2005 SMMBL BY-LAWS

Article One---Name

The name of the organization shall be Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League (referred to as the SMMBL)

Article Two---Purpose

The purposes of the SMMBL League are as follows:

(a) to develop high standards in our National Pastime through character and citizenship, and encourage good, clean competition.

(b) to promote the welfare of the game of baseball, and its players.

Article Three---Membership

(a) Active Members: those who fulfill the requirements of membership and who qualify to play games.

(b) A player is eligible to play in the Southern Maine Men¹s Baseball League if they have reached their (28) birthday by June1. of said year.

Article Four---Teams and Players

(a) Teams roster must be submitted to the Commissioner office by April 15 each year or 10 days before first game is scheduled, whichever date is sooner. The submission of a team roster to the Commissioner shall be done by filling out completely a form provided by the SMMBL which will ask for player’s names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and any other pertinent information. The submission to the Commissioner shall also include a signed player waiver and consent form from each player. The penalty for failing to submit a team roster by the deadline, will cause the team to be fined $50.00, failure to pay the fine in a timely manner will cause the team to be  disqualification from league play that calendar year. The disqualification can only be overturned by a majority vote of members of the Board of Directors. If the Commissioner finds a deficiency in any team’s roster, the Commissioner shall bring it to the attention of the appropriate team representative. The team representative shall have 72 hours to correct the problem. Concerning the financial obligation of each team, each team shall submit, along with the roster, cash, a check or money order made payable to SMMBL for the full amount of the annual team fee. That fee shall be set each year by a vote of the Board of Directors, and each team representative shall be given written notice of the required team fee by March 15 of each calendar year, or a later date set by the league, but that date in any event must be 30 days prior to the start of the season.

(b) Only players whose names appear on the initial roster submission by each team to the Commissioner shall be eligible to play in the SMMBL in that calendar year, unless a player meets one of the following exceptions:  

 

(1) A new player may be added to a team roster if a player on the initial roster is injured.

 

(2) A new player may be added to a team roster if a player on the initial roster voluntarily quits for the remainder of the season for any reason.

 

The team must provide an amended roster to the Commissioner, and also submit a signed waiver and player consent form for the player to the Commissioner prior to the player playing in any league game. Also there shall be a fee of $ 50.00 per player added after the initial roster. The player’s financial charge must be submitted at the time the new player’s name is submitted in writing to the Commissioner, along with the amended roster and player waiver consent form.

(c) If the addition of the new player comes at a time when notifying the Commissioner prior to the player playing in a game is impossible or difficult, the team representative may submit the player waiver consent form, amended team roster, and financial check to any league officer before a new player seeks to play. The officer shall serve as the Commissioner Representative, and shall forward these documents and payment to the Commissioner promptly after the game.

 

(d) A player whose name appears on the team’s roster prior to the beginning of the season and played in (1) one game or more may not play for another team during that same calendar year.

Article Five---Meetings

(a) Roberts Rules of Order shall be the governing guide at all meetings. The order of business  shall be as follows:

(1) Meeting called to order.

(2) Roll Call.

(3) Minutes of last meeting.

(4) Secretary’s report and reading of all communications.

(5) Treasurer’s report.

(6) Committee reports.

(7) Old Business.

(8) New Business.

(9) Adjournment.

(b) Regular business meetings shall be held in January, February, March and October. Dates place, and time will be set by the Commissioner, with a (5) five day written notice to each team representative.

(c) A special meeting may be called at any time by the Commissioner or two (2) members of the Executive Committee upon (5) five days written notice by the Commissioner or Secretary to the Team Representatives.

 

Article Six---Voting Procedures

(a) Each team shall be given the right to designate 2 or 3 team representatives; each team shall have one (1) vote per team at any meeting on any league matter.

(b) At any meeting, there shall be a quorum. A quorum shall be defined as 2/3 of all teams being represented at any meeting. In determining a quorum, each team is counted as one unit.

Article Seven---Officers and Committees

Section One. Officers

The officers of the board shall be:

(a) Commissioner

(b) President/ Secretary

(c) Treasurer

 

Section Two. Duties and Stipends

(a) The Commissioner shall preside over all meetings.  Make he budget along with the President/Secretary.  He is to take over the duties of the President/Secretary, when he is unable to perform said duties.  He will make the playoff schedule, set up the dates, fields, and times.  Shall impose such penalties, deems just and appropriate on all violations of these by-laws and/or of the other rules and regulations of the league, and handle the day to day matters.  He will be a member of the Executive Committee.  The Commissioner is to be paid a stipend of $6.00 per player.

 

(b) The President/Secretary makes the budget along with the Commissioner, creates the regular season schedule, will establish the dates, fields and times.  The President/Secretary shall keep accurate records of the proceedings at all meetings and assist the Commissioner with correspondence when necessary.  He will make all records available to the Commissioner or any team representative making a request through the Commissioner, within 24 hours of the request, or as soon as practicable.  He is to take over the duties of the Commissioner, when he is unable to perform said duties.  He will be a member of the Executive Committee.  The President/Secretary is to be paid a stipend of $6.00 per player.

 

(c) The Treasurer shall handle all funds received and expended and keep accurate records. He is to make all records available to the Commissioner or any team representative making a request through the Commissioner, within a 24 hours of the request, or as soon as practicable. He will be a member of the Executive Committee and Ethics Committee. The Treasurer is to be paid a stipend of $ 2.00 per player

 

Section Three. Election of Officers

All officers shall be elected at the January meeting, take office on the day of election, and serve until the next election.

 

Section Four. Standing Committees

(a) Executive Committee--Shall consist of three members including the Commissioner, President/Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall act as the board of Directors of the Organization.

(b) Nominating Committee--shall consist of three members appointed by the President from the team Representatives to present a slate of officers for consideration by Team Representatives at our annual meeting in January.

(c) Ethics Committee--shall consist of five members appointed by the President, at least one member will be from the Executive Committee. The Ethics Committee shall conduct hearings on all violations of these by-laws and/or other rules and regulations of the board and impose such penalties as are appropriate, that are not handled by the Commissioner. An Appeal of the decision of the Ethics Committee, by any member of the Executive Committee shall disqualify from voting on the appeal.

 

Article Eight---Playing Rules

 

Section One. Rules

(a) A players shall comply with the dress code of the league.

(b) All Players shall play and perform in a competent and professional manner.

 

Section Two. Penalties

(a) Any player ejected from any game for any reason will serve a one game suspension for the first offense. A player ejected from a second game will be suspended for the rest of the season.

(b) Any team has (2) forfeits in one season will be expelled from post season tournament.

(c) for a violation of any other rules, such penalty as the Commissioner or the Ethics Committee deems just and appropriate, including probation, suspension, or any combination thereof.

 

Section Three. Hearings

For any violation of the rules of the Board, including these by-laws, a complaint may be submitted in writing to the Commissioner. The affected member shall be advised of the complaint in writing within (10) ten days. The member may then agree to let the Commissioner assess a penalty based upon the complaint, or the member may request a hearing if the request is made within (15) fifteen days of the date of the notice of the complaint. If a hearing is requested, it will be provided within ten days. The member is entitled to appear and present such evidence as is appropriate. A decision by the Commissioner shall be issued within (5) Days. If the member wishes to appeal to the Executive Committee, he may do so in writing to the Secretary of the Commissioner’s decision.

 

Article Nine---Amendments

Amendments to the By-Laws may be made by two thirds vote of those present at a duly constituted meeting. No amendments shall be made until the members have been notified by mail of the proposed amendment, or alternatively, the amendment has been offered at a meeting at least one month prior to a vote on the proposed amendment.