News and Announcements
For the sixth consecutive year, Connecticut is proud to host the Mantle North Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Tournament will be played at the Baseball Association of Wolcott (BAW) complex (Nichols Road, Wolcott, CT) and at other fields in the Greater Waterbury area. The Tournament will run from July 24th through July 27th. The winner advances to the Mantle World Series in McKinney, TX to be played from July 30th through August 4th.
Teams participating in the Mantle Regional will stay at the Coco Key Hotel and Convention Center (3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT). Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 1-800-446-1449 or 1-203-706-1000. TO RECEIVE THE GROUP RATE, YOU MUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A MEMBER OF THE MICKEY MANTLE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT ROOM BLOCK, OR USE THE GROUP CODE MMT.
The Tournament Director is Tony Santoro. He can be reached by phone at (203) 768-2715 (cell), or by email at ADSantoro@aol.com. The Tournament Committee includes Mark Finkenzeller (President of the Waterbury Mickey Mantle League, Inc.).
2013 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CABC STATE DUES ARE $15.00 PER TEAM AND THE AABC NATIONAL DUES ARE $30.00 PER TEAM. THERE IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $5.00 PER TEAM FOR REGIONAL DUES (THIS CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE CHECK FOR YOUR STATE DUES.)
REVIEW OF FEBRUARY, 2013 CABC ANNUAL MEETING
The CABC Annual Meeting was held on February 20, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the Coco Key Hotel & Convention Center in Waterbury. A quorum was present to conduct the business of the meeting. Following is a review of the issues discussed at the meeting:
1. Overview of 2012 Season- 2012 was another successful season for the CABC. Teams from Mays (Overlook), Reese (CT Combat) and Musial (Stratford Storm) advanced to World Series.
Roster requirements and Tournament procedures were reviewed.
It was stressed that each team participating in a State Tournament should sign an Intent Agreement, agreeing to advance to the next level if they earn that right.
2. Registrations- Connecticut’s registrations decreased from 244 teams to 202 teams. The number of Leagues decreased from 22 to 20.
3. Budget- The Treasurer's Report was handed out. As of February 19, 2013, the CABC had a balance of $13,370.31. It was noted that some of Tony Santoro’s expenses for the National Meeting were reimbursed by the AABC, since he has been elected to the AABC’s Board of Directors.
4. Insurance- The official carrier of AABC insurance remains K & K Insurance Group, Inc. Application forms are available online on the AABC’s website. Rates have increased for 2013. Discounts are available for Leagues registering all of their teams at once. Teams/Leagues have the option to apply for $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 for liability and participant accident coverage.
THE AABC NO LONGER ISSUES INSURANCE WAIVERS. THEREFORE, ALL TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN TOURNAMENT PLAY ABOVE THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE K & K INSURANCE.
Tony Santoro emphasized the need to have policies in place for: (1) screening of volunteers (there is a link on the AABC for Lexis/Nexis, where information is available for background screening); and (2) obtaining signed Waiver and Release forms. If teams/leagues fail to enforce a system to secure and maintain signed waivers, there will be less insurance coverage.
The CABC purchased Directors and Officers Liability Coverage in 2012 and has done so again in 2013.
5. Review of AABC Annual Meeting
(A) Rule Changes: Tony Santoro reported that some rules changes were adopted to the AABC Official Handbook at the National Meeting held in Seattle, WA in November, 2012. Copies of the rules changes were handed out at the meeting and are also available on the CABC website.
PLEASE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE RULES REGARDING BATS.
(B) Change in World Series Formats: American Baseball, Inc. will only be running the Griffey and Mattingly World Series this year. There will be fees for these Tournaments.
The Musial World Series will be played in New York this year. The Hodges World Series is returning to Brooklyn, New York.
(C) Change in World Series Travel Arrangements: Travel is no longer arranged by the AABC or the World Series host. Instead, each team will book its own travel, and will receive a set fee from the AABC. These fees have been significantly reduced. In addition, World Series teams will receive a travel allowance from our Region.
