The Mabel League
Women's Fastpitch Softball

July 12 2004

Team Rep. Meeting Of the Mabel League

Chair: (Co-Chair filling in for Chair)

somthin' naked is organizing the pride parade float.

Info swap taking place at Sunrise Pizza July 19, 2004 at 6:30

Co Chair:

Missed games-all teams owe $50.

Avengers

Herricanes

Ratz

Dreamers

Rockers

Fields:

Additional fields acquired for the finals are: John Hendry (Trout Lake) S.W. Diamond and the All Weather field, as well as Woodland Park N.W. Diamond.

Statistician:

Stats for the games to date are on the website.

Registrar:

Brownie points list is up to date. Nothing new to report.

Communication:

Concession is confirmed for finals.

Feedback forms given out at meeting and can be copied to hand to all members.

The possibility of a skills clinic next year is in the making, but we need volunteers to work with players.

Treasurer:

Chocolate money was due during the meeting in the amount of $675.00.

An updated account sheet was handed out to team reps.

UIC:

2 Games were cancelled July 13th.

June 14 2004

Team Rep. Meeting  of the Mabel League

Chair: (Co-Chair filling in for Chair)

-Announcement was made that Shelly has resigned as Chair for personal reasons.

-A Reminder of the AGM on Sept 13/04.

-It was decided in a unanimous vote that the League would participate in both the Dyke march on July 31/04 as well as the WESA All-star game which may be played at 9:30 am. Jeanette to follow up with Art Gullett re: this.

-There were no volunteers for a Pride float for the League, if none are received by email it will be skipped this year.

-Lisa G. has the chocolates at her house and would like for all teams to come pick them up ASAP.

Address; 1125 Jervis St. Suite 12 call 604-408-4204

A cheque for $ 675.00 must be handed in at the next team rep meeting.

 Co Chair/Registrar

-There are 342 members in the League.

-The following teams owe $50.00 to the League for missed base umpping

Avengers

Ratz

Herricanes

-There is an updated Brownie Points list. See website, or Jane.

-The Following Teams Volunteered at the Finals:

bases and lining fields-Wombats

garbage-Jets

toilets-Rough Diamonds

50/50-Ravens

Raffle-Phoenix

Donating bases-Naughty monkies, Catch 22, Avengers

Concession-Laurie will make inquires and give the info to Jeanette.

There are some outstanding softball BC numbers needed for the Avengers, and Blue Devils

Fields:

Clark Park-Tuesdays and Thursdays

South Hill- Wednesdays

Statistician:

There is now a link to individual team information for stats. This is found under "details for standing"

Communication:

The Sunshine Coasters are putting on a Fun Game June 19^th; any persons interested may contact Jeanette. Also any major changes made to the website will result in a notice sent out to all teams.

UIC:

Any complaints submitted to UIC get directly forwarded to Pat Dooley who may forward these on to the Umpire in question, so construct the complaints appropriately.

LIL Committee Conclusion:

$59.50 was collected from the 50/50 draw. More to come from the dance fundraising.

Feedback forms have been handed out, and Barb mentioned that this years LIL committee had only 4 weeks to prepare, and therefore didn't manage to get in contact with all the out of town leagues. Barb gave thank yous to the teams who helped out.

-There were some complaints about field conditions, but it was noticed that the parks board was currently doing repairs.

May 10 2004

Team Rep. Meeting  of the Mabel League

Registrar:

Teams were asked to please, hand in their rosters ASAP Jeanette, if handing in tonight or Jane at the latest June 7^th.

Chair:

Stacy from "Lick" has been in contact with Shelly regarding fundraising for the league, they will meet soon and the details will be forwarded to the league.

LIL Tournament Committee:

Introduction of Barb and Kate and Jane as core committee members.

There will be volunteer opportunities for tournament directors.

-The committee for the LIL is separate from the executive, with their own budget. Partial proceeds will go to the League.

The committee is dedicated to addressing some of the problems that have come about in prior years:

-Porta potties (2) in far fields rented for the tournament.

-Fencing placed in the far corner of the center field to prevent balls going out of bounds.

