23 Jan Metroplex Senior Softball Association Minutes-January 14, 2025
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METROPLEX SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION-MINUTES Jan 14, 2025
- Tom Athens, President, called the meeting to order at 11:00a.m.
- All attendees recited the Lord’s Prayer
- All attendees said the Pledge of Allegiance
- Tom Athens led a roll call for teams that were in attendance.
- There was a motion and a second to approve the November 19, 2024 minutes. The motion passed
- Mike McGlothin, Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s report at the November 19 meeting Ending Balance from 11/19/2024 was $8,810.50. Deposits were $361.75 and Expenses were $2,289.04. After expenses, the ending balance $6,883.21. There was a motion and a second to approve the report. The motion passed.
- New Business
- Ratification vote of revised constitution and bylaws. Unanimous for both items.
- Final Team Division Assignments. All teams returning to 2024 Divisions. Only changes are two (2) new 70+ Division teams: Fort Worth Bearcats 70+ and Ranger Softball 70+
- MSCSA Media Campaign for new players & teams. Anthony presented posters and flyers. All teams asked to take for their team and community. Anthony already has posted at various locations in Lewisville area, e.g. DBat, Rec Center, Senior Center.
- Interdivisional league Play Mike described plans to introduce interdivisional games for last 4-5 weeks of 1st half season. Most 70+ teams and some 65+ teams are opting out. Work on the schedule will continue to accommodate all teams. Grand Prairie Mike Lewis fields are an option to minimize east-west team travel. Later start times are possible with agreement between teams.
- Pre-Season Tournaments Tom & Mike described plans for 3-day, double elimination tournament April 1,2 and 3. Three (3) groupings of teams with approx. 10 teams in each group. Games to be played at three locations: Most likely to be GP Mike Lewis, Hurst and Arlington. Working to finalize.
- Website/Facebook Updates Tom & Anthony described our new Facebook page promoting the MSCSA posters and links to the league website.
- Player Information Database Steve has set up Excel data file with all player and team information from 2024 final rosters. For 2025, each Team Coach was provided with form already listing of all players from 2024 to be used to facilitate registration for 2025. The form includes the Liability Waiver, place to indicate “YES or NO” that a player is/is not returning in 2025, place for signature, and rows to add new players.
- 2025 MSCSA Playing Rule Changes
1. NEW WOMEN players playing in the senior 70+ Division must become 45 or older during the calendar year to participate. (Current women players that were on the 2024 team roster will be grandfathered)
2. MERCY RULE: If a team is behind by 15 or more runs by the end of the 5th inning (or 4 ½ innings if home team is ahead), it is the losing team’s choice whether the game will be called.
3. A Courtesy Runner from home plate can only advance as far as first base on a hit or error and is not allowed to take any extra bases.
4. Illegal Player or Ineligible Player Definition: A player who takes a position in the line-up either on offense or defense that does not meet the requirements of MSCSA eligibility. Resulting Action: If an illegal or ineligible player is discovered to have participated in an MSCSA game, that game will be forfeited.
5. Throwing Detached Equipment: Although throwing equipment at a live softball is considered “unsportsmanlike” conduct, it is not illegal unless the equipment makes contact with the ball. Resulting Action: If contact is made, the rule is “Delayed Dead Ball” Runners will be awarded 3 bases from the time of the pitch on a batted ball - Altered or Illegal Bats is a SSUSA hot topic. Jim conducted discussion of recent communications from SSUSA regarding he use of Altered or Illegal bats. Teams were asked to share increasing concern for this issue with their teams, and that this can’t be tolerated in our league.
- Distribution of awards to 2024 Division Winners: Senior Men 60+ – Dallas Flames, Senior Men 65+ East – Richardson Road Runners, Senior Men 65+ West – Southlake Hornets, Senior Men 70+ – Arlington Greyhounds.
8. General Announcements:
- Recent Deaths: Charles Quisenberry (Mesquite Texans), Ralph Choppy (Lewisville Outlaws), & Armando Hernandez (Irving Eagles).
- Team Roster & Team Fees deadline – March 18, 2025. Fees are same as 2024 season: $15 per player and $22 for the team. Increased fees for 2026 season will be evaluated over coming season
- New Coaches: Lee Blanton (Richardson Raiders), Charles Rushing (Fort Worth Bearcats 65+), Mary Olazaba (Arlington Spurs
- New Division Teams: Fort Worth Bearcats 70+ & Grand Prairie Rangers 70+.
- Federal tax-exempt number and status as a non-profit organization The Executive Committee has submitted necessary forms; expect response later this year.
- David Martin, our umpire in chief, will attend next meeting and have 2023 USA rulebooks and Scorebooks to distribute. Will also be available to answer rule questions.
- Next Meeting: March 18th, (Tuesday) 11:00am. Knights of Columbus St Jude Event Center
8. Tom Athens adjourned the meeting. .