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By-Laws The Great South League (GSL) 1. Commissioner-Treasurer - (2009) Harvey Cochran 2. President (2009) Bill Park 3. Vice President - (2009) Curtis Bumgarner 4. Secretary - (2009) Kimberly Park a. Reports to the Board at scheduled meetings of all aspects of the GSL's Baseball operations. b. Makes recommendations to the Board as appropriate and necessary for changes in League rules and policies. c. Enforces Rules, Policies, and Guidelines set forth by the Board. d. Represents the GSL at all official and unofficial meetings and functions where directed by the Board. e. Recommends and secures the necessary contracts with the appropriate Umpire Booking Agent(s) for all regular season and tournament games. f. Provides the Umpire Booking Agent(s) with the master approved schedule each year. g. Monitors directly and indirectly through the coaches and General Managers of the GSL, the quality of the umpiring and reports any issues to the appropriate Umpire Booking Agent(s). h. Responsible for working with the appropriate Umpire Booking Agent(s) and General Managers to resolve specific issues that arise. i. Has the authority to sign checks in taking care of the league's business. j. Visits with teams in the GSL to monitor conformance with League Rules, Policies and Guidelines and to communicate with coaches, players, and General Managers any information about the league. k. Attends all scheduled GSL functions such as Board Meetings, League Tournament(s) or Series. l. Enforces the rules of the League and Summer College Baseball as regards to players, coaches, general managers, and game officials. m. Imposes the appropriate disciplinary actions (including fines) according to the rules of the league. n. Actively promotes and acts as an ambassador for the GSL to College Athletic Directors, College Coaches, and Professional Scouts. o. Responsible for maintaining the league's financial records. p. Provides the Board with a written Year-to-date financial report at meetings. q. Responsible for collection of all Membership dues, insurance premiums, finaes and other team fees due during the year. r. Has the authority to solely issue and sign checks drawn on the league's account(s). s. Protects the financial reputation of the League by paying Accounts Payable on time. a. Responsible for the administrative tasks of the GSL. b. Responsible for the Agenda and presiding over the scheduled League meetings. c. Works closely with the Chairman of any Committee formed by the league to make recommendations to the Board or planning and implementing League policies. d. Recommends and secures the appropriate insurance each year for the League in association with the Commissioner. e. Actively promotes and acts as an ambassador for the GSL to College Athletic Directors, College Coaches, and Professional Scouts. f. Serves as back up for the Commissioner in the event the Commissioner is unable to perform his duties for any reason including conflict of interest. g. Assists all General Managers with any problems they may have with their team's administration, adherence to rules, and understanding of policies. h. Attends all scheduled League functions such as Board Meetings, and tournament games. i. Has authority to sign checks in taking care of league business. j. Represents the GSL at all official and unofficial meetings and functions where directed by the Board. k. Serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee and works closely with the Committee to insure proper interpretation of all League rules. Makes recommendations on any League rule change(s) or additions to the Board. l. Responsible for maintaining the League's History and any other league archives. a. Presides over scheduled meetings in the absence of the President. b. Assumes full responsibilities of the President if at any time the President is unable to fulfill his responsibilities.
4. Secretary
a. Records the minutes for all scheduled League meetings. b. Distributes minutes of all meetings to the Board members in a reasonable time period after the meeting. c. Maintains a filing system to include monthly minutes and other business that comes before the Board. 5. General Managers a. Responsible for their team's compliance with the League By-Laws, Policies, Rules and Guidelines approved by the Board. b. Maintains the appropriate forms and paperwork required for the League for each player on their team throughout the summer season and for a period of 1 year after the end of the season. c. Assists in preparing the Master Schedule for the Divisions and the League and checks for the correctness of the schedule. d. Attends all League Meetings. e. Responsible for the timely submission of all required paperwork of each team to the League. f. Responsible for the minimum of weekly updates of their game statistics on the web. g. Responsible for recommendations on Team and League Insurance and insures their team is adequately covered with Medical, Liability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage each year. h. Insures that all fees due to the League are paid when due. i. Maintains an excellent reputation within the community as an ambassador for their team and the League. j. Responsible for setting their particular team fee(s) for players. h. Games administration, including ascertaining home field dates available for game schedules, home field facilities and equipment, and team uniforms for players and coaches according to League standards. Uniforms should be of professional quality and receive approval of the League President before an order is placed. Accessories should, where possible, match the team's colors. Fines will be levied by the League for non-compliance with uniform guidelines, for