Meeting Minutes 03/25/08

Meeting Minutes

Capital District Senior Softball League
March 25, 2008

Mike Rager called the meeting to order at the American Legion Post No. 1450 of Clifton Park/Halfmoon at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were: Barry Plunkett, Clarence Vivlamore, Bill Kloc, Jerry Smith, Robert Swayne, Gary Palmer, Jay Campbell, Howie Schermerhorn, Kurt Daigel, Brad Buchan, Al Schmidt, Bob Kibbey, George Laya, Tom Ricci, Ted Dandrow, Tony Longobardo, Ray Vallee, Jon Olson, Wally Lozano, Ed Plew, Gary D. Hunter, Jay Hayner, Lloyd S. DeMaranville, Don Miller and Eric Bohnet.

Secretary’s Report

Barry Plunkett reviewed the minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting as published on the website. The minutes as reviewed were accepted without revision, correction or amendment. Tony Longobardo moved the minutes be approved (Jay Campbell seconded); the motion was approved without dissent.

Prior to the minutes being approved, Mike Rager requested that the voting principals identify themselves and the teams they represent for the meeting agenda voting purposes: Clickner Security – Jerry Smith holding the voting proxy for Jack Postulka, Circle Diner – Bill Kloc, Wades World – Jay Campbell, Anaconda – Wally Lozano, Sportsman’s Club – Al Schmidt, Edward Jones – Howie Schermerhorn, Ravenswood – Gary Hunter, Seton Health – Gary Palmer, American Legion – Eric Bohnet, Best Paving – Ray Vallee, Personal Cov. Ins. – Tom Ricci. Normark Consultants (Mark Galeo) – Absent.

Mike also announced that our teammate and friend Bob McCarroll was gravely ill and had been in Ellis Hospital since the weekend. Mike said Bob’s family would keep us informed accordingly. (Ed. Note – Very sadly we learned that Bob had passed away Tues. 3/25 in the evening. The league’s prayers and expressions of sympathy go out for Bob and to all the members of his family during this sad and difficult time.)

Treasurer’s Report

Clarence Vivlamore presented and distributed copies of his self-explanatory report for the period of 1/23/08 – 3/25/08. The league balance as of 3/25/08 was $17,691.39. The balance as of 1/23/08 was $226.12. Income for the period of 1/23/08 – 3/25/08 was $18,946.12. Total expenses for the period 1/23/08 – 3/25/08 was $1,254.73. A copy of Clarence’s report is incorporated and made a part of these minutes. Barry Plunkett moved the report be approved (Ted Dandrow seconded); the motion was approved 11-0 without dissent. Copies will be provided to anyone upon request.

News:

Mike Rager announced that the CDSSL was exploring a potential long term league sponsorship/partnership with MVP Gold. He stated Tony Longobardo had done outstanding work as head of the Sponsor Committee in seeking and securing a meeting with MVP Gold officials to discuss the sponsorship potential between MVP Gold and our league. Mike stated that Tony had set up the meeting for 9:00 a.m. on 3/25 at the Blue Ribbon Diner and that he, Tony, Wally Lozano, Bill Kloc, Clarence Vivlamore and Barry Plunkett had met with Cori Rowe (MVP Gold Community Relations Coordinator) and Chris Amorosi (MVP Gold Exec.) to conference the matter. Mike then turned the floor over to Wally Lozano who had led the conference, and Barry Plunkett to provide details. Wally stated that MVP Gold was interested in seeking and establishing a long term exclusive sponsorship/partnership with the CDSSL for a very significant financial commitment in order to further MVP Gold’s goal to promote health, wellness and activity for seniors in our community. Wally went into detail concerning financial arrangement and time period discussed for same together with the joint participation in media and public relations presentations by both parties. Wally explained that MVP Gold sought us as a community partner and sought our sponsorship because it provided significant visibility and could provide them with an exclusive sponsorship in the health insurance category. It would allow for a joint communications approach between partners (e.g. MVP Gold newsletter articles, web component and public relations efforts) together with the opportunity for MVP Gold Sales to build new relationships. Wally identified in detail all elements of the potential exclusive 2008 league sponsorship by MVP Gold and their sole and exclusive support of our 2008 Annual Banquet and Hall of Fame Project. Wally also discussed MVP Gold’s sole and exclusive support of the Allstar Div. teams and all aspects of the uniform, hat & equipment, presentations to accommodate same. Barry Plunkett stated he was already in the process of drawing up a 12 point worksheet list/preliminary memo of understanding based on the morning discussions to give to Cori Rowe and Chris Amorosi for their presentation to the MVP Gold Board officials for their review and approval if our league votes to pursue this project.

