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INFORMATION
STRUCTURE
2009
SEASON
ARCHIVES
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Meeting Minutes
MVP HEALTHCARE
Capital District Senior Softball League
June 30, 2009
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President Mike Rager called the meeting to order at the American League Post #1450, 275 Grooms Road, Clifton Park, N.Y. at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were:
Barry Plunkett, Lenny LoFrisco, Don Roberts, Mike Rager, Jon Olson, Tony Longobardo, Dale Meyers, Jay Campbell, Bill Martone, Wally Lozano, Jack Postulka, Jerry Smith, Walt Williams, Tom Ricci, Bob Janes, Bob Kibbey, Rudy Capparella, Dan Canestrari, Ken Peat, Al Schmidt, Clarence Vivlamore, Paul Danner, Earl Herchenroder, Ron Vandenberg.
Voting Purposes:
American Legion – Jon Olsen; Best Paving – Barry Plunkett; Strecks – Dale Meyers and Jay Campbell; Circle Diner – Proxy Jay Campbell Falzo Div. Rep; Anaconda – Wally Lozano; Edward Jones – Ken Peat; Normark – Mark Galeo; Ravenswood – Ron VanDenburgh; Sportsmans Club – Al Schmidt; PCI – Tom Ricci; Seton Health – Paul Danner; Clickner – Jack Postulka; Mohawk Electronics – Don Canestrari.
Secretary’s Report:
On motion of Tony Longobardo (Paul Danner seconded) the minutes of April 7, 2009 were accepted without revision, correction or amendment and the motion was approved and passed 13 – 0.
Treasurer’s Report:
On motion of Don Roberts (Jerry Smith seconded) Treasurer Vivlamore’s itemized report for the period 4/8/09 – 6/30/09 was accepted without revision, correction or amendment showing income for the period of $2,495.00; a balance as of 4/8/09 of $30,628.73; expenses for the period $13,068.33 and a balance as of 6/30/09 of $20,055.40; the motion was approved and passed 13 – 0. Copies of the report are available for review upon request.
Grounds and Equipment, Grant – Jerry Smith
Grounds – Jerry reported that the new tractor and roller accessory have been invaluable in field upkeep and maintenance. Despite weather constraints, nothing out of the ordinary has occurred in the grounds keeping area except that the area Little League teams are not utilizing proper grounds keeping methods and maintenance procedures for their games. Jerry pointed out they are shoveling the mud and wet dirt off the fields and taking the soil conditioner with it. This creates craters and water traps. Jerry reported he has conferred with Little League officials and Mike Hanrahan of the Town of Clifton Park’s field maintenance operation. He will continue to do so. Barry Plunkett suggested that the Little League and the Town buy the next shipment of soil-master/conditioner or reimburse our league accordingly. Barry said it should not be the league’s position to financially subsidize either the Little League or Town for the maintenance of these fields and do it forever. Jerry said he is following up on this to try and resolve it favorably for the league.
Mike Rager asked Jerry for a ballpark expense figure concerning purchases of soil conditioner for next season. Jerry stated he is presently reviewing expenses in this area with Clarence Vivlamore and will get a clearer picture on potential expense and what is needed for future field maintenance purchases when this is completed.
Equipment – Jerry reported that this area is secure for the present season and any further purchases will await his review of expenses with Treasurer Vivlamore.
Grant – Jerry reported that we will not receive a 2009 Grant due to State government financial woes. He is presently completing and updating the grant expense-payment schedules for 2008. Jerry stated he is working with Assemblyman Reilly’s office to file and re-apply for a grant in January 2010 but was not optimistic about the league receiving same due to State government budget constraints.
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Committee Reports:
1. Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Committee headed up by Ed Plew (Howie Schermerhorn, Wally Lozano, Eric Bohnet and Don Miller) are meeting Wed., 7/1/09 to secure an induction list of candidates for ’09. The list of candidates will be distributed to all Team Managers and Reps for final vote approval. Then the votes will be tabulated by the Committee and the selections will be presented at the ’09 Awards Banquet. Mike Rager said that to his recollection the Committee’s present basic standards for a candidate’s consideration are either 5 or 8 years of league membership and service, 65 years of age, with outstanding league service contributions combined with playing record. Jack Postulka offered that the basic elements of age and membership are too narrow and should be opened up to everyone regardless of age and membership date. Mike Rager said this was a Committee planning decision and basically they could exercise their discretion and change this if they wished to do so. Wally Lozano stated he will not be able to make the meeting 7/1 (at the Circle Diner) but would phone Ed Plew to discuss all of this and try to resolve same.
2. Media
George Laya discussed that under present advertising copy guidelines the league should avoid putting itself in position to tell candidate players that there are no spots available to play. If the league advertises on an “open-play” basis then we should adhere to same. Reserve lists, cut lists are not in keeping with present advertising. George said that if the league wants to change the advertising it can do so for next season.
