Little League Baseball, Inc., United States Eastern Region

State of Pennsylvania Association of District Administrators

www.pastatell.org

Meeting Minutes

15 October 2016

Recreation Building, Little League Headquarters Complex, South Williamsport, PA

Sara Thompson, Director of Softball highlighted the new softball booklet prior to the meeting.

State Coordinator Bill Dithrich called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.  Roll call was taken by sign in sheet.  Districts represented: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16/31, 17/32, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.  Absentee ballot proxy was presented by David Felker – District 30.  Don Soucy, East Region Director was also present.

Bill introduced new District Administrators, Bryan Fife for District 3 and Bob Herman for District 27.  Chris Robinson is the new District Administrator for District 8.

Jim Hammer from DPH Custom Pins gave a presentation of their product line and deals for Districts.  Their web site is www.dphcustompins.com.  The State DA Association receives a 5% rebate check for all pins and products purchased by PA Little Leagues or PA District Administrators.  Jim presented the State Association a check for $305.28.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of 4 March 2016 was made by District 9.  Second by District 26.  Motion passed.

Motion to approve the finance report dated 15 October 2016 was made by District 15.  Second by District 16.  Motion passed.  Report attached.

HEADQUARTERS REPORT

Pat Wilson, Senior VP of Operations thanked all of the DAs for their service and fielded questions primarily regarding the dropping of the Big League program.  He also noted that the bats conforming to USA Baseball Performance Standard should be available beginning August 2017.  Effective 1 January 2018, the only legal bats for Junior League and below must have the USA Baseball logo on them, all bats that were legal previous to that date will no longer be legal.

OLD BUSINESS

Bill asked if there issues or concerns regarding the 2016 tournament.  It was noted that only the Affidavit, Player Eligibility Form and residency documents need to be carried with the teams.

Please note that if the tournament games are being played on a Municipal, School or University field, the background check certifications for the coaches may be needed as well.  This should be stated in the tournament packet as well.

There was an issue with some Affidavits arriving at the State level lacking the proper signatures.  All Affidavits need to be signed at the District, Section and State levels by the DA or the Tournament Director before heading to the next level.

NEW BUSINESS

2017 Tournament Calendar was presented.  It was noted that the official dates for the 2017 Tournament won’t be available until after the November meeting of the International Board.

It was noted that Section 4 is unable to host the 10 & 11 Year Old State Softball tournament.  It was opened to any other section.  Section 2 is willing to host it.

Revised State Tournament Assignments are:

Bill noted that all sites for State Tournaments need to be to him by 1 February 2017 and must have an approved ASAP program. 

Discussion followed as to when a host team can be entered in a State Tournament.  A host team can be entered in the State Tournament only if there are less than eight section teams for the tournament and the team must receive Play to Advance waiver from East Region.  Under no circumstances can a host team be entered in a State Tournament if they were disqualified on the District or Section level.

A motion was made by District 12 to suspend dues for 2017.  Second by District 29.  Motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Bill noted that the DA Clinic will be held on 28-29 October 2016 at East Region Headquarters in Bristol, CT.

The Little Museum has free admission for all DA’s today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  He encouraged any DA that has not seen the renovated museum to tour it.

EAST REGION REPORT – Don Soucy, East Region Director began by thanking Bob Bertoni, District 16 for his help in the instant replay booth this summer at Bristol.  He then reported the following:

·       DA Clinic – 28, 29 October 2016 with Advisory Board meeting 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday; DA Mixer at Nuchie’s at 6 p.m. Friday; DA Clinic with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

·       The following at the A. Bartlett Giamatti LL Leadership Training Center:

   o   League Administrator Training – 21 January 2017

   o   Umpire Clinic – 11 February 2017

   o   Softball Clinic – 5 March 2017

   o   Umpire School – 15-19 March 2017

·       Umpire Resumes for 2017 Tournaments need submitted by 1 November 2016

 Don noted some statistics:

·       PA has the highest participation in the East Region with 32 DAs; 404 Charters; 9,375 teams.

·       East Region has the highest participation in Little League with 145 DAs; 1,758 Charters; 43,527 teams.

      The Charter Fee for 2017 will remain at $10/team.  Insurance will be $28/team with $57/team for the Junior & Senior Divisions.

Don distributed Boundary Maps and noted that Corey and Amry will be contacting DAs regarding overlaps.

Don announced that he will be retiring effective 1 June 2017 after 25 years of service with Little League.  The State Association of PA wishes him the best in his retirement and thanked him for his service.

East Region is planning to hire a new Assistant Director in January 2017.

East Region will be contacting leagues that need to update their Constitutions & By-Laws.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Next meeting date is scheduled for 8 April 2017, 12:00 pm.  Location to be announced.

Motion to adjourn was made by District 16.  Second by District 9.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Dithrich

Administrative Assistant

Pennsylvania State Little League DA’s Finance Report

4 March 2016

Click here to open a printable version.