BYLAWS Of EAST SIDE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION, INC.
COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA
Updated 15-07-2021

SECTIONS

I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
II. OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
III. PLAYER REGISTRATION
IV. COACHES
V. SKILLS EVALUATION
VI. STRUCTURE OF LEAGUES AND TEAMS
VII. TEAM SELECTION (DRAFT)
VIII. ALL STARS
IX. UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT, FIELDS
X. CONDUCT
XI. PARTICIPATION
XII. INCOMPLETE GAMES
XIII. PLAYING RULES

The Board of Directors has authorized these Bylaws of East Side Baseball Association, Inc. as of February 4th, 2008.


I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

View Board of Directors

II. OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Within 30 days following the election of a new Board, the previous season’s President and Treasurer will meet with the new Board to facilitate the transition and orientation. Association records will be transmitted at this time and will include all financial records, concession records, sales tax records, income tax records, tax status and incorporation documents, the player data base, Board minutes, contracts, and all other significant records or pending issues.

With the exception of the Board of Directors and the President, whose responsibilities are detailed in the Constitution, the following job descriptions are merely provided to be general guidelines; each Board may determine which offices to fill and may add or delete any in effectively managing the association.

The president is selcted by the new/incoming board each July, with the candidate receiving at least five votes.  The president must be a current or former member of the ESBA Board of Directiors.  In the event of a 4-4 tie vote: (1) revote after discussion; (2) if second vote is still tied, returning incumbent president, if a candidate, is the new term's president; (3) if still unresolved, use number of years as a board member; (4) if still unresolved, use number of years as an ESBA member.

Key Officers:

Board of Directors:
Selection of President and other officers
Authorization of bylaws, playing rules
Establishment of budgets and fees
Authorization of non-budgeted expenditures over $300
Approval of coaches, including post-season
Resolution of protests, grievances, complaints

President
Director of Board and overall management responsibility

Board Secretary
Record-keeping, correspondence, minutes
Maintenance of league documents and forms
Communication with officers and Board

Treasurer
Financial accounting and reporting
Receipt and disbursement of funds
Collection of receivables
Federal and state tax returns
Direction of player registration

League Commissioner
Recruitment and orientation of coaches
Conducting tryouts and drafts
Monitoring conduct of coaches, players, parents
Scheduling games, practices, make-ups, playoffs
Monitoring conformance to bylaws
Assuring adequate league support for team equipment, officiating, maintenance, etc.

Other Usual Positions and Tasks:
Conveners
Equipment 
Sponsors 
Concessions 
Uniforms 
Schedules 
Awards 
Umpires 
All Stars 
Team Photos 
Directory Advertising 
Communications 
Fields and Facilities 
Team Parents 
Practice Facilities 
Registrar
Webmaster

III. PLAYER REGISTRATION

Registration is offerred through the ESBA website. Pre-registration may be offerred to member families from the previous spring season.  Families from previous seasons may be excluded from pre-registration based on violation of Bylaws, failure to pay registration fees, abandonment of team for vacations or other recreation activities, each case decided by the Board.

League Ages and Fees:
League age is a player's age on April 30 of the current or upcoming spring season; or a player's age on the following August 31 (an option available to players born in May, June, July, or August). The Board will establish player registration fees for each age group (league) each season. Families registering more than one child per season are extended a sibling discount, allowing a reduction of $10 from the fee of each of the other children from the same family. The Treasurer or Registrar and President may reduce or waive the registration fee in cases of financial hardship.

Late Registration:
New players may not be added to a team roster after 50% of that league's scheduled games have been played, unless approved by the board of directors due to special circumstances.

A player joining a team after opening day will pay the full registration fee if added prior to the 6th game; or three-fourths of the full fee if added after the 6th game.
 
Refunds:
Upon request of the player’s parent, the Registrar or Treasurer will refund the registration fee of a withdrawn player as follows:

A full refund less $10 (to cover administrative costs) if the player withdraws by tryouts;

A 50% refund if the player withdraws by the 6th game of the season;

No refund if the player withdraws after the 6th game of the season.

IV. COACHES

It is the association’s goal for each player and each team to have benefit of the best coaches possible. It is also realized that different people may have varying definitions of a “good coach”, and such judgment must ultimately be made by the Board of Directors using thorough, careful deliberation in selecting coaches.

ESBA Policies and Procedures on Criminal Background Check

In order to protect the youth of ESBA, a criminal background check is mandatory for all Board Members, Head Coaches, Commissioners and “official” Assistant Coaches. An “official” Assistant Coach is any coach designated by the head coach as an Assistant or any coach who will be alone with players, or responsible for a team during a game or practice.

A written authorization form allowing ESBA to order an individual criminal background check is required by ESBA and it is the responsibility of the candidate for the coaching position or potential Board Member, the “Applicant”, to fill out the ESBA background check form and return it as follows: if not already on file for the Spring season, Board Member’s forms must be returned prior to the ESBA annual elections; Head Coaches forms must be returned with the head coach application; Assistant Coach forms must be returned two weeks prior to the start of the first game of the season or prior to assuming official Assistant Coach duties. Failure to provide a background check form by the deadline may disqualify the applicant from consideration for their coaching or board position.

