Meeting Minutes 03/11/08

Meeting Minutes

Cataldo Division – Falzo Conference Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 11, 2008

American Legion Post No. 1450
Clifton Park/Halfmoon

The meeting was called to order by Temporary Falzo Conference Representative Kurt Daigel at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were: Barry Plunkett, Gus Haita, Kurt Daigel, Jay Campbell, Ed Plew, Lenny LoFrisco, Eric Bohnet, Bob McCarroll, Walt Kosinski, Mark Galeo, Lloyd DeMaranville, Wayne Grattan, Ken Peat, Howie Schermerhorn, Mike Rager, Clarence Vivlamore and Jerry Smith.

Temporary Representative Kurt Daigel opened the meeting by explaining his role as the temporary conference representative following his appointment by League President Mike Rager. Kurt stated that time was drawing close to both the Registration deadline 3/20 and the season opening date of 4/26 and there had not been any meaningful movement in organizing the new Falzo Medium Pitch Conference to date. He volunteered his efforts to help organize the Conference and Mike Rager appointed him to do so. Kurt said he wasn’t sure he would even play this year but though on the fence re same he wanted to help the League and the new Falzo conference in order to establish a successful season for everyone and to insure that the Falzo Conference succeeds in ’08.

New Business:

1. Assign Team Managers

Kurt said that in his review of the January 22, ‘08 League minutes the new Falzo Conference appeared to be set up as a separate and equal entity along with the Spagnola (High Arc) Conference. He stated that one manager was available and in place for Falzo – Rich Pavone, who had managed during the ’07 season and would be grandfathered in for the ’08 season. Kurt stated that Bob Swayne had volunteered to be a managerial candidate in the Falzo Conference at the 1/22/08 League meeting. Kurt further stated that he had called several past managers and players in order to establish additional managerial candidates for Falzo. He stated he secured two additional managerial candidates – Bob McCarroll and Mark Galeo. All re-affirmed their willingness to so serve, with Mark Galeo stating his acceptance was conditional in that if a managerial opening occurred in the High Arc Spagnola Conference and if he was accepted, he would manage there instead of Falzo. Kurt then requested additional managerial candidates to step up and be available in the event Mark Galeo chose to manage in the High Arc Conference . Lloyd DeMaranville and Ken Peat both affirmed that they would stand in reserve to so manage if that occurred.

Jerry Smith requested to be heard and stated that as the duly elected Commissioner of the entire Cataldo Division, all managerial candidates had to be approved by the Executive Committee which he stated consisted of the four High Arc Conference Managers: (Lozano, Postulka, Buchan and Hunter) and one Falzo Conference Manager (Pavone).

Howie Schermerhorn, Ken Peat, and Gus Haita stated in response to Jerry that the Falzo Conference should have the independent right to govern themselves, and to pick and approve their own managers, and that Smith and the High Arc Conference managers should have no say whatsoever in their choices. Gus Haita wanted Jerry Smith to explain why he was opposing the Falzo Conference in picking and approving their own managers. Gus stated that in his opinion Jerry Smith appeared to be undermining the Falzo Conference and wanted it to fail and further that he was preventing Falzo from having fun in their own Conference. Jerry Smith assured everyone assembled that this was not the case, that he only wanted to make sure that the wishes of all the players in the Cataldo Division – both Conferences – were carried out. Kurt Daigel again referred to the January 22, ’08 minutes and said it clearly appears that the Falzo Conference was an independent entity on its own – and asked Jerry if he disputed that statement. Jerry said no he didn’t but he wanted to see the authority of the Executive Committee carried out in accordance with League Rules and Bylaws.

Ken Peat stated that since the Falzo Conference had no say whatsoever in the workings and management of the Spagnola Conference then why should Spagnola have any say at all in the workings of the Falzo Conference? Peat said in no uncertain terms that like it or not the reality of the situation is that the Capital District Senior Softball League now consists of three separate and distinct individual leagues. Howie Schermerhorn openly contested the right of old managers to have any authority at all over new management and teams being formed in a brand new Conference.

Jay Campbell suggested that the four managerial candidates be presented to the Executive Committee (all 12 League Teams – Cataldo and Craig Divisions) for approval by vote at the League Meeting March 25, ’08. Jay Campbell stated that League President Mike Rager would be available to vote in the event of a tie and that this would preserve the one team, one vote concept and insure fairness and impartiality in the approval process for everyone in the Cataldo Division. Kurt Daigel approved Jay Campbell’s thoughts and confirmed all of them as a Falzo Conference recommendation to be presented at the League Meeting on 3/25/08 and to further establish the Falzo Conference at that meeting as its own independent entity in total.

