GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 4^TH QTR 2022

 

December 27, 2022

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 10:17 AM by Commissioner Walt Bruschi

2.  The treasurer’s report was read by Jeff Holden:

     a.  We have $5683.94 in our account

     b.  Randy Johnson was authorized to purchase 50 of our shirts, both colors, at $4.00 apiece.  We are actively looking to reprint the shirts with a new logo.  (Design will be submitted by the membership and voted on)

     c.  Upcoming expenses - $960 for field prep and rental because of expected 8 days of refunds (to be credited to our next payment) due to rainouts and a request to change by Heritage to Collier.

     d.  We have a $100 Florida Sunbiz Registration and 990 tax filing.

     e.  We are still finalizing the details of our end of year banquet.  We are negotiating with Harry W to repeat what we did last year.

3. Old Business

     a. The Laker/Lutz news article was a huge success last year.  Walt will be meeting with the reporter to run the article again in late spring, early summer, so we can generate interest early in time for the draft. We are expecting the same results in interest and can expect to see seven or possibly eight teams next season.

     b.  The veer rule was revisited and discussed. (reference to Dave Meadows)

4.  New Business

     a.  We will be experimenting with a smaller pitcher’s screen.  It will provide more hitting area for the batters but more exposure to the pitchers. There is no expense for the net as it is on permanent loan We will try the new net for a month. (reference to Dave Meadows for enforcement of this rule)

     b.  We are losing game balls.  Therefore, we are asking the umpires to retrieve the balls after each game and the 3^rd game umpire should be giving four balls to the NTBSS official after the game.  These balls should be going into our practice cache but are adding to the league’s expenses. (Reference to Dave Meadows)

     c   Because the tractor is no longer available at Heritage, the homeplate mat has become a logistical issue.  A motion was introduced Gene Castillo, seconded, and passed to remove the mat for a period of a month (or longer) if the tractor does not return.  The field prep will now include chalked batter’s boxes

d.  Fluorescent markers will be applied to the new pitcher’s screen at the six foot level to help the home plate umpire judge the flat pitch.  It was general consensus of the meeting that the flat pitch was not being called often enough.

e.  A discussion of the use of a 12ft PVC pole was discussed to help with the high pitch but there was not a motion to try it.

f.  Game field prep will now include coaches’ boxes

g.  A motion was introduced by Nancy Silverwood to allow the substitute players 1^st priority to play in Friday’s games.  Those players are Ben High, Dave Sparano, Rey Suarez, Ron Scarborough and Tommy Portelli.  If necessary, a player pool of these same substitute players will be conducted.  If unattached new substitutes play in a game but wish to play in additional games, they will go into the general substitute pool without priority.  The motion was seconded and passed.

h.  Rod Rodriguez commented on the job that the umpires do and should be respected for them being volunteers.  Those who object should step and volunteer to be umpires if they wish to participate.  Discussions with the umpires should be conducted by the manager and/or assistant manager only.

i.  A motion to adjourn the meeting was introduced, seconded, and passed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will have our quarterly general membership meeting on Tuesday, December 27 at 10:00 AM at Heritage.  Please attend if you can.

Pitcher Behind Screen Rule 

 

 Distance from the plate to the pitcher’s mound will be 50 feet. Pitcher’s pivot foot must be touching or behind rubber/line at time of release. Pitcher must stay behind screen until ball is hit. After 2nd warning by the umpire, pitcher will be retired from pitching for the remainder of the game. Head and Torso needs to be behind the screen. As a home plate umpire, if one can see the pitchers face or more than a shoulder then they are not behind the net. If pitcher reaches out, catches the ball and his momentum carries him out from behind the net, then there is no net violation. Batter and base runners are awarded next base if the pitcher touches a batted ball and his head/torso are not behind the screen.

There have been a couple of advancements in player protection for softball.  One is the light visible friendly facemasks.  There are a few of our players that are wise enough to wear the fask masks.  If I play infield I will be seen wearing a facemask as I have first hand knowledge of how effective wearing the mask can be.  Also a cup protector helps also. 

 

Another advancement is the pitcher's screen and the accompanying rules that are in effect.  Pasco County has placed pitcher's screens at all of their parks following the death of an adult recreational league player who was struck by a batted softball.  NTBSS mandates all pitchers get behind the pitching screen once the ball has been pitched.  The penalty for the first infraction is a warning and the second infraction is removal from pitching.  We have had numerous players over the years that were pitching get struck and we have been very fortunate there have been no major injuries.  

NTBSS Board has directed all umpires to be aware of the rules covering players when pitching and have advised the umpires to take appropriate action when pitchers fail to comply.  

Thanks for staying safe.

 

Let us be safe rather than sorry.