-Field rules will be given to the umpires and the teams in writing.

-A questionnaire was handed out to all teams for some feedback regarding LIL possibilities.

-Possibly 5 divisions (competitive windmill, competitive sling shot, intermediate sling shot, intermediate orthodox, recreational orthodox)

-Deadline extended to May 17^th to give out of town teams a chance to register.

-Pink Lightning volunteered to do the LIL dance.

-Concession opportunity still up for grabs. No one offered so it was decided to offer it up to other groups outside the Mabel League.

-Costumes are ok

-Each team is to come up with a special "most valuable" award for a member of their team to be announced at the awards ceremony. That person will be the recipient of a small award.

-Instead of 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place trophies the committee this year will be awarding prizes such as shirts or equipment.  

Chair:

A reminder that drinking on the fields IS ILLEGAL, and please pick up and dispose of your garbage.

-The year end event will take place on the 17^th of September at the Wise Hall; a volunteer is still needed for this event.

Treasurer:

Meltdown event was highly successful with the team making around $1000.00, and the League received around 900.00.

Stats:

48 hour call in scores, reminder (time starts at 9pm)

A spread sheet will be put on the website once there are enough games to warrant it.

UIC:

-The pop tarts will be covering their base umpping responsibilities.

-reminder to all teams to hammer down their bases fully to prevent injury.

-a rain out will be decided at 3pm and called into the rain out line. If the game is in fact rained out at the time of the game it will be decided by the umpire at the field.

Fields:

-all teams should have received an envelope with the park permits for the fields.

-any new fields will be posted on the website ASAP. These fields will be available for practices and rain out games.

-The Burnaby field will be dropped next year in favour of a closer field.

Communication:

April 12, 2004

Team Rep. Meeting of the Mabel League

Chair Report:

-The schedule changes as shown on the website we read aloud, and sent out to teams affected via email.

-We are looking into increasing the number of teams playing in the LIL Tournament to 24 this year.

-The opportunity to pay LIL fees by the team reps was opened up and the final date was set at May 10^th.

- a concern was brought up that it says in the constitution the LIL tournament will be run by the executive. Shelly confirmed that the control of the LIL would continue to be the executives responsibility however the organizing of it would be taken by another member of the Mabel League with experience running it.

-The issue of softballs with a "core 50" certification was resolved as they will continue to be legal however it is preferred that softballs be a "core 47".

Treasurer Report:

-handed out at meeting to all team reps.

UIC Report:

-Base Umpping schedule handed out at meeting.

-In the case of a rainout game the base ump is encouraged to make sure the game is covered if they are unable to do it. In the case where this is impossible they must call the executive to give them notice and the team responsible will not be charged.

Fields Report:

-No changes to the Fields this year, except for the acquiring of South Hill for Wednesday evenings.

Registrar Report:

-handing out rosters and 2004 handbook to all team reps.

Other Business:

-A question of what a legal bat was. No titanium, no water bats, no triple walled bats.

Secretary's Report:

-an inventory of apparel stock was taken.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Donating Bases: Catch 22 and Naughty monkeys

Toilet Paper: Rough Diamonds

Garbage: Ravens

Lining the fields and base set up: Naughty Monkeys

50/50 Draw: Pink Lightning

Concession: Pop Tarts

Raffle: somethin' naked

March 8, 2004

Team Rep. Meeting of the Mabel League

 Miscellaneous info:

-Shelly reiterated the results of the EGM and the resulting change to the Purpose statement in the Constitution. (See Constitution)

-There is an additional team in the league this year bringing the total to 20. Therefore the executive asked the league to take a vote on whether or not to schedule games on the weekends of Mothers day, Fathers day, and the Folk Festival weekend to take up the additional games needed. There was a suggestion the league play fewer games per year. The response was that this took place in prior years and was not favorable. A vote was taken and all agreed that games could be scheduled on the aforementioned weekends.

 Registrar report

-There will be no increase of fees this year.

-A volunteer team to do the Meltdown Event was put out to the league and the Avengers were chosen.

-Teams were reminded that all members needed to have a membership with Softball B.C. and Jane will bring forms to the next meeting for distribution to team reps.

