Bucks/Mercer County 65+ Senior Softball League

 

Meeting Minutes for Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Puss N Boots

 

Managers in attendance:

Bob Johnson, Al Avello, Carl Marshall, Bob Gotwald, Bob Dreupeau and Jim Mahoney.

Additionally: Paul Olear and Buddy Bond


Agenda


Items discussed:


1.      It was decided by a vote not to reshuffle the rosters. In looking at some power ratings of the 3 teams, the group decided instead to do a better job of distributing the new players in a fairer way. Jim Mahoney will give each manager a list of the 48 players currently on the rosters of the three teams and the managers will rate each player for batting, fielding throwing, and running and then return this to Jim for tallying the total rankings in power for each team. At the next meeting, the managed will rate the new players and then they will select them, based on the power numbers.  We currently have 8-9 new players who have expressed interest in playing in our league this year.


2.      Addition of a new field: At the Garden of Reflection, 1950 Woodside Road, Lower Makefield.

A.      Directions: from I95, get off at New Town Yardley exit, 332 and head toward Newtown. Make the right at the first light Lindenhurst Road for 2 miles. Make a right on Woodside for .2 miles.  Note the sign on the right off Lindenhurst. Field is behind the Garden Brand new bathroom available. Field needs some additional work to make it optimum. Left field line and shrubs.

B.     We will continue to play the one game per week at Mercer Park but Bob Gotwald will arrange to get a better maintained field, like the one used during the playoff.

C.     Instead of the doubleheader at Von Hoffman on Tuesday, the other game will be played at the Garden.


3.      Funding for the softballs for the season: $100 per team through sponsors or other means ($42 left over).

A.      Purchase of softballs, Bot Gotwald— 5 dozen or 15 balls for each team.

B.     Use up old balls in first few games of the season. By game 6, all new balls should be in play with any remaining unused balls put in as the secondary ball.

C.    $100 for insurance for Von Hoffman (already paid)

D.     Additional expenses for equipment for new field at Garden of Reflections.

1)      Poles for tarps for both benches and bungee cords.

2)      Cones for second field or cones given to each manager.

3)      Equipment for dragging fields, not presently available.

4)      Cones for fall lines or lining the field for the foul lines.


4.      We will play a doubleheader at Von Hoffman for opening day, followed by a buffet at PussNBoots. We will ask Cliff Ellis to make the necessary adjustments on the schedule.


5.      Clarification of second base situation and the Run Bye Rule:


A.      No additional base will be used.

B.     Runner MUST avoid any contact, despite the limitations of an infielder.

C.     Any bumping an infielder makes the runner out.

D.     In a ball to the outfield, to prevent obstruction, the infielder must move out of the way of the runner who may be going to third base.

 

6.      Registration Fee for each player: New this year will be the cost to each player of $20 to pay for a variety of expenses. This fee should be paid in the form of a check made out to Bucks-Mercer Senior Softball and be given to the manager or to Jim Mahoney. No player will be permitted to play until after that fee is paid. The group noted that many leagues charge a registration feel that is much higher, even as high as $75.00.

A.     This fee will help pay for cost of umpires during the playoffs and for any other expenses occurring during the season.

B.    This fee will entitle each player to two tickets to the Trenton Thunder game that the league will attend as a group on Friday, July 20, against the Reading Phillies.

C.    One to two players will be chosen to throw out the first pitch.

D.    Our name will be shown up on the scoreboard (more advertisement).

E.    Each person will get a free seat cushion.

F.     Anyone can buy extra tickets for family members and friends at a Cost of $10 a ticket.


The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 10 at 12:00 at Puss ‘N Boots.


Respectfully submitted,


Jim Mahoney