Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association

2007 By-Laws

In Service for the Youth of Fultondale

These by-laws were approved at the Board Meeting of the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association held February 1 , 2007 .

ARTICLE I

NAME AND LOCATION

Section 1

The name of the organization shall be the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association.

Section 2

The Association’s mailing address is P. O. Box 816, Fultondale, Alabama 35068

Section 3

The principal offices for the transaction of business shall be located at such place as determined by the Board Members and Officers.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the Association shall be to provide the best possible organized program for the promotion of Baseball and Softball year round, authorized by the Board Members and Officers.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Association shall be all of the individuals who are interested in developing attitudes of good sportsmanship and athletic ability in the youth of the Fultondale area.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS AND CHAPTER MANAGEMENT

Section 1

The membership shall, the last week of the season, elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Baseball Athletic Director, Softball Athletic Director, Baseball Commissioner, Softball Commissioner, Ragball Athletic Director/Commissioner, Team Mom Coordinator, Fundraiser Coordinator/Tournament Director and 11 Board Members.

Section 2

Vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled by a current board member. The board will accept nominations from members and vote on such nominees to replace the board member accepting the officer position.

Section 3

A.    Management of the Association shall be vested in the Board Members and the Officers outlined in Article IV, Section 1.

B.    In a Board meeting called by the President where all voting members have been notified; business may be transacted by voting members present.

Section 4

A.    Election of the Officers for the Association will be held the last week of regular season play, with these positions being effective July 1 of the current year.

B.    Officers shall be elected by secret ballot at the park after nominations have been posted for a period of time no less than two (2) weeks.

C.    Nominations will be accepted as follows:

i.      By recommendation from a qualified voter, no less than two (2) weeks before the election.  This nomination will be subject to the approval of the person nominated.

ii.    A “Nomination for Board Membership and Officers” form must be completed and turned into the President to be considered for election.

D.    After the advertisement of those nominated for positions has been posted at the concession stand for a period of no less than two (2) weeks, voting will be done by ballot at the concession stand, for a period of time to allow all leagues ample opportunity to vote.

Section 5

A.    Voting will be restricted to parents and grandparents of registered children in the program or people directly affiliated with the program and will be limited to six votes per family.

B.    Election results will be posted as soon as practical after election days, and, as stated in Article IV, Section 4, newly elected officials will take office July 1 of the same year.

Section 6

General membership meetings will be held quarterly at a place and time designated by the President. All General Meetings must be posted and announced one (1) week in advance of meeting date.

Section 7

Any By-Law changes must be made and passed by a simple majority at a Boardl Meeting.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS DUTIES

Section 1

The President shall preside over all General Membership Meetings and Board Meetings. The President shall be an Ex Officio Member of all standing and appointed committees. The President is charged with overall administration of the Association and ensuring that all elected officials are doing their jobs as outlined in the Article. The President will not be able to vote on any issues unless there is a tie. All voting will be executed by Board Members and Officers. The President shall appoint committees and assign committees for upkeep of each field during the season.

Section 2

The Vice-President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and other duties as assigned by the President. The Vice-President is responsible for planning Opening and Closing ceremonies along with Fun Day activities. The Vice-President shall purchase all required insurance policies.

Section 3

The Secretary shall keep minutes of all General and Board meetings. At every General Membership Meeting and every Board Meeting, the Secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting. The Secretary is responsible for composing and sending "Thank You" letters to our sponsors.

Section 4

The Treasurer shall receive all monies, disperse all funds as approved by the Board Members and shall maintain a current, accurate record of all receipts and expenditures. The Treasurer shall have a general knowledge of basic accounting procedures. The Treasurer shall present a written financial report at all General Meetings and Board Meetings. All Association monies shall be maintained in a checking account under the name Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association. All checks shall be signed by the Treasurer and either the President or Vice-President. A general ledger accounting of all incomes/expenses incurred during each Board Member's term (July 1st to June 30th) is to be finalized and provided no later than June 15th for the incoming Board.

