2016 GREATER DUNEDIN LITTLE LEAGUE BYLAWS

Transcription

1 2016 GREATER DUNEDIN LITTLE LEAGUE BYLAWS ARTICLE I NAME, LOCATION, AND MEETINGS The name of the corporation is Greater Dunedin Little League, Inc., a Florida corporation, not for profit, hereinafter referred to as the Local League. The principal office of the corporation shall be located at 1867 Harvard Avenue, Dunedin, Florida The principal mailing address shall be: P.O. Box 481, Dunedin, FL The principal website shall be The principal address shall be found at the website Meetings of members and directors may be held at such places within the State of Florida as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Greater Dunedin Little League boundaries are available on league website ( SECTION 1 Absence at Board Meetings The league Secretary shall maintain a log of all Board Members present for each meeting. Any Board Member who is absent from two (2) regularly scheduled board meetings with unexcused absences (no advanced notice by phone or ), will be subject to removal from the Board of Directors following the rules set forth in the Greater Dunedin Little League Constitution. SECTION 2 Board Member Voting Procedures Voting will be conducted as set forth in Robert s Rules of Order and the GDLL Constitution. ARTICLE II ADMINISTRATIVE RULES & REGULATIONS SECTION 1 Amendments to the Bylaws These bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, only for safety concerns or situations that conflict with the Little League rule book(s), City of Dunedin lease agreement, or contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in whole or in part by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Board of Directors, provided notice of the proposed change is included in the notice of such meeting. The bylaws will not be changed less than 30 days from the start of the season. SECTION 2 Player Registration Players who are registering with GDLL for the first time must complete the registration process in person at the per-determined registration location. Any returning players may register at the location of registration or on the Internet website. Any players seeking scholarships will be required to complete the proper request form and submit the form along with all required documents to the GDLL president for approval. Players not registering by the last posted registration date can be registered and wait listed. No wait listed players shall be added to a roster two weeks after practice begins and the wait list is discarded. All other additions must be approved by a majority vote by the Board of Directors SECTION 3 Disciplinary Actions The Board of Directors will annually appoint a disciplinary committee to review all infractions of the Code of Conduct(s). Depending on the seriousness or the frequency, the board may assess disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the league. The following shall be considered as grounds for dismissal from the league: Lack of attendance at regularly scheduled monthly meetings Lack of participation in scheduled special events Failure to follow the Codes of Conduct(s) Failure to follow the Greater Dunedin Little League Constitution/Bylaws

2 January 2016 Page Greater Dunedin Little League Bylaws SECTION 4 - Purchases by the League President without Previous Board Approval The League President may purchase equipment or items required by the league without prior board approval if the entire purchase price of the item is less than $500. The president should immediately make the Treasurer aware of the purchase and inform the remaining members of the board at the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE III FACILITY RULES AND USAGE All field usage must be approved and scheduled by the league. Field preparation and usage by GDLL will follow and adhere to any contract or agreement in place with the City of Dunedin and/or the Toronto Blue Jays organization. SECTION 1 - Game Rules and Schedules No games shall be canceled or rescheduled by managers, coaches or parents without approval from the Vice President of the appropriate division (softball or baseball). The League President must be notified, in advance, should there be a need to cancel a game for any reason. In the event of field availability issues, the League President or Vice President of the appropriate division (softball or baseball) will make any necessary adjustments to game start times and the length of games. ARTICLE IV LOCAL LEAGUE STRUCTURE SECTION 1 Division Structure A player s League Age determines their division eligibility as set forth in the Little League Baseball or Softball Rule Book(s). A. TEE BALL DIVISION League age four, five, and six year olds; age seven optional. Six year olds who have completed one season of Tee Ball may move up to Single A. Objective: To instruct players in the fundamentals of the game in a fun, low-key atmosphere. At no time should winning or losing take priority in this program! B. MINOR DIVISIONS (6-11 year olds): 1. Single-A Division (Coach Pitch) League Age six year olds and seven year olds who have completed one spring season of Tee Ball. Objective: To further instruct the player coming out of Tee-Ball or the first year player, the fundamentals of the game in a fun, low-key atmosphere. Emphasis in this program should be on the proper technique of throwing, catching, running, hitting and field positions. At no time should winning or losing a game take priority in this program. 2. Double-A Division (Player/Coach Pitch combo) League age seven* and eight year olds. Objective: To instruct the player coming out of A Baseball (Coach Pitch), or the first year player, the fundamentals of the game in a fun, low-key atmosphere. Emphasis in this program should be on the proper technique of throwing, catching, running, hitting and field positions. At no time should winning or losing take priority in this program. 3. Triple-A Division (Player Pitch) League age eight*, nine, ten, and eleven year olds (eleven year olds who are not drafted by Major Division). Objective: To instruct players in the fundamentals of the game in a fun, low-key atmosphere. Provide an outlet of healthful activity and training under good leadership. Establish the values and concepts of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play. To further develop the techniques of throwing, catching, running and hitting. C. Major (LITTLE LEAGUE) Division - League age ten*, eleven and twelve year olds. All twelve-yearold players will play in the Major division unless a waiver is applied for and approved by the board. Objective: To establish the values and concepts of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play. To challenge the players towards the perfection of physical skills and bring into play the excitement of tactics and strategy. January 2016 Page 2

