Minutes of the League Meeting
of Airdrie Ladies’ Fastball League held via Zoom teleconference
on June 8, 2021 from 8:05 pm to 9:12 pm
Attendees: Shannon Nowek (TNT), Bonnie Buckle (Brewers), Leslee Sanderman (Brewers), Danielle Frost (Foxes), Jennifer Resch (Foxes), Katelyn Miller (Foxes), Tamara Keller (Chargers), Krystal MacDonald (Chargers), Corrie Colter (Brewers), Lauren Carfantan (Brewers), Reegan Lucas (Chargers), Tammy Goutsis (Chargers)
Guests: Kathy Ervin, Calgary Industrial Softball Association (CISA)
Ms. Bonnie Buckle, President of the League, called the meeting to order and acted as Chairman of the meeting. Ms. Shannon Nowek, Secretary of the League acted as Secretary of the meeting.
Ms. Nowek confirmed that TNT, Brewers, Chargers and Foxes are represented at the League meeting and each team is allowed 2 votes for resolutions.
2021 Season
Ms. Buckle advised that the League is going to proceed with a season.
The City has provided communication indicating that diamond fees are $45/hour, diamonds are booked by the hour and rainouts will be refunded. Ms. Buckle has asked the city to confirm how to book the diamonds and is awaiting a response.
Ms. Buckle provided an update to the League regarding the increase in City fees and the Councils decision to keep the increase in effect, despite concerns from all the softball leagues. The league members will be kept apprised of the media communication that the Executive intends to put together on behalf of the league.
Ms. Buckle has reported that no team has a full roster at this time.
The League needs to determine the length of season wanting to be played. It will be difficult to play Sundays and Wednesday with only 4 potential teams.
Ms. Kathy Ervin of CISA asked if the ALFL would be interested in playing Sundays in Airdrie and Wednesday in Calgary with CISA. CISA starts on June 16th and goes until August 18th, doubleheaders on Wednesdays. CISA asked if Airdrie could provide one team to come into Calgary each week.
ALFL would need one point of contact to organize players.
ALFL agreed to let CISA players spare in the league to ensure teams have enough players and can add them to the spare distribution list. Ms. Buckle will send Ms. Ervin the email for registering spares.
The Executive will add a field to the ALFL registration asking if members are interested in playing Wednesdays in Calgary. If there are enough members interested, additional fees can be collected.
ALFL will begin on June 27th and play until August 8th, with playoff on August 15th. Games will be played on Sundays only. A schedule will be shared with the umpires to confirm availability.
Kathy Ervin left the meeting.
New Diamond Funds
Ms. Buckle reported that the Friday and Men’s leagues are no longer contributing to the new diamond fund. The League no longer has a commitment to build new diamonds with these funds. The league has $9,000 that has been contributed to date to determine what to do with. The Executive is recommending that a portion of the funds are used to subsidize the diamond costs for the 2021 season.
Members can register as individuals and pay the League directly, as opposed to their respective teams. For the 2021 season the diamond costs could be covered by the new diamond fund and the remaining funds can be utilized in future seasons. Following discussion, UPON MOTION duly proposed, seconded and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED that the ALFL use a portion of the new diamond funds as presented to reduce the cost of the diamond fees for 2021.
Confirmation of Teams
All members will register individually on the website and teams will be put together. Request for positions played will be added to registration to ensure that pitchers and catchers are available for all teams. The cost per player will be determined and approved by the Executive. Insurance for Softball Alberta will be completed by each individual player.
Other Business
Umpires
The Executive will be asking John and Taylor to be umpires and will pay $50 per game.
Registration
An email will go to all members of the league providing information on the league start dates, how to register for the league, how to register for insurance and how to submit payments.
COVID Restrictions
Ms. Buckle attended the Softball Alberta meeting, and they are proposing that softball should have less restrictions as it is a non-contact sport and is played outdoors. Softball Alberta has stated that players can play in as many leagues as like, as there are no more cohort restrictions unless mandated by each league on their own. No information has been provided to date regarding fans attending games, Ms. Buckle will advise if further information is provided.
Schedule
Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Miller will work on the schedule for the 2021 season.
Termination
There being no further business to transact the meeting was terminated.