Kurt Daigel stated that there was still work to be done and advised that he would obtain a list from Clarence Vivlamore of the Modified Pitch players who have registered and/or stated a survey preference of either playing format (HA or MP) so that telephone calls can be made now to nail down definite playing choices before 3/20/08. The managerial candidates Bob Swayne, Bob McCarroll, Mark Galeo, and Ken Peat, together with Gus Haita all agreed to call these players accordingly.

2. Decide on Pitching
3. Decide on Pitching Rules

Kurt advised that Bob Fish has chosen not to be drafted as a pitcher for the ’08 season as set forth in writing in his returned registration form and Wayne Grattan stated that due to injuries he also would not pitch in the ’08 season.
Kurt Daigel stated he spoke with Don Seaburg and Don has agreed to modify his pitching to conform with League pitching rules and regulations at all times in ’08. Further, Kurt stated that this leaves the rest of the pitching talent in ’08 in Falzo essentially the same as in ’07 Cataldo; therefore, there are no longer any pitching issues/controversies to contest in Falzo. Kurt stated he expected the umpires to do their job but really wants to emphasize an atmosphere of no arguments concerning the pitching in ’08.

Jerry Smith brought up the question that if Bob Fish changes his mind and decides to pitch in ’08 will Kurt Daigel and Falzo bar him from doing so? Kurt Daigel stated that if that occurs, Bob Fish would be given a chance to pitch a couple of games and then the Falzo Conference managers, team reps, players and umpires would then make a determination on his future pitching status.

Len LoFrisco , Supervisor of Umpires, stated he would hold off and table detailed review of the rules until the Managers are approved and in place. Len had drafts of the MP Rules and passed them out to all concerned. The MP Rule Comm. Reps. – Ted Dandrow and Walt Kosinski had worked hard on drafting and approving these Rules per Len. Kurt asked if the managerial candidates (Swayne, McCarroll, Galeo, Peat and DeMaranville representing Pavone) and all assembled would approve Ted and Walt’s work on the Rules draft without further review at the League Meeting on 3/25/08. All managerial candidates and everyone in Falzo assembled unanimously agreed to do so. A copy of the MP Rules draft is included and made a part of these minutes as if set forth herein.

4. Ball Specs:

Kurt Daigel, Jerry Smith and Jay Campbell set forth detailed and informed discussion of the ball choices to be used in the Falzo Conference in ’08.

It was finally agreed, based on a Jay Campbell suggestion, that various balls of different specifications will be tried out and then a choice can be made by the Falzo managers, team reps and players as to the ball of choice for the remainder of the ’08 season.

5. Umpires Per Game

Len LoFrisco passed out a self-explanatory and well-written memo detailing all of the umpire issues to date. It is included and made a part of these minutes as if set forth herein. Resolution of these issues will have to await future discussion and review.

6. Game Dispute Settlements
7. Duties of Managers, Team Reps and Players

Kurt stated he wanted to develop memos or statements of understanding for all to abide by in the furtherance of good sportsmanship and having fun and a good time playing ball in ’08.

Kurt outlined that player reps. are the key go-between to get the players to help mark the fields, handle equipment, handle field matters after a game ends, avoiding personnel problems with teammates, and getting players to games on a timely basis. Managers should be attentive to making sure a proper team is fielded for each game, keeping and reporting game scores, handling and settling rule disputes, controlling his players on the field and working in a cooperative and constructive way on substitution/replacement issues with opposing managers.

Kurt said that the time is now for everyone to contribute in a positive way and to make sure a first aid kit is always available at games and to work for teammate and opposing player safety in ’08. He said everyone should be prepared to do some work, especially work on the fields in preparation for the ’08 season.

8. Impact on Craig Division

Barry Plunkett reported that there was minimal, if any, impact on the Craig Division by the new Falzo Conference. He said that Craig was pretty well set to have its best season yet and that everyone in Craig wishes the same for the new Falzo Conference.

Temporary Falzo Conference Rep. Kurt Daigel called for a motion to adjourn and Jay Campbell made the motion. Gus Haita seconded and the motion was approved and passed. TR Daigel adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Barry C. Plunkett
Sec./Mgr. of Documents