3 D. 50/70 Baseball Division League age eleven, twelve, and thirteen year olds Objective: This division bridges the transition from Little League (46/60) to Junior League Baseball on a full-size field (60/90). It is a league for eleven, twelve, and thirteen year-olds whose advanced skills permit rules that are closer to conventional baseball, such as leading off bases, pickoff attempts, etc. E. Junior Division League age thirteen, and fourteen year olds (fourteen year olds not drafted into senior division). Softball Specific: Thirteen year olds may play Senior Fast-Pitch Softball. F. Senior Division League age fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen year olds (fourteen year olds must attend evaluation and be drafted by Senior division). G. Big League Division League age fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year olds. Registration and information provided by District 12. H. Softball Division While league ages are consistent with the divisions set forth for baseball, eligibility for what division a player will participate in is to be determined by the Player Agent as tryouts for Softball are not mandatory. I. Fall Ball A players League Age for the Fall Season (also known as Fall Ball, Second Season and/or Training and Development) shall determine eligibility, and be based on the player s League Age during the next year s Spring (or Regular) Season unless otherwise determined by the Player Agent. SECTION 3 Divisions of Play A. MAJOR BASEBALL DIVISION Plan A as detailed in the Little League Operating manual will be used. All returning division players will automatically be retained at the same level of play from the prior year, and by the same team, unless age requirements force them to move to the next level. Once the player draft is completed the managers will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete any trades. No trades will take place once the managers leave the draft room. All candidates who are league age 12 must be drafted to a Major division team unless a special waiver is granted in accordance with Little League rules. In the event of expansion or contraction, the Board of Directors will determine which Draft option, as detailed in the Little League Operating Manual, to present to the Player Agent for implementation. *Note: If a league age ten or eleven year old goes undrafted in the Major division, the child will automatically be part of the AAA draft. B. AAA BASEBALL DIVISION The managers shall draw numbers before the draft begins to determine the order of the player selection process. The selection of players shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System, Plan B, as detailed within the Little League Operating Manual. Once the player draft is completed the managers will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete any trades. No trades will take place once the managers leave the draft room. *Note: If a league age eight year old goes undrafted in the AAA division, the child will automatically be part of the AA draft. January 2016 Page 3

4 C. AA BASEBALL DIVISION The managers shall draw numbers before the draft begins to determine the order of the player selection process. The selection of players shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System, Plan B, as detailed within the Little League Operating Manual. Once the player draft is completed the managers will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete any trades. No trades will take place once the managers leave the draft room. *Note: If a league age seven year old goes undrafted in the AA division, the child will automatically be placed on a Single A team. D. 50/70 BASEBALL DIVISION This division will follow and adhere to all Little League rules, as well as any inter-league rules and regulations as set forth by District 12. Managers, Coaches, Players, Parents, and Guests must follow the codes of conduct and facility usage rules within the Local League Ground Rules and Bylaws. Minimum play rules will follow Little League guidelines for the division. E. JUNIOR, SENIOR, AND BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL These divisions will follow and adhere to all little league rules, as well as inter-league rules and regulations, as set forth by District 12. Managers, Coaches, Players, Parents, and Guests must follow the codes of conduct and facility usage rules within the Local League Ground Rules and Bylaws. All penalties or punishment assessed by District 12 staff members will be enforced and supported by the GDLL Board of Directors. The managers shall draw numbers before the draft begins to determine the order of the player selection process. The selection of players shall be in compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System, Plan B, as detailed within the Little League Operating Manual. All Junior and Senior baseball will be re-drafted each year. The drafted player becomes a rostered member of the drafting team for the scheduled season only. Once the player draft is completed the managers will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete any trades. No trades will take place once the managers leave the draft room. F. ALL SOFTBALL DIVISIONS These divisions will follow and adhere to all little league rules, as well as inter-league rules and regulations, as set forth by District 12. Managers, Coaches, Players, Parents, and Guests must follow the codes of conduct and facility usage rules within the Local League Ground Rules and Bylaws. All penalties or punishment assessed by District 12 staff members will be enforced and supported by the GDLL Board of Directors. Divisions and teams will be determined by the Softball Player Agent, the Softball VP, and another member of the board (Softball Selection Committee). If there are enough players available to field multiple teams in one division it will be at the Softball Selection Committees discretion as to whether to place girls on a specific team or hold a Plan B draft. Section 4 AAA/MAJORS PLAYER LOSS RULE: When a player is absent for 3 scheduled events (games and practices), the manager must immediately bring the absence to the attention of the player agent. The player agent must then contact the player s parent. The manager and the Player Agent must also make note of all communication involving the absent player in the official scorebook. January 2016 Page 4

