NLL MEETING MINUTES MEETING DATE May 31, 2017 MEETING TIME 8:00pm MEETING LOCATION Buffalo Wild Wings Meeting called by Type of meeting President, Jason Yard Monthly Meeting Attendees Jason Yard, Mark Bruno, Jeremy Barretta, Rich Zappala, Mike Berael, Anthony Campeggio, Jim Travagline, Geoff Haines, Randi Wall, William Hickman, Chuck Hackett, Steve Kintish, Dan Kwapinski, Mike Camac AGENDA TOPICS AGENDA TOPIC Lukas Fundraiser PRESENTER Jason Yard There have been 92 tickets sold as of tonight. We have a number of prizes for raffle items including but not limited to Eagles tickets, Phillies tickets, food, auto related prizes, etc. As a reminder, the event will be held on June 8 th, 2017 and will include the aforementioned raffle items as well as a 50/50 drawing. We ll be presenting him with a plaque as a gift from NLL. NLL will cover the site fees for this fundraiser The final donation will be coming through NLL and we ll write out the check to the family We received a phone call from an anonymous out-of-state supporter that has provided a $5,000 donation for Lukas Tickets will be available at the door Seek out additional raffle items N/A June 8, 2017 AGENDA TOPIC Secretary Position PRESENTER Jason Yard Our previous secretary, Margaret, had to step away from NLL for family reasons and this has since left us without a secretary. I ve personally reached out to the community and sought help from the potential addition of Randi Wall. Randi is very involved with things over at the school and with PTO. If there are no objections to her addition, I d like to welcome her to join us as our new NLL Secretary. AGENDA TOPIC District Teams PRESENTER Jason Yard & Jim Travagline The time for the selection of the District Teams is now here. It has been confirmed (Jim) that teams will be chosen at the upcoming Manager s Meeting. AGENDA TOPIC Tournament Teams PRESENTER Jason Yard There has been some concern regarding the team selection process for the 8U Tournament Team (Sean Sutley). Many parents have expressed their feelings that the process was unfair due to the selection of younger children over those that are 8-years-old. It was confirmed that the process of selection was based
on the recommendation submissions from all coaches having 8-year-old players and, from there, it was simply coaches choice. Because all of the coaches were in agreement with their recommendations and selections, it was decided to forego the tryouts for the remaining children. AGENDA TOPIC Snack Bar Volunteers PRESENTER Jason Yard It has been difficult to get a steady stream of volunteers for the league s snack bars. For example, neither are open for this evening s games due to lack of volunteers. With a total of 148 volunteer spots open, only 96 have been filled thus far. Seek out and push for volunteers N/A N/A AGENDA TOPIC Sectional Tournament PRESENTER Jason Yard On July 1 st, 2017, our girls, age 13 to 15, will be hosting this year s Sectional Tournament. They will play a total of 5-6 games. Schedule pictures Mike Camac July 1, 2017 AGENDA TOPIC Equipment PRESENTER Jason Yard NLL has acquired a new chalker (Steve) for the fields. Unfortunately, our paint sprayer is broken and cannot be repaired. It has been brought to our attention that the city may be purchasing this at a cost of $1900 but it is not clear as to whether or not it will only be available to Steve. For the time being, we do still have a wheeled sprayer. AGENDA TOPIC Baseball Infield PRESENTER Jason Yard It has been recommended that the field be seeded. Once the seed is spread, it will need time to be watered. Any new seed will take between 17-21 days to properly germinate. Mark Bruno brought up the additional issue with the divets, a conclusion was to be made. Seek out information regarding the correction and/or repair of the field s divets Jason Yard N/A AGENDA TOPIC Softball Field PRESENTER Jason Yard There is a bad lip along the edge of the softball field and we were quoted $1900 for the repair. We are able to remove 4 ourselves should we find the volunteers to perform the work. The fields already have new mounds (Jason/Jeremy). Page 2
AGENDA TOPIC Baseball PRESENTER Jim Travagline We have a number of parents and community members stepping up, many of whom have helped with the fields. The commissioners have been doing a great job this year (Jason). Tournament Teams o There will be 3-5 tournaments for the 8U Tournament Team which will be comprised of 13 players. Three of last year s tournaments were paid for by NLL. o Regarding the 10U Tournament Team, the Absecon and EHT tournaments will be paid for by the players and they are to wear their practice jerseys. o The 12U Tournament Team will have their player selection next week. The final clinic for this is being held tonight. o The side conversation focusing on the number of tournaments played per team was brought up: How many tournaments are played? Records will be checked. Is having NLL pay for three tournaments too generous? Shall be included in a survey. It was motioned that the NLL should pay for the same number of tournaments across the board for all of the individual Tournament Teams. We will follow this up with a vote. o Note that Tournament Teams will be provided with game balls only but will not receive a new collection of practice balls. We need to contact Dewees regarding the acquisition of dirt for the Major and Minor baseball fields. The city will be covering the cost and it has been recommended that we purchase the best available to us. There has been a number of concerns brought to our attention regarding t-ball and the problem with the ticks. o Originally, t-ball games were played at the school s field, then the switch to the NLL softball outfield was made, then their games/practices were moved to the auxiliary field. o The discussion of where future t-ball games/practices are to be held will be tabled for now. We will discuss this prior to the start of the 2018 season. Things to keep in mind: There is an issue with time and scheduling because the older children have the right to field before t-ball is scheduled in. The possibility of the Babe Ruth outfield was brought up (Rich Zappala). We d like to keep from going back to the school s field because they were essentially ousted there and not truly included in the NLL (Jason Yard). The possibility of the Fire Department s field was brought up. Don t stop when the season stops! o NLL is always in need of volunteers and support. NLL hosts other teams over the late spring, summer, and early fall. Every field is a neutral site for which we need to have staff director, announcer, scorekeeper, pitch count. o It was requested to be released to the public as additional volunteer opportunities (Rich Zappala). o We need to be sure to acquire people that are knowledgeable about the sport and the task at hand (Jason Yard). Page 3
Check the records regarding how many tournaments were funded by NLL for each of the Tournament Teams in previous years. A survey shall be put out to gather information and general consensus regarding whether or not three tournaments per team funded by NLL is too generous. Motion to vote on the total number of tournaments per team funded by NLL will be made. Jason Yard / Jim Travagline Jason Yard Jason Yard Next Meeting Next Meeting Next Meeting Request for post-season volunteers will go out. Jason Yard Prior to start of postseason games AGENDA TOPIC Retiring Administration PRESENTER Jason Yard The current NLL Administration will be retiring and will no longer be in place as is for the 2018 season. It is recommended that everyone at this meeting take into consideration the possibility of taking on an executive position. Each year, in addition to the President, we ll need to have a Vice President for each baseball and softball, etc. For all positions, the board will bring it to a vote. The question was brought up (William Hickman) as to whether or not someone would be able to run districts as well as be a coach. It was confirmed (Jason Yard) that, yes, you are now allowed to do so. AGENDA TOPIC Softball PRESENTER Jeremy Barretta There will not be any playoff games for the Majors this year as there are only three full teams to begin with. No trophies will be given out to the 6U team. The Minor teams are to play a bit longer into the season due to weather-related missed games. o These games will take priority and teams will be given first use of the fields. The 10U Tournament Team will have its clinic this Sunday, June 4, 2017. o We are only in need of three more players and they will be selected next week by the manager. o All Star players will be excused from missed dates. There is no 12U Tournament Team this year. We ve had great umpires this year for softball and everything has run quite smoothly. AGENDA TOPIC District Meeting PRESENTER Jason Yard The District Meeting for managers will be held on June 6 th, 017. Please note that this meeting is mandatory. If the manager is not able to make it, someone from their affidavit must be there in place. AGENDA TOPIC Coin Drop PRESENTER Jason Yard Northfield has approved the ability to hold a coin drop. Page 4