BOARD MEETING NOTES September 16, 2022 In attendance – Walt B, Nick C, Jeff H, Denny K, OP P. 1. Discussion of the new potential players (15) integrating into the league. a. Must fill out paperwork and pay the fee. b. Beginning with the November 4 game, new players are eligible to be pick-up players at subsequent games. They would have priority over existing players. c. Practices will be increased to two per week to help managers evaluate the new players and for them to get into playing condition. d. Further evaluation of the situation, i.e. loss of current players, number of new players who have participated in the substitution process will be discussed. Afterwards, a decision will be made by the board to have either have a draft of the new players, or possibly form a seventh team. The target date would be around January 6. e. The board reserves the right to add new players to teams in need during the season at their discretion. 2. We do not have enough money (treasurer’s report) for our future expenditures to finish out the season due to the rising cost of the fields, uniforms, insurance and other expenses. Therefore, we need to assess all current players a fee $10 which is to be collected by their respective managers. Jeff H will send out an email/announcement on the website to explain our current financial situation. 3. The current fee of $40 is to be raised to $60 for new players signing up for the league currently. The board will decide on the level of the fee after evaluation at the end of the current season for the 2023-2024 season 4. Walt will send a letter to the managers telling them to collect the $10 assessment fee from the players. 5. Nick will get with Wayne S. regarding t-shirts and sponsor banner 6. Jeff will get with Jim Mc C about the possibility of retrieving our original silk screen stencil from Big Frogs 7. OP will get with Charlie B about the original silk screen stencil availability. 8. OP will draft a letter (e-mail) to the new players for Walt’s approval discussing the topics above. OP will include the need for age verification to the new players.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

 

September 6, 2022

 

Board Members Attending – Walt Bruschi, Denny Kato and OP Parrish

 

1.  Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Walt Bruschi at 10:34 AM

 

2.  The reading of the minutes of the last general meeting was waived.

 

3.  Walt B read the treasurer’s report:

 

     a.  Our account has $3628.00

     b.  Anticipated expenditures total $2520.00 which includes the balance of paying for the fields,   sponsor banner, scorebooks, line-up cards and hats for the board members.

 

4.  The current status of our insurance was discussed.  We are awaiting a different seal before the county will accept our insurance waiver.

 

5.  We do not need an exemption status for tax purposes.

 

6.  Nick Cozzo was nominated for the open position of Deputy Commissioner.  He was unanimously approved by an oral vote.

 

7.  The question of when a person becomes eligible for 75 rule was discussed.  It was decided that if the player turned 75 during the current season, that he/she would be considered 75 for the entire season.

 

8.  OP discussed the veer rule, substitutes, injured player, and clarification of the 75 rule (outfield grass)

 

9.  Nancy Silverwood will be in charge of the scorekeepers

 

10.  The article in the Lake came out.  Nice spread, lots of pictures.

 

11.  The possibility of using Collier instead of Heritage was discussed.  A sign will be placed at Heritage to direct players to Collier.  Notices of venue change and cancellations will be sent to the managers via email and posted on the website.

 

12.  Games may start earlier than scheduled.  Managers should have their players ready to place as soon as the previous game is concluded.

 

13.  Walt had jerseys for the new players.

 

14.  Meeting was adjourned at 11:42 AM

GETTING HELP FROM UMPIRES

 

 

 

Managers or Assistant Managers ONLY may approach an umpire on plays concerning a Rule Infraction.  To be more effective, state the rule infraction and let the umpire(s) determine the proper ruling. Judgement calls, other than the following, will not be discussed.  

 

Different from Appeal plays, umpires will ONLY be allowed to get help on: 

• Check swings 
• Catch / No Catch
• Pulled foot off bag
• Swiped Tag
• Plays where umpire’s sight was blocked*

 

       * Umpire requested help only

 

BOARD MEETING 8/19/2022

 

PRESENT – Walt Bruschi, Jeff Holden, Denny Kato, and OP Parrish

 

1. The order of the draft was determined by drawing.  The order is:  1) OP and Leo  2) Scott and Dave M. 3)  John and Jeff  4)  Rod and Felix  5)  Gene and Dave P.  6)  Walt and Dave C.

 

2.   Games will start as soon as possible after the conclusion of the previous game.  It falls upon the managers to insure their players are available.

 

3.   OP will present  the rule changes at the managers meeting and the board will approve the changes;  1) Clarification of the over 75 rule – if the ball touches the outfield grass, the player is awarded first base  2) Bat throwing will result in being ejected from the game.  The player may remain in the dugout.  On subsequent at bats, the player will be automatically ‘out’.  3)  On a foul tip caught by the catcher, the ball must go over the batter’s head.  If the batter has two strikes however, catching the foul tip regardless of the height will be an out. 

 

4.  Denny and Walt will be added signatories to the account.  Jim McCausey and Nancy Silverwood will be deleted.

 

5.  Jeff and Walt continue to work on the exemption status of our league. Insurance has been arranged for seven teams.

 

6.  Randy Johnson and Jeff Holden will be splitting the cost of the seven dozen balls recently purchased.

 

7.  We have new sponsors and Nick C and Wayne S are working on obtaining more.

 

8.  We have only received two managers forms and we are awaiting the other four.  The forms have already been sent out.

 

9.  The rules, once approved, and the by-laws will be posted on the website.

 

10. Because of the playing conditions of Heritage, the possibility of utilizing Collier on game days was discussed.  This will be mentioned at the manager’s meeting on August 25 and Walt is looking into the feasibility of using Collier as an alternative field.

 

11.  Treasurer's Report.  Currently we have $3239 on account.  $220 for fields and $280 for insurance are due