The Board of Directors shall appoint a three (3) member committee, the Background Check “Committee”, to administer all background check procedures. The Committee shall be made up of three board members with one member being the current Board President and the other two selected by a vote of the Board. The League Commissioners or designated Board Member shall receive the completed background check authorization forms and forward them to the Background Check Committee. The Committee shall be responsible for transmitting the forms to the reporting agency selected by the Board. The Committee shall receive and review the results of the background check reports from the agency. The Committee shall determine if any individual does not meet the ESBA minimum standards for coaches and Board members using the following criteria as a guide:

Individual applicants (“Applicants”) shall be disqualified from positions as a Board Member, Head Coach, Commissioner or Assistant Coach if they were ever convicted of the following:

A. Any crimes against children
B. Any felony conviction involving violence
C. Any sexual offense

Should any pending charges described in “A” through “C” be uncovered, or should any of the above charges be brought against an Applicant during the coach’s season or during the Board Member’s term, the Applicant shall be suspended from serving as a coach or Board Member until such time as the charges have been cleared or dropped and he is reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

In addition, Applicants shall be disqualified if they have been convicted of the following within the past seven (7) years:

• Any Felony conviction
• Any crimes of moral turpitude, as determined by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors
• More than one criminal offense that is drug or alcohol related, or more than one driving while under the influence (DWI) conviction.

The Background Check Committee shall notify the affected Applicant that a disqualifying entry was reported on the criminal background check and determine if the Applicant chooses to withdraw their name from consideration or request a review by the full Board of Directors. If a review is requested, a “Special Meeting” of the Board of Directors will be called and the affected Applicant will be notified of the meeting date and time. The Board of Directors will review the disqualification to determine if any exception should be granted. A full written disclosure of the criminal background history may be made to the Board of Directors as part of the review process and the Applicant is encouraged to attend the special meeting and provide any additional information as he/she chooses. The decision by the Board of Directors shall be final and will be based on a majority vote of the board members in attendance at the special meeting. The Board of Directors is authorized to take this action pursuant to the Bylaws of East Side Baseball Association and has the obligation to only approve coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers of the highest moral character.

All information obtained in response to the criminal background check or disclosed in the review process shall be kept confidential and not disclosed or discussed outside of the review process. In the event the Applicant feels a mistake has been reported in their criminal background check, it is the Applicant’s responsibility to contact the reporting agency and resolve any issues. ESBA and its members are not responsible for errors or omissions that may be reported on background checks. The Background check committee of ESBA shall maintain all authorizations and records or reports in a confidential manner.

Coaches’ Responsibilities:

• Coaches are expected to make each player’s season an enjoyable experience, to develop each player’s baseball skills through regular practices, and to treat players, parents and game officials with respect at all times, setting a good example for their players. 
  
• Each coach is expected to read and be knowledgeable of ESBA’s Constitution and Bylaws, and to attend all coaches meetings. Coaches not conforming to ESBA Bylaws are subject to removal as a coach by the Board.
  
• Each head coach (or in his absence, an assistant coach) must regularly conduct practices and maintain proper adult supervision of all players during practices. A coach practicing players other than those on his official team roster does so without sanction or approval of ESBA. 
  
• Each head coach must conduct a pre-season meeting of his team’s parents to explain ESBA expectations, schedules, team routines and responsibilities of parents and players. In the event a player sustains a serious injury (renders a player unconscious or requires a physician’s attention) during a game or practice, the head coach must report this injury to his League Commissioner within 24 hours. The League Commissioner must also report such injury to the President.

Coach Selection:

• The Board must approve all head coaches, including regular season, post season and travel teams. The Board reserves the right to approve assistant coaches. All post-season teams must submit the names of head coaches and assistant coaches to the Board. 
  
• Candidates for head coaching roles must submit an ESBA head coach application to be considered. Each League Commissioner will submit a list of all head coach candidates to the Board for approval.

Recommendation and approval will consider various factors related to a candidate’s qualifications, such as years of experience as an East Side coach, playing or other coaching experience, perceived coaching effectiveness, parent surveys and/or complaints, past experience in developing players, past practice frequency, and recommendations from league officials.

Previous East Side head coaches will be given special consideration in recognition of previous volunteer time given and having a known coaching record. In determining “seniority” for preliminary consideration of previous East Side coaches, the following points will be awarded to establish a ranking for initial review:

• 3 points for each season as a spring head coach.
• 2 points for each season as a fall head coach.
• 2 points for each post season team head coach.
• 1 point for each season as an official assistant coach of a regular season or post season team.

Points are limited to a maximum of only one team per regular season and one team per post season. Persons not coaching due to responsibilities as a Board member or Commissioner will be awarded equivalent points per season.

The above points are used to establish a preliminary ranking of candidates, but other factors also will be considered for final determination by the Board. Additional consideration will also be given to coaches in good standing returning to the same league, coaches rising from the next lower age group and coaches not receiving teams the previous spring due to exclusion based solely on greater seniority of other coaches.

If a candidate applies for the Bronco National Division, his child must also be projected to achieve a tryout score commensurate with the anticipated draft order (i.e., within or near the highest 66 if 6 teams of 11 players).

