Archive for the ‘Council Minutes’ Category

The annual report is available as image files here just click each file and it should open for viewing.

View minutes here.

 

Where and when

The 2007/08 season AGM of the ACTBA will be held at the Yamba Sports Club, Melrose Room from 7.30pm on Monday 24^th November.

The Yamba Sports Club is adjacent to the Southern Cross Health Club, near Phillip Swimming & Ice Skating Centre, in Irving Street Phillip.

The AGM will incorporate the presentation of the 2007/08 reports and the election of office bearers for the positions of:

• Deputy Commissioner

• Director/s

Following the AGM, the presentation of the ACTBA Awards for the 2007/08 season will be presented.

Election of Office Bearers

In accordance with Section 16 (2) of the ACTBA Constitution a Board Member will be appointed to the position for a period of 3 years. This year the positions of Deputy Commissioner and Director/s are now up for re-election and any parties interested in applying are invited to do so in writing by 5:00pm on Wednesday 19 November.

Nominations should include a short dossier about the individual and their relevant skills.

Life Membership Nominations

A member of the Association with greater than ten (10) years distinguished service to the Association may be nominated for election as a Life Member of the Association.

To do this, nominations for Life Membership must be in writing, signed by at least two (2) members of the Association, and must be in the hands of the Board and Council for approval 14 Days prior to the AGM of the Association. That is by 10^th November 2008.

If a nomination is approved by the Board and Council (by a three fourths majority vote), written consent must then be obtained prior to the AGM.

Any nominations for Life Membership received after 10 November 2008, cannot be considered for Life membership at the 2007/08 AGM.

Volunteer Recognition Awards

Clubs are requested to submit their selections for Volunteer Recognition Awards at least two weeks prior to the AGM of the Association. That is by 10^th November 2008.

(normally only 2-3 per club).

Other notable achievements or contributions deserving recognition

The ACTBA wishes to recognise all those who have made significant contributions to the ACTBA or have performed exceedingly well throughout the year for baseball.

We ask that you help us in identifying these people by providing their name and accomplishments so that they can be recognised alongside the traditional awards program recipients.

I look forward to seeing you and your members on the 24^th.

 

2007-actba-agm-minutes

Council Meeting Minutes 

Date: 16 September 2008 Start Time: 6.30pm  Location: ACT Sports House 

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  Present: ACTBA:  Theo Vassalakis (Chairman), Greg Kent, Damian von Demleux, Liz Young , Donn McMichael 

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  Council Members:  Mark Beutler (Eagles), Mike Albert (Rebels), Bill Vickers (Ainslie), Marc O’loughlin (Indians), Jayston Spindler (6.45pm) (Bandits) 

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  Guest: Vicki  Beard (Scorers Association) 

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  ACTBA General Manager:  Oscar Bell 

Apologies: Council Member – Paul Jenkins (Vikings) 

Minute taker: Oscar Bell  

In opening the meeting, the Chairman noted that with Mrs Beard present he would address issues pertinent to scoring first. 

1. Scoring levy 

V Beard proposed a scoring levy of $30 per club per year be instated to provide funds to the scoring association to cover the costs of training, and other costs. It was pointed out that an account did exist in the past and, when closed, those funds were returned to the clubs (the amount per club being $600).

It was agreed that $30 per club was insufficient. 

Motion:

Moved:  T Vassalakis Seconded:  M Beutler

“To introduce a club levy of $100 per club for the Scorer’s Association”   Carried 

V Beard thanked the meeting for their support. 

2. Scoring of U8 and U10 Games

The Chairman explained that scorers need only show the score in terms of runs and outs. U8’s should score all runs regardless of outs but only 9 hitters are to face the plate. The 9^th hitter is in a 2 out situation but it is a force to home.

J Spindler sought clarification regarding a force to any base situation.  The Chairman responded that there would be a force to first base or force to home.  The meeting agreed. 

