WLL Board Meeting Minutes

April 8, 2002

Meeting called to order.

Reviewed minutes from January and March board meetings.

No changes.

Minutes approved.

Still missing February – Cheryl

Gwen Hutton in attendance as an observer.

Schools, Fields and Complex

There appear to be problems with lock boxes at East Ridge and Cottage Lake. Follow up with individual schools.

Shelly suggested a letter to Managers on behalf of Board to pass out that it is not appropriate for pets to be on the grounds of school or complex.

Concession at Complex is going well. There has not been any negative feedback.

The garbage cleanup after games is still an issue and will be highlighted on web site.

Fields are stocked and things seem to be going well.

Wellington needs to be mowed. It is on the schedule per the Northshore School District.

Bear Creek drag will be moved to East Ridge while new one is on order since more games are played at East Ridge.

Manager/Coaches

Number of adults allowed in dugout during games is three (3). One manager and two (2) coaches. Must be on the approved list from Coaching Coordinator which verifies WA State Patrol check process was completed.

Approved list will be sent to Mike Surber (acting Umpire-in-Chief) for compliance at Minor and Major Levels. Lower levels must self-enforce. Email to be sent about strict compliance.

Need to add policy to web site.

Umpires

Some umpires have not been showing up due to schedule mis-interpretations. Need to work with Mike Surber to ensure coverage. All re-schedules need to include Mike Surber so he can assign umpire coverage.

Question was raised about the batter’s box and the obstruction of a throw from the catcher to 3^rd base. While batter is entitled to the box, he/she must make an effort to not obstruct the catcher throwing to 3^rd base.

Question was raised about the protest process. Protest can be lodged only regarding a rule interpretation and not a judgment call. Rule 4.19 clearly specifies how a protest may be initiated and concluded.

Umpiring is a volunteer activity and there is an opportunity for umpires to be paid through NBUA. Agree to defer discussion about umpire’s collecting fees from NBUA until after Tim Gross returns from medical leave.

Softball needs official umpires and there was an agreement last year that a fee increase would ensure umpires for softball. This has not occurred. Need to investigate how to get more umpire coverage for softball.

Mike Surber joined meeting late (from game) and raised concern over being able to have enough umpires to cover multiple games (4) in a single night.

Managers and coaches should realize that field umpires are a privilege not a right. Priority is to cover the plate. Parent can volunteer to work the field. Need support from the managers to supply a parent to fill the field position.

We only have 7 or 8 umpires to cover all Major and Minor games. Need to work to recruit more umpires.

Cannot recruit more umpires if we allow managers/coaches to exhibit poor sportsmanship or show up the umpire.

President to follow-up with emails and education of the managers and coaches.

WLL Tournament

Tournament committee met and proposed to board that the WLL tournament be Pool Play followed by Championship Play as opposed to double-elimination.

Winner will play a minimum or 4 games and a maximum of 6 games.

This will allow for less stress on the pitching rotation (and families) given that WLL will inter-league with Woodinville West for a second tournament following the WLL tournament.

Seeding for Majors tournament will be based on regular season standings. Seeding for Minors tournament will be based on random draw. Bracket pairings will be #1 vs. #8, #2 vs. #7, #3 vs. #6, and #4 vs. #5.

WLL tournament will start 5/19 and complete 6/1 or 6/2.

Motion to accept the WLL tournament proposal accepted and carried. Brackets and schedule to be posted to web site and sent to managers.

Trophies for champion and runner-up.

Inter-league Tournament

Tournament committee met and proposed to board that the Inter-League Tournament be either Pool Play followed by Championship Play or double-elimination.

Inter-league tournament cannot start until 6/2 because Woodinville West is running its tournament as well.

Must complete both tournaments by 6/14 or 6/15 because All Stars will be announced 6/15, which means practices can start then.

Motion made and accepted to adopt same rules for inter-league tournament and WLL tournament.

Inter-league tournament discussion was tabled regarding the following points:

• Tournament format

• Tournament rules

• Shared tournament expenses

• School Camp Casey and Victoria field trip dates may be in conflict

• Schedule

All Stars

Tentative dates and draws have been made but dates and announcements are not confirmed by District 8.

All star uniform committee to meet to discuss new uniforms.

All Star pictures are schedules for June 17.

All Star practice field preferences are Complex, Bear Creek and then Cottage Lake.

Pins will be provided for each All Star. No trophies.

All Star discussion was tabled regarding the following points:

• Try outs for All Star player selection. Example, each manager contributes the 4 best players to a tryout, then rate them in order of 1-32 – the top 6 automatically go to All Star team and the remaining players are picked by the All Star Manager.

• Eligibility needs to go out sooner so that the 4 best eligible players are available.

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned since some members had to leave which resulted in board not having a quorum to conduct further business.