Coos Bay Coast League By Laws
Coos Bay Coast League promotes sportsmanship, baseball fundamentals,
physical activity, and the life-long joy of baseball for our area youth ages 5-12.
Majors (11-12) Minors (9-10) Rookies (7-8) T-Ball (5-6)
Preamble
The purpose of the Coos Bay Coast League is to be a non-profit organization that continues the development and operation of an organized baseball program for the youth of our area, within the State of Oregon in affiliation with Babe Ruth League, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation; in conformity with and pursuant to the principles, rules and regulations of Babe Ruth Inc., and to implant in the youth of this state and its communities, ideals of the sportsmanship code of Babe Ruth Baseball which are:
1. Develop a strong, clean body, mind and soul.
2. Develop understanding of and respect for sportsmanship conduct.
3. Develop understanding of and respect for the rules.
4. Develop courage of and respect for the rules.
5. Develop control over emotions and speech.
6. Develop spirit of cooperation and team play.
7. Develop into real, true citizens.
The operation of this cooperation shall be in the State of Oregon.
Article I: Name
The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Coos Bay Coast League. The geographical boundaries for all Cal Ripken/Coos Bay Coast League teams shall include all school districts within Coos County. The official league address shall be Coos Bay Coast League – 3696 Broadway, PMB 280, North Bend, OR 97459
Article II: Membership
The members of this non-profit group shall be parents, coaches, managers, board members, community members and other interested parties who wish to develop the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball Program and all it stands for within the jurisdiction of the Coos Bay Coast League.
Article III: Government/Officers
The governing body of this non-profit organization shall be the Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD shall consist of seven (7) elected voting members. Board members will be expected to accept duties assigned by the President. The following positions will make up the board of directors: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three members at large. The board may vote to decide to modify the positions each year, as in a case of co-officer positions. Voting rights will be determined in such cases by the BOD. The term for the office will be for two years. Division Player’s Agents will be invited to all BOD meetings, however, will not have voting rights unless they are an officer of the BOD.
Article IV: Meetings
The BOD shall hold at least three meetings each season. A bi-monthly or monthly meeting time is recommended. An agenda will be presented at or before the time of the meeting and each meeting will begin with review and adoption of the minutes from the previous meeting. The development of each agenda is the responsibility of the president unless the president is unable to attend, then the vice-president is responsible for the agenda. The agenda is communicated to the secretary of the league at or prior to any meeting. Taking minutes is the responsibility of the secretary of the league. Robert’s Rules of Order are recommended, however, the board may chose to run their meetings in less formal manner if the BOD decides by vote.
A quorum for a Board meeting shall be fifty percent of the BOD filled at the time of the meeting. In the event a Board position is not filled, this will not count in declaring a quorum.
A favorable majority vote of those present will carry a decision. Any decision of the BOD is final, unless the act is in conflict with an act where a greater number is required. In a case of a tie vote, the president shall determine the decision.
Any member of the BOD who misses three consecutive meetings may be removed from the Board by the BOD. The President shall select a new board member.
Meetings shall be open to any person interested in Babe Ruth and are under the laws and guidelines of public meetings.
Article V: Election of Officers
Nominations for open positions on the BOD will occur at a January meeting. Elections for BOD vacancies will be held at the following meeting. Those nominated for President will be asked to give a statement of why they want to be President and their vision of the league.
Article VI: Officers and Duties
President – Shall perform all duties normally associated with the head of the association, including appointing committees, committee members and general supervision of the league. He/she will be responsible to the National Headquarters and to South Oregon Babe Ruth League for the conduct of Babe Ruth league affairs in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Cal Ripken Coos Bay Coast League. The President is a member of all committees of the League and is also the league representative at State meetings. The role of the president is to maintain a balance of strength among the teams in all age groups and that the welfare of all players is paramount to any single team. It is recommended that the President does not coach a team, however, when the president is a coach, he/she will remove themselves from the voting in a dispute if it is related directly to the team he/she is coaching.
Vice President – Will in the absence or disability of the President, act for and perform all duties of the President. In addition, he/she shall act as the first assistant to the President in accomplishing the objectives of the Cal Ripken Coos Bay Coast League.
Secretary – Shall keep and record minutes of all meetings, give proper notice of all meetings, handle all league correspondence, prepare and make copies of agendas in cooperation with the president. He/she shall handle all insurance correspondence.
Treasurer – Shall receive all monies of the league and deposit the same in a bank approved by the BOD. The treasurer shall payout monies in payment of league obligations on authority given by the BOD. All checks and vouchers shall be signed by the Treasurer and the President. The Treasurer shall have the custody of general records of league receipts and disbursements, and also prepare financial reports as requested by the BOD.
Members-at-Large (3) – All members-at-large are voting members on the BOD.
Division Player Agents – Player agents are selected by the league President. Duties shall be as follows:
1. He/she will act in any grievances among any coaches, players, or parents prior to the issue coming to the BOD.
2. He/she will be responsible, to maintain a balance of strength among teams of the Cal Ripken Coos Bay Coast League.
3. He/she will be in charge of that division’s role in tournaments and assign duties as needed.
4. He/she will maintain the accountability of the coaches in that division in the areas of sportsmanship, proper teaching of fundamentals, following league rules and guidelines, and equipment/uniform check-out and check-in.