Applications must be completed and received in January. There are seven major organizations in Northfield and only so many coin drops will be available per year. This could be a major fundraiser for NLL especially if we re able to schedule a date during the tourist season. It has the potential to bring in a lot of money without having to be bothersome unto a number of people. Two locations will be available the Five Points intersection or the intersection of Dolphin Ave. and Shore Rd. Apply for NLL approval Jason Yard January 2018 AGENDA TOPIC Postseason PRESENTER Jason Yard Safety o The shockers have been recharged and are available. o No swinging bats without helmets o The leadoff batter is the only person allowed on deck o Bill Skull is the umpire in charge There are a few new Little League rules regarding all tournament play that we must all be aware of: One foot must remain in the batter s box at all times. The speed of the game will take priority. There could be ramifications and refusing to follow the aforementioned rule may result in a strike being called. Players will receive warnings for stepping out of the batter s box. Pitchers are not allowed to pitch when a batter only has one foot in the batter s box. Coaches o Remember that all coaches are also representing the NLL as a whole. o The umpires are all league provided and our NLL coaches, players, and fans are to be respectful of all umpires. o Ensure that your players are on their best behavior, are respectful, and remind them that they, too, represent the NLL as a whole. AGENDA TOPIC New Little League Rules PRESENTER Jason Yard The current bats used will no longer be good for upcoming seasons. o New bats will have a stamp and/or sticker on it and should be released after the turn of the year. o Little League-approved bats can be used through December 31, 2017, and our current bat regulations will be in effect until then. That includes the moratorium prohibiting the use of all 2 ¼ inch barrel baseball bats constructed with composite material in the barrel, unless approved. Page 5
2017-2018 Bat Comparison Chart Minors & Majors 2017 BPF 1.15 marking/ 2 ¼ barrel maximum 2018 USA Baseball marking 2 5/8 barrel maximum Intermediate (50/70) & Junior 2017 1) 2 ¼" alloy/metal barrel with BPF stamp of 1.15 2) 2 5/8" alloy/metal barrel (no marking required) 3) 2 5/8" composite barrel with BBCOR stamp 2018 USA Baseball marking 2 5/8 barrel maximum NO BBCOR ALLOWED Senior 2017 ALL bats must be BBCOR 2018 ALL bats must be BBCOR Birthdates o No changes will be made to this. The cutoff will still be in August. AGENDA TOPIC 8U/9U Sandsharks PRESENTER Jason Yard We need to make sure that they pay for NLL field use The field will only be made available to them after taking the NLL recreation baseball schedule into account. All recreational play will be supported before travel play. It was brought to our attention (William Hickman) that the approval from the city was difficult. o While NLL cannot officially ask for money, a generous donation ($750 for the 8U team) had been made in order to use the field. It was suggested that NLL provide information of past year s donations as a reference point. While these teams do not have the first right of the field, we need to give proper availability to teams, like such, paying for use. AGENDA TOPIC Various Topics PRESENTER Steve Kintish Scholarship Fund Page 6
o It was recommended that NLL provide a scholarship fund, a minimum of $1,000, to players (similar to that of FAN and Hoopes/Deviney). Following the suggestion, the discussion of potential criteria and possible issues/concerns began: XYZ hours of volunteering NLL community service Do something specific with all proper criteria met: o Compete all the way through NLL (t-ball through majors) Should not be skill based Money could not come from registrations NLL could seek out corporate sponsors Donation Drive o For the NLL s annual donation drive, a connection was made with the DEA. We ll meet with them and turn over any and all donations that will then be given to baseball/softball organizations in Puerto Rico. Home Run Derby o Because Father s Day is only seventeen days away and due to Steve s inability to run an event on that date, it was suggested that NLL host a 4 th of July Home Run Derby. Volunteers would be needed A discretionary fund for refreshments should be provided Online registration should be set up It should be open to both men and women Prepare necessary sign-ups for the Home Run Derby and promote accordingly Jason Yard / Steve Kintish Mid-June AGENDA TOPIC Other PRESENTER Various Presenters Golf Tournament (Anthony Campeggio / Jason Yard) o Addressed but to be tabled for now and discussed at a later date. Pitch Count (Chuck Hackett) o A new form should be released and all coaches must sign it in order to create cohesiveness across teams. Uniforms o 10U/12U warmups and hats were ordered o 8U/9U hats were ordered o 8U requested names to be on the back o The return jerseys for 8U/10U have no names o 10U/12U are blue with red o 8U/9U are red with blue o All tournament and district coaches must wear khaki pants and a collared shirt. Buffalo Wild Wings (Anthony Campeggio) o The fundraiser was to close at the end of business on May 31 st, 2017. A final count will be given afterward. Note that a minimum of $300 must ve been raised or NLL will not be provided with any funds. Page 7
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