COMOX VALLEY SLO-PITCH LEAGUE Completed constitution 2017 Part 1 Constitution 1.1 NAME The organization shall be known as the Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League hereinafter cited in this document as the League. 1.2 PURPOSE The purpose of the League shall be to: a) Promote and sponsor games of mixed, men s and ladies slo-pitch, and other social events and functions. b) Encourage participation in sport at a fun and competitive level, and to engender good sportsmanship on and off the playing field. c) Be registered as a member of Softball BC, NSA, or SPN for insurance purposes 1.3 DISSOLUTION If, for any reason, the League ceases to function permanently, all League assets are to be distributed equally among the teams in good standing in the League at the time of dissolution. Part 2 Bylaws 2.0 MEMBERSHIP 2.1 DIVISIONS All players, coaches, executives, and managers of league teams shall be members of the League. Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League will consist of three divisions: 2.2 GOVERNMENT a) Division A Mixed slo-pitch b) Division B Men s slo-pitch c) Division C Ladies slo-pitch The League shall be governed by the official representatives of the member teams and the Executive Officers they may elect. Each team shall have only one voting representative. The Vice-President shall only vote when it is necessary to break a tie vote. 2.3 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS All other members of the Executive area are not eligible to vote.
a) The Executive shall consist of President, Vice-President, Past President, Treasurer and Secretary, who shall be elected annually at the Year End General Meeting of the official team representatives. b) The league executive shall be responsible to the team representatives for conducting the business of the league. All members of the Executive will help with the set up and running of the Harry Lavoie Ice Breaker Tournament. Specifically, their responsibilities shall be as follows: PRESIDENT The president will chair all league meetings. She/He will enforce all the rules set forth in this constitution. She/He will ensure that she and all other members of the executive conduct all league business in a manner, which is in the best interest of the league. She/He will encourage all members of the executive and all teams representatives to be fair and honest in their dealings with other members; oversee Ice Breaker Tournament and Playoffs for Mixed; deal with all matters with NSA for insurance and registering the league; order all equipment, trophies prizes and anything else that is required for league; book meetings and sign all contracts with the City of Courtenay and Town of Comox for league play; work with the league scheduler; and ensure appropriate documentation is filed as per B.C. Societies Act. VICE PRESIDENT The vice president shall be prepared to carry out all the duties of the president, whenever she/he is called upon to do so. She/He will keep current on all matters concerning the league and will assist the other members of the executive as required. The Vice President will make a volunteer list for Mixed League for all teams. The Vice President will act as Rep for Men's and Ladies League under the Executive for Comox Valley Slopitch League. SECRETARY The secretary will maintain minutes of all meetings ensure that amendments are properly and accurately printed and carry out correspondence as required by the president or team representatives. She/He will ensure that copies of all pertinent documents, such as minutes, etc., are made available to all authorized members and teams. She/he will ensure the agenda is sent out at least two weeks prior to meetings (except emergency meetings) and a emailed copy of minutes is sent out to Team Reps within one week after the meeting. A copy of minutes will be sent to the website identifying any rule changes. Start of each season a revised list of rules and constitution for that year will also be sent to Team Reps and website. Emails received and sent will go to the President. A hard copy of all minutes, rules and changes to the constitution will be kept by the Secretary in a binder and passed on to the next elected secretary. TREASURER The treasurer will control the league treasury and oversee all financial arrangements as they arise, under the rules of this constitution or as required by the team representatives. She/he will prepared to make a financial statement at all the league meetings and to ensure that all league accounts are up to date. The President, Secretary
2.4 MEETINGS- Amended 2017 and the Treasurer will have signing authority and two signatures will be required on any cheque written. The Treasurer will collect all monies for Mixed, Men's and Ladies and any other money owed to the League. Will collect all mail from mailbox at Courtenay Post Office. c) The president shall be reimbursed expenses to a maximum of $1000 d) Other executive members shall be reimbursed expenses to a maximum of $500 e) The Executive may appoint Directors At Large, as becomes necessary to carry out specific duties. a) The President shall call the Annual general Meeting on or before March 31 st for each year for the purpose of organizing the League for the current year. This meeting is open to all League members but each team is permitted only one voting member. b) There shall be a Year End Meeting called on or before December 31 st each year to elect the Executive, review the completed season, and to present the financial statements to the team representatives. c) Special meetings may be called by the President, or by three or more official representatives upon verbal notification- request must be written or in email form with 48 hours notice. d) The meetings shall be chaired by the president, or in his/her absence, the vice president. e) The chairperson shall ensure that all meetings are conducted in an orderly but fair manner. All motions, before being adopted, must be moved, seconded and carried. Matters not resolved by a motion are to be set aside for further discussion whenever necessary. Accurate minutes shall be kept during all meetings, printed and made available to members as soon as possible after the meetings. Members may decide to set certain majorities to carry motions, but all motions require at least a 2/3rds vote of representatives present. The president with the aid of members should make it clear to all members which motions constitute amendment to the constitution and to ensure that the implications are clear to all. f) Team Representatives shall be given at least two weeks notice of upcoming meetings g) The team representatives shall represent their own team at all league meetings. They are to be available for all meetings as required. They should discuss all league matters with their players so that they truly represent them at the meetings. 2.5 FINANCIAL REPORTS 2.6 SCHEDULE a) The Treasurer and/or Division Representatives shall prepare a financial report and present it to the Official Representatives at the Year End Meeting. b) Financial reports shall be prepared for each Division and shall be presented to the Members at the Year End Meeting.
