NORTHWESTERN GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE BY-LAWS
AMENDED JANUARY 23, 2025
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:
PRESIDENT- PRESIDES OVER THE LEAGUE MEETINGS AND ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS AND FUNCTIONS. THE PRESIDENT MAINTAINS THE SCHEDULING OF GAMES, PRACTICES, AND UMPIRES FOR GAMES. THE PRESIDENT ALSO OVERSEES THE REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS FOR EACH SEASON.
VICE-PRESIDENT – ASSISTS THE PRESIDENT IN ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS. THE VP IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGING OPENING DAY CEREMONY, ALL STAR TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION AND UNIFORMS/JACKETS FOR PLAYERS.
SECRETARY – MAINTAINS ACCURATE MINUTES OF ALL LEAGUE BUSINESS, ASSISTS IN MAINTAINING ALL PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO LEAGUE BUSINESS SUCH AS FORMS, ADDRESSES, ETC. THE SECRETARY IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF ALL SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAILS.
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. THE TREASURER IS IN CHARGE OF PAYING THE UMPIRES IN A TIMELY MANNER.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER – MAINTAINS AND KEEPS RECORD OF EQUIPMENT INVENTORY, DISTRIBUTES, COLLECTS, AND REPLACE EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT MANAGER IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF INVENTORY AND RESTOCKING OF FIELD EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. EM IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING ON MAINTENANCE OF THE MOWER AND GASOLINE FOR SOFTBALL USE.
SECTION 2. A. THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL BE HELD THE FIRST LEAGUE MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT.
THE VOTING WILL BE DONE BY OPEN BALLOT.
LEAGUE OFFICERS WILL BE ELECTED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.
ALL PATRONS, OFFICERS, SPONSOR, AND CURRENT COACHES OF THE NORTHWESTERN LEAGUE, WHO ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE,
OFFICERS WILL TAKE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
THE TERM OF OFFICE WILL BE ONE (1) YEAR.
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:
ONE (1) REPRESENTS THE 6U/8U
ONE (1) REPRESENTS THE 10U
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.
TEAM OFFICERS, MANAGERS, COACHES, OR REPRESENTATIVES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND EACH MEETING.
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 AN EMAIL VIA THE WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (SKYWARD) INFORMING INDIVIDUALS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS. THIS EMAIL 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 WAIVER IS SUBMITTED, AND FEES ARE PAID IN FULL.
ARTICLE VII
REGISTRATION
SECTION 1. A. REGISTRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN JANUARY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NYO BASEBALL REGISTRATION IF POSSIBLE.
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. 6U DIVISION - GIRLS NO YOUNGER THAN FIVE (5) YEARS OLD AND NO OLDER THAN (6) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31.
B. 8U DIVISION – GIRLS NO OLDER THAN (8) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31
C. 10U DIVISION – GIRLS NO OLDER THAN (10) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31.
D. 12U DIVISION – GIRLS NO OLDER THAN (12) YEARS OLD ON DECEMBER 31
2. IF IN THE OPINION OF THE LEAGUE OFFICERS, THERE IS AN INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO HAVE 6U, 8U, 10U, AND 12U THE LEAGUE WILL CONSIST OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
TWO (2) DIVISIONS COMBINING 8U AND 10U AGE GROUP. THIS WOULD BE DONE BY TRYOUTS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE ROSTERS.
TWO (2) DIVISIONS WITH ONE (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.
SECTION 2. A. IF A PARENT WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THEIR DAUGHTER INTO AN UPPER DIVISION, THEY MUST ATTEND A BOARD MEETING BEFORE TEAMS ARE SELECTED TO PRESENT THEIR REQUEST TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD WILL DECIDE IF THE REQUEST WILL BE GRANTED OR NOT BASED ON
A WRITTEN REQUEST FROM THE LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD RELEASING RESPONSIBILITY OF NYO SOFTBALL FOR ANY INJURY THE CHILD MAY INCUR BY PLAYING WITH OLDER AND MORE DEVELOPED PLAYERS.
KNOWLEDGE OF PLAYER’S COMPETENCY, DEVELOPMENT, AND/OR EXPERIENCE LEVEL IN THE GAME.
SECTION 3. A. IF A PLAYER HAS “PLAYED UP” IN A PREVIOUS SEASON THE PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO “PLAY UP.”
