PURPOSE AND GOALS
The purpose of the Keene Cal Ripken Baseball Association, is to provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn the fundamentals of baseball and to facilitate their enjoyable participation in this activity so they may become happier and better people. Objectives include the development of positive social values and character traits, good citizenship, physical and mental well being, and a knowledge, appreciation and interest in baseball. The primary goal of this program is that all boys and girls who sign up and tryout, be placed on a team and given the opportunity to participate in every game. Additionally, that the welfare of all participants be kept free from any adult ambition or personal glory.
Article 1
Description and Function of the Assoctiation
Section 1. The Association will be composed of six Divisions, one known as Senior League, one known as Junior League, one known as Rookie League, one known as Pee Wee League, one known as TeeBall League, and one known as Summer League.
Section 2. The Association will be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors (Board) shall consist of the following members: The Director of Parks and Recreation or his/her authorized representative and Officers of the Association listed in Article II Section 1 of the Constitution voted by the Membership at the annual fall meeting and Umpire-in-Chief.
Section 3. The Association will meet at least once annually, in the fall. The President may call any additional meetings he/she deems necessary. A quorum will consist of one-third the membership.
Section 4. The Board will meet a minimum of quarterly. A legal act of the Board shall consist of a majority vote of the qualified voters present. A quorum shall consist of six (6) members of the Board, authorized and present. The President may call any additional meetings as he/she deems necessary.
Article II
Officers
Section 1. Officers shall be elected by the membership at annual fall meeting, with the terms of office to be one year. Should an office become vacant during the term, the President may appoint a replacement.
The Officers shall consist of:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Equipment Manager
Senior League Commissioner
Junior League Commissioner
Rookie League Commissioner
Pee Wee League Commissioner
Tee Ball and Rules Chairperson
Media Representative
Summer League Commissioner
Members
Section 2. Members of the Association will consist of current Managers and current Board Members. Each member will have one vote for each Officer position being elected.
Rules Committee
Section 3. The Rules Committee shall consist of 6 members: the Rules Chairperson and one Manager from each League, appointed by the respective League Commissioner.
Volunteer Coordinators
Section 4. League volunteers (Fund Raising Coordinators, Tournament Directors, and Snack Bar Manager) are appointed by the President and require a majority vote of the board for final approval. Officers will have one vote for each position being selected.
Article III
Powers and Duties
President
Section 1. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the President are as follows:
1. Direct and guide the Association.
2. Carry out the will of the members as expressed by a majority vote.
3. Represent and speak on behalf of the Association.
4. Preside at meetings of the Board.
5. Carry out such other duties as requested by the Board.
6. Supervise the Six League Commissioners in the performance of their responsibilities.
7. Determine when games are to be cancelled and coordinate the scheduling of makeup games.
8. Coordinate the recruitment and assignment of managers with the Commissioners of each league.
9. Appoint a Supervisor of Umpires for the Association.
10. Nominate Summer League Commissioner for Board approval.
11. Oversee individual responsible for communications to local news media.
12. Appoint and over-see all ad-hoc study committees.
Vice-President
Section 2. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Vice President are as follows:
1. Assist the President in the performance of his/her responsibilities.
2. Act for the President in his/her absence.
3. Schedule the leagues regular seasons games as directed by the President. Make list of field availability.
4. Act as league representative in charge of coordinating and scheduling all activities needed for the 12 year-old all-star trip to Cooperstown, PA.
5. Over-see ad-hoc study committees as directed by the President.
6. Undertake any such other duties assigned by the President.
Treasurer
Section 3. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the treasurer are as follows:
1. Receive all monies for deposits/disbursement and maintain the association’s checking and savings accounts.
2. Keep an exact account of all receipts and expenditures of monies and all monies on hand.
3. Prepare an accurate, written and current Treasurer’s report for all Board Meetings. This is defined as a financial sheet including income, expenditures, and year-to-date account balance.
4. Pay all bills in a timely manner.
5. Oversee and direct all fundraising projects for the Association. This includes registration of participants, the annual Candy Sale, Snack Bar and the financial accounting for all tournaments hosted in Keene.
6. Prepare all records for an annual audit and file Federal Non-Profit Organization Form 990EZ with the Internal Revenue Service.
7. Prepare annual Budget for approval by the board.
8. Undertake any such duties as assigned by the President.
Secretary
Section 4. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Secretary are as follows:
1. Handle all correspondence for the association, as directed.
2. Maintain a current list of Board Members, Team Managers, Team Rosters and Umpires.
3. Keep a record of all the meetings of the Board and the Association, and provide each board member with a copy of the minutes from each meeting.
4. Coordinate registration of players and compose try-out/draft lists.
5. Undertake other duties as assigned by the president.
Equipment Manager
Section 5. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Equipment Manager are as follows:
1. Select and maintain all equipment. Maintain an inventory for all equipment.
2. Establish and maintain a replacement system for all equipment.
3. Prepare bid specifications on uniforms, bats, balls and other equipment necessary for league play. Bid specifications, with type and quantity of equipment, are to be presented to the Board for approval of purchases for the next season.
4. Solicit a an appropriate number of bids on equipment purchases in excess of $250.00. The bid shall be awarded to the lowest bidder, who meets terms and specifications.
5. Issue Board approved purchase orders. Forward purchase orders and invoices to the Treasurer for payment.
6. Submit a written report to the Board as to equipment replacement and purchases.
Commissioners
Section 6. The powers, duties and responsibilities of each League Commissioner are as follows:
1. Coordinate with League Vice-President to prepare their respective League schedules.
2. Recommend ground rules for each field at which games in their respective Leagues are to be played.
3. Keep current standings in their respective Leagues and forward them to the President or appointed Media Coordinator for weekly publication. Not applicable for PeeWee and Tee Ball divisions.
4. Call meetings of the team managers in their respective Leagues as necessary, to resolve questions and problems, make recommendations concerning program administration and bring unresolved problems to the Board.
5. Obtain and Maintain rosters for their respective Leagues.
6. Check player eligibility by reviewing the rosters of their respective Leagues as to age, team affiliation and participation.
7. Conduct a draft of players for the various teams within a League or division in compliance with the Association player selection (draft) system.
8. Arrange for playoffs where applicable.
9. Receive and forward all collection monies to the Treasurer.
10. Maintain a list of players that can be made available (on a first come – first serve basis), should a team be unable to field a team of nine players due to short-term unavailability of several players.
11. Appoint a rules committee representative for their respective league.
12. Summer League Commissioner is responsible for coordinating with other leagues for registration of players.
Tee Ball Commissioner and Rules Chairperson
Section 7. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Rules Chairperson are as follows:
1. Assumes responsibilities as specified in section 6.
2. Chair the Rules Committee of representatives from each league. The Summer league representative will be a coach from the previous year.
3. Bring all recommendations for changes of rules before the Board of Directors for their vote.
4. Provide interpretation of all rules, as requested.
Department of Parks and Recreation
Section 8. The Association requests that the Department of Parks and Recreation fulfil the following duties and responsibilities as their budget and staffing allow;
1. Secure and maintain playing fields.
2. Appoint a representative to the Board.
3. Assign all fields and times for practices.
Media Representitive
Section 8. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Media Representitive are as follows:
1. Promote the league by providing the Media with announcements.
2. Maintain and/or direct the operations of the league web site.
3. Post a weekly update of the Senior, Junior, and Rookie League standings on the league web site throughout the season.
4. Direct and organize opening day festivities.
5. Undertake other duties as assigned by the president.
Team Managers
Section 9. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Team Managers are as follows:
1. Cooperate with the Board of Directors to see that the objectives of the league are fulfilled.
2. Encourage and exhibit good sportsmanship on and off the playing field.
3. Conduct sufficient practice sessions to afford their players a reasonable opportunity to benefit from the baseball program and to attend games and practices.
4. Ensure that all players participate in accordance with League rules.
5. Do their best to implement the provisions and best intentions of this constitution and by-laws.
6. Elect officers at annual fall meeting.
7. Attend and participate in all association meetings.
Article IV
Amendments
1. This Constitution may only be amended at a duly called Association meeting, with a minimum of 15 days notification.
2. A two-thirds majority vote of the membership present is required to amend this Constitution.
Article V
Board of Arbitration
The Arbitration Board shall be made up of members as follows;
1. The President, the Commissioner of the League involved and the Supervisor of Umpires of the League involved.
2. No member of the Arbitration Board shall sit in judgment if their team or any member of their team is involved. The remaining members plus a member of the Association appointed by the President shall sit in judgment.
3. The Arbitration Board shall settle all disputes concerned with other members of a team.
Article VI
Dismissal from the Association
Section 1. Any member of the Association may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board membership.
Section 2. Said individual must be notified by certified mail of the specific charges.
Section 3. A meeting will be scheduled on a date agreeable to both parties, not to exceed 30 days from the date of notification. At said meeting, the individual will be presented the opportunity to show just cause why he/she should not be removed from his/her position.
