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Warkworth Minor Baseball Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1.1: Name

  • The name of this organization shall be the Warkworth Rattlers.
  • Any Select team playing within Warkworth Minor Baseball shall be called North County Knights. 
  • With regards to organizational logos, emblems, uniforms, media or the like pertaining to either Warkworth Rattlers or North County Knights, any augments, edits, adjustments, changes will be presented, reviewed and voted upon by the Executive of Directors. 

Section 1.2: Purpose

  • The purpose of this association is to provide a safe, competitive environment for baseball players to develop skills, engage in sportsmanship, and enjoy the game of baseball. The league aims to promote fair play, teamwork, and community involvement.

 

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.1: Eligibility

  • Membership is open to all players, coaches. 

Section 2.2: Player Eligibility

  • Players must be between the ages of 4 and 19 as of December 31 of the current year to participate.
  • Players must be properly registered and pay any required registration fees before participating in league games.

Section 2.3: Coaches

  • Coaches must be at least 20 years old and complete any league-mandated background checks and coaching certification programs.
  • Coaches are required to adhere to the league’s code of conduct and attend training sessions or meetings as requested by the league.

 

ARTICLE III – LEAGUE STRUCTURE

Section 3.1: Divisions

  • The league shall be divided into divisions based on age groups, skill levels, or other criteria as determined by the members of the Quinte Baseball League.
  • The divisions for the current season will be as follows:
    • Division 1: 7U Tball
    • Division 2: 9U
    • Division 3: 11U
    • Division 4: 13U
    • Division 4: 15U
    • Division 5: 19U

Section 3.2: Teams

  • Teams shall be formed based on a draft system, registration, or other methods as approved by the Executive of Directors.
  • Each team must consist of a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 18 players.

Section 3.3: Scheduling

  • The league will provide a season schedule, which will include regular-season games, tournaments, and any other events deemed necessary by the Executive.
  • The schedule will be communicated to coaches, players, and parents at least 2 weeks before the start of the season.

 

ARTICLE IV – GOVERNANCE

Section 4.1: Executive of Directors

  • The association shall be governed by a Executive of Directors consisting of 5 members.
  • The Executive shall include a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and any additional roles deemed necessary.  Any one individual may hold multiple positions as deemed fitting by the Executive of Directors.
  • Executive members will be elected by association members at the annual meeting. Term will be 3 years with election or reelection in odd years. 
  • Where quorum is not present, and or positions are uncontested, then active members willing to stand are considered and adopted as proceeding for a 3 year term effective from date of election. 
  • Treasurer reports will be made publicly available at the yearly AGM.

Section 4.2: Responsibilities

  • The Executive of Directors is responsible for overseeing the operations of the association, including the approval of schedules, budgets, rules, and policies.
  • The President of the Executive shall represent the league in all official capacities.

 

ARTICLE V – GAME RULES

Section 5.1: Standard Rules

  • The league will follow the official rules of baseball as outlined by Ontario Baseball Association and the Quinte Baseball League unless otherwise specified by the League.
 

Section 5.2: Equipment

  • All players are required to wear appropriate baseball attire, including a uniform, cleats, glove, and helmet.
  • Teams must use league approved baseballs, bats, and other equipment.

 

ARTICLE VI – CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

Section 6.1: Code of Conduct

  • All players, coaches, officials, and spectators are expected to adhere to the league’s Code of Conduct, which includes the following expectations:
    • Show respect to opponents, teammates, and officials.
    • Display good sportsmanship at all times.
    • Refrain from verbal or physical abuse of any kind.
    • Any player, coach, parent, guardian, umpire, official member or other direct affiliate of our league and sport, will 
      • respect and comply with policies, ideals, rules and regulations of the game, by Warkworth Minor Baseball, Quinte Baseball League, Eastern Ontario Select Baseball Association or Ontario Baseball Association.  
      • further, assist Warkworth Minor Baseball in the promotion of sportsmanship and positive attitude.  
      • recognize all field authorities and assist them in exercising that authority.
      • comply with coaching staff regulations. 
      • support and encourage all participants on the field and to refrain from negative comments to game officials or any of the participants. 
      • refrain from any use of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, use of profanity, or unacceptable social conduct at the field or while attending team related activities. 

Failure to comply with these responsibilities may result in action by the Executive to suspend membership privileges and or expulsion from Field or affiliated properties, activities, events or other. 

Members may be given an official warning, suspended or expelled for breach of constitution or bylaws for any act, omission, or conduct that the Executive deems to be prejudicial to the welfare Warkworth Minor Baseball. 

Section 6.2: Disciplinary Action

  • Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:
    • Verbal warnings
    • Temporary suspension
    • Permanent expulsion from the league
  • Disciplinary actions will be decided by the Executive following a review of the incident often in collaboration with Quinte Baseball League and or Ontario Baseball Association.

 

ARTICLE VII – SAFETY AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES

Section 7.1: Safety Guidelines

  • All players must wear a protective helmet while batting, running the bases, or on deck.
  • Catchers must wear full protective gear during games and practice.
  • In addition, any and all safety guidelines outlined within Quinte Baseball League and or Baseball Ontario shall become in effect as instructed.

Section 7.2: Injuries

  • Any player who sustains an injury during a game must immediately report it to the coach and seek medical attention as necessary.
  • A player who has suffered a concussion or serious injury must be cleared by a medical professional before returning to play.

 




 

ARTICLE VIII – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Section 8.1: Budget

  • The league’s annual budget shall be approved by the Executive of Directors and include projections for expenses such as equipment, field maintenance, and administrative costs.

Section 8.2: Fees

  • Players may be required to pay a registration fee to cover league costs, including uniforms, equipment, and field rentals.
  • Fundraising and sponsorship may be pursued by the league to support the financial needs of the league.
  • Refund for player registration may be provided following written notice and request of the payment agent (parent or guardian or other) and provided at 100% until one day after the players first scheduled league game, 75% until June 15th of each season, 50% until July 5th of each season and 0% thereafter. 

 

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION

Section 9.1: Dissolution of the League

  • In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets of the league shall be donated to a nonprofit organization with similar purposes, as determined by the Executive of Directors.

 

Adoption and Approval

These bylaws were approved and adopted by the Warkworth Minor Baseball Executive of Directors on September 9th of 2023 and reviewed annually thereafter.