Little League Baseball, Inc., United States Eastern Region

State of Pennsylvania Association of District Administrators

www.pastatell.org

Meeting Minutes

11 April 2015

Lundy Center, Little League Headquarters Complex, South Williamsport, PA

State Coordinator Bill Dithrich called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.  Roll call was taken by sign in sheet.  Districts represented: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17/32, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30.  Absentee ballot proxies were presented by Earl Mercadante representing District 22 and Ray Ostroski representing District 24.  Don Soucy, East Region Director was also present.

Bill announced that there are two new District Administrators, Heather Fechtenburg, District 21 and Bob Ryan, District 22.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of 18 October 2014 was made by District 30.  Second by District 9.  Motion passed.

Motion to approve the finance report dated 11 April 2015 was made by District 17.  Second by District 10.  Motion passed.  Report attached.

OLD BUSINESS

2015 state tournaments – We still need a site for the Intermediate Baseball State Tournament. If no one takes the tournament, one of the Sectional winners have to host the state tournament.

Other State Tournament packets that are needed:

Junior Baseball – District 25 – Cranberry Little League

Big League Baseball – District 15 – Southern Tioga Little League

9 & 10 Softball – District 10 – East Bradford Little League

10 & 11 Softball – District 26 – West Point Little League

Little League Softball – District 15 – Southern Tioga Little League

Junior Softball – District 13 – Berwick Little League

Senior Softball – District 13 – Berwick Little League

Big League Softball – District 15 – Southern Tioga Little League

Bill reminded everyone that the section pairings for State Tournaments as approved at the October 2014 meeting are posted on the PA State website.

NEW BUSINESS

A procedure for recommending umpires for Regional and World Series Tournaments was discussed.  The procedure would  committee to evaluate the possible umpire candidates at section and state games.  After discussion, a motion was made by District15 to table the evaluation process as Little League will be discussing this further and their recommendations should be in place by our October 2015 meeting.  Second by District 13.  Motion passed.

Former DA’s who have passed away in the last year were acknowledged.

Barbara Holovka – District 11

Edward Weiss – District 20

Jim McDonald – District 30

Walter Strosser – District 2

Motion was made to send a $100 Barb Holovka Memorial to American Heart Association by District 30.  Second by District 32.

Earle Mercadante asked for suggestions as to how to stimulate softball development.  Scott Leinbach stated that in some of his leagues softball has separated from baseball and formed their own charters, boundaries and board of directors and are thriving as a result.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

The state mandated background check procedure was discussed.  Bill noted that there is now in effect a Child Abuse Reporting Law that states anyone who witnesses a child abuse is responsible to report it to authorities.

Mike Serino presented a clarification letter from PA State Representative, Dan Moul the creator of Act 153.  The letter is posted on the state web site.  Here is the Link.

After much discussion, Jennie Todd suggested that we get a form letter from Little League to present to Districts and parents to write to their congressmen requesting that Little Leagues be exempted from the state mandated background check since Little League already has one in place and requires this to be done each year.

Bob Rodenbaugh voiced a concern with the Senior Baseball tournaments starting two weeks earlier this year and it will be cut into regular season play in order to complete the district tournament in time.

EAST REGION REPORT – Don reported the following:

·         The Little League Baseball and Little League Softball East Region tournaments will be going to double elimination format in 2015.

·         Little League Baseball will be a modified double elimination bracket with no if necessary game.

·         Little League Softball will be a true double elimination bracket.

·         There will be a Mini Congress in each of the regions in 2016.  The location for East Region has not been determined.  Little League may cover the cost of lodging for the DA’s to Mini Congress.

PRESENTATION

Don presented the residency requirements for Tournament Affidavits using a portion of the Hometown Little League power point presentation.  The entire presentation is located on the State website at http://www.pastatell.org/Hometown.pps.

Bill discussed communicating back to the DA whenever their team’s tournament packet is lacking proper documentation.  It was suggested that a report form be posted on the state web site to facilitate communication.

Next meeting date is scheduled for 17 October, 2015.  Time and location to be announced.

Motion to adjourn was made by District 30.  Second by District 9.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Dithrich

Administrative Assistant

Pennsylvania State Little League DA’s Finance Report

11 April 2015

Click here to open a printable version.