UCSSL MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2014

The following is a summary of our league meeting of February 12, 2014

31 were in attendance. All teams were represented with the exception of Roselle Legion.

The former Renda Roads will now be sponsored by Deegan Roofing.

Gary Wiese remind managers that shirt order forms are due no later than the March league meeting, 3 weeks from tonight.

Managers seeking new players should let the league commissioner know so he can direct inquiries to those teams most in need.

It is expected that we will know what fields are available by early March so that we can select fields at our next meeting.

NJSSA news (from January 25 meeting) --

Rosters need to have complete information for each player in WORD or Excel format, available on njseniorsoftball website.

Information for the newsletter is due by May 15. Do we have a person of interest to keep our streak going? Pictures are also wanted.

2014 Tournament Rule Change (disregard what was announced at the January UCSSL meeting):

In 2013, there were only 10 teams participating in the 50+ Tournament and only 12 teams in the 60+ Tournament. In an attempt to get more teams to participate in the Tournaments, it was agreed that:

50+ Tournament: If a team has a minimum of 8 players, they can add 4 players from another team in their same division or a lower division, giving the team a maximum of 12 players. If a team has 9 players, they can add 3 players, etc.

60+ Tournament: If a team has a minimum of 9 players, they can add 4 players from another team in the same division or a lower division, giving the team a maximum of 13 players. If a team has 10 players, they can add 3 players, etc.

Also, 60+ tournament teams must play in a 60+ NJSSA league.

Tournament Dates:

50+ Tournament August 16-17 (revised, tentative)

60+ Tournament August 9-10

69+ Tournament June 11 (Wednesday) Rain Date-June 18

(Union County) ASA news (from January 19 meeting) --

ASA is promoting (requiring?) a 52COR/300 compression softball for all but senior leagues. The SB-12 is 44/375.

After lengthy discussion and comments regarding the 5 proposed options for our 2014 50+ Division schedule, teams voted to change to a two division format in which each team plays 3 games against each team in their division, 1 game against each team in the other division, and 2 bumper games within their division, for a 23 game schedule.

The A Division will consist of last season’s four A teams and the top two B teams, whereas the new B Division will consist of last season’s bottom two B teams and the four C teams.

After lengthy discussion and comments regarding the 4 proposed options regarding bats, 50+ Division teams voted for a change in which all (ASA approved) bats, provided by individual players, may be used by any player on either team during each UCSSL game. Bats must be placed against the backstop (or other common area) prior to the game, and returned there after every at bat throughout the game, for the common use of all players.

60+ Division teams later agreed to follow this same rule.

This rule will be reviewed by managers during an 8 game trial period, after which managers will respond to an email from the commissioner declaring whether or not they would like to continue this procedure for the remainder of the 2014 season.

After lengthy discussion and comments regarding the proposed options for our 2014 60+ Division schedule, teams were unable to reach a consensus. After further deliberations and compromise, teams voted to change to a two division format with an unbalanced schedule of 24 games per team.

DeBellis Associates will move to the A Division and The Office will move to the B Division. These two teams will play each other 6 times and every other team 3 times. The other 3 A Division teams will play each other 6 teams and each of the other B teams twice, while the other 3 B Division teams will play each other 6 times and each of the other 3 A teams twice.

Managers were encouraged to review the current league rules and email the commissioner with any recommendations for changes so they can be disseminated several days before the next league meeting, giving everyone time to consider any proposed changes in advance and allowing for meaningful discussion at the March meeting before voting to adopt any changes.

Remaining UCSSL 2014 meetings (each is a Wednesday):

March 5 -- Discussion and possible revision of rules. Please review current league rules and begin preparing wording for proposals for change. Shirt orders due. Field selections, if possible.

April 2 -- Distribution of balls, rule books, scorebooks, umpire fee checks.