| By-Laws of the Texas Vintage Base Ball League Formally adopted October 13, 2007 Founding Commissioners: Bob Bluthardt, Fort Concho Vintage Base Ball Club robert.bluthardt@sanangelotexas.us Wendel Dickason, Cedar Hill Cartwrights wendel@vbbtexas.org Joe Garza, Montgomery College Saw Dogs Joe.A.Garza@nhmccd.edu Michael Hickey, Montgomery College Saw Dogs Michael.J.Hickey@nhmccd.edu Warren Simpson, Buffalo Gap Vintage Base Ball Club wsimpson@hsutx.edu Bob Wettemann, Buffalo Gap Vintage Base Ball Club, rwettemann@mcm.edu Article I -- Guiding Principles The Texas Vintage Base Ball League (hereafter the TVBBL) exists to promote the early history of baseball and educate the public about the origins and history of the game as it existed in Texas prior to the widespread adoption of the base ball glove. The goals of promotion, history and education are to be advanced by demonstrations of vintage base ball games played for interpretive purposes in an entertaining environment. The TVBBL seeks to achieve Excellence -- Excellence in interpretation, excellence in education, and excellence in performance (although excellence in performance does not denote athletic excellence). All member clubs and organizations are encouraged to embrace excellence in sportsmanship, honesty, and cooperation to further promote education on the history of baseball and the growth of vintage base ball in Texas. The vintage base ball game does not stand alone as an interpretive tool. The TVBBL actively promotes the education of its players and spectators through historical research, live game commentary by appropriately dressed participants (players, umpires and spectators), distribution of educational handouts, illustrative displays, and any other means that further explain, promote, and interpret the history of baseball both to the league and for the audience it informs, educates and entertains. Article II – Membership 2.1. Members. Membership in the league shall be open to any vintage base ball club organized in the state of Texas that fields a team or teams playing at least six organized games in the preceding season (defined as the calendar year beginning January 1 and concluding December 31). Any vintage base ball club so organized may petition the Commissioners Board for membership in the TVBBL. Membership of new clubs in the TVBBL will be conferred by a vote from the Commissioners Board taken at the annual meeting. 2.2. Inclusivity. The TVBBL encourages participation of all players and spectators, regardless of sex, age, creed, national origin, or athletic ability, provided they agree to abide by the By-Laws, and Rules Governing Play adopted by the TVBBL. Players under the age of 16 must have written consent of their parents or legal guardians or presence of same. Article III –Club Representatives 3.1. Representation. Each club shall name, elect, or otherwise choose two representatives to the TVBBL. The Club Representatives serve to offer advice and counsel to the Commissioners Board, and to voice concerns and interests to the Commissioner of Base Ball. Club Representatives also vote to approve or reject nominations to vacant seats on the Commissioners Board. 3.2. Annual Meetings. An Annual Meeting of the Club Representatives and Commissioners Board will take place at or near the conclusion of each season but prior to the commencement of the next subsequent season. The Annual Meeting shall be held at a time and place set by the Commissioners Board after notice in writing is sent to all Club Representatives not fewer than thirty days prior to said meeting. Notices shall be delivered in person, by mail, or electronically. 3.3. Voting. Each Club shall have one vote at such times when votes are called for by the Commissioners Board. When a Club has one Commissioner drawn from its ranks, it shall seat one Club representative, and continue to receive one vote as a Club, as well as one vote by the Commissioner. When a Club has two Commissioners, they shall function as Club Representatives and cast one vote on behalf of their Club, in addition to any votes they might make as Commissioners. Article IV -- Commissioners Board 4.1. Authority. The affairs of the League shall be under the general direction of a Commissioners Board, the sole policy-making body of the League. The Commissioners Board, to the extent it deems appropriate, exercise its power to administer, direct, manage and conduct the affairs of the League. 4.2. Number and Composition. The Commissioners Board shall be comprised of six voting commissioners who shall serve staggered, three- year terms. Of the six Founding Commissioners, two shall serve for five years, two shall serve for four years, and two shall serve for three years. Once these initial terms are completed, all commissioners are eligible to serve an additional three year term, with their initial terms constituting a single term for purposes of defining term of office as outlined in 4.5, below. 4.3. Nomination of Commissioners. Commissioners to fill vacant seats on the Commissioners Board shall be nominated by a nominating committee composed of the sitting Commissioners, with nominations to be made prior to the expiration of the Commissioners’ term. 4.4. Election. Commissioners shall be elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Club Representatives at the Annual Meeting. 4.5. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Commissioners Board may be filled by a nominated Commissioner who receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the Club Representatives at the Annual Meeting. 4.6. Term of Office. At the conclusion of the terms of the Founding Board of Commissioners, the term of office for a Commissioner shall be three (3) calendar years (January through December), or until a successor has been elected. Commissioners in office may be elected for one (1) additional consecutive three (3) year term after the first. A lapse of at least one (1) year shall be necessary before a Commissioner who has served the equivalent of two consecutive three year terms can be eligible for reelection to the Commissioners Board. A Commissioner may return to serve on the Board of Commissioners as often as he may be nominated, provided they do not serve more than two terms in succession and rotate off the board for the proscribed one year in the interim. Service of Commissioners to fill an unexpired term as Commissioner shall not count as a full term for purposes of the two (2) term limitation imposed herein. 4.7. Meetings. At the Annual Meeting, the By-Laws, and Rules Governing Play adopted by the TVBBL will be examined by Commissioners Board and, as necessary, adapted and changed to meet the needs of common courtesy, provide a safe playing environment for audience and players, promote vintage base ball as an attraction with education value, promote the general integrity of the game and league, attract prospective players and additional spectators, and to address questions and concerns raised by the Club Representatives. Additional meetings may be called for on an as-needed basis by the Commissioner of Base Ball. 4.8. Votes by the Commissioners Board. Each member of the Commissioners Board, including the Commissioner of Base Ball shall receive one vote. Unless called for by the Commissioners Board, Club Representatives do not vote on issues brought before the Commissioners Board. To be considered binding, all matters of policy addressed by the Commissioners Board, specifically revisions to League By-Laws and Rules of Play must pass by a vote of at least 67% of Commissioners present. In the case of a tie vote by the Commissioners Board on other matters, the Commissioners Board and Club Representatives will vote on the issue as a “Committee of the Whole,” with the Commissioner of Base Ball, Commissioners and each Club represented receiving votes as outlined in Article 3.3, above. 4.9. Quorum. A meeting of either the Commissioners Board or assembled Club Representatives shall be considered valid when a quorum is met. A quorum is met when membership of either body assembled meets or exceeds fifty percent plus one of existing membership. Article V – The Commissioner 5.1. Commissioner of Base Ball. A Commissioner of Base Ball will be elected by and from the Commissioners Board, and will serve so long as they remain a member of the Commissioners Board or until they choose to resign, whichever comes first. When the sitting Commissioner of Base Ball resigns or otherwise vacates the office, a new Commissioner of Base Ball shall be selected from among the remaining members of the Commissioners Board. At that point, a new Commissioner shall be immediately selected for nomination to the board and approval by the Club Representatives so that said board will continue to have six Commissioners. 5.2. Duties of Commissioner. The Commissioner of Base Ball serves as the chief contact, arbiter, and record-keeper for the TVBBL, and is empowered to call special meetings of the Commissioners Board to discuss issues, coordinate league tournaments and calendars of play, review governing principles, admit new clubs, settle disputes, and address other issues of concern which may emerge. Rules Governing Play 1. Unless otherwise specified, all games will be umpired in accordance with Beadle’s 1860 baseball rules. Aside from their optional employment by the catcher or “behind,” baseball gloves will not be used. 2. The average age of any fielded nine shall be no less than 30 years of age. Any club may challenge this rule by asking the opposing club to provide the drivers licenses of all players on the field at any given time. 3. No club may score more than 7 runs in a single inning, except for the final inning, in which both clubs may score unlimited runs prior to the third out being made. 4. Clubs may adopt ground rules to govern the play on their respective fields, but these ground rules must be announced to umpires, tally keepers, both club captains, and opposing clubs prior to commencement of play. Active Clubs and Principal Contacts Buffalo Gap Vintage Base Ball Club Bob Wettemann rwettemann@mcm.edu Warren Simpson wsimpson@hsutx.edu Montgomery College Saw Dogs Michael Hickey Michael.J.Hickey@nhmccd.edu Joe Garza Joe.A.Garza@nhmccd.edu Cedar Hill Cartwrights Wendel Dickason wendel@vbbtexas.org Buck and Breck Vintage Base Ball Club Jan Hart jhart@irvinglibrary.org Richmond Giants Bryan MacAuley bmcauley@georgeranch.org Farmers Branch Mustangs Barbara Judkins barbara.judkins@farmersbranch.info Fort Concho/San Angelo Vintage Base Ball Club Bob Bluthardt robert.bluthardt@sanangelotexas.us Allyn Byars allyn.byars@angelo.edu Prospective Clubs and contacts: Benbrook Sam Balkum sam@benbrookchamber.org Lubbock/National Ranching Heritage Center Christy Lemons christy.lemons@ttu.edu |