Announcement
2014 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CABC STATE DUES ARE $15.00 PER TEAM AND THE AABC NATIONAL DUES ARE $30.00 PER TEAM. THERE IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $5.00 PER TEAM FOR REGIONAL DUES (THIS CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE CHECK FOR YOUR STATE DUES.)
REVIEW OF MARCH, 2014 CABC ANNUAL MEETING
The CABC Annual Meeting was held on March 12, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Coco Key Hotel & Convention Center in Waterbury. A quorum was present to conduct the business of the meeting. Following is a review of the issues discussed at the meeting:
1. Overview of 2013 Season- 2013 was another successful season for the CABC. Teams from Hodges (Yard Dogs), Ryan (Seymour) and Musial (Stratford Storm) won World Series.
2. Registrations- Connecticut’s registrations decreasedfrom 202 teams to 196 teams. The number of Leagues decreased from 20 to 17.
3. Budget- The Treasurer's Report was handed out. As of March 12, 2014, the CABC had a balance of $14,654.37.
4. Insurance- The official carrier of AABC insurance remains K & K Insurance Group, Inc. Application forms are available online on the AABC’s website. Rates have increased for 2014, especially at the Musial level. Discounts are available for Leagues registering all of their teams at once. Teams/Leagues have the option to apply for $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 for liability and participant accident coverage.
THE AABC NO LONGER ISSUES INSURANCE WAIVERS. THEREFORE, ALL TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN TOURNAMENT PLAY ABOVE THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE K & K INSURANCE.
Tony Santoro emphasized the need to have policies in place for: (1) screening of volunteers (there is a link on the AABC for Lexis/Nexis, where information is available for background screening); and (2) obtaining signed Waiver and Release forms. If teams/leagues fail to enforce a system to secure and maintain signed waivers, there will be less insurance coverage.
The CABC purchased Directors and Officers Liability Coverage in 2013 and has done so again in 2014.
5. Review of AABC Annual Meeting
(A) Rule Changes: Tony Santoro reported that some rules changes were adopted to the AABC Official Handbook at the National Meeting held in New Orleans, LA in November, 2013. Copies of the rules changes were handed out at the meeting and are also available on the CABC website.
AN EXTENDED DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE REGARDING THE NEW RULES FOR ADDING PLAYERS. PLEASE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THESE NEW RULES (RULE 105 IN THE HANDBOOK), AS WELL AS RULE 106(D) (CHANGING THE NUMBER OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES A PLAYER MUST PLAY IN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TOURNAMENT COMPETITION FROM 3 TO 1) AND RULE 221(E) (CLARIFYING THE BAT RULE FOR THE GRIFFEY THROUGH MUSIAL DIVISIONS).
(B) World Series Formats: Most World Series will have ten (10) teams this year.
(C) World Series Travel Allowances: Teams in our Region will receive the following World Series allowances from our Region’s allotment from the National Office:
Mack- $6,535
Mantle- $6,535
Koufax- $6,535
Ryan- $3,000
Reese- $6,465
Mays- $6,465
Robinson- $3,000
Clemente- $6,465
Teams will receive an additional travel allowance from our Region, and our Region will pay the entry fees for Robinson and Griffey participants.
(D) AABC Website: The AABC website is being updated. More information will follow. It is anticipated that rosters will now be required to be entered online.
(E) Single-Age Groups: Tony Santoro stressed that it is extremely important for any League wishing to participate in single-age group play to notify him as early as possible, so that he can reserve a slot in the World Series and determine if a State Tournament will be needed.
6. 2014 World Series, Regional and State Tournament Dates- A list of World Series, Regional and State Tournament dates for 2014 was handed out. These dates (which are posted on the CABC website) are current as of March 2, 2014 and are subject to change.
7. Review of Regional Meeting
(A) Regional Dues: Each CT team that won a Regional Tournament (other than Musial) and advanced to a World Series in 2013 received money from the Region. In 2014, the Region will distribute all dues it receives for travel reimbursements.
(B) Entry Fees for Regional Tournaments: Each team participating in a Regional Tournament will be charged an enry fee. It is expected to be approximately $250/team.
(C) Reese: CT may have two (2) slots in the Reese Regional Tournament.
(D) Musial: Our Region will once again have 2 slots in the World Series. CT will host one of the Regional Tournaments, with teams from Massachusetts.
(E) Regional Tournament Packages: Regional Tournament Directors have been asked to distribute information packages packages no later than July 1st.
(F) Draws: Pairings for Regional Tournaments will be drawn by the Regional Director.
8. CABC Rules
(A) Teams In More Than One League: A form for those teams participating in more than one League has been posted on the CABC website. In the event a team which plays in more than one League qualifies for a Tournament from more than one League, it must declare for which League it will compete in Tournament play. This declaration must be made by June 1st.
(B) Players On More Than One Team: If more than one team on which a player plays qualifies for Tournament play, the player may choose for which team he will play in Tournament play. However, the player may only play for one team in Tournament play.
(C) Extra Players: A team playing in the State Tournament may add up to three (3) extra players from other teams in its League. These players will count toward the limit specified in new Rule 105 of the AABC Official Handbook.
