AMENDED
BYLAWS
OF
MTYAA BASEBALL
These are the Amended and Restated Bylaws of MTYAA Baseball, a member of the Mountlake Terrace Youth Athletic Association, adopted by resolution of the MTYAA Baseball Executive Board as of the fourth day of January, 2005.
____________________________________
Anthony Stapleton
President
____________________________________
Lisa Hatch
Secretary
MTYAA BASEBALL BYLAWS
ARTICLE I NAME, AFFILIATION,
SECTION 1 NAME
The organization shall be called Mountlake Terrace Youth
Athletic Association Baseball (MTYAA BASEBALL) and may be referred to as MTYAA
Baseball or the League in the rest of this document. MTYAA Baseball is an
affiliate of PONY BASEBALL
SECTION 2 OBJECTIVE
PONY BASEBALL seeks to instill in its participants the
ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, discipline, and
respect for authority. Also, that the youth of the area will grow to be
citizens whose adult lives will reflect those values. These objectives will be
reached by providing the highest quality of supervision and competitive games.
The supervisors shall bear in mind at all times that the attainment of
exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is secondary to the players’
well being. It is the philosophy of MTYAA Baseball to have its coaches teach
all players all aspects of the game of baseball.
ARTICLE II GOVERNMENT
The government of MTYAA BASEBALL shall be under the direct
supervision of the following Board Members:
OFFICERS
1. President
2. Vice-President -
Fundraising
3. Vice-President - Director
of Fields and Operations
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Player Agent
DIRECTORS
1. Director of Equipment
2. Director of Uniforms
3. Director of Umpires
4. Shetland Division Director
5. Pinto Division Director
6. Mustang Division Director
7. Bronco Division Director
8. Pony Division Director
9. Mantle/Colt Division
Director
10 Palomino Division Director.
11. Director of Concessions
12. Director of Coaches
13. Director of Tournaments
14. Director of Public Relations
15. Director of Merchandising
The Executive Board shall have supervision, control and
direction of the management, affairs and property of the organization;
will determine its policies, will supervise the disbursement of its funds and
shall actively pursue the purpose and objectives enumerated in these by-laws.
In case of vacancy in any of the officer or director
positions, the remaining officers may appoint someone to fill the vacancy until
the next scheduled election of board members. If a Board Member does not attend
two consecutive general meetings, he/she will lose their voting privileges at
their next attended meeting. Decisions by a Director which fall outside of the
normal conduct of league business or assigned duties which affects the League
in any way, (i.e. such as schedules, inter-league play, etc.) shall be subject
to review and approval by the President.
All Board Members, umpires, and any adult on the field with the players,
are required to submit and pass a Washington State Patrol Request for Criminal
History check.
ARTICLE
SECTION 1 PRESIDENT
Preside at all board meetings. Act as chief administrative
officer and head of this organization. Vote only in the case of a tie vote.
Appoint committee chairpersons as needed. Send in papers and registration money
to the national PONY organization. Obtain appropriate accident and liability
insurance before any player practices or plays. Have authority to call special
meetings at his/her discretion. Serve as a member of the Coach and Umpire
Selection Approval Committee.
SECTION 2 VICE-PRESIDENT - FUNDRAISING
Assume duties of the President in his/her absence. Perform
such duties as may be assigned by the President. Assist the President in the
performance of his/her/their duties. Assume primary responsibility for all
fundraising activities. Serve as a member of the Coach and Umpire Selection
Approval Committee. Serve as the Chairperson on the Grievance/Protest
Committee.
SECTION 3 VICE-PRESIDENT (DIRECTOR OF FIELDS & OPERATIONS)
Assume duties of the President in his/her absence. Perform
such duties as may be assigned by the President. Assist the President in the
performance of his/her/their duties.
Reserve sufficient fields and field times to cover scheduled practices
and games, by the first week of February, as required by the League. Reserve
sufficient
SECTION 4 SECRETARY
Record minutes of all regularly scheduled board meetings.
Notify board members of all regular and special meetings. Coordinate Picture
Day, including choosing photographer (with board’s approval), choosing date,
scheduling team picture times, distributing picture packets, and acting as
liaison between the league and the photographer. Keep a file on all
Grievance/Protest Committee actions.
SECTION 5 TREASURER
Serve as a member of the Registration Committee. Maintain records of MTYAA income and
expenses, in accordance with the policies and procedures required by Article
22. Submit a monthly income and expense report to
the MTYAA Baseball board at each monthly meeting, and an annual income and
expense report to the MTYAA board at the October meeting.
SECTION 6 PLAYER AGENT/REGISTRAR
Chair the Registration Committee. Provide team eligibility
roster, using current registration form, to the President, Director of Coaches,
Division Directors, and the Director of Public Relations. Serve as a member of
the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee. Preside over the draft of
players. Serve as a member of the Grievance/Protest Committee. Address
infractions of PONY Baseball rules and/or these Bylaws related to player
welfare within 48 hours of notification. The Player Agent shall mediate any
request for an extreme hardship trade in conjunction with the Division Director
and the affected coaches.
SECTION 7 DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT
Responsible for purchasing, storing, evaluating condition
of, and issuing all equipment for the league; including bats, balls, helmets,
catchers gear, batting tees, bases, equipment bags, umpire gear, first aid
equipment, and official rulebooks for umpire and coaches clinics. Keep an
inventory log of all league equipment. Issue equipment to coaches and have them
sign for it. Collect equipment from coaches and verify against the list of
issued equipment. Handle requests for additional equipment needs from Division
Directors only. Responsible for maintaining a Purchase Order book.
