Hingham Little League Board of Directors Meeting
Meeting Agenda-1/9/06 (Revised)
Hingham Recreation Center
8:00 PM


Present: Rob Blomberg, Bob Madden, Steve White, Bruce Corwin, Elliot Sherman, Ed Anderson, Rich Magner, Melissa Flanagan, Tim Driscoll, Owen McConville Rick Linehan, Tim Zyrkowski, Joe Granatino
Absent: Skip Jenkins, Joe Craven

Meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm.

Secretary’s Report
· Approve 12/5/05 Meeting Minutes
o Minutes approved, to be posted by Tim Driscoll

Treasurer’s Report
· Current Balance - No update
· Outstanding Expenses
o Rob was informed by Hingham Rec that they are expecting a commission payment for the Boys Of Baseball events held in September. Apparently there was an agreement that 10% of the proceeds would be collected for “user fee” for the use of Haley Field. This request was news to Rob. HLL didn’t collect any receipts (just sponsored Boys of Baseball), however those fees need to be paid. Discussed options of sending invoice for Commission to Boys of Baseball; pay from HLL funds and request payment from B of Bball; negotiate the final fee (unclear where the 10% fee was agreed); or pay 0 fee which has been done in the past. It was duly noted that HLL already pays a .00 user fee for players for the baseball season, so there is some debate on the issue. The Board agreed to authorize Rob and/or Elliot to discuss further with Rec and come up with an amicable solution, fee not to exceed expected 10% amout (5).
o Additional expenses are foreseen for the dugout work at Haley, total tbd.
· Status of transition to new Treasurer
· Goals For 2006

Business Related Issues

· Local Little League Business Filings and Topics
o Articles of Incorporation-Renewal
o Public Charity Filings
o Status of 501 (3) (c) Form
§ We have been approved and authorized to operate as a 501(3)(c) tax exempt organization. Thanks are due to Joe Craven, Elliot Sherman, Rob Blomberg, Bob Keyes, and Rick Linehan, whose efforts contributed to achieving this important status for the organization. This is retroactive to 2004, and puts us in good standing for the future.
o Insurance Fees and Options
· National Little League Business Filings
o Charter Application
· Update on Rob’s Discussions with Corey Wright of Little League’s Eastern Region in Bristol, CT
· Our revised Charter has been fully approved by Little League and we are compliant with all LL regulations.
o Charter Fees
· Audit of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 HLL Financial Results
o Status of Audits
· No report this evening
· HLL Constitution and HLL By-Laws
o 2005/2006 HLL Constitution Now Posted on HLL Web Site
o 2005/2006 HLL Constitution Forwarded to Little League District 8 and Eastern Region Officials
· On file, we are all set with this.

New Business

· Player Registration-Membership Committee Report & Team Schedules
o Status of on-line registration process
· Any issues with the process?
o Going very well, over 215 signups with no significant issues reported. Surges after advertisements hit in Journal, Ledger, email blast, posting on HYH site.
o Registration results thus far
· Number of on line registrations received?
· Number of manual registrations received?
· Summary of registrations received thus far by age group
o Registration results from in-person registration at Hingham Rec on 1/7/06 and 1/9/06
o Outstanding Issues?
· Registrations going well on all fronts, far ahead of last year and very important for our planning. We expect to have about 300 sign ups so far (1/3 of expectation), so we have a way to go. We are promoting word of mouth, email blasts, notices in schools, papers, etc. will help us achieve our goal of having all accounted for before tryouts. Deadline reaffirmed as Feb. 15th. Late fee will be instituted after this, and we will remain firm on shutting out signups after tryouts begin. This is the only way we can get to the difficult task of assigning teams for over 800 kids. It was noted that every attempt will be made to contact older players who have not signed up before the tryouts to see if they are interested in playing this year. It is imperative the message gets out that we have to make some tough choices if signups are late, especially pertaining to the Major Leaguers.
· Discussed some details regarding the season: Scheduling looks like we will need to kick off on Sunday, April 23rd (last Sunday of vacation week); Majors will play a 12 game schedule, with 8 teams in 2 divisions, interleague games to be picked at random. All teams will make the playoffs, single elimination first round, maybe double elimination semis and finals. Target finishing regular season June 18, time for playoffs and for the summer teams to get situated earlier than last season.


· Sponsorships and Donations-Committee Report
o Status of Four Additional Major’s Sponsors
· Confirmed Sullivan Brothers, Enterprise Equipment, and Ryder Development as new Majors sponsors. Waiting to hear by end this week from South Shore Bank; if not, we have candidates wanting to move up. Status of Stoddard Electric sponsorship in question and Melissa will follow up with John.
o Status of Minors, Farm and T Ball sponsors
· Open and still need to determine number of teams. Encouraging that we are being approached for opportunities rather than having to seek them out!
o Rates remain the same as 2005-0 for one year of Majors, 0 for Minors and Farm and 0 for T Ball
o New rates will likely be established in 2007
o Outstanding Issues
· 501 (c) (3) form required for Verizon sponsorship remains outstanding
· As above, the 501(3) (c) has been approved, form to be forwarded to the sponsor for payment. Elliot will follow up directly with Colin Pomroy for the reimbursement.

