Gahanna Junior League Sports: GJLS Constitution pt.1
Sunday, November 23GJLS Constitution
GAHANNA JUNIOR LEAGUE SPORTS, INC.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I NAME AND OBJECTIVESection 1 The name of this organization shall be “Gahanna Junior League Sports, Inc.”
Section 2 Non-Profit Corporation
A. Gahanna Junior League Sports, Inc. ("GJLS" or the "League") shall be a non-profit, voluntary corporation and shall be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State by its Board of Directors.
B. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any private member or individual.
C. The Corporation shall not, as any substantial part of its activities, carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation. The Corporation shall not participate in political campaigns on behalf of a candidate for public office.
Section 3 Objectives of this League
A. To give every boy and girl eligible the opportunity to play sports in a league with players of approximately equal ability.
B. To surround those sports with such safeguards as to warrant absolute public confidence in its integrity and its administration.
C. To protect and promote the mutual interest of sports teams and sports players.
D. To educate every eligible boy and girl in proper moral, mental, and physical values so that they may become assets to American citizenry.
E. To promote scientific instruction and training in sports.
Section 4 Regulations
The League shall adopt such Regulations as it deems necessary to insure that the objectives set forth above are accomplished. These Regulations shall be subordinate to this Constitution. All GJLS leagues’ rules shall be governed by the Ohio High School Athletics Association, a copy of which may be obtained from the OHSAA, 4080 Roselea Place, Columbus, Ohio (614) 267-2502.
Section 5 Fundraisers
Fundraisers may be conducted by any travel team under the following guidelines. The travel team will record any money raised and spent. All money raised will be used for the direct operating expenses of that team. All financial records will be turned over to the Treasurer of the League by September 1 of each year. Community leagues or tournament teams cannot conduct fundraisers.
ARTICLE 2 MEMBERS
Section 1 Non-Voting Members
Any parent, guardian, or sponsor who pays the registration fee in order to enable a child to play sports under the auspices of GJLS is a non-voting member of said organization.
Section 2 Voting Members
A. A person who is approved by the Screening Committee to manage a team in GJLS and who is confirmed by a vote of the other voting members to manage a specific team sponsored by this organization shall be a voting member of this organization.
B. A person who is on the Board of Directors shall be a voting member of this organization, with the exception that the President will vote only in the case of a tie (ARTICLE 3, Section 3B).
C. Voting members may resign at any time by notifying the Secretary in writing.
ARTICLE 3 OFFICERS
Section 1 ElectionA. The President shall appoint a nominating committee of three (3) or more members in June. Said committee shall review all nominees for officers and report, along with an official election ballot declaring the nominees for officers of the League, at a special meeting in July.
B. After that special meeting, if deemed necessary, a ballot will be mailed out to all Sports Council members. Said election ballot must be returned to the nominating committee postmarked no later then the Tuesday before the August Sports Council meeting OR hand-delivered in person by the end of the August Sports Council meeting. The election ballot will then be counted by a committee appointed by the President. At that meeting, the officers for the upcoming season will be announced. If it is deemed unnecessary for ballots to be mailed out, then a vote will be conducted by the President at the August Sports Council meeting to determine the officers for the upcoming season.C. There shall be a total of up to twelve (12) trustees elected. At the August meeting, the voting members, hereinafter known as the "Executive Sports Council," will elect ten (10) trustees: A President-designate, an Executive Vice-President-designate, nine (9) Vice-President-designates, a Secretary-designate, and a Treasurer-designate. These trustees shall elect themselves President, Executive Vice-President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively. They shall hold these offices for a period of one (1) year, or until their successors are duly elected, or until they resign. The officers' terms shall commence on September 1. At the April meeting, one (1) trustee shall be elected for Vice-President of Fall programs. This office term shall commence May 1.
D. In the event an officer resigns or is removed, the President shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term, subject to confirmation by majority vote of the remainder of the Board of Directors. Should the President's office be vacated, the order of succession will be: Executive Vice-President, Treasurer, the Vice-Presidents (in order to be determined by the Board of Directors at their first meeting after their election), and the Secretary.
E. The November meeting shall be the "Annual Meeting" which this corporation is required to designate under Ohio Laws governing tax-exempt corporations.
Section 2 Board of Directors
A. The Board of Directors shall be voted-in by the Sports Council.
B. The Board of Directors of the League shall consist of the President, Executive Vice-President, nine (9) Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer (described below).
C. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for all matters not covered by the Constitution, Regulations, and all financial matters. Their decision will be final.
D. The Board of Directors shall constitute the League's highest authority on all questions of policy that come before them. The Board of Directors can veto any item passed by the Executive Sports Council with a two-thirds' vote of the existing board members.Section 3 Executive Sports Council
A. The Executive Sports Council shall consist of all league commissioners, committee chairpersons, directors, and officers.
B. The Executive Sports Council shall honor matters of business by any member of the League.
C. The Executive Sports Council shall determine the quota for all leagues.
D. The coaches and commissioners of each league may adopt and/or amend playing rules for the league. These playing rules and its changes shall be subordinate to GJLS Regulations and must be approved by the Executive Sports Council each year.
Section 4 President
A. The President shall preside at all League meetings and discharge other duties as required for the day-to-day operation of the League.
B. The President shall cast the deciding vote on all deadlocks. In case the President cannot reach a decision, the matter should be tabled until the next meeting and be the first order of business.