Vicki Beard left the meeting, after informing the council that the levy will be place onto the scoring book levy 
 

3. Previous Minutes

Baseballs:  Oscar informed the council that the base balls had been paid for and were to be delivered later in the week. The Chairman proposed that clubs organise their own junior baseballs, as stipulated in the rules (U10 and, U13 RIF 5) (U8, RIF 10).  All present agreed. 

The Chronicle advertisement: it was generally agreed that the advertisement placed in the Chronicle was successful.

B Vickers expressed some concerns that the advertisement gave the impression that registrations beyond that date could not be accepted.  Some other clubs had not experienced same but it was noted for future reference. 

Hawker ground: The Chairman advised that the arrangement with ACT Softball to use the Hawker grounds has been confirmed. He raised the possibility of conducting an orientation walk through of the grounds for junior coaches to communicate ACT baseballs responsibilities while using the grounds.

He also explained that the pitching rubbers at the Hawker ground were already placed at 46’ feet when the U13 pitching distance should be 45’.  

Motion

Moved:  B Vickers Seconded: M Beutler

That the pitching distance for the U13 Little League be change to 46’.    Carried

 

Key register

Point of Action- Oscar to check key register and determine what keys for Narrabundah are unaccounted for and secure new signatures. 

ACTAS Roster: the roster was distributed for review.  It was noted that the roster contained those who were participating in the Development Group (not scholarship holders).  It was also understood that coach B Phelan would only play in circumstances where no pitches were available to pitch toward the end of a game.

The Chairman advised the meeting that some other state academies of sport had baseball funding reduced as baseball would not be included in the next Olympic Games.  He also advised that as ACTBA allows the ACTAS squad to compete in the local competition (ie memorandum of understanding) it assists and contributes to ongoing funding and support by government funding agencies. 

4. Soil

The Chairman enquired as to whether clubs have received there diamond soil and are they happy with it? 

B Vickers explained that the rain has made the diamonds at the Bears ground unplayable, and that the surface was not too sandy but too full of clay.

J Spindler explained that Bandits soil was too sandy.

The Chairman explained that each club’s allocation had been supplied according to the government, and that a bonding agent would be made available.  He also suggested that the Hawker Softball grounds had received their soil from Canberra Sand and Gravel in Belconnen, and that the Hawker grounds seemed to be good.  

Point of Action- Oscar will look into Canberra Sand and Gravel, especially the prospect of using crushed brick.  

5. Team Nominations

The following numbers were indicated at the meeting:

 

Point of action – Oscar to get Vikings numbers on this matter

The Chairman advised that final nominations are to be submitted by 30 September 2008. 

6. Hawker Fields

The Chairman advised that games held at the Hawker Fields must be cleared of baseball games by 12:40 at the latest

B Vickers raised concerns that this would may not be in the spirit of the game.  J Spindler suggested that as games will just follow on, start times for each subsequent game may be earlier.  

Softball grounds will be unavailable for 6 & 13December.  Baseball will be using the outside diamonds.  The Hawker ground clashes on 21^st and 28^th of Mar will not be an issue as games will be played at Narrabundah.  M Beutler proposed that it may be possible to play the games on the 6 December at the opposite grounds to the senior draw.  

Pont of Action – Oscar will ensure that there is a 17’ line for t ball games on the soft ball fields.  

7. Junior Games 

7.1 Start Times

The meeting discussed that the tabled start times may inconvenience playing parents but there was general agreement that every situation cannot be accommodated. 

Motion

Moved:  T Vassalakis Seconded:  G Kent

That the start times for junior games be accepted as tabled.     Carried 

7.2 U13 Competition

M Vickers expressed concern that a large gape existed between U13 and the U10, and what would happen if players were not suitable to be playing up an age group.

The Chairman and the meeting in general acknowledged and agreed that each club will need to make a decision at the time about skill and suitability, based on safety. 

8. Draw

The meeting discussed conflicts and anomalies and suggested alternatives.  It was agreed that O Bell amend the draw as discussed and recirculate. 