dressing on the field, or for incomplete uniforms. (Fines will be $10 for the first offense, $25 for the second offence and $50 for a third offense. Additional offenses can result in suspension and review.) All games must start promptly, game team rosters must be available for fans and scouts, and must be staffed for scoring, for tickets, and for announcing where feasible. i. Official scoring of home games, confirmation of official scores of away games, and assuring timely notice of cancelled games to opponents, umpires, and League officials. j. Prompt reporting of games results to appropriate media outlets and prompt posting of game statistics on the league website. k. Publicity for team clinics, camps, player/manager/coach speaking engagements, promotion of photos, feature stories, and solicitation of media coverage. l. Raising money for support of the member team. m. Handling business and travel details for all games. n. Publishing schedules of team games. o. Arranging for make-up dates of rained out or suspended games, and publishing dates of schedule changes of the team's and league's web sites. p. Providing visiting teams with written directions and hotel/motel/restaurant information that the team has secured a special rate with. (e.g. Ryan's Restaurant may offer a $5 per player rate for a full buffet meal including ice tea drinks). q. Arranging for the treatment of players injured during games and filing insurance claim forms promptly. r. Securing proof of medical insurance from each player on the team. The League maintains medical and liability insurance but the player's medical insurance is primary. s. Providing each player on the team roster at the start of the season (or added to the roster during the season) with the team's complete schedule (including playoff dates); obtaining Player Letter's of Commitment signed by both the player and the Athletic Director (or his/her representative); and advising players that occasionally games are added after the conclusion of the original schedule to make up for rainouts and other unforeseen circumstances, and of player responsibilities to the team's games. 6. Managers and Coaches Responsibilities - Full charge of team players when they are on the field and when traveling to and from games and practices. a. Making it clear that players are expected to concentrate on baseball during the season. Jobs and social events are a normal part of everyday life, but should not interfere with baseball development. Players should obtain jobs that allow full GSL team participation. b. Acknowledging all player applications. If open-to-the-public tryouts are held, all applicants must be invited to tryout. The League and the team are committed for the season to players selected. Players must sign a Letter of Commitment and Waiver of Liability forms and have permission form their Athletic Director (or Official Representative). Players are expected to remain with the League through the full season including playoffs. c. Organizing practice and pre-game drills. This is a teaching situation and a we develop talent. Post game player reviews should be constructive and helpful for the player's improvement. d. Assuring that all players and coaches on the field meet the uniform, equipment and grooming standards of the league. Players may not dress on the field or appear in incomplete uniform. e. Insisting that all players hustle at all times so that all-out hustle becomes a habit. f. Monitoring compliance with rules regarding tobacco use and food at games and maintaining control of player's relations with opponents, fans, and umpires. Bad or abusive language, brawling, baiting opponents and extended arguments with umpires will not be tolerated. g. Affording full cooperation to all professional scouts in attendance at games. Line-up cards should be available to scouts, umpires, stadium officials, announcers, and others at least 30 minutes before game time. h. Coaches or Managers ejected from games: 1. 1st game - no penalty 2. 2nd game - suspension for next game 3. 3rd game - suspension for next 3 games 4. 4th ejection - indefinite suspension, reinstatement only investigation by League President. May be disapproved for following season. 7. Player Responsibilities - Copies of this page of the GSL By-Laws should be distributed to all prospective players, so that no misunderstandings occur. a. Host Family Rules - All players living with a host family must complete and sign and follow the rules set in the "Host Family Rules" Agreement. Copies of the Agreement can be secured through the League President. b. Uniforms, shoes, and equipment must be clean and in good repair at all times. Caps should fit and be in good condition. c. All players should wear clean undershirts and sanitary uniform color and the appropriate protective equipment. d. Helmets and catcher's gear should fit properly and be clean and in good repair. It is recommended that catchers wear under gear helmets. e. Players must be in full and proper uniform that conform to League standard when on the field. Dressing should take place prior to arrival or in the facilities provided. f. Use of tobacco products and eating on the field are prohibited. g. Throwing equipment, offensive language, arguments, and fighting must be halted promptly. Players or team coaches and managers who disobey League rules may be ejected from games. h. Players ejected from games: 1st offense - no penalty; 2nd offense - ejection for next game; 3rd offense - suspension for next 3 games; 4th offense - indefinite suspension. i. Players are responsible for being available and present for all of the team's games unless the manager/coach has excused a player due to playing rotation (e.g. pitchers) or other bona fide reason. j. Players