MADISON COUNTY LITTLE LEAGUE

P.O. BOX 827

DANIELSVILLE, GA. 30633

League ID#  03100708

 

 

 

 

BY-LAWS - 2009

BY-LAWS:

 

1) Job descriptions of the Board of Directors:

  • Board of Directors – The management of the property and affairs of the MCLL shall be vested in the Board of Directors.  The board shall adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the league as it may deem proper.  The board shall have the power by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular or special meeting to discipline, suspend or remove any director or officer, subject to provisions of the constitution.
  • President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Player Agent – 

Job descriptions are outlined in the Constitution.

  • Safety Officer – Coordinates all safety activities; ensures safety in

player training; ensures safe playing conditions; coordinates reporting and prevention of injuries; solicits suggestions for making conditions safer, and reports suggestions to Little League International through the league President.  Responsible for preparing and summiting the Safety Plan, with help from the league President, to corporate headquarters before the due date set by Little League International.

  • League Information Officer – Set up and manages the leagues official

website, ensures that league news and important information on league activities are uploaded to the website.

  • Uniform Manager – Responsible for gathering information on the style of the uniforms, prices of uniforms and presenting information to the board for approval.  Uniform Manager will order, assemble and distribute all uniforms to players and coaches for all teams for both baseball and softball.  Uniform Manager is responsible for this position for regular season, All-Stars and fall ball.

 

 

  • Vice President of each Division – The VP for each division will not be a manager or a coach in that division.  Each VP will be responsible for the players and coaches of their division.  The VP will resolve issues between players, coaches and parents whenever possible.  If VP is unable to resolve an issue, they will bring it before the board.  VP is responsible for maintaining the pool play for their league.
  • Equipment Manager(s)  To maintain an inventory of all equipment.  Coordinate with President about what equipment needs to be purchased.  Responsible for putting the equipment bags together and to assign the equipment to each manager.  Also responsible for collecting the equipment at the end of the season from each manager and to make sure that all the equipment that was signed out is returned.  
  • Coaching Coordinator – Represents coaches/managers in the league.  Responsible for distributing training materials to the managers and coaches in order to help them teach the players  and to conduct any training clinics if deemed necessary.  Serves as the contact person for Little League and its manager-coach education program for the league.
  • Challenge Program Coordinator – To assist the district coordinator for the challenge program with the distribution of material about the challenge program.  Help with sign-ups for the kids that want to participate.  Keep the board informed of what goes on with the challenge program.

 

2) Code of Conduct – The Madison County Recreation Department 

    endeavors to create a wholesome recreation environment for all  

    participants.  The Code of Conduct applies to all Madison County

    Recreation Department program participants and users of departmental

    Facilities.  All coaches, players, spectators, employees of the Madison

    County Recreation Department and officials of the Madison County Little

    League will be held to the Code of Conduct while using the facilities.

  • Copy of the Code of Conduct will be given to every child and parent at registration. 
  • Any official of the Madison County Little League or employee of the Madison County Recreation Department may enforce the rules set by the Code of Conduct and may order a person to leave the premises for a violation of these rules.
  • Penalties extended beyond expulsion from a current game or event due to the special violations in the Code of Conduct shall be determined and imposed by the Director of the Madison County recreation Department.
  • Any Board Member or representative of the Madison County Little League, found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct will be subject to receive double the standard penalty.

 

3) Regulation I(a) - Establish age structure for all divisions of BB/SB:

    Baseball: Minor League  -  League age 8 – 11

                    Major League  -  League age 9 – 12

                    Junior League  -  League age 13 – 14

                    Senior League  -  League age 15 – 16

                    Big League      -  League age 17 – 18

Players that are league age 7 that played mini league in 2008 may play in minor league if they want to or may play in the pitching machine league with the Recreation Department.

 

Softball:   Minor League  -  League age 8 – 10

                 Major League  -  League age 11 – 12

                 Senior League -  League age  13 – 16

 

  • Regulation IV(a) – Allows for a 12-year old player, with a majority

vote of the Board of Directors, to participate in the Junior League Division and also be eligible to be selected to the Junior League Division tournament team.  Once a 12 year old is selected to a Junior League team, he may not change his mind and go back to major league. 

·        For 2009 – the Board of Directors have decided, by unanimous vote, that players league age 12 will NOT be allowed to participate in the junior league division and will be eligible for only the major league division.

  • Baseball: Players that are league age 9 are eligible to be drafted to the major league division.
  • Softball: Players that are league age 10 are eligible to be drafted to the major league division.
  • We do not offer T-Ball or Machine Pitch divisions.  These are programs offered by the Madison County Recreation Department.

