Willamette Valley Men’s Baseball League

Manager’s Meeting Minutes

January 18th, 2012

Present

· Jeremy Fortune, WVMBL Vice President

· Steve Nass, WVMBL Treasurer

· Andrew Koll, WVMBL Secretary

· Managers and players from many teams

Key Dates

· February 3rd, Nominations for WVMBL Directors due by 5pm.

· February 8th, Manager and/or Executive Committee Meeting

· March 7th, League Meeting

· April 4th, League Meeting

· April 22nd, Workout Day (pending field availability)

· May 6th, Workout Day Make-up Date (only if April 22nd date is cancelled)

· May 16th, League Meeting

· May 20th, Opening Day

Discussion

· Organization of Divisions. Many ideas were brought forward in the discussion of how to best organize the age divisions to ensure the most competitive play and provide for long term growth of the league. After discussing variations of 18+, 25+, 28+, 35+, 38+, and 45+ divisions, it was generally agreed that the organization in 2012 should be along the lines of a 18+ A/B and 35+ A/B division structure. The plan would then be to convert the 18+ and 35+ B divisions to 25+ and 45+ divisions for the 2013 season. Division structure will continue to be discussed, and will likely be finalized, at the next league meeting.

· Fields. The league spent much more on fields in 2011 than forecast. Now is the time for all league members to establish contact with field owners/coaches to secure low/no cost fields for the 2012 season.

· Financial Report. Team dues will increase in 2012 mostly due to the cost of fields. There is very little money being carried over to cover costs in 2012. The league is financially sound.

· Interleague play with the Portland MSBL league. The Portland MSBL league is interested in playing interleague games with the WVMBL. All in attendance were in favor of pursuing this for the 2012 season.

· Fundraising Committee. A fundraising committee is being formed with the goal of establishing a permanent baseball field/complex for the WVMBL within a ten year timeframe. Volunteers are needed. Contact Ben Ward.

League Leadership

League leadership is changing for the 2012 season. League leadership will be by a committee consisting of five executive positions and four at-large directors. Nominations for the executive positions are listed below. Approval will be made by the league's 2011 managers at or before the next league meeting. Submit your interest or nominations for the director positions to Ben Ward or Jeremy Fortune by Friday, February 3rd, at 5:00pm..

· President: Jeremy Fortune, Bulls

· President-Elect: Ben Ward, Cubs, Dodgers

· Treasurer: Steve Nass, Bulls

· Secretary: Andrew Koll, Beavers

· 18+ Commissioner: Matt Nass, Bulls

· 38+ Commissioner: Dave Winstead, Dodgers

Items for discussion at next meeting

· League leadership

· League age division breakdowns

· Tournament discussion

· Much more.

Next Manager’s Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 8th, 2012.

Submitted January 23, 2012 by Andrew Koll, WVMBL secretary. Revised January 26, 2012.