League News

2009 final standings

GCB

Southwest	W-L	GB	Northeast	W-L	GB

Howard City	19-5	-	Manistee	17-7	-
Sidney	17-7	2	St. Louis	14-10	3
Riverdale	16-8	3	Midland	10-14	7
Fulton	9-15	10	Coleman	9-15	8
Eaton County	4-20	15	Alma	5-19	12

L meeting, March 1^st, 2009 Called to order 4:08 pm

Teams Present: Manistee, Riverdale, Sidney, St. Louis, Howard City, Alma

Teams Absent: Coleman, Fulton, Eaton County

Also Present: League President, League Secretary, League Advisors Whitey Loomis, Dan Smith, Adam Willmore

1. League Treasurer - Adam Willmore was voted in as league Treasurer, Vote 4-0, 2 Abstain( St. Louis, Sidney).

2. League Banquet – League president discussed past banquet and also set future banquets to be held in January due to scheduling.

3. Hall of Fame – GCBL now has a hall of fame, election process was discussed and future plans to continue this honor.

4. Wooden Bats – League will not fund wood bats for games this year, the league will no longer schedule games for wood bats. The option is still open for teams who wish to use wood to continue, but this will not be a league mandate in the schedule.

5. Labor Day Tournament - League looking for more help in making inroads to other teams for the tournament. The league would like this to be an 8 team tournament. Frank from Howard City stated he can help attract outside teams and will pursue this.

6. Cut off dates for team entry to league – The league will be setting April 15^th as the cut off for teams to be in the GCBL, money up front for inclusion.

7. Schedule – Poll on the website will be considered for start date and format. Most feel a good start date is the Sunday after mother’s day.

8. Playoffs – Format will depend on league entries, start date, team input.

9. Umpire fees – League president is making recommendation to change by-laws to include all teams paying league minimum every time (league minimum is set but teams will be expected to match to whatever the home team pays). Also teams will be expected to pay umpires on makeup dates(rainout one week, play at a later date, teams expected to pay umpires for both dates)

There was also a change brought up to home teams paying both umpires. This is being examined.

10. League moving to committee – The GCBL is planning to move to an advisory committee to handle league policy. Coaches have same input they currently have. With the expansion of the league geographically, the league will use the committee to make recommendations to the league in lieu of coaches being required to meet monthly. This committee is also a requirement for the league to obtain 501 (c) (3) status

11. 501 (c) (3) - The league has filed papers of incorporation to become a non-profit organization. This will provide tax status for the league to pursue grant opportunities to promote the league.

GCBL Labor Day tournament/playoff meeting July 9^th, 6pm

Present: Rollie Carman President

Ron Murdock Vice-president

Mindy Smith via phone – Treasurer

Steve Smith – Secretary

Adam Willmore, Dan Smith, Whitey, Craig Mcvicar via phone.

1. ball field Lumberjack park + reserve another field for more teams than 8

2. food looking for donations/ Craig Mcvicar has a concession trailer from Pepsi that we are going to use.

3. Bracket setup has to wait until number of teams is set

4. Advertisement Start 1st week of August

5. 50/50 drawing looking for people who want to handle this

6. Umpires Steve Horn is assigning

7. Baseballs Ron Murdock has the baseballs

8. Announcer/scorekeeper Dan Smith with Karen standing in when he's busy/ Adam Willmore

9. Teams/roster 18 man max roster

10. Awards Mindy Smith is looking online for these

11. Tourney fee the fee will be set at a price to cover cost of umpires.

12. Rules/bylaws GCBL rules, tourney director will handle odd situations on the spot.

13. Port a johns Whitey is working with the park to get at least two for the tourney

14. Shirts Mindy Smith is ordering 3 dozen online at $4 a shirt.

15. Wooden bats NO

League officers met to decide playoff format for the 2008 GCBL season.