(D) AABC Website: Leagues can resister online at www.aabc.us. The AABC Official Handbook, Tournament information and a link for K & K Insurance are available on the website.(E) Single-Age Groups: World Series will once again be conducted at the single-age group levels (Jackie Robinson 9s; Hodges 11s; Nolan Ryan 13s; Griffey 15s; and Mattingly 17s). State winners in these age groups advance directly to the World Series, without having to play in a Regional Tournament.
Tony Santoro stressed that it is extremely important for any League wishing to participate in single-age group play to notify him as early as possible, so that he can reserve a slot in the World Series and determine if a State Tournament will be needed.
(F) Diamond Baseballs: There will be a price increase of approximately $3-$4/dozen.
6. 2013 World Series, Regional, Sectional and State Tournament Dates- A list of World Series, Regional and State Tournament dates for 2013 was handed out. These dates (which are posted on the CABC website) are current as of February 20, 2013 and are subject to change.
7. Review of Regional Meeting
(A) Regional Dues: Each CT team that won a Regional Tournament and advanced to a World Series in 2012 received money from the Region. Tony Santoro pointed out that the amount received greatly exceeded the $1,010.00 in Regional Dues which CT paid last year.
(B) Entry Fees for Regional Tournaments: Beginning in 2013, each team participating in a Regional Tournament will be charged an entry fee. It is expected to be approximately $200-$250/team.
The Region will also contribute money to each Tournament host.
(C) Mays and Reese: CT may have two (2) slots in the Mays and Reese Regional Tournaments, provided MD doesn’t participate.
(D) Musial: Our Region will once again have 2 slots in the World Series. CT will host one of the Regional Tournaments, with teams from Massachusetts.
(E) Regional Tournament Packages: Regional Tournament Directors have been asked to distribute information packages no later than July 1st.8. CABC Rules- CT has adopted the same bat rule as the AABC- see Rule 221 of the Official Handbook.
A form for those teams participating in more than one League has been posted on the CABC’s website. In the event a team which plays in more than one League qualifies for a Tournament from more than one League, it must declare for which League it will compete in Tournament play. This declaration must be made by June 1st.9. 2013 CABC Officers and Directors- The following people were elected as Officers and Directors of the CABC:
President/Treasurer Tony Santoro
Vice President Ray Brown
Secretary Wendy Stadalnik
Musial Director Mike Fedell
Mack Director Mark Finkenzeller
Mantle Director Mark Finkenzeller
Koufax Director Ray Brown
Reese Director Bill Ryan
Mays Director Tony Stango
Clemente Director Wendy Stadalnik
10. Deadlines for Registrations, Insurance, Schedules and 2013 State Tournament Bids, Etc.- Following is a list of important deadlines:
May 15, 2013- Deadline for submitting State Tournament Bids
June 1, 2013- (1) State Tournaments Awarded
(2) Deadline for declaration of preference for tournament play by teams in more than one League
June 15, 2013- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Clemente, Mays 9s, Mays, Hodges, Reese, Nolan Ryan 13s and Koufax
(2) Deadline for establishing residence
July 1, 2013- (1) AABC Registration Form due at National Office, with National Dues of $30.00 per team- Griffey 15s, Mantle, Mattingly, Mack and Musial
(2) CABC Rosters due at State Office, with State and Regional Dues
(3) Copies of Schedules due at State Office
11. State/Regional Tournaments- The following issues were reviewed:
(A) Insurance is mandatory for all levels of Tournament play, including State Tournaments.
(B) Under no circumstances may a player compete in Tournament competition at more than one age group Division, as specified in the AABC Official Handbook.
(C) Teams will be required to sign an “Intent Agreement” in order to participate in the State Tournament. Copies of the Agreement were passed out at the meeting and are available on the CABC website.
12. 2013 State Tournament Bid Forms- Any team or League wishing to submit a bid should contact Tony Santoro.
Single-age Tournaments are open to teams that will commit to advance.
13. Regional Tournaments- Connecticut hosted the Clemente and Mantle Regional Tournaments last year. Both Tournaments were very successful. Tony Santoro thanked Ray Brown, Mark Finkenzeller and Kyle Brennan and all Committee members and volunteers for making these Tournaments such a success.