C. The President shall appeal to the Rules Committee of at least three (3) members not connected with the dispute, to rule upon any protests. The Rules Committee may order a game forfeited to either team, or order it replayed.
D. The President has the right to table any issue or discussion for further review.
E. The President shall appoint all committees.
F. The President shall have on file copies of each leagues' rules for the current year by the April Sports Council meeting.
Section 5 Executive Vice-President
It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Vice-President to work closely with the President to assist him in running the day-to-day operation of the League. The Executive Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President if the President is unavailable or incapacitated.
Section 6 Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall collect all money and deposit same in the League's account in the bank.
B. The Treasurer shall pay out money only as provided in the Constitution of the League, or as directed by the President after appropriate Board action.
C. The Treasurer shall render a report of the business pertaining to his office at the annual meeting of the League and a Financial Report at each regular meeting.
D. All expenses incurred by the League shall be covered by check or cash receipt. Checks shall be signed by any two of the following: (1) President, (2) Executive Vice-President, or (3) Treasurer.
E. The Treasurer shall file all tax forms required by any government entities.
F. The fiscal year used by GJLS shall be January 1 through December 31, inclusive.
Section 7 Secretary
A. The Secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all proceedings of regular and special meetings of both the Sports Council and the Board of Directors. Such record must be approved at the next regular meeting of the Sports Council.
B. The Secretary shall file a Certificate of Continued Existence with the Ohio Secretary of State every five (5) years or at whatever interval required by law.
C. The Secretary shall notify the Ohio Secretary of State of any change of Statutory Agent.
Section 8 Vice-Presidents
Each of the Vice-Presidents will be responsible for specific areas of the League's operation as assigned by the President, as follows:
A. Concessions. The vice president of concessions will be responsible for the ordering, stocking, and inventory of all food products that shall be sold and food machines located at the concession stands at the various ball fields for the League. This vice president may also assign individuals to be responsible for each concession stand. Those individuals will stock, inventory, and make the coaches aware of their concession duties.
B. Player Placement. The vice president of player placement will be responsible for the coordination of registration for the League for all seasons.
C. Equipment. The vice president of equipment will be responsible for the ordering and stocking of uniforms and equipment for all the teams of the League. This vice president may also assign individuals to be responsible for the distribution and collection of equipment for individual leagues.
D. Grounds and Facilities. The vice president of grounds and facilities will be responsible for coordinating the maintenance and upkeep of fields and facilities used by the League.
E. Softball. The vice president of softball will be responsible for the coordination of and communication between all softball teams, including travel, for the League.
F. Travel Ball. The vice president of travel ball will be responsible for the coordination of and communication between all baseball travel teams for the League.
G. Fall Baseball. The vice president of fall baseball will be responsible for the coordination of registration for the League for the upcoming fall season. These duties will begin in June and last until after the end of fall season.
H. Trophies. The vice president of trophies is responsible for the ordering of all trophies used by the League. This vice president may also coordinate individuals to assemble these trophies each season.
I. Screening. The vice president of the screening committee is responsible for the coordination of applications of prospective coaches for the upcoming season. Different individuals may be appointed as vice president of screening for each of the spring and fall seasons.
Section 9 Director of Umpires
The President may appoint a director(s) of umpires. The director(s) shall be responsible for recruiting and training all umpires. The director(s) shall also recommend to the President an umpire director for each sports league that requires umpires.
Section 10 League Commissioners
The President shall appoint one (1) commissioner for each league or may appoint two (2) commissioners in leagues of sixteen (16) or more teams. If two (2) commissioners are appointed, the President may designate a neutral third party to decide disagreements.
Section 11 Rules Committee
There shall be a Rules Committee of at least five (5) members appointed by the President. They shall be responsible to the Board of Directors for studies and recommendations on all rules and for additions and deletions to the Regulations and amendments to the Constitution. Requests for changes shall be submitted to the Rules Committee in writing. All matters pertaining to the Constitution and Regulations shall originate in the Rules Committee.
Section 12 Screening Committee
A. There shall be a Screening Committee of at least five (5) members appointed by the President.
B. This committee shall be responsible for reviewing all applicants for team manager positions as submitted by the league commissioner. Managers' qualifications will be based on: (1) sportsmanship, (2) overall knowledge of the game, and (3) service to the league. In the event a manager is unable to fulfill these duties, the Screening Committee may appoint a replacement.
C. The Screening Committee is responsible for obtaining a completed application form from all prospective coaches and assistant coaches.
D. All applications for prospective coaches and assistant coaches shall include personal information, including, but not limited to, driver’s license number and personal references. All applications shall also include consent for GJLS to conduct a criminal background check.E. The Screening Committee shall recommend to the Sports Council those persons they feel will best fulfill these responsibilities for the Sports Council's approval.
F. The Screening Committee is also responsible for reviewing the performance of each manager after each season. The committee may recommend that a manager who does not fulfill his responsibilities lose his team and his voting membership, subject to the approval of the Sports Council.
G. A manager's term and voting privileges expire on December 31 of each year or earlier if the manager resigns or is removed, unless, by December 1, a new application is submitted to the Screening Committee for the upcoming season.
Section 13 Statutory Agent
There shall be a Statutory Agent for GJLS, whose specific duty it shall be to accept all legal documents and notices affecting the organization. The President shall serve as the Statutory Agent.
