Annual Membership Meeting - Past Minutes

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BOARD MEETING
WILMINGTON SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
Covil Estates, Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Attending: Phil Rose, Harry Rowe, Mike Abernathy, Gerry Paige, George Wesoloski
                  Bill Cauley and invited guest, John Rancke

President Harry Rowe called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM.
A quorum was determined and the minutes of the Jan. meeting were accepted as posted on the website.

Report from John Rancke, Wilmington Parks and Recreation
New Softball Complex - John summarized the status of the new softball complex.  The bond issue approved 6 million dollars for the complex and originally planned to be built on 30 acres. As it turns out 60 acres were acquired. The City provided the additional funding. The project is now 8 million dollars of which 3.7 million is available for construction. There will be 5 fields. Due to safety and traffic restrictions the entrance will be past Laney High School. Two bridges will have to be built on the property. John Rancke is very much concerned with proper drainage and proper fencing. The budget will not initially allow for paved parking. Bids are due to open on May 7th. Optimistically, the first games could be played at the new complex early next summer, 2010, that is, providing the grass is planted this year.

The Tennis Association is still seeking funding for their project at Empie, and it has delayed their plan. The field at Empie may be available for most of the summer.

Field Maintenance – John has two employees to maintain and prepare all fields. They work from 7AM to 3PM. He asks that during warm-ups on game days not to interfere with them. All senior players should stay clear of the infields while the fields are prepared. All games will start this year at 9:30 AM to allow his men time to prepare the fields.

Robert Strange #2 – There is a nursery school on the other side of the outfield fence at Robert Strange #2. All players are urged to avoid hitting balls over this outfield fence. During warm-ups players should position themselves so as to absolutely avoid endangering a child at the nursery.

Commissioner’s Report:  (Phil Rose)
Senior Games - Senior Games will be April 14 and 16 and will be a double elimination. All games for the Coastal Division will be played at Empie. The Atlantic Division will play their games at Godwin.

Fields – We will continue to use Empie fields until construction for the new tennis facilities begins. The Atlantic Division will use Empie, Robert Strange Field #3 (at Castle & 10th) and Godwin Stadium. The Coastal Division will use Empie, Ogden, Godwin and Robert Strange Field #2 (at 8th & Nunn).

Rain Dates – It was suggested and decided to have all rain dates at the end of each season half rather than interspersed during the season. Phil will modify the schedule accordingly.

President’s Report: (Harry Rowe)
New Board Member – Harry Rowe recognized Bill Cauley, the newest Board member and welcomed him to the meeting.

Insurance – Harry reported on the League insurance. The league has a two million dollar liability policy provided by Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc. The policy runs from March 1, 2009 to Feb. 28, 2010. The policy covers only liability and covers all players, the Board of Directors, the City, the County and Parks & Recreation. The cost of the policy this year will be $820.

Atlantic Division President’s Report: (Gerry Paige)
Manager Changes – Twelve new players were determined eligible for the Atlantic Division player draft. The Atlantic Division player draft will take place on Thursday, April 2. The order of the draft will be: 1) Rosters, 2) Eagles, 3) Osteos, and 4) Terminators.

Coastal Division President’s Report: (Mike Abernathy)
Player Draft – Seven new players were determined eligible for the Coastal Division player draft. The draft will take place at K&W Cafeteria at 8AM on Thursday, April 2. The order of the draft will be:
1) Legends, 2) Champions, 3) Navigators, 4) Patriots, 5) Cardinals, 6) Batter Up.

As of today, any new player wishing to play Senior Softball will be evaluated and assigned to the appropriate team based on skill, needs of the team and League balance.

Treasurer Report (In Mike’s absence Phil presented the report).
Bank Balance – The last bank balance was $10,815.85 of which $5,683.73 belongs to the various teams leaving a cash balance available of $5,132.12. In addition the League has a $5,000 CD.

IRS Rules – Bill Cauley reminded the Board of the IRS obligation to provide a 1099 to the IRS for anyone receiving a payment of more than $600 per year. Most of the umpires receive over $600 in the course of the season and a 1099 report is required by the IRS. Mike should review the checks written to the umpires during 2008. He should determine who has earned over $600 and report it to Bill.

Old Business:   None

New Business:
Illegal Bats – Phil Rose suggested a system of identifying all legal bats. He had seen a system where all bats are reviewed and a sticker placed on them to identify them as legal. Any bat without a stick would be assumed illegal. Following a brief discussion, it was decided not adopt the idea.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM                       
Respectfully,
George Wesoloski, Secretary