PA DISTRICT 5 LITTLE LEAGUE
Meeting Minutes February 28, 2010
Meeting was called to order by DA George Baughman at 1:08 PM on Feb 28,2010
at the Logan Fire Co meeting room in Bellefonte, PA
Attendance was taken by staff assistant, Tom Soccio. Those leagues in attendance were:
Bellefonte Milesburg Mifflin County Softball
Big Valley Mountain Top State College Softball
Curwensville Penns Valley Marion Walker Softball
Marion Walker Pleasant Gap Penns Valley Softball
Mifflin County State College
NOT in Attendance: Clearfield, Four Leaf, Philipsburg, Tri-County
The district increased for the 2010 season by two new softball leagues, Penns Valley and
Marion Walker. Penns Valley chartered fully as a separate softball league from their baseball
charter. Marion Walker charted its softball teams within its existing charter.
The district welcomed its new league presidents: Ron Losch - Bellefonte; Jim Brooks - Mt. Top;
Tim Martz - Pleasant Gap; Fred Ironside - Penns Valley Softball; Tom Przybys - Marion Walker.
Unable to attend the meeting was Jeff Turner - Tri-County
Former Tri-Co president, Brian Hallberg, has agreed to continue as the webmaster for the
district's website, www.padistrict5ll.org. Contact Brian to post league news, events, tournaments.
Treasurer's report for year ending 2009 was distributed and discussed by Frank Germino. It was
unanimously accepted by the leagues in attendance. District dues notices were also distributed.
The 2010 fee of $150.00 is due by June 6, 2010.
NEW BUSINESS:
George Baughman tendered his resignation as PA District 5 Administrator effective March 1, 2010.
Citing his desire for more family time allowed by his recent retirement from the railroad and
the full satisfaction of his accomplishments during his 38 year tenure, George felt the time was
right for him to step down.
In compliance of Little League International's operating regulations, George's remaining term can
be filled by his appointee rather than having to have an election as long as the district's leagues
voted to accept his appointee. George chose to appoint Frank Germino to serve as the district's
administrator for the remainder of the current term which ends in 2011.
The leagues in attendance voted unanimously to accept George's appointment of Frank as the
new DA for our district. At that time, Frank chaired the meeting and new business continued.
NEW BUSINESS
Little League International Tournament
1 Frank recognized the accomplishments of leagues' teams who won championships
and/or advanced to the PA state tournament
Baseball Majors: Mifflin County District & Sectional Champions
Baseball 10-11: St. College National District & Sectional Champions
Baseball 9-10: Big Valley District Champions
Softball Majors: St College District Champions
Softball 10-11: Mifflin County District Champions
Softball 9-10: Mifflin County District & Sectional Champs
2 Color coded tournament calendars were distributed to each league. The calendar depicts
the time frame for each level of the International tournament in each division of play
3 The 9 - 10 Division of LL Baseball and Softball has added a regional championship
level effective with the 2010 season.
Cranston, RI will host the baseball
Scranton, PA area will host the softball
4 Serious discussion was held concerning the June 15 date as the date when tournament
team players can be announced and teams can begin practice OR try-outs.
This is a 2010 baseball and softball regulation under the tournament rules portion of
the rule book.
With district tournaments projected to start as early as June 25, Frank stated he will
contact East Region Director, Don Soucy, about amending either the June 15 date
or the district tournament game schedule. An update will be made at the March 28
meeting
5 The accuracy of league boundary maps was stressed as they are being heavily
scrutinized when teams advance beyond the district level. Frank suggested each
league review their boundary maps now and make sure they are accurate
LEAGUE BUSINESS MATTERS
1 Interleague play waivers must be in to Little League by June 8, 2010. Presidents of the
leagues involved must fill out the form and sign it. Then, turn it in to the DA for review
and submittal to the East Region
2 Player waivers for 12 yr olds not playing in the major division must be submitted to
the DA prior to the start of league play
3 2 D residency waiver form for players must be signed and submitted to the DA
prior to the start of league play.
** ALL these forms can be printed from the Little League website, www.littleleague.org,
4 Charter renewal/application forms are available on the LL website for printing or to
be filled out on line. The deadline for submittal is June, 8, 2010
5 Little League has initiated a pilot program for 2010 called the 50/70. It is a baseball
division which uses a 50 ft pitching distance and 70 ft base paths. The idea is to use
12 and 13 year olds from the major and Jr. divisions to play a separate league schedule
for the purpose of transitioning to the 90 ft diamond. It is strictly experimental at this
point. At the middle of February only slightly more than 100 leagues worldwide had
made a commitment to participate.
COMMENT: The leagues present had no interest due to field constraints and because
because they had no upper divisions of Little League baseball in their boundary area.
For leagues in the district that have Jr and above baseball, contact Tom Soccio for
information or visit the LL website: www.little league.org
6 Mifflin County Youth Baseball is considering creating a Challenger Division. George
discussed the areas of boundaries, charter, enough volunteers for the games,
and especially the desire for it to be affiliated with the district governing body.
St.. College offers a Challenger program but no relationship exists between the
program and the district nor does the St College league have much knowledge of
its workings.
MCYB will meet with the special needs program of Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon
counties on March 4th in Lewistown to determine if a program will be feasible.
2010 LITTLE LEAGUE RULES CHANGES AND CONRESS PROPOSALS:
1 Tom Soccio and Mike Pierce reviewed the 2010 Congress proposals which will be
voted on in March. A handout of the proposals was distributed to each league
and a mock vote on each proposal was taken. Many of the changes proposed were
for softball only.
2 2010 rules changes already adopted were reviewed.
A Pitching eligibility is based solely on number of days rest this year.
It is not necessary to sit out a game, but the days rest increased by 1 day
to compensate. This, in essence, makes the regular season and tournament
days rest requirement the same.
B Jr., Sr., and Big League softball may wear metal cleats
C For baseball: a balk or illegal pitch, whether thrown or not, will count as one
pitch toward the pitch count.
D Offensive substitutions can only be made on the current batter or a runner
currently on base. Likewise, defensive substitutions can only be made when
the team is on defense.
E For minor league: The 5 run per inning rule can be suspended for the last
inning by adoption of the league.
F Use of minor aged volunteers in positions of authority: Minors, defined as
non-adults but with no age limit defined, may serve as coaches and umpires
BUT ONLY if adults are coaching and umpiring in the same game as the
minor.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:38 PM
Next Meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2010 at 1:00 Pm at the Logan Fire Co meeting room
in Bellefonte.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Soccio
12-Mar-10
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