V. SKILLS EVALUATION

All players must participate in skills evaluation (also known as "tryouts") each season. Exceptions, where reasonable and justifiable may be authorized by the League Commissioner.

League Commissioners are responsible for organizing and conducting tryouts, including the recruitment of volunteers to run skills stations.

Skills evaluation should be scheduled in short alphabetical groupings to minimize the players’ idle time, especially during cold weather. Players with schedule conflicts may report at any group time.

The Commissioner will appoint 2 or 3 independent scorers whose evaluations will be used to establish proper draft order for head coaches’ children and brother options, as well as providing comparative scores for head coaches to review. The independent scorers should be experienced coaches not currently involved in that league. If independent scorers are not available, the Commissioner may average the scores of three or more coaches attending tryouts.

Players will be evaluated for: Running Speed (actual time), Outfielding (score 1-3), Infielding (score 1-5), Throwing (score 1-5 during infielding), Hitting (score 1-5) and Pitching (rate A, B or C).

All possible pitchers will be directed to remain after hitting to be evaluated for pitching. Running distance should be 2X the base distance; players slipping or falling should be re-timed. Outfielding should be scored on overall skill demonstrated, not solely on number of balls caught. Infielding and hitting should include at least 5 good balls per player. When possible, warm-ups should be provided (jogging before running, throwing, soft-toss). Players should be interviewed to record usual positions, pitching and catching experience and if also involved in other sports which might conflict with baseball.

The Commissioner must arrange make-up skills evaluation for all players who miss the regular session.  Players are not eliminated for missing tryouts, but the Commissioner must contact each missing player prior to the draft to determine playing status.

VI. STRUCTURE OF LEAGUES AND TEAMS

The following leagues are authorized:

• Rookie:  League age 4

• Shetland: League ages 5 and 6 
  
  • May use age divisions - 5U and 6U
  • Post-season Tournament Teams
• Pinto: League ages 7 and 8
  • May use age divisions - 7U and 8U
  • May use skills divisions
  • Post-season Tournament Teams
• Mustang: League ages 9 and 10
  • All teams play in one league
  • Travel Teams
  • Hybrid Teams
  • Post-season Tournament Teams
• Bronco: League ages 11 and 12
  • All teams play in one league
  • Travel Teams
  • Hybrid Teams  
  • Post-season Tournament Teams
• Pony: League ages 13 and 14
  • All teams play in one league
  • Travel Teams
  • Post-season Tournament Teams
• Colt: League ages 15-18
  • All teams play in one league
  • Travel Teams
  • Post-season Tournament Teams  

Travel Teams:

Travel teams may be authorized at the Mustang age and older. Travel team coaches are approved by the Board.

Tryouts, if required, will be held after clear advance notice to all eligible East Side players. Tryouts will be approved in advance by the Board. The head coach will make team selections, subject to ESBA approval. The number of non-ESBA players on a travel team is limited, as the primary purpose of the travel program is to provide a travel experience for our East Side families.

See Travel Team Policy.

Tournament Teams:

ESBA supports a Post-season tournament team program (Tournament Teams) to field teams of coaches, players and parents who will best represent ESBA through their respective teams' competitiveness, sportsmanship and teamwork. 

 Guidelines. In order to be recognized as an ESBA team and enter tournaments under the ESBA name and insurance, they must meet the following guidelines:

1.   Teams must only consist of players currently registered at ESBA

2.   No team obligation shall conflict with the regular season (ESBA Spring and Fall).

3.   Any player or coach who misses a recreation league practice or game for a Tournament Team event will be subject to removal from the Tournament Team.

4.   No team may enter tournaments during the regular Spring season inclusive of the end-of-season tournaments.  Tournament Teams may play Sunday only tournaments during the Fall season except for during the Fall end-of-season tournament.

5.   Being consistent with Team Selection bylaws, a parent has the right to avoid playing for a coach and therefore must inform league commissioner prior to selection date.  Only one request per player and must be received by the league commissioner prior to the Primary Team Head Coach Selection.

6.   The A, B and Club teams after having been established through the selection process may remain intact for the purpose of competing in post-season tournaments until the following regular Spring season (date recreation league teams formed/drafts). 

7.   Alternates may be used from other post-season teams to remain intact only if the other team is not competing and with the permission of the other team’s head coach.

8.   Should any A or B team roster fall below 8 of the selected players they may not enter/compete as the selected A or B team and shall be guided by the ‘Club Team’ guideline.

Timing of Events

1.   Start accepting applications upon Spring Registration up until Primary Team Player Selection.

2.   League Commissioner will designate one practice slot per week (i.e the last Sunday practice slot) for Tournament Team participant practice which shall be open to all ESBA registered players who have submitted an application.

3.   Practices shall be run by previous year’s Tournament Team coaches and regular season coaches seeking to run for selection as a Tournament Team coach.

4.   Primary Team Head Coach selection will take place between April 1 and April 10th

5.   Primary Player selection between April 20th and April 26th.   

Primary (“A”) Team Head Coach Election 

Any person wishing to be on the ballot to be the Primary Team Head Coach must submit his name to his commissioner by March 31st.  The ESBA board can prohibit an individual against whom it has taken disciplinary action from being on the ballot to be a tournament team head coach.
 