Section 14 Removal
A. Any voting member may propose a motion to remove an officer. If such motion is passed by a majority of the Sports Council, the Board of Directors, less the officer whose removal is proposed, must investigate this motion and render a full report at the next League meeting. At that time, the motion must be voted on by the Sports Council with a two-thirds (2/3) majority present necessary for its acceptance.
B. A League commissioner can be removed by the President, if confirmed by a majority vote of the managers of the league he was appointed to head.
C. Any elected official that has four (4) consecutive unexcused absences from the monthly Executive Sports Council meetings may be subjected to dismissal from that office.
ARTICLE 4 GOVERNMENT
Section 1 Sports Council
The Sports Council shall consist of the managers from each league and all members of the Executive Sports Council and the Board of Directors that do not already manage a team (i.e., all voting members as defined under ARTICLE 2, Section 2).
Section 2 Manager's Representative
In the event that a manager is unable to attend a monthly meeting, he may designate a non-voting member of GJLS to vote in his absence by notifying the Secretary in writing. This section does not apply to elections.
Section 3 Budget
A. The Board of Directors shall submit a budget to the Sports Council for its approval at the December meeting each year. This budget must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority present of the Sports Council, either at this meeting or the January meeting.
B. The President, Executive Vice-President, and the Treasurer shall not authorize any expenditures in excess of the amount budgeted for a particular budget category without formal approval of the Sports Council.
Section 4 Excess Funds
If, at the conclusion of the fiscal year, the League has excess funds, after meeting all its financial obligations for that fiscal year, such excess shall be handled as follows:
A. Fifty percent (50%) of such excess funds may not be spent without approval of the Sports Council. It shall require the signatures of two (2) officers to release these funds, one of which must be either the President or the Executive Vice-President.
B. The remaining fifty percent (50%) may be spent for capital improvements approved by the Board of Directors, or left in the League's account in the bank, or invested, or any combination of these approved by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 5 QUORUM, VOTING, AND POWER OF SPEECH
Section 1 Quorum
A. No decision may be reached by any committee, Sports Council, Executive Sports Council, or Board of Directors unless a quorum of that body is present.
B. If a quorum is not present at Sports Council, the issue may revert back to the Executive Sports Council.
C. One-sixth of the Sports Council and one-third of the Executive Sports Council shall constitute a quorum.
D. Two-thirds of a committee or the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
E. The quorum shall be computed from the number of positions currently filled within each body.
Section 2 Voting
A. The vote of any member not represented shall be considered to be in agreement with the majority of those present.
B. A simple majority of those present is required for any proposal to be passed, unless otherwise provided in the Constitution or Regulations.
Section 3 Power of Speech
All managers, coaches, umpires, officers, parents or guardians of registered players, and officials of GJLS have the power of speech.
ARTICLE 6 AMENDMENTS
Section 1 Proposals
Any proposals to amend this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee (Article 3, Section 10). The Rules Committee will review all requests and present their findings at the next scheduled meeting of the Sports Council
Section 2 Ratification
A one-sixth (1/6) vote of the Sports Council is required to amend this Constitution. All amendments shall become effective immediately unless a separate provision for a different effective date is incorporated into the proposal.
GAHANNA JUNIOR LEAGUE SPORTS, INC.
REGULATIONS
1.00 CONDUCT
1.01 The conduct of all participants and spectators should be such as to reflect credit on the organization.
1.02 No participants are permitted to enter or leave the park through private property. No participants shall climb fences or backstops. Any offender may be suspended.
1.03 Each manager is responsible for the conduct and sportsmanship of members of his team, as well as himself. Where there is no provision for separating players and spectators, spectators are considered part of the manager's responsibility.
1.04 Any player, coach, manager, or spectator using abusive, disrespectful, or profane language, or showing unsportsmanlike conduct, is to be put out of the game and not eligible to return under any circumstances. The umpire shall report all such cases to the Board of Directors in writing immediately following the game in question. Any person, including all players, coaches, managers, or spectators, ejected from a game will be suspended for one game. That suspension will occur for the next scheduled game – NO EXCEPTIONS. After a person is ejected from a game, that person must immediately proceed to the parking lot within the time element determined by the umpire-in-charge. Any ejected person may NOT attend the suspended game. The ejected person is banned from the playing field of the suspended game and may be located NO closer to the field than the parking lot. If other arrangements have not been made, a coach ejected from the game may bring his team’s equipment to the next game (wherefrom he is not permitted to coach) to the concession stand located at his team’s field. The coach is NOT permitted to prepare his team for the game, absolutely no coaching of the team, and no team meetings, before or after the game. The coach will be permitted to watch the game NO CLOSER than the league’s field’s parking lot. The ejected coach may collect his team equipment either after the game in the parking lot or at the next game he/she is eligible to coach. If any person, including players, coaches, managers or spectators, violates the above ejection or suspension, that person may be subjected to a hearing by the Executive Sports Council (see Regulation 13.00 Complaints, Hearing Procedures, Discipline below). If any person has subjected themselves to multiple ejection infractions, that person is subject to discipline by the Executive Sports Council as dictated by Regulation 13.00, Complaints, Hearing Procedures, Discipline below.1.05 Players shall not yell, scream, or strike the dugout or backstop with any object in order to distract an opponent or umpire. All offenders are subject to suspension by the Board of Directors.
