Minutes were motioned for acceptance and seconded as written at the January 11, 2022 meeting. The Washington County Senior Softball League (WCSSL) convened for a scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday November 09, 2021 from 6:10 PM – 6:56 PM. The meeting was held at Wacohu Grange Hall, 16412 National Pike, Hagerstown, MD. The following Board members were in attendance: President-AJ Nicolosi, Vice President-Butch Hess, Secretary/Webmaster-Mark Plumley, and League Manager-Bob Thomas. (Treasurer, Tommy Hyme was absent) 17 additional league members were in attendance this evening. The President, AJ commenced the meeting at 6:10 PM and asked the Secretary to read the previously documented minutes from the September meeting. The October minutes were not recorded due to the Secretary not being in attendance. The League Secretary, Plumley read the September meeting Minutes. A motion was made to accept the minutes by Jim Flick and Seconded. The Minutes will be recorded and uploaded on the WCSSL website "News" page. The Treasurer-Tommy could not be in attendance, so a treasury report was not provided. Vice President-Butch did not have any significant news to report. Unfinished Business: President-AJ provided a brief on our planned discussion this evening starting with unfinished business from our previous meeting. Both he and Dave Barnhart met with the Washington County Parks representative, Dave Brooks, to discuss various issues. Dave Barnhart provided the following synopsis from their discussion which was very beneficial to our league with Dave Brooks being very receptive to our requests. - Dave Brooks was in agreement to the league request, to utilize Field #3. - He planned on moving all of the Pitchers mounds to a permanent distance to be within USA Senior softball compliance. Other leagues will not change and will have to adjust as needed. - He will provide the league, water based paint so we can paint the foul lines and the 165 distance line. - Lights will be preset to come on automatically to a designated time. - He would like to implement a 1:00 PM designated time for call-out on cancellation of games if there is imminent adverse weather forecast. This will also make it convenient for those that travel at greater lengths for earlier notification. - He was receptive to our "wind screen" request and advised that the County would do the installation and take care of them. His only request was that we maintain the same or similar dark green in color. There will be no sponsor logo's on them. - Dave Brooks informed us that the WCSSL will be added into the County registrar, which will provide more league exposure. This will possibly increase our player registrant count. - AJ mentioned that Dave Brooks approved of the league moving our equipment boxes down to the County fields so that we will not need to transport bases and league items as far. - Dave showed a willingness to accomodate our adjusted schedule. - He will keep us in the loop and if there are any changes. - He also advised that he would help out with our umpire clinic, by reaching out to the other leagues umpire pool. New Business: AJ continued with new business by providing the results of our recent Survey Monkey questions. He advised that the league priority for this survey was to increase our player pool and improve on existing league issues. Question 1: To change game start times to 6:30 PM. League voted in favor with 84 percent of the votes in favor of moving the start time. AJ explained that due to no lights on Field 3, a schedule change will be required later in the season. Question 2: To add additional Field #3 at Halfway Park. League voted in favor with 75 percent of the votes in favor of adding this field. Question 3: Whether league should change to paid umpires. (3 Choices) League voted in favor of staying with existing system with 53 percent of the votes in favor . 26 percent of the votes were in favor of certifying 6-8 players. 21 percent of the votes were in favor of paying for professional umpires. Question 4: Should league increase annual registration fee for better quality shirts. The votes were split right down the middle with 31 for and 31 against an increase in player fee. AJ advised that the survey results would be posted on the WCSSL website tomorrow morning. New business continued: Dave Barnhart suggested we consider utilizing paid umpires for Tournament and Championship games. AJ said we can discuss further after the League Manager convenes with the Managers in Jan-Feb timeframe. Dave also mentioned that the clinic would be very beneficial and was concurred by AJ. AJ asked Frank Hood to facilitate another more detailed Umpire Clinic. Frank said he would check with our previous instructor and mentioned or recommended that it should be probably a half day or 4 hour session to be done right. Also to be completed in the Jan-Feb timeframe. VP-Butch suggested that the league look into additional options for our uniforms. Discussion was had and Bob Tritch offered to look into pricing with a friend. AJ mentioned that we have been doing business with BJ's for a while and that they already have templates and have been accomodating our short turn around. Further discussion at the next meeting. AJ advised that the league is constantly checking on softball quality and pricing. Change is to be made once that ball is found. AJ advised that, JT informed the Board prior to the meeting that he has secured the Boonsboro American Legion for April 16, 2022 as a tentative date for our next league Bonanza. Dan Elgin suggested the Board recognize the Veteran's in the group for their Service with Veteran's Day coming up. AJ had all Military members with a show hands and were congratulated and thanked. Thank you for your Service to all of our Veterans in our WCSSL family! Tami Hardesty made a request for any types of donations to assist with homeless Veteran's that she is working hard to assist. Items can include clothing items, winter jackets, home items such as furniture. She will provide more information to the Secretary and we will post this on our website and possibly via email on where the donations can be brought. She was willing to pick up also. Thank you Tami for all that you are doing to assist those Vets! The next scheduled meeting will be January 11, 2022. Meeting was adjourned at 6:56 PM.