Lakes Softball League Minutes

Spanish Village – 3:00 PM

October 21, 2026

 

Called to order: 3:04

Welcome and Introductions

 

Reports

• President’s Report

  • President Anthony Speranza confirmed that all teams were able to find the new 52/300 ball and recommended that, going forward, teams consider the composite cover.

  • He reminded teams that both managers report scores to Kathy. In addition, they are to report all balls hit out of the park in fair territory, regardless if they are HRs, singles, or outs along with who hit them for analysis purposes.

  • He also reminded everyone that a player needed to play in a minimum of ten games to be tournament eligible. Being on the initial roster and out due to medical reasons is an exception.

  • All players in B and C Divisions must sign a PEAR Park waiver and will not be eligible to play there without having done so. D does not play at PEAR so the waiver is not necessary..

  • Draft League rosters are filled with a waiting list. They have a 15 game schedule plus tournament.

• VP Report: Rules

  • VP Keith Kittle reviewed how Impact players could only substitute for another Impact player already in the lineup but could serve as a courtesy runner. Anyone on the lineup card – sub or game player – could run once per inning.

  • Pitching screens are mandatory.

  • A forfeit score is 8-0 regardless of when the game was forfeited or what the score had been.

  • Reminder that the Umpire Clinic would be Friday, 10/23/26 at 2PM at SV

• Secretary’s Report

  • Secretary Rick Farfsing explained how the very recent loss of a team in D Division resulted in significant schedule changes. At this point, any changes to the schedule (time, etc) are to be between the two managers with Kathy being notified immediately upon final agreement.

• Treasurer’s Report

  • Treasurer Rob French reported we posted a beginning balance of $673.85. When all is said and done, we will have collected $1520.00 in team dues (at $80 per team) which include 15 B/C/D teams and 4 Draft teams for a balance of $1893.85.

• Parity Committee Report

  • Parity Chair Rob French explained that this year the Executive Board served as the Parity Committee. As a group they insisted on player safety and reasonable parity forming the basic framework from which the divisions would be determined. Starting with that philosophy the Committee realized that the B Division was an open division and had no need for player assessment but C and D did. The C Division was one where some very good players and some weak players would be playing which led to looking at the overall strength of teams vs individuals. The D Division was designed to be more social in nature and designed for lesser skilled and/or older players. Therefore more emphasis was placed on individuals.

 

• Roster Committee Report

  • Roster Chair Rick Polte reported that six teams still had waivers outstanding. He understands that players may not yet be back and asked that teams continue to communicate with him regarding things like that.

 

Business

• Location of All Star Game and Tournaments

  • Moved by Royal Highlands, supported by Clerbrook D, and passed without opposition, that the following locations be adopted for this year:

    • All Star Game – Royal Highlands

    • B Tournament – To be determined

    • C Tournament – Spanish Village

    • D Tournament – Highland Lakes

• Support/replacement of Kathy Bontrager, webmaster

  • Kathy asked for someone to start getting involved with the website both as a backup as well as a possible replacement. Fred Hartlett volunteered and was approved.

  • She also reported that there are now buttons to allow managers to download rosters from the website. If managers ever notice anything in error, please notify her ASAP.

• Ramifications of no legal (52/300) balls at/during game

  • Rather than enforcing potentially punitive actions should a home team lack approved game balls, it was moved by LAH, supported by Clerbrook that in such situations the teams share balls, even if they have to use practice balls. It was urged that everyone carry one or two extra game balls “just in case...”

 

Discussion / Other Announcements or Updates

• Bat compression tester: Jerry Francis, TM Sports

  • Jerry and Jeremiah discussed how bats become altered/illegal and how the illegalities can be detected. The two will be providing at no cost to the league bat compression testing with reports going to the league They graciously spent a good deal of time fielding questions.

    • A suggestion that came from random discussion was to warn players that Senior Bats are not approved for Lakes League and that use of one, even accidentally, could result in disciplinary action.

    • Another suggestion arose that managers should warn their players that when buying a used bat, BUYER BEWARE. The purchaser would become responsible should the bat be illegal.

• Sun and Fun

  • Big change in rules is reverting back to a 0-0 count but playing seven innings.

• 70s

  • Season starts early December. Start time will be 11AM

 

Adjourn: 4:53

 

LEAGUE WEBSITE: https://bontr1km.wixsite.com/lakesleague