IF A PLAYER HAS “PLAYED UP” IN A SEASON FOR WHATEVER REASON AND THEY WISH TO GO BACK TO LOWER DIVISION WHICH THEY ARE AGE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING MUST BE DONE:
THE LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE PLAYER MUST ATTEND A BOARD MEETING AND SHARE WITH THE BOARD THE REASONS WHY THEY WISH TO MOVE BACK TO THE LOWER DIVISION. REASONS:
LACK OF DEVELOPMENT (NOT READY)
LOSS OF INTEREST DUE TO LACK OF DEVELOPMENT
SECTION 4. A. SENIOR LEAGUE (TRI-COUNTY) GIRLS 13 YEARS OLD BY JANUARY 1ST. THROUGH THE SUMMER OF HER SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL. ANY EXCEPTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BOARD OF TRI-COUNTY.
SECTION 5. A. AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY TOURNAMENT TEAMS OR TRAVELING TEAMS WILL FOLLOW BABE RUTH OR N.S.A. GUIDELINES.
ARTICLE X
TEAM SELECTION
SECTION 1. A. ALL DIVISIONS
THE DAUGHTER(S) OF THE TEAM MANAGER AND UP TO TWO COACHES OF A TEAM WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE PLACED ON THEIR TEAM
TEAM SELECTION WILL BE MADE AFTER REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE. THE COACHES WILL BE GIVEN BIDDING POINTS BASED ON TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAYERS NEEDED (EXAMPLE 1 PLAYER NEED = 1 POINT, TWO PLAYERS NEEDED = 2 POINTS). COACHES WILL BID ON PLAYERS UNTIL POINTS ARE EXHAUSTED AND THEN A DRAFT WILL ENSUE.
COACHES WILL RATE PLAYERS AT THE END OF EACH SEASON AND WILL RATE PLAYERS DURING CLINICS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.
ALL GIRLS ON A TEAM THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAVE THE OPTION OF STAYING ON THAT TEAM UNLESS REQUESTING TO BE PLACED ON A NEW TEAM. IF TEAMS ARE REDUCED IN AN AGE GROUP THE TEAMS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR WITH LEAST AMOUNT OF RETURNING PLAYERS OR WITHOUT A COACH WILL HAVE THEIR PLAYERS TO BE PLACED ON A CURRENT TEAM.
PLAYERS MOVING UP IN DIVISIONS WILL BE PLACED BACK IN THE SELECTION POOL. THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO MOVE UP WITH THEIR PREVIOUS TEAMMATES.
PLAYER REQUEST AND COACHING REQUESTS MAY BE MADE AT REGISTRATION BUT ARE NOT GUARANTEED PLACEMENT.
PLAYERS WILL BE PLACED ON TEAMS BY A DRAFT/LOTTERY BASED ON THEIR RATINGS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED TEAM. THIS IS ALSO NOT A GUARANTEE OF “FAIRNESS” AS SOME TEAMS MAY HAVE MORE RETURNING PLAYERS WHO ARE MORE DEVELOPED AS THEY HAVE MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
BALANCE MEANING THAT EACH TEAM SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE OR TWO DEVELOPED PITCHER IF AVAILABLE. 10U AND 12U TEAMS WILL NEED TWO PITCHERS PER TEAM.
ARTICLE XI
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES
SECTION 1. A. MANAGERS AND COACHES WILL BE FURNISHED A COPY OF THE RULES FOR THEIR DIVISION.
MANAGERS, COACHES, PLAYERS, AND PARENTS ARE TO SIGN A COACH’S CONDUCT FORM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. IT IS EXPECTED THAT MANAGERS, COACHES, PLAYERS, PARENTS AND FANS ARE TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A MANNER DISPLAYING GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND WELL-MANNERED BEHAVIOR.
IT IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COACH TO INFORM PARENTS/FANS OF THEIR PERSONAL CONDUCT DURING A GAME.
HECKLING/ARGUING/YELLING/ OR VERBAL/PHYSICAL AGGRESSION TOWARD UMPIRES, PLAYERS, OPPOSING COACHES AND/OR FANS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
A. MISCONDUCT LEADING TO AN EJECTION FROM THE GAME AT NORTHWESTERN WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING:
COACH/FAN MUST LEAVE THE PLAYING FIELD AND GO TO THEIR VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. THEY ARE NOT TO ENTER BACK INTO THE PLAYING AREA EVEN AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE GAME.
IF FAN/COACH CHOOSES TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM THE GAME UPON THEIR OWN REMOVAL FROM THE GAME, IT WILL RESULT IN AN OUT FOR THE TEAM.
IF AN UMPIRE MAKES A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE LEAGUE ABOUT A COACH/PARENT/ FAN CONDUCT THE EXECUTIVE BOARD WILL MAKE A DECISION ON THE RESULTING ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR THE FAN/PARENT/COACH.