are allowed to play on teams in other leagues as long as this does NOT interfere with their playing in games or attending practices of their GSL team. k. Any player who does not comply with the above is subject to suspension from the GSL for the remainder of the season plus the following season. After a suspended player's term of suspension is completed, his case will be reviewed by the League's Commissioner and President to determine his eligibility for the following year. l. To provide the GSL and their team, copies of personal health insurance cards or proof of health insurance before being the start of the season and the initial practice. A. Scheduled Meetings The Board will schedule meetings at least four times yearly. These will be in September, December, January, and April of each year. Additional meetings will be set as needed and most probably be in May and July. The next meeting date and site will be determined at each meeting. Emergency meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or Vice-President and me be held by electronic means or whatever means is deemed appropriate. A quorum of 50% of the league teams must be present, or proxies of absent Board members on hand and available, for any business to be voted upon. Each Board member will name, in writing, an alternate who will attend the scheduled meetings when a Board member is unable to attend. This alternate will vote in the Board member's absence. Any Board member who expects to miss a Board meeting may assign his vote in writing either by e mail or signed letter. Article II - League Affiliations A. Annual Declaration: 1. Each member must notify the Board in writing on a timely basis if the member team will NOT participate in the upcoming season. 2. If any Member team does NOT participate in two consecutive seasons, the Member team will be considered ceasing to be a member of the league and will therefore no longer be a member of the League. 3. Each member team must pay the annual league dues no later than the scheduled beginning of the season. Each member must pay a $500 non-refundable deposit fee for the upcoming season no later than March 1st of the new season year. 4. The annual League dues amount will be set each year by the Board no later than the January meeting of the New Year. B. New Member Teams 1. The Membership Fee for joining the League will be set each year by the Board. 2. Potential New Member teams must contact a League Officer and express their interest, in writing, in joining the Great South League. 3. The League Official contacted will notify the Board of the inquiry and provide the Potential New Team with an Application to join the League. 4. The Potential New Member should complete the Application and submit it with it with a Non-Refundable deposit of $500. 5. Potential New Member Team's Ownership and Management must supply the Board with information concerning the background, proposed playing site, financial status, and long range plans and goals of the New team. 6. A Membership Committee consisting of the President and Commissioner will investigate the information submitted. 7. If the Membership Committee recommends the New Team for membership in the League, the balance of the Membership fee will become due and the New Team will be admitted as a full member of the League. C. Disciplinary Actions 1. Teams who do NOT pay their Membership Dues and any other monies assessed and approved by the Board when due will be subject to disciplinary action such as late fees, fines, probation, and suspension of Membership. Annual Dues must be paid BEFORE Scheduling is complete. 2. Any team that consistently fails to meet the standards of the By-Laws is subject to disciplinary actions such as fines, probations and suspension of Membership. 3. Disciplinary actions may be recommended by any officer of the League and approved by a majority vote of the Board. Article III - Rosters and League Schedule A. Team Rosters 1. Each Team will be limited to a current 30-man roster. 2. Updated Rosters will be posted on the Website beginning in February and updated at least monthly. 3. Final Rosters must be submitted to the League President and posted on the website no later than June 1st. Failure to comply will result in a per day fine to be set by the Board. 4. All Roster changes after the beginning of the season must be approved by the League Commissioner prior to a player being eligible to participate. 5. No Roster changes will be made after July 1st except in hardships on a case-by-case basis. 6. A player must appear in one game in two different weeks to qualify in Division Tournament, and one game in three different weeks to qualify for play in the League Championship Series. B. Disabled List 1. Players can be placed on the disabled list for a minimum of one week at a time and a maximum of four weeks. The placement of a player on the disabled list is effective as soon as the President (or his designated representative) is notified. A team may add a player to take the roster spot of the player on the disabled list. The approval of the replacement player's Athletic Director must be obtained prior to the player's participation in a game, and the replacement player must be notified of the temporary nature of his assignment. When the original player is ready to come off the disabled list, the player who substituted for him must be removed from that roster spot. At the end of a continuous four-week period, if the player is still disabled, the team, at its discretion, may continue the player on the disabled list one week at a time or permanently replace him, in which case a Letter of Commitment signed by the player, the Athletic Director and the team is required. C. Player Eligibility 1. GSL eligibility will include players in the following range: a. Graduated high school seniors who have completed their final year of high school in June, immediately preceding the GSL season and who have signed letters of intent to play college baseball. b. Graduated college seniors who have completed their final year of college eligibility in June immediately preceding the GSL season. Each team will be limited to TWO "Player/Coaches" in this category. 