5. He/she may also be an officer of the BOD.
Article VII: Managers/Coaches
Anyone within the geographic boundaries of the Cal Ripken/ Coos Bay Coast League willing to volunteer their time will be permitted to coach. Coaches will abide by all of the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball and the Coos Bay Coast League’s by-laws and rules. Coaches must be at least 18 years-old. Coaches will sign an agreement indicating that they will follow all the rules and regulations of Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball and the Coos Bay Coast League. Coaches must successfully pass a league adopted background check, complete the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken online coaches training, and participate in any other coach’s clinics required by the BOD. Coaches will be responsible for return of uniforms and equipment immediately following the season. Only designated coaches shall be permitted in the player area during any game.
Article VIII: Rules
Rules for all regular season and tournament games will be those listed in the current edition of Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations and the Official Baseball Rules that are published by the National Baseball Congress, Inc. Some playing rules may be altered to fit local conditions, but those dealing with player eligibility may not be altered.
Article IX: Team Composition
Each team for league and tournament play must conform as close to the regulations as listed in the current edition of the Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations. Any variance from the Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations must be approved by the BOD and be sensible and accepted by other leagues with whom our league participates.
Article X: Player Eligibility
Each player for league and tournament play must meet all requirements as set forth in the current edition of the Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations.
Any child within the geographic boundaries of the league is eligible to participate in the Cal Ripken/Coos Bay Coast League as long as they fill out a current registration and other forms required by the league.
Players may play in a division different than their age level with BOD approval.
Article XI: Conduct
Managers, coaches, players, parents and others associated with Cal Ripken/Coos Bay Coast League must be above and beyond reproach at all times. They are not only representing the league, but South Oregon Babe Ruth, Babe Ruth Baseball in general, their communities and above all themselves and their families. The BOD with majority vote at any scheduled or special meeting have the right to suspend or expel any person associated with Cal Ripken/Coos Bay Coast League for misconduct.
Misconduct will consist of, but not be limited to the following:
1. Use of tobacco products, drugs, or alcohol by anyone on the playing field, bench or adjacent to the field.
2. Verbal abuse of players, umpires, coaches, managers and/or spectators.
3. Excessive use of temper, or such as throwing equipment on or off the field.
4. Being thrown out of a game by an umpire.
5. Encouraging players to ridicule players of the opposing team, or to act in an unsportsmanlike manner toward their players, opposing players and coaches, umpires or spectators.
6. Any action that can be construed as detrimental to the welfare of the league.
7. Cheating in any manner.
*Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Due Process will be followed by the BOD in case of a proposed expulsion.
Managers/coaches must remember that they are to set a positive example of sportsmanship for their team.
Article XII: Protest
The manager making the protest must go to the umpire-in-chief (home plate umpire) and make known that a protest is being filed. The protesting manager and the umpire then go the official scorekeeper (home book) and advise them, him/her that the game is being played under protest from that point on. The scorekeeper must note the exact situation at the time of the protest. A detailed description of the basis of the protest must be written into the scorebook and signed by the umpire and protesting manager. The protest must be done prior to the next pitch or play of any type.
A written protest must be filed by the protesting manager with the League President within twenty-four hours of the completion of the game. If the protested game is the first of a scheduled double header, reporting must occur within twenty-four hours after completion of the second game.
The League President shall call a special meeting of the BOD in a timely manner to act upon the protest. The Player agent for that division will be present at the meeting. The protesting manager, manager of the other team and the umpire-in-chief shall attend the meeting. The BOD will only be involved in this process if the conflict is not resolved by the Division Player Agent.
Only rule interpretations can be protested. A protest may not be made on a judgment call.
Article XIII: SELECTION OF MANAGERS, COACHES, AND PLAYERS (Non-Regular Season)
The idea of having tournament, all star, or select teams is to compete with teams from other areas in the game of baseball and to increase the opportunities for our players to participate. More than one team in each division is permitted if there is interest. If there is more than one team per division, the type of teams will be determined by the BOD. For example, multiple teams per division may be divided by age or by ability (A team, B team).
Manager/Coach – The manager of a tournament, all star, or select team will be decided upon by the BOD. Past performance with the players, commitment to the league’s rules and guidelines, sportsmanship, and the ability to commit to the time necessary to develop a competitive team will be some of the considerations of the BOD in the selection process. The manager selected by the BOD is allowed to appoint two coaches to assist.
Players – The selection of players for one or more tournament, all star, or select teams will be recommendations from their regular season coaches. In a case of only one team, the top 12 players will be selected for the team, not necessarily having an equal number from each regular season team. Final approval of player selection will be by the BOD. The selected manager will present the roster to the BOD for approval.
Article XIV: Amendments
Provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws may be amended only when such amendments are proposed to the Board Members. Each proposed amendment must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the BOD. Voting must be done in person (voice or ballot) at a regular meeting or special Board meeting. The amendments must be presented in draft form for a first reading at one meeting and voted on as an action item for adoption at a following meeting.