Gwinnett Senior Softball, Inc.
General Membership Meeting
December 2, 2017 - Meeting Minutes

9:35 a.m.  - Gwinnett Senior Center at Bethesda Park

 

Call to Order - Presiding President Bob Morrison called the meeting to order and welcomed members.

 

Opening Prayer - Bert McDade led the membership in an opening prayer.

 

Attendance

The following 2017 Board members were in attendance:
•    Bob Morrison, President
•    Jim Hannah, Vice President
•    Doris Warpole, Secretary
•    Ron Petre, American League Commissioner
•    Rick Rhodes, National League Commissioner
•    Gary Mastrodonato, Past President / Team Sponsorship / Shirts
•    Eurskine Lyons, National League Member at Large
 

Association By-Laws state that all members in good standing in the current calendar year are eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting; and 20% of the eligible membership in attendance shall be considered a quorum. Eighty-two (82) members attended representing 37% of the current active eligible membership of 219.

 

Recognition

Bob recognized the following individuals for their help with the Annual Meeting:
•    Kerri O'Kelly and Joan Salman, Bethesda Senior Center - Meeting room, microphone, screen, podium and coffee.
•    Board Members - Breakfast snacks
•    Jim Hannah – Projector and Pictures
•    Eurskine Lyons – Donated Worth Wicked and Freak Patriotic Bats
•    Danny Gershwin – Donated 2 Barbeque Packages worth $150-$200
•    Tom Koenig - Donated 4 $25 Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Certificates
•    Fred Brett – Donated 3 $20 Biba's Italian Restaurant Gift Certificates
•    Wesley Medford – Donated a $50 Joseph A Banks Gift Card
•    Wayne Griffin – Donated 12 Combat Hats
•    Ron King – Donated 2 Frozen Turkeys
•    Dallas Howard - League Mailings
•    Gwinnett Braves – Donated 4 box seat tickets to 2018 game, GBraves hats and Bobblehead
•    All the individuals who came early and helped in setting up.

 

Bob stated door prizes will be given out during the meeting.  At the end of the meeting, all names will be put back in for the drawing for 5 top prizes ($100 gift certificate from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Worth Wicked bat, Freak Patriotic bat, and 2 Barbeque Packages worth $150-$200.

Special Guest – Gwinnett Braves

• Bob introduced Marc Flick from the Gwinnett Braves.  Bert McDade has worked with Marc to set up the Third Annual GSS League Night Out to the GBraves on Friday, May 11.  Tickets will be $11 each.  
• Depending on the number of tickets sold, Marc said members would walk out on the field, throw out the first pitch, or participate in activities between the innings. 
• Bert said we had 186 participants in the first outing and 109 at the second outing.
• By selecting a date in May, he hopes we will be able to get over 200 so a league member could be selected to throw out the first pitch. 
• Bert stated members could bring their children and grandchildren for a great night of baseball and fireworks after the game.
• Members asked Marc what the new name was going to be for the GBraves (Gwinnett Buttons, Hushpuppies, etc.) 
  • He said he could not tell us until it is announced. 
  • When someone asked about the colors, all he would say is the brand will still have the red and blue colors.
  • Someone also asked why the name change. 
  • Marc stated there was some confusion about GBraves and Atlanta Braves and they wanted to create their own identity/brand.
• Doris will send out a flyer about the Third Annual Night Out in late April.  Any questions about the night out should be directed to Bert who is coordinated the event.  

Old/Unfinished Business 

 

2016 Annual Meeting Minutes

• Bob pointed out that copies of the 2016 annual meeting minutes have been available on the league web site since January and copies were also available in the back of the room for members to review. Bob asked if members present would approve the minutes as written.  (Motion to approve minutes; motion seconded)  Unanimous Vote by Members Present – Minutes approved as written.

New Business - 2017

 

Financial Report

• Since Mike Grobman, Treasurer, was out of town, Bob went over the 2017 Financial Report.  Copies of the financial report were on each table for members to review.  If members have any specific questions related to the 2017 report, they can contact Mike directly.  
• Large line items for this year:
  • o    Umpires, out of county resident fees, and light fees.
  • o    Softball expense is up this year - Bob approved the purchase of extra softballs because of projected cost increase of $5 per dozen in 2018.
• The Dri-Fit shirts were an additional $1,500 compared to the shirts for 2016, and majority of players liked them.  Final decision will be made by the Board at the January meeting.
• Bob stated managers can control the light expense by making sure lights are not turned on too early (at 6:30 p.m.) when it was not necessary.  It is important that managers capture the light start/stop time, so Doris can send the information to Mike and Gwinnett County.
• There was no further discussion or questions regarding the financial report.  Bob asked the members to approve the financial report as presented.   (Motion to approve financial report; motion seconded) 
• Unanimous Vote by Members Present – Financial Report approved as presented.

2017 League Overview

 

Bob mentioned the membership demographics and the results for each league (including Run Difference Analysis and League Stats) were available in the back of the room for members.

Tournament team results have been available on the web site during the year and copies were available in the back of the room.  

 

Membership Overview
o    Membership has been basically “flat” over the last 4-5 years (2014-2017).
o    Age Breakdown:
o    45-59 group decreased 3.2%
o    60-69 group no change
o    70+ group increased 14.3%
o    County breakdown - 48% Gwinnett and 52% other counties.
o    Out of County Fee is paid based on First Half Members.
o    League does not pay an OOC fee for new Second Half Members.

 

Membership statistics and marketing materials (including flyers, league business cards, league magnets, league pens, etc.) were available in the back of the room.  

 

2017 Team Sponsors

• Bob recognized the 2017 Team Sponsors and asked members to use the services or frequent their establishments, whenever possible.  
• Gary stated that we have some new sponsors waiting for 2018.  He’s waiting for confirmation from 2017 sponsors who will be returning or not returning for next year.  If a member is interested in becoming a sponsor, he/she should contact Gary.
• Clif Parker asked if there could be multiple sponsors.  Gary said yes but there would need to be a decision made about what would be on the back of the shirts.
• Ed McVeigh asked if the league could have sponsors to pay for the lights, umpires or softballs.  Gary said this will be discussed at the January Board meeting.
• Tom Koenig asked about sponsors putting up banners on the field.  Gary said the County will not allow us to put up banners or signs on the fences.
• Gary stated the league would like to accommodate all interested sponsors, but we are not NASCAR and it devalues the single sponsor focal point.

Special Recognition – Team Managers / League Commissioners

• Bob stated that the League could not run efficiently without the Team Managers and League Commissioners.  He thanked everyone for their hard work.  
• Commissioners – Rick Rhodes and Ron Petre - $30 gift card
• 12 Team Managers – $20 gift card
• o    American League – Clif Parker, Chris Bolden, Craig Pippin, Ed McVeigh, John Gordon, Steve Morgan
• o    National League – Bill Grimes, Don Johnson, Don Buckner, John Adams, Nate Henry, Jim Hannah.  Note:  Gift card will be sent to Bill Grimes who did attend the meeting.

 

Special Thanks

• Bob recognized 5 members with gift cards for the work they do for the League during the year and at the Annual Meeting: Jim Hannah (Practices and Pictures), Ken Packman (Practices), Jim Bennett (Practices), Kathy Walker (Resident Field Nurse), and Dallas Howard (League Mailings). Note:  Gift cards will be sent to Ken Packman, Jim Bennett and Dallas Howard who did attend the meeting.
• Bob recognized our Umpires - Ed Brown and David Birge for their great work in umpiring the games this year.  Ed thanked the managers for making sure their players were under control, bats were not left out, gates were closed and exchanging line ups so there were no issues with players batting out of order.
• Special Recognition – Kurt Waidler / Octogenarians (80 and up)
• Bob recognized Kurt Waidler who attended the meeting.  Kurt played in the American League and had a stroke in April 2015. It has taken Kurt 3 years of rehab to be able to walk again.  He got a standing ovation from the members.
• Bob asked that all players who are 80 and up (playing and not playing) to stand and be recognized by members.  He pointed out the guys still playing can hit, throw and in some cases run faster than the younger players.  They got a standing ovation from the members.

In Memoriam - League had 4 members pass away this year (Buster Harris, Chuck Taylor, Angelo Mercurio and Howard Cissell.

 

Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award

• All players (except Board Members) are eligible for the Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award.  A committee made up of Harvey Schulman and past Jim Smith Award winners decided on the nominees and voted on a winner.
• The winner is Nate Henry.  Nate’s picture will be posted on the web site and $25 will be donated to the American Cancer Society in Jim Smith’s memory. Bob stated that when he contacted Nate about the award he was emotional and said he always wanted to be considered for this award.
• Since Nate was on a cruise and could not be at the meeting, Harvey arranged for family members to congratulate him on the win and video tape it for the annual meeting. 
• Bob read Marty Simmons’ nomination statement and it was video taped by Jim Hannah to be sent to Nate.  Nate will be presented with his individual Sportsmanship Award next year at the beginning of the season.

New Business - 2018

 

Nominations and Election of Officers

• President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected positions voted on by members. Note:  Officer term is 1 year; officers need to be re-nominated and elected each year.
• Two League Commissioners nominated by President and approved by the Board – Term up to 4 years.
• Three At Large Members appointed by President and approved by the Board – Term up to 4 years. At Large Members serve as an Advisory Council and will step into a mandatory position to continue operation of league.
• The Board voted in the November meeting that Board members should not be managers or assistant managers as it may create an atmosphere of impropriety. 
  • Because of this change, Jim Hannah opted to step down as Vice President to continue to be a Team Manager.
  • Jim felt it is important for new players to meet Managers at practices, be welcomed into the league, and treated with respect to help keep them in the league.
• Bob Morrison, Mike Grobman and Doris Warpole agreed to be re-nominated for President, Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. 
  • Floyd Dembo was presented as a nominee for Vice President.  
• Bob asked if there were other nominations from the floor.  No other candidates were nominated.  The officers ran unopposed.
• The election of officers for the 2018 operating year was held as required by the association Bylaws. 
• Bob asked if members present wanted to accept the officers as nominated. (Motion to approve nominations; motion seconded) Unanimous Vote of Members Present – Nominated Officers approved.

 President           Bob Morrison
 Vice-President   Floyd Dembo
 Treasurer            Mike Grobman
 Secretary            Doris Warpole

 

League Commissioners 2018

Ron Petre and Rick Rhodes agreed to be the American League Commissioner and National League Commissioner, respectively.
 
3 At Large Board Members 2018

•    Harvey Schulman – American League Member at Large / Legal Liaison
•    Eurskine Lyons – National League Member at Large
•    Gary Mastrodonato – Team Sponsorship / Shirts

 

• Bob thanked the Board members for their hard work over the past year and in keeping the best interest of the league in their decisions.
• Board Members do not get paid.
• They volunteer their time and attend several meetings as well as responding to calls and emails from members with suggestions and comments.
• The Board welcomes any suggestions from members and stated a Board member will respond to all complaints, concerns, issues, etc.

2018 Season

 

League Play

• Gary stated that the league will ask Gwinnett County for permits for the softball field: Monday through Thursday from 6:00-11:00 p.m. for the First and Second Half seasons and Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and permits for the baseball field: Tuesday through Thursday from 6:00-11:00 p.m.
• Each league will play 2 nights during the week.  American League will play on Monday and Wednesday; National League will play on Tuesday and Thursday.
• Gary asked if there was any interest in changing nights of play. Straw vote of members’ present was unanimous for no change.

Practices

• Practices will be Monday and Saturday mornings.  Another practice may be scheduled on Thursday morning during the month of March.
• Starting time of practices will depend on the weather – the colder the weather (i.e., December thru March 11:00 a.m.); the warmer the weather (i.e., April thru November 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.).
• When the practice time changes, the web site is updated, and a blast email is sent to members with email addresses, and a notice is posted on our Facebook page.  Depending on number of players who show up, practices generally last 2-3 hours.
• NOTE:  League only requests a permit for the baseball field on Saturday from mid-February through April due to the number of players who want to practice before the season starts.  
• Gwinnett County reserves the right to rent out the baseball field on other Saturdays (i.e., umpire training and other teams wanting to practice). However, if the baseball field is open, the league can practice on it.

Out of County Resident Fee

• To be verified with Gwinnett County Parks on December 13 - The OOC fee will remain at $90 per OOC resident in 2018. 
• Bob reminded members there was unanimous decision among members when the OOC fee was introduced for spreading the OOC resident fee among the membership.  

 

Light Fees

• To be verified with Gwinnett County Parks on December 13.
  • The light fee will remain at $9.00 per hour per night per field in 2018.
  • Games will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. 
  • There will not be a Sun rule or starting later. 
  • Batting practice will stop at 6:55 p.m. 
  • Umpires are responsible for moving the games along to minimize light usage.
• NOTE:  Lights are on a timer, but they do not come on until the league turns them on (lights automatically go off at 11:00 p.m.). 
  • Generally, the timer is set for 7:30 p.m. and the league can turn on the lights any time after 7:30 p.m. 
  • Later in the season, the timer is set at 6:30 p.m.

 

Meeting with Gwinnett County - Bob, Gary, Doris, Floyd and Jim will meet with Gwinnett County Parks on December 13.  
 
The following items will be presented to the Gwinnett County Maintenance Team to review and decide on how to correct before the season starts.
•    Reassess drainage problem on both fields; reapply Turface
•    Check left field lights on softball field   
•    Add a safety net on softball field from LF to LC
•    Increase size of warning track on softball field
•    Add dirt over JoxBox on both fields before season starts
•    Continue to line and drag the fields, cut the grass.

 

• League will also ask if the Adult Men’s League on Monday night on the baseball field will continue.  If not, the league would like to use it, so we have both fields on Monday nights.
• Gwinnett County will continue to add foul lines and commitment lines to the fields.  They will also drag the fields and cut the grass daily during the season.  Even though they are not supposed to line the fields, they will continue to do this as a courtesy to the league.  

Gwinnett County Items – Stacy Fowler

•    Tobacco Free Fields – No smoking or tobacco products will be allowed on the fields or dugouts.  If members want to smoke or chew, they need to go out in the parking lot.  
•    Alcohol Free Park – If caught drinking in the park, members could receive a fine up to $150.
•    Dogs - All dogs must be on leash in the park.  Only service dogs are allowed on the field and they must have on a service vest.

Breakout Sessions by League

• Bob stated we always have suggestions for league play or rule changes from members to be discussed each year.  Copies of the suggestions for both leagues are available on each table.  
• Members were asked to break out into league groups to discuss what was brought up to the Board this year – 45 minutes was allowed for discussion.  Ron Petre led the American League; Rick Rhodes led the National League. Members were asked to review and discuss each item and come to a consensus for their league and provide the Board with their decisions for their league.
• Final decision on all items will be made by the Board at the January meeting.

American League Decisions (Ron Petre)

 

Games take too long: Current Rule - Games will be 7 innings, no time limit, extra foul, 7th inning open inning

• Proposed Changes: Games will be 55 minutes plus open inning, no extra foul (1 – 1 count) OR 7 innings with no open inning OR 6 innings (1 hour time limit) plus open inning
• Straw vote was NO CHANGES - leave current rule as it stands, no change in pitch count (remains 1 – 1) with extra foul

Mercy Rule: Current Rule -  Mercy rule will be fifteen (15) runs after five (5) innings.

• Proposed Change: Ten (10) runs after five (5) innings
• Straw vote was NO - leave current rule as it stands
• After brief discussion, players voted to leave the run rule the same.  10 runs still allows the possibility of a tie in the last 2 innings.  Ron would like to change the rule to be 12 runs after 5 innings.  Those 3 runs may shorten a few games, saving some time.

Baseball field too big: Too many in the park home runs that would otherwise be doubles on a regulation field.

• Proposed Change: Limit ITPHR to 1 per inning; all others would be doubles.
• Straw vote was NO
• Decision was that the change would be impractical.  Both teams have to deal with the problem equally.  Also, games scheduled for each team on the baseball field is kept to a minimum.

 Managers felt that 14 Players on a Roster was too many:

• Problem presented was that it was too difficult getting equal playing time for everyone.  
• Proposed Change:  Managers want the rosters limited to 13 players.
• Ron explained that reducing the roster size could possibly limit the number of players that would like to play in the league.  14 players was a compromised number for the rosters.

Victor Aviles - possible change to walk rule for home run hitters:

• Proposed Change:  Allow the hitter to refuse the walk and place an alternate runner at first base, allowing the batter to continue his at bat.
• After a brief discussion, it was determined to be a little too complicated and could add extra time to the game when we are trying to speed up the game.

Players requesting to play on the same team:

• If we honor these requests, they could disrupt the equality of the league.
• Ron explained that each player would be treated equally in the draft and there would be no guarantees that players requesting to play together would do so.  
• Managers would make every effort to accommodate them, either through the draft or trade after the draft is completed.  

 
National League Decisions (Rick Rhodes / Kathy Walker)

Substitutes:  Too many games with subs, no matter whether sub has different skill level for person for whom they are subbing.  

