Mercer County Senior Softball League

 

Managers Meeting Minutes for March 7, 2012

 

Steve Leonardo was elected President and will retain his position as Treasurer.

 

Just prior to the meeting, Mike Slack advised that Katz & Dougherty will not field a team this year. Some players lost interest, and his core group will be joining the 60's League.  Mike will provide a list of any players wishing to remain in the 50's League and looking for a team.

 

The current schedule on the web site needs to be pulled and revised for 5 teams.

We discussed and agreed to a different concept to be used on the new schedule .Two games will be played on field #3 on Monday night. Games will start at 6:30 pm and 7:30, and be played with a 0-0 count. A foul on the third strike and the batter is out. One team will get a bye.

 

The team with the Monday bye will play the first two games on field #3 on Wednesday against different opponents .The remaining two teams will play in the third game . We are attempting to secure a second field for Wednesday night. If successful the games will start at 6:30 and 7:30 pm at field #3 and starting time of third game at second field to be determined. All games will use the 0-0 count.

 

If we cannot secure a second field for Wednesday night, all three games would have to be played on field #3. The starting times would be moved up to 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 pm. Because of the stacking, we will use the 1-1 count with the courtesy foul. This will remain in effect until a second field is obtained and we will revert back to the original plan.

 

This concept ensures that all teams will play 2 games a week. EACH TEAM WILL PLAY EACH OTHER 6 TIMES FOR A REGULAR SEASON TOTAL OF 24 GAMES PER TEAM.

 

Umpires and pricing were discussed. A question arose on suspended games, and whether the new umpires would charge for only one game or double charge. We will discuss this with the new umpires along with some other matters and make a determination in the best interests of our League.

 

The pitcher protection rule remains in effect as written. However, either manager can object to the umpire call or no call. The managers will then discuss the play and make the ultimate decision and call. The umpire will abide by the managers decision.

 

Two new balls will be used at the beginning of each game. One new ball will be supplied by the visiting team and a new ball supplied by the home team for each game.

 

The League budget was discussed and it was projected that each team share of expenses would slightly exceed $800. With a current reserve of $2100 in our treasury, it was decided to tap into these funds to reduce the team dues. TEAM DUES WAS AGREED AT $700 PER TEAM. This may be due sooner rather than later if the new umpires are used. Fields, insurance and balls, need to be paid first.

 

15 run mercy rule remains in effect. There are no true doubleheaders (same teams) scheduled at this time. If any make-up doubleheaders are scheduled later in the year, than the 10 run mercy rule would apply to those games.

 

Frank Lecato may be looking for some players to add to his team . We will supply him with some names.

 

Games won must be reported by the winning managers by the end of each week to njscores@hotmail.com  or by calling Bob Lorincz at (732) 616-7100 (C) or (732) 246-3369 (H).  Failure to comply may result in less wins shown for your team in the League standings.