The regular season coaches will meet between April 1 and April 10 to elect a primary tournament team head coach.  If there are multiple applicants in a league, each coach applicant will have two minutes to discuss his candidacy.
 
Regular season head coaches will vote by secret, written ballot.  If a head coach applicant receives greater than 50% of the first ballots cast, he or she shall be deemed the primary  tournament team head coach.  If the first ballot comprises more than two head coach applicants, but the initial ballot does not result in a head coach applicant receiving greater than 50% of the ballots cast, the two head coach applicants receiving the highest percentage of the ballots cast will be placed on a second ballot, and the recipient of greater than 50% of the second ballots cast will be deemed the primary tournament team head coach.  In the event of any tie on a final vote, the league commissioner will flip a coin to determine the primary tournament team head coach.   
 
If no one has submitted his name to coach a primary tournament team by April 15, the board can consider late applicants who then must be elected using the procedure outlined above.
 
Primary Team Player Selection

Each primary tournament team will consist of 11 to 13 players.  All players other than a head coach’s Coach Picks will be selected by secret, written ballot. 
 
No players will be considered for selection to a tournament team unless their respective parents complete and submit an application form prior to the player election.  Any player for whom the applicable league commissioner does not receive a completed form will be ineligible for selection to a tournament team and will be ineligible to be an alternate on any tournament team.
 
The player election will occur between April 20th and April 26th.  Each respective league’s regular season head coaches all MUST be present at the election or must deliver their first ballot selections to the true neutral (i.e., does not have a child in the league for which a team is being selected) board member who is monitoring the team selection meeting.  Absentee coaches may vote on the first ballot only.
 
Each respective league’s commissioner must be present and preside over each respective league’s election.  A true neutral board member must be present to count ballots.  All proceedings associated with the election are confidential and should not be discussed outside the meeting room. 
 
All ballots shall be secret, written ballots.  Each ballot of each round must be written on a piece of paper with the name of each respective head coach’s regular season team on the ballot.  After each round, the ballots will be delivered to the neutral board member who will tally the votes, report the results to the commissioner and destroy the ballots. 

·         First Ballot.  Prior to any discussion of eligible players, the tournament team head coach will declare the number of players he will carry.  Each head coach will mark his ballot for the number of nominees that would fill the team’s roster when added to the 2 players to be selected by the Primary Head Coach after final balloting.  Head coaches may vote for players on their own teams.  Any player receiving at least 80% of the regular season head coaches’ first-ballot votes shall be deemed to have been selected for the team. 

·         Second Ballot.  Each regular season head coach will be allowed a total of 30 seconds to support his team’s nominated players who remain on the ballot.  Coaches should limit their discussion to only those players whom they believe are worthy of taking one of the remaining open roster slots; they should not discuss players whom they believe are secondary team players.  Other coaches may ask questions of the respective head coach, but there shall be no commentary by other coaches regarding those players until the head coach has left the room.

The tournament team head coach will discuss his candidates first and then must leave the room for the remainder of the discussion of players.  Each remaining regular season head coach then will discuss his players and leave the room while the other coaches may discuss that coach’s nominees.  After all regular season head coaches finish speaking, each regular season head coach shall cast votes for the number of players equal to the remaining slots on the team.  Any player receiving 70% of the regular season head coaches’ votes shall be deemed to have been selected for the team. 

·         Third Ballot.  Without any further discussion of players, each regular season head coach shall cast votes for the number of players equal to the remaining slots on the team.  Any player receiving 60% of the regular season head coaches’ votes shall be deemed to have been selected for the team.  If an insufficient number of players receive 60% of the votes cast, the remaining roster spots prior to the last 2 (Coach Picks), shall be filled, in descending order, with the players receiving the highest number of votes on the third ballot.  

If the number of players selected by the methods described above should exceed the number of players the primary tournament team head coach intends to carry, the players with the fewest votes shall be dropped to get to a full roster of players to complete the open roster spots.

·          Coach Picks.  Once the voting process has been concluded, the primary team head coach shall announce his picks for the last 2 roster slots.  Should the primary team head coach’s child(ren) not been selected to the team via the previous process the head coach must use his Coach Picks to select the player(s) to the team.   

B Team:

When the player election concludes for the primary tournament team in each league, the league commissioner will open the floor to applicants to coach additional tournament team(s).  The election of additional team head coach and players shall be conducted according to the same procedures outlined above for primary teams. Only one A and one B team per age group shall be selected via the established selection process.  All additional teams shall be formed as Club Teams

Club Teams. 

Coaches are also permitted to form post-season teams after the league-selected teams are formed.  Club teams must abide by the same guidelines provided and must submit to the board the following:

·        Roster of regular season registered players

·        Head Coach Application

·        Named Assistant Coaches (must abide by coach guidelines for background checks)

Tournament Team Uniforms

Team Names: "A" Team is named Thunder; "B" team is named Lightning.  Club teams will use board approved team names excluding the aforementioned names should B&C teams not be selected.  Board approved names are Hurricanes, Cyclones, Tornadoes

Uniforms:  Hats must have the approved ES script logo on front.  Teams will use the board approved logos provided by the Tournament Chair.  ESBA's official colors of Red, White and Blue are encouraged.  Actual color selection is the discretion the head coach after review from the Tournament Team Chair.  Jersey style, pants, socks, helmets, and bat bags up to the discretion of coach. 