Point of Action- Oscar will make changes and distribute the new Draw.  

9. Junior Rules 

D Von Demleux distributed and discussed the amendments as discussed at previous meetings.  He asked the meeting to review and return to him with comments/errors etc as soon as possible. 

10. C1 and C2

The Chairman proposed that there be a limit on C1 division teams ie one per club, and that extra teams be transferred to the C2 competition.

J Splinder expressed his serious concerns that a Saturday C2 competition could discourage players away from baseball and that players should be able to play in C1 or C2 regardless, of the day they are playing.  B Vickers agreed with the Chairman’s proposal and that players will have to choose respectively.  J Spindler argued that this would not accommodate those who wish to play on Sunday (as C1 is played on Sunday). He pointed out that he did not wish to turn potential members away from his club because they could only play on Sunday. His players did not want to play Saturday and that potentially, Bandits had 2 C1 (Sunday) teams.

 

In summary there was general agreement that the new structure was a step forward; in the aim of increasing game time and also allowing teams to play at their club grounds.  It was proposed that the development and growth in the C division was due to the ability to keep the teams playing with their clubs and that this was something that was not worth sacrificing. This was generally agreed upon by all but Jay, who asserted that this would turn potential members away from clubs. 

The Chairman reminded the meeting that this council had voted on this issue previously. He proposed that Women could all play at Narrabundah and that this may be an option if numbers were too great to accommodate.  J Spindler responded that as the suggestion of only 1 team per club in the C1 competition was not minuted, his statement could not be proved and that had the Chairman stated the 1 team restriction he would not have supported it. 

It was finally agreed to suspend this issue until nominations had been entered on the 30^th 

11. Claxton Shield

The Chairman advised that ACT had been asked by the ABF to host the Claxton Shield for the 12, 13 and 14 December, noting that our willingness and ability to host shield games may strengthen our case to convene an ABL team; if we rejected hosting it could jeopardise our chances. 

The meeting discussed several options to host and unanimously agreed to offer 3 games over Friday 12 December night and 2 games Saturday 13 December. 

The Chairman agreed and expected each club to, in the event of a positive response from the ABF, fully support the competition with attendance, resources and volunteers. 

12. Other Business 

Constitution:   It was agreed a review was required. 

AGM:  The Chairman explained that the books from last financial year need to be completed before the AGM.

Oscar – Raised concerns that the books were in a very bad way, in particular that there was an approximate $40 000 of unaccounted for income, and inconsistencies in some areas.

Mark- proposed Nov for the AGM 

Coaches Courses:  The Chairman requested that clubs submit any interest for coaching courses,  at which point Brent will run the courses for level 1.  

Point of Action- Oscar will email club presidents about any interest.  

Line Up Pads

Eagles:  10

Bandits:  10

Indians:  ?

Ainslie:  15

Rebels:  12

Vikings:  8

Point of Action – Oscar to supply Line-up Pads  

Xmas Party for juniors

J Spindler proposed a Christmas party for the junior players.  G Kent agreed and suggested it be held in conjunction with the Claxton Shield competition, if hosted in ACT.  All agreed; details to be decided. 

Insurance

D Von Demleux advised that costs are yet to be made available, but the cover is better and will cover if player are injured.  

Government Grants 

Point of Action – Oscar to find out what Michael Conroy has done about grants.  

Publicity

J Spindler raised concerns that more could be done in this area and that perhaps people should be recruited to do it. The chairman advised that whilst usually the General Manager assumes this role, he encouraged others from the baseball community to get involved. 

Minutes

J Spindler raised concerns that previous minutes were not satisfactory ; his offer to help was accepted.  

Claxton Shield Nominations

D Von Demleux advised that ABF is requesting the ACT to nominate the top 25 players that have played in the Claxton Shield.  

Point of Action - Oscar to request nominations from clubs.  

13. Close 

The meeting closed at 10.05 pm