NORTHWESTERN GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE BY-LAWS
AMMENDED OCTOBER 30, 2008

ARTICLE I
OBJECTIVE: IS TO PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, TEAM EFFORT, AND TO GIVE THE GIRLS OF NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SURROUNDING AREAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND PARTICIPATE IN A SOFTBALL PROGRAM.

ARTICLE II
FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 1. A. THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE NORTHWESTERN GIRLS SOFTBALL WILL BEGIN THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER AND CLOSE ON THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST OF THE SUCCEEDING YEAR.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. A. THE LEAGUE OFFICERS WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. PRESIDENT- PRESIDES OVER THE LEAGUE MEETINGS AND ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS AND FUNCTIONS.

2. VICE-PRESIDENT – ASSISTS THE PRESIDENT IN ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS.

3. SECRETARY – MAINTAINS ACCURATE MINUTES OF ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS, OBTAINS NORTHWESTERN FACILITIES FOR LEAGUE USE, ASSISTS IN MAINTAINING ALL PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO LEAGUE BUSINESS SUCH AS FORMS, ADDRESSES, ETC.

4. TREASURER – HANDLES THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE LEAGUE, MAINTAINS THE LEAGUE CHECKING ACCOUNT, SUBMITS AND REVIEWS FINANCIAL REPORT AT EACH MONTHLY LEAGUE MEETING, PROVIDES FINANCIAL REPORT TO TREASURER OF NYO MARCH / SEPTEMBER.

5. EQUIPMENT MANAGER – MAINTAINS AND KEEPS RECORD OF EQUIPMENT INVENTORY, DISTRIBUTES,
COLLECTS, AND REPLACE EQUIPMENT.

SECTION 2. A. THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL BE HELD THE FIRST LEAGUE MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, UNLESS OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT.
B. THE VOTING WILL BE DONE BY OPEN BALLOT.
C. LEAGUE OFFICERS WILL BE ELECTED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.
D. ALL PATRONS, OFFICERS, SPONSOR, AND CURRENT COACHES OF THE NORTHWESTERN LEAGUE, WHO ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE,
E. OFFICERS WILL TAKE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
F. THE TERM OF OFFICE WILL BE ONE (1) YEAR.
G. ALL OFFICERS WILL BRING ALL RECORDS, UPDATED, TO THE SEPTEMBER MEETING, IN THE EVENT NEW OFFICERS ARE ELECTED, TRANSFER OF OFFICER RECORDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE COMPLETED AT THAT TIME AND ANY UNFINISHED RECORDS OR ACCOUNTS SHALL BE COMPLETED AND TRANSFERRED TO THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.

SECTION 3. A. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE N.Y.O. BOARD WILL BE THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT – AUTOMATIC APPOINTMENT.
SECTION 4. A. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CONCESSION STAND WILL BE THE PARENTS AUXILLARY CHAIRPERSON AND
THREE REPRESENTATIVES AS FOLLOWS:
a. ONE (1) REPRESENTS THE 8U
b. ONE (1) REPRESENTS THE 10U
c. ONE (1) REPRESENTS THE 12U

ARTICLE IV
LEAGUE MEETINGS

SECTION 1. A. LEAGUE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY
THE PRESIDENT.
B. TEAM OFFICERS, MANAGERS, COACHES, OR REPRESENTATIVES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND EACH MEETING.
C. LEAGUE BUSINESS WILL BE VOTED ON BY A QUORUM OF LEAGUE OFFICERS.

ARTICLE V
RULES FOR INFORMING PATRONS OF MEETINGS

SECTION 1. A THE SECRETARY SHALL PROVIDE A PRESS RELEASE TO KOKOMO TRIBUNE. THE PRESS RELEASE WILL
INDICATE THE TIME, PLACE, AND PURPOSE OF THE MEETING.

