Meeting Minutes - October 3, 2006

ANNUAL MEETING FOR THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Meeting began 6pm with Introduction of Officers
Opening comments were made by President Rick Duquette
Financial Report was given by Treasurer David Kochman  (Treasurers report - click here)

Bat and Ball Rules were discussed by VP Rob Goodell
    Discussions centered around switching the ball to Diamond, to save on bat destruction
Playing for Two teams was discussed by Pres Rick Duquette
    There was much discussion among those in attendance over the rules, and the board
    acknowledged that tweaking of the rule was going to be necessary
Make-ups and Playoff games were discussed by Rick Duquette
    Board acknowledged the need for another make-up weekend
Paul's Time - Paul Wilcox discussed keeping the 9024 phone in the snack stand at $300/year
Website - discussed by Secretary Gordie Daniels
    Secretary hopes to provide more info regarding make-ups and playoff situations

Question & Answer session followed
    The New Board is to have the Diamond Ball Rep come in and discuss using the Diamonds
    Job Descriptions - redefined by Paul Wilcox, subject for Board approval
    Field Duty for Playoffs discussed, that would cover raking, scoreboards, general errands, etc
    Playoffs - Weekend for p/o becomes the make-up and mini playoff weekend
            Then the playoffs would run by division each evening to follow
    League Reps will be needed, and should be utilized more this season, all divisions represented
    Andy Bohannon mentioned tournament fees for league teams, $75 2 fields, $300 for 4 + lights

ELECTION RESULTS
PRESIDENT -  Rick Duquette re-elected over Rob Goodell
VICE PRESIDENT - Rob Goodell re-elected over Nick Hugel
TREASURER - David Kochman elected unopposed
SECRETARY - Gordie Daniels elected unopposed
UIC election to be decided at the annual Umpires meeting, UIC elect pending approval by board

Meeting adjourned 7:30pm

Meeting Minutes - November 30, 2006

All 4 remaining executive board members present, with Paul Wilcox.

Meeting began with a review of possible replacements for Jason Fish.   Candidates were discussed, and no decision was made at this time.    Paul Wilcox to work on this issue and report at the next meeting.

Meeting Dates were set, and will be posted on the website.   David Lanier will be informed several days ahead to post in the Keene Sentinel, and hopefully under an upcoming events listing.

Gordon Daniels to work on finding temporary representatives for C2, D1, and D2 divisions.

Discussion also on raising sponsor fees, and giving teams who register early the discount to previous rate.

Meeting adjourned 7:30 pm.

Meeting Minutes - December 19, 2006

In Attendance - Rick Duquette, Dave Kochman, League Reps Ron Johnson, Don Patch, Mike Wellington, & Goup

Balls were discussed, and decided that the 44 core, 375 compression balls would remain as the ball for all divisions.

Bats were discussed, and wooden bats were suggested by Mike Wellington.   Dave Kochman would investigate the possibility of wooden bats vs. aluminum.   For now, the league kept the current status quo, to allow all single walls only.

Rosters were discussed, and Rick Duquette recommended only one higher league player be allowed as a pickup after original rosters are turned in.  Board was in favor, but there was no vote on it as of this time.   Also discussed was the rule addition, no pickups allowed for the playoffs - period.   Only rostered players would be allowed to participate in the playoffs.  This was not voted on yet either.

Next meeting on Jan 9, 2007 would decide the above issues, as well as amend any constitutional and by-law issues.   Jan 11, 2007 will be the binder fee night. 

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes - January 9, 2007

In attendance - Paul Wilcox, Gordie Daniels, Rick Duquette, David Kochman, Don Patch, and Mike Wellington

Paul Wilcox questions $100 rebate to teams, added to 3B of the constitution.

No Ball of Fame nominees for this coming season - was voted on by Ball of Fame committee in September.

Thank You card from the Kochman family was read for League donation to Kochman Foundation.

Flowers/donation request were sent to recent funerals, bills were brought forth from Paul Wilcox.   Funerals included Bob Van Blarcom, Jason Fish.

Bat Questions brought up again by Mike Wellington, David Kochman reported investigation on Metal vs. Wood bats.   Discussions ensued, decision was made that it would take at least one season to grandfather out metal bats if a decision to switch was approved.   Discussion also brought up that Paul Wilcox did a survey in 2000 or 2001, and found approximately 75% of teams wanted to switch at that time to wooden bats.   Discussion also involved the argument that if wooden bats were approved, how many teams would elect not to participate.   

League voted to not change in 2007, but to do another survey and poll the teams on wooden bats becoming mandatory in 2008 or 2009.   

Paul Wilcox was appointed and approved as Umpire Representative on the League Board, pending the naming of an Umpire-in-Chief.   

Discussion on enforcement of fees and fines for late league payments.   

Discussion on Paul Wilcox as possible UIC for the mens league.   Womens league already has their own UIC which will mean mens UIC will focus on mens league games only.

Paul Wilcox to research a raffle held last April, as the City of Keene requests a list of the winners.

Meeting Adjourned.

April 5, 2007 -- Package Night

Executive Board prevailed over meeting.

