AMATEUR BASEBALL CONGRESS OF WASHINGTON
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME
The Name of this baseball organization shall be Amateur Baseball Congress of Washington hereinafter referred to as the ABCW.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
1. The ABCW is the Parent organization for all American Amateur Baseball Congress leagues and teams in Washington and shall provide a means of administering and providing a group umbrella for all Leagues and teams which dual register with other National organizations. Including but not limited to, Babe Ruth, National Amateur Baseball Federation, Continental Amateur Baseball Association and others that may be added at a later date, in the governing territory of ABCW. In addition, providing a standardized approach and/or rules to govern all leagues. Building fairness in recruiting and playing character, sportsmanship, citizenship, and spirit of cooperation among its teams, players, parents and fans. Teams must abide by the ABCW Constitution to qualify for post-season play. Including but not limited to, Connie Mack, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Babe Ruth, NABF, CABA or any other national franchise that is governed by ABCW.
2. Additionally, the purpose of ABCW is to insure that all players are treated fairly and equally in the recruiting process and league teams have an equal recruiting philosophy.
3. The ABCW Executive Board (hereafter referred to as the Board) will be responsible for determining the validity of this “purpose” as it applies to any applicants requesting membership for entry into ABCW leagues.
4. Teams requesting membership into ABCW leagues are subject to approval by the ABCW Board.
ARTICLE III GOVERNMENT
1. The Government of the ABCW shall be vested in its Board of Directors and the Officers as noted throughout this document.
2. The decision of, or the individual powers of, any officer are final and may only be overridden, or appealed by a majority of the Board.
3. Any and all new State of Washington leagues in all AABC age groups must be approved and sanctioned by the Current State Director, and the ABCW Board.
4. The Current ABCW Board of Directors
4a. Dean Foster State Director AABC, President & Treasure
4b.Dean Foster State Director Stan Musical, Connie Mack, Roberto
Clemente
4c. Les Dow State Director Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays Secretary
4d. Becky Buckley State Director Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese
Vice President
4e. Don Moe board member at large
Additional board members may be added with a majority vote of the ABCW Board.
Voting Privileges:
(a) Each Member of the Board shall have one equal vote.
(b) A simple majority is needed to pass. Three members are required for a Quorum.
(c) In the event of a tie, the President of ABCW has an additional vote to break the tie.
5. The ABCW board of Directors shall have complete authority within the boundaries of the ABCW to render decision on policy, rules,
regulations, and member leagues affiliated with the ABCW.
ARTICLE IV
ABCW OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS CONTACT NUMBERS
The Officers & Board Members are:
1. President/Treasurer, Dean Foster 2027 196th St. SW Suite A106 Lynnwood, WA. 98036. H 206.364.0726, C 206.369.5201, email: fosterdean@aol.com
2. Becky Buckley, H 425-771-9294, Fax 425-778-1642,
C 425-330-5335, email: bbuckley@nwlink.com
3. Secretary Les Dow H425.883.7319, W425.451.1165, FX425.451.1032, C206.999.7975 email: les@tripledconst.com
4. Board Member: Don Moe 19410 -36th Ave. W#12 Lynnwood, WA. 98036 W425.778.1133 Fax 425.776.4220 C425.238.1498
email: don@americaninsuranceall.com
5. The individual league presidents, on an annual basis, will distribute ABCW Constitution and bylaws.
ARTICLE V.
DIVISIONS OF AABC CURRENTLY COVERED BY ABCW
1. Each League of the ABCW is required to have a Board of Directors
Consisting of the following officials:
(a) President
(b) Secretary & treasurer
2. The President of each league shall name the league officers.
3. Additional division or league officers, such as Tournament Directors, Publicity Director, etc., may be appointed.
4. Division or league rules may be more specific or restrictive than those prescribed by the AABC and or the ABCW. However, such modifications shall not be less restrictive than the rules outlined by the AABC and or the ABCW
5. DIVISIONS: Currently the ABCW covers the Membership of the following divisions:
(a) Roberto Clemente Division: (Age 8U) none of whose
Players will reach their 9th birthday before May 1st of the current
playing year.