2. There is a two player limit for "Player Coach"'s who must be on the Spring Roster to be eligible and completed their last year of college eligibility. 3. Graduating High School Seniors are eligible to play provided they provide a copy of a "Letter of Intent" to their chosen College. 4. Former pros are eligible ONLY if they were on a college roster in the Spring before the current summer season. D. League Schedule 1. The GSL will sponsor intra-division play on a home and away basis among division teams. 2. Out-of-Division games will be scheduled on an availability basis giving preference to teams closer geographically. 3. Teams will be allowed to play a few out-of-league games but are required to notify the League, in writing, of these scheduled games. The League reserves the right to limit these games if they conflict with the League Master Schedule or are against competition not deemed as beneficial to the image of the League or as quality competition. 4. By March 1st, the League Schedule will be complete and the Commissioner will submit it to the Umpire Booking Agent(s) for each team. 5. All Members are obligated to contract to play league games AS SCHEDULED. There will be an appropriate fine payable to an offended team for violations as ruled on by the Commissioner. 6. A team that is a "no show" will also be responsible for the payment of the umpires. This is in addition to any other levied fines. The League will impose a $300 fine for a "no show". Article IV - Division Champions A. On a yearly basis the League will name Division Champions and Runner-ups in each division. 1. The Top Two Teams in each division will qualify for the League Championship Series. 2. The Division team with the best overall record will be named Division Champion. Only Division games will qualify for Division Championships. A tie breaker would be head-to-head competition and finally a coin toss. Article V - League Championship Series. 1. The League Championship Series will be double elimination series between the Division Champions. 2. Home field advantage will be given to the higher seed based upon the regular season won-loss percentage. In the case of a tie, the tie breaker will be head-to-head record, total runs allowed and finally a coin toss. 3. The Board reserves the right to name the HOST of the Championship Series based upon competitive bidding or vote of the members. 4. The League will award a Series Championship Trophy and a Runner-up Trophy to the top two teams in order of finish. 5. All games will be 7 innings until the deciding game which will be 9 innings. Article VI - All Star Selection A. Each year the League will name an all star team based upon the recommendation of coaches and general managers. 1. Each Team will nominate FIVE players in order of highest rated pro prospect via e mail submission. 2. The pool of players from these nominations will be voted upon by the coaches and general managers via e mail ballets in order of pro potential and by position. Coaches will also be asked for a separate vote of league players that are NOT their players (not on their team). 3. League Game Statistics will be used as a reference in the final selection process. 4. Each player selected for the All Star team will receive personal recognition through a certificate, college press release, team press release, and league press releases to all media Article VII - Games Rules and Umpire Requirements A. All Great South League games will be governed by Major League Baseball American League Rules with the exception of the college slide rule for 2nd base and home plate. This means that if a collision occurs which the umpire decides could have been avoided, the runner is automatically out. If a collision occurs in which the umpire decides was a flagrant rule violation, the player is to be ejected. 1. No team will have more than 4 players from any one NCAA Division 1 Institution's baseball team. 2. There will be no restrictions on the number of players on a team from any of the following collegiate baseball teams: a. NAIA - Division I, II, and III b. NCAA - Division II and III c. NJCAA - Division I, II, or III. It is not permissible for a NJCAA player to play on a team that is coached by a NCAA Division I coach. 3. Single games will be nine innings and double-header games will be 7 innings during the regular season. 4. Balls, wood bats, and other equipment must meet all MLB standards. An "Official League Ball" has been designed by Diamond and the League will approve an "Official Bat" also. 5. Designated Hitter and Extra Hitter: The league shall allow a 10th hitter as outlined by NCAA Summer Rules. A team may only have 9 hitters at the discretion of either team in any League game. The Designated Hitter (DH) is covered under the NCAA Summer Rules. The Extra Hitter (EH) will not be allowed to enter the game in any other position other than as an EH during that particular game. If the EH is taken from the line-up due to injury, then the position is killed and the team will only hit 9 players in their line-up. There will be no penalty for an EH position removed from the line-up. The use of the EH will be a "coaches decision" at game time. 6. "Speed Up Rules" are not used in the GSL. 7. Official Participants Only - From 5 minutes prior to the start of a game until the official completion of the game, the only people allowed on the field or in the dugouts are players and coaches in full uniform, official trainers, game umpires, and one batboy(girl) per team. B. All Umpires will be booked through neutral Booking Agents. 