INFORMATION

STRUCTURE

2009 SEASON

ARCHIVES

Meeting Minutes

MVP GOLD
Capital District Senior Softball League
April 7, 2009 

Grounds and Equipment, Grant – Jerry Smith

Grounds – Jerry reported that the workday for the fields has been re-scheduled for Friday, 4/24/09 due to weather constraints and field conditions. Jerry will advise of time and equipment availability as needed and weather permitting.

Jerry stated he is still following to secure the field permits from the Town of Clifton Park at a lower fee based upon reduced hours.

Equipment – Jerry advised new jerseys, softballs and all other equipment are in place and ready to start the season. He and Wally Lozano are working on the design logo and new name brand for the ’09 hats and expect to be ready for Opening Day 4/25 with same.

Uniforms – MVP has agreed to underwrite new uniforms with its new brand name and design logo reflecting its recent acquisition and consolidation with another insurance company. This will provide 6 sets of uniforms for 4 Allstar Teams, 2 Travel Teams and a possible extra set for a third Travel Team 70+ for Cortland and the Empire State Games. Bill Kloc advised that funding for these games is still tentative but there is another tournament scheduled in another town at the same time which may provide a substitute tournament venue. Bill did not have full details on same. Bill further advised that the softball events in Cortland – Empire State Games also may not be scheduled due to a lack of sufficient teams as well as funding constraints.

Grant – Jerry Smith advised that he received the $4,000, 2008 Grant Funds together with a $1,000. grant from Assemblyman Bob Reilly’s community fund (Reilly’s personal program that he funds with his salary from the assembly) On 2/18/09, Jerry attended a press conference at the Legislative Office Bldg. and was presented with the check and Jerry appeared on Channel 13 with reporter Bill Lambdin, who interviewed him about our league after the presentation. Jerry advised that the tractor fund is now at $5,000. He stated that he has filed the necessary paperwork in Feb. ’09 for the 2009 Grant, however, due to economic constraints; funds may not be available or sparse to fill same. Jerry said assemblyman Reilly is helping him track the process and that he will be notified of approval or denial when the budget is passed depending on fund availability.
 

Chair Tony Longobardo advised he was looking into the Old Daley Inn as a possible site, however Bill Kloc advised that this place has a catering business and may not have banquet facilities available. Tony said he would follow up on this.

2. Sponsors 

Tony Longobardo said he was concerned that he was not being informed of potential sponsors by Jerry Smith. Tony said that he and Tom Ricci constituted the committee and that since we are one league he wanted to know about this. Jerry explained that he merely took a phone call re a potential sponsor and that he was not keeping Tony out of the loop. Tony said a courtesy phone call or e-mail would have been fine. Tony then resigned from the committee citing a lack of unity, good will and properly shared information by Jerry and others has prevented him from doing the job as chair. Treasurer Vivlamore advised that Ravenswood Restaurant was the only sponsor not paid to date and Gary Hunter stated he would follow up on same to secure payment.

3. Allstar Committee 

Jerry Smith, Earl Herchenroder and Jay Campbell all stated they were working on securing team personnel and playing formats for the ’09 season. Clarence Vivlamore stated he had the ’09 registration forms with players who returned mailed a willingness to play. Mike Rager stated that he had made a suggestion to combine all division personnel and set up teams that reflect parity and equal playing talents with shared playing formats. Mike said no decision had to be made tonight on this. Jerry Smith suggested a poll be taken of all three division players at the start of the new season to consider such a plan.

4. CPR Course 

Bill Kloc stated he secured a date for the course – Tuesday, April 28th at 6 p.m. at the Sportsman’s Club in Clifton Park. Bill said the league has authorized $500.00 for the course and that he presently has 18 applicants (at $25 per head) as follows: Gary Palmer, Tony Longobardo, Ed Plew, Glen Garver, George Laya, Rich Pavone(?), Wally Lozano, Gary Hunter, Ron Vandenburgh, Jerry Smith, Don Miller, Jack Postulka, Barry Plunkett, Clarence Vivlamore, Stu Kaplan, Walt Williams, Tom Ricci, Don Roberts. 

Bill advised this course is the Heart Association course carrying a two-year certification.

5. Personnel

Draft and Re-Draft 2009 Season

Discussion was initiated by Jay Campbell, Jerry Smith and Stu Kaplan concerning the necessity of same for the ’09 season in the Spagnola and Falzo Divisions to secure parity and equality in their teams. Mike Rager and Tony Longobardo discussed the current league bylaws and rules concerning a two-year time period and that this was not a new draft year. Mike said that this action may well require a change in the league bylaws and constitution. Jerry Smith and Gary Hunter explained that this was being done due to special circumstances in that Spagnola and Falzo were new divisions and required same to achieve parity. 

Stu Kaplan provided excellent discussion on his senior basketball league’s format which does an annual re-draft in order to achieve parity. Jay Campbell dissented with Stu on this point as he plays in the same basketball league but stated his division managers/team reps. wanted and voted for a re-draft for ’09 - 3 – 1. Jerry Smith and Bill Kloc stated that the bylaws and rules were not meeting present league needs and badly needed reform. Jerry said he felt he had the authority based on prior votes at prior meetings to do whatever he needed as to achieve parity and equality in his Division. Jerry stated that each Division has separate and independent rules and he should have the flexibility and independence to meet his Division’s needs regardless of what the other two Divisions do.