Section 5

The Athletic Director shall be responsible for the scheduling of practices and games in conjunction with the Baseball and Softball Commissioners. The Athletic Director shall be responsible for purchasing of baseball and softball equipment, field maintenance equipment, ordering of uniforms and any other necessary items. Attend Dizzy Dean and Dixie Youth Association meetings and report back to the Board Members on all pertinent information. The Athletic Director shall be responsible for coach selection for all leagues. The Athletic Director shall be responsible for settling all disputes that the Baseball or Softball Commissioners cannot settle and presenting these issues to the Board, if necessary.

Commissioners shall develop equipment inventory lists and have a complete accounting of equipment purchased and inventoried. This list must be completed and presented to the BOARD within 30 days of the last All-Star game, by league, and showing beginning and ending inventory.

ARTICLE VI

BOARD MEMBERS DUTIES

Section 7

The Ragball Athletic Director/Commissioner will be responsible for division of teams, scheduling of practices and games and , in conjunction with the Baseball and Softball Commissioners, be responsible for distribution of  equipment.

Section 8

Team Mom/Fundraiser Coordinator shall be responsible for all issues regarding fundraising including presenting opportunities to the board for fundraisers, reporting of current fundraising activities and document fundraising activities. Coordinator shall ask the President for a committee to help with activities if needed. Work with all team moms and keep them informed of events at the park. Shall be a liaison to the board for all team moms.

Section 9

General duties of all Board Members will include but not be limited to being the Board Member on duty for an assigned amount of nights during the season. The Board Member on duty for a particular night will be responsible for turning on field lights for all fields, stocking the press box with First Aid box, balls for all games and helmets. All protests that occur for that particular night. Making sure the concession stand is closed and locked; bathrooms are clean and locked, trash on the fields and in the trashcans are put in the dumpster. Making sure the lights for all fields are turned off.

Section 10

All board members shall be required to purchase a key for opening the buildings on their assigned days. The fee for this key shall not exceed $30 and will be refunded at the end of the board members current term. Each board member shall sign a "Commitment Form" to be kept on record acknowledging their duties and expectations. Board members are required to attend all board meetings. Failure to attend 2 consecutive or 4 total board meetings without prior approval of the President will result in suspension of the board member until such time as the member comes before the board and gives an explanation for the absence. The remaining board members shall vote on reinstatement at a time designated by the President. The Member shall be notified of the results by the President.

ARTICLE VII

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Section 1

This Article shall apply to all leagues except Tee-Ball unless it conflicts with higher-level league rules.

Section 2

Each team shall have one (1) adult Head Coach and may have three (3) adult Assistant Coaches and the home team for that game is responsible for providing an adult official scorekeeper and a scoreboard operator.

Section 3

Both the Head Coach and the Assistant Coach(es) must be active in the management of the team.

Section 4

Only the Offensive Head Coach and one (1) Assistant or their designated adult agents shall represent a team on the field and be allowed inside the playing area fence.  This limits the number representing an Offensive team on the field to two (2), except for Cap League and Darlings which may have three (3) Offensive coaches. Tee-Ball and Sweeties may have three (3) offensive coaches and two (2) defensive coaches.

Section 5

The Scorekeeper is not allowed inside the playing area fence.

ARTICLE VIII

SELECTION OF COACHES

Section 1

A “Coaching Resume” must be submitted to and approved by the Athletic Director no later than the last day of registration to be considered for or permitted to coach the current year.

Section 2

The Athletic Director will select coaches for all leagues.

Section 3

Any coach not chosen has a right to meet with the Board to discuss the reasons for the Athletic Director's decision.

Section 4

A coach will be assigned a team for only one (1) season.  Each season coaches must make a new request for a team and those from the previous year shall be given first consideration but previous involvement will not be an overriding factor or ensure the position.

Section 5

It is desirable, but not necessary, that a coach be knowledgeable in baseball, but, it is absolutely necessary that the coach be of high moral character and that he exemplifies that character in dealing with his team.

Section 6

All coaches petitioning for a Head Coaching position, selected or not, will be notified of their status prior to tryouts.

Section 7

Once elected or authorized to be a Head Coach, the Head Coach can select his own assistant coaches.

Section 8

All Head coaches are required to attend a coach's clinic. Chosen assistant coaches may attend if they wish.