1. Umpires with College Experience are preferred and will be shown preference. Local high schools will recommend the best high school umpires available as a back up for regular umpires. 2. There will be a minimum of 2 Umpires scheduled for all League Games. 3. General Managers and Coaches will recommend local Booking Agents to the Commissioner. C. Protests 1. A manager who wishes to play a game under must announce his intention to the umpire in charge of the game at the point of protest and prior to the next official pitch. The umpire will relay the decision to the opposing coach, to the official scorer to record the time and place on the score sheet, to the announcer and to the fans. The written report of the protesting manager must be transmitted (e mail, post-marked letter, or hand-delivered) to the President within 48 hours of the protest or it will be automatically disallowed. Upon receipt within the proper time, it will be considered at the first opportunity by the Commissioner and President. The President (or his designee) shall make every reasonable attempt to communicate with the appropriate umpire(s). The decision of the Commissioner and President will be final and be transmitted properly to all League and team personnel. D. Postponements, Cancellations, Suspended Games 1. If conditions prevent a game from being played as scheduled, the manager of the home team must notify the visiting team as early as possible, to prevent the visiting team from making a trip in vain. If there is a potential weather problem, the visiting team should not start its trip without telephone assurance by the home team that the game may be played. If needed, a second (or as many as needed) verifying call should be made by the visiting team during the trip. 2. Postponed games or games stopped before becoming official will be rescheduled by the home team. Games should be rescheduled at the next mutually open date with field availability. If both teams cannot agree within one week on a reschedule date, the President will set the date. 3. A game in progress can be stopped before completion as scheduled only by decision of the umpire-in-charge or by curfew. All GSL games scheduled for nine innings or seven innings are considered officially completed games if stopping after five innings have been played. 4. A game stopped before it becomes official will be deemed suspended and resumed at the point of suspension and completed as originally scheduled unless otherwise directed by the President. All such suspended games must be scheduled by the home team at the earliest possible date and completed during the season. 5. No inning shall begin after E. Publicity and Public Relations 1. During the off-season and season, the League will be seeking television, radio, and print media coverage of games, pre-season, off-season, and other coverage. League members will receive news of media coverage. Teams that arrange direct coverage or public appearances should notify the League President and in addition should advise the League of stories, columns, or other media coverage about League activities, with particular attention to material about former GSL (or GCL) players playing professional baseball. F. Appeals 1. Appeals on any decisions made by the League Commissioner will require two-thirds of the votes by the Board to be overturned. G. Changes to League By-Laws 1. Any Addendums or changes to the League By-Laws require a two-thirds majority vote by the Board. H. Team Boundaries and Territorial Rights 1. Teams are granted a membership based upon a certain geographic area they intend to draw fans from. No more than one team will be granted membership rights for any one county regardless of state or population unless voted upon by the Board. 2. No team will be allowed to enter the league within an existing Team's territory without first obtaining permission of that team's owner in writing. 3. A team owner may sell his membership to another individual or he may charge a team fee for the privilege of playing within his territorial boundaries. Any new owner must still be approved for membership within the league. I. GSL Travel Policy 1. "Caravan" vehicles to all events. If vehicles are separated, the lead vehicle should stop and wait until the trailing vehicle(s) can rejoin the leader. This should minimize the desire to "make-up ground by speeding or recklessly driving if the group gets separated. 2. Wear seat belts. It is indisputable fact that seat belts save lives and reduce the extent of injuries. 3. Observe all traffic laws. To speed or drive carelessly is a tremendous risk - and a baseball game isn't worth the risk. Allow plenty of time to "take your time". 4. Minimize the number of miles that players are asked to drive. In general, young people drive too fast, tend to tailgate, and are not experienced at driving large vehicles with multiple passengers. At the end of the season, we have accomplished nothing if it wasn't a safe season of travel. NO BASEBALL GAME IS WORTH ANY COMPROMISE TO THE TRAVEL SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. J. Batboys, Bat Girls a. All people, including batboys or girls, under the age of 18 who are on the field from 60 minutes prior to the start of the game until the official completion of the game must wear an approved batting helmet. K. Games per day - No team shall be required to play more than two games in one day. Playing days may begin at L. League Jurisdiction - The GSL is based out of |
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