(b) Willie Mays Division: (Age 10U) none of whose players
Will reach their 11th birthday before May 1st of the current playing year.
(c) Pee Wee Reese Division: (Age 12U) none of whose
players will reach their 13th birthday before May 1st of the
current playing year.
(d) Sandy Koufax Division: (Age 14U) none of whose players
Will reach their 15th birthday before May 1st of the current
playing year.
(e) Mickey Mantle Division: (Age 15U) none of whose players will read their 16th birthday before May 1st of the current playing year.
(f) Mickey Mantle Division: (Age 16U) none of whose
players will reach their 17th birthday before May 1st of the
current playing year.
(g) Connie Mack Division :(Age 18U) none of whose players
will reach their 19th birthday before May 1st of the current playing
year.
(h) Stan Musical Division: (unlimited Age)
(i) Babe Ruth, CABA and NABF divisions will follow the league age of USA Baseball.
7. Registration: All membership leagues shall register each year on or
before January 15th.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS – NOTICES - COMMUNICATION
1. The President or the Board shall call a meeting on or before the 15th of Dec of each year. This meeting will be for the purpose of disposing of any old business and organizing the ABCW for the current/upcoming season. For this meeting email notice is appropriate.
2. The President or other Board Members upon E-Mail notification to Board Members, five (5) days in advance of the meeting, may call special meetings. 50% of the sitting Board will constitute a Quorum, but no less than three members must be present for a Quorum.
3. The President or the Board of ABCW will require league presidents to report the number of teams playing in the state tournaments. The report is due on or before July 1 of the current playing year.
ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership shall consist of amateur leagues of not less than 12 teams, in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Constitution. Deviation from any membership requirement may be permitted subject to the discretion of the ABCW Board. The Board shall review any such deviations annually.
2. New leagues may be formed subject to the approval of the
Board. All leagues are subject to the rules as set forth in this constitution.
3. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
Team membership in ABCW leagues will require the following:
(a) Team Owner: The person who owns the Team and is its sole Official Representative. Team Administrators, Players, Workers, Fans, Parents, Sponsors, Managers, Coaches or anyone associated with a team shall here forth be viewed by the ABCW as employees (paid or not) of the owner. Owners are responsible to insure all people they hire or appoint to carry out their teams business. The appointees shall be responsible adults. Anyone having direct contact with players will have a required criminal/sex offender’s background check. The team owner will be responsible for completing the background check. http://ml.waspc.org/index.aspx . https://watch.wsp.wa.gov/Inbox?Index=5
http://www.familywatchdog.us/
Insurance companies require this of all coaches, volunteers and any person with direct contact with players.
RCW 26.44.030
(b) When any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory authority, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency, provided that the person alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the organization and coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child or children or regularly has unsupervised access to a child or children as part of the employment, contract, or voluntary service. No one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication as provided in RCW 5.60.060.
(b) Owners who have demonstrated good Sportsmanship and have honored the ABCW & other Programs League rules.
(c) Returning owners whose fees, fines and assessments are paid in full and who otherwise are in good standing.
(d) All Owners will have E-Mail (more than one) that are capable of downloading Microsoft, Word and Excel attachments “OR” a responsible person in their organization who has this capability.
(e) Guests are welcome to attend meetings but will not become members until they have been accepted by the ABCW. Payment of League fees, or the payment of the first installment or a Team deposit does not constitute membership. Should this team and/or Owner be judged to not qualify for membership the fee would be refunded in full.
(f) Owners and/or Teams are required to be in good standing with all other leagues and affiliations governed by ABCW. The team owners, prior to membership must resolve all financial obligations.
