2009 Tournaments

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MASSACHUSETTS ASA SOFTBALL ORGANIZATION

March 15, 2009

Topic: Spring Meeting

To all invited personnel:

I am calling the Spring Meeting for Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Springfield, MA on Dwight Street.
Starting time is 10:00 AM and finishing at 2:00 PM. Coffee and brunch will be provided.

If for any reason you cannot attend this meeting, please contact the State Commissioner, Ed Ladley (413) 499-4656 immediately. If you will be sending a substitute, you must, also, notify Ed Ladley of the name and title of the substitute.

Directions to the Holiday Inn on Dwight Street in Springfield:

From the West – Mass Pike to Exit 4 - Springfield, 91 South to Exit 2B-291 East to Dwight Street.

From the East – Mass Pike to Exit 6 , 291 West to Exit 2B (Dwight Street)

You will see the Holiday Inn from that point. Hotel phone is 413-781-0900

Yours in Softball,

Ed Ladley
State Commissioner

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The National Amateur Softball Association of America

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Massachusetts Amateur Softball Association
Holiday Inn
Springfield, MA
November 23,2008

Meeting called to order at 10:30AM by President, Lou Pearlstein

Roll call was taken

President, Lou Pearlstein asked that before we begin the meeting that a prayer or thought be offered for those who are no longer with us either departed, missing or sick.
He then made an announcement concerning committees, mentioning among others the Hall of Fame and JO.
Also mentioned attending the National Convention in OK where Commissioner Ladley was presented an award for his 5 years of service and also how our JO program is growing and receiving national recognition.
Ed gave out flipping coins and rewards for service.

Commissioner Ladley told group he had purchased a bat testing machine, then went on to say were temporarily adjourning for breakfast and committee meetings. He also, reminded everyone that before they leave to let him know how many books need to be shipped to you.

State U-i-C, Gus Chester
spoke about the number of umpires that went to Nationals this year (11).
Stressed the need for more umpires
Umpires need to be qualified and certified.
National School is mandatory if you want to go to forward in your career.
Need new umpires, need new blood.

Commissioner Ladley
Reported 81 new rules have been proposed
Players as well as umpires have been making proposals
We are a SERVICE organization – we service the leagues we work for
Addressed the tournament committee for recommendations as to where and when next years tournaments would take place
Modified Tournament to be held in Fair Haven
Suggestions for recruiting new umpires – Job Fairs, bulletin boards at work
Hall of Fame – do we have anyone eligible? Report back

Wayne Coe – JO Commissioner for MA
Spoke about ACE program – mainly that at least 1 coach has to be ACE certified if team goes into championship play in 2009
By 2010 – any coach on the bench in National Tournament must take ACE.

Commissioner Ladley took floor again and spoke on several issues.
ASA disk – registrations to be paperless – we will be charged by National for paper registrations.
Fees set for registration of umpires and teams
Motion made to add $2 for travel to anything above State play. Seconded
Discussion
Voted – 9 for 5 against Motion passed

President Pearlstein spoke about insurance.
Bollinger has the best National program
Only $22 for insurance – covers anything except competing umpire association i.e. non ASA softball. Does not cover Pony.
Discussion
Do not send umpire to any game not sanctioned by Ed.
Ed – team can register in area and play outside area. Need coordination and ideas how to protect area. We have no one in SUN area now. IOC and Commissioners need to call Ed every 3 months.
3 different types of people:
Very qualified
Want to be trained – what do I need to do
Don’t care
Call for Help if needed

Committee Reports
JO – discussion of fees
Need to follow procedures
JO Commissioner pushing need for umpires to get the insurance
Roster to be official as of June 1
Need to register on line – no paper

Hall of Fame – Chuck to call OK for guidelines
Get the names and dates of those on plaque
Gus Chester has custody of plaque at present
Joe to draw something for March meeting

Umpire – School for State mandated
To be held April 5 – pending location
Price to $25 - $35
The plan is to do it ourselves
The nearest National School is NJ
Umpire Uniforms – need to be just that uniform
Gus would like to reinstitute Casual Profanity rule
Motion made to reinstitute
Discussion regarding penalty
Out by the offender
Motion amended – make it a dead ball out for the offense for the Defense, next batter out.
Cautioned to use your head
Vote – 1 for, everyone else against
Motion defeated

Tournament Committee – Class D – TBD – looking into E. Longmeadow
Fair Haven – Modified – July 19

Other Business
Looking for more National Spots
17 people made Gold
17 people went to school
New Elite umpires recognized – Roy Ballard and Lou Pearlstein
South Central – discussed Umpire Sponsored Scholarship – funded by tournament
Assignors to be registered and report to Commissioner

Meeting adjourned at: 2:47PM

Respectfully submitted

Rachel Pearlstein
MA ASA State Secretary
MA ASA Minutes 11/23/08