Mike Rager then called for discussion from the floor and he received unanimous positive and enthusiastic support for the MVP Gold sponsorship. Mike then called for a vote by the league executive committee to authorize the above (6) league officers and committee members to proceed to take all necessary policy and financial steps to finalize the exclusive sponsorship agreement with MVP Gold. The vote was then taken and passed 11 – 0, no dissents, to do so. If approved by MVP Gold our league would then be known as “MVP Gold – Capital District Senior Softball League” together with all the financial details and sponsorship points covered by Wally and Barry.

Committee Reports:

Sponsors

Tony Longobardo received a long and very well deserved round of applause for his work and efforts with MVP Gold. Outstanding in all respects.

Clarence Vivlamore reported we have 12 regular sponsors – 9 paid and awaiting payment from Wade’s World, Anaconda & Ravenswood. Clarence stated Dennis Walpole is in reserve to sponsor if needed.

Banquet

Mike Rager said this report will be held in abeyance pending the MVP Gold sponsorship.

Grounds and Equipment and Grant

Jerry Smith stated the Town’s work on the fields (fill dirt, rolling the outfield) would proceed pending weather constraints. He outlined that orders for hats and jerseys were expedited and Wally hoped to meet the opening day date if at all possible. Ice packs and first aid kits will be available to all teams. Bill Kloc stated the industrial first-aid kit was very valuable to have and Mike Rager authorized purchase of same accordingly.

Jerry then outlined the teams and divisions for ’08 - Spagnola – per last meeting; Craig – per last meeting, except Seton Health to replace Jack Byrne, Falzo – Wade’s World, Edward Jones, Circle Diner, Normark Consultants (Mark Galeo).

Jerry stated the Town was in the process of approving and finalizing our field contract fees for ’08 at the same ’07 rate - $1,980 and that we will not see a $2,000. fee increase. He was following up on the grant and had secured our federal not for profit income tax exemption and was following up for our New York State Sales tax exemption. He stated he had transmitted all of the papers necessary for the ’08 grant and that we are now in the third phase of approval and had to await the NYS budget approval in order to establish what dollar amount, if any, we are to receive.

Jerry said that Wally Lozano had advised him that 3 sets of jerseys had been ordered for Seton Health, Normark and Circle Diner and hopefully all will be available for opening day 4/26/08. Hats were also ordered for Normark.

Player Placement Personnel

Bill Kloc reported that tryouts would be conducted 4/19/08 at 10:00 a.m., Victory Fields. In view of the number of players trying out – 12 to 15 – the tryouts could be combined. The three division draft will immediately follow the tryouts. The High Arc tryouts will be on Field #3.

Bill said he provided Kurt Daigel with player ratings for the Falzo Division draft and will assist in any way he can to make the new division draft choices a success. Bill discussed certain players who previously had a rating either trying out (or not) and stated that all new tryouts take the risk that if they do not make a team either face being placed on the reserve list or playing in a different division. Bill emphasized this was a talent based draft but he would make every effort to find candidates a place to play on a team. Bill and Kurt Daigel discussed extending a player’s decision on choice of playing format to the morning of the draft day instead of April 12th in order to maximize the pool of players available for the respective divisions and to secure 13 man rosters for each division team.

Bill again went over the replacement player guidelines stating the Player Placement Com. had jurisdiction over same. Bill stated he would be available on game days to deal with disputes involving replacement of players. Bill repeated that replacement of players involving equal or lesser rating values does not need managerial approval. He further stated that he would expedite the three week player replacement situation as needed. Bill said Clarence Vivlamore has the count of the returning players and has distributed them to the Division Representatives.

Bill added that High Arc and Medium Pitch Division players can substitute in each division’s games as needed and are available and that depending on the number of additional players available another division team can be created.

New Managers for Falzo Division

Bill said that the new managers for Falzo are Bob Swayne, Ken Peat, Mark Galeo and Rich Pavone. Kurt Daigel and Mike Rager confirmed same.

Rules and Umpires

Len LoFrisco distributed copies of a well prepared and well written self-explanatory Umpire Cost Analysis. It is incorporated into and made a part of these minutes.

Len made a motion to make the Rules he distributed to the Division Reps. official.

Kurt Daigel advised that the Falzo Division had already done so at its Feb. 11th meeting based upon the review of the fine rule work done by Ted Dandrow and Walt Kosinski. Kurt said no vote need be taken by the Falzo Div. since approval was made by vote on 2/11 and it was agreed then that no further review or approval vote need be taken at the 3/25 League meeting.

The rules for the Craig Div. were approved as official by a 3-1 (abstention) vote. The rules for the Spagnola Div. were approved as official by a 4 – 0 vote.

