1.) Call to order at 12:11pm at the 17th Street Fields – confirmed quorum:  Attending – Ken Shepard, Frank Lyons, Bob D’Angelo, George Wacaser, Chuck Cason, Luis Negrete and Gary Goldberg.  Attending via phone – Ron Giovannucci.  Excused Absence – Mike Mahan.

2.) Reviewed and unanimously approved of the meeting minutes from April 13, 2022.

3.) Reviewed and approved of Treasurers report submitted by Mike Mahan via email.  As of May 1, the account balance is positive. We are up to date with no outstanding bills due. There is one player who has yet to pay for the summer league so it is expected that the balance will increase. This balance includes a paid team sponsor (Sarasota Ford- $275.00) for the upcoming winter '22-'23 season. 

There will be several expenses coming up before we begin collecting funds for the winter leagues starting in the fall. We have paid one half of the April-June field rentals. The balance for the second half will be approximately $1480.62 depending on any rainout credits. The July-September time period should require about 50 field rentals. Based on the current rate of $48.15 the cost will be about $2407.50. I spoke to Chuck last week and he was not sure but believes we have about 10 dozen balls on order that have yet to come in. I checked the records and saw the last time we ordered balls we paid $1820.00 for 35 dozen balls. Breaking it down that works out to $4.33/ ball. If the price has not increased since then the balls on order should cost about $519.60. The only other substantial expense that I can think of is the League Championship shirts at the end of the season. I found an old invoice from last year where the price per shirt was $7.00. Figuring they went up to $8.00/ shirt, if not more, 3 League Championship teams with 12,12 and 14 players would cost $304.00 + tax (about $330.00).

 Old Business

1.)  Review of “no out” rule for select players.  It is reported that two of the select players are not in favor of the rule.  They cite “being singled out” and possible embarrassment when family members attend their games.  There was also some confusion during the games about the new rule. 

2.)  Discuss any suggestions received on SSSA website.  There were no suggestions submitted.  Frank will put a message “box” on our website so members can submit suggestion(s) electronically.   

3.)  Shirt sales.  There are 6 long sleeve shirts available with 5 white and one black in the extra-large sizes.    

New Business 

1. Winter Leagues.  Venice to have formal Friday A league & Manasota Wed league disbanded for Fall/Winter.  There was a discussion about moving the Friday “A” league to Wednesday for the Fall/Winter season.  This would allow “A” league players to participate in the Venice league.  It would also allow “A” players to be called up for Friday “B.”  George is anticipating   one or two Fall/Winter leagues with 7 teams due to increased registrations.

2. Update from each of the summer leagues Coordinators.  The Wednesday league still has 11 players and it would be ideal to have 12.  However, there have been no issues with finding substitute players.  Each team has enough game balls to last until the end of June.  There is an order of game balls with no delivery date.    

3. Any player issues.   Complaints were received about Rafael Gonzalez’s teammates that his behavior toward them was not in line with being a good teammate.  His managers state that his behavior is OK during the games, however it changes once the games are over.  Ken had a conversation with him about his behavior.  Rafael felt he was being singled out due to his Hispanic ethnicity.  Rafael included several “F” bombs in this conversation and threatened to quit. Ken reminded him of the consequences if he quit.  He also expressed interest in forming an All-Latin team.  Ken recommended that he be suspended until the next summer season. The recommendation was carried unanimously and Ken will send him an email informing him of his suspension.  Previously, Rafael had obtained a sponsor fee for $275.00 from a restaurant but took back the check after the conversation with Ken.                     

4. Screen repairs. Bob D’Angelo reports 3 screens are in need of repair.  However, one of the screens is missing from the storage shed.  One screen was repaired.  Bob received a screen on loan from the repairman.  The loaner screen has a note on it that states “this screen is not to be removed from the shed.”   

5. Rain Outs. Ken is going out of town until May 24.  League coordinators will notify managers of rainouts.  Frank will put a message on the website that the “Magic Jack” rainout line will be out of service until May 27.  Gary suggested going back to the “rain man” system of determining whether the fields are playable.  Ken reminded everyone that the County has the final decision on canceling games due to field conditions.  The official start time for County employees staffing the fields is 7:00am.

6. Other.  There was an incident involving a board member and a player during a game.  It was recommended that board members remove themselves from the discussion when the results could lead to a suspension.  The board member involved will apologize to the player.

7. Timeout. Some members are under the understanding that time is out when they request it.  the Board reminds everyone that time is not out until the umpire grants the request.

8. Adjournment.  1:33pm.

        Next meeting will be on Wednesday June 8, 2022 at the Fruitville Library.