Article I - Name
The name of this Association shall be “Seal Beach Pony Baseball and Softball”

Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this Association shall be to provide a sports program for the benefit of the children of Seal Beach and surrounding communities.

Article III - Policy
The Seal Beach Pony Baseball shall be a volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization.
The policy of this Association shall be to provide a wholesome, educational and competitive sports program primarily concerned with safety, fair play and sportsmanship, and recognizing the various skill level of participants.

Article IV – Management

a.     The affairs of this Association shall be managed by the Board of Directors.

b.    Members of this Board of Directors shall consist of;

1.         Elected Officers :President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Baseball, Director of Softball and Director of Ways and Means;

2.         Chairpersons of following Standing Committees: Volunteer/Team Parent Chair, Registration Committee Chair and;

3.         Members At Large: representatives of the parents of participating children, not to exceed four (4).

Article V – Officers and Duties

a.     President - President shall preside at all meetings of League membership and at all meetings of the Board of Directors; attend all meetings held by regional PONY Baseball, Inc.; ensure that all league personnel are briefed on all rules, regulations, and policies of the Board of Directors and PONY Baseball Inc.; perform such duties and assignments as customarily pertain to the office; assumes the duties of any Board member in that members absence and may countersign checks with the Treasurer. The President shall make decisions based on his/her determination of what is in the best interests of the league overall, not just a single player, manager, coach, team or parent. The president may not act as a manager of any team, Pinto level/U10 or above, without majority approval of the Board. The President is a non-voting member of the Board, and any subcommittees/meetings on or in which he/she may be participating.  In the event of a tie vote, the President will cast the deciding vote.  The President must be a resident of the City of Seal Beach to hold office.

b.    Vice President/President Elect – VP/President Elect shall perform such duties as are assigned by the President, shall be an ex officio member of all Standing Committees, and shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the latter’s absence or disability.

c.     Treasurer - Treasurer shall: receive and disburse all funds with the approval of the Board of Directors, collect, deposit, and disperse league funds, be the  primary signatory on all checks; keep an accurate account of all funds received and disbursed for the league; submit a financial report at all regular monthly meetings and at such times as may be requested by the President; and is responsible for obtaining league insurance coverage.  Amounts of $500 or more that are not included as a regular, recurring budget expense(s) require approval of the Board of Directors and the signatures of two Board members.

d.    Secretary – The Secretary shall have custody of the By-laws, and other records of the league; shall keep an accurate record of the meetings and other activities of the league and of the Board of Directors; shall be responsible for all correspondence on behalf of the league (except sponsor letters); and shall transfer all records and correspondence to any person elected to succeed him/her in that office.

e.     Director of Baseball and Director of Softball – The Director of Baseball and Director of Softball shall each:  appoint Commissioners to oversee each division under them; organize the player drafts and assist the Commissioners in the creation of teams and selection of Head Coaches; determine the different division’s eligibility parameters, and establish player and league rules based on PONY rules and Seal Beach Specific rules, as well as All-Star (both divisional and tournament teams) parameters and eligibility; assist the Commissioners in organizing the All-Star selection; be responsible for the scheduling of all league games and coordinate any Inter-League games.

f.      Ways and Means – Shall coordinate sponsorships and other activities as requested by Board.

Article VI – Appointed Committee Chairs

a.     Volunteers/Team Parents - Volunteer/Team Parent shall be responsible for the indoctrination and organization of team parents (mom/dad) in support of the organization’s activities.

b.    Registration Coordinator - Shall supervise the annual registration of player candidates; assists League Commissioners in coordinating the player draft and the distribution of players among teams; shall maintain any listing of eligible players (or late registered players) not assigned to teams who may be available as replacements; shall supervise the creation of and distribution of preseason flyers announcing registration for Spring and Fall baseball seasons; shall create and maintain the Master Calendar of key dates for the year, and propose a Master Calendar for the next year prior to the end of the current season.

c.     Equipment Manager - Purchases and maintain all playing equipment utilized by the teams; ensures that all equipment is in a safe condition prior to that equipment or piece being distributed to a team manager; presents an estimated budget for the next year’s expenditures; maintains records of all equipment dispersal and requires all managers to sign for all issued equipment; arranges for the return of all equipment; oversees appropriate distribution of used equipment; issues and records distribution of keys to all storage sheds as necessary to coaches and obtains keys at end of season

d.    Uniform Manager - Researches and gathers all competitive bids from suppliers and vendors of uniforms (including tournament uniforms) and submits to the Board for guidance or approval. Arranges for the purchase and distribution of uniforms

e.     Umpire Coordinator - Negotiates and arranges contracts, for submission to and approval by Board, for professional umpires for division play, including tournament play; chairs the Rules Committee; enlists a volunteer to coordinate umpires; organizes an umpire clinic for all umpires; assures that umpires are present for all games, and evaluates their progress during the regular season; documents and presents to the Board any and all umpire-related incidents.

