Gwinnett Senior Softball, Inc.
General Membership Meeting
December 4, 2021 - Meeting Minutes

 

Date, Time, Location

December 4, 2021 - 9:35 a.m.  - Gwinnett Senior Center at Bethesda Park

 

Call to Order

Presiding President Mike Alexander called the meeting to order and welcomed members.

 

Opening Prayer

Frank Casper gave the opening prayer of thanks for another day of play. 

 

Attendance

The following 2021 Board members were in attendance: 

• Mike Alexander, President 
• Tommy Wiggins, New Vice President
• Doris Warpole, Secretary
• Frank Casper, New Secretary
• Christine Scheurich, Treasurer
• Rick Rhodes, National League Commissioner
• Ron Petre – American League Commissioner
• Gary Mastrodonato, Past President / Team Sponsorship / Shirts 
• Eurskine Lyons, National League Member at Large
• Harvey Schulman, American League Member at Large / Legal

 

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. Fifty-three (53) members attended representing 27% of the current active eligible membership of 195.

 

Mike stated that in place of door prizes this year members will be given a gift card when they signed in.   At the end of the meeting, all names will be put back in for the drawing for the top prizes - $100 gift certificate from Dick’s Sporting Goods along with a new bat and a 2 bat backpack donated by Eurskine Lyons.  Anonymous donor gave another $100 gift certificate to Home Depot.

 

Recognition

 

Mike gave special thanks to the following for their help in providing logistics and materials for this Annual Meeting. 

• Amanda Mutt - Bethesda Senior Center – Room, screen, microphone, and coffee
• Jim Hannah – Projector / Taking Pictures
• Board Members - Breakfast snacks
• Board Members and individuals who helped in setting up
• Eurskine Lyons for his donations

 
Special Guests – Gwinnett Stripers

 

Mike asked Zachary Mandelblatt and Taylor Roach from the  Gwinnett Stripers to come up and talk about a Night out for league members.  Depending on the number of tickets sold, members would walk out on the field, throw out the first pitch, or participate in activities between the innings.  This year tickets can be purchased online.   

 

Ed McVeigh won the Austin Ridley bobblehead brought by Zachary and Taylor.
More specifics about seating, ticket cost, etc. will be provided to Gary who is coordinating the Night Out.  Mike asked for a straw vote if members wanted to continue the Stripers Night Out. Unanimous Vote of Members Present – Yes

 

Special Recognition
 
Mike 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 / Ron Petre - $30 gift card

 

11 Team Managers – $20 gift card

• National League: Tommy Wiggins, Jim Hannah, Nate Henry, Don Buckner, Wesley Medford
• American League: Chris Bolden, Clif Parker, Sergio Sencion, Chuck Williams, Ed McVeig

An unexpected delight when Wesley showed up at the meeting to a standing ovation. 

 

Note:  Gift card will be sent to Craig Pippin who did not attend the meeting.

 

Mike also recognized the following individuals with gift cards for the work they have done for the League during the year:  

• Umpires - Ed Brown and David Birge
• Practices – Jim Hannah and Ken Packman 
• Field Nurse - Kathy Walker 
• League Web Site - Todd Eaton - By the time you get home, the website is updated.

 

Note:  Gift cards will be sent to Ed Brown, Ken Packman, and Kathy Walker who did not attend the meeting.

 

Unfinished Business

 

Mike said there was not any unfinished business as the 2020 season had been cancelled. 

 

New Business - 2021

 

Financial Report 

 

Christine reviewed the 2021 Financial Report. Copies of the financial report were on each table for members to review. If members have any specific questions related to the 2021 report, they can contact Christine directly.  

• The league is very solvent right now. In good shape. 
• There is a balance on hand of 11,791.23. The CD Balance stands at 6,042.72

There was no further discussion or questions regarding the financial report. Mike 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. 

 

2021 Team Sponsors

 

Mike thanked all the sponsors.  Members were encouraged to support our sponsors with their patronage.
 
Gary noted there has been no major changes in sponsorship fees. Flyer for 2022 Sponsorship was available at the meeting.  If a member is interested in becoming a sponsor, he/she should contact Gary. 

 

League Statistics

 

Mike provided an overview of Membership and League Statistics. 

• Overall Membership decreased 8.7% over 2019
• Members by Age: 46% - 60 or younger vs 54% - 61 and older
• County: 51% Gwinnett vs 49% Other Counties
• Copies of league statistics were available in the back of the room.

Question: Is the decrease due to covid? Answer: Yes, most likely. We need to make an effort to get ourselves back up in numbers. We are right on the edge between 5 and 6 teams. This year we went to fewer teams with more players on the teams. But we had numerous absences which created a real problem for League Commissioners in trying to find subs. Members are encouraged to promote the league. 

 

In Memoriam

Mike said We lost 6 members this year: Roy Alewine, Mike Pierro, Ellis Logan, Don Borth, Roger Teate, and Steve Hart. We give thanks for their character and contribution to the game and to our experience of it. May they RIP. 