1.06 Any manager removing or refusing to field a team is subject to suspension upon review by the Board of Directors.
1.07 A. The use of alcoholic products by any manager, coach, player, umpire, or league official within the confines of GJLS or City of Gahanna property is prohibited.
B. The use of tobacco products by any manager, coach, player, umpire, or league official within the playing fields, dugouts, or bench areas is prohibited.
1.08 All players, managers, coaches, umpires, league officials, spectators, and anyone else making use of facilities under the jurisdiction of GJLS, are absolutely REQUIRED TO ABIDE BY ANY AND ALL GUIDELINES WHICH THE Board of Education of Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools and/or the City of Gahanna may adopt governing the use of any Board and/or City property on which GJLS plays its games or holds its practices or meetings. Anyone violating these guidelines may be asked to appear before the Executive Sports Council, as in Regulation 13.00. The guidelines shall be distributed to all League members at the time of registration.
2.00 COACHES' RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2.01 No person under the age of 18 years is permitted to be a manager or coach for any of the GJLS leagues without approval of Sports Council.
2.02 A coach has the right to drop or suspend a player for reason of conduct, poor sportsmanship, or consistent failure to attend practices or games. All action must be reported to the commissioner within twenty-four (24) hours. All permanent action is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. Dropping a player from the roster shall constitute a "vacancy," and shall be handled as prescribed in 2.03(A), (B), (C), and (D), below.
2.03 A. Within five (5) weeks from the league’s opening day, if a player moves away, quits, is injured in a way that he/she cannot play, or is absent unexcused from the team for two (2) consecutive weeks, the manager must immediately notify the commissioner. The commissioner shall declare a "vacancy" if the player will not return to the team that season.
B. If there is a player(s) on the waiting list, such vacancy shall be filled immediately from the waiting list. The waiting lists for each individual league shall be based on a first-come, first-serve basis of the registration form. In order to be placed on a waiting list, a signed registration form must be received and then dated by the Vice President of Player Placement. The placement order shall then proceed according to the received date of the registration form. If there is more than one team that needs placement from a waiting list, then those teams’ names will be placed into a “hat pick,” and then the placing of the players shall occur according to the received date of the registration form. No new additional players may be added to a team after the five (5) weeks from the league’s opening day. EXCEPTION: A vacancy due to a move-out or injury of a player.
C. If there is no waiting list from which to fill the vacancy, the commissioner may fill the vacancy by permanently moving up a player or players from the next lower league. The commissioner may only move up players designated by the Vice President for Player Placement, who for this purpose shall compile a list of players who want to move up and whose parents want them to move up, provided that player has played one full year in the lower league (see Reg. 7.02(G) below). If there is one vacancy and more than one player on this list, the Vice-President of Player Placement shall draw from the list at random.D. If there are no players on the waiting list, and no players who want to move up from the next lower league, the team with a vacancy or vacancies simply play with a reduced roster.
2.04 Both teams are responsible for preparation of the field before the game and repair of the field after the game. Failure of a coach or his/her representative to help prepare or repair the fields may result in a one game suspension.
2.05 All team equipment and uniforms will be issued at such time that the VP of Equipment deems appropriate. Each manager will receive one new ball for each game his team is scheduled to play. Each manager must supply the umpire one of those new balls at the beginning of each game. Managers and coaches are not to award or give away balls, provided by the League, whether new or used. All remaining balls must be returned to the League at the conclusion of the season.
2.06 All issued equipment bags should be returned to the commissioner of that league or the Vice President of Equipment as soon as that team’s final tournament game is finished. If it is not returned at that time, then all equipment bags MUST be returned to the Vice President of Equipment NO LATER THAN November 1 of that year. Failure to return the equipment bag in it's entirety by November 1 will result in a penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00), which will be assessed on the next season’s registration of the offending coach’s child as long as the bag is returned in it's entirety by the end of registration. Additionally, failure to return the equipment bag or any of its contents may affect the offending coach’s opportunity to coach in the next or future seasons. GJLS reserves the right to invoice for the entire cost of equipment bags and/or its contents not returned by the end of registration. Registration of an offending coach’s child/player for the upcoming season will not be accepted until the equipment bag is returned in its entirety.2.07 Each manager is responsible for the return to the storage facilities of all equipment issued to him at the beginning of the season. This must be done on the day of the team's last game. Failure to meet this responsibility may result in the automatic loss of that team.
2.08 Bats and helmets are to be in the dugout, or out-of-play along the bench area, when not in use. Batters, on-deck hitters, and catchers must wear helmets in a game or practice situation. A manager may be suspended for refusing to satisfy this requirement.
2.09 Each team is to clean up around its bench and seating areas after each game. This is to include the outside area of the ball diamond, as well as the ball diamond itself.
2.10 The manager or his representative MUST be present at all tryouts and drafts. If the manager or his representatives does not attend, he/she shall appear before the Screening Committee, which will review the case and recommend a course of action to Sports Council.
2.11 Each manager or his representative must attend at least five (5) of the scheduled monthly Sports Council meetings and supply AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) HOURS EACH YEAR TO THE LEAGUE for one of the following:
A. Commissioner or Board Member
B. Help with equipment repairs
C. Help with field repair or maintenance
D. Work on different committees
E. Trophies
F. Registration datesG. Umpiring (see Sec. 2.12 below)
If the manager or his representatives do not fulfill this requirement, he/she may not be considered by the Screening Committee for any managerial vacancies in GJLS the following season.