(g) Owners, who have demonstrated behavioral or organizational problems with other Leagues, Tournaments or the ABCW, are not eligible for membership. For example, harassing League/Tournament Officials, backing out of tournaments after committing, not showing for games, failure to pay umpire fees,Team/Fan bad sportsmanship and similar behavior.
(h) High School Coaches who are involved in summer teams must file for, and be granted a waiver to be eligible for entry into any ABCW league.
(i) High school coaches, high school administrators and or high school booster clubs, will not use their position to pressure players to participate on a specific summer team or summer baseball organization. Tactics, such as instructing, alluding to, or communicating with a potential player for the purpose of directing that player to a specific team or organization is prohibited. Any coach that is grated a waiver and is believed to be in violation of this rule may be banned and reported to the WIAA.
(j) Teams may petition the ABCW for a waiver entry into the league.
1. ABCW Board evaluation is subjective and the appeal decision will be based on our understanding of each team situation.
2. ABCW recognizes and understands the interest HS coaches have in wanting their future HS players playing in their system. This relationship does seem natural, but is not fair to the athlete and creates the unfair recruiting advantage by the HS coach or agents.
(k) Granting of Membership is the sole responsibility of the ABCW Board. Assessment of membership can be subjective and will be administered by the Board. There is no appeal process.
(l) Membership is predicated on compliance of rules and bylaws of ABCW.
(m)The ABCW has prepared a document, which is an open letter to parents, and players who attend certain High Schools known to institute “Territorial Inclusion”. This document is available upon request and the ABCW suggests to its members who are recruiting players from certain schools provide this letter before the player commits to joining an ABCW team.
**Inclusion is defined as a High School Coach who forces a student residing in his geographical area to play for his summer team or a team that he has directed a player to join.
4. REGISTRATION
1. Three copies of the league registration form must be prepared and
sent to the ABCW State Director, along with payment for annual dues.
the filing deadline described above, subject to a penalty. The extent
of which to be determined solely at the discretion of the ABCW Board.
5. Umpires
1. Always treat them with respect.
2. Use their first name, record it at the plate meeting.
3. Do not yell at the umpires from the dugout.
4. No physical contact with umpires.
5. Report any problems to the league office and the umpires association
ARTICLE VIII
DUES
1. Dues must be paid to the ABCW each year by January 15. In addition, three (3) copies of the league registration forms must be received by January 15, or the teams will be ineligible to play under the auspices of the ABCW.
2. The amount of dues will be determined each year by the ABCW Board.
Rosters – Recruiting - Tampering
Each team shall submit their roster to the ABCW Board prior to their first league game. The president of ABCW shall forward all rosters to the appropriate state director by July 1. Roster must be on the correct Form for the age group involved.
1. Player contracts are not required for League Play, nor does AABC, CABA, NABF, or Babe Ruth National Organizations require them. A new signed roster form is now used in place of contracts; however, Teams may use a Contract to freeze players. All contracts, or roster freezes expire when that team has completed its final game of the League’s regular and post-season play (State, Regional or World Series).
Contracts, if used, shall only be for the current playing year.
A Player is considered rostered if he has:
1. Signed a contract
2. Has taken a team Uniform (not a fall ball uniform)
3. Has paid, (not fall ball money) a deposit or fee to the team.
4. Signed an official roster and that roster has been submitted to the President of the ABCW Leagues.
5. All Team league fees & requirements are up to date.
**Attending practices or tryouts does not constitute accepting a roster position.
v Players that were rostered to a team are considered part of that team until the season’s ends for that team. From the seasons end to October 15 of the same year the player is considered a free agent. After October 15th the player reverts back to the former team. The commitment date for all players Mickey Mantle or Connie Mack is October 15th. Any player that is contacted prior to the season ending or after October 15th by another team, player, parent, agent, coach is considered tampering.
A Team may sign up players, for the following Season, anytime after the current year season is complete for that Players team.
(For example: A Team goes to the State Tournament and stops play on July 21st, Those players are now eligible to be signed on any team for the next baseball season.)
ARTICLE X
RELEASES/TAMPERING
1. There will be no tampering between teams or Leagues that are members in the ABCW Organization. All members are part of the same ABCW organization and must respect each other’s rosters. Once a player has committed to play for any League or team covered by the ABCW, for the current or upcoming season, the player must not be tampered with. Tampering with a player from a younger age group to an older age group, is in violation with ABCW rules. Tampering with a player from an older age group to a younger age group is also in violation of ABCW rules.
2. After being properly included on a team’s roster, a player is considered released by his team when a release letter (email) signed/sent by the Team Owner has been filed with the League President or ABCW. Such player shall then become eligible to sign with any other team in the league. Players on disbanded or teams banned from its League are considered released.
3. TAMPERING; No coach, Team Owner, parent/player or anyone associated with a team shall solicit or in any way urge a player from another team to leave his team or seek a release after a player has signed a contract, paid money and/or has been included on an official roster. Any such recruiting tactics will be considered tampering. Should any member of this league submit a protest about such activities to the ABCW Board, the Board shall investigate and make a determination. Coaches have the responsibility of contacting the player’s original coach and confirming the player has been released. The Board may appoint a committee to rule on the protest.
4. Tampering means any illegal contact between any age group in the ABCW. For example: An 18U team representative may not tamper with a committed player on a 16U or 15U team. A 15U team representative may not tamper with a committed player on a 14U or 13U team. Nor a 16U with an 18U or any combination thereof.
5. The Board or committee shall make a determination of the protest. Validation of the protest requires appropriate action to be taken which could include any or all of the following:
1. Forfeiture of Games
2. Banning the team from the league for the teams and/or parties involved
3. Banning from the State Tournament
4. Any other action deemed appropriate.
5. The findings shall be final.
6. It is clearly understood by all parties to this Constitution and By-Laws that in order to have a program, there must be fair play between members and a sense of commitment by players and parents. By accepting membership in the ABCW we all agree to this procedure.
6. Exception: If you have a Franchise System, which is an Organization that has several teams under it’s umbrella, you may move players from league to league. However, those players can only play in one AABC sanctioned State Tournament.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
1. This Constitution may be altered or amended or repealed by a Majority of the Setting Board of Directors
ARTICLE XII
Insurance
1. All teams with membership in ABCW will have one million dollars in liability insurance as a minimum coverage, two million is preferred. The coverage will also include a minimum of Twenty Five Thousand dollars of coverage for accidental medical.
2. Additional Insured: Amateur Baseball Congress of Washington will be named as an additional named insured. An endorsement must be delivered by email, regular mail, or fax. The endorsement and certificate should read as follows:
ABCW it officers and Directors
2027 196th St. SW Suite A106
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Fax 425-776-4220 Email don@americaninsureall.com Regular Mail ABCW 19410 36th Ave W # 12, Lynnwood, WA 98036
ARTICLE XIII
“BY-LAWS”
1. The duties of the officers shall be those usually allocated to such
Officers by Roberts Rules of Order, except as herein provided.
2. The Division Directors and League Presidents shall have the
authority to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with this
Constitution.
3. The ABCW State Director, the Division Directors and league
Presidents shall have the authority to suspend any player, manager or coach for just cause.
4. The official rules of the ABCW shall be utilized as the rules governing all playing rules, roster and contract rules. The National governing body will determine tournament rules, player eligibility rules, and residence rules of all divisions and leagues of the ABCW.
This Constitution shall remain the governing document for teams that are members of ABCW. This document may be amended at the discretion of the ABCW Board of Directors.
**Adopted on November 9, 2006
PRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECTOR DEAN FOSTER
VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR BECKY BUCKLEY
SECRETARY/DIRECTOR LES DOW
DIRECTOR DON MOE
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