1/16, 4/17, 7/18

VII. TEAM SELECTION (DRAFT)

Regular season teams are formed by head coaches “drafting” players in order of a predetermined draw. Team 1 drafts first, team 2 drafts second, etc., and each succeeding round will be in reverse order of the previous round, except as noted below.

Only head coaches and officers may attend the draft meeting, except that a substitute (board member or ESBA official not affiliated with that league) may draft for a coach unable to attend. At least two board members not involved in that league or division must attend (or a substitute designated by the President.)

Parents wanting to avoid any potential coach’s team may so advise the upcoming season’s League Commissioner, who will then discretely inform that coach prior to the draft. However, coaches are subsequently free to draft any eligible player, as parents are not permitted to manipulate player selection or team balance (only one such request per player.)

Prior to the draft meeting (preferably the day before), coaches will be given a draft roster in order of highest scoring player to lowest, as determined by tryout scores. The draft roster will also contain all player information pertinent to the draft. Coaches are encouraged to ask questions about unknown players and should be comfortable with draft procedures. At some point prior to the draft meeting, coaches will draw for draft order, subject to the Commissioner’s subsequent adjustments that may be needed.

Head coaches’ children are to be drafted in the rounds indicated by tryout scores. Prior to the draft meeting, Commissioners must usually adjust the draft order of the first or second rounds to properly accomplish this. If a head coach’s child would normally be expected to be drafted first in the draft, that coach is assigned the first pick for the draft (same concept for second, third, fourth pick, etc.). If a head coach’s child’s skill level is clearly equivalent to a late first round pick, that coach will be assigned an appropriate pick at or near the end of the first round. Draft ranking of head coaches' children in the second round must also be considered.  The objective is for head coaches’ children to be placed in the sequence of the draft order to allow that team and the league to be competitively balanced in the first two rounds.

If a head coach's child ranks in the first round, his rank in the first round will be that coach's draft posirion. Exception for Mustang and older: If a head coach's child ranks in the first round but is clearly not considered a first round pitcher, that coach will select his child at the end of the first round and pick in the last draft position (allows drafting a first round level pitcher at the begiining of the second round).

If a head coach's child ranks in the top/first half of the second round, that coach's draft position in the first round should correspond to the child's rank in the top/first half of the second round.  If a head coach's child ranks in the last half of the second round, that coach should draft in the top/first half of the first round; if that coach draws a draft order number in the first half, that is his number; if not, he should be moved to the last draft number in the first half of the first round. 

Thereafter, other head coaches’ children are drafted in the rounds indicated by tryout scores. If a tryout score places head coach’s child in a tie score overlapping two rounds, that player will be placed in the lower/later round (eg: round 4, not 3) unless considered to be a first round pitcher.

Brother options are honored, unless parents request separate teams. Once the first brother is drafted, the second is automatically taken in the round indicated by his tryout score.

Assistant coach or car pool requests cannot be honored.

Trades:  Limited trading of players may be permitted at the end of the draft.  Players selected in the first round may not be traded.  If a player is selected in the second or third round, or if players proposed for trade were selected more than two rounds apart, both board members must approve the trade and then must be voted on by confidential ballot by all coaches, with at least 2/3 majority approving.  All other trades must be approved by both board representatives. Trades may not be made after the draft meeting has ended unless extraordinary conditions warrant board approval.

If there are not an even number of players in the draft (some teams with 11 and some with 12), the draft sequence is altered to prevent those teams with a greater number of players from drafting in a separate last round (double disadvantage). Those teams having the greater number of players will participate in a special draft selection after the sixth round and before the seventh round to acquire their additional player. A drawing will determine which teams will have the greater number of players and the order they draft in this special round. The draft then resumes in the original draft order. If the draft would be concluded with an odd number of rounds (not counting the special round after the sixth), another drawing will be held to determine the order of drafting in the last round.

Late Player Assignment:

Commissioners will maintain an official waiting list for unassigned players, in order of appearance after that league is considered ‘full’ or the day after the draft. Once the board has determined a league’s maximum number of teams, a league is considered ‘full’ when all teams have 12 players (except Colt); or with special board approval, when all teams have 11 players.

When a league is not ‘full’ after the draft, waiting list players (or new players presenting after the draft) will be assigned in the following manner: 

o   If only one team has fewer rostered players than all other teams, a new player will be assigned to that team. 

o   If multiple teams have equally fewer rostered players than other teams, a drawing will be held at the park each time a new player presents. 

However, new players may not be added to a team roster after 50% of that league's scheduled games have been played, unless authorized by the board of directors.

Each head coach of teams eligible for the drawing will be expected to attend the drawing or send a representative. A new drawing will be conducted each time a new player presents (if multiple teams have roster openings).   A team losing a player will be immediately considered to have the new number of rostered players.

VIII. ALL STARS

To recognize certain “most valuable” players who are judged to have made superior contributions to their teams, players in designated leagues select “all stars” from their spring season teams. It is recognized that there may not be a perfect method to select all stars, but East Side’s experience has shown that the collective opinions of the players voting by confidential ballot produces the most trusted process and fairest outcome.

The all star selection process will be confidential, with the President appointing impartial all star officials to conduct the voting and to carefully review the ballots for integrity.

Players must be present to vote (absentee ballots are not accepted).  It is preferable to offer an alternative voting date (such as the Thursday before) for teams not playing games on voting day and for players who will be away.

Each Pinto, Mustang and Bronco team selects 4 all stars; ties in voting for the final spot will be resolved by the League's Board Representative (head coaches may be consulted).

All stars receive an all star cap and will participate in all star day if held by that division.

All star selection is a separate program from the selection of post-season tournament teams. 

Spring season Pinto, Mustang and Bronco teams' players also select one player from their team to be honored with the Sportsmanship Award.  Ties in voting will be resolved by the League's Board Representative (head coaches may be consulted).

IX. UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT, AND FIELDS

Each player’s uniform must be similar to that of his teammates, including a hat and acceptable playing shoes, and must have his shirt tucked in. Uniforms and equipment (other than shoes and gloves) may not be modified or otherwise made exceptional to the uniforms of other teams, except for size alterations, without the authorization of the Board of Directors. This includes All Star teams. Game pants must be standard in design and color, and maintained in good and clean condition.

See separate policy requirements for tournament team and travel team uniorms.

No player is permitted to wear jewelry during a game.

The coach of each team must return all equipment that is the property of the Association to the League Commissioner or Equipment Manager.

Coaches and umpires must inspect and ensure that all equipment meets the specifications and standards of the Association prior to the start of play of each game. Generally, any equipment officially approved by Little League, Dixie Youth League, Pony League or NOCSAE is judged acceptable if in safe condition and within size specifications. Any equipment not conforming to these standards or otherwise judged unsafe or inappropriate by the umpire must be removed from the playing field and dugout.

Shoes must be worn by all players. Steel cleats are not permitted in the Shetland, Pinto, Mustang and Bronco Leagues for either practice or games.

Casts may not be worn during a game by players.  Any other player equipment judged by the umpire to be unreasonably dangerous (such as having exposed hard material) will not be permitted.

Coaches may not sit on buckets or chairs on the field of play.  Photographers are not permitted on the field of play unless pre-approved by the Board of Directors.

The following are ESBA’s baseball bat requirements: 

For Shetland, Pinto, Mustang and Bronco, legal bats include all USSSA BPF 1.15 certified bats, USABat certified bats, wood bats, and BBCOR certified bats.  There is no restriction on barrel size.  For Shetland and Pinto, bat length must be under 30 inches.  For Mustang, bat length must be under 32 inches.  For Bronco, bat length must be under 33 inches.

See bat chart below for additional details:

Pony 
Drop 10 for USA Bat
Drop 5 for USSSA Bat

Colt
BBCOR -3

Use of an illegal or altered bat:  If discovered after such batter reaches base and before the next pitch, batter is out, ball is dead and other runners are returned to previous bases.  If discovered during an at-bat or if batter is retired, bat is removed and player and coach are warned.  Use of an illegal bat, either during the same game or a subsequent game, after a warning about that bat can result in both the player and coach being suspended for one game. 

Game balls will be provided by ESBA, two for each game (Wilson A1075, Diamond DPL-1 or equivalent). Exceptions may be made for Shetland or Rookie.

FIELD SPECIFICATIONS

X. CONDUCT

Parents are expected to display exemplary conduct during games and practices, providing a positive example of good sportsmanship for the players. Players, coaches, umpires and other officials are to be treated with respect by all persons attending a game, and any form of harassment toward any individual involved in a game is not permitted. Persons judged to be violating this rule may be requested by the umpire or other ESBA official to leave the area of the field, and if flagrant or recurring, may be subject to dismissal from the Association by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Complaints or appeals by parents may be made in writing to the League Commissioner or to the President of the Association.  Written complaints to the Board will be investigated and replied to within a reasonable time.

Umpires' decisions involving judgment (as contrasted with interpretation of a playing rule) are final, and no person may object to such judgment decisions, beyond brief and respectful appeal to the umpire who made the call. The umpire may, with or without advance warning, remove any player or coach from a game for any action involving poor sportsmanship, including but not limited to: throwing a helmet or bat in disgust; using language or actions reflecting in a derogatory, distracting or inciting manner toward opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators; or using abusive language or actions in an outburst of temper. Persons ejected from a game must immediately leave the area of the field.  Each time a coach or player is ejected, the League Commissioner will report the incident to the President within 48 hours.

Additionally, under the ESBA Zero Tolerance Policy, any coach shall be suspended for one game if he displays any form of disrespect toward an umpire.  Acts of disrespect include any derogatory remark, or any extreme physical reaction, or continuing to argue after the next pitch, or clear act of poor sportsmanship to an umpire's call, including balls and strikes.  A second occurrence of violating this policy in the same season will result in that coach's suspension until the Board of Directors determines further disciplinary action, which may include suspension as a coach for the rest of that season.

Sanctions for player ejections will be determined by each league's Commissioner and Board Representative.  Sanctions for Zero Tolerance violations or other misconduct by any member are administered by a league's Commissioner, Board Representative and the President.

XI. PARTICIPATION

To maximize participation, continuous batting order is used, and no player may sit out 2 consecutive innings defensively.  Free defensive substitution is permitted, but the batting order may not change.  If a player must be removed from the lineup due to illness, injury, etc., there is no penalty (subject to league rule regarding minimum roster), and he may return to the same place in the batting order if physically able.  A baserunner who must be removed due to illness, injury, etc. may be replaced by the last batter out.

Additionally, every player must play at least 2 complete games during the season.

The 2 complete game rule may be waived by the League Commissioner for players assigned to a team after that team's first game, or for players absent from 4 or more games prior to the tournament.

The “Designated Hitter” rule is not used.

A coach may not add to, drop or suspend from his team roster any player without the prior approval of the League Commissioner. Any player who quits his team during the season loses his eligibility to play on any other team for the remainder of the season and may not return to his team unless authorized by the League Commissioner.

Each player must participate in official practices on a regular basis unless he is physically disabled from participating or otherwise excused by his coach. A player may be suspended from his team as a result of excessive absences from games or practices, but only if authorized by the League Commissioner.

Coaches with repeated violations of participation rules will be subject to suspension or permanent removal from the team by the action of the Board of Directors.

Games not sanctioned by ESBA are to be attended on a voluntary basis only by players and parents.

There are no minimum participation requirements for post-season all-star games.

XII. INCOMPLETE GAMES

Prior to the start of each game, the League Commissioner (or, in his absence, any Board member) decides whether a game should be postponed in the event of inclement weather or any other adverse condition. After a game starts, it is the Umpire-in-chief’s responsibility to stop play for adverse conditions. Coaches and players are expected to report to the field unless officially notified that the game has been postponed. Teams are not required to wait longer than one hour during a rain delay or other temporary game suspension. In the event of rain, both teams’ coaches are responsible for making the field playable if judged feasible by officials.

If a game is stopped prior to becoming a “regulation game” (other than a forfeited game), the League Commissioner will schedule the game to be replayed in its entirety (starting over) as soon as reasonably possible. Rescheduled game times may include Sundays (no games may start before 12:30 p.m. or after 7:00 p.m.) or holidays. No team will be scheduled for more than 3 games in a pitching week (except during playoffs). A team failing to play in a rescheduled game is charged with a loss due to forfeit.

A "regulation game" for Shetland, Pinto, Mustang and Bronco is one that reaches the end of the third inning or the time limit.

A "regulation game" for Pony and Colt is one that reaches the end of the 4th inning, or to the bottom half of the 4th inning (3 1/2) if the home team is leading, or the time limit.

A game that is called after it is a regulation game reverts back to the score at the end of the previous inning unless the home team is leading when called. If a tournament game winner cannot be determined due to a tie score in a regulation game which is called, the game will resume from the exact point of suspension; if called prior to becoming a regulation game, it will be replayed in total.

XIII. PLAYING RULES

View League Playing Rules

CONSTITUTION OF EAST SIDE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION, INC.
COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA
REVISED 1/13/03

PREAMBLE
The East Side Baseball organization was founded in 1970 by certain members of the New Providence Baptist Church, primarily for children who attended East Side Elementary School. In its early years, the church provided sponsorship to the organization, and games were played at the school. As participation in East Side’s baseball program has steadily increased, the Board of Directors of the organization has recognized the need for an improved formal Constitution, and through adoption by the membership, hereby establishes this Constitution of East Side Baseball Association, Incorporated, thereby amending and superseding in total all prior documents pertaining to the government and operation of this organization.

ARTICLE I: NAME AND LOCATION
The organization existing under this Constitution shall be known as “East Side Baseball Association, Incorporated”, also referred to as “ESBA” and/or “Association”. The location of the Association is intended to be the geographical vicinity surrounding Fuller’s Park, located on Robinson Road in east Cobb County, Georgia.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
The sole purpose of the Association shall be to provide an organized baseball program for the youth of the community. It is intended that the players, their families and the surrounding community would benefit mutually from the successful operation of the Association.

The Association was formed by community-minded individuals of common interest and purpose whose primary objective is to maintain a high quality youth baseball program, teaching the fundamentals of the game of baseball in a low-key atmosphere void of intense pressure to excel or to put winning ahead of the values of sportsmanship and teamwork or the enjoyment of participating. While the goal and satisfaction of winning cannot be and should not be removed from the game, maximum individual participation should be of primary importance and shall be so delineated in the By-Laws.

The Association shall ensure that all persons display exemplary conduct at all games, practices and meetings of the Association, and parents shall be expected to provide a positive example of good sportsmanship for the players.

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNMENT
League and Division play for players aged 10 and under will be divided by age group. For players ages 11 through 18, a skills test will be used for forming in-park Divisions for League play and for Northwest Baseball Association (NWBA) or similar associations.

The Board of Directors may authorize limited exceptions regarding the assignment of a player to a League other than his age group if special circumstances warrant such action. Also, the Board of Directors may eliminate certain Leagues if insufficient numbers of players apply for participation, or add Leagues if appropriate.