5 If the manager does not notify the appropriate player agent within 24 hours of the player s last missed event, the manager will then be required to appear before the disciplinary committee upon discovery of the violation. In the event of a player absence greater than 6 consecutive events, the Board of Directors will determine the necessity of pulling in a replacement player. If a replacement player is called up (from AA or AAA as appropriate) the manager then retains that player for the remainder of the season. The injured player may return to the team upon recovery. When a AAA or Major Division team loses a player from the active player roster, the team manager shall promptly advise the Player Agent of the loss. After approval of the player loss by the Board or Executive Board, the President will send a letter of release to the parents. This action creates an opening for a replacement. The manager will review the list of (AA or AAA) players with the player agent. At no time during this process, is anyone but the Player Agent permitted to contact a player or his family. The player that is selected then becomes a permanent member of that team. Once determined to be a Player Loss, the player must be replaced prior to the third scheduled game following that determination. If any form of impropriety is found among the managers which influence the decision of the parents and/or the child, the manager may be disqualified as a potential All-Star coach, and is also subject to possible removal as manager. Should any player refuse to be moved up to a team as a permanent replacement, that player will become ineligible to be moved up for the remainder of the season. No player shall be replaced with less than 2 weeks remaining in the season unless there are not enough players remaining to field a legal team (9 players). ANY QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS OR CONCERNS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISION VP OR PLAYER AGENT ARTICLE V ALL-STAR SELECTION PROCESS Halfway through the regular season, the President shall select and preside over an All-Star Selection Committee of at least two (2) members, which may include board members and/or volunteer umpires who do not have a vested interest in the process. One alternate member will be appointed in the event that a committee member is not available. The committee will schedule a date for the selection of all tournament teams and all voting by managers and coaches shall be done in person; only those present at the meeting shall be able to vote. All player votes will be collected by the president and/or the player agent and then turned over to the committee for tabulation. If all members of the committee are not immediately available, the votes will be stored in a secure location until such time as they can be tabulated with all members of the committee present. At no time may any minors be allowed in the room during the selection process. SECTION 1 Selection of Managers and Coaches *Note - All managers must first be in good standing and gain final approval of the league president and the Board of Directors BASEBALL MAJORS AND MINORS (AGES 9-12) Top Team End of Season tournament Within the AAA and Majors Division there shall be an end of season double elimination tournament to determine the top team for each division All teams within the division shall participate Seeding for the tournament will be based off regular season standings within each division. January 2016 Page 5

6 MAJORS Once appointed by the President and approved by the board, the top team manager may choose to manage either the Major All-Star team, the 10/11 All-Star team, or the 9/10 All-Star team. The second place manager from the Top Team Major Tournament will then be appointed (pending approval by the President and the board). The second place manager will pick from the remaining teams. If either of the two appointed managers declines to take a team the next manager in succession of Major Top Team Tournament final standings shall be offered the position until it is filled. Assistant coaches will be chosen by the All-Star manager and approved by the board. MINORS The top AAA Division Top Team tournament first place manager will be appointed by the President pending approval by the board to manage the remaining All-Star team. If a manager declines the team the next available highest remaining Top Team Major tournament manager shall be appointed (pending approval by the President and the board) until the position is filled. If the top AAA and all of the Major coaches decline then the second place AAA team will be extended the opportunity. Assistant coaches will be chosen by the manager from the other remaining managers or eligible coaches, and must be voted on for approval by the board. JUNIORS/SENIORS The League President will appoint the top team manager to manage the Junior All Star team, and the board shall approve unless he/she declines. If the top manager declines the President will appoint the next manager in succession of season winning record with board approval until the position is filled. Top team manager of the Senior division will have the right to manage the Senior All-Star Team unless he/she declines. If the top manager declines to take a team, the next manager in succession of season winning record shall be offered the position until it is filled. TOP TEAM DETERMINATION FOR JUNIORS/SENIORS If two teams are tied, head to head record will be used to determine top-team. If time allows, a best of 3-game series will be used to determine Top Team and the league championship, time permitting. If time does not allow, the league championship to determine Top Team will be a one game playoff to be scheduled by the board. In the event more than two teams are tied for the top record, the board of directors will refer to the LL Rule book tie breaking procedures. * - Runs Scored will not be a factor in this determination. Time permitting; this may be done in a round-robin format of games to be played. SOFTBALL If there are multiple teams in one division it will be at the Softball Selection Committees discretion as to who will be named manager of the respective All-Star team (pending approval by the President and the board). All managers must be in good standing (i.e. no valid complaints, suspensions, warnings, ejections, etc. [To be verified by the Board]) with Greater Dunedin Little League and Little League International. January 2016 Page 6