1. Top 8 records in the league will qualify for playoffs voted 3-1 (Murdock against)

2. Division winners are the top 3 seed

3. Playoffs will take place at two sites: Lumberjack Park, Alma College Klenk Park, St. Louis, Fulton (two of these four will be used for the playoffs due to being centrally located)

4. Top two seeds pick the site of their games. #1 seed picks one of the four sites first, #2 picks from the remaining three sites.

5. First Seed bracket will be #1 Vs #8 at 1pm and #4 Vs #5 immediately following, played at the site of #1 seeds choosing, on Saturday August 16^th. The winners of these two matchups will meet on Sunday, August 17^th to determine who advances to the finals on August 24^th.

6. Second Seed bracket will be #2 Vs #7 at 1pm and #3 Vs #6 immediately following, played at the site of #2 seeds choosing, on Saturday August 16^th. The winners of these two matchups will meet on Sunday, August 17^th to determine who advances to the finals on August 24^th

7. Saturday August 16^th games will be single 7 innings games.

8. Sunday August 17^th games will be single 7 inning games

9. Sunday August 24^th championship game will be a single 9 inning game.

10. The league will be assigning and paying for all umpires during the playoffs.

11. Championship game will be held at Alma College’s Klenk park if the league can work this out.

12. All seeds will be determined based on GCBL playoff bi-laws.

13. Highest seeded team, each individual game, is responsible for the baseballs.

GCBL Meeting Minutes - 4/20/08

Teams Present - Alma Drillers(Matt White), Breckenridge Beavers (Jason Aldrich), Carson City (John McCracken), Fulton Sultans(Ron Murdock), Howard City Steelhead (Frank Zamarrim),Lansing Reds(Darrin Clark), Manistee Saints(Phil Kliber, Steve Fredericks), Riverdale Lumberjacks (Bob Sullivan), Riverdale Rivermen (Dawn Moomey), Sidney Knights (Derek Syrjala), St. Louis Spirits (Ben Crosby, Dan Smith)

Also Present: League President Rollie Carman, League Advisor Whitey Loomis

Teams Absent: Coleman Phillies, Eaton County Outlaws, Morley Merchants,

Meeting Called to order by LP (League President) at 4:40PM

1. Teams

LP advised that at this time, there are 13 teams in the league that have paid their league fees which in turn places them in the league. Morley has not paid their league fees nor have they attended any meetings to date. However, the LP spoke with Josh Kellogg from the Morley team and was told that Morley will be in the league.

2. Wooden Bats

The use of wooden bats within the league was again discussed by the LP who gave his opinion that the vote for exclusive use of wooden bats within the GCBL would need to be a unanimous one. Also, the LP stated that in a poll of 11 leagues using wood, all of them advised against going to a completely all-wood league. Derek Syrjala suggested that the GCBL make a decision to go completely wood or completely metal, not the three DH agreement put in place for the 2007 season.

Motion: Frank Zamarrim, Howard City, moved to keep the league at three-weekend double header requirement to use wood bats.

Motion seconded by Jon McCracken, Carson City.

Voted on and passed: For-7

Against-5 (Alma, Breckenridge, Lansing, Sidney, St. Louis)

Abstain-2 (Manistee, Morley)

3. Length of Season

The LP reviewed the options for the length of the GCBL season in 2008 and after much discussion, revealed these options:

13-week season with no playoffs starting May 18th and excluding Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends (Murdock);

13-week season with one weekend playoffs starting May 11th and excluding Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends (Murdock);

13-week season with two weekend playoffs starting May 4th and excluding Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends (Smith);

12-week season with two weekend playoffs starting May 11th and excluding Memorial Day and Independence Day Weekends (Clark);

11-week season with two weekend playoffs starting May 18th and excluding Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends (Moomey)

Motion: Dawn Moomey, Riverdale Rivermen, moved to start the season on May 18th, exclude play on Mother's Day (May 11th), Memorial Day (May25th), and Independence Day (July 6th) weekends, and play through August 10th totaling 11 weeks of play.