 

 

 

 4)  Regulation 1(c), 8 & 9 – Background Checks: 

  • Every year, a new Little League Volunteer Application must be filled out by all managers, coaches, members of the Board of Directors, general members, umpires and any other volunteer who provides regular service to the league and have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams.  These volunteer applications must be submitted to the league president and the president must maintain the application for a minimum of the duration of the applicant’s service to the league for that year.
  • Anyone who refuses to fill out a Little League Volunteer Application, will not be allowed to participate in our program in any manner.
  • These applications must be filled out prior to applicant performing any of his or her duties.
  • The president will conduct an annual background check on everyone that is required to submit a “Little League Volunteer Application” prior to the applicant performing any of his or her duties.
  • The president must also check every applicant with the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Registry.  This site is free and available at www.nsopr.gov.
  • Madison County little League will use a company called Choicepoint to run all background checks as well as the sex offenders registry.  Choicepoint is recommended and a sponsor of Little League International.  The program runs both checks at one time.  The first 125 checks are free and then it is $1.00 for each additional check.

·        No applicant will be allowed to participate in our program in any manner if the background check shows the applicant has a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a minor or if applicant is on the National Sex Offenders Public Registry.

  • Failure to comply with this regulation may result in the suspension or revocation or tournament privileges and the local leagues charter may be revoked by action of the Charter or Tournament Committee in Williamsport.

5) Regulation III(a) - Number of players per team: 

·        The goal is to have 12 players per team.

·        Major League Division will maintain 12 players per team.  If a team loses a player, the manager and the player agent will select another player from the minor league division that participated in tryouts. 

 

·        No new player will be selected to a major league team if there is less than 2 weeks left in the season.

  • All other Divisions – minimum of 10 player on a team.  The number will be determined after sign-ups.

 6) Late registrations:  Late registrations will be allowed only to even out the   

    number of players on each team. 

  • Once registration is over, the number of teams in each division will be determined and how many we have on each team.  If the number on each team is not the same, we will allow late sign-ups to even out the teams up to the maximum established for each team.
  • No late sign-ups will be allowed once the draft for that division has been completed without approval of the Board of Directors.
  • A waiting list will be made for late sign-up players once the number on each team is even and at the maximum number on each team has been reached.  If the waiting list becomes big enough to form a complete team that is equal to the number of players already on the teams, then these players will be allowed to sign-up as long as it is done before the draft is completed.
  • After the draft, if the number of players on each team are not at 12, we will start a list of players who want to sign up.  Once we are able to put a player on each team, we will draw the name from a hat to determine which team the player is on.

7) Regulation III(c) – Maximum number of players of a league age allowed:

  • Major League Baseball Division  – no more than 8 players that are league age 12 will be allowed on a team.
  • All other divisions of baseball and softball – there is no minimum or maximum number of players of a league age on each team.

 8) Regulation III(d) – Selecting replacement player in major league division, (Baseball only)

  • The manager must notify the player agent if he has lost a player for the remainder of the year due to injury or the player quits the program.  The manager has 7 days to select a player from the minor league division.  That player must have participated in the try-outs and also has the permission of the parent to move to major league.
  • If the manager does not replace the player within 7 days, then the player agent will be responsible for replacing the player.
  • No replacement player will be allowed during the last 2 weeks of regular season.

 

9) Regulation IV(i) – Penalty for violation of Mandatory Play by a manager:

    The penalty for this violation will be the same as in Regulation IV(i).

  • 1st Offense -  Receive written warning by the Board of Directors.
  • 2nd Offense – Suspension of the next (2) physically played game.
  • 3rd Offense – Suspension for rest of the season.
  • If violation is determined to have been intentional, the Board of Directors may assess a more severe penalty even if it was the first offense.

10) Regulation VI – Pitchers

·        The official scorekeeper for that game is responsible for keeping up with pitch count for each player on both teams. 

·        Managers have the ultimate responsibility for keeping up with the pitch count of their pitchers during the game.

·        List of the pitch count, number of days rest required between each game they are available to pitch, per each age group is listed on page 34 of Rule Book.

·        An ineligible pitcher is one who throws a pitch to a batter who has not met his required number of days rest or has not met his games rest.

·        Using an ineligible pitcher is ground for a protest.  The opposing manager must inform the umpires that an ineligible pitcher was used and wishes to protest before the umpires leave the field.

11) Protesting Games -  We will follow Rule 4.19 on page 63 of rule book.

·        Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule, use of an ineligible pitcher or the use of an ineligible player.

·        We as a league want to try and avoid protesting games whenever possible.  Coaches should stop the game at the point the infraction discovered and correct the mistake at that point and then continue the game.

