Hingham Little League Board of Directors Meeting

Minutes of May 10, 2004

Hingham Recreation Center



The thirteenth meeting of the Hingham Little League Board of Directors was

called to order by President Rick Linehan at 7:42 pm.



Board of Directors present were: Rob Blomberg, Bruce Corwin, Melissa Flanagan, Mark Igo, Bob Keyes, Rick Linehan, Elliot Sherman, Rick West, Rich Magner, Owen McConville, Mike Bynarowicz and Tom Golden.



Mike Letorney and Joe Granatino were absent.



Secretary’s Report



The Meeting Minutes for the April 22, 2004, and the April 29, 2004 meetings were reviewed and approved.



Treasurer’s Report



Treasure Bob Keyes reported that our current balance is ,897. We have paid one check to Beacon Sports for ,000 but the bulk of the bill from Beacon Sports has not yet been received.



Business Related Issues



Player Registration Update:

Majors-Due to a special circumstance a request has been made to add twelve year old Anthony Capella to a Major’s team. Anthony did not participate in tryouts. Anthony’s father, Paul Capella, appeared at the HLL Board Meeting to review the circumstances leading to this request. Following a review of the Little League Rules and the precedent established at the April 29, 2004 meeting the Hingham LL BOD voted to allow Anthony to be added to a Major’s roster.

Following a lottery conducted by Melissa Flanagan and Bob Keyes Major Manager Andrew Semjen was given the first opportunity to add Anthony to his Majors’ roster. Andrew accepted and Anthony will be placed on Verizon. Elliot Sherman will secure a uniform and hat for Anthony through Beacon.

Minor-a request to add another player, Player Sylvia, to join her brother on his Minor team, was made and approved. We need to secure a registration form and then place this player on the appropriate team. Mike Letorney will need to followup on this request.



Sponsorships and Donations:



Since the last meeting Melissa Flanagan reported by email the following information regarding the HLL Sponsors.

Majors-all twelve teams have sponsors. All but Verizon have paid and they are awaiting a 501c3 status letter from the HLL Board which is in progress.

Minors-all sixteen teams have sponsors. We are still awaiting payments from Giarusso; DA Cruz; Jones and Milligan; Senator Hedlund and the Rockets.

Farm-all fourteen teams have sponsors. We are still awaiting payment from South Shore Lincoln Mercury; Hornstra Farms; Hingham Lions; and Harbor Financial.

TBall-all ten teams have sponsors. All have paid.

We received a check for 0. from Susan Barbutto from "Logos to Go" to sponsor a Tball team but all Tball slots are full. Melissa will contact Susan to determine how we should proceed with the 0 check.



Equipment



Elliot Sherman reported that the majority of the additional uniforms and apparel that was ordered has been received and is being distributed. Elliot will distribute the apparel to all teams at all levels. All uniforms are in the process of having the Little League patches added.

For 2005 we agreed to consider ordering one pair of matching pants and one pair of matching sox per Major’s uniform and will include that as part of our registration fee.

Rick West will order two tarps for Hersey. One tarp will be for the pitcher’s mound and one tarp will be for the home plate area. All Managers are advised to be diligent about replacing the tarp and not leaving the tarp on the grassy areas of the field.

Rick West will also order 10 bags of the absorbent, field drying agent product for Hersey. Haley is covered by Hingham Rec.

Additional bags will be stored at the shed at Haley. Bob Keyes will coordinate getting access to the shed.

Rick West will also order a field liner and chalk. Extra chalk will be housed in the shed at Haley

First Aid Kits and freezer packs will be purchased by Owen McConville and will be placed in the locked boxes at Haley, Hersey and PAL fields.



Baseball Clinics

Catcher’s Clinic

Joe Craven will lead this clinic with a tentative date of 5/15 from 8:30 am-10:00 am at Haley. Mark will follow with Joe to confirm the date and time.

Each Major’s team will nominate two players per team for the clinic. Mark Igo will send a reminder note on 5/11/2004.

Pitching Clinic

Joe Craven, Rob Blomberg, Dan Morrison, Brian Decelles and Mark Igo will lead this clinic with a tentative date of 5/29 from 8:30 am-10:00 am at Haley.

Each Major’s team will nominate three players per team.



Old Business

Hingham Little League Directory

We will order 1,000 copies of the Directories.

All sponsors, players, Managers and Coaches will receive a Directory.

The Directories will be available during the season.

