OZ PARK BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
A NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION
OPERATIONAL BYLAWS
Article I –Organization
A. As set forth in the corporate by‐laws, the name of this organization shall be “Oz Park Baseball Association, Inc” (“OBPA”).
B. These operational by‐laws are not intended to and shall not in any way modify or change the corporate by‐laws previously accepted for the OPBA.
C. The corporate bylaws are designed to establish structure of the not for profit corporation, and not necessarily the functional operation of the OPBA. The corporate bylaws establish certain minimum operational elements, including but not limited to frequency of meetings, board membership, and director positions. The OPBA Board of Directors shall conduct any and all business or meetings above the minimum standards set in the corporate by laws as necessary.
Article II – Goals
A. The OPBA’S mission is to provide high quality baseball instruction and competition for boys and girls ages 4‐14.
B. The focus of the OPBA will be teamwork, sportsmanship, physical fitness, and fun while teaching its players skills needed to continue to progress and enjoy the game of baseball.
Article III – Eligibility of Players
A. The OPBA is intended to serve the boys and girls in the geographic area surrounding Oz Park. However, there are no geographic boundaries for any interested player. Consideration for team placement or field assignment will not be given for a player, coach, or parents benefit based on their geographic location.
B. Any boy or girl wishing to participate must be between the ages of 4 and 14. A player’s age for the current baseball season is determined by the age of the player on September 1st of the same year. For example, to begin play in 4 year old t‐ball in 2012, a player must have reached the age of 4 by September 1, 2012. No prospective player who has obtained their 15th birthday will be eligible to play. The age restrictions are designed to ensure all players are grouped within their same academic class year (i.e. second graders playing against second graders).
i. Parents must provide proof of age at or before the first instructional or practice session for the player’s team. Since registration for OPBA is done on‐line, proof of age requirement will not be required until the first instructional or practice session.
ii. OPBA will only accept copies of birth certificates as a player’s proof of age.
iii. If a parent fails to provide a player’s proof of age, that player WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the first instructional session and that player MAY be required to forfeit his or her spot on their team.
C. The OPBA is equally available to both boys and girls of qualifying ages. Teams will be constructed to be co‐educational.
Article IV –League Structure
A. The various division of play will be set out as follows: i. 4 Yr. Old T‐ball ii. 5 Yr. Old T‐ball iii. 6 Yr. Old T‐ball/coach pitch iv. 7 Yr. Old coach pitch v. 8 Yr. Old coach/player pitch vi. 9 yr. Old player pitch vii. 10 yr. Old player viii. 11‐13 yr. Old player
B. The number of teams in each division will be dictated by the need of a certain year, and is expected to change from year to year. No division is expected to have more than 12 teams, and not team is expected to have more than 15 players.
C. Unless specifically allowed by the OPBA Board of Directors, no player will be allowed to play above or below their age level. “Playing up” is strongly discouraged. Allowances can be made on a case by case basis, but only after a written request is made to the OPBA Board of Directors. Any parent wishing to have a child play in a division other than the one designated for their age should include in their written request the following information:
i. The stated reason for the request, with as much specificity as possible.
ii. Additionally documentation supporting the need for the request. For example, if a child has a documented IEP plan in place at school, this information will be of great assistance in the Board making the appropriate decision.
iii. Reasons such as “my child is small for his age”; “he has a late birthday”; “we’ve already done t‐ball” will not be sufficient.
iv. If a special accommodation is made, it will be revisited at the end of the season to determine if the player had developed sufficiently to allow him to play at his normal age group. A special accommodation in one season DOES NOT mean a special accommodation will automatically be renewed in the following season.
Article V – Employees/Independent Contractors
A. All Officers, Committee Chairs, and other involved in the creation, implementation, and governing of the OPBA are volunteers and will not be compensated for their time. Any reasonable expenses approved by the appropriate committee will be reimbursed.
B. OPBA may, as needed, hire various outside services as independent contractors. Such expected services may include landscaping, umpires, coaching professional or other consultants/contractors as needed. Outside contractors, vendors and/or consultants will not be considered to be employees of OPBA.
Article VI – Volunteers
A. The success of any organization like OPBA is reliant on numerous volunteers. The expectation of OPBA Board is that all volunteers will be willing to provide their time and talents without compensation.