ARTICLE VI
FEES

SECTION 1. A. THE REGISTRATION AND SPONSOR FEES FOR ALL GIRLS IN ALL AGE GROUPS, AND ALL TEAMS WILL BE SET
PRIOR TO THE SPRING REGISTRATION DAY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF LEAGUE OFFICERS.
B. UNLESS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND LEAGUE OFFICERS, NO GIRL WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY UNLESS HER REGISTRATION FORM / INSURANCE WAVIER IS SUBMITTED, AND FEES ARE PAID IN FULL.

ARTICLE VII
REGISTRATION

SECTION 1. A. REGISTRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN JANUARY, IN CONJUCTION WITH NYO BASEBALL REGISTRATION IF
POSSIBLE.
B. SOFTBALL TRI-COUNTY WILL HAVE AN OPEN REGISTRATION TILL MAY 15 OR OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY TRI-COUNTY ORGANIZATION.

ARTICLE VIII
EXPENSES

SECTION 1. A. THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE EXPENDITURES UP TO $200.00 WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF LEAGUE OFFICERS.
B. ALL EXPENDITURES OF MORE THAN $200.00 WILL REQUIRE A MAJORITY OF VOTES FROM LEAGUE OFFICERS ATTENDING MEETING AT WHICH THE EXPENDITURES IS REQUESTED. IN AN EXTREME EMERGENCY SITUATION, THIS RULE CAN BE WAIVED
PROVIDED YOU HAVE THE APPROVAL OF TWO NON-RELATED LEAGUE OFFICERS.
C. THE TREASURER WILL GIVE A REPORT AT EACH MONTHLY MEETING. THE TREASURER WILL PROVIDE AN ITEMIZED LIST OF EXPENDITURES IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING. NYO PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO REVIEW FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WITH TREASURER ASSISTANCE.

ARTICLE IX
AGE REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1. A. 8U JUNIOR PIXIE OF AGE LEAGUE (MINOR) – GIRLS NO YOUNGER THAN FIVE (5) YEARS OLD, AND NO OLDER
THAN (8) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31
B. 10U JUNIOR PIXIE LEAGUE – GIRLS NO OLDER THAN (10) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31.
C. 12U JUNIOR PIXIE LEAGUE – GIRLS NO OLDER THAN (12) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31
D. IF IN THE OPINION OF THE LEAGUE OFFICERS, THERE IS AN INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO HAVE 8U, 10U, AND 12U THE LEAGUE WILL CONSIST OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. TWO (2) DIVISIONS COMBINING 8U AND 10U AGE GROUP. THIS WOULD BE DONE BY TRYOUTS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE ROSTERS.
2. TWO (2) DIVISIONS WITH ON (1) DIVISION BEING COMPRISED OF 5, 6, 7, 8 AND 9 YEAR OLDS AND THE OTHER DIVISION BEING COMPRISED OF 10, 11, AND 12 YEARS OLD.
3. ONE (1) DIVISION BEING COMPRISED OF 6-12 YEARS OLD.


SECTION 2. A. SENIOR LEAGUE (TRI-COUNTY) GIRLS 13 YEARS OLD BY JANUARY 1 ST . THROUGH THE SUMMER OF HER SENIOR
YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL. ANY EXCEPTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BOARD OF TRI-COUNTY.

SECTION 3. A. AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY TOURNAMENT TEAMS OR TRAVELING TEAMS WILL FOLLOW A.S.A OR N.S.A. GUIDELINES.

ARTICLE X
DRAFTING RULES

SECTION 1. A. MINOR AND MAJOR LEAGUES

1. THE DAUGHTER(S) OF THE TEAM MANAGER AND UP TO TWO COACHES OF A TEAM WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE PLACED ON THEIR TEAM