League Rules and Local By-Law Issues

· Player Agent Report
o Update on Tryout Process, Dates and Location
· Confirmed, Sunday March 12 and Sunday March 19, 7:00 am to 12:00 pm at the South Shore Sports Center. Skip is continuing to work out logistics and announcement for publication/distribution. Reminder that all 9-10-11-12’s need to tryout again this year, and in order to tryout the registration fee must be paid.
o Schedule Draft Dates -- TBD
o Other issues?

· Major League Committee Report
o Review of Major’s Rules
· Are any rules changes needed?
o Age considerations
· In 2006 all 11 and 12 year olds who attend at least one tryout will be drafted and will automatically play in Majors
· A limited number of 10 year olds who try out will be selected to play in Majors subject to space and draft order requirements
o Breakdown of Major’s teams into Hingham American and Hingham National
o Other issues?
· Regarding the age change, Rob noted that Little League advice to affiliates was to make the call at the local level. Babe Ruth league has stated that those former 12’s (5/1/93-7/31/93) who are still eligible for Little League can apply for a waiver to move up to Babe Ruth league. For those 8/1/93-4/30/94, they can also apply but likely won’t be granted; most of this group belongs in Little League anyway. 16 or so kids are impacted by the age change for this group.

· Minor League Committee Report
o Review of Minor’s Rules
· Are any rule changes needed?
o Minors will be comprised on all 9 year olds and the majority of 10 year olds
o Discuss requirements regarding those players who have already played two years in Farm but whose birthdates fall within 5/1/96-7/31/96
o Other issues?

· Farm League Committee Report
o Review of Farm Rules
· Are any rule changes needed?
o Discuss requirements regarding those players who have already played two years in TBall but whose birthdates fall within 5/1/97-7/31/98
o Other issues?

· TBall Committee report
o Review of T Ball Rules
· Are any rule changes needed?
o Other issues?
· Based on Little League advise for the younger kids stuck in the ‘age change’ group, it was determined that those who have played already 2 years at the T-Ball or Farm level can choose to move up to Farm and Minors, respectively. This is up to the parents assessment if their player is ready for the new challenge. A motion was made and vote passed unanimously in support of this measure.

· Manager’s Committee Report
o Goals for 2006
o Create process to Select Managers and Coaches
o Potential training for Managers, Coaches and players
o Practice manual for HLL
o CORI Process
· Steve is working on these items, getting in gear for early planning and training of the coaches is a key this year.

· Equipment Committee Report
o Status/Inventory of Outstanding Equipment
· Not all collected. All Major bags are accounted for, but missing many from the other leagues. The work required to collect the equipment is a huge burden, and we discussed measures to prevent this from happening again. Coaches who have not returned their equipment will not be allowed to coach again. Tags stating ‘property of HLL’ will be made for this year. Very difficult to complete inventory and know what is needed.
· Uniforms-missing sponsor names and patches
o Update on Use of Lapel’s
· Shirts sent, patches, cleaning, and boxing in progress with some exceptions
o Status of Beal Street Field House
· Potential contribution by HLL to Beal Street Field House which would give HLL a portion of the storage facility and meeting space
· As previously noted, a vote was taken and passed supporting a 00.00 donation to the Hingham Sports Partnership that goes directly to the public funds portion of the Field House (est 100,000) to be built as part of the field renovations at Lynch/PAL fields. It was noted that Hingham Youth Football and Babe Ruth were planning donations. We are currently paying 00 a year for storage facility, and this makes a lot of sense for the future.
o Assessment of Equipment Needs
o Consideration of various vendors to supply equipment
o Other Equipment
· Status of batting cage at Haley/Cronin
· Temporary Pitching Mound at South School – will be needed!
· Other equipment orders
· Question re: metal bats; agreed to use up our supply of wooden bats, and not to issue metal bats this year. It seems most of the kids bring their own anyway, we can take it up again next year.

