INFORMATION

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2008 SEASON

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Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2008

Rules and Umpires:

Len LoFrisco stated he would defer his report until later in the meeting as he was securing his committee placements and would complete same shortly.

Audit Progress:

The Audit Committee (Eric Bohnet, Earl Herchanroder, Dale Meyers and Don Miller) submitted, presented and distributed copies of their report covering the period from January 1, ’07 – Dec. 17, ’07. The report was very comprehensive, detailed and precise in its scope, findings and recommendations. 

Secretary Barry Plunkett read the entire report to all members assembled. He incorporated the report into the minutes and made it a part thereof.

In summary, the Committee found the financial records to be accurate and complete. Since CDSSL is now subject to a tax audit, the league must adhere to having proper documentation for all income and expenditures.

Discussion was then had on bringing the Bylaws up to speed via revision because of modern-day commercial practices. It was discussed by many assembled that the Audit report’s findings and recommendations were based upon outdated commercial standards in our bylaws which had been established years ago. As an example, a three bid set up was necessary for purchases of $25.00 or more, the necessity of receipts for expense checks issued in view of our new tax filing constraints et al. 

Jack Postulka moved to so revise all of the league bylaws in order to reflect modern/current commercial practices and standards, (Barry Plunkett seconded) and the motion was approved 12 – 0 without dissent.

Mike Rager called for volunteers to set up a committee to revise the league’s by-laws accordingly and Wally Lozano volunteered to chair the revision committee, with Ted Dandrow, Bob Kibbey, Jon Olsen and Bill Kloc volunteering to work on this committee project.

Bob Kibbey then moved that the Audit Committee’s Report be approved (Jerry Smith seconded); the motion was approved 12 – 0 without dissent. Copies will be provided upon request to anyone wishing to review same.

Budget for 2008 – FINALIZATION

Mike Rager submitted his Budget for 2008 and revised same to include the new $100.00 registration fee. Mike’s total ’08 intake is estimated at $24,626. and his total output for ’08 is $21,210. , leaving a surplus of $3,416. Mike’s written report details the budget items line by line for ’08 and the report is self-explanatory and it is incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes for review by all league members. Mike stated copies will be provided upon request to anyone wishing to review same.

Many suggestions were made at the meeting to cut expenses by doing away with jackets, tee shirts, sweatshirts as awards and banquet gifts. Wally Lozano outlined several excellent suggestions to save on uniforms (generic) and hats. However, discussion continued about the increase in the cost of the league’s operating expenses for ’08 from the town of Clifton Park doubling the field fees, to increases in the cost of materials to condition the fields properly for the safety of the players, umpire fees ($4,800), to equipment cost increases. Wally Lozano and Jerry Smith, both having worked on the proposed budget for ’08, outlined increases in these areas. All assembled agreed that the current registration fee would not adequately cover current budget constraints. Even with the grant funds specifically used to cover last year’s field maintenance and safety concerns an increase would be required this year. Mike Rager and Bill Kloc discussed hardship cases in the event anyone could not meet an increased fee. Mike Rager agreed stating any financial hardship case would be reviewed and given due consideration by the league’s board on an ad hoc basis. 

Jerry Smith discussed increasing the membership fee in stages and then moved that it be increased to $85.00; after further discussion Jerry then amended his motion to make it $100.00 (Clarence Vivlamore seconded the original motion and the amended motion). Discussion was then had again on the town of Clifton Park benefiting from all of the work of our league members on the Victory Playing Fields. Ted Dandrow stated the field fees should be reduced for us in CDSSL as seniors because of our work on the town’s fields and saving the Town of Clifton Park valuable labor hours they don’t have to pay town employees. Ted was adamant that we alone increase the total safety factor for the town and all of the other leagues and players using these fields and not just for the CDSSL. No one assembled disagreed with Ted. Jerry Smith again reiterated that he would do his level best to seek and secure a reduction of the new field fees from the Town of Clifton Park. 

A vote was then taken and Jerry Smith’s motion to increase the ’08 Player Registration fee to $100.00 was approved 14 – 0 without dissent.

Grant Application 2008

Jerry Smith stated he would initiate work on the ‘08 Grant application but due to his employment constraints he requested assistance in completing the paper work. Mike Rager agreed and assigned Secretary Barry Plunkett to assist in any way needed. Jerry stated he would send the letter to begin the process and follow up with the grant agency (last year Family & Child Services – Welfare) accordingly.

Survey Results:

Mike Rager set forth the information survey results as follows: 141 Surveys received. High Arc: 33; Cataldo 30, Craig 3. Modified Pitch: 89; Cataldo 54, Craig 35. No Preference: 15; Cataldo 11, Craig 4. Four surveys were rejected (former players) and 33 surveys were not received back – 20 Cataldo; 13 Craig.

