| Marion County Softball Association Girls Youth Organization (ages 7-14) |
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| Minutes from the September 22, 2003 meeting.... |
| President - Phil Shepler Prospect- Teresa Staton St. Marys- Bobby Vitek Treasurer - Angela Harvey Green Camp- Mike Claggett Fred Richardson Ridgedale -Rondel Hicks Steve Ault Cardington- Darren Rogers Tami Galloway Pleasant- Keith Verity Marion- Rod Bosse River Valley � Phil Shepler Larue- Angela Harvey Larry Borders New Representatives are Keith Verity from Pleasant and Larry Borders from River Valley Previous Minutes: Phil read the minutes from the February 3, 2003 meeting. Financial: Angela reviewed our account. We had $538 at the beginning of the season, spent $1,000 for trophies, $484 for medallions, and $35 for rule book printing. We ended with a $73.58 balance before the fall league deposits. Phil reviewed the fall league information. We deposited about $2,645 and will pay out $2,601 for umpires, pizza, and T-shirts for a net of about $44 Rules: � T-Ball Rules: We had all positive feedback from this league so no changes were made. � 8U-Play at first base: Phil brought up a concern about getting the girls to try to make a play at 1st base instead of throwing to the pitcher. After discussion, we will add a point of emphasis to the rule book to try to get the girls to make that play. � 8U- 7 pitches instead of 5: Phil brought up another situation. It was asked why boys get 7 pitches and girls only get 5. It was discussed and no motion was made to change. Discussions were that with pitching at a closer distance and that it is easier to pitch underhand, no one felt it needed changed. � 10U- 11� hard softball: Bobby made a motion to change to a optic yellow 11� hard softball with raised seams, Larry 2nd; Phil stated that all the leagues around us including travel ball uses the hard softball, a brief discussion followed and it passed 5-0 vote to adopt the new ball type. Ball type will be 11� optic yellow ASA Rawlings or the Dudley ball. Must have raised seams. � 10U- No bunting rule: Bobby made a motion to remove the no bunting rule, Rondel 2nd; discussion about increasing the level of play at the younger age and trying to match leagues around this area and travel rules. It was also brought up that a point of emphasis to the rules that bunting is allowed and to teach the girls how to bunt. A vote passed by 5-0 to remove the �no bunting rule� from the existing rules. � 10U- Leaving on the release (no stealing): Phil made a motion to allow a 3 step lead off on the release of the ball from the pitcher, Larry 2nd; Discussion took place about if they left early or too far off the base. It was decided that a team warning would be given, then the girl would be called out. The thinking was to teach girls how to run bases at an earlier age instead of a big jump between 10U and 12U rules. This was passed by a 5-0 vote. � 10U- Infield Fly Rule:. Phil stated that during the tournament, the infield fly rule was called, he also stated it doesn�t say that there is no infield fly in the rule book. No one thought it should be a rule for this age so it was decided to put a point of emphasis in the rule book that there is no infield fly rule. � 10U- Pitcher removal from hit by pitch: This rule was discussed and there was no motion to remove it at this age level. It was decided to clarify the rule. A pitcher that hits 3 batters in one inning shall be removed for that inning and can come back in the next inning; If 5 batters are hit for the game, the pitcher cannot return that game. (Point of Emphasis) A pitched ball that hits the ground then hits the batter is considered a hit by pitch provided there is an attempt to move away. � 12U- Pitcher removal from hit by pitch: Phil made a motion that we remove the rule that the pitcher must be removed after she hits 3 batters/inning or 5/game. Bobby 2nd, discussion was that there was one isolated incident and with certified umpires, they should address the situation. A vote of 5-0 for removal of this rule. � 12U/14U-Sliding into home ruling. Discussed the rule and it is clear that you do not slide according to the rule book but you must avoid malicious contact. This will be left to the umpires discretion. No change was made. � 12U/14U-Pitching Regulations: Phil stated that in the past there was an unwritten rule that only a starting pitcher can return and pitch in a game. This does not correlate with the High School rule book. Phil made a motion that we follow the NFHS rule for pitching changes, Bobby 2nd, after a short discussion, this passed by a 5-0 vote. � 12U/14U-Courtesy Runners: Discussion was brought up about using courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher and because this is a rec. league, everyone didn�t see the need for this. Bobby made a motion to not allow courtesy runners, Rondel 2nd, no other discussion and this passed 5-0. New Business: � Girls T-ball: leave everything the same, will buy medallions again for all the girls that play. County fees will apply to t-ball teams next year to offset the cost of the medallions. � Rules Interpretation Meeting: set a date of April 18th at a site TBA. Everyone thought it was a good idea. Phil was concerned about attendance but stated he would do it again. � Tournament Fees: no complaints on the fees this year � Rosters with birthdays: Phil stated that all rosters would need birthdays on them next year. We did this last year after the fact. � Starting a week early: Phil brought up an idea of starting a week earlier and playing the tournament before the fair. Many concerns were brought up; field and umpire availability were the big ones. Phil stated that the boys Pony league does it and with school functions going on plus the field and umpires concerns, there have been problems. No motion was made to change this. � Pictures: Phil stated that he would like to have pictures for the 1st and 2nd place teams in the 10U tournament at Prospect and the 8U 2nd place so they can be posted on the web site. Angela would contact Teresa Staton. � County Fees: Phil and Angela stated that the county fees would have to increase next season. Probably $5 per team. This will be determined at the next meeting. Fall League: � Phil stated that the fees per girl will increase $5 to $15/$25 per girl. There has been no increase for 4 years and the costs are increasing. � Phil also stated that all the fall league would be played at the new RV Complex next fall. This will be done for several reasons; easier to manage instead of going to 3 sites, better for parents with more than 1 girl playing, restrooms would be available, easier to schedule. � Phil also stated that we might have a one time sign-up period to help girls without coaches or coaches that don�t have enough girls. Misc: � Phil stated that he would like to find someone to take over being President � Angela stated the same for Treasurer. She said she may have someone to take over for her. Next Meeting: � February 2, 2004, at RVHS caf� 7:00pm |