·        To help avoid protest, a league official and the official scorekeeper will check the pitch count log to see which pitchers are not eligible to pitch that game.  If they see a pitcher going to pitch that is ineligible, they should inform the umpire and have the game stopped and the problem corrected and then continue the game.

 

 

 

 12) Penalty for using an ineligible pitcher:  Even if the problem is discovered and corrected during the game, the penalty to the manager will still be enforced.

·        1st Offense -  Suspension of the next physically played game.

·        2nd Offense – Suspension of the next (2) physically played game.

·        3rd Offense – Suspension for rest of the season.

·        If violation is determined to have been intentional, the Board of Directors may assess a more severe penalty even if it was the first offense.

13) Regulation V(b) – Drafting of players in Major League Division (BB)

  • Once a player is selected for the major league, he must remain in major league.
  • We will have a list of the returning players from last year that must be selected to a major league team as well as a list of the players that are league age 12 that were in minor league in the prior year or have not played at all.  All players at the beginning of the draft may be drafted even if they were not in major league last year.  The list of returning players will be monitored throughout the drafting process and the drafting of new players will be stopped so that all of the returning players and all players league age 12 will be selected.
  • The order of selection will be determined by drawing of numbers from a hat by the managers of the teams.
  • Options of sons and siblings will follow Page 65 of the Operating manual.

14)Regulation V(b) – Drafting of players in all other division of BB & SB:

  • The order of selection will be determined by drawing of numbers from a hat by the managers of the teams.
  • The draft will follow PLAN A (Page 62 of the Operating Manual).
  • Options of daughters and siblings will follow Page 65 of the Operating Manual.

15)Regulation V(c) – Pool Player System

  • Pool players will be permitted in all divisions.

The VP of the league will be responsible for maintaining the pool list as well as being responsible for selecting the pool player for each game that is required.

·        Managers are responsible for supplying a pool player list from their team     that would like to be considered for pool play.  If manager does not supply a pool player list, then that team will not be allowed to use the pool play system.

  • The manager is to contact the VP as soon as it is known that he needs a pool player in order to give the VP time to find a player.
  • If the manager discovers that he needs a pool player at the game and the VP is not present at that game, the official from the Board of Directors that is at the game has the authority to try and find a pool player for that team.
  • The manager of a team may not select his own pool player.  He must contact the VP and the VP will get a player if possible.
  • Minimum playing time for pool players will be:  9 defensive outs and bat one time (Regulation V(c)).
  • Pool players will bat last and must play the outfield.  This rule is our local ground rule.

16) Regulation VII(a) – Establish regular season schedules for each

     division: 

  • Schedules will be prepared by members of the Board of Directors with the approval of the director of the Madison County Recreation Department. 
  • The schedule will have a minimum of 14 games per team.  Each team must play at least 12 games in order to be eligible for All-Stars. The VP’s of each league will attempt to reschedule rainout games before the end of the season.
  • Each player must have participated in at least 60% of the games that he or she was eligible to participate in to be eligible to play All-Stars.

17) Fundraising

  • Fundraisers will be chosen and supervised by the Board of Directors.
  • Players are permitted to participate in ONE fundraiser per year.
  • The parents and Board of Directors may participate in as many fundraisers as they please.
  • All funds received from each fundraiser will go into the general fund of the Madison County Little League and is to be used to support the Madison County Little League program as a whole and not for one particular purpose.

18) Regulation XIV(a) – Discipline actions for ejections:

  • Player, coach or manager ejected from a game will be suspended for the remainder of that game and the next (2) physically played game.  Once ejected, they must leave the game site and go to the parking lot or go home.
  • If a player is ejected from a game and the parent is not at the game, due to security reasons, the child will not go to the parking lot.  They will be removed from the dugout and will be required to go sit at the scorekeepers box for the remainder of the game or until a parent comes to pick them up.
  • Player, coach or manager ejected from the next (2) physically played game may not be present at the facility of where that game is being played.  They are to remain at home.  Violation of this rule could result in a longer suspension.
  • Player, coach or manager ejected for a second time during the current year will be suspended for the remainder of the current year.
  • Player, coach, manager or spectator ejected where there was profanity used will be suspended for a minimum two weeks from any Madison County Recreation Department Facility.  This means all facilities that are under the direction of the Madison County Recreation Department.  You may not be at any games or practices fields that are part of the Madison County Recreation Department, for that two weeks.  Any violation of this suspension will result in being arrested and charged with trespassing and the suspension could be increased to a minimum of one year.
  • Player, coach, manager or spectator ejected where there was a physical altercation and another player, coach, manager, umpire, spectator, employee of the Madison County Recreation Department or an official of the Madison County Little League is struck physically, that individual will be suspended for a minimum of one year from any Madison County Recreation Department facility.  This means all facilities that are under the direction of the Madison County Recreation Department which includes the football, basketball, soccer, cheerleading or any other sporting event played at any Madison County Recreation Department Facility.  Any violation of this suspension will result in being arrested and charged with trespassing and the suspension would be increased to longer than one year and that individual could be suspended for life.
  • Any altercation between a player, coach or any individual at any scheduled practice that results in the use of profanity or results in physical contact, the discipline will be the same as if ejected from a game or ejected from the stands.  This rule follows the Code of Conduct from the Madison County Recreation Department and will be enforced by the Director.
  • These suspensions are the minimum amounts.  The director of the Madison County Recreation Department or the Board of Directors of the Madison County Little League, have the authority to increase these suspensions as they deem necessary, even if it is for the first offense and the severity of the offense.