2.12 Each manager in C, CC, CCC, and A leagues, or his/her adult designee representing the manager's team, shall be required to umpire at least two (2) games during the regular season. The games may be umpired at either the plate or bases, and are unpaid. The umpiring of these games is counted toward the 15 hours of league work required of all managers in accordance with Reg. 2.11, above. The league commissioner of each league will verify that managers have met the requirement of this rule. Any manager determined not to have met this requirement by the end of the regular season may be suspended for the first two (2) games of post-season tournament play.
2.13 Games that are rained out or suspended must be rescheduled by the league commissioner on the next available date. Failure of either team to field
2.14 Coaching Guidelines: Each manager and his assistants are to conduct practices and games in such a way as to provide the best opportunity for all players on their team to acquire the skills which GJLS feels they should learn at their current level of play. These skills are cumulative.
A. T-BALL LEAGUE
1. Proper way to throw and catch a ball
2. Proper fielding - both infield and outfield
3. Batting:
a. Correct grip when holding a bat
b. Eye contact
c. Concentration
4. Basic base running - when to run - when to hold
5. Basic defense - where to throw
6. All players should be exposed to all positions for at least three innings per season
7. Important of over-running first base
8. The coach should make sure proper placement of the tee is made for each player
B. A LEAGUE (INSTRUCTIONAL)
1. Teach how to charge the ball
2. Teach the basic catcher fundamentals:
a. Proper target technique
b. Proper release of mask
c. Proper glove technique
3. Proper way to make a tag
4. Begin to teach the basic pitching fundamentals:
a. Proper grip of the ball
b. Correct balance point
c. Proper arm motion
d. Proper follow through
5. Fundamentals of outfield play:
a. Where to play
b. Where to throw
6. Basic base running
7. Teach each child at least two positions
8. Aggressive hitting - proper strike zone
9. Introduce crow hop technique
10. The one basic rule that should be followed throughout the league - "What will I do if the ball is hit to me?"
C. AA LEAGUE (INSTRUCTIONAL)
1. Base stealing and delayed stealing
2. Proper bunting techniques
3. Proper defense for bunting - both infield and outfield
4. Important of signs - where player should look and how signs are given
5. Advanced outfield technique and importance of outfield play
6. Proper positions for relay men
D. AAA LEAGUE
1. Fence play in the outfield
2. Proper procedure for the squeeze play
3. Advanced sliding techniques
4. Advanced pitching techniques
5. Advanced sign techniques
6. Improve batting techniques
7. How to play pop-ups
8. Coach should begin keeping stats on players and showing their importance
E. PONY LEAGUE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
1. Proper lead-off, stealing
2. Advance squeeze play
3. Hit and run techniques
4. Advanced pitching techniques
5. Advanced hitting techniques
6. Refined outfield and infield play
7. Refined relay procedures
F. C LEAGUE (GIRLS INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTBALL)
1. Proper way to throw and catch the ball
2. Proper fielding - both infield and outfield
3. Try to diminish fear of the ball
4. Batting:
a. Grip
b. Weight distribution throughout the swing
c. Eye contact
d. Concentration
e. Proper strike zone
5. Basic base running - when to run, when to hold
6. Basic defense:
a. Positioning in the field
b. Where to throw
c. Players should always think, "What will I do if the ball is hit to me?"
7. All players should be exposed to playing all positions
8. Teach each child at least two (2) positions in some detail
9. The importance of over-running first base.
10. Proper way to make a tag
11. When you tag the base and when you must tag the runner
G. CC LEAGUE (GIRLS INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTBALL)
1. Improve basic catching and throwing skills
2. Proper fielding technique - both infield and outfield
3. Teach how to catch the ball
4. Basic base stealing
5. Batting:
a. Level swing
b. Weight distribution throughout the swing
c. Eye contact
d. Concentration
e. Aggressive hitting - take a good hard swing at any ball in the strike zone
f. Knowledge of the proper strike zone
6. Teach basic catcher fundamentals
7. Begin to teach basic pitcher fundamentals:
a. Grip
b. Positioning of feet on the rubber
c. Delivery - arm motion and stride
8. Basic defense:
a. Where to throw in different situations
b. Where to play and how to adjust to different situations
9. Teach each child at least two (2) positions in some detail
10. Basic base running:
a. Over-running first base
b. Rounding a base properly
11. Introduce basic sliding techniques
12. Introduce basic relay techniques
13. Proper way to make a tag
1. Improve catching and throwing skills
2. Proper fielding technique - both infield and outfield
3. Introduce proper bunting techniques:
a. Drag
b. Sacrifice
4. Improve batting technique - more power, more control
5. Use of signs
6. Proper defensive positioning and strategic shifts
7. Proper relay and cut-off techniques
8. Proper sliding techniques
9. How to tag a sliding runner
10. Proper execution of a double play
11. Knowledge of the proper strike zone
12. Proper fast-pitch techniques for catchers:
a. Target techniques
b. Glove technique
c. Release of mask
13. Throwing techniques - down to second base
14. Proper fast-pitch techniques for pitchers
15. Grip
16. Delivery
17. Follow-through
18. Defense
19. Continue to teach pitcher fundamentals:
a. Windmill technique
20. Grip
21. Positioning of feet on the rubber
22. Delivery - arm motion and stride
23. Basic defense:
24. Where to throw in different situations
25. Where to play and how to adjust to different situations
26. Teach each child at least two (2) positions in some detail
27. Improve base running and stealing techniques
28. Proper relay and cut-off techniques
29. Proper way to make a tag
I. MAJORS LEAGUE (ADVANCED GIRLS SOFTBALL)
1. Base stealing
2. Proper bunting techniques:
a. Drag
b. Sacrifice
c. Slap
3. Use of signs
4. Proper defensive positioning and strategic shifts
5. Proper relay and cut-off techniques
6. Proper sliding techniques
7. Proper execution of a double play
8. Proper fast-pitch techniques for pitchers
9. Proper fast-pitch techniques for catchers
10. Aggressive base running
11. Improve batting technique - more power, more control
12. Coach should keep stats on players and teach them what they mean
2.15 Recommendations:
A. It is recommended that each manager have at least two (2) assistants, one (1) of whom should be a scorekeeper (except in T-Ball).