f.      Website Coordinator - Shall be responsible for maintaining an appropriate website for the league and shall update the website with accurate information on a timely basis including regularly updating the site with standings, schedules, events and announcements.  All information to be posted to the website must be approved by the Board This position, with approval of the board, can receive payment for services rendered to the league.

g.     Snack Shack Chair - The snack bar chair  shall be responsible for the management of the snack bar, staffing, inventory control and purchasing and such other food-related activities as are directed by the Board of Directors.

h.    Disciplinary Actions Committee - Upon receipt of a written request by any member of the league, the board shall have the authority through this committee, to suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline any member, manager, coach, player, league official, umpire or other person whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interests of the league. Such action shall only be taken after a prompt, full review by the committee of the incident(s) and facts, which gave rise to the written complaint being filed, and only if said committee meets and thereafter recommends such action be taken. This committee may decide the method of investigating the matter(s) giving rise to the complaint, ensuring, however, that all involved parties are given the opportunity to present their views in person or via representatives of their choosing. The above procedures apply during any all parts of the playing season. The President shall chair and name this committee if called upon to do so, taking care not to include any persons who may be either directly or indirectly involved with the incident. If the President is unable to participate in this meeting/review, then the VP/President elect will act in his/her stead. This committee will be comprised of all elected Board members and the Head Umpire.

i.      Special Committees - From time to time, issues may arise that need to be addressed, which are not already addressed by one of the above committees. Any member of the Board may request that a committee be established for the limited purpose of addressing such issues. Such requests may be put to a vote by the Board or be established at the discretion of the President.  The special committee will disband when the specific issue is resolved.

j.      League Commissioners - The Directors of Baseball and Softball Operations shall appoint a Commissioner for each Division organized by the Association; said appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Commissioners shall recruit prospective team managers and coordinate interviews of new managers with the Board if needed; submit managers names to the Board for final approval and give notification to approved managers; disseminate information to managers regarding the operation, activities and rules of the league; notify managers of any schedule changes after conferring with the Head Umpire; serve as first person consulted with respect to any problems associated with a team, manager, coach, player or parent; recommend any action to be taken by the Board with respect to the above; assist managers with any issues or questions that arise regarding a team; represent their division on the Board of Directors during the regular, Fall and tournament seasons; coordinate with the player’s agent and assume responsibly for their division’s tryouts and player draft. Commissioners may not act as the managers of any team in the division, which they represent without majority approval of the Board of Directors.

Article VII – Elections

a.     A quorum consisting of  fifty percent (50%) of the Board members shall be required for all elections.

b.    The election of the VP/President elect and all other officers shall be by majority vote of the Board of Directors at the annual summer meeting required by Article X of these By-Laws.

c.     Terms of Office - The regular term of office is one (1) year. The term of office of an Officer elected to fill the unexpired term of a regularly elected Officer shall be to the expiration of the regular term of the replaced officer.  The VP/President Elect shall serve one year in that position and shall automatically assume the position and duties of the President for the following one-year term.

d.    Removal from office - No duly-elected Officer shall be removed from office except for cause, and then only after opportunity to respond to charges and by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full Board of Directors.

e.     Succession - In the event of the resignation, removal, death or permanent disability of the President during the regular term of office, the VP/President elect shall succeed to the office of President for the remainder of the current term. A new VP/President elect shall be voted in at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII - Standing Committees

a.     Chairpersons – Chairpersons of the Standing Committees shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the President subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

b.    Ways and Means – The Committee on Ways and Means shall be responsible for the fund-raising activities of the Association, under the guidance of the Board of Directors.

c.     Rules – The Committee on Rules shall be responsible for recommending and publishing playing and ground rules for the leagues and divisions organized by the Association, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

d.    Publicity – The Committee on Publicity shall be responsible for publicizing the Association’s activities as directed by the Board of Directors.

Article IX - Parents’ Representative

Parents’ Representatives on the Board of Directors shall be volunteer’s nominated by the parents of participating children, and approved by the Board of Directors.  There shall be no more than four (4) parent representatives at any time.
The Parents’ Representatives shall have such duties as are assigned by the President. 

Article X – Organization Chart.