SECTION 8 DIRECTOR OF UNIFORMS
Responsible for
purchasing, storing, evaluating condition of, and issuing all uniforms;
including hats, socks, and jerseys. Keep an inventory log of all league
uniforms. Issue uniforms to coaches and have them sign for them. Collect
jerseys from coaches and verify against the list of issued uniforms. Handle
requests for additional uniform needs from Division Directors only. Responsible
for maintaining a Purchase Order book.
SECTION 9 DIRECTOR OF UMPIRES
Organize and conduct an umpire and coaches clinic with the
Director of Coaches. Act as Co-Chairperson with the Director of Coaches on the
Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee. Publish a list of qualified
coaches and umpires in conjunction with the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval
Committee and the Director of Coaches. Distribute copies of game schedules to
all umpires. Schedule umpires for all regularly scheduled games as required by
the League. Schedule umpires for all make-up of suspended games and/or
rainouts, as requested by each of the respective Division Directors. Upon
request from the appropriate Division Director and Director of Coaches, contact
any coach or umpire and inform him/her of a potential problem. If deemed
necessary, action will be referred to the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval
Committee. Serve as a member of the Grievance/Protest Committee.
SECTION 10 DIVISION DIRECTORS
Serve as a member of the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval
Committee, and the Registration Committee. Hold a meeting with the division
coaches to review league rules and bylaws prior to the start of league play.
Inform coaches of rule changes. Administer and enforce the rules of the
division over which they preside. Discuss safety policies with division
coaches. Ensure that all teams within the division have a paid sponsor.
Determine date, schedule, umpires, and field set-up for Jamboree games. Prior
to the beginning of league play determine the manner by which the division
championship will be decided. Create the game schedule for their respective
division, and distribute copies to all officers and coaches three weeks prior
to the start of league play. Provide weekly scores, standings, and news items
to the Director of Public Relations upon request. Approve make-up of games
suspended or rained out. Responsible for reviewing protests, and submitting a
written report to the President and Secretary, stating the protest and ruling,
within 48 hours. Forward consolidated coach and umpire ratings, including all
appropriate correspondence regarding coaches and umpires, to the Secretary, the
Director of Coaches, and the Director of Umpires one week after the completion
of the season, if and as required. Schedule dates, field times, and umpires for
play-off games. Assist the Director of Tournaments in administering any
post-season tournament which the League might host for that division. Ensure
that all correspondence is pre-approved by an Officer.
SECTION 11
DIRECTOR OF CONCESSIONS
Oversee the purchasing and stocking of inventory for the
Forest Crest concession stand. Chairperson of the committee of volunteers to
work the concession stand. Prepare an annual report for the Board of Directors
with respect to profit and loss of the concession stand. Notify the President,
or his designee, of any repairs, maintenance, etc., which are required to
properly run the concession stand.
SECTION 12
DIRECTOR OF COACHES
Act as Co-Chairperson with the Director of Umpires on the
Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee. Publish a list of qualified
coaches in conjunction with the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee.
Organize and oversee at least one coach’s clinic prior to the start of league
play. Serve as a member of the Grievance/Protest Committee. Act as mediator for
all coach complaints. Responsible for submitting all Washington State Patrol
Request for Criminal History Information forms received from coaches and Board
Members.
SECTION 13
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENTS
Administer post-season or special tournaments with the
assistance of the respective Division Director. Solicit and obtain participants
for MTYAA hosted tournaments. Work with other leagues in order to place MTYAA
teams in outside tournaments. Solicit and obtain needed volunteers in order to
host quality tournaments. Assist in soliciting league/tournament sponsors in
conjunction with the respective Division Director. Serve as Chairperson of the
Tournament Committee.
SECTION 14
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
Responsible for placing general news items, and registration
items in local papers. Advertise special events as required by the League.
Receive scores and standings from Division Directors and report them to the
Webmaster each week during the season. Contact Webmaster to update information
on the MTYAA web site. Oversee publication process of the Newsletter. Order team banners as directed by each
Division Director. In charge of distributing finished banners to Division
Directors. Assist in soliciting
league/tournament sponsors in conjunction with the Division Directors. Keep
accurate records of sponsorship money in conjunction with the Treasurer. Help
with the general player registration process in January & February.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
Regular members: Regular members of MTYAA Baseball
shall consist of the aforementioned Board Members, coaches, umpires, and
parents or legal guardians of player members.
Player members: Player members are any member meeting
the age requirements as set forth in these Bylaws, and who has also met the
appropriate registration requirements.
ARTICLE V
PLAYER MEMBER REGISTRATION
SECTION 1
DATE
Registration will be held on the last Saturday of January and
the first Saturday of February. All
players signed up after their respective drafts have occurred must be placed by
the Player Agent, in conjunction with
the respective Division Director, and placement will be subject to availability
of roster space and/or equipment.
Placement will be based upon need and draft order.
SECTION 2
REGISTRATION FEES
Registration fees will be based on age group, and set by the
governing Board of MTYAA. Discounts will be determined by the Board each year
in conjunction with the regular annual budget meeting
Registration fees pay for the player accident insurance, and
pays for uniforms, equipment and operating expenses of the association. In case
of need, the Board can override the player fee. No player will be refused because
of lack of funds. Fees for board members shall be optional.
SECTION 3
REGISTRATION LOCATION
The location for Registration will be set by the Board on a
yearly basis.
ARTICLE VI
SPONSOR FEES
Team sponsor fees will be set by the Board on a yearly
basis. Shetland and Pinto division teams are strongly encouraged to obtain a
sponsor. Mustang division and above are required to obtain a sponsor. Sponsor
fees for Mustang division and above must be received prior to the distribution
of uniforms and equipment.
Sponsor fees received above the team minimum must still be
reported to the Division Director, who’ll report to the Director of Public
Relations to make sure sponsors receive newsletters, web site advertising,
plaques, and banners, as promised. The cost of the banner for the initial
required sponsor will be paid by the league pursuant to league policies, but
the cost of additional sponsor banners and/or plaques must be paid by the team. If sponsor does not want the above
recognition they’ll need to sign a waiver.