B. After practice schedules are established, it is recommended that each manager report to his commissioner twenty-four (24) hours in advance if he is unable to practice on the diamond at the time for which he was scheduled.
3.00 COMMISSIONERS
3.01 Commissioner’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, acquainting the coaches in his league with the Constitution, Regulations, Playing Rules, Coaching Guidelines, field maintenance, and concession stand rules for that league, and to monitor the coaches for compliance. A copy of the Commissioner’s Responsibilities will be made available to all commissioners.
4.00 UMPIRES AND PROTESTS
4.01 The League will furnish all umpires from a pool of umpires who have completed an umpire-training program.
4.02 The Director of Umpires may appoint a Director for each league to schedule umpires.
4.03 A. If a tornado siren is sounded, the umpire will suspend play immediately. The game will be resumed from the point of suspension at a later date.
B. If lightning is sighted by any umpire or league official, play will be suspended immediately. Play shall not resume for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes or longer after the last lightning is sighted as determined by the umpire-in-charge and/or Official-in-Charge.
4.05 T-ball, A-Minor and C league managers will umpire their games at no cost to GJLS.
4.06 Immediately after any protested game, both managers and the umpire crew involved must submit, within twenty-four (24) hours, a statement, in writing, concerning the protested play. These must be delivered to the League commissioner and/or officer of GJLS. The Rules Committee will make final decisions on the protest within seven (7) days. The decision of the Rules Committee shall be in writing, shall state the reasons for their decision, and shall be delivered promptly to the League commissioner.
5.01 The President, or his representatives, will be called the "Official-in-Charge." The Official-In-Charge will decide if the diamond is playable in case of bad weather or wet grounds.
5.02 Ball players may not be loaned between teams in the same league for official games.
5.03 In the event that any game in any league is called before completion, the game is official if 4-1/2 innings have been played and the home team is ahead, or if five (5) innings have been played and the visiting team is ahead. During the Fall season, the limits will be 3-1/2 and four (4) innings.
5.04 Any game called before 4-1/2 innings (3-1/2 innings during the Fall season) have been completed, or any game called after 4?1/2 innings (3-1/2 innings after September 1) with the score tied, is a suspended game. (Exceptions made for Pony and High School leagues.) The game will be resumed from the exact point at which it was called. The pitcher of record may continue pitching on any subsequent rescheduled date provided he has eligibility remaining in the week in which the game has been rescheduled. For scorekeeping purposes, it shall be considered the same game and all batting, fielding, and pitching records will count.
5.05 During Spring season, games for all leagues (exception: Pony and High School leagues – 7 innings) will consist of 6 innings, or the time limit posted. During Fall season, A and AA leagues’ games will consist of 5 innings, or the time limit posted. A game will be called by the umpire when a team is ahead by 10 runs after the 4th inning in a 6 or 7 inning game. In a 5-inning game, a game will be called by the umpire when a team is ahead by 10 runs after the 3rd inning.
5.07 The manager, coach, or player may warm-up the pitcher before each inning. When so doing, the player must wear a catcher's mask and it is suggested that a coach or manager do likewise.
5.08 If the managers of both teams and the commissioner of that league agree, doubleheaders between the same teams on the same day, or doubleheaders involving one team playing two games against two different teams in the same day, are permissible. Teams playing doubleheader games will play one (1) less inning each game.
5.09 A. Each player present at the start of the game must play at least three (3) full innings defensively. These defensive innings need not be consecutive, but a player present at the start of the game must have officially entered the line-up no later than the top of the third (3rd) inning. T-Ball, A, C and CC leagues will field ten (10) players defensively. All other leagues will field nine (9) players defensively. All league batting orders shall consist of all players present for that game. A player must always bat in the same spot in the batting order, but may play any defensive position at any time so long as the provision of this rule and of all pitching rules are followed.
B. The provisions of this rule will not be applicable to a player who is being disciplined for not attending practice, etc. All players being disciplined must be reported to the Umpire-In-Chief and the opposing team's manager prior to the start of the game, and their names must be in the official score book, listing therein the reason(s) they are not playing.