Agenda was as follows:
    Introduction of Officers
    Welcome Message from President
    Scheduling & Re-Scheduling discussion
    Bats & Ball discussion, Moneys Owed
    Umpires / Rule Changes, Clarifications
    Website -- Schedule, Makeups, Results
    Walt Tourney
    Players looking for Teams
    Questions & Answers
    Division Rep Elections
    Hand out of Packages, Balls

Sunday, April 29, 2007 --  Bat Debate Issues

In attendance - Paul Wilcox, Gordie Daniels, Rick Duquette, Rob Goodell, Kyle Ryder (ump rep), Don Patch, Tom Maynard, and Mike Wellington;   several players were in attendance in the area.

This meeting was called to clarify and resolve the bat debate issues which have plagued the league since the start of the season.   The bats and bat issues pertaining to each division were discussed, and Rick Duquette proposed the following solution;

    Craig Terrill found an a website for a company that does research on bats and balls involved with
    softball leagues throughout the country.  He presented a 2004 bat study that showed lists of multi
    wall and single wall bats.   Rick proposed that the league adapt this list as the official league bat list
    for the remainder of the 2007, and then address the bat issue again in October at the end of the
    season League Meeting.  Other Board members suggested going to the research company's
    website, getting the updated 2007 list.   The research company was B&N Softball, now renamed
    Bomani Sports Research, Inc.

It was put to a vote, and passed 9-0 (David Kochman by proxy over the phone was in favor).    It was also agreed that the League would reimburse the cost of this, as there is a fee to register on this site and gain the 2007 Bat List.

Some pitching issues were also discussed, as it related to C Division teams and pitching, but nothing was voted on.   Main point to the discussion was, teams were placed in lower divisions with the understanding that certain players would be allowed to play for those teams but would NOT be allowed to pitch, therefore maintaining a fair balance of competitiveness among all teams within all the divisions.   This was agreed upon during placement night, with most reps present.

Meeting was adjourned.

ANNUAL OFFICER ELECTIONS MEETING -- October 4, 2007

All 5 Board members present, along with 17 representatives of the league

Discussions on players fees, reductions, assessing penalty if player adds late
Also better policing of players jumping from team to team

   BATS/BALLS Discussion
        Idea brought up about a possible "wooden bat" division, comprising of 6 teams @ Brown
        Discussed a possible pre-season "wooden bat" tournament
        Informal vote, 1/3 in favor of a wooden bat division

BAT LIST -- Discussion, of a bat list comprising of 5-6 bats only.
         Two votes taken, first vote 1/2 in favor
         After more discussion, a Second vote was taken, well over majority in favor

PLAYERS PLAYING FOR 2 OR MORE TEAMS
         Long period of discussion, nothing changed or resolved, board conceded to add/drop issues
         & the facts that the add/drop issues need to be addressed

UMPIRE'S REPORT
         2009, Umpires will be asking for a raise, probably to the low 30's.
         2008, Umpires are needed desperately, Wilcox states a severe shortage this season

LEGION -- Discussion on the trees at the Legion

FIELD DUTIES 
         Discussion on doubling up the number of teams for field duties on tournaments, to assure
         field duties will be covered.   Idea put forth about including the field duty fines within the team 
         sponsorship fee, and the team could recover upon completing their field duties.

SCHEDULE
         Discussion on John Reinchert not doing the schedule for 2008 season, and possible
         replacements.   Gordon Daniels volunteered if no other alternatives were found.

ELECTIONS
         PRESIDENT -- Rick Duquette (12) elected over Rob Goodell (9)
         VICE PRES -- Rob Goodell (10) elected over Tom Little (7), and Scott Goulet (1)
         TREASURER -- David Kochman un-opposed
         SECRETARY -- Gordie Daniels (20) elected over Tim Santaw (1)
         UIC -- Kyle Ryder was elected by the Umpires in a seperate vote in October.   The
                     Executive Board unanimously approves.

         BOARD REPS -- Chuck Beauregard, Ron Johnson, Jeff Castor, Scott Goulet, Kevin Kouivenen, Martin Sheldon, Joe Parrott

MEETING ADJOURNED

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING - DECEMBER 2007

Discussion on writing a letter to ASA about the increase in team fees of 75%

Discussed B Division Teams, and how to structure a B Division, including recruiting out of town teams

Discussed Placement of upper league players in a lower division

Discussed cleaning up the by-law and constitution wording, and payment records on teams

BAT LIST - 6 to 8 bats, to include DeMarini weapon (or compritable), White Steel, Worth Powercell, Louisville TPS, Easton Havoc, rest TBA, and will include wording that the board reserves the right to modify at ANY TIME

Set nights for meetings for the upcoming season.
    Constitution & By Laws, Jan 3
    Binder Fee night, Jan 10
    Final Fee night, Feb 12
    Placement night, Feb 21
    Bitch night, Mar 6
    Packet night, April 3
    Opening night, April 19  (tentative on snow melt, etc.)

Meeting for January 3, 2007

    Revisions for the 2008 By-Laws and Constitution, will include a page to hand out on Binder Fee night.   Also discussed potential bats for the 2008 Bat List.

Also, officers attempted to call past and potential teams for the upcoming season.