Youth Forum Minutes

1. Clubmark – BSUK/John Mills

Proposal that clubs sign up to club accreditation, provide evidence on criteria to achieve a Clubmark status which confers certain benefits. John Millss clubmark paper was enclosed.

It was felt at both meetings that this is a good idea, with general agreement about the advantages of accreditation. A clear idea of the criteria and the incentives from BSUK was requested. Particular support on the training of coaches was also requested, especially that BSUK be flexible in the provision of courses and a relaxation on the minimum numbers needed for the courses, to help prevent cancellations.

2. Code of Conduct – BSUK

Proposal that clubs sign up to the BSUK Youth handbooks Code of Conduct. This will be part of a clubmark process anyway but BSUK feel it is important that the code of conduct; for coaches, children, parents and officials is seen as vital to the well being of clubs and the sport as a whole and should be actively subscribed to by all clubs.

General agreement to signing up to the code of conduct but a desire that there be a clear set of published sanctions for breaches of the guidelines.

3. 2006 Schedules – BSUK

The full schedules for both North and South will be published in the 2006 Youth Handbook prior to the season and will contain the full process of play, including a regional qualifying tournament structure to reach the Final 4 weekend. Enclosed was Tom Gillespies proposed scheduling framework.

Agreement in the North that the scheduling suggestions are a good idea and will wait for confirmation of the schedules.

Southern clubs in agreement that the three way Bronco schedules from last year generally worked well. Clubs would like to see a definite A pool and B pool in Pony, with the more committed and established clubs playing each other more, the less established or committed clubs playing either within themselves or in a more tournament format but with a way for the B pool winner has a route to playoffs and a possible Final 4 slot.

General interest in the structure of a series of tournaments over the season from both meetings.

4. Plymouth All Star Team – Tug Wilson

That the South West League again has an all star team with a playoff berth in 2006.

Agreement to the notion of a playoff slot for Plymouth but also agreement that to avoid misconceptions it would be better to not call it an all star team. It was also agreed that as long as this occurs that the travelling alternate each year. Either Plymouth travel up for the playoff, or a mutually agreed neutral location be found between Plymouth and the South.

5. Player Transfers – Neil Warne

A proposal that player transfer requests be made NOT direct to a child initially but between the coaches of the teams concerned. This is to inhibit the occasions in 2005 where children have been approached directly to move from one team to another during the season. This ensures no undue pressure is exerted upon the child. A discussion between the coaches and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child can then follow. It is also proposed that where a direct approach has been made, mid season, 1 win is deducted from the offending clubs standings record.

As this is already covered in BBF bye-laws the matter itself was only discussed briefly. There is no sanction identified in the bye-laws but BSUK will discuss whether a sanction should be applied and what that sanction will be. BSUK will communicate the result of the discussion to all clubs.

There was discussion in the South about poaching occurring at the GB Academy. BSUK takes a very dim view of this and it will be dealt with immediately.

6. Rostering/Registration Issues – Various

That there be cross rostering of players eligible to play Bronco and Pony on the website, to make it clear who is and is not eligible to play.

That rostering of coaches/managers is a mandatory part of the affiliation process. That each team contains at least two coaches of L2 or above, appearing on the roster and are responsible for the management of that team during the season. John Mills

Proposed that there be a way of identifying non-British players on the website. John Eaton/Roleen McNeilage

There was discussion around the proposal on website rostering by Rob Hodgson.

There was general agreement that clubs should be able to see all rosters, not necessarily just within their league, that it should be made easier to roster players, that it be made easier to identify and roster kids who are eligible to play both Bronco and Pony on both respective teams. It is also suggested that coaches be identified by their qualification (which will link with clubmark) and also identify those who have undergone CRB, with only CRB checked people able to see certain data, in line with Data and Child Protection laws. It was also agreed that it should be possible to identify a child as UK or non-UK for the purposes of complying with youth pitching rules. A conversation document between Rob and Geof Ellingham, webmaster will be the basis for organising the necessary changes to the website.

7. Increasing Pony distances – Various

That Pony distances are increased to adult distances (90feet) and Bronco increased to 75 feet, with Rookie remaining at 60 feet.

Whilst it was felt useful to have the discussion on extending the distances each year, it was also generally agreed that baseball is not yet in a position to go to longer distances. It was felt that once the development of youth baseball has progressed to the point of two year age bands for play this will be more achievable.

8. Official Scorers – BSUK

That each club/team has an official scorer for Pony and Bronco games, normally provided by the home team. The scoresheets will be retained and archived for future review. Part of the clubmark criteria will be that each club/team has an official scorer, with BSUK aiding clubs/teams without an official scorer to receive scoring clinics.

Both meetings agreed that this is a useful thing to put in place, either with clubs themselves organising clinics or, for those without scorers, clinics from the Scorers Association.

9. Must Slide Rule – John Eaton/Roleen McNeilage

A proposal that it is safer to remove the must slide rule in youth baseball.

A mixed response to this item. The meetings felt that there is too much inconsistency in umpiring on this matter but also felt that the rule should not necessarily be removed. There was agreement that common sense should be used in applying the rule, with discussion between coaches and the umpire before the game on the proper application of the rule.

10. No Double Headers – John Eaton/Roleen McNeilage

That double headers take up too much time for kids playing, with parents complaining of a day being wasted.

Almost universal agreement at the meetings that it is not a good idea to remove double headers.

11. Dissemination of Play Up Dispensations – John Eaton/Roleen McNeilage

That all youth clubs are informed of those who have been given dispensation to play up.

BSUK agree entirely with this suggestion and will make a list available immediately prior to the season plus any additional dispensations given during the season.

12. Umpire Development – BSUK

That final year Pony players be given umpire training paid for by BSUK, with those kids giving a commitment to umpiring a minimum of three games of Pony or Bronco scheduled games in the season. This will increase the pool of umpires and give those kids who dont go on to play adult baseball a route to remain within the baseball community and contributing.

General agreement that this is a good way to augment the numbers of umpires available. It was suggested that it would not be useful to have final year Pony players plate umpire Pony games but that it would be useful to have them field umpire at Pony games with an experienced plate umpire on hand. It was felt that, where possible, each game the kids umpire (Bronco also) will have an adult umpire to support them in their development. It was also noted that an adult is required to be present to confrom with Health and Safety laws for under 18s.

13. Tie Break Rules – Nick Bustin

That the tie break rules be changed from the following current criteria:

1. The team that has forfeited the fewest games during the regular season
2. The direct head to head won/lost record during the regular season
3. The direct head to head lowest total of runs conceded in the regular season, between the tied teams
4. The drawing of lots

There was general agreement that the tie break rules should not change, that run difference rewards the hitting team to load up on runs, rather than recognise the defensive sides control of their game.

14. Scheduling of Games – Nick Bustin

That future schedules leave less of a gap between the end of season and playoffs and Final 4.

To maintain a consistent schedule that is fulfilled, the summer break can be used to make up games, and to hold tournaments. The group recognised that having the Final 4 during school time is necessary, but having it earlier in September would be ideal.

15. AOB

• The lack of attendees was discussed and it was agreed that it is not too burdensome to have a representative to come to these meetings. It was agreed that sanctions for those not attending should be put in place.