9. 2014 CABC Officers and Directors- The following people were elected as Officers and Directors of the CABC:
President/Treasurer Tony Santoro
Vice President Ray Brown
Secretary Wendy Stadalnik
Musial Director Mike Fedell
Mack Director Mark Finkenzeller
Mantle Director Mark Finkenzeller
Koufax Director Ray Brown
Reese Director Bill Ryan
Mays Director Tony Stango
Clemente Director Wendy Stadalnik
10. Deadlines for Registrations, Insurance, Schedules and 2014 State Tournament Bids, Etc.- Following is a list of important deadlines:
May 15- Deadline for submitting State Tournament Bids
June 1- (1) State Tournaments Awarded
(2) Deadline for declaration of preference for tournament play by teams in more than one League
June 15- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Clemente, Mays 9, Mays, Hodges, Reese, Nolan Ryan 13s and Koufax
(2) Deadline for establishing residence
July 1- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Griffey 15s, Mantle, Mattingly, Mack and Musial
(2) CABC Rosters due at State Office, with State and Regional Dues
(3) Copies of Schedules due at State Office
11. State/Regional Tournaments- The following issues were reviewed:
(A) Insurance is mandatory for all levels of Tournament play, including State Tournaments.
(B) Under no circumstances may a player compete in Tournament competition at more than one age group Division, as specified in the AABC Official Handbook.
(C) Teams will be required to sign an “Intent Agreement” in order to participate in the State Tournament. Copies of the Agreement are available on the CABC website.
12. 2014 State Tournament Bid Forms- Any team or League wishing to submit a bid should contact Tony Santoro. Single-age Tournaments are open to teams that will commit to advance.
13. Regional Tournaments- Connecticut hosted the Clemente and Mantle Regional Tournaments last year. Both Tournaments were very successful. Tony Santoro thanked Ray Brown and the Tournament Committees for making these Tournaments such a success.
Teams were housed at the Coco Key Hotel in Waterbury. We have developed an excellent working relationship with this hotel.
Connecticut has been awarded the 2014 Clemente and Koufax Regional Tournaments, as well as one of the Musial Regionals.
14. 2014 Qualifying Tournaments- Please check the AABC website for information on Qualifying Tournaments. It is expected that many Qualifiers will be held this year.
15. Miscellaneous
(A) Background Checks
All managers, coaches, chaperones or other volunteers must be checked against the State Sex Offenders Registry. Each League is responsible for checking the registry with respect to each League team. Each League will have to certify to the CABC that all such persons have been checked against the Registry. If any person does appear on the Registry, Tony Santoro is to be notified in writing immediately. Failure to follow this procedure may result in loss of insurance coverage and/or disqualification from Tournament play.
This requirement does not apply to the Musial Division.
A Certification Form which must be signed and returned to the CABC by a League official is available on the CABC website.
(B) Portable Fence- Bill Ryan has looked into the possibility of purchasing a portable fence which can be used for State Tournament games. At this time there is no place to store the fence.
(C) Connecticut Combat/Lou Spataj- Lou Spataj and the Combat were put on probation at the beginning of the 2013 season. This year they failed to advance to the Ryan World Series in Battle Creek, MI, despite having signed an Intent Agreement. The CABC may have to reimburse the Tournament Host $400.00 for the Tournament entry fee. After discussion by the Board of Directors, it was decided that Mr. Spataj and the CT Combat would be indefinitely suspended, making them ineligible for Tournament play.
(D) 13U World Series Classic- Battle Creek, MI will be hosting this Tournament from July 24-27. This is not the same as the AABC Nolan Ryan World Series. Any teams interested in participating in Battle Creek should contact Tony Santoro. There is a 4 game minimum, and the cost is $450.00/team.
(E) CABA World Series- Any teams interested in participating in these Tournaments should contact Tony Santoro.
(F) Flat Seam Baseballs- Tony Santoro stated that flat seam baseballs may be used at the Mack World Series this year. It is possible that these balls will be used at other age levels in the future.
(G) Drafting of Players- Tony Santoro indicated that there was a significant problem last year regarding whether or not a player had refused a draft. Tony Santoro strongly recommended that, in the future, the person conducting a draft make every effort to verify with a player or his parent that the player has refused a draft. This can be done by phone, text, email, etc.
(H) Security at Tournaments- Tony Santoro reported that a potentially serious issue occurred at the Mantle Regional Tournament last year, where there was a confrontation between an umpire and a group of fans. Fortunately this incident was addressed before it escalated. Tony Santoro asked that all Site Directors be sensitive to these types of situations. If there are future occurrences, the umpires may require a police presence at Tournaments.
(I) Behavior of Players, Coaches, Fans- Tony Santoro commented on a disturbing trend in unsportsmanlike behavior over the last couple of years. This seems to be occurring in all sports, not just baseball. It is recommended that League officials address this issue with their teams, so that it does not become a problem.
(J) Safety Issues- Tony Santoro recommended that Leagues/teams keep abreast of the latest safety equipment/protective gear which is available. For example, chest protectors/guards, face protectors and skull caps are available for younger players. Protective caps are also available for pitchers.