Mike Rager proposed that the league be set up as follows for ’08: 3 Divisions, 4 Teams each. Cataldo 2 Conferences/Divisions – High Arc and Modified Pitch. Craig (65 and over) – Modified Pitch.

Much discussion was then had on the pros and cons of this set up and it was generally agreed the new Cataldo modified pitch division/conference would and should have an individual representative and would govern itself independently as to rules, regs, ball used and player and team setups, pitchers and pitching rule enforcements accordingly.

Jerry Smith then moved that the Cataldo division be set up as two independent conferences, each governing itself, with each having its own independent representative/liaison to the league, of four (4) teams each, with a playing format as follows – High Arc (Spagnola Conference) Modified Pitch (Falzo Conference); (Bill Kloc seconded). Further discussion was then had with Jerry Smith outlining the fact that the High Arc playing format was on an experimental basis for one year – and that at the conclusion of the trial period the conference/division players would be re-canvassed to keep the format or return to modified pitch in 2009.

Jerry Smith amended his motion to include the above statements and to make it clear that new teams and players could be included in each conference/division, depending upon the number of players available, in order to maximize player participation in the league. (Bill Kloc seconded the amendment to the original motion); the motion was approved by an 11 – 1 vote.

Registrations – 2008

Mike Rager stated the ’08 Registration form would have to be amended to include the playing format changes (High Arc and Medium Pitch) for Cataldo and Medium Pitch for Craig (65 and older) together with the new Registration Fee of $100.00 and $50.00 for practice days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ray Valle moved to include the No Preference category on the ’08 Registration form (Barry Plunkett seconded), the motion was defeated and not approved by an 11 – 1 vote against same. Mike Rager stated he planned to have the Form revised and all 190 registrations mailed out before the end of January with a March 20, 2008 return confirmation date. Mike also stated he wanted a new section on the ’08 Registration Form to provide choices to be a Team Manager or Representative. This he felt would create a pool of new people and talent to participate in team and league administration.

Rules and Umpires:

Len LoFrisco then reported that his Rules Committee would consist of High Arc – Wally Lozano, Armand Scatena; Over 55 Modified – Ted Dandrow, Walt Kosinski; Over 65 Modified – Eric Bohnet, Earl Herchenroder.

Len stated drafts of rules would be set up and provided to committee members and rules approved would be sent to Larry Young for posting on the league website. Len stated he would provide an outline plan of action in the near future.

2008 MANAGERS – FINAL APPOINTMENTS BOTH DIVISIONS

Jerry Smith, Cataldo Division Commissioner reported that the High Arc 
Spagnola Conference will be formatted and managed as follows: Anaconda – Mgr. Jerry Smith; CSI – Mgr. Jack Postulka; Sportsman’s Club – Mgr. Brad Buchan; Ravenswood – Mgr. Gary Hunter.

Jerry stated that the modified Falzo Conference has one manager so far – Rich Pavone – if he doesn’t opt for High Arc play in ’08. The managers will have to be selected ASAP for team and draft formulation purposes.

The Craig Division Mgrs. would remain the same for 2008: Best Paving – Ray Valle; Personal Insurance – Bob Royer; Jack Byrne – Clarence Vivlamore; American Legion – Eric Bohnet. 

Mike Rager stated that the media announcements for ’08 would be placed by George Laya on an expedited basis and would contain the following names and telephone numbers for each division/conference. High Arc – Bill Kloc; 55 – Modified Pitch – Gus Haita; 65 – Modified Pitch – Ray Vallee.

Roster Size – Both divisions:

It was agreed by all assembled after good discussion and presentation by President Mike Rager that each team would field a roster with a minimum of 11 players and a maximum of 13 players.

New Business:

Ted Dandrow requested and received copies of Sponsor papers from Mike Rager.

Jerry Smith stated Tax Returns would have to be done for ’07. Mike Rager proposed securing accountant’s bids to do same and save some money for the league. Jerry agreed and said the accountant previously used charged approximately $300.00 to set up our tax-exempt status.

Kurt Daigel and Jerry Smith then each set forth excellent discussions on the ball specifications used for ’07 – ’08. For high arc, Kurt stated ASA specifies a max Cor of 440 and compression of 375 lbs. Such a ball will contain a certified ASA circular stamp on the ball.

Jerry Smith advised that the ball used in ’07 was a COR 470 and compression of 375 lbs.

The key to the discussion is that the tests performed indicate that the faster the initial pitch, the lower the COR, which is why the COR the ASA specifies for modified pitch and fast pitch is higher than the specs for slow-pitch (high arc).

Kurt Daigel made a motion to create a committee to study the ball specifications to determine which one should be used in ’08 (Clarence Vivlamore seconded); the motion was defeated 7 – 4 (4 in favor, 7 against).

Bill Kloc brought up the Hall of Fame and stated work on this committee was long overdue and progress should be conducted on an expedited basis.

Mike Rager stated that he planned to hold the next league meeting on March 25^th (Tues) at the American Legion Post.