I would like you to pass this information along to your teammates and inform them that the umpires will try to be more clear on these policies and will be watching for illegal bats. Players should be aware of what they are swinging and in my opinion, after this, if a player is swinging an illegal bat then they should be ejected from the game as per our stated rules.

Note: (Sanctioned league/tournament play) Any batter, after entering the batter’s box, discovered using an altered or non-approved bat is immediately ejected and suspended for the rest of the game/tournament. In addition, there will be a review by the League Disciplinary Committee. A second offence will result in a minimum one year suspension.

Our bat policy clearly states that we follow the ASA bat policy.

Regardless of the changes brought forth by different associations. Our bat policy is the following…

IF IT DOES NOT HAVE AN APPROVED ASA STAMP, THEN IT IS NOT LEGAL.

 There is no grey area in this policy.  If the bat has the new USSSA thumbprint, it STILL has to have the ASA stamp. If you are not sure, then ask me and I will get you a definite answer.

Here are some helpful links

Our league link to the bat policy http://gtcspl.slopitchcentral.ca/admin/bats/

ASA standards that are already posted on our site. This is the only one you should have to look at http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp

If it is NOT on this list, then it is NOT legal – period http://www.asasoftball.com/about/getManufacturerDetail.asp

ASA is the first and only priority

SPO policy – relates mainly to Super Series as it clearly states that leagues have choice

http://www.slopitch.info/news/approvedbats.htm

SPN policy – again, same statements as above

http://www.slo-pitch.com/content/2012-slo-pitch-national-bat-policy

Please convey this message to your teams immediately and make sure that we are not swinging improper/illegal equipment.

League insurance will not warrant any misuse of equipment

Thank you

U of G

This is the main diamond off College Avenue that we have used for the last few years.  There is a blue storage box with our bases located inside.  Please make sure that everything is put away at end of the night.  The lights should be automatic.

Marden Park

We will be using the current storage box temporarily - the Orange bin from GG4 will be moved to Marden Park for future storage.  Once located, please store all supplies belonging to GTCSPL in the Orange box – do NOT use the shed.  These lights should also be automatic

May 8th and onward …

St.James

We are locating one of our Blue boxes along the first base side at St. James - all our equipment will be kept in there.  Once this is located, we will take back all J keys (opening tourney weekend).

Guelph Lake

Guelph Lake will have new storage boxes supplied by the City for all our supplies.  The key on your key ring will be used for opening the light boxes as per usual.

Omafra will also have one of the new storage bins supplied by the City.

Thanks,
Bruce

We will be available between 7:00 and approx. 8:30 pm in order to accommodate everyone.

Please bring your full league fees $1800 payable to GTCSPL.

Note: any outstanding Performance bonds must also be topped up at this time.

You will have to sign waivers, collect keys, scorebooks, balls etc. – it should only take about 10-15 minutes of your time.

Teams Attended: Bases Loaded, Wasted Talent, CAW 1917, Connors Construction, Dirt Squirrels, Gremlins, Hackers, Jose’s Banditos, Left Stranded, Mortgage Architects, No Pepper, Shoeless Joe’s, SOX2BU, Team Awesome, The Roasters, Those Guys, Who’s On First, NAC Attack, Young Gunners, BOHICA, Hab/Hab Nots, Balls Deep, BDO Blues, Scared Hitless, Killawatts, Lucky Mitts, Kin Activation (new)

Regrets: La Bats, Boston Pizza

Absent: Hartec, Deep Cold, CPA Cubs

1. Affiliation

   We had a representative from SPO attend our meeting and it was unanimously decided by team votes that we will be affiliated with SPO for the upcoming 2012 season.

2. Division Alignment

   Bulldogs have pulled out and a new team “KinActivation” will be replacing them in the “C” Division.

3. Diamonds

   Bases are replaced at Guelph Lakes.

   New bins will be situated and bases will be exclusive to men’s and coed. Bins also at Omafra, Marden and St.James

   Plugs MUST be used at end of night. Any bases not put away at the end of night will result in fines to HOME team.

   Still looking into new bases for University diamonds and Marden in future if warranted but current bases are in place and must also be put away in bunkers at end of day. Orange bunker will be relocated to Marden.

4. Umpires

   Some New Umpires may be coming into our league this year.

5. Proposed Budget

   Budget was reviewed with a few questions, but went over good.

   Budgeted high for the 2012 season, but will be lower once everything is confirmed with city.

6. Prizing

   Prizing will be good this year with the options that SPO have to offer us.

7. Statistician

   We will be tentatively mapping out 2 schedules.

   Current season is 20-21 games, may be 15 to 18 games dependant on weather.

   League fees will be adjusted accordingly (at end of season) if that happens.

   Sunday games (if required) have been voted in as opposed to a shorter season.

   Sundays will ONLY happen if we can not make up games during the regular season due to fields/weather.

8. Important dates

   Season will start May 1st at some parks. May 8th at City parks.

   Opening tourney will be held May 29th to June 2nd.

   Closing tournament week will be September 25th to 30th.

   Banquet date is scheduled for November 9th.

9. League Fees

   New teams will pay $1800.00 plus $200 Performance bond. Returning teams will pay $1800.

10. Constitution

    The current constitution on website will be updated shortly to reflect all changes that have been brought forward this past year.

    The scorebooks will also be amended and a “cheat sheet” will be included in the scorebook for easier reference.

11. Other Business

    Bat Policy – ASA has not indicated any changes and the Executive will support an ASA policy going forward.

Next meeting will be April 24th – all league fees due at that time.

I have scheduled the next meeting for:
Tuesday, March 27th at 7pm
Knights of Columbus

Biggest concerns will be:

Our Affiliation for this year. We have been presented with some very good packages from each association and they will have reps at the meeting to discuss further.

Diamond usage. We will discuss the possibility of Sunday games or a League weekend where each team will play 2-4 games – similar to a tourney. We may not have any option on this as our season is shortened this year so be prepared to accept a solution.

League fees will be due at the meeting in April (tentatively scheduled for April 24th), so start collecting. All league fees must be paid before the season starts. Fees will be at least $1800 as returning team credit will not be applied this year.