08/27/2025
Curt Whittemore opened with welcoming all attendees and thanking the members for attending.
37 members were in attendance.
Curt W read the last General Membership meeting minutes, Al Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes as read second by Al V.
President opening remarks :
Mike asked for the members to get involved with all activities as we move forward in the upcoming season. Mike also addressed the group and encouraged everyone to show good sportsmanship and to be a good supporting teammate.
Al J (treasure ) gave the treasury report and stated that we had a $10,153.48 balance in our bank account. Also Al informed everybody the uniforms were paid for and are in along with the hats. Al Johnson also said the Christmas party deposit had been paid and then spoke about the county new pricing change from an annual price to an hourly rate. Devon Addison made a motion to accept the treasury report and Charlie parrot second the motion.
Sal F brought up about changing a rule where you get a second swing if you hit the pitching net. It was voted on and not accepted as a rule change. Al Johnson mentioned that we were going to have a tryout for some replacement umpires in case Eddie was not available to umpire in a particular game. Mike Labriola requested that all players that put up the equipment when the field is taken down to put it up correctly and neatly so nothing gets ruined ripped or broken.
Curt Whittemore discussed opening day and the activities that would happen during that day and asked for the opening Home team to be at the ballfield to set it up and have it ready to go by 8:30 AM. Curt W. reminded all the members to support our sponsors on our Wednesday luncheon and to have as many people possible come to show our support for our sponsors. Al Johnson addressed the group about American Legion only being available for lunch on Fridays. Curt W. also addressed the group about upcoming activities the annual picnic Saturday, October 11 at Cruz Lake, team barbecues will be sometime November and January to have at the field. The Christmas party will be Friday, December 19 at Wellington and DJ. Rob Smith will be our entertainment. Al Johnson brought up Tampa Bay Downs a day at the races Friday, February 13 and a golf tournament date to be determined to be held at Hernando Oaks to be run by Ron Quack. Quack addressed the group as to we need at least one Whacs member to be part of a four man golf team. Al Johnson addressed the season end party at Masarytown community center Al J. also mentioned that the community center did not pay a sponsorship fee in lieu of allowing us to use their community center. Curt W brought up the idea of possibly giving end of year awards for highest average for players home runs doubles triples most valuable player most improved player, possibly giving a gift card for the players accomplishments.
Ron Quack asked what rules have been changed? Al J addressed the group that the rules are updated and on the website .
Al V announced that no rules would be changed throughout the season. Al J stated that some of the rules in the past would change overnight without a lot of people knowing and in the past the rules have been “bastardized “.
Howard Wilcox brought up in behalf of his manager Nelson Perez that the running rules should be changed back to what they were last year. It was discussed and recommended to keep the new run rule in place so we would not have one runner running every inning for someone. Tony Mazzola brought up that when a player is ejected from a game they will serve at least one game suspension at minimum Mike L brought up the fact of using foul language and throwing equipment will get you ejected from a game.
Joe Fortune questioned throwing equipment to get a better explanation of what that meant. Al Johnson let everyone know in the rules, you don’t have to have two batters on deck that is not a rule, but we can do it.
Charlie Parrott asked for clarity about two batters on deck. The answer was yes if that’s what the team wanted to do, but it was not in the rulebook. Mike L let everyone know that stats will not be kept when a player is substituting for another team. Patrick D questioned if all the rule changes were addressed. Tony M stated that the scorekeeper is not allowed to say anything if a team is batting Auto order. Wayne T asked that all players to refrain from asking him questions hit or not a hit while he’s trying to keep his mind on scoring the game. Al Johnson reiterated the updated rules that are currently in place on the website are 2025–2026 rules and for everybody to please read the rules.
Patrick D asked if the wax would sponsor a bowling team as they did last year. The answer was we get sponsorship for us we don’t sponsor any other organizations.
Joe Fortune questioned about the screen distance from the rubber, and the answer was the screen has to be no further than 5 feet away from the rubber on the pitchers mound. Wayne Tate had a concern of the league using a tattoo ball and stated that it was a hotter ball than the one we currently use and was concerned about players safety. Tony M asked about if we were going to count errors this year or is everything a hit? The answer was everything will be a hit and error will not be counted as an error A motion was made to accept the rules and was second by Devon and the vote was 100% unanimous. Sal F made a motion to close the meeting. It was second by Tommy Noga and was then adjourned.