Article XI – Meetings

a.     The Board of Directors shall meet annually in the summer after the  conclusion of the regular SBPB season for the purpose of receiving ‘season-ending’ reports and recommendations from the Officers, Chairpersons of Standing Committees, Parents’ Representatives, and Commissioners.

b.    The Board of Directors shall meet annually in the summer for the purposes of: (1) electing the VP/President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Baseball and Director of Softball in accordance with Article VI. Elections, (2) approving a budget for the coming year, and (3) establishing a schedule of activities and events, (4) conducting such other business as may be appropriate in accordance with these By-Laws and (5) appointing commissioners.

c.     The Board of Directors shall receive comments and recommendations from the parents of children participating in the Association’s activities and (2) receive nominations for and appoint up to four (4) Parents’ Representatives to the Board in accordance with Article VIII Parents’ Representatives.

d.    The Board of Directors shall meet at such other times as are deemed necessary by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors.

e.     All meetings of the Board of Directors shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rule of Order (addendum).

f.      A quorum for the purposes of taking binding action shall consist of 50% of the voting members of the Board of Directors.  A vacant membership is not counted for the quorum requirement

Article XII – Voting

a.     Except as specified in Article VII Elections, decisions and actions of the Board of Directors shall be by a majority vote.

b.    The President shall not have a vote except in case of a tie, in which case the President shall cast the deciding vote.

c.     There shall be no voting by proxy.

d.    A member of the Board of Directors who occupies more than one membership position shall have only one vote. For purposes of quorum (Article X Meetings) and removal (Article VI Elections), such multi-occupancies shall count as one membership.

e.     There shall be no secret ballot, except at the request of an Officer subject to a removal motion under Article VI Elections.

f.      Commissioners shall be entitled to vote only on matters directly affecting their responsibilities and activities as set forth in Article V. Such entitlement shall not change quorum as set forth in Article X Meetings.

Article XIII - Compensation
Members of the Board of Directors shall receive no compensation, financial or otherwise, for their services.

Article XIV - Amendments
Except for Article VII Elections, these By-Laws may be amended or suspended at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Elected Officers.  Article VII Elections as it relates to term of office may only be amended or suspended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the full Board of Directors and can only be suspended to allow a person to serve in an office for one additional year.

Article XV – Indemnification of Board of Directors and Officers

The Association, its receiver or its trustee, shall defend, indemnify, hold harmless and pay all judgments and claims against the elected officers, their employees, agents and assigns from any liability, loss claim for damages or damage incurred by them by reason of any act performed or omitted to be performed by them in connection with the Association’s business, including costs and attorneys fees and any amounts expended in the settlements of any claims of liability, loss or damage (unless the loss, liability or damage was caused by the fraud or criminal act of the indemnified person).

Article XVI – Code of Conduct

OBJECTIVE The goal of SBPB is to assure that it’s member- players, coaches, parents and directors – maintain the highest standard of sportsmanship and ethical behavior at all times.

PLAYERS All players shall abstain from the following activities at all times. Any violation of these rules will result in the appropriate action being taken from the “Procedures to Address Misconduct”.

· Foul or obscene language

· Indecent gestures.

· Fighting

· Arguing with Umpires for any reason

· Substance abuse

· Throwing objects in anger

· Showing disrespect or arguing with coaches

· Harassing opposing team’s players, coaches or parents.

   (General Baseball chatter is not harassing).

 

DIRECTORS Director’s are responsible for providing direction and organization for SBPB. A Director is expected to maintain exemplary behavior and sportsmanship at all times. Directors are expected to:

· Act on the behalf of the league and the office they are representing above their own personal goals and objectives.

· Maintain the “Code of Conduct” for coaches and parents when conducting business on the behalf of SBPB.

· To conform to all the rules established by SBPB, the Pony League and the ASA.

COACHES All coaches shall abstain from the following actions at all times. Any violation of these rules will result in the appropriate action being taken from the “Procedures to Address Misconduct”.

·  Foul or obscene language

·  Indecent gestures.

·  Fighting (Physical contact of any type)

·  Umpire abuse

·  Substance abuse

·  Object throwing

·  Arguing with opposing team coaches or parents

·  Harassing of own or opposing team’s players, coaches or parents

·  Violating written division rules or safety rules.

PARENTS/SPECTATORS Spectators and parents shall abstain from the following actions at all times. Any violation of these rules will result in the appropriate action being taken from the “Procedures to Address Misconduct”.

·  Foul or obscene language

·  Indecent gestures

·  Umpire abuse

·  Substance abuses

·  Object throwing

·  Arguing with the opposing team’s coaches or parents for any reason

·  Heckling or harassing own or opposing players, coaches or parents

·  Entering the playing field or dugout without the approval of both team managers and the umpire.

PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS VIOLATIONS
Most first time minor violations to the “Code of Conduct” should be resolved between individuals or within the team. Serious violations to “Code of Conduct” should be immediately reported to the appropriate Commissioner and the Director. The Softball and Baseball Operations will conduct a thorough review of the situation with the assistance of the appropriate Commissioner and report the findings to the SBPB Board of Directors at the first scheduled Board meeting. Special Board meetings can be called to address serious violations of the “Code of Conduct” at the discretion of the SBPB president.
The Board of Directors will make the final determination of which actions, if any, may be appropriate to the circumstances. If disciplinary actions are necessary, available options include, but are not limited to the following actions: (see Player, Coaches, Parent and Director charts) available upon request. To assure consistent disciplinary actions are given out for like violations, the Board of Directors will attempt to refer to these charts as often as possible.