B. All OPBA volunteers, including but not limited to volunteer coaches, will be expected to conduct themselves with the decorum necessary to promote the OPBA goals of teamwork, sportsmanship, physical fitness, and fun.
C. OPBA volunteers may not smoke, use foul or offensive language or drink alcoholic beverages during OPBA events. Further, OPBA volunteers are expected to support the players in a respectful manner in an effort to encourage their players to learn and achieve.
D. All OPBA volunteers must agree to undergo a criminal background check prior to the season.
E. The OPBA reserves the right to reject any volunteer for any reason.
Article VII – Insurance
A. In addition to the insurance provisions set forth in OPBA’s corporate by‐laws, the OPBA shall obtain general liability insurance to cover claims, including but not limited to property damage and bodily injury claims that may be made against it. The insurance shall be renewable every year. The insurance obtained by the OPBA will be designed to cover the Board of Directors and any OPBA volunteers.
B. Any outside vendors should also demonstrate proof of insurance, if applicable, before contracted work is to begin. Further, all outside vendors shall name OPBA as an “additional insured” on their policy if applicable.
Article VIII – Dispute Resolution
A. It is the intention of the OPBA to provide a fun, challenging, instructive and rewarding baseball experience to all of its participants and families. The spirit of cooperation, teamwork, sportsmanship and friendship shall be paramount in the administration of the OPBA.
B. In the event a dispute arises that cannot be resolved at the team or division level, the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee will examine the issue.
C. In order to bring an issue before the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee, the following shall be adhered to: i. The nature of the dispute must be summarized in written form to the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee. Issues brought up in conversation or verbally will NOT be considered. ii. The parties involved in the issue or dispute shall make themselves available to furnish additional information as needed by the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee
D. If necessary, members of the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee will interview other parties with information or knowledge regarding the issue. By agreeing to participate in the OPBA, players and their families also agree to assist in the resolution of disputes by discussing the issue with members of the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee.
E. If necessary, the parties involved in the dispute will attempt to come to an understanding and resolution on their own, or with the assistance of the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee. The assistance provided includes, but is not limited to, facilitating discussions between the parties, encouraging compromise, or providing rule interpretations if needed.
F. If a dispute cannot be resolved, then the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee shall determine the resolution to the dispute. In coming to a resolution, the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee will review all available information prior to coming to its decision. The decision of the Bylaws/Dispute Resolution Committee will not be limited to the requested relief of the parties involved in the dispute. The decision of the committee will be made by a 2/3 majority vote.
Article IX – Rules of Play
A. The rules of play on the field are established by OPBA’s Competition Committee.
B. These operational by‐laws are not intended to establish the rules of play. C. The rules of play may be amended from time‐to‐time as necessary if so determined by the Rules committee.
i. Any proposed changes to the rules of play must be submitted in writing to the OPBA Board from the OPBA Competition Committee.
ii. The nature of the change and reason for the proposed change to any rule of play must be specifically enumerated in a written proposed rule changes, including but not limited to benefits of the proposed change, possible detriments to the league associated with the change, potential cost factors and any other relevant consideration for the Board of Directors.
iii. Following discussion of the proposed rule change(s), the Board of Directors will vote on the proposed change. The proposed change will be carried out with a 2/3 majority vote of Board of Directors.
iv. Changes to the rules of play can be considered at the conclusion of the spring training sessions. Further, changes to the rules of play can be considered during the season if determined to be necessary by the Board of Directors.
Article X – League Fees
A. League fees will be set by the Board of Directors, and can be subject to change from one season to the next.
B. Payment of league fees will be required at registration. No player will be registered unless the league fee for the upcoming season is paid.
C. The league fees will not include costs of any personal equipment a player will be expected to use, including baseball glove and appropriate shoes. Uniforms, balls and bats will be provided by the OPBA.
D. Refunds of paid OPBA league fees will be paid only on a case by case basis. Refunds may not be given even if a player’s roster spot is filled.
Article XI – Amendments
A. It is fully expected that the needs of the OPBA will evolve.
B. Amendments to this first set of Bylaws are expected.
C. Amendments can be proposed by any Director or Member of the Board of Directors.
D. All amendments must be passed by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
E. Amendments will only be considered before or after the season is played; no amendments will be allowed during the season, unless under extreme circumstances.