• Proposed Change for the manager to ask for subs early seeking similar skill level. Have 1 less team to help ensure less subbing.
• Rick’s Response:  This is rule # 5.1a – Substitutes.  This is exactly what I do and I try very hard to find somebody with equal or lesser skills as the person that is missing.  Rick explained that if 4 teams are playing that leaves only 2 teams to draw from but he does follow the rule.  He calls people and sometimes they cannot play or they do not want to play.  Just because there are 2 teams that are not playing does not mean you will always get the sub that you want.  
• Vote for LC to continue to find people of the same skill level. 
• Straw vote was YES  - leave the current rule as it is  
  • Comments:  Rick was complimented on what an outstanding job he did in getting comparable players with not having the experience. 
  • Response:  Rick said it is easier to find subs in the First Half because more people sign up than in Second Half.  The number of teams is going to be based upon number of people that sign up.  We are going to keep the teams to 13 or 14 people.  That way it’s not so difficult for the managers to try to get all his people worked in all the time.
• Substitutes: A manager calls in for subs when they have 11–12 people show up and the sub will play the entire game and the regular team players will alternate in and out.  How do you regulate when a manager calls in for subs when they don’t really need them?  
• Rick’s Response:  As a manager, you are only supposed to call if you need someone and there are situations where managers will say they need a couple of players. I get them a couple of players and somebody that said they can’t….shows up.  You need to play your regular players or if you find out that you got a sub or a couple of subs show up and if you don’t need them, get with the other manager and the two of you can work it out and maybe one of them can go on the other team or something like that.  The regular player is supposed to play if they show up.  Sub or no sub, the rule is everyone has to play at least the quota of one complete game in the field and everyone always bats.  Regardless even if the team didn’t have subs, everyone has to play at least one equivalent game.  If the team has subs, they can play them in the field every inning in the first game and they don’t have to play the second game.  If a player calls and tells their manager they are not going to be there, and I find a sub for them and they show up even though they said they wouldn’t be there, they will then be treated as a sub.

Shorten the season to 20 games; instead play a mini playoff tournament at the end of each season or just the second season to see who the winner is to maintain interest at the second half. (There will be two team winners, one of the league and one of the tournament)

• Discussion:  It was brought up to start the season at a later date due to the temperature.  A lot of discussion about the tournament format.  Discussion about starting with a 1/1 count.  Suggestion that if the ball hits the screen you are out.  
• Tournament at the end of the season.  Straw vote was YES

Shorten the season to get tournament in and still play 24 games.  Straw vote was YES

• Include all teams in the tournament, minimum 9 players and have the other team catch for your team if needed, double elimination, no subs.  Straw vote was YES

Start a week or two later when it is a little warmer.  Straw vote was NO

• Start the season off with a one pitch tournament.  Straw vote was YES

Change to 1/1 count. Straw vote was NO

Change the rule that a batted ball hitting the screen is an out.  Straw vote was NO

• Rick will discuss with the Board in January about moving the pitching screen to one side or the other side of the pitching rubber.

Eurskine explained to the players that it is not an out if the bat is carried to first base.

 

Rick and Eurskine are working on a plan for 2018 National League teams to be balanced so not one team will dominate.  

General Information/Discussion

 

Annual One Pitch Players Memorial Tournament

• The 2018 One Pitch Memorial Tournament will be on a Thursday night between seasons at Best Friend Park or in late September. Date to be determined by Ron Petre and Rick Rhodes.  Members can contact Ron and Rick with any questions about the tournament.

Gwinnett Senior Golden Games Olympics will be held at different venues from March 28 through May 9.  Flyers were available at the meeting.

 

Door Prizes

Gary Mastrodonato, Rick Rhodes and Eurskine Lyons gave out door prizes during the meeting to the members that were present.  
o    Jim Breen won the top prize of a $100 gift certificate from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
o    Danny Watson won the Worth Wicked Bat donated by Eurskine Lyons.
o    Bob Darnell won the Miken Patriotic Bat donated by Eurskine Lyons.
o    Bert McDade won the 4 Gwinnett Braves infield box seat tickets.
o    Gene Mayhue and Marvin Powers won a Barbeque Package for 25-30 people worth $150-200 donated by Danny Gershwin.

 

Meeting Closed - President Bob Morrison declared the meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.