IF IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NECESSARY DUE TO THE COMPLAINT, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS COULD BE ANY OF THE ACTIONS LISTED ON THE COACH’S/PARENT CONDUCT FORM SIGNED BY THE COACH/PARENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THIS WILL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AFTER SPEAKING WITH ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
A. COACH/MANAGER/PLAYER/FAN EJECTION DISCIPLINE ACTIONS WITH NO FORMAL COMPLAINT.
FIRST EJECTION FROM THE GAME WITH NO FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM UMPIRE WILL RESULT IN A VERBAL OR WRITTEN WARNING FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.
SECOND EJECTION FROM A GAME WITH NO FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM UMPIRE WILL RESULT IN A ONE GAME SUSPENSION.
THIRD EJECTION FROM A GAME WITH NO FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM UMPIRE WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL OF ALL COACHING/MANAGING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
A. COACH/MANAGER/PLAYER/FAN EJECTION FROM GAME WITH WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO LEAGUE.
FIRST EJECTION WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM A GAME MEANS THE COACH/MANAGER IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY OF WHERE THAT GAME IS TO BE PLAYED, NOT EVEN AS A SPECTATOR.
SECOND EJECTION FROM A GAME WILL RESULT IN A RELEASE OF COACHING/MANAGING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
THE BOARD WILL DECIDE IF COACHING/MANAGING RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE ALLOWED THE NEXT SEASON.
ARTICLE XII
REMOVAL OF A MANAGER / OFFICER / PLAYER / FAN / PARENT FROM THE TEAM ROSTER OR FROM RETURNING TO NORTHWESTERN FACILITIES FOR THE SEASON
SECTION 1. A. THE REMOVAL OF A MANAGER / OFFICER / PLAYER / FAN / PARENT SHALL REQUIRE MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL ACTIVE NYO SOFTBALL EXECUTIVE BOARD AND THE LEAGUE OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE NYO LEAGUE MEETING. A WRITTEN COMMUNICATION WILL BE SENT TO THE PERSON / CHILD’S PARENT / RELATIVE / FAN 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 COMMUNICATION IS TO BE SENT AT LEAST ONE (1) WEEK IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.
REMOVE A MANAGER/ PLAYER/PARENT/FAN 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.
FOLLOWING 3 EJECTIONS FROM GAMES WITH NO FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM AN UMPIRE
FOLLOWING TWO EJECTIONS FROM A GAME IN WHICH AN UMPIRE MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL’S CONDUCT LEADING UP TO THE EJECTION OR FOLLOWING THE EJECTION FROM THE GAME.
IF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CONTACTED DUE TO BEHAVIOR OF INDIVIDUALS, THE INCIDENT WILL BE REPORTED TO THE NW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, NYO PRESIDENT, AND POSSIBLY NW SCHOOL BOARD TO DETERMINE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED.
NO GIRLS ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY VOTING OR IN ANY OTHER WAY TOWARD ANY DISCIPLINARY 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 TO AND AFTER THE GAME SUCH AS MARKING BASELINES, BATTER’S BOXES, ON DECK CIRCLES, PITCHING CIRCLES, DRAGGING OF FIELD, ETC.
ARTICLE XIV
UMPIRES
SECTION 1. A. SCHEDULING OF THE UMPIRES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESIDENT.
B. BABE RUTH CERTIFIED UMPIRES WILL BE PAID $50 FOR A SOLO GAME / $35 EACH FOR A SHARED GAME.
CERTIFIED UMPIRES WILL BE USED FOR ALL TOURNAMENT GAMES AND CAN BE USED DURING REGULAR SEASON GAMES.
NON-CERTIFIED UMPIRES CAN BE USED DURING REGULAR SEASON GAMES.
PAY
NON-CERTIFIED UMPIRES ARE PAID $35 FOR SOLO GAME /$20 EACH FOR SHARED GAME.
TO THE BEST OF THE LEAGUE’S ABILITY, NON-CERTIFIED UMPIRES WILL UMPIRE 8U AND 10U REGULAR SEASON GAMES.
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
AWARDS
SECTION 1. A. ALL GIRLS WILL RECEIVE PARTICIPATION AWARDS.
ALL GIRLS REGISTERED AND PLAYING IN 12U WILL BE AWARDED A STANDARD NYO GIRLS SOFTBALL JACKET. (Girls will be awarded one jacket. If lost, parent can purchase a replacement jacket.)
ARTICLE XVII
SECTION 1. A. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS WILL BE MADE AT THE AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER LEAGUE MEETING OR AS DEEMED NECESSARY.