ARTICLE IX

ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS TO TEAMS AND AWARDING OF TEAMS TO COACHES

Effective with the 1987 season and each season thereafter, all children participating as players and adults participating as coaches in the baseball program governed by the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association shall be assigned to teams in accordance with this Article.  Every child will be put back into the draft each year.

Section 1

A tryout will be held each year for all league ages. In order to be eligible for draft, it is mandatory that every child be registered.

Section 2

At tryouts, only the Head Coaches and a designated Board Member will be supplied a list of players and will be allowed on the field.  Each player will have a number corresponding with that list. Each child will be graded by every Head Coach and the designated Board Member present, utilizing an A-D rating system in the areas of catching, throwing, running and hitting. After these tryouts, those children who are judged as possible pitchers by the coaches and designated board member will return to be rated as pitchers (for coach’s benefit only). This does not apply to the Tee-Ball, Cap and Sweeties leagues. The coaches, designated Board Member, Baseball Commissioner and the Athletic Director shall average the scores and each child will be placed in draft order.

Section 3

Coaches will draft in order determined by luck of the draw.  The coach drawing number one will have first choice of the first round and the last choice of the second round.  The coach drawing the last draft choice will choose last in the first round and first in the second round, etc., until all eligible players have been drafted.

Section 4

The order of the draft shall be as follows: The draft list will be denoted in increments per the number of teams in the league. Any child may be selected from the entire list.   Coaches will choose their child in the respective round that corresponds to the increment their child is within.   If siblings are rated within the same round; one child will be selected from that particular round and the sibling will be selected in the next following round.   The coach will then resume his normal, luck of the draw, selection slot.

ARTICLE X

ALL-STAR SELECTION

Section 1

This article shall apply to Tee-Ball through High School Leagues for Baseball and Sweeties through 18 and under leagues for Softball.

Section 2

All-Star ballots must be submitted to the Athletic Director one (1) week prior to the end of the season.  The Athletic Director, appropriate Commissioner and President shall be present during the tabulation process of the All-Star ballots. If any member can not be present then the appropriate substitutions will take place (i.e. Vice President would fill in for the President).

Section 3

Coaches may vote for players from their team.

Section 4

The number of All-Stars selected from any team will not be restricted.

Section 5

Voting by the Head Coaches shall be on secret, written ballot.  The tally and results shall be determined by the Athletic Director, appropriate Commissioner and President.  Should the first vote tally result in a tie, the method to break the tie will be determined by the Athletic Director and approved by the appropriate Commissioner.

Section 6

The All-Star team will be restricted to no more than fourteen (14) players in all Baseball Leagues.   All-Star team will be restricted to no more and no less than twelve (12) players in all Softball Leagues. All-Star participants will be notified by phone after closing ceremonies.

Section 7

The All-Star coach will be the winning coach in his or her child’s age division, if applicable, of the regular season.  The All-Star coach may choose his assistant coaches from the current year’s coach pool. If the winning coach does not wish to coach the All-Star team, the Board Members and Officers will select the Head Coach.

Section 8

A.    Any Player in any league who declines to accept an All-Star position after the All-Stars are selected and announced shall automatically be ineligible for the All-Star selection the following year. Any and all exceptions to this article of rule will be only by a full vote of the Board Members and Officers.

B.    Each selected All-Star must attend all practices and games unless excused by the Head Coach of the respective team.  Violations of this article of rule will result in the player being removed from the current year All-Star roster and automatically being ineligible for selection to an All-Star team the following year.

C.    Should a Head Coach or assistant coach be found in violation of enforcing any part of this article of rule, he will be removed as coach of the current year All-Star team and automatically become ineligible for consideration as an All-Star coach the following year.

D.    Players will be selected and play within their particular, individual age group during All-Stars if Dizzy Dean offers All-Star Tournaments by individual age groups.

ARTICLE XI

DETERMINATION OF LOCAL LEAGUE CHAMPION

Section 1

This Article shall apply to all Dizzy Dean Leagues.  Teams playing under Dizzy Dean Program will adhere to District requirements on determination of champion.

