Baltimore Beltway Senior Softball League

Post-Season Meeting Minutes

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Cedar Lane Park

Ellicott City, Maryland

1. Meeting called to order at 10:05 a.m.

2. All teams were represented.

3. Recapping the 2008 season, kudos went out to the two new teams, Howard Hitters and Carroll Gray on their successes. Also noted were Carroll Blue and Dundalk for winning their divisional playoffs. Joe Valonis was recognized for his willingness to take on the job of web master and for keeping the web site running and up to date. Rich Costa was also recognized for his statistical reporting of games during the season.

4. After a brief discussion of the league age profile, the next order of business was to induct two potential new teams into the league. Neither of the two teams sent a representative and thus was denied membership.

5. There was discussion about the increase in the cost of softballs related to the increase in oil prices across the country. In the past, by ordering at least 72 dozen balls, we would get free shipping. The proposed cost for shipping would add $3.00 a dozen raising our price to $42/ dozen versus $39/dozen. I order balls for the Baltimore Beltway League, a Co-Rec league in Howard County, and all the draft leagues in Montgomery County. If the combined order reaches 144 dozen balls, then shipping would once again be free. So everyone was encouraged to increase the quantity of each order this year. Generally all teams ordered two-dozen balls with the exception of Howard Hitters (Zero) and Howard Red (three).

6. Teams were encouraged to make their team rosters as all-inclusive as possible. It was recommended they provide e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers if available.

7. One item was deferred until the spring meeting that was submitted by Ed Pugh. Items included: handling of injured players; running for the batter; designated courtesy runners; pitcher’s equipment; and the flip-flop rule.

8. A motion by Vail Clemence seconded by Ray Owings to change the starting count in games from 0 & 0 to 1 & 1 was unanimously denied.

9. There was discussion about our Tie-Breaking Criteria. The agreement among Managers was that a team’s won-lost record during the regular season determines their standing. In the event of a tie for first place, a one game playoff will be played between the teams to determine division champions. If more than two teams are tied then our existing tie-breaking criteria will be applied. However, the provision for determining least amount of runs allowed will be applied only amongst the competitors. In applying the tie-breaking criteria in the event of a three-way tie, the result will be a ranking of the teams involved. Then the teams ranked two and three would play an additional game and the winner would play the number one team with the winner of that game declared champion.

10. There was considerable debate about the structure of the league for 2009. A straw vote was taken between the options of a 2, 3 or 4 divisions. Managers were not limited to just one choice. The result of this vote leaned heavily toward four divisions. Vail Clemence made the motion to adopt the four-division structure and Ray Owings seconded it. The ensuing vote came our 8 to 8, thus denying its adoption.

11. After more debate about league structure, Charlie Renner made a motion to adopt a three-division structure and it was seconded by Ron Ward. The outcome of the vote was 13-3 in favor of three divisions. Therefore the league will be aligned as follows:

Division A Division B Division C

Glen Elg Carroll Blue Dundalk

Howard Red Parkville Greenbelt

Harford Bel Air Bowie Gold

Glen Burnie Catonsville Carroll Gray

Old Liners Howard Hitters

Bowie Silver Bowie Bronze

Division A plays Division A teams 6 times for 30 games, and Division B 2 times for 12 games, 42 total.

Division B plays Division B 4 times for 20 games, and Division A 2 times for 12 games, and Division C 3 times for 12 games, 44 total.

Division C plays Division C 8 times for 24 games, and Division B 3 times of 18 games, 42 total.

12. ASA Commissioner for DC/Maryland, Jack Mowatt gave an update on the latest efforts affecting both bats and balls. Experiments will be conducted by a number of parties on new ball which is a 52 COR with 275 compression. A report will be provided later next year. Jack also presented Championship Plaques to Howard Red, Glen Elg and Bel Air for winning regular season championships.

13. Your Commissioner thanked everyone for attending and presented individual desk trophies for members of the regular season championship teams. Plaques were also presented to each of the Playoff winners, Division A-1 Howard Red, Division A-2 Carroll Blue, Division B-1 Bel Air, and Division B-2 Dundalk.

11. Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Next meeting in February, 2009.

Respectfully submitted

Jim Ganz

Commissioner