 

Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award

 

Harvey: Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award

• Anonymous donor - $250 for award / $25 donation to American Cancer Society in Jim’s name to the winner
• Award given to a player that exhibits sportsmanship, overall team player, supportive of his team, and exemplary effort on the field.

Harvey spoke about playing with Jim Smith and the reason why the Sportsmanship Award was created by the Board in 2010. This is the 10th year of this award. Jim Smith was a common man with an uncommon character. Had a remarkable line drive swing. He was as good a man as he was a player. He would offer advice and counsel. He came to the field even while on chemo treatment for the cancer he was battling. We lost him in 2010. 

 

Members were asked to submit nominations of players (except Board Members) who they felt were deserving of the award.

 

This year we received 5 nominations and all were deserving. But we could only have one winner.

Chris Bolden submitted the winning nomination. Harvey read Chris’ statement for Bob Martilotta.

 

Nominations and Election of Officers

• President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected positions voted on by members.  Officer term is 1 year; officers need to be re-nominated and elected each year.
  • Board met earlier this year and decided that Secretary should be an appointed position rather than elected by the members. This will be effective in 2022.

 

• 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.
   
• Mike and Christine agreed to be re-nominated. Tommy Wiggins was nominated for Vice President. 
   
• Doris is retiring after 20 years and Frank Casper was appointed by the Board to be the Secretary. Doris will be here to help with the transition of Secretary duties.
   
• Tommy stood up to be recognized. Mike noted that per our By-Laws, a board member cannot also be a manager.  So, Tommy will step down as a manager and has agreed to be Vice President. 

 

Any floor nominations? None. Motion to close nominations, motion seconded. Unanimous Vote by Members present to elect nominees.  New Board of Directors for 2022 are: 

 

• President        Mike Alexander
• Vice-President        Tommy Wiggins
• Treasurer        Christine Scheurich
• Secretary        Frank Casper

 

League Commissioners 2022

Ron Petre and Rick Rhodes agreed to be the American League Commissioner and National League Commissioner, respectively.
  
3 At Large Board Members 2022

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

Mike 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.

 

2022 Season

 

Best Friend Park – We still have “first rights” on the park. 

 

Field Availability

• Softball and Baseball Field – Monday through Thursday and Saturday morning

Nights of Play 

• American League - Monday/Wednesday 
• National League - Tuesday/Thursday

League Play

• 2-3 week break between seasons depending on weather!!

Annual One Pitch Memorial Tournament – mid/late September

• Thursday night at Best Friend Park - All league players eligible - no charge to play

Practice Schedule – remains the same for 2022

• December through March:  Monday and Saturday – 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. (or later)
• April through November:  Monday and Saturday - 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.

 

Meeting with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will take place in January. County is not going to increase light fees or out of county resident fees.

• Out of County Resident Fee – Remains $90 per out of county member
• Light Fee – Remains $9.00 per hour per night per field

Note

• No Smoking – All Gwinnett County Parks and Fields (dugout/bleachers)
• Alcohol Free Park (Fines up to $150) 
• Lights go off automatically at 11:00 p.m.

We are going to try and do a better job of cancelling games due to weather. If you do not hear anything, we are playing. When the county cancels games, we do not always get rapid notification from the county. 

 

County is going to clear the area behind the fences for about 10 feet. 

Questions:

• What became of the idea of a net behind the softball field? Nothing came of it. County said they would not pay for it because it is too expensive. 
• Is there any thought of increasing the number of games to 24? We need the players. American changed to 20 from 24 because of the rainy weather. We want to try and get back to the 24 games. Pandemic hit and other parks did not have the restrictions we did so some players went elsewhere. We are tenants on the county field and the covid protocols were ours and not the county.

The Board welcomes any suggestions from members and stated a Board member will respond to all complaints, concerns, issues, etc.

 

Breakout Sessions by League

 

Rick Rhodes - Minutes from National League Breakout Session 

It was again suggested that we start with a one ball one strike count. There was minimal discussion about it possibly speeding up the game, but it was pointed out that we have a 70-minute time limit and if the first game goes into extra innings by rule the second game will use the one and one count. There was a vote taken and the majority voted to leave things as they are.

The Memorial one pitch tournament and the one pitch that starts the Spring season were discussed. It was suggested that the team at bat supply the pitcher to possibly improve the quality of the pitch. It was also suggested that we move from one pitch to two pitches. It was pointed out that using your own pitcher does not necessarily improve the pitching quality and one pitch games are only 30-35 minutes to get them all in a reasonable time. It was decided to leave things as they are.

 

A question was asked as to why there was a smaller ball for the women. Tena replied that it is the size of the ball used in their tournaments. 

 

A statement was made that we should make the pitchers get behind the screen to avoid injury. It was pointed out that there is no rule stating that and it is for their safety if they choose to use it. It was also suggested that the screen be placed directly in front of the pitcher, so they have to pitch over it to ensure the pitch is over six feet.  It was pointed out that determining whether a pitch is not legal is the responsibility of the umpire. None of the pitchers who attended wanted it because it would impede their chance to field a ball.

 

Harvey Schulman for Ron Petre - Minutes from American League Breakout Session

 

Ron Petre began the breakout session with a brief review of the 2021 season.  The biggest challenge was a lack of players.  Since membership numbers were down from the last season the league fielded teams (2019), the 2021 league played with six teams of 11 players each.  The smaller rosters made it difficult for some teams to have enough players on game nights due to injuries, vacations, scheduling conflicts, etc.

 

This, in turn, made it necessary for league managers to request that Ron find subs.  This became a regular occurrence on game nights, and Ron had a difficult time finding subs.  When subs were found, they tended to be the same handful of players that were willing to show up and play.  

 

Ron asked the team managers to make a request for subs at least one day before game day, if not sooner, to allow him enough time to find players.  

 

Ron said that for next year we would like to field six teams of 13 players each.  He suggested that league players spread the word about our league with their tournament teams in order to recruit more players and build the league membership.

 

The rules regarding the designated home run hitter and limiting each team to five home runs per game were brought up for discussion, with no objections.  These rules will remain in place for next year.

 

The flip-flop rule was discussed since it is a part of the SSUSA rules.  SSUSA is the sanctioning body of Gwinnett Senior Softball.  A ten-run difference in the score was suggested as the point when the rule would be implemented.  Players were made aware that the visiting team, if ahead by ten or more runs entering the last inning, would have reduced at-bats.  It was suggested that the rule be used at the managers’ option on a game-by-game basis.  Both managers would have to agree to flip-flop.  If there is no agreement, then there will be no flip-flop.  This will be a topic for discussion at the January Board meeting.

 

The current league rule is that each team must field seven of their own players in order for a game to count in league standings.  If a team cannot field seven of their own players, the official game score will be a 7-0 forfeit for each game.  Teams will then have an opportunity to play a practice game if they so choose.  The results of practice games will not be considered in league standings.

 

It was suggested that the seven-player threshold be relaxed, and the league move to a staggered limit, with perhaps a team with a roster of 12 or more players being allowed to play league games with seven of their own players and a team with a roster of 11 players being allowed to play league games with six of their own players.  This will be a topic for discussion at the January Board meeting.

 

Ron said there were players that signed up to be subs that never actually did sub in games.  They either declined to play when asked or did not answer Ron’s phone calls and did not return calls.  Ron urged players to answer the phone if they sign up to sub.  He also urged players to let Ron know if their sub status changes during the season so that the active sub list can be as accurate as possible. 

 

The movement of the pitching screen was the most talked-about topic.  Current league rules delineate the positioning and placement of the screen, but there is no mention of if or how often the screen may be relocated by a pitcher.  Some players feel the screen should not be moved to the left or right on a per-batter basis in order for a team to gain a defensive advantage.  While others feel a pitcher should be able to move the screen left or right in order to pitch from whichever side of the rubber he chooses.

 

There were two factions that players supported: Those that wanted the screen to be placed at the beginning of a half-inning and not moved again during that half-inning and those that wanted to be able to move the screen on a per-batter basis.

 

A straw poll was taken on this issue.  There were ten votes in favor of allowing repositioning of the screen on a per-batter basis and six votes in favor of positioning the screen before each half-inning and prohibiting repositioning on a per-batter basis.  No one advocated repositioning the screen on a per-pitch basis. This will be a topic for discussion at the January 2022 Board meeting.

 

As in years past, the idea of placing a temporary fence 300 feet from home plate on the baseball field was discussed.  It was pointed out that Gwinnett County will not participate in this proposal.  It would be up to the league to purchase, maintain, store and place it and remove it from the field for each night of play.  It was decided to not move forward with the idea of a temporary fence.

 

Ron asked if there were any other issues that anyone wanted to bring up and talk about.  There being none, the session was concluded.

 

General Information/Discussion

 

Mike reminded everyone that field lights will go off at 11:00 regardless of a game status.  He re-iterated that there is no smoking and no alcohol allowed anywhere in the park.  Last year Gwinnett was lenient in enforcing these 2 items but starting in 2022 tickets will be given out. 

 

Mike asked if there was any other discussion items.  There were none so he asked if everyone put their name in for the drawings.

 

Gary conducted the drawing for the door prizes:

• 3 $25 Dick’s Gift Certificates – Larry McDaniel Eurskine Lyons, Tena Stanfield 
• 2 Frozen Turkeys (donated by Ron King) – Clif Parker, Warren Hoffman
• 2 Bat Back Pack (donated by Eurskine Lyons) – Nate Henry
• New Bat (donated by Eurskine Lyons) – John Fler (New member)
• $100 Home Depot Gift Certificate (anonymous donor) – Neil Castro
• $100 Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Certificate – Larry Ellison

 

President Mike Alexander declared the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.