2. ALL GIRLS ON A TEAM THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAVE THE OPTION OF STAYING ON THAT TEAM UNLESS REQUESTING TO MOVE BACK INTO THE DRAFT. IF TEAMS ARE REDUCED IN AN AGE GROUP THE TEAMS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR WITH LEAST AMOUNT OF RETURNING PLAYERS OR WITH OUT A COACH WILL HAVE THEIR PLAYERS MOVE BACK INTO THE DRAFT TO BE PLACED ON CURRENT TEAMS.
3. AN OPEN DRAFT FORMAT WILL BE USED. THE LEAGUE WILL BE SET-UP AN OPEN GYM TIME FOR ALL THE MANAGERS AND COACHES TO WATCH ALL THE GIRLS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO DETERMINE THEIR ABILITY PRIOR TO THE DRAFT. GIRLS WILL THEN BE CHOSEN BY THE TEAM MANAGERS AND OR COACHES AND NOTIFIED ACCORDINGLY.
4. THE TEAM THAT FINSIHED LAST IN THE LEAGUE THE PREVIOUS YEAR GETS THE 1 ST DRAFT CHOICE WITH ONE (1) DRAFT PICK IF NEEDED. THE TEAM THAT FINISHED NEXT TO LAST THE PREVIOUS YEAR GETS THE 2 ND DRAFT CHOICE WITH ONE (1) DRAFT PICK, IF NEEDED. EACH TEAM WILL GET ONE (1) DRAFT CHOICE ACCORDINGLY IN THAT ORDER FROM THE TEAM THAT FINSIHED LAST IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR UP TO THE TEAM THAT FINSIHED 1 ST , IF NEEDED WHEN ALL TEAMS HAVE ONE DRAFT CHOICE, THEY WILL START AGAIN AND REPEAT THE SAME PROCEDURE, DRAFTING ONE GIRL ON ONE TEAM AT A TIME UNTIL ALL THE GIRLS ARE ON A TEAM.
a. ANY NEW TEAM WILL HAVE 1 ST CHOICE.
b. ANY TEAMS TIED FOR A POSITION WILL FLIP A COIN AND WILL HAVE THAT POSITION FOR THE ENTIRE DRAFT PURPOSES.
5. ALL GIRLS WILL BE PLACED ON A TEAM.
6. PLAYERS HAVE THE OPTION TO TRY OUT FOR AN UPPER LEVEL LEAGUE. IF SELECTED INTO THAT LEAGUE THEY WILL PLAY UP AND CAN CONTINUE ON THAT TEAM. IF THEY ARE NOT SELECTED THEY WILL BE PLACED BACK INTO THEIR AGE LEVEL DRAFT.

SECTION 2. A. TRI CO DIVISION (A), (B) AND (C) TEAMS

1. TRY-OUTS WILL BE HELD FOR TWO (2) SUCCESSIVE WEEKS OR AS DESIGNATED BY THE PRESIDENT.

2. ALL GIRLS, (12 YEARS OLD BY DECEMBER 31, AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE TO TRY-OUT. GIRLS SHALL BE CHOSEN BY THE A, B, AND C TEAM MANAGERS AND COACHES AFTER TRY-OUTS ARE COMPLETE. GIRLS CHOSEN FOR THE A, B, AND C TEAMS MUST HAVE
TRIED-OUT OR PLAYED PREVIOUSLY, OBSERVATION OF HIGH SCHOOL TEAM PRACTICES SHALL CONSITITUTE A TRY-OUT FOR THOSE GIRLS PARTICIPATING ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM.
3. EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENTING A GIRL FROM TRYING-OUT WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COACHES AND LEAGUE PRESIDENT FOR RESOLUTION.
4. IF THERE ARE AN INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF GIRLS TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE (1) A: AND OR B TEAM, THEN THOSE GIRLS NOT CHOSEN FOR THE A OR B TEAM SHALL RETURN TO THE C TEAMS. GIRLS 12 YEARS OLD BY DECEMBER 31 TRYING-OUT FOR THE
SENIOR LEAGUE AND NOT CHOSEN, SHALL RETURN TO HER PREVIOUS JUNIOR PIXIE LEAGUE TEAM SHE WAS ON ONLY IF SHE HAS TRIED OUT FOR ONE OF THE SENIOR DIVISION TEAMS.
5. THE A, B, AND C TEAMS ROSTERS WILL CONSISTS OF A MINIMUM OF 11 GIRLS AND SHALL BE TURNED IN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE TRY-OUTS ARE COMPLETED TO THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT.
6. ALL GIRLS WILL BE PLACED ON A TEAM.