-All teams are responsible for acquiring injury/accident forms from Jane that are to be kept with the team at all practices and games. If an accident/injury occurs the form must be filled out and returned to Jane.

-June 7^th is the deadline for fees and player registration.

 Secretary's report

-the leftover apparel is mostly in large and extra large sizes (an inventory is yet to be taken). The Executive has decided not to order more at this time.

-apparel is available at league events and online via contacting the Mabel league website and directing inquires to the "secretary".

 UIC report

-The base umpping clinic is to be held on April 4^th from 12 to 3pm at Britannia Field weather permitting, or in a room made available at the community center. All teams need to have a representative at the clinic in order to sign up for their 9 game requirements.

-There is a coaches meeting at 3pm after the umpping clinic.

-The opportunity to have an alternate clinic day was looked into and it was decided that it was not feasible at this time due to cost. The issue will be brought up at the AGM and voted on.

-The sponsored Plate umpping clinic will be held on April 3^rd from 8-4.

-The new "3 strikes your out" policy with regards to the ump cancellation policy was restated and it was decided that following the 3 chances a team is given they will be charged $50 per cancellation not given within 36 hours prior to the game.

-Any missed base umpping will also be charged at $50 as last year.

 Statistician report

-the new standings are as follows:

1)Dreamers

2)OTLB

3)Blue Devils

4)East Side Story

5)Line Drivers

6)Ravens

7)Catch-22

 8)Ratz

9)Wombats

10)Phoenix

11)Grinders

12)Pop Tarts

13)Rockers

 14)Somethin Naked

15)Jets

16)Rough Diamonds

17)Herricanes (previously Sophie’s Bitches)

18)Naughty Monkeys

19)Avengers

20)Pink Lightning

 -Appeals will be made in writing via email and accepted until March 15^th (1 week from the meeting). In the case of appeals being made the executive will meet on that day to make a decision. 

Treasurer report

-The past treasury reports were received during the meeting and therefore no report was made.  A full report will be given at the next team rep meeting. 

Fields report

-Taylor is trying to secure more fields for the league, however at last communication with Doug Taylor this was doubtful due to the increased number of fields being renovated.  The exact fields will be finalized on March 16^th.

-There are two weeks in July when the league will be unable to play games on the Britannia Field due to a prior booking. 

Communication report

-The league was invited to contact the executive via email thru the Mabel League Website in regards to questions or concerns. If however this page was unavailable or down then teams could also contact the communications coordinator through her personal email: jnet@telus.net  this would only be in case of emergency.

-Team reps were asked if they had been receiving emails from Jeanette and anyone who wasn't was asked to contact Jeanette to have their email address added to the list of contacts, as well as phone numbers.

-Jeanette has been in contact with Philip Cook manager of Lick Nightclub and he has extended an invitation to use his location for fund raising possibilities. It was mentioned that 10% of the monies collected at the door would go to the league.

-Jeanette has checked the rain-out line for the up coming season it is working but nothing to do with rainouts listed as league play has not started.

 New Business

-A list of team colours went around at the meeting and teams were asked to list their colours to avoid two teams in the same pod wearing the same colours.

-Clarification regarding balls. The home team supplies a new or near new ball for the game.

-A print out of important information (i.e. important dates, contact numbers etc.) will be handed out at the next meeting.

-For the purchasing of balls teams were referred to Pro Stock, MVP or Sports Exchange.

February 23, 2004

Extraordinary General Meeting on Transgender Policies

 -Introduction of new executive

-Registrar position opening put forward to the league, no volunteers. This will be broached again at the next team rep meeting.

-The 5 sponsored positions in the upcoming Umpire Clinic offered to league members, 5 volunteers came forward their names were recorded. They are as follows: Darlene Sunderland, Shelly Dyler, Lisa Gordon, Taylor Stutchbury, and Sindey Mehlhorne.