C. Violations of section A or B of this regulation may be protested to the commissioner in writing within twenty-four (24) hours of the scheduled starting time of the game in which the violation occurs. The Rules Committee (Constitution, Article 3, Section 10) may disallow the protest if no violation can be shown to have occurred; or it may do one or more of the following:
1. Suspend the offending manager of one game.
2 Order the game replayed from the moment the violation occurred.
3. Issue a formal written reprimand to the manager (only one such warning may be issued per season).
The action taken by the Rules Committee will be documented and forwarded to the Screening Committee.
5.10 If a game cannot be played because of the inability of either or both teams to place eight (8) players in the field within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start of the game, this may be grounds for automatic forfeiture.
To start a game:
a. A game may begin or finish with eight (8) players.
b. One (1) vacant position must be listed last in the batting order.
c. An out will be taken when the vacant position in the batting order appears.
a. Under no circumstances shall a team be permitted to bat less than eight (8) players.
b. If playing shorthanded, and a substitute arrives, they must be inserted immediately into the vacant spot.
c. When the player who has left the game is scheduled to bat, an out shall be declared for each turn at bat. An inning or the game can end with an automatic out.
d. A player who has left the game under the “blood rule” may return even after missing a turn at bat.
EFFECT: Failure to have the required number of eligible players to start or continue a game will result in a forfeiture.
5.12 Post-Season Tournaments. Commissioners shall confer with the coaches of their respective leagues as to how the post-season tournament will be conducted. Depending on the league and its size, one of the following choices may be made as to how the post-season tournament shall be held:
Each team plays every other team – total 15 games
Teams are seeded 1 through 16
1, 5, 9, 13 2, 6, 10, 14 3, 7, 11, 15 4, 8, 12, 16
Each plays other team in pool – guaranteed three games
Top team from each pool goes to a single elimination tournament
Trophies for each place 1 through 4
Each team plays every other team – total 15 games
Teams are seeded 1 through 18
Top 8 teams and lower 8 teams each compete in a separate 8 team, double-elimination tournament
Each team guaranteed two games
Trophies for top two teams of each tournament
Each team plays 13 games
Teams seeded by overall record – 1 through 18
18 team, double-elimination tournament – 2 game minimum
Trophies for top 4 places
Post-season tournament schedules must be turned into and approved by the Board prior to the beginning of the regular season. If a different post-season tournament schedule is desired, the schedule must be approved by the Board.
6.00 REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
6.01 Any child who plays under the auspices of GJLS must:
A. Attend school in the Gahanna Jefferson School District, or
B. Live at their primary residence within the city limits of Gahanna (zip code 43230), or
D. Travel teams may select two (2) non-resident players with the approval of the Executive Sports Council.
E. The League should only accept individuals identified in paragraph C, above, to meet quotas established in Section 6.09.
6.02 Each player must have his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) complete and sign his/her registration and waiver before being eligible to be assigned to a team. Each registration must be accompanied by the fee.
6.03 The League reserves the right to limit the participation of mentally and/or physically challenged children due to the complexity of the sport regarding the possibility of injury to that child.
6.04 All children who are eligible to participate in the GJLS program will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, in chronological order of payment of registration fee, until the quota for their age group has been filled. Any player that registers after a league has been drafted will be placed on a waiting list and assigned only if a vacancy exists.
6.05 Each child who is eligible under these regulations, but who signs up after the quota for his age group has been filled, shall be placed on a waiting list for that age group in chronological order of receipt of signed registration form.
6.07 A child's "league age" shall be the age attained on or before April 30 of the current year.
6.08 The Board of Directors shall determine quotas for the following age groups (by league age):
Ages 5-1/2, 6 and 7 T-ball league
Ages 6 and 7 A-minor league (instructional)
Ages 9 and 10 AA league (instructional)
Ages 11 and 12 AAA league
Ages 13 and 14 Pony league
Ages 15 through 18 High School league
Ages 6, 7 and 8 Girls Instructional Softball-C league
Ages 9 and 10 Girls Instructional Softball-CC league
Ages 11 through 13 Girls Intermediate Softball-CCC league
Ages 14 through 16 Girls Advanced Softball-Majors league
6.09 On determining the quotas, the Board shall use the following guidelines:
A. Number of teams in each league to be determined by the number of qualified coaches available (as determined by the Screening Committee) and fields available for use that season.
B. Number of players on each team shall be not more than 13 (except for T-ball and High School leagues teams, they will have not more than 14 players). Exact number to be decided based on:
1. Available equipment.
2. Maximization of playing time and coaching time for each individual.
3. Ensuring that vacations and players who quit will not leave a team unable to field nine (9) players.
4. Providing adequate substitutes.
5. Trying to accommodate as many players as possible consistent with the above so as to have the smallest possible waiting list.
6.10 A player may not be rostered to play on a GJLS community team and on any other organized baseball or softball team from the time he/she is assigned to a GJLS team's roster until the conclusion of that team’s current season, with the exception of school teams. Any player who does so shall be suspended for two (2) weeks from the date his illegal participation is discovered. At the end of that time, he may apply to the Board of Directors for reinstatement. The decision of the Board shall be final.
6.11 Any team sponsored by GJLS may not participate in any other organized league, unless approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote by Sports Council.