Motion seconded by Phil Kliber, Manistee

Voted on and passed: For-10

Against-1 (St. Louis)

Abstain-3 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley)

4. League Divisions versus Non-Divisions

The LP discussed the breakdown of the league as to the advantages of having divisions versus not having divisions. The general consensus of those that spoke on the topic was that should divisions be created, geography and skill-sets should be taken into consideration to minimize cost and maintain competitive balance.

Motion: Corporal Crosby, St. Louis, moved to divide the 14 GCBL teams into three divisions and that each team will play a home & home double-header against each team from their division as a portion of their 22 game schedule (his division proposal is listed below).

Motion seconded by Ron Murdock, Fulton

Voted on and passed: For-11

Against-0

Abstain-3 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley)

West Division East Division South Division

Coleman Phillies Alma Drillers Carson City

Howard City Steelhead Breckenridge Beavers Eaton County Outlaws

Manistee Saints Riverdale Lumberjacks Fulton Sultans

Morley Merchants St. Louis Spirits Lansing Reds

Sidney Knights Riverdale Rivermen

5. Playoffs

The LP passed out a proposal for the playoff format presented by Dan Smith, St. Louis in which all fourteen teams of the GCBL would participate. Each team would be seeded according to record with the 1 and 2 seeds receiving a first round bye in the single elimination format. The teams would play a single nine-inning game on Saturday, August 16th with the winners advancing to play a single nine-inning game on Sunday, August 17th. The same format would be followed on Saturday the 23rd (semi-finals) and Sunday the 24th (finals). The league would still be obligated to pay for umpires in weekend two (semi-finals and finals) whereas teams would be responsible for paying for the umpires in weekend one. It was felt this would increase participation throughout the season because teams, regardless of how unsuccessful their regular season was, would still be afforded the opportunity to make a post-season run.

Derek Syrjala, Sidney, felt that this format would diminish the role the regular season plays in determining the playoff qualifiers.

Ron Murdock, Fulton, felt that this format placed too much emphasis on the post-season whereas the regular season is all that should matter in the GCBL.

The consensus was that this format was not acceptable at this time.

Motion: Dan Smith, St. Louis, moved that the GCBL league officers decide the format, seeding and home teams for the playoffs.

Motion seconded by Frank Zamarrim, Howard City

Voted on and passed: For-11

Against-0

Abstain-3 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley)

6. Rosters

The LP handed out the roster forms and reviewed the GCBL bi-laws pertaining to rosters, adding to rosters and the 40% playoff eligibility rule.

7. Forfeit fee

The LP advised the league that the current forfeit fee of $70.00 exists so that teams that DO NOT forfeit a given game can reimburse umpires if need be. Should umpires require more than the GCBL bi-law states (one game fee) and the $70.00 is not enough to cover the cost, the GCBL league officers will seek reimbursement accordingly. Discussion took place as to the amount umpires are paid and what the expectations of most umpires are upon arriving at a game site that has been forfeited.

Motion: Ron Murdock, Fulton, moved that the GCBL forfeit fee remain static at $70.00.

Motion seconded by Frank Zamarrim, Howard City

Voted on and passed: For-9

Against-1 (Riverdale Lumberjacks)

Abstain-4 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley, Sidney)

8. Draw for Players

The LP advised the league of the need for a notification system should a team drop out of the league so that managers may contact players from the dropped team. The draw took place and is as follows:

1. Howard City 2. Alma 3. Fulton 4. Riverdale L.

5. Lansing 6. St. Louis 7. Carson City 8. Manistee

9. Coleman 10. Riverdale R. 11. Breckenridge 12. Eaton County

13. Sidney 14. Morley

9. Changing Teams

The LP reminded teams of the bi-laws surrounding the changing of teams by a player during the season. This rule is rescinded should a team drop out of the league in which case their players may join another team immediately. Derek Syrjala, Sidney, inquired as to the 40% rule eligibility and how it applies to players on a team that drops out. The LP advised that the precedent had been set which allows the games played to travel with the player regardless of team. Dan Smith, St. Louis, brought to the attention of the LP that and abuse of this rule may occur. Should a team be out of contention for the playoffs, they could drop their team so that their players

could get on board with a team that is in contention and be allowed to play in the playoffs. The LP stated that he would not allow this to happen.

