Hingham Little League Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes – Monday, January 8, 2007

Attendees:
Ed Anderson, Laurie Berlinguet, Tim Driscoll, Melissa Flanagan, Bill Ford, Joe Higgins, Rick Linehan, Owen McConville, Patrick McCullom, , Elliot Sherman, Tony Viola, Andy Wheeler
Invited Guests: Kathy Clarkeson, Mark Thorell
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm
Approval of minutes from last meeting –Tim Driscoll.
• Approved and to be posted to the Website
Recreation Department Fields Update – Kathy Clarkeson, Mark Thorell
• Not able to attend due to scheduling conflicts with apologies
• Building and Property Committee will need to meet with them separately; how we are planning to maintain the fields, additional planning, user fees, etc.
• Rec will inquire with SS Baseball to find other facilities than Kress so we can use that on Mon, Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday. Not known if others are using the field.
• Discussed the idea to work on and contribute funds for improvements at Kress, ie backstops, fencing, infield, etc. Farm Hills Civic association is in favor of improving the fields per Rick (a resident of the area), and maybe getting some contributions from Hingham Sports Partnership, possibly Hingham Baseball Boosters. Would be a good idea to follow up on this item in support of our need for additional fields for the season. Rick will discuss opportunity with the Farm Hills Civic group. This will also be brought up with the Rec Department in due course. We can also contact Cliff Boyle for information regarding anticipated costs – Ed will follow up.
Storage shed for Hersey, Kress, and other fields
• Ed has briefly discussed with Rec. For storing rakes, rollers, lime, etc. at the fields, particularly Hersey. We (actually, Bob Madden) has had to lug the equipment around in pickup trucks, would provide benefit of having the fields better cared for. Rec is open to this idea, and Ed will continue discussions with Joe will look into some pricing and options for sheds and report back.
Update on New Lynch Fields
Good progress being made
League Business Update – Ed Anderson
• Charter application has been mailed in
• Eastern Region League Administration Clinic – Sat/Sun Jan 27/28. If interested Ed has sent out further information
• Little League Road Show - In Concord NH and possibly Rhode Island
• Ed has sent information out about both of the above seminars. Probably will cover similar materials
• Ed is invited to Hingham Baseball Boosters meeting on 21st about their program and will report back.
• Discussed the merits of leaving Major League teams ‘as is’ or redrafting in the for the purpose of taking a vote on this issue. A few points:
o Had to redraft last year because of the expansion; probably only reason the Board did so.
o Reshuffling the deck may be useful for distributing the talent again to discourage ‘stacking’ of teams. This idea was considered as part of the debate
o Connecting with kids with consistent coaching from year to year also has merits
o Idea discussed about using a lottery system for drafting. Interesting concept. Similar idea was used for Barker Basketball and balanced the teams well.
o Traditionally, LL teams remain intact but is not mandated.
o Existing ‘buzz’ is that the teams will stick together
• After further debate, motion made to keep established 2006 Major teams and not redraft at the Majors draft. Vote taken and Passed.
• All 12 year olds are only eligible for Majors.
• Motion made to extend same rule as 2006 to have all 11 year olds eligible for Majors. Those wishing to play in Minors can opt to do so. All players MUST try out. Vote taken and Passed.
• Discussed Minor League draft structure. Question discussed as to keeping the Minors teams intact. This hasn’t traditionally been the case, agreed to discuss approach for the minor league draft at subsequent meeting.
• Monday, April 23rd proposed for first games, and still have the Opening Day Festivities on the following weekend. Scheduling to be worked out.
Treasurer’s Report – Rick Linehan
• Current Balance – 185.58 in bank, minus 00 for scholarship fund, balance 185.58
• New Revenues – Check received from Active for 2007 registration and forwarded to Rick for deposit
• Current Expenses – may owe a penalty to the IRS for late filings for 04 and 05 seasons, letter received. Rick to follow up with the accountant on clarification and options – there is a procedure to follow for late filing (for years 04, 05), but we may owe. Rick to update at next meeting
Playing Fields for 2007
• Ed distributed a plan of scenarios for scheduling options for Majors and Minors for review. Presented three different options, potential for moving Majors games to Saturdays opens some possibilities. This is dependent on us securing Kress Field, and at least some days at the School fields.
• School Fields - Won’t know availability of permits until March
• Bob looked at the Middle School fields for potential site. Rough estimates for fixing up backstop, fences, and benches in ballpark of 1,500. Infield 2,000. Maybe some tree work. The field is a viable option however.
• Plymouth River – may only be able to use for 1 game per week.
• Cliff Boyle’s Field – has been offered as an option. Would require some work, but again may be an option to explore
Registration Update
• 145 registered so far. Communications underway, mailing going out midweek; sent to each player. Melissa dropped off forms at the Rec as well. Continue to spread the word around town, as we have a lot riding on early registrations and cutoff of 1/31.
On-Site Registration –
• Set for the 20th of January, but we have a bit of scheduling conflict with an earlier event – time is set for 12:00 pm – 3:00pm at the Rec. Also onsite Monday 22nd before Board Meeting. Members, please forward available time you can assist to Ed so we can make a schedule. Skip should attend as good spot for Coaches.
Managers/Coaches Recruitment - Skip Jenkins
• Mailing to managers and coaches from last season planned. Coaching applications are coming in already, need to recruit mostly for Minors, Farm, Tball.
• Al & Al Coaches Training in Woburn on Sunday, March 4 (200 would be the fee, no vote needed to approve).
Player Try-Outs – Kevin McNally
Dates set -- March 10 & 11 from 8:00 AM to Noon at South Shore Sports Center each day. Discussed using same format as last year, to stagger Majors and Minors early/late, late/early on each day. May also want an interim time for 10 year olds in between for tryouts (all 10’s at the same time each day) so that Majors and Minors coaches could be there.
Potential Draft Dates
• Monday March 19 (Majors), Tuesday March 20 (Minors), Weds March 21 (Farm/TBall). Need to secure PRS school, as cafeteria has worked out well in the past.
Sponsorship Update – Melissa Flanagan
• Existing Sponsor Renewal – Ed asked if we could try and get an earlier view on returning sponsors so we know how many uniforms we need to buy (particularly at Majors level). Melissa to follow up
• New Sponsors – we have received several inquiries and Melissa is on it! Please forward inquiries to Melissa
CORI Process for 2007 – Rick Linehan
• Getting Skip set up; in progress
• Process for running the background checks
ASAP for 2007 – Owen McConville
• Current Status – In progress. Owen needs to review all fields once they are set for the application process.
Volunteer Opportunities -
• Elliot reports that we have 10 or so signed up online for Social Committee
Team Photos for Next Season –
• Tony is still looking working on this one. Not many vendors are willing to do anything other than “one night” shoot scenario, which is not a favored method among the Board.
Topics for Next Meetings
• Little League International E-Mail Distribution. Most of us are on it
• Playing Rules Review – respective committees should be meeting soon to review and make any required changes. 2006 rules are on the website
• Fundraising Ideas
o Boathouse Jackets – might be a good idea to offer again as we haven’t in a couple of years. We have information already from archive, can add it to the website. Elliot will follow up.
Adjournment – Meeting adjourned 9:50 pm.
Next meeting January 22nd 8:00 pm. Please remember we need volunteers for registration on 1/20 and also 1/22
Potential Board Meeting Dates as follows, but subject to change:
Feb 5, Feb 26, Mar 12 Mar 26 April 9 April 23 May 7 May 21 are tentative dates