The League was well represented with representatives across 15 teams during the Captains Meeting for the 2011 Season held on Monday, March 15, 2011.
I spoke a little about the League History and how honored I am to be able to remember Kevin, raise money for those with Autism, and also have so many teams return each season. The League has existed since 1991 and continues to thrive.
Captains
are the eyes and ears for the league. The Captains are the most important
keys to running a successful and efficient league. Unless specified, the League uses ASA
rules. Captains should always have the
League specific rules with them when playing to clarify in the event that the
League rule overrules the existing ASA rule.
Constant
email updates are sent out throughout the season that indicates schedule
changes, rule clarifications and the infamous playoff scenarios. The primary and secondary contacts are
included on the emails unless otherwise specified. If captains know they will be out of town and
the secondary contact is unavailable, a backup contact should be indicated.
When
the game starts, the Umpire owns the game.
If I am present or reachable by phone, the Umpire is still in
charge.
Along
the same lines, team members must maintain courteous and competitive behavior.
Taunting, fighting, and lewd behavior will not be accepted. Unless I have missed something, this is a
recreational softball league. No one is
going to the majors and we all participate in order to have a good time in a
competitive and sportsmanlike atmosphere. Most teams in the league are
corporate teams that are made up of players with different skill levels. Any incidents could potentially result in us
losing the permits.
There
was some conversation regarding the timeliness of the umpires. We contract the
umpiring to the Big Apple Umpiring Association, which is a group of umpires who
are certified by the ASA. I communicate
regularly with the Umpire Chief and raise issues with him regarding umpires
timeliness, skill level, and professionalism.
If you have any complaints about umpires, please contact me and explain
the situation. I will then follow up with the Umpire Chief.
Upon
completion of your games, it is necessary to have the umpire sign your
scorebook in order for you to have a record of which umpire did your game. When
submitting your results this season, please include the name of the umpire who
did your game. Along the same lines, we
have a ton of great umpires. If there is
an umpire that you have positive feedback on, feel free to share that
information as well. Positive feedback is appreciated and helps me work with
the umpire chief in selecting the umpires to officiate during the playoffs.
Rosters mostly work on the honor system. Please use proper judgment and try to maintain a consistent group of players during the season! Playoffs require 4 games of participation.
Effective this season, I’m requiring all of the teams to complete a team waiver and to have the waiver sent to me as well as with you at all games. The League purchases ASA Team Insurance each season and in return gains minimal coverage and also entitles each team to receive a scorebook and rule book.
The waiver form is located at http://www.gwhynot.com/2011Waiver.pdf
As of the Captain’s Meeting, still waiting on the formal permit notification from Prospect Park and Barry. East River and Dewitt permits have been executed and waiting official stamp. Murry Bergtraum is set pending final payment.
I’ve been asked to see if we could find a discount purchasing in bulk. I’ve placed a few calls to Paragon and other sources, but have not been able to secure anything specific.
Please notify the Commissioner if there are any problems or safety concerns at the fields. With all of the technology available, please do not hesitate to take a photo. Moreover, please leverage 311 as they pride themselves as being responsive and every issue will then be logged and reviewed. This includes everything from the grass needing to be cut to that there are overflowing trash cans.
iPhone users can download the 311 application and report problems.
311 is available as well by phone. All calls to 311 are answered by a 311 Call Center Representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Assistance is available in over 170 languages. Within New York City dial 311 and outside of NYC call (212) 639-9675. The website is located at http://nyc.gov/apps/311/homepage.htm.
We discussed what everyone’s opinion was around Rivals where teams play one team multiple times during the season. It was agreed that this is a nice feature that we want to continue.
Scheduling is always an inexact science and one of the most challenging aspects of running any type of league or organization. I walked through how the Scheduling Matrix is created, teams ranked and then ultimately applied. The completion of the Contact Forms serves as a guideline for me.
The season is slated to start the first week of April. Please be patient the first few weeks as I’m still processing payments before working on the schedule.
Everyone makes the playoffs and depending on the number of teams, there is often a bye. The Strength of Schedule is used as the primary tiebreaker. It is a custom formula that I apply.
Umpires are assigned by the Umpire Chief who receives the game days and times from the Commissioner. Umpires are usually at the field 15 minutes before game time. At times, there are emergencies like last season where an umpire was in a car accident and did not attend. Please follow the League Rules around the Missing Umpire if an umpire is late or does not attend.
As a reminder, if no umpire is present, the rules state for
the teams to communicate what their desire would be if no umpire ever comes to
the game as defined in Rule 3.11. The
options are to both take a win or to reschedule the game. This only applies after the completion of the
third inning of the game. In the
interim, a member of the offensive team will
serve as the umpire standing behind the pitching mound as the game is played
Never ever pay an umpire at the field. If the umpire asks for money, he is not one of our certified Big Apple Umpires. The umpires should know any of the following: Big Apple Umpires; Mr. Johnson; or my name. If they do not know any of these, please contact me. The League Fee covers the umpires.
Please contact the Commissioner and follow the 311 process.
The weather is always a challenge throughout the season. Games are usually decided on inclement weather days 2 hours before game time. If there is a weather expert among the teams, please contact the Commissioner.
Forfeits are inconvenient and frustrating for all those involved. If you have to forfeit, please allow as much time as possible in order for the Commissioner to notify the other team. Forfeits require a phone call to the Commissioner as emails are not always instantly reviewed.
There are always ways to improve the League. If there a field scout or a group of members of the League who go by the fields, any information on inclement days are always appreciated. Likewise, a report on the condition of the fields is always helpful.
Finally, it is a dream to have a good solid logo for the League. If anyone is a good designer and would like to take on this task, please contact the Commissioner.
The Captain’s Game was a tremendous success last season and I think we’re going to again try to have it this season.
One of the items that makes the League special is that it continues to promote Kevin’s memory as well as it donates money toward the Nassau Suffolk Services of Autism (www.nssa.org) school and programs. We agreed to try and run an in season fundraiser to serve as a League Social and to raise funds for the school.
Last season, we did a cross promotion with HBO around the Eastbound and Down show which was well received. I’m always open to trying new things. Please let me know if you have any ideas.
No significant Rule Changes were discussed, although we did discuss the addition of the League Waiver and clarification around the umpire showing up rule.
In addition, we are going to clarify the courtesy runner rule. The update will simply state that when using a courtesy runner and when available, the default rule is that the runner replaced should ideally be replaced gender for gender.
Sometimes I am contacted by players looking to join a team and I’ve had luck placing them in the past. If you have an open roster spot, please let me know.
I reminded everyone that ASA had banned a
bunch of bats last season. All players are recommended
to read the rules as I’ve listed the previously banned list. Use of an Altered Bat will result in
immediate suspension. Cracked, worn, or damaged bats are not altered bats,
but will be removed from play. This list is final and not open to debate.
A list of
approved bats may be found at http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp. You should look for the ASA approved
seal. If a bat’s status is uncertain,
then the team should remove the bat from play.