Len then moved to have copies of all rules distributed to all players in the three divisions and the umpires. No second was made on the motion and President Mike Rager declared the motion withdrawn.

Ted Dandrow moved that copies of the rules be given to all Division Managers, the three Division Representatives and all the Umpires. Jerry Smith seconded and the motion was passed 11 – 0, no dissents.

Len then advised that he received information that the Spagnola Div. wanted to assign their own umpires and he made a motion to have all three divisions do so. Before a second to the motion was made President Mike Rager said that this was a very different and far reaching plan than had ever been in place in the league. Mike said that the past plan was working and if it wasn’t broken, it did not need to be fixed. Mike emphasized that the most important thing was to have two umpires available for every game and that they be our own and not outside individuals. Mike also stated there should be one person making the umpire assignments in order to retain league unity and preserve fairness in the weekly assignments. No second was secured for Len’s motion.

Brad Buchan then moved that the Div. Reps. go into executive session to discuss these issues with Len off line to resolve the matter. Brad said no one seemed prepared to discuss it tonight, and this could expedite resolving these issues. Tony Longobardo seconded and a vote was taken. The motion was passed 11-0 without dissent.

George Laya added an excellent idea on the rule distribution issue stating copies of the three div. rules should be kept in envelopes in the equipment sheds and would thus be available to all game day umpires. George stated this could cut back on copying expenses, as the copies could be returned to the sheds after the games.

Mike Rager again emphasized that there is a list of our own league umpires available and it is sufficient to cover all games and that outside ASA umpires are not needed and far too costly for our league. Mike stated the league money for umpires should go to our own people and that we are staffed sufficiently to have two umpires available for all divisions on game days. All assembled unanimously agreed with Mike on these points.

Schedule

Brad Buchan reported that he is in the process of setting up the 2008 Season Schedule. He asked if everyone was agreeable to a 4/26 opening day date and everyone agreed to same.

Brad requested scheduling input from Ray Vallee – Craig Div., Brad – Spagnola Div, Kurt Daigel – Falzo Div. Brad said it is anticipated we will play on Memorial Day, but not the July 4th and Labor Day holidays. Jay Campbell asked if for now the schedule will be set up with 4 teams in each Div. and Field #3 will be the High Arc field? Brad stated that was correct and that he was going to have to work out the number of games and if single or double elimination play-offs would apply. Bob Swayne asked if on Tues. and Thurs. the Craig and Falzo practices could be combined on one field and Mike said they could. Spagnola-High Arc would be practicing on a different field but everyone was welcome at either practice.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Kurt Daigel stated that the Falzo Div. would use the 375.44 cork centered balls and may want to try some others out.

Wally stated he would help Kurt by returning some current balls and replacing them with the 375.44 and would secure other balls for Falzo use as requested.

The rainout issue was discussed in preliminary fashion and Mike Rager agreed to conference with Wally Lozano to review past practices and to establish a definite format and plan for the 2008 season. This will be reviewed and discussed at the next league meeting.

Bill Kloc stated there would be a practice at the AllStars Academy Indoor Sports Facility Tues. 4/1 at 10:30 a.m.

Gary Hunter reported the sad news that Barry Lupe’s mother and Rocky Fay’s mother had passed away recently. Our league sympathies are extended to Barry and Rocky and to the Lupe and Fay families for their losses. (Ed. Note - Sadly we learned 4/4/08 that Mike Rager’s mother also has passed away. Our sympathies are extended to Mike and the Rager family for their loss). Clarence Vivlamore explained that we will certainly make donations on behalf of the league to causes of the family’s choice. Gary stated he would follow up on e-mail efforts to get this information and would give it to Clarence for the appropriate donations.

A fitting close to this meeting’s minutes is a long over-due tribute to the outstanding efforts of the wives of several Ravenswood players on last years’ team. Mrs. Hunter (Gary), Mrs. Van Deusen (George), Mrs. Fay (Rocky) set up wonderful post-game, home-cooked lunch buffets for everyone in the league at the Elk’s Pavilion. If I have forgotten anyone I apologize – because this was a real team effort on behalf of the ladies and what we are all about or should be about as a league. Barry Lupe did an outstanding job inviting everyone and making sure all were welcome. Certainly hope this tradition continues this season with even more of us participating and helping this championship group out. The ladies of the Ravenswood team – the real champions one and all of our league!!!

Mike Rager stated he planned to hold another league meeting in mid April prior to the tryouts and draft and he would work out the date and details and post notice for everyone on the website.

Pres. Mike Rager then called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jay Campbell moved to adjourn and Clarence Vivlamore seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Barry C. Plunkett
Sec./Mgr. of Documents