SMMBL Meeting Minutes for 1/18/07

 

Location:  Aero Heating & Ventilation

 

Attendance:  All League Officers (Christian came in after the start of the meeting) and all team reps

 

Also attending:  Jeremy Reynolds---representing new team (Indians)

 

 

1.   Meeting called to order

 

2.   Secretary’s report:  Minutes from October meeting were presented, Mike Sawyer

      motioned to approve, seconded by Al Livingstion.  All were in favor and approved.

 

3.   Ethics Committee Report:  nothing to report at this time

 

4.   Treasurer’s Report:  Playoffs cost more in 2006 than they have before which dipped 

      into the budget.  The 2007 should start with about $5000 after we pay Deering Oaks  

      for 2006 season.

 

5.   Old Business:  none

 

6.   New Business:

   

A.       League Officers:  Jim made a motion to keep the same League Officers in place again for this year.  This will be tabled until Christian Smith arrives to the meeting.

 

B.        Team Changes/Additions: 

1.  Reds:  Tom Walker indicated that they would like to change their team name   

     to the Astros.  Also noted, that 4 of last year’s players were not returning to 

     play for his team.

2.        Cubs:  Chad Butts indicated that they would like to change their team name to

     the Dodgers.

3.        New team:  Jeremy Reynolds representing the newly formed team, Indians, will be bringing $500 deposit to the next meeting.

4.        Yankees:  Stu Gardner indicated that he would like their team name to change to the White Sox.

5.        Jim noted that with 14 teams now in the league, the divisions will be as follows:

    National:  Orioles, White Sox, Pirates, Red Sox, Cardinals, A’s and

                     Dodgers

  American:  Brewers, Marlins, Indians, Braves, Astros, Royals and

                     Tigers

          All members present were in agreement with all the above changes and additions.

 

C.        Waivers/Rosters:  Each team was given 20 waivers and 3 rosters

 

D.  Baseballs:  Jim brought up 2 options for discussion, Diamond (D1 Pro) or the  

      National ball (RMSBL) made by Rawlings w/ a league logo.  Clair motioned that

      he would like to go with the Rawlings ball to support the MSBL, James LeBlond

      seconded the motion.  11 members were in favor and 1 member opposed.  Motion

      was passed to use the Rawlings ball for 2007.  Ben Redmond said that he would

      work on getting some logos made up for the next meeting for approval.  Jim

      mentioned that everyone was welcome to send ideas for a league logo.

 

E.       Deering Oaks:  Jim spoke with Ethan at Portland Parks & Rec and they will

continue to charge the league as residents.  Ethan also asked if we would like to

play our playoff games at Hadlock after August 31st.  This is something that Jim

will have to discuss further with him.

 

F.       Season and Playoffs:  Jim is looking into the season beginning April 29th and

ending by mid-August.  This will allow playoffs to finish no later than the 2nd

week of September.  More on this will be determined once the season schedule

is drafted.

 

G.       Other new business:

1.  July 4th Tourney:  Clair indicated that the dates for this year’s tournament will

     be July 6-8.  He would also like to see the tournament become non-profit in

     2008 and donate the money made from the event to charity.  At the moment,

     money made from the tournament is distributed to the teams that play in the

     Fall tournaments in Arizona.

2.  Age division change:  For the 2007 season the league will have the following

     age divisions---28+ and 35+ (change from 38+) and in 2008 the league will be

     25+ and 35+.  This will follow what the MSBL is doing and will hopefully help

      the 35+ division grow in 2007.

3.  Jim motioned that the 35+ division tie in with the current 28+ division as far as

            guidelines, rules and by-laws.  He added that this division should have their

           own President and nominated Clair Crandall for the position.  Mike Sawyer

            made the motion to accept, Mike Vogel seconded and all present approved.

      4.  Ben Redmond mentioned about reading that the Boston League holds a tourney

           in November for Toys for Tots.  He thought that maybe the league would like

           to do something similar.  This will be further discussed at a mid-season

           meeting.

5.  Nava Spaulding asked if the age eligibility date could be changed from June

     1st to July 1st allowing more players to enter the league.  No change will be

     made on this.

6.        Mike Sawyer asked if we could have an All-Star Tourney (SMMBL vs

Twilight League).  Jim will talk with Nick Caiazzo.

 

H.      League Officers:  In continuance of item 6-A, upon Christian’s arrival Clair

made a motion to keep the same League Officers for the 2007 season.  James

LeBlond seconded, all present approved.

 

Jim Doran:  Commissioner SMMBL (both divisions)

Mike Vogel: President 28+ division

Clair Crandall: President 35+ division

Christian Smith: Secretary/Treasurer (both divisions)

Mac Herrick: Ethics Committee Chairperson

 

     I.  Rules & By-Laws:  Jim went over the changes he would like to make to the current

          By-Laws that are now in place.  After doing so, a vote was take and all members

          approved the necessary changes.  Another vote will be taken on this at the next

          scheduled meeting.  He will discuss the changes to the current Playing Rules at the

          next scheduled meeting.

 

     J.  Next meetings will be Thursday, February 15th at 7pm and Thursday, March 15th at

          7pm.  Location: Aero Heating & Ventilation

 

     K.  Meeting adjourned 9:15pm

 

 

Minutes submitted by Terri Doran (in place of Christian Smith)