Further discussion and review of this subject matter (and/or necessary changes), should be implemented before next season’s advertising occurs. Mike Rager agreed with George and tabled this for further review at future meetings.
3.
Bylaws and Constitution
Wally Lozano reported that his Committee (Bob Janes, Jon Olsen, George Laya, Bob Kibbey) are still reviewing the Constitution and Bylaws presently in place to see what should be revised. Wally said he is reviewing a document drawn up by Al Bogartz, but not passed by league membership, to compare it with the present rules. Wally said the Committee will report further at subsequent meetings on its progress. Mike Rager tabled same accordingly.
4. Banquet
Tony Longobardo, Committee Chair, reported that the Committee (Wally Lozano, Clarence Vivlamore and himself) had secured an agreement for the ’09 Awards Banquet as follows: After reviewing sites at the Van Patten Golf Course and the Water’s Edge Light House Banquet Hall the committee reached an agreement with the Water’s Edge Light House to hold the ’09 Awards Banquet there.
The annual awards dinner will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Water’s Edge Light House Banquet Hall, 2 Freeman’s Bridge Road, Scotia, N.Y. Time will be 6 – 10 p.m., hor d’oeuvres: 6 to 7 p.m, Dinner (Sit Down) – 7 p.m.; Cost: $10.00 per member and $20.00 per guest (no refunds or additions after Oct. 8th, 2009), Music & Dancing. The choice of meals will be Chicken Parmesan, Prime Rib, Stuffed Filet of Sole or Vegetarian Option. Beer and Soda is included; everything else is cash bar.
Flyers with directions to the site will be distributed to all Team Managers during July for each team and league member, to be returned with appropriate check made out to CDSSL for the total amount, by mail, to Clarence Vivlamore, 71 Southbury Rd., Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065.
Tony Longobardo reported that the agreement is for 150 guests at $40.00 per person including tax and gratuity. If the guests go above 150 an additional $5 will be added to the $40.00 cost for the additional people above 150 only. Tony stated that the ball-park final cost will be around $6,000.00 and should be less expensive than last year’s banquet cost with additional benefits (free beer and soda).
Tony also reported that he is working on securing gift certificates from the Water’s Edge to join with Anaconda, per Wally Lozano, to be presented as door prizes at the banquet.
Tony also said it will be necessary to establish a gratis list for MVP, sponsors and Hall of Fame non-league guests. Mike Rager requested the members also consider granting free guest tickets to ’08 Hall of Fame member Ed Craig and his wife for Ed’s long and dedicated service to the league. All assembled unanimously agreed to do so.
5.
Sponsors
Mike Rager reported that Ravenswood Restaurant was late in payment and follow-up was needed to secure same. Jerry Smith said they always pay later and requested Treasurer Vivlamore to send them a late payment notice. Jerry was confident that this would do it and that upon receipt of this notice they would remit the sponsor payment.
6. Election
Concerning the ’09 election of League Officers in August, Committee Chair Tony Longobardo requested that all Managers/Team Reps poll their teams for candidates by July 15th. Tony stated that as it stands now there are 4 candidates unopposed at present: Bill Martone – President, Bill Kloc – Vice President, Bob Kibbey - Treasurer, Joe DiFabio – Secretary. Tony stated if no one comes forward, that under Robert’s Rules the Secretary (Barry Plunkett) can cast one vote to put them into office. Clarence Vivlamore reported that players in his Falzo Division have discussed the offices and may well decide to run. He felt strongly that everyone be given a fair chance to decide if they wish to run and that Tony’s plan of July 15th is a good one. Jack Postulka requested that if there are no additional candidates that the one vote be cast by Sec. Plunkett on July 15th. President Mike Rager agreed with Tony and Clarence and said that Jack’s plan could be implemented at a field meeting without the necessity of a final league meeting being convened.
Mike Rager then asked if there were any further committee reports and there were none.
MVP OLDE STARS:
Committee members Jerry Smith, Jay Campbell and Earl Herchenroder reported that 60 new jersey and hats have been purchased and paid for by MVP together with 30 hats and jerseys for the traveling teams. All of this was paid for by MVP with its new Health Care brand on same. This expense cost was in addition to their annual sponsor fee under our contract with them.
Jerry, Earl and Jay are presently working up rosters and schedules with a view to utilizing Tues. and Thurs. mornings for games. Players will be polled from all teams and teams will be formed with skill, ability and safety concerns being guidelines to establish parity and equality on the teams. Earl Herchanroder said the format used last year worked well – the joint best of each div. playing each other and the lower half of Falzo squaring off with Craig’s better half.
The committee will also establish field availability for additional week-day, night and Sunday day games as needed.
The playing format will be medium pitch, unless otherwise agreed to.
Mike Rager and Wally Lozano agreed that game results should be transmitted to MVP for publication in their Newsletter.
Rules and Umpires
Len Lofrisco reported that Dale Meyers has been an excellent recruit to the staff and that scheduling despite weather has gone very well. Cooperation with Spagnola has been good and he requested Jerry Smith to provide a list of those to be paid for the Spagnola Div. so Treasurer Vivlamore can issue game payment checks.
Len stated that he wished to have a Craig rules meeting and requested Div. Rep. Barry Plunkett to set up same (at the fields will be o.k.) with the Mgrs.
Division Reports
Jay Campbell (Falzo) and Jerry Smith (Spagnola) reported that their divisions are right on track despite the bad weather. Jay reported that Falzo will play 16 games and has eliminated the position playoff round games.
Barry Plunkett (Craig) reported that Craig will make up its position round games when the managers agree to dates (weekdays or Sun). Barry stated that he has completed his term as Div. Rep. and thanked all Craig Mgrs. and Team Reps. for their help and cooperation over the years. Barry gave a special vote of thanks to Earl Herchenroder who was always there and available with a helping hand and good advice for every problem that came up and needed resolution. Barry reported that he has conferred with Walt Williams to replace him and that he considers Walt an excellent choice with all the qualifications to do an outstanding job as Div. Rep. for Craig. Barry also requested that if the Mgrs and Team Reps had other candidates to advise him and he would set up a meeting accordingly.
Barry stated that as his last official act as Div. Rep that he was authorized by Best Paving team mgr Ray Vallee to invite Jay Campbell (Falzo Div. Rep) to arrange a game between Best Paving and Falzo’s Normark or Circle Diner teams. Vallee termed it a mid season classic – an old fashion Craig versus Falzo showdown game to be played by Falzo rules. Ray said he will be happy to discuss game arrangements with the Falzo mgrs. Jay said he would look into it and confer with Ray and Falzo mgrs. accordingly.
Barry closed by saying this could become an annual game event for the league.
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Old Business:
Bill Martone reported that he is following up on the Insurance Program and that his review with USSA association personnel appears to be promising. Good broad levels of coverage which are cost effective, with bond and rider, for league officials, players and umpires for liability, defalcation, errors and omissions plus potential traveling team coverage. Bill said that presently 30 team/league members are USSA members and that qualifies CDSSL for the cost effective premium coverage. Bill said he still needs to do more research and review to pin down all of what he outlined but indicated he felt it was going in a positive direction and will follow up and report further at future meetings.
New Business:
Don Canestrari reported that fences at the field should be covered with PCV pipe for player safety. The players could do it themselves in stages. Jerry Smith indicated that it would take approximately 1300 feet of pipe to cover 3 fields.
Mike Rager stated that the Town should be informed of this and they should either pay for it, do the work, or reimburse the league accordingly. Mike said this is an issue the new league administration should address and follow up on. Dale Meyers said the Town of Clifton Park did this on the fields at the Town Commons and should do it on our fields.
Jay Campbell (Falzo Div. Rep) revisited the team/player draft issue vote passed at the April 7, ’09 meeting. Jay opened discussion stating he felt all three Divisions should be consistent on an annual draft plan – be it annual, or two years. Jay felt that the league now has new players coming in and there could well be more switching teams, and divisions. Jay stated that for the league to have unity, parity, continuity and balance a consistent drafting plan for the three Divs. was not unreasonable.
Mike Rager stated that there should be a two-year plan with each Div. free to make whatever necessary changes it wishes to secure parity and equality in the odd or off year.
Jerry Smith (Spagnola Div. Rep) continued the discussion stating each Div. should be free to determine its own draft needs on a yearly basis. This would depend on the choices of managers in his Div. Jerry said each Div. should have draft freedom to benefit each Div. He said players should have the freedom of choice to play whatever they want – high arc, medium pitch or 65+ - and have the ability to switch accordingly.
Jay Campbell said that this could well create personnel problems with players not having a team to play on and could create reserve list and expansion problems in the future that would potentially hurt the league. Mike Rager agreed with Jay and said this subject will bear future review, discussion and follow up.
Ron Vandenburgh discussed the fact that in his opinion the parity issue can be affected by the quality of a team’s manager. Ron asked if a mgr. had to be approved each year? Mike Rager said that as it stands now each Div. approves its own managers. Ron felt this issue is key to parity and equality – he thought managers or new managerial candidates had to be approved each year and he wasn’t sure if this rested with other managers or the players themselves. Mike Rager stated that as it stands now, each Division sets its own guidelines for approval of managers.
Jerry Smith requested all managers to secure game jerseys at the last game because it has become very expensive to replace same.
Tony Longobardo, on behalf of the league, thanked Jerry Smith and Jay Campbell for their outstanding field maintenance efforts on game day this season.
Tony Longobardo also thanked outgoing officers Mike Rager (Pres.), Clarence Vivlamore (Treasurer) and Barry Plunkett (Sec.) for their efforts and achievements on behalf of the league while in office. This will be their last league meeting. |
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President Rager then called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Walt Williams moved to adjourn the meeting (Paul Danner seconded); the motion was approved and passed on unanimous consent. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barry C. Plunkett
Sec./Mgr. of Documents
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