Coaches who do not obtain team sponsorships will not be considered for
All-Star coaching positions.
ARTICLE
Regular meetings of the MTYAA Baseball Board will be held on
the first Tuesday of each month beginning at
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Registration
Committee: This committee shall process player registrations at the
time and location established by the Board. The Chairperson is the Player
Agent, who shall oversee the organization and administration of Registration.
Additional committee members include the Treasurer, and each of the respective
Division Directors.
Coach and Umpire
Selection Approval Committee: This committee shall approve the
appointment of all coaches and umpires. The Co-Chairpersons are the Director of
Coaches and the Director of Umpires. Additional committee members including but
not limited to the President, Vice Presidents, Player Agent, and the Division
Directors. The committee will meet as soon as possible following the last day
of registration.
Grievance/Protest
Committee: This committee will resolve any written objection which is a
grievance or a protest (a protest is a rules interpretation). The Chairpersons
are the Vice Presidents. Additional committee members include the Player Agent,
Director of Coaches, Director of Umpires, and the Division Director of the
division that the grievance is from. After the hearing, the Division Director
shall submit a written report to the President and the Secretary, stating the
problem and corrective action taken within 48 hours.
Tournament
Committee : Chaired by the Tournament Director and the Division
Directors of the appropriate division.
ByLaws Committee:
Chaired by the Vice President of Operations. This committee shall meet annually
to review, edit, and propose changes to the current Bylaws. All changes to the Bylaws will only be made
after a majority vote by the board. Committee members are League Officers.
Any special
committees deemed necessary by the Board will be established by the
President as required.
ARTICLE IX
TEAMS, COACHES,
SECTION 1
LEAGUE AGES
Shetland 5
& 6 year olds
Pinto 7
& 8 year olds
Mustang 9 & 10
year olds
Bronco 11 & 12
year olds
Pony 13 &
14 year olds
There will be no deviation from the above.
Colt 15 &
16 year olds
Palomino 17 & 18 year olds
With the approval of the board, Colt and Palomino players
may be combined into a single team.
The above ages refer to League age, which is determined by
the age attained by the player prior to August 1st of the season in
question.
SECTION 2
MANAGER
Managers and coaches duties are as described in the Official
PONY Baseball Rule Book, and the Official Baseball Rule Book. For purposes of
these MTYAA Baseball Bylaws, the term Manager shall be inter-changeable with
the term Head Coach. In addition, MTYAA Baseball professes that the following
statements are true and should be used to guide its managers, coaches, and
Board members in the execution of their assigned duties:
1.
Players in these age groups are at a very
impressionable age and the influence of a manager or a coach can be critical to
the player’s development.
2.
Coaches’ attitudes will be reflected by a
majority of their players, so it is important that the coaches instruct their
players that the relationship with umpires, managers, other coaches, and other
players is of a friendly and respectful nature.
3.
It is against the rules and spirit of PONY
Baseball for players or coaches to use abusive language (i.e. to razz) other
players, coaches, or umpires. Players should not be permitted to criticize
other players, but should be taught to encourage them instead. Any player or
coach failing to comply with this guideline may be subject to disciplinary
action.
4.
The dedicated coach and leader explores
avenues of improved self performance through continuing education and applied
critical analysis.
5.
The privilege of helping to build better
citizens through baseball can bring rewards far greater than any of the
inconveniences encountered while fulfilling this important work.
6.
To be considered coaches of record they must
be 18 years old or older as of the beginning of that season.
OTHER DUTIES
1.
Have valid and signed medical forms for each
active player on hand at all practices and games.
2.
Have the plate umpire sign the home team
scorebook after the completion of each game.
3.
Coaches and assistant coaches are required
to attend one MTYAA coaches clinic, and all respective Division Director
meetings, and coaches, asst. coaches, umpires, and adult helpers must submit
and pass the Washington State Patrol Request for Criminal History check. Failure to attend the mandatory coaches
clinic will result in disqualification from coaching any post season MTYAA
Baseball team.
4.
Prior to the beginning of each game, coaches
must submit lineups to the opposing coach.
5.
Coaches are responsible for notifying the
Division Director immediately when a team loses a player for any reason. If available, a replacement player will be
assigned to the team.
6.
The use of tobacco, alcohol, or any
controlled substance in the dugout, stands, or on the field is expressly
prohibited.
7.
Each Head Coach must provide one game ball
per League and Tournament game.
8.
The respective Division Director must
approve any games played outside the MTYAA league in advance.
9.
Any team coach or other adult leader who
withdraws a team from the field under any circumstances prior to the official completion of the
game, shall be subject to forfeiture of the game. Said forfeiture will be
decided through the protest procedure.
10.
Any complaints against a coaches’ behavior
toward players, other coaches, parents, umpires, or Directors, should be
reported to the Director of Coaches, Division Director, or the Player Agent.
Complaints may include, but not necessarily limited to, abusive or improper
language, and/or un-sportsmanlike conduct. Any complaint must be made in
writing, and be very specific in nature. All written complaints will be brought
before the Board for review and action.
Actions taken by the Board will meet with the provisions outlined in
Article XVI Protests, Penalties, & Miscellaneous.
10. A
person will only officially coach or assist on one team (for purposes of
drafting rules).
11. Head
Coaches are ultimately financially responsible for returning their equipment
and uniforms to the Director of Equipment and Director of Uniforms
respectively. Any Head Coach who fails to return any equipment or uniform may
be subject to appropriate legal action. Failure to return the Association’s
property may be viewed as theft.
12. The
Head Coaches of both teams are responsible for restoring the areas around home
plate, the pitcher’s mound, the infield, the infield bases, and the dugouts
prior to and at the completion of each game.
13. Winning
coaches must call in the score within 24 hours of completion of each game to
the Division Director, or his/her designee.
14. If
for any reason a substitute umpire must be employed to complete a scheduled
game, the participating Head Coaches will agree upon a substitute umpire,
complete a Substitute Umpire Form, and each sign before the commencement or
continuance of said game. The completed and signed form will be submitted to
the Division Director within 48 hours of completion of the game.
SECTION 3
UMPIRE DUTIES
Umpires duties and responsibilities are as described in the
official PONY Rule Book, and the official Baseball Rule Book. Other duties and
responsibilities include:
1.
All umpires must attend the umpire clinic to
be designated as a legal umpire. This requirement may be waived at the
discretion of the Director of Umpires.
2.
All umpires, age 18 or over, must submit and
pass the Washington State Patrol Request for Criminal History
check.
3.
The head umpire may suspend the game at any
time when it is in the best interest of PONY Baseball and/or the players, such
as in the case of darkness or extreme weather.
4.
The umpire must make an announcement to the
spectators when a game is being played under protest.
5.
The umpire is required to record in the
official scorebook the exact point in time at which the game was protested.
Example: base runners on 1st and 3rd, batter #5 up with a
count of 2 balls and 2 strikes.
6.
The umpire must report any protested game to
the Director of Umpires within 24 hours, regardless of the outcome of the game.
7.
The umpire must warn the players of both
teams before each game regarding the bat throwing rule.
8.
ARTICLE X
LEAGUE RULES (
The rules for all divisions shall be as published in the
official PONY Baseball Rule Book, and the official Baseball Rule Book, with the
following exceptions (including Division Rules): The home team shall occupy the
3rd base side of the field, and the visiting team will occupy the 1st
base side of the field. At no time will a player be allowed to throw a bat. The
umpire must warn the players of each team before each game regarding the
bat-throwing rule. If a batter throws a bat, the batter and the head coach may
receive one warning, or at the discretion of the umpire may receive a penalty.
The penalty could either be that the batter is out, or is ejected from the
game, at the umpire’s discretion. No steel cleats may be used in League play,
except in divisions higher than Bronco. A player may be pulled from a game
prior to completing 3 innings of play for disciplinary reasons only, if
the umpire and the opposing Head coach are notified. All runners must slide or
avoid contact, or the penalty is an automatic out. If there is any intentional
malicious contact, in the judgment of the umpire, the guilty player is called
out by the umpire and ejected from the game. The official start time of a game
may be extended by the umpire crew for a period not to exceed 15 minutes, at
which time the umpire will declare the game a forfeit for the team causing the
delay. Feet first sliding only, with the
exception of returning to a base (Bronco and below). All tournaments hosted by MTYAA Baseball will
follow PONY Tournament Rules.
Any coach who knowingly violates league-playing rules is
subject to disciplinary action. At the
request of the Division Director, coaches will provide evidence that all
players are receiving playing time as required by these bylaws. Any coach who knowingly violates playing
rules shall forfeit any right to coach a post season MTYAA baseball team.
ARTICLE XI
SHETLAND DIVISION RULES
SECTION 1
SHETLAND DIVISION PLAYING FIELD
The playing field shall conform to the specifications set forth
in the PONY Rule Book for the Pinto Division, with the following exceptions:
The distance from the point of home plate to the front edge of the pitchers
slab shall be no less than 15 feet. The only adults permitted on the playing
field are two defensive coaches. A field umpire is permitted only if the umpire
agrees to stay in foul territory.
SECTION 2
SHETLAND DIVISION PLAYING EQUIPMENT
The playing equipment for the Shetland Division shall be the
same as for Pinto, except for catchers’ gear. A soft Incrediball as issued by
the Equipment Manager will be the official ball.
SECTION 3
SHETLAND DIVISION PLAYING RULES
No strikes or balls called. The playing/pitcher will play
even with the pitching mound until the ball is hit, and then will do the
fielding for defense. The player/pitcher cannot leave his/her position to field
the ball until the ball is hit. Penalty: If this action prevents the batter
from reaching 1st base safely, the batter will be awarded 1st
base, and any forced runners will advance. No base on balls will be allowed. A
batting tee will be used. The whole
lineup will bat each inning. Outs will be called, but will not constitute or
affect the end of the inning. Both teams must field the same number of players.
At no time will a team field more than 6 infielders, excluding the catcher. At
no time will either team field more than 12 players. Each player must play in 3
complete innings per game, 2 of which must be consecutive. The only exception
is for disciplinary reasons, which must be reported to the opposing coach
before the start of the game. If this is not possible due to a game that is
called on the time limit, any player not completing 2 innings must be in the
starting line up of the next game. Runners cannot advance on balls overthrown
into foul territory. No scores will be kept.
Before any practices are held, all league approved paperwork must be
filled out completely and signed, including, but not limited to, Coaches Code
of Conduct form, Washington State Patrol form, and all players
registration/medical release forms. All
coaches must be approved by the Coaches Selection Approval Committee.
ARTICLE XII
PINTO DIVISION RULES
The Incrediball, as issued by the Equipment Manager, shall
be the official ball. 5 runs are the maximum number of runs in ½ inning, with
the exception of the last inning, in which runs are unlimited. All players on
the team roster will be in the batting line up and bat their turn, even if they
do not play defense that inning. Each player must play in 3 complete innings, 2
of which must be consecutive. The only exception would be for disciplinary
reasons, which must be reported to the opposing coach before the start of the
game. Penalty: The Division Director shall declare the game a forfeit. Violations
must be reported to the umpire prior to the completion of the game. If a game
is concluded early for any reason, players who did not play 3 complete innings must
start the next game and play in the first 2 complete innings. A player may be
pulled from the game before he/she has played 3 innings with the umpire’s
permission. All such actions must be declared to the opposing Head Coach at the
time it occurs, and be reported to the Division Director within 24 hours. There
will be no leading off or stealing of bases. Penalty: Each player shall receive
1 warning per game, the second time and the player shall be declared out. When
the ball is in control of the infielder, in the infield, the play is considered
dead, and the runners shall only advance to the next base if they are more than
halfway. The umpire shall call time, and the ball shall be returned to the
pitcher’s mound. All catchers will wear a protective mask. The batter is out
when the 3rd strike is swung at and missed. The ten run rule applies
after 4 complete innings. A batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a
fair ball after a coach pitcher delivers seven pitches. The batter is out if
there are three strikes, as are foul balls and foul tips. A batter is not out
on a foul ball or foul tip. No league standings shall be kept. Before any practices are held, all league
approved paperwork must be filled out completely and signed, including, but not
limited to, Coaches Code of Conduct form, Washington State Patrol form, and all
players registration/medical release forms.
All coaches must be approved by the Coaches Selection Approval
Committee.
There will be no deviations from these rules.
ARTICLE XIII
MUSTANG DIVISION RULES
Except for disciplinary reasons, which must be reported to
the opposing coach and the umpire at the time of the disciplinary action, each
player must play in three complete innings. Penalty: Violations must be reported to the
Division Director within 24 hours, and the game shall be considered a forfeit.
All disciplinary action shall be reported to the Division Director and the
Player Agent. If a game is concluded early for any reason, the players who did
not play the minimum number of innings must start and play the first 3 innings
of the next game. At this level the
entire roster bats. The Infield Fly Rule
shall be used. Runners may lead off and steal bases, but can not lead off third
base until the pitched ball crosses the plate, as in official PONY Baseball
Rules, section 8,
ARTICLE XIV
BRONCO DIVISION RULES
Except for disciplinary reasons, which must be reported to
the opposing coach and the umpire at the time of the disciplinary action, each
player must play in three complete innings. Penalty: Violation must be reported to the
Division Director within 24 hours, and the game shall be declared a forfeit.
All disciplinary action shall be reported to the Division Director and the
Player Agent. If a game is concluded early for any reason, the players who did
not play the minimum number of innings must start and play the first 3 innings
of the next game. A player may be pulled from a game before having played 3
innings only for disciplinary reasons. The umpire must be notified. All disciplinary
actions must be reported to the Division Director. At this level only the
lineup bats, as listed in the official PONY Baseball Rule Book. The infield fly rule shall be used. All
players, in all positions, regardless of gender, are required to wear
protective cups. Before any practices
are held, all league approved paperwork must be filled out completely and
signed, including, but not limited to, Coaches Code of Conduct form, Washington
State Patrol form, and all players registration/medical release forms. All coaches must be approved by the Coaches
Selection Approval Committee. There will be no deviation from these rules.
ARTICLE XV
PONY DIVISION RULES
All players are required to wear protective cups. The Pony division shall be divided into two
divisions:
OLYMPIC LEVEL
To be compiled of
qualified players and coaches who are interested in a higher level of play.
Coaches and assistant coaches are to be named and approved by the Coaches
Selection Committee at a meeting to follow the September Board Meeting. To be considered for the Olympic Level,
coaches must submit a list of up to 10 players, including coaches and assistant
coaches son’s and daughters, to be accompanied by a signed letter of intent to
play for each player on the protected list.
This list must include at least six 14’s, not to exceed eight 14’s. The 10 player protected list must be turned
in to the Division Director prior to the Coaches Selection Committee meeting.
Each team must pick at least two players from the draft. The final roster will be determined by the
addition of those two or more players that each team is to draft. The final roster age makeup shall consist of
more 14’s than 13’s, not to exceed eight 14’s.
An equal number of each age group may be allowed if agreed among the
coaches prior to the draft. Try-outs to
be held the second Saturday/Sunday of September. Player registration fee to be
determined before try-outs by the Board of Directors. Each player must register
and include 50% of the fee on the day of try-outs, with the balance due on/by
January 31. The penalty for not having the entire team’s registration on/by
January 31, may be the revocation of that team’s privilege to play at the
Olympic level, at the board’s discretion.. Any player that chooses to move to a
different team from the previous year, or after signing a letter of intent,
must do so through the draft by re-entry.
This includes moving to a Cascade team.
Any trade of a drafted player must be accomplished before leaving the
room in which the draft was held, as per the rules stated in Article XX. If a
protected player is lost to the team prior to the season, the coach can find a
suitable replacement player of the same age, regardless of whether they went
through the tryout. Any team that loses
a drafted player before the season starts, must replace that player from
players remaining from the try-outs, and that are of the same age group. This is to be
accomplished before the Cascade level has their try-out. If there are no players of the appropriate
age available remaining from the Olympic Level tryouts, any Olympic Level team
needing to replace a player may do so only from the players registering for the
Cascade Tryouts, immediately prior to the Cascade draft. Each player is to provide and maintain their
own baseball pants. Although there is no guaranteed playing time at this level,
this league’s objective, as stated in SECTION 2 OBJECTIVE, takes priority. Any coach in violation of MTYAA Baseball’s
Objective will be subject to disciplinary action as stated in ARTICLE XVI,
SECTION 2, DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
The All Star manager shall be selected by a majority vote from the
Olympic level manager. The selected manager shall be responsible for the player
try-out. Any player interested in playing on a Pony level All Star team must
live within MTYAA Baseball’s boundaries, for this is a PONY rule. The All Star
coaches will be named by the All Star manager from the managers and coaches of
record. The All Star players will be
selected through a try-out with the coaches voting for the top nine players.
Each league team shall have two votes.
The All Star coaching staff will select the remaining players on their
roster. Before any practices are held,
all league approved paperwork must be filled out completely and signed,
including, but not limited to, Coaches Code of Conduct form, Washington State
Patrol form, and all players registration/medical release forms. All coaches must be approved by the Coaches
Selection Approval Committee.
CASCADE LEVEL
To be compiled of
all players not selected or interested in the Olympic level. Each coach
will be allowed to protect up to seven players.
If a team has more than seven returning players, the coach will be
required to protect all returning players.
If a team does not have seven returning players, he will be allowed to
protect up to seven players. The age
make-up of each team shall be within two players. If a team loses a player
after the draft, they must chose a player from those that went through the
Cascade tryout, at the same age level, or from the waiting list held by the
Division Director. Each player must play
a minimum of three innings and bat once, except for disciplinary reasons. The
disciplinary action must be reported to the opposing manager and the umpire at
the time of said action. If a game is suspended or concluded (includes the 10
run rule) for any reason, the players who did not complete their three
complete innings must start and play the first three innings of the next game.
All disciplinary action must be reported to the Division Director and Player
Agent within 24 hours of the action.
Before any practices are held, all league approved paperwork must be
filled out completely and signed, including, but not limited to, Coaches Code
of Conduct form, Washington State Patrol form, and all players
registration/medical release forms. All
coaches must be approved by the Coaches Selection Approval Committee.
To be compiled of
those players or coaches interested in a higher level of play;
Each coach will be allowed to protect up to seven players.
The remainder of the roster is to be filled through a tryout, unless not enough
players sign up for a tryout to be held in September or October, then the
coaches will be allowed and expected to recruit players to fill their remaining
roster spots. Before any practices are
held, all league approved paperwork must be filled out completely and signed,
including, but not limited to, Coaches Code of Conduct form, Washington State
Patrol form, and all players registration/medical release forms. All coaches must be approved by the Coaches
Selection Approval Committee.
ARTICLE XVI
PROTESTS, PENALTIES, & MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1
PROTESTS & PENALTIES
All rules and regulations in the official PONY Baseball Rule
Book apply, except the following: A protest must be based on an interpretation
of the rules. The objecting coach must, at the time the play occurs, notify the
head umpire, the opposing Head Coach, and the official scorekeeper, that the
game is being played under protest. He/she must then submit a written protest,
with a $10.00 fee, to the Division Director within 24 hours of the completion
of the game, regardless of the outcome. The $10.00 fee will be returned if the
protest is upheld, and it will go into the MTYAA Baseball general fund if the
protest is denied.
SECTION 2
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The League officers shall have the authority to suspend,
discharge, or otherwise discipline any player, manager, coach, umpire, league
officer, or other person whose conduct is in violation of the rules and
regulations of PONY Baseball and these Bylaws, and/or is considered detrimental
to the best interest of the League.
Persons subject to disciplinary action shall have the right to a hearing
before the League officers before such discipline is imposed. In the event the
discipline procedures involve a player under the age of 18, that player’s
parents or legal guardian shall be invited to attend the hearing with the
player concerned. Persons, youth or adult, who refuse to comply with the rules
of baseball, PONY Baseball, or the League, may be considered for disciplinary
action. The League may impose one of the following penalties which, in their
opinion, seems to match the severity of the offense: Warning - The
offending person is to be advised in writing of the offense and further advised
that repetition of the offense shall result in a more severe penalty. Suspension - The offending person is
to be advised in writing that he/she has been suspended from all League
activity for a specific number of games or days. Dismissal - The offending person is
to be advised in writing that he/she has been dismissed from the League for the
remainder of the current year. Barred
- The offending person is to be advised in writing that he/she has been barred
from present and future participation in the League, or for a specific number
of years.
SECTION 3 MISCELLANEOUS
Refer to official baseball rules as sanctioned by PONY
Baseball, and as authorized through the Office of the Commissioner of PONY
Baseball for any definitions or terms not herein defined.
ARTICLE XVII
EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS & INSURANCE
SECTION 1
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
The Director of Equipment shall issue all equipment and
supplies. All teams shall be provided with equipment as it is available. The
Director of Uniforms shall issue all uniforms. Shetland and Pinto shall get
hats and t-shirts only. All other divisions shall be supplied uniforms. The
uniforms (excluding hats, socks, and t-shirts) are the property of MTYAA
Baseball, and must be returned at the end of the season. Parents or legal
guardians shall be charged for any uniforms, part of uniforms, not turned in.
Each Head Coach shall be held financially responsible for the equipment and
uniforms issued to them by MTYAA Baseball. All-Star Teams are required to
include the League Logo on their uniform.”
SECTION 2
INSURANCE
MTYAA Baseball shall provide secondary accident insurance
and liability insurance.
ARTICLE XVII
SECTION 1
MUSTANG
The rules and regulations for tournament play found in the
official PONY Baseball Rule Book shall govern all tournament play. The number
of official PONY All-Star teams from the Mustang and Bronco divisions will be
determined by Section T-1-B, Page 21, PONY Baseball Rules and Regulations.
An additional unofficial or sanctioned Tournament Team of 11
year old players will be selected.
With agreement by the coaches and assistant coaches of record at the All-Star Manager Selection meeting, an additional unofficial or sanctioned Tournament team, comprised of 11 and 12 year old players may be formed.
With agreement by the coaches and assistant coaches of
record at the All-Star Manager Selection meeting, an additional unofficial or
sanctioned Tournament team, comprised of 9 and 10 year old players may be
formed. An additional unofficial or
sanctioned Tournament team, comprised of only 9 year old players, may be
formed.
All players, parents, managers, and coaches must agree to
the financial and volunteer commitments as outlined by Director of Tournaments
and respective Division Director(s).
SECTION 2
The Manager for each Mustang and Bronco all-Star team will
be selected by a vote of the Manager and one Assistant Coach from each team in
the division, at a meeting to be held during the first week in May. Only
Managers of teams in regular league play shall be eligible to manage All-Star
teams. Once elected, the All-Star Managers will select their own assistants
from managers and assistant coaches of record in their divisions. Non-coaches of record will be allowed to
serve as assistant coaches with the agreement of the division coaches of
record.
The Manager of the 11 year old tournament team will be
selected by a vote of the Manager and one Assistant Coach from each team in the
division. Non-coaches of record will be
allowed to serve as assistant coaches with the agreement of the division
coaches of record.
The Manager of the additional Bronco tournament team, if
formed by agreement of the coaches and assistant coaches, will be selected by a
vote of the Manager and one Assistant Coach from each team in the division.
Only managers and assistant coaches of record from teams in regular league play
shall be eligible to manage. Non-coaches
of record will be allowed to serve as assistant coaches with the agreement of
the division coaches of record.
The Manager of the additional Mustang tournament team, if
formed by agreement of the coaches and assistant coaches, will be selected by a
vote of the Manager and one Assistant Coach from each team in the division, at
a meeting to be held on the first Friday in June. Only managers and assistant
coaches of record from teams in regular league play shall be eligible to
manage. Non-coaches of record will be
allowed to serve as assistant coaches with the agreement of the division
coaches of record. Assistant coaches
will be selected by the All Star Manager after the nine initial players are
chosen.
SECTION 3
At the All Star Manager selection meeting, each manager
within the division may submit a list of his/her players to be considered for
All Star play. Players eligible to be
considered for selection shall:
-
be members in good standing of their respective League Team as defined by the
current Player Code of Conduct Policy, and shall not have been suspended or
ejected by either their Coach or Umpire on more than one occasion during the
League Season.
-
shall have played in a minimum of 2/3 of their League games (unless due to
injury)
-
shall have participated in their respective division’s fund raiser at the
minimum required level.
All Star player tryouts will be held two weeks prior to the
end of the regular season. Any deviation from this schedule must be approved by
the Executive Board. All selected players must attend the tryout. There will be one vote submitted per team for
12 players. The 9 players receiving the most votes shall be assigned to the All
Star roster for their respective division, with the All Star Manager selecting
players to fill the remaining roster positions from the pool of players
attending tryouts, but not to exceed official PONY limits. If a player selected chooses not to
participate on the All-Star Team he may only participate on another tournament
team with the approval of both managers and the Player Agent.
Managers wishing to send more than four (4) players to the
All-Star tryouts must have the approval of the All-Star Coach, or have the
approval of a majority of coaches voting at the All-Star manager selection
meeting.
Open positions on the 11 year old Tournament Team, following
the selection of All-Star players, may be filled at the discretion of the
elected team Manager from other 11 year old player within the Bronco division.
If a roster vacancy occurs for any reason, the All Star
Manager shall fill the vacancy first from the additional tournament team,
second from the pool of players who tried out, and remain in good standing with
their League Team, and lastly with any division player not selected for All
Star consideration, at his discretion.
In the event a selected player violates the Player Code of
Conduct subsequent to tryouts, or otherwise ceases to be a member in good
standing of their respective League Team through the end of the League Season,
he/she will become ineligible for All-Star participation
For Pony Level All Stars – See Article XV
SECTION 4
TOURNAMENT TEAMS MANAGER
SELECTION
After the All-Star selection is complete, the division
managers and assistant coaches shall vote for Managers of the Additional
Tournament Team(s). Managers and
assistant coaches of record will be eligible for this position. Tournament Team Managers shall select their
own assistants from managers and assistant coaches of record in their
division. Non-coaches of record will be
allowed to serve as assistant coaches with the agreement of the division
coaches of record.
SECTION 5
PONY TOURNAMENT PLAY
The All-Star team from each division will represent MTYAA
Baseball in official PONY Tournament play.
ARTICLE XIX
SPECIAL RULES FOR JAMBOREE
The following rules are recommended for Jamborees. Each game
shall consist of 1 inning, with no infield practice. Warm up shall be done off the
playing field. The offensive team shall bat all their players once in their ½
inning, no matter how many outs. After 7 players have batted, the defense shall
make substitutions to ensure that all players will be in the game at a
defensive position. If a new pitcher is put in, he/she will get 6 warm up
pitches. The score shall be determined by the number of players who cross home
plate. In the case of a tie, the game shall be called a tie.
ARTICLE XX
DRAFTING RULES
Section 1 COACHES & ASSISTANTS
1.1 With the
goal being succession in coaching, each manager/head coach must identify an
assistant coach with a child in the younger age group prior to the tryout
date. If the manager/head coach does not
identify an assistant coach prior to the tryout date, the Division Director may
assign an assistant coach. The assistant
coach should be someone willing to continue coaching the following year as the
head coach/manager.
1.2 In the
event that there is no coach in the younger age group, the team will forfeit their
first round draft selection in the younger age group of that division.
1.3 A returning
coach shall not be allowed to leave his/her present team to take over a
different team or expansion team in the same Division, except in the event that
the transferring/returning coach would be “moving up” to a head coach position
instead of an assistant coach position.
1.4 Any
exceptions to 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 must be recommended by the Division Director and
approved by the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee only after a
finding by the committee that such an exception would be in the best interest
of the league
1.5 All coaches
must be approved by the Coach and Umpire Selection Approval Committee
Section 2 DRAFTING
& PROTECTED PLAYERS
2.1 The
Division Director will arrange a time and place for the draft as soon as
practical after the Division tryouts.
Draft is required for Mustang, Bronco, and Pony Divisions. Colt and Palomino division may opt for other
means of player selection with Board approval.
Players will be assigned to teams by Shetland and Pinto Directors.
2.2 Draft
order is determined by teams’ position in the final standings from the previous
season. Teams will draft in reverse
order of their position in the previous year end-of-season standings.