19) Rule 4.04 – Continuous batting order:

  • Continuous batting order will be utilized in minor and major league baseball and softball.

20) Rule 4.05(1) – Adult base coaches:

  • All division of baseball and softball will utilize two base coaches as long as there are three adult base coaches on the official roster and all three are at the game.  The official roster will list the players, manager and the two coaches and the official roster will be submitted to Little League International in Williamsport.  One adult coach must be in the dugout at all times.  If only two of the coaches that are on the official roster are at the game, then one of the base coaches must be a player on that team.  A parent may not take the place of a coach in the dugout for that game.
  • If at any one game there is only one coach or manager in the dugout, that coach or manager may get one coach from another team or a member of the Board of Directors of the Madison County Little League, to be the dugout coach for that game provided that the umpires and the official from the Board of Directors who is working that game be notified.  No other parent may be a sub for the coach due to the fact that they are not covered under the insurance nor have they  submitted a “Little League Volunteer application and had a background check performed.
  • IF this rule is violated and a person is in the dugout acting as a coach, that is not on the official roster, the manager of that team or the coach who is acting as the manager if the manager is not at the game, will be suspended for the next two physically played games. If there is a second violation of this rule, the manager or coach acting as the manager for that game will be suspended for the remainder of the current year.

21) Removal of a manager or coach from the team:

  • A coach can be removed from the official roster by the manager with the approval of the Board or the coaching committee.  A new coach can be added to the roster after a volunteer application has been submitted to the league president and a background check has been performed on the new coach.  This change will be permanent and the old coach may not come back as a coach for the remainder of the season.
  • The manager may be removed from the official roster only by the recommendation of the VP of that league with the approval of the Board of Directors.

22) Rule 4.10(e) – 10 Run Rule:

  • The 10 run rule will be in effect for all minor and major divisions of baseball and softball after 4 innings have been played or 3 ½ innings if the home team is in the lead.  5 innings or 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead for junior and senior league.

23) Rule 4.19 - Protesting Game:

  • All protest during the regular season will be handled by the local league.
  • Our league will follow the procedures of handling a protested game that are outlined in Rule 4.19 in the rule book.
  • Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule, use of an ineligible pitcher or the use of an ineligible player.  No protest shall be considered on a decision involving a judgment call made by an umpire.

24) Number of players on the roster for each All-Star team:

  • The manager of the All-Star team will determine the number of players he or she would like to carry to the tournament.  The minimum number will be 11 players and a maximum number of 14 players.
  • In Senior League the maximum number of players that may be on the All-Star team is limited to 16.
  • The rulebook states that if a manager carries a minimum of 13 players on the official affidavit (Roster), then the team may carry 3 adult coaches on the affidavit.  If less than 13 players, then only 2 coaches will be on the affidavit.

 

25) Method of Selection of Coaches for Tournament Teams:  

  • The managers of the All-Star teams will be selected by a majority vote of the Madison County Little League Board of Directors.
  • If there is a tie in the voting, the President of the League will break the tie because the President has the ultimate responsibility for the selection of the managers.
  • The manager of the All-Star team will decide who their coaches will be, with the approval of the President of the League.  The number of coaches he/she will select will depend on the number of players on his roster. 

26) Method of Selection of Players for Tournament Teams:  2009 Only.

  • Every team for both baseball and softball will be selected by the managers from those divisions.  The managers will select the top 8 players for that team.  The manager of the All-Star team will select the remaining players to balance out the team.
  • An All-Star form will be given to each child to be filled out by the child or parent to inform the league whether or not that child would like to be considered and have the opportunity to be selected to an All-Star team.  The form needs to be returned to the manager even if the child does not want to be considered for All-Stars.  This form does not guarantee the child that he/she will be selected for All-Stars.
  • There will be a final cut off date for when these forms must be returned by.  The All-Star form will have that final date on it.
  • A ballot will be prepared with all the players that have submitted the form to play All-Stars in each division and age group.