Little League Baseball, Inc., United States Eastern Region

State of Pennsylvania Association of District Administrators

www.pastatell.org

Meeting Minutes

17 October 2015

Recreation Building, Little League Headquarters Complex, South Williamsport, PA

State Coordinator Bill Dithrich called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.  Roll call was taken by sign in sheet.  Districts represented: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16/31, 17/32, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 30.  Absentee ballot proxies were presented by Scott Smith representing District 25 and Jody Gurnari representing Districts 16/31.  Don Soucy, East Region Director was also present.

Jim Hammer and Jennie from DPH Custom Pins gave a presentation of their product line and deals for Districts.  Their web site is www.dphcustompins.com.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of 11 April 2015 was made by District 17.  Second by District 9.  Motion passed.

Motion to approve the finance report dated 17 October 2015 was made by District 30.  Second by District 13.  Motion passed.  Report attached.

OLD BUSINESS

Umpire Recommendation Procedure.  After discussion it was agreed to hold off taking action until further guidelines are handed down from headquarters.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion to approve a by-law change to make the terms of office for the State Coordinator and Section Coordinators four years instead of three years was made by District 13. Second by District 26.  Motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

1.      Tournament issues:

a.      Inconsistent enforcement of three adults in the dugout by allowing a scorekeeper to also be in the dugout.  The rules allow for only three adults in the dugout.  A scorekeeper that is in addition to the three coaches must be outside of the dugout and there can be no communication between the coaches and the scorekeeper.  Violation can result in manager suspension.  It was strongly suggested that if a team wished to keep their own book it be kept in the dugout by one of the coaches.

b.     A concern was raised that it was inappropriate for state tournament hosts to solicit ads from districts for their program book.

c.      District 11 requested approval from the state association for state tournament hosts to use a portable mound.  Little League has approved their use and East Region told them to seek state approval.  Motion to approve was made by District 5.  Second by District 26.  A decision was not able to be determined by a voice vote so a vote was taken by a show of hands.  The vote count was 9 in favor, 9 opposed and 2 abstentions.  State Coordinator gave the tie breaking vote in favor and the motion passed.

d.     Compliance with the tournament rule for 12 players on all affidavits was discussed.  DAs are to use due diligence with reasons for approving any affidavits with less than 12 players.

e.      Tournament names – Little League tournaments are to be identified by their proper titles (Little League or Major League, Junior League, Senior League, Big League, 9 & 10 Year Old and 10 & 11 Year Old) and not alternative titles such as 12u, 14u, 16u, etc.

f.      Background checks – the state mandated background checks for volunteers, PA State Police criminal check and DHS Child Abuse checks are now free for volunteers.  Also, the Volunteer Application has been changed to add wording: IF YOU LIVE IN A STATE THAT REQUIRES A SEPARATE BACKGROUND CHECK BY LAW, PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF THAT STATE’S BACKGROUND CHECK. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STATE LAWS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.  The question as to whether having the state checks will suffice and leagues will not have to do further checks will be checked on by Don.

g.     The election procedure for state coordinator in the by-laws needs updated as it does not conform to our current meeting schedule.  Motion by District 12 to change the wording to hold the election at the October meeting with the term of office beginning November 1.  Second by District 18.  Motion passed.  A formal change proposal will be drafted for approval at the April 2016 meeting.

h.     All charter renewals can only be processed on line.  The charter tool kits will be mailed out.

EAST REGION REPORT – Don reported the following:

·       The fall DA clinic will be held Saturday, November 21^st, and is shortened to one day.  The East Region Advisory Board meeting will be held Friday, November 20^th, with the clinic dinner held Friday evening.

·       The Mini-Congress Round Table session will be held March 4^th to 6^th, 2016 at the Double Tree Downtown, Philadelphia.

·       Little League is completing an on line system with all league boundary maps.  There are a few maps from PA leagues that are needed.  Don will contact the DAs of those leagues.

·       Umpire referrals with resumes need to be submitted to him by November 1^st.

·       Resumes are currently being accepted at East Region of applicants for the Assistant Director position vacated by Patrick Holden.

·       On behalf of Liz Brown, Marketing, information and literature on purchasing uniforms from Russell Athletics was distributed.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Motion by District 12 to suspend dues for 2016.  Second by District 30.  Motion passed.

Bill reviewed state tournament section assignments for 2016:

Next meeting date is scheduled for 9 April 2016, 12:00 pm.  Location to be announced.

Motion to adjourn was made by District 30.  Second by District 26.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Dithrich

Pennsylvania State Little League DA’s Finance Report

17 October 2015

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