This is a link to the tribute page for those who want to comment. https://www.brewerfuneral.com/
Christmas Party Menu: House salad with Ranch & Raspberry vinaigrette. Entree's are Sausage & Peppers, Chicken Parmesan, Egg Plant Parmesan, Baked Ziti W/Sausage & Ground Beef, sauteed Green Beans & Roasted Garlic Potato's.
Soft drinks & Coffee are included (Cash Bar) and
Dessert cake provided by WHACS. Enjoy!
August 28, 2024
General Membership Meeting
In attendance President Charle Parrot, Vice President Frank Bravico, Secretary Curt Whittemore, Treasurer Artie Ropers,Members at Large Irshaad Weston, Ron Rzeppa, and Devon Addison who resigned today. A total count of 47 members were in attendance.
10:48 President Charlie Parrot called the meeting to order.
Charlie asked for a vote for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited before every 1st game throughout the season .
Vote was yes 46-1.
Al Johnson stated that the previous meeting minutes be amended with adding additional language to the acceptance of the treasury report which was left out. “Per audit approval “.
Al Johnson also asked if this was a corporate meeting or a softball meeting. The answer by Charlie P was softball first then Corp.
Wayne Tate asked if errors would be counted in the scorebook.
A vote was cast as to NOT count errors in favor 35 yes12 no.
Umpire Larry Johnson addressed the membership setting expectations for the forthcoming season.
Managers must control actions as it relates to the players conduct. If bad language is used and Larry does not know who it was the manager will be ejected from the game.
Larry stated if any player intentionally threw a bat they would be ejected from the game.
Irshaad Weston made a motion to have the season to be split into 2 half seasons.
40 yes 7 no.
It was majority agreed upon for the pitcher must get behind the net after the ball is released, once the batter makes contact with the ball the pitcher is allowed to come out from behind the net.
Irshaad W. Made a motion to give batter’s an extra swing if 3rd strike hit the pitching screen.
The new rule was voted down
31 no 16 yes.
Jimmy Carlson made a motion for one extra wrap be allowed on the bat handle.
45 yes 2 no.
Irshaad W. Made a motion to change the waiting list back to the pool. Steve Ulm second.
47 yes 0 no’s.
Rick Bertram made a motion to add a rabbit rule it was 2nd by Drew Harbuck .
41 no 6 yes.
Wayne Tate made a motion to make the rule of a player should play at least 5 innings from the existing 4th inning rule. Artie Ropers 2nd.
Majority voted to KEEP the rule of a player plays at least 4 innings.
Irshaad W. Made a motion to add a rule that a batter cannot be thrown out at 1st from the outfield. Izzy Torres second.
31 yes 16 no.
Artie Ropers read the treasury report Frank Bravico voted to except the treasury report.
Corp Meeting
A vote was cast on buying a lock box for the defibrillator.
Unanimous yes
A majority voted in favor of having the term limits of everyone in office to 1 year for everyone.
Treasury Report:
24,275.68 Income
19,565.00 expenses
Balance forward 4710.68
*****income not collected
Christmas party 2300.00
Picnic 500.00
Xtra shirts 500.00
Softball Sales 250.00
Curt Whittemore made a motion to close this meeting 2nd by Tommy Noga at 11:21.
WHACS SOFTBALL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
DATE: 09/04/2023
I. Call to order
CHARLIE PARROTT CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE. CALLED TO ORDER AT 1301 HOURS (1:01 PM)
II. Roll call
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT WERE, CHARLIE PARROTT, KEVIN JACOBS, JIMMY CARLSON, AND ARTIE ROPERS. BILL MULLIGAN
ABSENT: IRSHAD WESTON WAS EXCUSED.
III. NEW BUSINESS
a) TREASURES REPORT:
1. STARTING BALANCE IN THE BANK 5468.68
DEPOSITS OF 12,740.00
TOTAL 14089.78
EXPENDITURES 4116.80
SPONSOR, PLAQUES, LOU ZENDER FLOWERS. SOFTBALLS AND HALL OF FAME PLAQUES, PICMIC PERMIT TO COUNTY.SHIRTS AND HOME TEAM ONLINE (WEB PAGE)
b) PRESIDENT REPORT
THE OFFICIAL START DATE IS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 6,2023.