7.00 LEVELS OF PLAY AND ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS TO BASEBALL TEAMS
7.01 There shall be seven (7) levels of competition in the GJLS baseball program:
A. T-ball league Ages 5-1/2, 6 and 7
B. A-minor league Ages 6 and 7
C. A-major league Ages 7 and 8
D. AA league Ages 9 and 10
E. AAA league Ages 11 and 12
A. The player pool for A league shall consist of eligible 7 and 8-year olds, and 6-year olds that wish to participate. All 9-year olds not drafted to AA and second year A league players must play in A-Major. All 8-year olds not in A-Major will be in A-Minor.
B. The player pool for the AA league shall be composed of all 9 and 10-year olds.
C. The player pool for the AAA league shall consist of all eligible 11 and 12-year olds.
D. The player pool for Pony league shall consist of all eligible 13 and 14-year olds.
E. In all leagues, any league-age player may play three (3) years in that same league with regards to the following:
i. League-age third-year players must be placed into the league’s draft
ii. League-age third-year players may pitch.
iii. League-age third-year players may NOT be considered as a coach-pick in the draft.
iv. If league-age third-year player’s parent is chosen to return as a coach, that coach may be returned to the same team as previous year.
G. No player may move up more than one (1) league in a season.
7.04 A. If two (2) siblings are eligible for a particular league's draft, and a manager drafts one (1) of the siblings, the commissioner shall ask him if he wants the other sibling. That manager may elect to take only one of the siblings; however, at this point, each other manager in drafting order has the option to take both siblings. If another manager should elect to take both siblings, the manager who originally drafted only one of the siblings has two (2) options:
1. He may relinquish both siblings to the manager who elected to take them, and then make another selection.
2. He may decide to take both siblings, in which case, they are placed on his roster, and the draft proceeds.
B. If a player with a sibling played for any GJLS team in that previous season and would, by rule, be reassigned to that team for the current season, the manager of the team to which one (1) sibling is returning may elect to have the other sibling placed on his roster as a sibling option before the draft. If he does not so elect, each other manager, in drafting order, has the option to take both siblings. Should this happen, the manager who elected not to exercise the sibling option originally may now decide to do so, or he may simply relinquish his returning player to the manager who wants both siblings. Should no other manager elect to draft the other sibling, the other sibling will then be assigned to the draft of the next lower league, or assigned to the roster of the team in the next lower league for which he played the previous season, as appropriate.
7.05 Tryouts for players ages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 will be conducted by a Tryout Committee which consists of the Vice President of Player Placement and league commissioner(s). At this tryout, each player will be given a chance to perform various baseball skills before that league’s managers so that those managers may evaluate the level of ability for that player.
7.06 Each player must attend one (1) tryout to be eligible for the draft, unless he would automatically return to a team as provided above. All players who do not attend a tryout, or notify the League in advance of inability to attend a tryout, will be placed in a hat draft (i.e., 9-year olds to AA, and 11-year olds to AAA).
7.07 Players eligible for T-Ball shall be assigned to teams at a meeting of the T-Ball coaches. Players may return to the team for which they played the previous year, if available. All teams should have rosters that are within one (1) player of each other. The T?ball league commissioner shall settle any disputes that arise at the draft; his decision is final.
7.08 Each manager's son/daughter is at his/her option included on his/her roster.
7.09 Coach’s Picks. Coaches have the option of selecting one (1) player whose parent has agreed to assist with the duties of coaching the team. This selection MUST be made at least one (1) week before the tryout date. The coach’s pick shall be determined as follows:
A. An Application for Assistant Coach must be completed, reviewed and approved by the Screening Committee.
B. A coach’s pick MUST be chosen one (1) week before the tryout and the name of that pick also MUST be given to the commissioner of that league before that tryout. Coach’s picks will NOT be chosen once a tryout has begun.
C. The coach’s pick does not need to attend the tryout.
D. First-year coaches may have the option of choosing a coach’s pick. First-year coach is defined as an individual who is either new to GJLS or a particular league.
E. A second- or third-year coach is defined as an individual who is coaching in the same particular league as the previous year. A second- or third-year coach may ONLY have a coach’s pick if the coach’s pick from the previous year has either quit the league or moved up to the next level.
F. If there are any problems or issues arising out of this procedure, the commissioner and President may determine that the option of the coach’s pick for a particular coach is null and void for that season
7.10 If the commissioner of a league is also chosen to coach in that league, then either a commissioner from another league or another previously chosen individual will run that particular league’s draft.
7.11 Drafting of Teams.
A. All coaches and/or coach’s designated representative MUST be present at their league’s tryout and draft.
B. Drafting order is determined by the roster, which consists of the returning players, coach’s pick, if any, plus sibling options, if any, and manager's son(s) assigned to that team. The team with the smallest roster drafts first, next smaller second, on up to the team with the largest roster, which drafts last. Teams with equal rosters draw numbers.
C. In odd-numbered rounds, everyone drafts; in even-numbered rounds, we employ a "catch-up" draft. In the catch-up round, only the team or teams with the smallest rosters for that round, make one (1) draft pick each in the same drafting order used when all teams draft.
D. Example:
H. CCC LEAGUE (GIRLS INTERMEDIATE SOFTBALL)
Option # 1 – Four Pools of Four Teams Each
Pool #1 Pool #2 Pool #3 Pool #4
Option #2 – Split Division Tournament
Option #3 – All League Double-Elimination Tournament
Ages 7 and 8 A-major league (instructional)