Section 2

The season will consist of two (2) halves. The winner of each half will meet in a one game playoff to determine the league champion. If one team wins both halves, that team will be the league champion in leagues that have more than two teams.

Section 3

If there is a need to play a championship game for any league, this game shall not be considered a “Tournament Game” and therefore will not be played under Tournament rules.

ARTICLE XII

SEASON LENGTH

Section 1

Teams playing under the Dizzy Dean program will play a season of the number of games specified by the Dizzy Dean District Association.  All Leagues must play twelve (12) or more games.  This pertains to all leagues (Dizzy Dean rule - Page 13, Section 1, Article II - League Structure).

Section 2

The number of games to be played by teams in the Tee-Ball program will be based on the number of teams in the league.  The number of games to be played shall be determined by the Athletic Director.

Section 3

All scheduled games must be played.  EXCEPTION: Forfeited games.

ARTICLE XIII

MAKE-UP GAMES

Section 1

In the event a game is not played to completion as defined by Dizzy Dean rules or is “called” before play begins, the game will be made up on the next date as deemed by the appropriate Commissioner and Athletic Director.

Section 2

All pitching rules and required rest periods will apply.

Section 3

The time of the make-up games will be determined by the appropriate Commissioner and Athletic Director.

Section 4

Should conditions prevent the make-up games as required in Section 1 of this Article, then the game shall be scheduled on a date determined by the Athletic Director.

ARTICLE XIV

EQUIPMENT

Section 1

Team equipment will be issued to the Head Coach each year by the appropriate commissioner. The coach will sign a list of equipment received and will return the equipment to the appropriate commissioner within one (1) week after the completion of the season.  EXCEPTION TO RETURNED EQUIPMENT - Coach of the All-Star teams. Failure to return equipment in required time is or can be grounds for suspension of coaching for the following year.

Section 2

Equipment breakages during the season shall be reported to the Athletic Director and he will coordinate the replacement with the appropriate commissioner.

ARTICLE XV

BASE COACHES

Section 1

Dizzy Dean Leagues - as required by Dizzy Dean Rules.           

ARTICLE XVI

FINANCIAL

Section 1

The Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association is a non-profit organization.  All monies collected shall be used to further the aims of the Association.

Section 2

No Officer or Board Member shall receive any compensation for services rendered as such Officer or Board Member.

Section 3

No person, Officer, or Board Member may purchase on credit or cash, in the name of the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association, any item for use in the program unless they have been approved to do so by the Board.

Section 4

No person shall be reimbursed for any purchase in the name of this Association unless authorized by the Board and they provide a receipt for such purchase.

Section 5

The Athletic Director shall be the only person authorized to purchase any item of sporting equipment to be used in this program.

ARTICLE XVII

SPECIAL RULES

Section 1

Coaches and players of one team shall not be guilty of any action designed to upset, disrupt, or discredit the players and activities of the opposing team.  Should this occur, it could result in ejection from the game.  Any coach or player using any manner of profanity or abusive language toward anyone in the area of the playing fields, dugouts, stands, press-boxes or batting cages will be required to leave the park and will automatically become ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game.  A second such offense in any one season will result in expulsion from the Association for the remainder of the current year.  There will be no exceptions to nor appeal to this article of rule.  Any such offense should be reported to the President or appropriate Commissioner immediately in written form.

Section 2

Spectators shall remain courteous and refrain from interfering with any activities on the playing field and shall not be allowed to criticize coaches, players or umpires.  Should this occur, it could result in ejection from the park.

Section 3

No Coach, Player or Spectator shall argue unduly with the umpires.  Questions directed to the umpire for the manager’s information, which are not argumentative in nature, are not to be considered as undue argument.

Section 4

Protest of games will be received as outlined in the official rulebook of Dizzy Dean Baseball, Inc.  The protest fee will be $75.00.

Section 5

A.    Players not showing an adequate interest in the team effort by failing to report for called practice sessions and scheduled games may be dropped from the team; but only after the approval of the Board Members.

B.    Players deciding not to play after being selected during the draft should notify his/her coach or the President or appropriate Commissioner of the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association.   If uniforms have not been ordered, the child will be eligible to receive the registration fee returned.