7 SECTION 2 Selection of Players *Note - Baseball teams will be selected in the following order: 1. Little League (11-12) will be selected first. 2. The order between the 9-10 team and the teams will be discussed and decided by May 1 st. MAJOR, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR PLAYERS: A. Only current rostered players, managers, and assistant coaches of the respective division are eligible to vote for the Players. B. All voters will select a minimum of 6 with up to 15 players from within their respective division of play. If less than 6 or more than 15 are selected, the ballot will not count. C. Weight of votes: 1. Managers = 10 points. 2. Coaches = four points each vote. (Maximum of two coaches per team) 3. Players = 1 point each vote D. The President shall oversee the All-Star Committee as they tabulate the ballots. The players shall be listed in order of points received. Of those eligible, the top six (6) players are automatically selected to the team. E. The player s selections will be tabulated to determine their choice for the top three (3) players and will then be presented to the All-Star manager for consideration only. F. The Manager will meet with the other managers from the same division to openly discuss and suggest the players for the team from the pool of eligible players. G. Only the manager of the All-Star team will be present with the All-Star committee to make the final All-Star team selections. At this time, the top six (6) player information will be presented to the manager, and the rest of the team will be selected from the pool of eligible players. Once all of the players have been decided upon for the All- Star team, the complete list of names will be presented to the President for coordinating the All-Star uniforms. H. All selected players must remain in good standing as a rostered player in all divisions to maintain eligibility for the All-Star team. I. If a player misses a game or practice without approval from the manager and/or All-Star committee, the manager may request a replacement for that player from the remaining eligible list. 9/10 AND 10/11 TOURNAMENT TEAM/PLAYER SELECTION A. Only current managers and assistant coaches of the Major and AAA division who participated in the Major or AAA division s votes are eligible to be counted for the 9/10 and 10/11 team. B. All voters will select a minimum of 6 with up to 15 players from within their respective division of play. If more less than 6 or more than 15 are selected, the ballot will not count. C. Weight of votes: 1. Managers = 10 points. 2. Coaches = four points each vote. (Maximum of two coaches per team) D. The President shall oversee the All-Star Committee as they tabulate the ballots, but will not have knowledge of the final results. The available players shall be listed in order of points received from the remaining nine and ten year olds from the AAA and Major division. Of those eligible, the top six (6) players are automatically selected to the team. E. The Manager of these teams will meet with the other managers from the AAA and Major division to openly discuss and suggest the players for the team from the pool of eligible players. January 2016 Page 7

8 F. Only the manager of the All-Star team will be present with the All-Star committee to make the final All-Star team selections. At this time, the top six (6) player information will be presented to the manager, and the rest of the team will be selected from the pool of eligible players. Once all of the players have been decided upon for the All- Star team, the complete list of names will be presented to the President for coordinating the All-Star uniforms. G. If the All-Star committee finds any impropriety in the manager s decisions, the selections in question will be brought before the President to decide if the matter needs to be presented to the Board of Directors for review. H. All selected players must remain in good standing as a rostered player in all divisions to maintain eligibility for the all-star team. I. If a player misses a game or practice without approval from the manager and/or All-Star committee, the manager may request a replacement for that player from the remaining eligible list. SOFTBALL Players will be selected at the Softball Selection Committees discretion. THE RELEASE OF NAMES OF PLAYERS SELECTED FOR THE ALL-STAR TEAMS SHALL NOT BE MADE BEFORE THE DATE SET FORTH IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE RULE BOOK. January 2016 Page 8

9 All penalties or punishment assessed by District 12 staff members will be enforced and supported by the GDLL Board of Directors. These Bylaws have been posted on the leagues website and approved by the GREATER DUNEDIN LITTLE LEAGUE Board of Directors. Signature Date Greater Dunedin Little League President Little League ID Number Federal ID Number Make one copy for the District Administrator and copies for the Local League. Send original copy of these Bylaws to District 12. This Local League s Constitution is on file at the Regional Headquarters (most recently-approved copy) and is the official Constitution of this Local League. Little League Baseball does not limit participation in its activities based on disability, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, or religious preference. January 2016 Page 9