Connecticut has been awarded the 2013 Clemente and Mantle Regional Tournaments, as well as one of the Musial Regionals.
14. 2013 Qualifying Tournaments
Mack- June 25-30- Phoenix, AZ (30 teams; $1,600 entry fee)
July 1-7- Troy, NY (30 teams; $1,600 entry fee)
Information on these Tournaments, as well as other Qualifying Tournaments which may be scheduled, is available on the AABC website.
15. Super Regional Tournaments
It has not yet been determined whether there will be a Super Regional Tournament for the Griffey Division. Any 15 year old teams interested in participating should contact Tony Santoro.
16. Roster Sheets- The CABC Roster Sheet was handed out at the meeting and is available on the CABC website. A fillable roster form has also been posted on the CABC wesbite.
17. Miscellaneous
(A) Background Checks
All managers, coaches, chaperones or other volunteers must be checked against the State Sex Offenders Registry. Each League is responsible for checking the registry with respect to each League team. Each League will have to certify to the CABC that all such persons have been checked against the Registry. If any person does appear on the Registry, Tony Santoro is to be notified in writing immediately. Failure to follow this procedure may result in loss of insurance coverage and/or disqualification from Tournament play.
This requirement does not apply to the Musial Division.
A Certification Form which must be signed and returned to the CABC by a League official was handed out, and is available on the CABC website.
(B) Portable Fence- Bill Ryan is looking into the possibility of purchasing a portable fence which can be used for State Tournament games. The cost may be split among some Leagues and the CABC.
(C) Connecticut Combat/Lou Spataj- Tony Santoro has received numerous complaints from Tournament officials regarding the conduct of Lou Spataj and the CT Combat.
After discussion by the Board of Directors, it was decided that Mr. Spataj and the CT Combat would be put on probation, and that any further verified complaints against them would result in their immediate suspension from further Tournament play.
Tony Santoro once again stressed that all teams are expected to represent the CABC with class and dignity.
NEWS FOR 2013
Beginning in 2013, each team participating in a Regional Tournament will be charged an entry fee. It is expected to be approximately $200-$250/team.The Region will also contribute money to each Tournament host.
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PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE RULES REGARDING BATS (SEE RULE 221 OF THE AABC OFFICIAL HANDBOOK).
THE NEW MLB HYBRID BAT FROM LOUISVILLE SLUGGER WILL NOT BE LEGAL FOR THE 2013 SEASON, EVEN THOUGH IT IS BBCOR CERTIFIED.
--Griffey through Musial- only wood, laminate or composite wood of similar material bats (the only exception to the similar material is the Baum bat) may be used. The bat must not exceed forty-two (42) inches in length and 2.61 inches in diameter.
--Koufax- wood or non-wood BBCOR bats only may be used. The bat may not exceed minus three (-3) in differential between length and weight and must not be larger than 2 5/8 inches in diameter.
--Clemente through Ryan- wood or non-wood bats may be used and must not be larger in diameter than 2 3/4 inches. There is no restriction with regard to the differential between length and weight. All bats must have the certificiation of BPF of 1.15 or less.
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SEVERAL RULES CHANGES HAVE BEEN PASSED BY THE AABC WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2013. PLEASE CLICK ON THE "AABC RULES CHANGES" TAB TO READ MORE.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW SLIDE RULE (RULE 218 IN THE AABC OFFICIAL HANDBOOK).
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WORLD SERIES TRAVEL IS NO LONGER BE ARRANGED BY THE AABC OR THE WORLD SERIES HOST. INSTEAD, EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING ITS OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, AND WILL RECEIVE A SET REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE AABC. THE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.
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PLEASE CHECK BOTH THE AABC WEBSITE (WWW.AABC.US) AND THIS SITE OFTEN FOR FURTHER NEWS AND INFORMATION.
RULE CHANGES FOR 2013 HANDBOOK
1. Rule 221 (f) –– In Sandy Koufax Division Tournaments, wood or non-wood BBCOR bats only may be used.2. Rule 221 (g) –– Bats no longer have to have the AABC Logo on them.
3. Rule 213 (c) –– The winner of a World Series Qualifying Tournament may only change their roster used in the tournament by adding "extra" players under AABC Rule 205 and /or replacing players under AABC Rule 105 (a). They may choose to use their "home" AABC registered league or use the Qualifying Tournament as their league. If they choose to use the Qualifying Tournament as their league, their "extra" players must come from a team that participated in the tournament and proof must be provided that said player/s appeared in at least three games in that tournament. Additionally, winner of World Series Qualifying Tournaments may not participate in either an Association tournament or a Regional tournament or another Qualifying tournament.
4. Rule 205 (d) –– Regional winners and World Series Qualifier winners may select their 2 extra players from any team in their region and for each region with a World Series host; the World Series host will have the first two choices or priority.
5. Rule 205 (e) –– Add at the end "However host teams for an AABC World Series shall have priority of choice within their region once the regional tournaments have begun. Should teams eligible for addition of extra players defer their choices of league or association selections until their selection/s have been eliminated from the Regional Tournament, they must wait until the host team for an AABC World Series (if one exists within their region) has made their selections. Regional winners will be next in priority and then National Qualifier winners."
6. Insurance –– AABC Insurance program administered by K & K Insurance Group is the only acceptable insurance for National Tournament play. Teams must provide proof to the tournament committee of coverage with minimums of $1,000,000 in liability limits.
7. Rules 804 (c), Rule 903 (c) –– A pitcher relying upon Rule 804 (c) (or 903 (c) may not pitch on four consecutive days.
8. Don Mattingly. In 2013, players born on or after May 1 1995 and players born on or after May 1, 1994 if they have high school eligibility remaining for the 2013/2014 school year.
9. Rule 105- Change date from June 15 to July 1.
10. Rule 106(c)- Delete Note.
11. Rule 106(f)- Add the word "sanctioned" immediately before the word "roster".
12. Rule 111- Remove the words "AABC approved rule".
13. Rule 201(h)- Change wording after the word "provided" to "pitching records (innings pitched) were available to each team prior to the start of the game."
14. Rule 205(a)- Add "(including National Qualifying winners)" after Tournament play in first line.
15. Rule 205- Delete the Note at the end.
16. Rule 211(a)- Add at the end: "Bracket drawings for Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Nolan Ryan, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Don Mattingly World Series shall be done at the pre Tournament coaches meeting."
17. Rule 211- Add as subsection (h)- Parings for the first round of all even age World Series will be determined by the National Office and announced at the annual meeting.
18. Rule 213(c)- Change to read as follows: "The winner of a World Series Qualifying Tournament may only change their roster used in the tournament by adding "extra" players under AABC Rule 205 and/or replacing players under AABC Rule 105(a). The may choose to use their "home" AABC registered League or use the Qualifying Tournament as their league. If they choose to use the Qualifying Tournament as their league, their "extra" players must come from a team that participated in the tournament and proof must be provided that said players appeared in at least three games in that tournament. Additionally, winners of World Series Qualifying Tournaments may not participate in either an Association tournament or a Regional tournament or another Qualifying tournament."
19. Rule 214(a)- Delete last sentence of first paragraph.
20. Rule 218- Rewrite the rule to read as follows:
"1. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide legally.
a. On a "force play", a legal slide shall be a slide in which the runner is capable of touching the bag from the runner’s sliding position.
b. Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a runner shall be deemed to have made an illegal slide if the runner contacts or attempts to contact the fielder:
i. Above the fielder’s knee with the runner’s spikes.
ii. By either "rolling" or "leg whipping" the fielder; or
iii. In a manner that the umpire deems to be unsafe and not a legitimate baseball play.
2. Any runner is out when the runner does not attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who has possession of the ball and is attempting to make a tag.
a. For Subsection (2), a fielder who is in the process of eminently fielding a ball shall be considered a fielder in "possession" of the ball.
3. Penalty for 1 & 2. The ball is dead and no runners shall advance beyond the last base attained prior to the illegal slide or contact. If the slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the game."
21. Rule 222- Change wording in last sentence from "World Series competition" to "World Series travel monies".