2.3 Expansion
(new) teams will be awarded the sixth position in the draft, with the order of
the non-expansion teams remaining the same.
In the event that there is more than one expansion team, the new
expansion teams would be awarded positions starting at sixth in the draft (e.g.
if there are two new teams, they would draft sixth and seventh, respectively;
if there are three new teams they would draft sixth, seventh and eighth,
respectively). In the event that there
is more than one expansion team, their position in the first round of the draft
will be decided by coin flip or other random method chosen by the Division
Director. The expansion teams will
rotate their draft positions in subsequent rounds of the draft.
2.4 All
returning players in Mustang, Bronco and Pony Cascade who choose to return to
their previous season’s team shall be automatically protected. A player may choose to enter the draft
instead of returning to their previous team.
Such players must participate in the tryout and are eligible to be
drafted by any team (including the team which they chose to not return).
2.5 For
player protection purposes, each team will have only two coaches of
record: Head coach/manager and Assistant
Coach. (Ideally one coach will have a
child in the older age group and the other will have a child in the younger age
group. When a coach with a child in the
older age group is not available, both coaches may have children in the younger
age group. If both coaches have children
in the older age group, the team will forfeit their first round draft selection
in the younger age group. See Section
1.)
2.6 Younger
siblings of returning or older age group players are automatically protected
players on their older sibling’s team in Mustang, Bronco and Pony Cascade. The younger sibling fills the last available
draft slot in their age group for that team.
2.7 At
Mustang, Bronco and Pony Cascade divisions, siblings of the same age group will
be considered consecutive draft picks for that age group for that team.
2.8 The
child/children of the head coach and assistant coach are automatically
protected players and shall be considered the last pick in the child’s age
group for that team.
2.9 A
coach’s protected player must be a coach’s immediate family member (child,
stepchild, sibling). In rare
circumstances, if the coach does not have an immediate family member playing,
another relative (nephew, niece) may be protected with the approval of the
division director and player agent (i.e. a coach can not protect their child
and nephew/niece)
2.10
The draft will begin with the older age group.
Each team eligible to draft players in the older age group will receive
a first round draft pick.
2.11
After the first round selections for the
older age group, the team with the fewest returning players shall begin the
next round in draft order and continue filling roster spots until each team has
an equal number of players.
2.12
No team will have more than eight players in the older age group.
2.13
After all players in the older age group have been drafted, the players in the
younger age group shall be drafted.
2.14
Younger age group players shall be drafted by teams in normal draft order until
all players have been drafted.
2.15
In order to equalize the number of players per team, the division director may
remove teams from the draft order in their latter rounds.
2.16
Players who do not attend tryouts will become “hat picks” and will be randomly
assigned as the last players drafted.
Section 3 PLAYER TRADES
3.1 Coaches may trade players with other teams provided the
following conditions are met:
·
The trade must be made within forty-eight hours
of the beginning of the draft
·
The players traded must be the same age
·
The player agent and division director, after
having been advised of the rationale for the trade, both give their written
approval
·
The players traded are not protected players
Section 4 TRYOUTS
4.1 Prior to tryouts, all teams will provide (or be provided
by the division director) a list of returning players.
4.2 Tryouts will be held at a place, time and manner
determined by the division director
4.3 All new players to the division and returning players
choosing to re-enter the draft must participate in the tryout.
4.4 Players who register and are unable to attend the tryout
will be randomly assigned to teams by picking their names from a hat or other
device, as the last players in the draft.
4.5 Players who register after tryouts shall be placed on
teams by the division director and player agent in a manner to be determined by
the division director and player agent to equalize the number of players on
teams by age group.
ARTICLE XXI
CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THESE BYLAWS
Changes or additions to these bylaws shall be made in
accordance with Article VIII. Requests for changes in these bylaws must be
submitted in November and December, and changes shall be voted on in either
January or February.
ARTICLE XXII CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS, EXPENDITURES
FUNDS
22.1 The
Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the
organization, in addition to the agents authorized by these bylaws, to enter
into contracts, execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of
the organization.
22.2 The
Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers, agents or agents of the
organization, in addition to the officers and agents so authorized by these
bylaws, to sign all checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the
organization.
22.3 Any
payment of funds must be authorized by a minimum of two officers, including the
President. The Executive Board may place
further limitations as it sees fit to protect the integrity of its finances.
22.4 All
funds of the organization shall be deposited as soon as practical to the credit
of the organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the
Executive Board may select.
22.5 The
Executive Board may accept on behalf of the organization, any contribution,
gift, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of
the organization.
22.6 The
Executive Board shall create and implement policies, procedures, guidelines and
plans to control the receipt, distribution and payment of funds in order to
insure that expenditures are made toward the stated purposes of the organizations
and within budgetary constraints of the organization and to insure that there
are no conflicts of interest. The Executive Board shall publish said policies,
guidelines and plans.
22.7 The
Executive Board may only make loans to other member clubs of MTYAA as provided
in the MTYAA Bylaws and Constitution.
22.8 The
organization, through the Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books and
records of its receipts and expenditures.
22.9 The
organization, through its Secretary, shall keep accurate and complete minutes
of all proceedings of the Executive Board, which authorize the receipt and
expenditure of funds.
22.10The
organization, through its Executive Board shall conduct its financial
transactions in a manner consistent with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
any applicable amendments and with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
MTYAA.
22.11The
organization shall conduct its affairs in such a manner as to assure its status
as an organization qualifying for exemption from taxation pursuant to Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
22.12The
Executive Board may order periodic reviews to ensure that its operations are
consistent with its purposes and that it does not engage in activities that
could jeopardize its status as an organization exempt from federal income taxation.
22.13Any
provisions herein are meant to supplement, but not replace, any applicable laws
of the State of