Photos and a Letter from Rick Linehan still need to be completed.

Kevin Bannan will be contacted to print the HLL Directory. The price is yet to be determined.

Game Rescheduling Policy

We agreed that there will be no rescheduling of any games for convenience or due to conflicts with other sports. Managers will be encouraged to speak with parents and players with respect to their commitment to their team and to Hingham Little League Baseball.

Forfeitures will not be rescheduled.

If both teams forfeit no points will be awarded.





All Star Game

The Minors All Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 10:00 am. The Majors All Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 1:00 pm.

The Home Run Derby will be played at 12:00 pm in between the games.

All events will be held at Haley Field.

The rain date will be Sunday, July 4, 2004.

A cookout will be held from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at Haley Field.

For Majors and Minors three players will be selected per team.

Games will be six innings.

Majors will play American vs National.

Minors will play odd vs even.

For Majors only 12 year olds will be selected. If less than three 12 year old are available 12 year olds from other teams are not eligible.

Majors selection will be determined by the Managers with guidance from the HLL Manager’s Committee and the HLL Board.

Rule Changes-Minimum Playing Time-Majors

After discussion the HLL Board agreed to mandate minimum playing time in the field for all players on Major’s teams. It was agreed that all players in attendance must play a minimum of four innings per game.

Rule Change-Pitching Rules

The various rule changes for pitching were reviewed at length. These rules include the maximum number of innings per pitcher per week, required wait times, etc.

Owen McConville and Mark Igo will distribute these rule changes to the Managers.

Prior to the start of each game Manager will notify each other of innings used as a result of previous games during the week.

Summer Baseball

The various options available for summer baseball including the Williamsport team, the Cooperstown team, Suburban and South River teams were re-discussed.

The HLL Board voted to have an 11/12 year old Williamsport Little League team but not to have 9 year old and 10 year old state Little League teams due to other available options.

By 5/28/04 Hingham Little League must submit a roster of eligible 11 and 12 year old players for the Williamsport team. We still need the waiver and charter approved for Hingham Little League.

Tryouts for all 11 and 12 year olds will be held at Haley on Friday, June 4, 2004 from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm. All 11 and 12 year old players interested in playing on the Williamsport, Suburban, South River and North River teams are expected to attend.

The Williamsport team will be comprised of the best 11 and 12 year old eligible players. There is a maximum of 14 players on this team. Players will be selected first followed by the selection of a Manger and Coaches. This team will be announced by 6/15/04. The HLL Manager’s Committee will select this team with input from others.

The HLL Board reaffirmed that it would take a lead role in coordinating summer baseball in Hingham including having the HLL Board Manager’s Committee assist in the selection of summer managers, using HLL equipment for the summer teams, etc.

Currently Elliot Sherman has received interest from approximately 60 players in playing summer baseball with more responses expected to follow.

Photo Day

Photographs will be taken on 5/15 and 5/16 at the various fields.

Any Minor’s Teams not scheduled for games on 5/15 or 5/16 will be required to report to Haley at 2:00 pm on 5/15 to have their photos taken.

Update on Fields

Signboards will be cut at Hingham Lumber. Rich Magner will coordinate.

Dwight Walker will print the signs in black and white using the Tarzia and Hingham lumber signs as a model. Rich Magner and Rob Blomberg will coordinate with Dwight Walker.

Dan Miller has been retained to provide maintenance at Hersey (cutting grass, repairing holes, lining the field twice per week, providing general field care, etc.). He will also be contacted about lining Haley and PAL fields

Umpire Update

Umpires are receiving favorable reviews. There has been one issue raised over high strike zones which is being reviewed.

The attire for umpires will be reinforced by Rich Magner and Mark Igo.

Board Member Visibility

Board members are encouraged to make their presence known and view the proceedings at all fields to determine if any issues exist.

Safety Issues

Reminders will be given to all mangers that there are mo batboys or visitors allowed in dugouts.

Swinging bats in the on deck area are also not allowed.

Mark Igo will reinforce these issues in his communication with the Managers.

Fourth of July Activities

A float needs to be ordered for the Hingham Parade. Alesha Hobbs is the contact. Float participants will be all 12 year olds and not members of the winning teams. Further details will follow at the 5/24/04 meeting.





The next BOD Meeting date will Monday, May 24, 2004, at 7:30 pm at the Hingham Rec Center.



The meeting was adjourned at 10:45pm.



Minutes submitted by Rob Blomberg, Acting Secretary.