10. Banquet Date

The LP advised that over the past three seasons, the GCBL has held a league banquet prior to the following season. Their was input from the league as to possibly moving this date from the winter of the season previous to the fall following the season. Jason Aldrich, Breckenridge felt that the banquet would be better attended by players if it followed the season because the season would be fresh on their mind. Dan Smith , St. Louis, felt that a banquet in the fall would lend itself to better attendance overall because of the lack of environmental elements such as snow and sleet. The LP advised that to place the banquet so close to the league tournament could be an insurmountable task. Dan Smith, St. Louis, spoke on behalf of league treasurer Mindy Smith in stating that she would lead the banquet committee to alleviate the concerns of the LP.

Motion: Corporal Crosby, St. Louis, moved that the GCBL banquet be moved to the last weekend of September, Saturday the 27th.

Motion seconded by Jason Aldrich, Breckenridge.

Voted on and passed: For-6

Against-5 (Fulton, Howard City, Riverdale R., Riverdale L., Sidney)

Abstain-3 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley)

11. Awards

The LP asked the league if their were any other categories in which teams would like to see players awarded other than all-league, homeruns, stolen bases, batting average and pitching victories. Darrin Clark, Lansing, stated he would like to have RBI's considered. Frank Zamarrim, Howard City, stated that he would like to see Rookie of the Year and league MVP instituted. Corporal Crosby, St. Louis, stated that he too, would like to see a league MVP. Ron Murdock, Fulton, advised that it is too hard to tabulate statistics to do any more than what we currently do. Phil Kliber, Manistee, stated that most teams don't have anyone doing the book anyway so it would be impossible for additional statistics to be kept. Corporal Crosby, St. Louis, stated that while the RBI statistic may be hard to incorporate, the league MVP award would be fairly simple and could be voted on at the coaches meeting in which the GCBL all-league team is compiled.

Motion: Ron Murdock, Fulton, moved that the awards remain the same as they were in 2007.

Motion seconded by Phil Kliber, Manistee.

Voted on and passed: For-7

Against-4 (Carson City, Howard City, Lansing, St. Louis)

Abstain-3 (Coleman, Eaton County, Morley)

12. Tournament

The LP advised that the GCBL hosts a tournament Labor Day weekend and that all league teams should have representative involved in the planning and execution of the tournament. Dan Smith, St. Louis, stated that if teams don't have a representative present at the tournament meetings, the league will assign tasks to teams and will run the tournament without the needed input. The LP advised that the first meeting for the tournament will be Tuesday, June 10th at 6:00pm at the Carman residence.

Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm

Miscellaneous notes:

1. Alma would like to play at Manistee on July 20th

2. Lansing would like to play at Manistee this season

3. Riverdale Lumberjacks would like to play at home on Saturday, August 9th versus the Riverdale

Rivermen

4. Riverdale Rivermen would like to play at home on June 15th (asked first)

5. Riverdale Lumberjacks would like to play at home on June 15th

6. Alma would like to play at home on May 18th

7. Howard City would like to play at home on May 18th

8. Lansing would like to play at home on June 15th

9. Sidney would like to have both of their DH's against Manistee count as two of their wooden bat contests

10. Alma would like their website to reflect that their name is the Alma Drillers and also have their roster posted to it ASAP

11. Howard City is requesting to be notified ASAP of the schedule by emailing it to:

zamarrim@aol.com

12. Breckenridge requests no home dates in May

Meeting called to order 6:30 p.m. at the home of League President, Rollie Carman.

