GCMFL Captains Meeting - March 14^th 2004

The Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League held a meeting for the team captains on March 14^th at 4PM the Kanata Sports Club.

Captains in attendance were: Dale McKenzie (Don's), Eric Rosenquist (RBC), Dylan Waugh (Urbandale), Norm Philips (Restore-All), Gary Bochert (KSC), Darren Ladouceur (Murray's), Scott McMillan (State Farm), Troy Drew (Komputer Korner), Jim Murphy (WSI), Sean Jeffery (K-Deck), Paul Leduc (First Canadian Title), and Terry Aiken (Willy's Pizza).

A representative of the umpires (Gary) was also present.

The following items were discussed during the meeting:

1. Registration is still below the required 144 that allows us to have 12 teams of 12 players. All league members are encouraged to put the word out that we're looking for players.
    
2. The pitching rules were discussed to ensure that everyone was in agreement. At the AGM in October it was decided that the league needed to tighten up the enforcement of the pitching rules and make a "crow step" illegal. Starting with 2004 the following will be enforced by the umpires:

    

   • A hop is allowed, but any hop must be initiated with the pitcher's "pivot foot" in contact with the pitching rubber. The "pivot foot" is the right foot for a right-handed pitcher and the left foot for a left-handed pitcher.

    

   • The pitcher's pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitching rubber up until the time they push off as part of their delivery (whether they employ a hop or not). It may slide across the rubber as part of the windup or delivery so long as it remains in contact.

    

   • Enforcement of the rules will be the responsibility of the umpires - either umpire may call an illegal pitch, at which point the standard softball rule for an illegal pitch applies (the batter is awarded a ball and any base runners automatically advance one base).
      
3. At the AGM there was interest expressed in holding a hitting or home run competition during the mid-season tournament. Al Read indicated that this would require altering the normal Saturday schedule to put the competition in the middle of the day and delaying the afternoon games by an hour or two. Rather than starting play at 10AM and finishing by 7PM we would have to start earlier and/or finish later. The diamonds are booked until 8PM on both Saturday and Sunday, although we can most likely extend this as late as 11PM if necessary on Saturday. Al will put forth some proposals on the format of the hitting competition for the captains to review.
    
4. At the AGM a vote was held on the subject of playoff games shortened due to weather or other circumstances. The vote by the membership was to have all playoff games last 7 innings unless the mercy rule was in effect. That meant resuming or replaying games which had to be suspended due to weather. The captains and executive tried to agree on what circumstances would result in a game being replayed vs. resumed and what the rules would be when resuming a suspended game. After much discussion it was generally agreed that such a policy would be a logistical nightmare for the league, the captains, and the umpires. A vote was held to overturn the AGM decision and maintain the status quo regarding the definition of a complete game during the playoffs. The vote carried, meaning the 2004 playoffs will be played under the same rules as the 2003 playoffs - there will be no time limit, but the mercy rule will be in effect and games may be shortened due to weather or other external factors at the discretion of the umpires.
    
5. A discussion was held concerning the management of the spares list. It was suggested that a team losing a player be allowed to select anyone from the spares list. Another proposal was tabled whereby the assignment of a replacement from the spares list would be by random draw. In the end a vote was held and it was decided that the 2003 approach would remain in effect for 2004. Spares would be assigned by the executive to teams in need of a replacement player taking into consideration such factors as the length of time a player has been waiting on the spares list, the calibre of the player being replaced, and the fielding position being vacated.

With the regular business out of the way it was time to draw numbers for the pitcher draft order and the division placements. The divisions for the 2004 season are as follows:

Full roster information will be published after the player draft on March 21st.