ARTICLE XI
MANAGERS-COACHES GUIDELINES

SECTION 1. A. MANAGERS AND COACHES WILL BE FURNISHED A COPY OF THE RULES FOR THEIR DIVISION.
B. MANAGERS AND COACHES ARE TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A MANNER DISPLAYING GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND WELL-MANNERED BEHAVIOR.

ARTICLE XII
REMOVAL OF A MANAGER / OFFICER / PLAYER – (FROM TEAM OR ROSTER)

SECTION 1. A. THE REMOVAL OF A MANAGER / OFFICER / PLAYER SHALL REQUIRE MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL ACTIVE NYO
PRESIDENTS AND THE LEAGUE OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE NYO LEAGUE MEETING. A CERTIFIED LETTER WILL BE SENT TO THE PERSON / CHILD’S PARENT UP FOR REMOVAL, NOTIFYING THEM OF THE REASON, AND/OR REASONS FOR REQUEST OF THE REMOVAL, DATE, AND TIME OF THE MEETING WHICH THE DISCUSSION AND VOTE ARE TO TAKE PLACE. THIS CERTIFIED LETTER IS TO BE SENT AT LEAST ONE (1) WEEK IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.
B. REMOVE A MANAGER/ PLAYER WILL ONLY BE TAKEN OR CONSIDERED IF A MAJORITY OF THE PARENTS OF THE GIRLS OF A PARTICULAR TEAM SUBMIT IN WRITING A STATEMENT SPECIFYING THE SPECIFIC CHARGE AND / OR CHARGES AN POSSIBLE
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
C. NO GIRLS ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY VOTING OR IN ANY OTHER WAY TOWARD ANY DISIPLINARY ACTION TOWARD ANY OTHER PLAYER OR MANAGER OR COACH. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS WOULD BE IF A PLAYER (S) MIGHT BE CALLED UPON AS A WITNESS TO A SITUATION WHICH IS TO BE DONE AT THE SPECIFIC MEETING WITH LEAGUE OFFICERS AND PARENTS, WHICH IS HELD TO REVIEW THE CHARGE AND / OR CHARGES AND POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.

ARTICLE XIII
CARE OF EQUIPMENT AND GROUNDS

SECTION 1. A. EACH MANAGER / COACH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING HIS OR HER TEAM’S EQUIPMENT DURING THE
PLAYING SEASON.

SECTION 2. A. THE HOME TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THE DIAMOND PRIOR AND AFTER THE GAME SUCH
AS MARKING BASELINES, BATTER’S BOXES, ON DECK CIRCLES, PITCHING CIRCLES, SETTING UP PITCHING MACHINES, DRAGGING OF FIELD, ETC.

ARTICLE XIV
UMPIRES

SECTION 1. A. SCHEDULING OF THE UMPIRES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENT.

ARTICLE XV
PROTEST

SECTION 1. A. ONLY THE MANAGER/COACH WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE PLAYING FIELD DURING THE DISCUSSION OF PROTEST WITH THE UMPIRE. PROTEST CAN ONLY BE FOR RULE VIOLATIONS AND NOT FOR JUDGEMENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE UMPIRES.

ARTICLE XVI
OPENING DAY

SECTION 1.A. OPENING DAY WILL BE HELD ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF APRIL UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY THE PRESIDENT TO BE INCONJUCTION WITH NYO BASEBALL OPENING DAY.

ARTICLE XVII
AWARDS

SECTION 1. A. ALL GIRLS WILL RECEIVE PARTICAPATION AWARDS. ALL GIRLS REGISTERED AND PLAYING IN SIXTH GRADE YEAR WILL BE AWARDED A STANDARD NYO GIRLS SOFTBALL JACKET.

ARTICLE XVII
AMENDING THE BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. A AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS WILL BE MADE AT THE OCTOBER LEAGUE MEETING OR AS DEEMED NECESSARY.