President Mike Rager said he disagreed with Jerry and that to his recollections no such grant of authority had been given to Jerry to so act.

Armand Scatena then made a motion that each Division be given the flexibility and authority to make a decision to conduct a new draft each year based upon their own needs. Stu Kaplan seconded the motion.

Discussion was had on the motion. Stu Kaplan stated that it may well be necessary each year to re-draft and that a Division should have the choice to do it based upon individual needs. Jack Postulka agreed with Stu and said that a committee should be formed to re-form the current bylaws and rules to reflect present needs. Mike Rager stated there was such a committee in place since the January ’08 meeting consisting of Wally Lozano and Bob Kibbey but no report had been made to date.

Armand Scantena said in further support of his motion that it would take a majority vote by the managers/team reps. in each Division to pass any annual draft or re-draft proposal and hence would be fair to all Division teams and players.

Jay Campbell expressed to all that this process could lead to roster problems and some players being left off a team. Jay said that it could also encourage players to jump teams and create instability in the Divisions.

Jerry Smith said that his rosters are fluid in Spagnola and would be increased as necessary to make sure every player is placed on a Spagnola team. Stu Kaplan agreed with Jerry on increasing the roster size so that no one would be turned away. Mike Rager and Tony Longobardo repeated their concern about league unity and Mike stated in no uncertain terms, to the point of considering resigning as president that this motion was not in the best interest of the league; was contrary to league unity and contravened in whole or part the entire league by law, rule, and constitutional structure. Mike stated in his opinion this type of motion could open the door to separate banquet sites, player age eligibility, separate advertising, separate finances and a whole host of other separate and unequal actions which could be unfair to the other divisions and the entire league membership of players as well. Tony Longobardo agreed with Mike and said that our league was one ruled by reason and our bylaws, rules and constitution and they should be followed unless lawfully changed. Mike Rager then closed the discussion and the vote proceeded to be taken on the motion. The motion carried and was passed by a 10 – 3 vote in favor of same. 

Mike Rager then asked if there were any further committee reports and there were none.

Rules and Umpires -- Len LoFrisco

Len LoFrisco reported that he has secured the services of 27 umpires. 10 to do all Divisions, 10 for modified only and 7 for High Arc. Len said he was planning to set up a meeting on April 18, at the field weather permitting, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the rules briefly and pass out rule books. Len said he needed more Falzo Division candidates and that Jerry Smith was handling the high arc umpires and schedules accordingly. Len said he needed schedules from Brad Buchan to make proper assignments accordingly. Jay Campbell said the April 18th date was difficult in that he was conducting try outs, skill assessments for 10-12 people. Len said he would keep things brief and Jerry Smith advised him that scheduling and naming umpires must await the Spagnola re-draft in order to avoid and obviate conflicts. Len agreed. Len ended his presentation stating that he would welcome any additional umpire candidates for the ’09 season.

Division Reports

Jerry Smith reported that Spagnola has 24 new players, with three to five more expected by the end of the week. He anticipated a total of 78 players, fielding 5 teams with 13 – 14 man rosters. Jerry said his Division lost 13 players but he has picked up 4 – 5 more through ads. He stated he may well have 6 Div. teams, expanding for the ’09 season if he secures 2 – 3 more players. Mike Rager said the advertisements Jerry was talking about did not include the other Divisions and were one-sided in presenting our league as only a High Arc league. Mike said this constituted a slight to the league in that it improperly reflected that the league was just for one Division. Jerry said that this was not the intent or description of the ad. Jerry said he discussed these ads with George Laya, chair of the media and publicity committee and cleared same through him. Jerry stated in no uncertain terms that he was not hiding any ad or potential sponsor info and that he deeply resented the unfair criticism directed at him that he was doing something improper. He indicated Dennis Walpole may be a potential manager for a potential new sponsor – team and that Bill Martone also had a potential sponsor – nothing was definite in either area and Jerry felt it was unnecessary to provide details unless something solid developed. Jerry then closed his Division report.

Jay Campbell reported that his Falzo Division met last Sat. (April 4th) and that they will go with 4 teams. They have 15 new player candidates and the 4 teams have voted (3 – 1) to re-draft for the ’09 season. Jay advised that Falzo has changed to a double elimination play-off format with a 15 regular game format. Jay said the expected roster size for each team was a minimum of 13 players. The possibility of a reserve list has to be discussed and will be taken up at a later time, together with the consideration of increasing the roster size to 14 players. 

Barry Plunkett reported for the Craig Division that all 4 teams and players are ready for Opening Day.

Schedule

Jerry Smith advised that the Spagnola Div. has completed its schedule and transmitted it to Brad Buchan for publication. Jerry said Spagnola was scheduled for 5 teams and 6 if needed. His Division will finish playing in August and will play a 20 game schedule – with Tuesday and Thursday night playing dates. Jerry said he has only three Tuesday night dates. 

Mike Rager directed that Brad Buchan should receive notification from the Div. Reps. to complete and publish the schedule with team names et al accordingly. 
 

Old Business:

Mike Rager advised that two league players (Jerry Smith and Len LoFrisco) face disciplinary determinations of suspensions from the ’09 season’s opening day games. Jerry Smith stated that it was his understanding that the suspensions could be served for any games. Disciplinary Committee members Jay Campbell and Earl Herchenroder disagreed with Jerry and agreed with Mike. Mike advised Jerry to check further with Bill Martone, the third committee member on this, but as it stands now it will be opening day game suspensions for both players.

New Business: