Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting Date, Time and Location: Sunday, June 29, 2025 - via Zoom – 6:00 p.m.

 

In Attendance: Mike Alexander, President; Chuck Williams, Vice President; ChrisvBolden, Secretary; Tommy Wiggins, National League Commissioner; Harvey Schulman,vAL Member at large; Eurskine Lyons, NL Member at Large; Christine Scheurich,vTreasurer; Todd Eaton, American League Commissioner & League Webmaster; Gary Mastrodonato, Past League President.

 

Mike called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.

 

Topic #1: Second half start dates/abbreviated season?

Discussion: As a result of multiple rainouts in the first half, the final games are now scheduled to be played on July 21, which is several weeks later than usual. This will necessitate pushing back the start of the second half season until July 28. In order to schedule each team for 12 weeks of play, the second half season will continue until the middle of October at the earliest, possibly longer if there are future postponements. There was discussion about playing an abbreviated second half, with possibly a reduction in league fees, but it was decided to move forward with a full 12-week schedule, even in light of the possibility of dropping temperatures toward the end of the season.

 

Second half registration information and instructions will be sent out to league members as soon as possible, with a deadline for receiving registrations of July 18. League drafts will be held the week of July 21.

 

Topic #2: Outfield fence banner sponsorships

Discussion: Gwinnett County has approved the placement of outfield fence sponsorship banners. In order to incentivize sponsors, the league will offer as a bonus to display sponsors’ banners for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026 for the cost of one annual fee.Chris Bolden has committed Parts Authority as the first sponsor. There are other potential sponsors that will be offered the opportunity to take advantage of the first-year bonus.

 

Topic #3: Website sponsorships

Discussion: Current website sponsors have had the benefit of having their company information displayed on the league website free of charge. The displaying of sponsor ads was a pilot program for this year that has been deemed a success. There was discussion about charging the current sponsors a fee, but it was determined that the current sponsorships will be terminated for the remainder of this year. Next year the league will institute a fee-only website sponsorship for a yet-to-be determined cost.

 

Topic #4: Collections

Discussion: Chuck Williams has been tasked with collecting delinquent fees from league members. It was reported that all 2024 dues have been collected. For the remainder of 2025, there will be a tightening up of the no-pay/no-play policy. Chuck will be granted “view only” privileges to the league bank account in order to monitor deposits.

 

Topic #5: Music played during the game

Discussion: Several member complaints have been received concerning the playing of music from dugouts or stands. Discussion was held about how the music interferes with players’ concentration. A vote was taken, and it was decided that the music should be shut down. Chris will author a note to be sent out to team managers.

 

Topic #6: DHH rule

Discussion: There has been some confusion about the DHH rule in the AL. The AL rule states that after five over-the-fence home runs have been hit by one team in a game, any subsequent home runs will be considered as walks and the batter will be awarded first base. In a variation from SSUSA rules, an AL team may identify a player as a designated home run hitter who may hit an unlimited number of home runs that do not count against the five per game threshold.

 

Additionally, when a pitcher walks any batter, including the DHH, that has hit an over-the-fence home run in a particular game, the batter is awarded second base. Inorder to be awarded second base after a walk, a batter, including the DHH, must have hit an over-the-fence home run in the current game. A batter, including the DHH, that has not homered in the current game will be awarded first base after a walk.

 

Topic #7: Memorial Tournament

 

Discussion: It was decided that the Memorial Tournament will be held on a Thursday in September. The date will be determined soon. Tommy Wiggins will coordinate with Doris Warpole to organize the activities.

 

Topic #8: Umpire situation

 

Discussion: Umpire costs for 2024 were $6,992. Because of current market conditions, that cost would almost double if the league hired umpires from the various local organizations. In order to keep costs down for 2025, the league has been using league members as umpires, which will continue for the remainder of 2025. According to the discussion, the quality of the present umpires is on par with what we have experienced in the past. There have been some complaints about the accuracy of calls and the adherence to league rules that have come from a few players, similar to the amount of complaints received in 2024. It is important that the board let the members know that their complaints are heard, are being taken seriously, and are being addressed. Umpires will be given guidance about league rules and action situations, such as making sure they come out from behind home plate when there is a play at second base or making audible calls loud enough for all players to hear. Members are being asked to extend a bit of grace to the umpires, as they have stepped up and volunteered to assist the league in this way. Eurskine offered to bring a seasoned umpire he is in contact with to the December membership meeting to talk with league member umpires and offer advice.

 

Topic #9: Finances

 

Discussion: It was determined that league fees will remain constant for the rest of 2025 with no increase. AL fees are $120 and NL fees are $110, which is still a great bargain compared to other leagues when considering that a member will play 24 games in a season.

 

Topic #10: Pitcher screen

 

Discussion: There was a brief discussion about pitching screens. The mandatory screen rule was put in place for safety reasons, to protect the pitcher, and not for use as a defensive aid. It was confirmed that league rules state that the screen can only bemoved at the start of each half inning and the pitcher determines the side of the pitching mound the screen covers.

 

This topic will be presented for discussion in the breakout sessions at the December meeting to consider whether the pitcher should continue to be allowed to choose the side of the pitching mound the screen covers and/or whether he must get behind the screen after delivering a pitch.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.