-Ann Travers's presentation on "Transgender Policies in North American Lesbian Softball Leagues" -There was a proposed change of the constitution from its current purpose statement of "The Mabel League exists to foster a safe and fun environment for lesbians and bisexual women to learn and play recreational softball"

to:

"The Mabel League is a lesbian softball league. It exists to foster a safe and fun environment for lesbians, bisexual women, heterosexual women, transgender and transsexual people to learn and play recreational softball."

-Many amendments of the Purpose statement were suggested regarding inclusiveness of various groups of people, until the final statement was created.

-Questions and discussion ensued

-This change was seconded and put to a vote.

-All voted in favour

 The new purpose statement of the Mabel Women’s Fastball League Constitution will read as follows:

"The Mabel League is a lesbian softball league. It exists to foster a safe and fun environment for lesbians, bisexual women, heterosexual women, transgender and transsexual people to learn and play recreational softball."

Minutes from Team Rep Meeting Feb. 9th/04

 - Introduction of new executive

 Shelly:

 -  The "important dates list" will be up on the website ASAP.

 -  Announcement of the special AGM on transgender issues made, for February 23 at 7pm at St. Vincent's Hospital 749 west 33rd Ave.

 - We were looking for a new treasurer; Lisa G volunteered and was voted in. This left a position open for registrar. This position was offered but no one volunteered, it was subsequently shelved until the special AGM at which time it will be filled.

 Lisa W: (UIC report)

 - The base umpping clinic will be on April 3 or 4th (TBA) at Brit. field. Sign up for games will happen at that time as well as an overview of the rules around base umpping requirements by the team. The coaches meeting will take place after the clinic as opposed to during it like last year.

 - Discussion of the new 24 hour cancellation policy with regards to the umpires. The league needs to give the ump 24 hours notice to cancel a game otherwise the league will be charged for the game.

 - Announcement of the lottery to choose 5 people to be sponsored by the league to learn to base ump. Reps are to ask their teams to submit names to the UIC at her email address uic@mabelleague.com.

 – Barb asked if we could have the base umpping clinic twice this year.

Lisa answered that we are looking in to it, and that there are 3 things that it will hinge upon.

1) Pat Dooley's availability

2) The cost and availability of the gym rental

3) The amount of people interested and available for the second clinic. The team reps were instructed to go back to their teams and inquire as to who will be taking the clinic.

 - Christal suggested that the lottery for the plate ump sponsorship be opened up to all members of all teams. The executive discussed and decided that the lotto could wait until the AGM meeting, at which time teams will put forward the names of those interested.

 - Lisa noted that complaints about the umps are to be submitted to the U.I.C link on the website.

 -  A question of equipment needs for those interested in umpiring was raised.  It was suggested that those individuals approach teams that are folding for their catching equipment as that is essentially the needs of the plate ump.

 Jeanette:

- Announcement of executive email addresses on the website.

- The website can have information on individual teams and announcements I.E:  if a team is looking for players, etc.

- There are people looking for teams on the website. The bracers are in the process of looking for many people including a manager for which they have given a 1 week time span. If in that time no one is found they will take a hiatus and come back next year.

Jane: (gave registrars report as there isn't currently a registrar)

- she had spoken with Crema and has been informed the fee's will stay  the  same this year, and that there are some regulation changes on ball size but  that wouldn't effect our level of softball.

Jeanette: Mention of a new field, Bobolink is available. C.J volunteered to drive by and check it out and then will email Jeanette the info.

- An announcement of team registration taking place on March 1st @7pm, location: 1938 Charles (and Victoria). Team reps are to show up with a cheque for $100.00 dollars and a team name.

- The meltdown will be May 1st and the executive will book the hall as usual.  The LIL tournament will be up to the volunteer  team as usual.

-  A question was raised as to whether the teams volunteering could get any sort of benefit so as to encourage more people to get involved. Shelly suggested this be brought up at the year end AGM.

- Season starts April 20th.

- it was mentioned that there will be a dyke march on the Saturday of pride  weekend which might conflict with the usual WESA game as it will take place  in East van. A suggestion of moving the game to the east side this year was made.

-  Lisa G mentioned that we will be filling the volunteer opportunities at the next team rep meeting, so the team reps are to converse with their  teams and come prepared to the next meeting.