UCSSL MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 2, 2014

 

The following is a summary of our league meeting of April 2, 2014

 

All teams were represented with 22 in attendance.

 

Additional registration materials and sponsor fees were submitted to the league treasurer; managers were again reminded that the remainder of these materials, as well as initial team rosters, are due before the season begins.

 

Managers were reminded that a registration/waiver form must be signed prior to a player engaging in any team/league activity, and all registration materials must be received before a player participates in league games.

 

Managers were again reminded that "preliminary" rosters are due by league rule "before the scheduling meeting that is held in mid-April."  Because our final pre-season meeting is early this year, managers will have until Monday April 7 to submit their initial roster, using the NJSSA form in either Word or Excel format.

 

Sponsor checks are due ASAP.  The team formerly sponsored by Sun Tavern will be sponsored by Rosie's Wine Bar this year.  Marty Marks is the new manager of Deegan Roofing.

 

Gary Wiese reported that shirts will be available on Friday or Saturday, April 11-12, for 60s teams, and Friday or Saturday, April 18-19, for 50s teams.

 

The league awards banquet will be scheduled for an evening in late September.  Attempts will be made to avoid potential conflicts.

 

Managers are encouraged to go to the ASA website's "Non-Approved Bat List" and print a copy of this bat list to put together with their UCSSL Rules and ASA Rule Book:

http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_one_page.asp

 

 

Managers have recently received (or will receive soon) via email:

Updated 2014 UCSSL Rules, 2014 Managers/Officers Listing, 2014 Schedules for both 50s and 60s, 2014 Field Permits, and links to ASA Approved and Non-approved bat lists.

 

Game day reminders:

 

A "speed-up rule" is in effect the first two weeks on unlighted fields – no infield, only two warm-up pitches after first inning.

 

Remember the 8 game trial period for the new "shared bat" rule.

 

Paying umpires, if a delayed rainout, pay them $10 "show up" fee if umpire must call the game before a pitch has been thrown.

 

Do not play games on fields that are closed.  Field "hotline" numbers and county website links will be updated.  The county has the final word on their fields, Ed Kushner has the final word on Linden fields.  Gary Moran (our umpire assigner) and I will coordinate with them, and emails will be sent as soon as a determination has been made on rainouts.

 

Managers need to give to us, if they have not already done so:

 

Team sponsor fee, remaining player registration forms and fees (please be sure that checks are payable to UCSSL, or are endorsed to UCSSL), and the team's preliminary 2014 roster.

 

Any of these items not already submitted will need to be delivered -- email or otherwise -- to the commissioner's home prior to the start of the season.  Players may not participate without a signed waiver form!  Rosters should be emailed as an attachment.  Thank you for your cooperation!

 

Items distributed at the meeting:

 

2014 ASA Rule Book

 

Scorebook

 

A check for umpire fees in the amount of $494.00 to pay for 11 or 12 regular season home games plus one or two playoff home games (50s), or 12 regular season home games plus one home playoff game (60s).

 

25 or 26 softballs, enough for 23 (50s) or 24 (60s) regular season plus two playoff games.

 

The following rule, tabled at our last meeting, was approved --

 

4.5.4 PENALTY: Team forfeits all games that the illegal player [who did not participate in the required 6 regular season games] participated in during that round of the playoffs.

 

The following rule, specific to our 60+ Division only, was discussed and approved in an attempt to "level the playing field" when the strongest 3 teams (Teams 13, 14 and 15 only) play the least strong 3 teams (teams 18, 19 and 20 only):

(1) Eliminate the "catch-up + 6" rule in innings 1-6.

(2) In all but the open inning(s) a team can score a maximum of 6 runs.

(3) The less strong team has the option at the start of the game to

   (A) Get 1 run in all but the first and ‘open’ inning(s) or

   (B) Add a 12th defensive player.

(4) The less strong team will be the visitors in all games.

Managers agreed to adopt this rule change on a trial basis for half a season.  After 12 games have been played, managers will reconvene and decide to either continue with this rule change for the remainder of the season, modify it, or drop it at that time.

"Let's play ball and have fun" in the 25th season of UCSSL softball.