 vs. team 3
  5. Team 4 vs. team 1 (if necessary)
  6. Team 3 vs. tem 2 (if necessary)

J)In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled sequence of the above, as appropriate, will be maintained with the only effect being a delay in the determination of finalist in the park play-offs.

K)Finalist shall be determined by the end of the first week (Saturday) of the play-offs.

L)Finals for the park play-offs will begin on the second Sunday following the completion of regular season play, weather permitting.

M)The finals will then proceed on consecutive days, weather permitting, until the applicable park champion has been determined.

N) All six (6) Minor League teams will be eligible to participate in the league playoffs.

9. AMMENDMENTS

RATIFIED 20 OCTOBER 1975

CHANGE 1: RATIFIED 4 JANUARY 1976

CHANGE 2: RATIFIED 4 OCTOBER 1976

CHANGE 3: RATIFIED 4 APRIL 1977

CHANGE 4: RATIFIED 5 MARCH 1979

CHANGE 5: RATIFIED 4 JANUARY 1982

CHANGE 6: RATIFIED 2 JANUARY 2004

CHANGE 7: RATIFIED 4 FEBRUARY 2008

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