Directors Meeting - Past Minutes

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Oct., 2008

BOARD MEETING
WILMINGTON SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
Covil Estates, Oct. 9, 2008

Attending: Phil Rose, Harry Rowe, Mike Abernathy, Gerry Paige, George Wesoloski & Joe Seme

President Joe Seme called the meeting to order at 2:04 PM and asked for updates to the agenda..

A quorum was determined and the minutes of the Sept. meeting were accepted as posted on the website.
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Commissioners Report:  (Phil Rose)

Rule Clarifications – 1) Runs are unlimited in the last inning regardless of it being extra inning game. 2) A player running to first base must touch the outside (orange bag) unless a hit results in his rounding first base. 3) Any player wanting to move to another team must make his desire known to his team manager who will advise the respective Division President.
New Players: An ad was placed in the Star News for new players costing $446.30. In the future the Board will look to radio community spots in advertising for new players. Dennis Keesen has offered to help with player recruitment and is working with Phil.
Fields for 2009 Season: Brunswick’s North Complex in Leland is being considered as a possible site.

Treasurer Report: (Mike Fleming)

No report

Atlantic Division President’s Report: (Gerry Paige)

In a managers meeting, it was suggested the Atlantic Division draft a minimum of 17 players per team prior to determining who moves up to the Coastal Division. As such the Atlantic Division thus feeds players to the Coastal Division.
The Atlantic Division managers are in agreement to eliminate the proposed “catch up rule” as the rule will result in games running unnecessarily too long. The rule was never used during the 2008 season.
Atlantic Division managers look forward to reviewing the new players for the 2009 season.

Coastal Division President’s Report: (Mike Abernathy)

Mike Abernathy met with the Coastal Division managers who had these observations:
Positive Season: In general all Coastal Division managers felt positive about the 2008 season. Teams for the most part were well balanced.
Summer Break: It was suggested to take July and Aug. off next year, however, no decision was made at this time by the Board regarding the summer break.
Second Base Rule: The line at second base appears to work well, but players must be made aware to it and avoid collisions.

 Illegal Bats: Use of illegal bats must be controlled and monitored continuously. As a result the following was adopted regarding their use. 1) At the start of the season, the Board is to provide all managers and all umpires with an official list of ASA illegal bats. 2) Umpires must review all bats prior to all games. 3) Any illegal bat found must be removed not only from the ball field, but from the grounds of the park. 4) A player attempting to use an illegal bat will result in the loss of the game. 5) The player attempting to use an illegal bat will be suspended for two games.   
New Player Try Outs: Try outs for the 2009 season will begin the first Tuesday of Jan. at Ogden Park with managers attending to review players the last two weeks before the player draft.
Off Season Pick Up Games: All players who would like to practice and play pick-up games will continue to meet at Empie Park on Tuesday and Thursday throughout Oct., Nov..and Dec. at 9 AM as long as the fields are available.

Old Business:

Banquet – Estimates for the annual banquet varied from $25 to $32 per plate depending on whether the banquet hall is included or not. It was decided to postpone the banquet until after the player draft. The banquet will be held after the draft and prior to the start of the season.
Yearbook – George and Harry will put together a yearbook with pictures for distribution at the banquet.
Player Draft Guidelines: Harry presented a Drafting Process to the Board and it was accepted and is attached at the end of these minutes.

New Business:

Resignation – Joe Seme presented his resignation as President with the following letter.

Gentlemen: Effective today, 9 Oct., 2008, I am resigning as President of the WSSA.

For the past several years it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President. At this time I am confident that the recently re-structured Board will serve the league well and the league will move forward and continue to grow.

With all best wishes
Joe Seme

The next Board meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 11th at 2PM at Covil Estates Clubhouse.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 PM                       

Respectfully,

George Wesoloski, Secretary

 THE DRAFTING PROCESS – WILMINGTON SENIOR SOFTBALL

                                    PREPARING FOR THE DRAFT

1. Identify all players eligible for draft to include both new players and existing players wanting to move up to or down to another Division.
2. Determine existing team rosters. The rosters of each team will be that which existed at the end of the season less those who have left the League.
3. Determine the Division draft pool, i.e., which players are to be drafted into each Division.
4. Understaffed. Set criteria to determine which existing team rosters are understaffed, i.e., two players fewer than average, three players fewer than average or greater.

                                    RULES OF THE DRAFT

1. Determine drafting order. Best overall record during the entire season excluding the playoffs.
2. Drafting: Round one of the draft – team with worst record drafts first and team with best record drafts last. Round two of the draft – team with worst record drafts first and team with the best record drafts last. Similar draft order for subsequent rounds if necessary.
3. Compensating teams with understaffed roster. Understaffed teams will get two draft choices in the second round as well as two draft choices in the third round if necessary.
4. What players are drafted. The draft will continue until all players have been assigned to a team.

                                    AFTER TEAMS ARE ASSIGNED

1. New players entering the league after teams are assigned. New player’s skill level will be determined and the Board of Directors, with heavy input from Division Presidents, will assign that player to a team.
2. Existing players who request a change of Divisions after teams are assigned. If the request is granted by the team manager and Division President, then the Board of Directors will assign the player to a specific team.
3. Existing players who request a change of teams after teams are assigned. Such players must speak with their team manger who will try to make an equitable arrangement with another manager. If a change is agreed upon, the team managers must request approval from their Division President. In unresolved cases, the Division President will request a decision from the Board of Directors.

 

 

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