C.    If the team that selected the resigning player would then have two less players than the team selecting the last player in the draft, the last player selected in the draft would then be given to the team with the resigning player.   This could only occur with the approval of the Board Members and the parents involved.

D.    Any Board Member not showing an active interest in the Fultondale Youth Baseball/Softball Association by missing three (3) consecutive, called Board Meetings shall be removed from the Board by a vote of the Board Members. 

Section 6

Only the batter, batter on deck, first and third base coaches will be permitted to remain outside the dugout in Minor and Major Leagues.

Section 7

The first day of the week for all questions relating to player’s eligibility shall be Monday and the last day shall be Sunday.   

Section 8

Except where otherwise specifically set forth in these rules, the official rulebook of Dizzy Dean Baseball, Inc. shall govern the rules of play.  Any rules in this part inconsistent with the Dizzy Dean Rules shall not apply to the Major leagues.

Section 9

All leagues will be required to play all players for at least twelve (12) consecutive outs. Failure to comply with this will cause the game to be forfeited.

Section 10

In Tee-Ball, the batting order shall consist of all players, not to exceed the team with the least amount of players (e.g. if one team has 10 players and one has 9 players, the team with 10 players will bat 9 in each inning and the 10^th player will bat first in the next inning continuing to rotate the players each inning).  Failure to comply with this will cause the game to be forfeited.

Section 11

The length of an inning shall be restricted to the roster of the team with the least number of players having batted or three (3) outs accrued against the team on offense, whichever occurs first. This rule applies to the Tee-Ball only. All other rules of normal play will remain unchanged.

Section 12

Any team holding a ten (10) run lead after the required innings, as stated in their league, shall be declared the winner:

Section 13

Substitution rules must be followed as set forth in the Dizzy Dean Rule Book.

Section 14

A.    Game starting time and player entrance into the game and pitchers and innings worked must be recorded by the official scorer in the official record book.  The official scorekeeper’s book is the only score book to be used by the league. It is up to the Head Coach to determine the accuracy of the entries and sign the score book after each game.  Official game time starts when the umpire calls “Play Ball”.

B.    Each pitcher will be restricted to the following number of innings per week:

Section 15

Where practical, all games shall be played to completion and any game continuing beyond time limits will be at the discretion of the appropriate Commissioner and the Athletic Director with the exception of a tie game. 2003 time limits are as follows:

Section 16

The defensive coach may call two (2) time-outs per inning. On the second time-out called, the pitcher must be substituted.  Offensively, there will only be two (2) time-outs, also.

Section 17

Any coach/player displaying poor sportsmanship, such as mutilating equipment or using abusive language shall be suspended for the remainder of the game. This suspension is at the discretion of the umpire. Any additional discipline will be determined by the appropriate Commissioner with the approval of the Board Members.

Section 18

The use of any tobacco product shall be used in the parking areas at least 100 feet away from the concession stand, press boxes, bleachers and playground.

Section 19

The coaches shall not allow eating on the playing field or in the dugouts with the exception of bubble gum and sunflower seeds.

Section 20

Any dissatisfaction with the program, coaches, players, or parents shall be reported to the appropriate Commissioner.  If the appropriate Commissioner cannot resolve the problem within 48 hours, the grievance will be presented to the Athletic Director. If the Athletic Director cannot resolve the problem within 48 hours, there will be a meeting of the Board to determine the correct course of action. If there is a problem with the Baseball Commissioner, Softball Commissioner or Athletic Director, you may voice your dissatisfaction directly to the President of the Association. If the proper steps are not followed, the problem will not be handled.

Section 21

All players must play in their respective age groups during regular season and All-Stars.  All players must reach the following ages before August 1st of the current year. Any exceptions to this section must be approved by the board.

Section 22

Anything not covered by the above By-Laws for girls softball will be governed by the Dixie Youth Softball Association rule book.

Section 23

All State flags won by any team representing the Association shall belong to the Association.  The Head Coach shall see that it is given to the President of the Association.  This applies to all leagues.

*The By-Laws listed above are for your convenience and may or may not be the most accurate copy. If you need to see the current full and correct copy of the By-Laws, please contact one of the Board Members.