Teams represented were: Sidney – Adam, St. Louis – Ben, Dan, Lumberjacks – Bob, Rivermen – Mike,Chad, Howard City – Frank, Scott, Lansing - Darrin, Fulton - Clinton, Manistee - Phil, Carson City - Ron, Alma- Matt, Wyatt, Eaton County - Josh, Wayne,

Gratiot County Baseball League Agenda3/30/08

Manistee Voted on member status for the GCBL passed 8 – 2 ( Lumberjacks, Rivermen)

League Fees – League voted to increase entry fee for 2008 GCBL to $150 + forfeit fee which may be adjusted to current bi-laws ($100) This will be addressed at the next meeting

Team Voting – League will vote next meeting to remove bi-law stating league fees must be paid before team can vote on league matters.

2008 Teams- Alma, Breckenridge, Carson City, Coleman, Eaton County, Fulton, Howard City, Lansing, Manistee, Morley Stanwood, Riverdale L, Riverdale R, Sidney, St.Louis. (save you time, 14 teams)

Umpires – League really discouraged at how poor this was handled last year, you must have two umpires at the game. The visiting team has the right to leave and force home team to forfeit both games in the event of one umpire. Also considering home team having to pay umpire full fee for only having one umpire.

Jeff Smith- (Steve and Dan’s older brother) Continues to battle cancer that has taken his leg and has spread to his lungs. The cancer in his lungs has shown responsive to the current treatments so he continues this course of action. The league has donated $150 to the Jeff Smith family.

Tournament – The league was voted in to play the Labor Day Tournament at Lumberjack Park. The Park vote was 14-4 in favor of the GCBL. 3 Dissenting votes came from current Lumberjacks managers (Beebe, Sullivan, White). The league is very concerned with this and was assured by Sullivan that they are on board and would work with the league to make this tournament a success. This led into the league president considering actions against Brian Beebe and his constant negativity against the league. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Wooden Bats – This will be voted on again, 100% agreement on teams present is required in order to turn league over to wood. There will also be a vote to keep the wood bat games at 3 dates for the 2008 season.

League History – League President is putting together a hall of fame committee to work on GCBL historical recognition.

New Business – Teams present were requested to send the League President any topics of business they would like added to agenda.

NEXT MEETING APRIL 20^TH 4 PM CARMAN RESIDENCE.

Gratiot County Baseball League Minutes2/24/08

Meeting called to order 6:30 p.m. at the home of League President, Rollie Carman.

Teams represented were: Sidney – Adam, St. Louis – Ben, Dan, Lumberjacks – Bob, Jack, Rivermen – Mike, Howard City – Frank, Scott

VP position discussed due to Ron Murdock being in Florida until later in the year, Coaches were polled to see if there was a need to consider replacing Ron as VP. At this time, deemed not necessary as president is in constant contact via phone.

2. Manistee – Wants to be in league again, distance is a concern for several teams, league vote will be held at March meeting.

League Banquet – Discussed Date, History, and picture display. Possibility of moving banquet to September, looking to collect pictures of past GCBL teams from coaches, looking for any Historical records of the GCBL

Discussed putting together a greatest teams lists for the history page of GCBL

Discussed Hall of Fame for GCBL, breaking out a HOF Committee to decide who is included. Vote will be held in March meeting to see whether there’s enough interest.

6. Quick run down of Website, policy, procedures, look for new additions to it.

7. Umpires – League requires two umpires. If help is needed, let President know in advance of gameday, he has options.

Left blank in protest.

9. GCBL league Tournament – Will be held in Lumberjack park, League vote – 3 -0, 2 abstain (Sidney, Lumberjacks) Motion approved. Lumberjack Park requires $50 per team rental fee for park use; League will then run all events. Sponsors are being sought for the tournament, Whitey has already acquired a sponsorship from The Lyle Davis Memorial fund and he will be searching for others.

10. League fees – Proposed to increase league fee to 125 per team, ($70 new team forfeit fee), or $150 per team, ($70 new team forfeit fee) with $50 being paid toward entry into league tournament for those who choose to play. Teams choosing not to play, the full amount is paid to league.

Wooden bats –League would require %100 vote from coaches to switch to all wood.
Field concerns will be added to next meeting agenda

GAME SUMMARY FORM :

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