a) The Executive shall draft a schedule which must be approved by the Official Team Representatives. b) The time limit on double header games is 75 minutes each. c) All regular weekday games begin as scheduled. Executive shall finalize and approve a playing schedule. 2.7 DUES a) All member teams shall pay an annual membership fee before the start of the regular season. The fee shall be determined by the Executive and approved by the Official Team Representatives. b) A post-dated cheque of $100 is required to ensure meeting attendance and will be destroyed after the AGM in the spring if both general meetings were attended c) A post-dated cheque of $100 is required to ensure completion of volunteer activities and will be destroyed after the Year End Meeting if volunteer activities were completed. 2.8 BYLAWS Amendments to the Bylaws may be made by recommendation from the Executive or by any Official Team Representative. Part 3 Operating Rules 2.9 PROTESTS 3.0 ALCOLHOL POLICIES a) Any team representative wishing to protest a particular play, must advise the Umpire before the next pitch. Any protest pertaining to something illegal such as an ineligible player, must be made before the completion of the game. Any protests lodged after the completion of the game will not be considered. b) Protests will be allowed if teams are using players not on their rosters. (see 3.5 for exception to this rule). All players will be made aware of the bylaws and places restricting the consumption of alcohol on the playing fields and facilities of the City of Courtney, Town of Comox and School District #71 (Comox Valley). 3.1 TIER PLACING - Amended 2017
a) After the regular season play is completed, the top two teams in each tier advance to the higher tier (where there is one), and the bottom two teams in each tier descend into the next lower tier (where there is one) b) Where there is a decline in the amount of returning teams for the season it may be necessary to adjust teams outside of 3.1(a) to create a balanced tier. c) In the case of a tie, team ranking will be determined by the following: wins, head to head record, runs for, runs against. d) Once a team is place in a tier you must stay in that tier, excluding movement created by 3.1.a e) If 60% of a team is returning the team name may change but tier placement will be maintained. 3.2 EQUIPMENT The Executive will provide a list of illegal bats from Softball BC, NSA, and SPN as of April 15 th of the current season. These bats shall not be permitted for League play in all divisions. 3.3 PITCHING 3.4 BATTING ORDER 3.5 PICKUPS 3.6 RUNS PER INNING LIMIT a) Mixed - 6' - 12' arc b) Men s - 6' - 12' arc c) Ladies- 6' - 12' arc As per NSA rules. a) Pickups from one tier above OR any tier below may be acquired. The exception to this rule is that teams in Tier 4 may pick up players from Tier 3. b) Courtesy Runner Defined: Injured player who can bat, makes it to first base, and is replaced by the last available male or female player. c) A team is allowed a maximum of two courtesy runners per game: if more than two are required they must use a substitute player. (A fielder can have a courtesy runner) d) Teams may pick up two to make ten players or one to make 12. e) John or Jane Doe pickup rule: One or the other may be used in place of a missing player, but not both. Team must field a minimum of nine players. f) Games cannot be delayed to wait for Extra Players (EPs) to show up. a) The team in the lead is allowed to score five funs per inning. If the team at bat is five or more runs ahead at the start of the inning, they may score a maximum of five runs. When either of these two conditions is met, the inning will come to an end. b) The Catch Up and Go Ahead By Five Rule applies if the team at bat is five or more runs ahead at the start of the inning. They may score a maximum of five runs. c) Ties stand in League play
d) There are no open innings. 3.7 EQUIPMENT a) The League will adopt Softball BC s rule for using 11 ball for females and keeping 12 restricted flight balls for males. b) Helmets are optional for all players over the age of 19. 3.8 POSTPONEMENTS a) League games: the Executive and the Head Umpire are the only people who may postpone games. b) A delay of the game is a forfeit if it is more than a 15 minute delay. 3.9 RULES NOT COVERED IN PART 3 Any items not covered by the operating rules shall be governed by the Canadian Amateur Softball Association Official Guide and Rule Book. 4.0 HOME PLATE SAFETY Amended 2017 A safety line is to be used. It is drawn from the front point of Home Plate, perpendicular to the 3 rd Base line. It shall extend 10 feet from the 3 rd Base line into foul territory. There will be NO tagging between the commitment line and homeplate. Amended 2017 age requirement 4.1(a) The minimum age requirement to play in the League. As of the individuals 16 birthday they will become eligible to play in the CVSP league in division A. An unlimited amount of minors/youth may be rostered in any tier in division A, however, a minimum of 2 adults shall be present and responsible for the minor players at all times during regular season play and at all Leagues affiliated events. Minors will require permission notes signed by their parents or guardians and proof of age. A copy of said note and proof to be given to the League Executive. As well as the roster cop. 4.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.3 SUSPENSIONS No Blood Rule: No player shall remain on the field with blood exposed on body, equipment or clothing. Exposed bold shall be removed from the field itself or sufficiently buried or otherwise covered. a) The league will have a sportsmanship committee b) The sportsmanship committee will consist of three team representatives (who are not member of the executive) c) The sportsmanship committee is for rule infractions, league business, and sportsmanship on and off the field. There will be zero tolerance for abuse of an Umpire from a member of the League d) The sportsmanship committee will meet and pass decisions, in writing, to the Executive.
Suspension consequences: 1 st offence- 3game suspension 2 nd offence- suspended for the season 3 rd offense- suspended for life from the league 4.4 ANIMALS AT THE BALL FIELD As per City of Courtenay and Town of Comox bylaws. 4.5 BEER GARDENS As per B.C liquor laws. 4.6 ROSTERS League rosters will be frozen June 1st of each year for Mixed leagues. Teams may request exceptions from the executive for new players who are new to the valley and who have not appeared on a roster prior to June 1st.