· Umpire Committee Report
o Goals for 2006
o Review umpire requirements, rules and expectations for 2006
· Need to check on equipment inventory. There is something in the Green Shed at Haley, Ed now has a key!
o Schedule for Umpire Meetings and Training
· To be worked out; there is a ‘waiting’ list for the older kids interested in participating in this important facet of our program. Rich mentioned that he will focus on the assignment of games process to minimize confusion that has happened before. Very positive comments of the level of competency for the umps in the program.
o Determine rate schedule for umpires in 2006
· Rates will stay the same, twenty for 1 game, thirty if only 1 umpire

· Safety Committee Report
o Goals for 2006
o Renewal of ASAP Program (A Safety Awareness Program)
o Outstanding issues

· Buildings, Property and Grounds Committee Report
o Goals for 2006
o Status/Changes To Existing Playing Fields-Haley, Hersey and PAL Fields
· Status of Haley Dugouts
· Cement forms to be poured soon; fence guy is hired and waiting, and Steve Jacobs is ready. Cost will be a little more than expected due to high steel costs (fence). Lumber is also up, but Hingham Lumber will charge at cost (thanks Rich).
· Need for sprinkler system at Hersey
o Addition of Kress and Central/Powers Fields
· Determine what Divisions will use these fields
o Need To Secure Additional Fields Through Hingham School Department
· Hingham High School and South School were used in 2005
· Other alternatives included repairing back field at Hersey, Plymouth River, South, possibly Middle School field, Hull Street field, High School etc. or other alternative venues
o Meeting needs to be scheduled with Hingham Rec and Hingham School Departments to discuss potential fields and field transfers to Hingham Rec
· Rob encouraged all to attend Fields meeting, Weds Feb 1st, where discussion will be held on permitting process. Fields are a significant concern to the program.

· Social Committee Report
o Goals for 2006 season
o Identify potential fundraisers

· Publicity Committee/Opening Day
o Goals for 2006 Season
o Early Planning

· Cross-Hingham Baseball Liasion Committee
o Joe C. outlined the goals and operating guidelines for this committee (proposed number of members, rules, regulations, mission) at the 12/5/05 HLL Board Meeting
o Goal of the committee will be to combine efforts of those promoting Hingham Baseball from T Ball through High School
o Details on Dinner-1/29/06 – No report, not much advertising has hit.
o Update from this committee

· Summer Travel Baseball Committee
o Goals for 2006
o Elliot was to draft an outline of the goals and operating guidelines for this committee (proposed number of members, rules, regulations, evaluation and tryout process, appointment of managers, schedules, etc.) for discussion and vote by the HLL BOD
§ One point discussed and agreed was the the summer teams should purchase their own shirts, for the kids to keep, to minimize the confusion with HLL uniforms.

· Concession Committee
o Do we even want to do this in 2006?
· Noted that the “Rec Van” is available from ‘Friends’. Would need to be supplied, moved around, etc. Joe Granatino offered to take this up with Elliot. Might be a good fundraiser for the organization. Logistics to be worked out.

· Calendar of Events
o Determine Owner of HLL Calendar of Events
o Ensure updated Calendar posted on the website

· Hingham Little League Website
o Determination regarding continued use of bbi Marketing to support Hingham Little League
· Discussed continuing with bbi . Service has been good, about 00 spent last year. Motion made to continue with bbi Marketing and passed.

· New Business

o 13 Year Old Only or 13 year Old/12 Year Old Junior League Committee
· Discuss the proposed creation of either a 13 year old only Junior League or a potential 13 year old/12 year old Junior League that would be run by Hingham Little League
· Games would likely be played at the Hingham Middle School
· These Junior League teams would play either against themselves or against other towns during the spring season.
· This Junior League would be solely for Hingham players.
· If approved without discussion with Hingham Hull Babe Ruth this program would compete directly with Hingham Hull Babe Ruth which currently is the sole baseball program for players who are 13 years old, 14 years old and 15 years old from Hingham and Hull.
· Discuss, vote and resolve this issue
· Following much discussion on the subject, with much consideration for our wishes to ensure baseball opportunities for many of the ‘13’s who may need more seasoning, it was decided to wait until a determination is made by Babe Ruth. Their meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 15 at 6:00pm at the Rec, and representatives of HLL should attend with a keen interest in this subject. If B/R decides to provide opportunities for 13’s, this issue becomes moot. If not, we will seek further measures to accommodate this group of players.

o Consideration of Little League Optional Pitch Count Regulation in Hingham Little League For 2006
· Review of Little League Regulations
· Discussion of Potential Use in 2006
· Rob noted that this pilot program was done in Stoughton with much success last year. Although the idea of counting pitches seemed difficult, Rob’s contacts told him it was no big deal really. If adopted, this allows Majors to use more than 5 pitchers in the game which is a rule now. Rob noted that he needs to get back to District if we are to apply for a pilot program. After further discussion, the Board agreed to allow Rob to move forward and get more information from District and to report back before a vote taken on the measure.

o Other Additional New Business

The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 p.m.



· Schedule for Upcoming Meetings
o 1/30/06
o 2/13/06
o 3/6/06
o 3/27/06
o 4/10/06
o 4/24/06
o 5/8/06
o 5/22/06
o 6/5/06
o 6/19/06
o 7/10/06
o 8/7/06
o 9/11/06
o 10/2/06
o 10/23/06 (Annual Meeting)