The Board of Directors shall be comprised of nine adult members, eight of whom are elected by the members and a President appointed by the eight newly elected members of the Board of Directors.

Each adult member in attendance may vote for one adult member from his/her child’s next season’s age category (6 or younger; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12; 13 and 14; or 15 and older), plus two “at large” adult members from any age category. An adult member having children in more than one age category may not vote in more than one age category. After determining the successful candidates for each age category, all votes (including those cast by age category) shall be counted to determine the two “at large” positions. Ties in vote totals are resolved in favor of the member having the greater total years of adult membership. If the President is selected from the elected Board of Directors, the next highest vote recipient in the President’s selection category shall join the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall appoint certain officers, including a President, Treasurer, Secretary and a Commissioner for each League. The President shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The term of election to the Board of Directors or appointment to an office is one season, with re-election/appointment in any following season permitted.

ARTICLE IV: BY-LAWS
In addition to this Constitution, the Association shall adopt By-Laws prescribing major operating procedures, including the selection of officers and members of the Board of Directors, the method of assigning players to teams, player registration procedures, minimum participation rules, all-star selection and playing rules. The By-Laws shall be consistent in context and philosophy with this Constitution, as judged by the Board of Directors. It shall be the joint responsibility of the Board of Directors and the League Commissioners to monitor and enforce conformance to the By-Laws. The By-Laws may be amended or otherwise changed by a six- ninths majority vote of the Board of Directors. All other decisions of the Board require simple majority of all Board members present.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
Youth members shall be those non-adult (under 21 years of age) rostered, players, coaches and scorekeepers participating in the current ESBA season, and shall not have voting rights. Adult members shall be the parents or guardians of youth members or coaches or officers participating in the most recent spring season, and shall have voting rights. Membership rights may be revoked; however, by six-ninths majority vote of the Board of Directors, any youth member or adult member may be prohibited from participating in any Association activities based on gross misconduct or other action clearly and flagrantly inconsistent with this Constitution or the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
The Association shall conduct a meeting of the membership during May of each year. The primary purpose of this general membership meeting shall be to receive nominations for Board of Directors for the next season, and voting will occur at Fullers Park the following Saturday from 8:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. The President of the Association shall conduct an annual organizational meeting each May or June to report on the Association’s financial position, to solicit coaches and officials for the next season, to propose major expenditures and to discuss any other topics related to the Association and to introduce the new Board of Directors whom will take office July 1. Notice of any general membership meeting shall be made, by written notice mailed or provided to membership via East Side’s website no later than seven calendar days prior to the meeting date. The minimum number of adult members required for any membership vote shall be fifty.

Responsibility for developing, administering and interpreting policy or procedural issues not specifically addressed by this Constitution shall be vested in the elected Board of Directors, consistent with the Association’s By-Laws. Therefore, motions, resolutions or opinions from the floor of general membership or coaches meetings shall be considered non-binding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as a guide for conducting general membership meetings.

From time to time, as deemed appropriate by the President, the Board of Directors shall meet to oversee the operation of the Association. Except as designated in other Articles of this Constitution, decisions shall be final upon majority vote of the Board of Directors.

The “season” and “fiscal year” shall be defined as July 1 through June 30 of the current calendar year. The “playing season” shall begin on Opening Day and shall end on Closing Day.

ARTICLE VII: FINANCE
The Association shall be a non-profit organization providing a quality youth baseball program at a reasonable and moderate cost to its members. The Board of Directors shall establish players’ registration fees annually. The player registration fee may be waived in cases of personal financial hardship of any member, as authorized by the President.

The Board of Directors shall authorize budgets prior to the beginning of the playing season, and the Board of Directors shall pre-authorize all non-budgeted individual expenditures exceeding $300. The President shall assume the responsibility of maintaining a sound financial position for the Association and for ensuring prudence in financial disbursements made by the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall assume the responsibility and accountability for making appropriate disbursements as authorized by the President or the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall provide the President with reports of the Association’s financial position periodically and shall provide a written report of financial condition to the membership at each annual membership meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: APPEAL
Any adult member shall have the right to approach in a reasonable and courteous manner his/her child’s coach, League Commissioner or President to resolve any matter which is unsatisfactory or which appears to be contrary to this Constitution or By-Laws. If informal methods of resolution fail to satisfy the adult member, that individual may initiate a formal appeal to the Board of Directors by directing a detailed written request to the President of the Association. A response shall be provided to the adult member within a reasonable period of time.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION
Amendments to this Constitution shall be adopted only after being proposed at a general membership meeting and then confirmed at a subsequent general membership meeting held at least thirty days later, but no longer than ninety days later. Both the proposed amendment vote and the subsequent confirmation vote must succeed by at least a two-thirds majority of adult members in attendance. The official notice of any meeting in which a proposed constitutional amendment is to be confirmed shall identify the nature of the proposed amendment.

This Constitution is hereby adopted as an amendment in full and supersedes all articles of the Association’s current Constitution on this date by the adult membership of East Side Baseball, Incorporated, and is attested to by the current Board of Directors: