Mid-Atlantic Amateur Softball  Association  

Board and Coaches Meeting Minutes

Feb 4, 2016

 Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm

In Attendance:

Danny W. – Commissioner

John B. - Assistant Commissioner/Gunners Coach

Ronnie L. - Treasurer

Ross F. – Secretary

John L. - Ex-Officio

Brandon W. - Rep for VA Sting

Rick F – Lighting Coach

Joe B – Team Fritz Coach

Cody B – Observer

Jose N. - Observer

The meeting agenda was set by the Executive Board

EXECUTIVE  BOARD  UPDATE

Prior to the Board meeting, League Secretary Billy M. submitted a letter of resignation to the Board.  Commissioner Danny W. asked Ross F. if he would step in to serve as secretary for the remainder of the term, through 2016.  Based on his agreement, the Executive Board voted to appoint Ross F as league secretary.

FINANCIAL

Ronnie L. presented the Treasurer's report

There was $5,778.81 in the league account as of 12-31-2016.

With transactions thru January and part of February the current bank balance was $5,346.98

Income - 1 Team Insurance Paid. (VA Sting)   4 Players registered and paid

Expenses - NAGAAA fees and NAGAAA winter meeting expenses paid

 Field reserved.  Dates for league  play have been set up.

 REGISTRATION  INFORMATION

MAASA web site ready to accept registrations.

Coaches need to register their teams, if not yet registered.

Team Insurance $300 due March 22nd,  A drop dead date.

Early Bird player registration thru March 31st  is $70.00.  Registration cost increases to $75 after this.   A player’s registration will be sent to the team coach for approval before the player can pay their registration fee.

As noted in the NAGAAA Winter Meeting update, when registering, players need to make sure their name and birth date match the information listed on a government issued ID.  NAGAAA league will verify this information when a player attends a NAGAAA event.  A player will be fined if the information does not match correctly.  All players also need to enter a correct e-mail address. Coaches will be issued player registration information during the season to review all registrations as best possible.  This will be coordinated by John B.

 WINTER  MEETING  UPDATE

Ronnie L. represented MAASA and attended the  meeting in Austin , TX

He attended  501-c-3 committee meetings based on our league’s interest in becoming a 501-c-3 organization.  Based upon information from these meetings, there was a consensus not to apply for a 501-c-3 designation for the league

Courtesy Runners Change -  Per ASA Rule 8 Section 9B2 which states that any eligible player on the official line-up including available substitutes may be used as a courtesy runner. A courtesy runner will be permitted to be used once per inning.   The courtesy runner would be an automatic out if they were to come up again in the same inning in which they were the courtesy runner.

Player Registrations - when registering, Players need to make sure their name and birth date match the information listed on a government issued ID.  NAGAAA league will verify this information when a player attends a NAGAAA event.  If incorrect, a player will be fined

NAGAAA decided that players may compete in multiple leagues but can only qualify in 1 league. The player needs to indicate his league choice prior to the start of league play.

NAGAAA world series entry fee reduced to $500 from $600.

NAGAAA  league fee has been reduced to $250.00

2016 World Series to be in Austin, TX.  August 15 - 20.

2017  NAGAAA Winter Meeting to be held in Portland, Oregon.

 SPECIAL  ELECTIONS

League Treasurer  - On Feb 1, a message was posted on the league web site in regards to the voided 2015 Treasurers election.  New elections are to be held the second week of league play on April 24, 2016 if there is no rain-out.  Ballots need to be printed by April 17. 2016. Election committee needs to be formed by April 18.  Position is open for any members of good standing.

 2016  ELECTIONS

Will be held during the One Pitch Tournament on August 7, 2016

Open offices are the Commissioner and Secretary

MEET  AND GREET

Meet and Greet will be held March 13th, 12 Noon at Northside Park.  (Rain date of March 20th,12 noon, Northside Park.)  John B will produce a flyer  for distribution to help promote the event and generate interest in the league.

PLAY  DATES

League decided to have 10 play dates for the 2016 season and the One-Pitch tournament.

Based on 20 games, players will need to play 10 games in order to qualify for World Series play.  There were 8 play dates and the One-Pitch tournament in 2015.

         League play dates:  April 17,  24.

                                           May 1, 15,  22.

                                          June 5, 12, 26.

                                          July 10, 24.

                                          One-Pitch tournament Aug 7

                                            Make-up dates are July 17, 31.

TEAM   UPDATES

The Blue Baller's will not field a team this year.

Jose N. expressed interest in  fielding a team for the 2016 season

BY-LAWS  UPDATES

Ronnie L to make changes to MAASA league by-laws based upon changes to NAGAAA by-law changes  approved at the 2016 winter meetings.  Since these do not require a league vote the changes will be sent to the exec. Board for approval.

 Respectfully Submitted,

Ross F.

Secretary,  MAASA