SPORTSMANSHIP
THERE WILL BE NO TOLERANCE OF ABUSE OF ANY OFFICIAL, UMPIRE, OR MEMBER, EVERY MEMBER SHOULD REAT RULE NUMBER 14. IT WILL BE APPLIED AND EVERYONE WILL ABIDE BY IT.
THERE IS A DISCUSSION FOR A SECOND PAID UMPIRE TO BE USED FOR THE END-OF-YEAR TOURNAMENT.
PLAYERS COMMITTEE
THERE WILL BE ONE CONTINUOUS SEASON INSTEAD OF TWQ HALF SEASONS.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING ALLOWED ON OR IN THE PARK PER HERNANDO COUNTY REGULATIONS.
PROFANITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ALL.
PLAYS AT THIRD BASE WITH THE SAFETY BASE BOTH BAGS ARE LIVE. THE BASE RUNNER MUST RETURN TO THE BAG THEY ARE USING, THE UMPIRE WILL BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR OF CALLS AT THIRD BASE ON TAG-UPS OR PLAYS AT THE BAG.
GAMES WILL BE 7 INNINGS WITHOUT MERCY RULE AND CATCH UP IS IN THE 6TH INNING AND OPEN LAST INNING.
THE PITCHER MUST GET BEHIND THE SCREEN AFTER RELEASING THE BALL AND THEN MAY COME OUT TO BECOME A FIELDER AFTER THE BALL IS HIT. THE PENALTY FOR NOT GETTING BEHIND SCREEN IS THE UMPIRE WILL CALL THE BALL BUT IF THE PITCH IS STRUCK IT, IS A LIVE BALL. IF AT ANY TIME THE PITCHER HAS NOT GOTTEN BEHIND THE SCREEN AND MAKES THE INITIAL PLAY ON A BATTED BALL THE UMPIRE SHALL CALL DEAD BALL AND AWARD FIRST BAST TO THE BATTER AND ANY SUBSEQUENT BASE RUNNERS WHO ARE FORCED TO THE NEXT BAG ARE ALLOWED TO PROCEED TO THAT BAG WITHOUT DANGER OF BEING CALLED OUT.
COURTESY RUNNERS
MANAGERS MUST DESIGNATE UP TO 4 NON-RUNNERS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME AND INFORM THE SCOREKEEPER OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. IF AN ADDITIONAL PLAYER BECOMES UNABLE TO RUN DUE TO INJURY THE MANAGER MUST TRADE THAT PLAYER FOR ONE OF HIS NON-RUNNERS AND THEN THAT INDIVIDUAL IS NOT ALLOWED TO RUN FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.
INTENTIONAL WALKS
ANY PLAYER MAY BE WALKED INTENTIONALLY ONE TIME PER GAME. IF A BATTER RECEIVES 4 BALLS THE BATTER HAS THE OPTION TO CONTINUE THE AT BAT UTILL HE HITS OR RECEIVES A STRIKE IN ADDITION TO THE ONE STARTED AT WHICH TIME HE MUST WALK.
THERE WAS A MOTION TO ALLOW AN EMERGENCY EXPENDITURE FOR SPRAY PAINT TO PAINT THE OUTFIELD FOUL LINES IF NEEDED. MOTION BY KEVIN JACOBS AND SECONDED BY STEW, THE MOTION CARRIED UNANAMOUSLY.
SAL FICCARA WAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT HE PUT INTO MAKING THE SCHEDULE FOR THE SEASON.
TONY PASSANISSI WAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT HE GIVES TO MAINTAINING THE WEBSITE AND ALL THE CONSTANT UPDATES THAT AR REQUIRED,
THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ON RAIN-OUT GAMES AND THE COMMITTEE SCHEDULED 55 GAMES PER PLAYER ON AVERAGE, THE GOAL WAS TO GIVE EVERY MEMBER AT LEAST 50 GAMES DURING THE SEASON PLUS THE TOURNAMENT. THERE IS NO TIME TO MAKE UP RAINOUTS WITH THE SNOWBIRDS RETURNING UP NORTH AT THE END OF THE SEASON.
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ON THE ORGANIZATION GIVING A DONATION TO A CHARITY AND IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE BOARD IS ALREADY EMPOWERED TO DO THIS AND WILL BE DECIDED BY THE BOARD AT A LATER TIME.
IV. Adjournment
THERE WAS A MOTION TO ADJOURN BY KEVIN JACOBS SECONDED BY MULTIPLE MEMBERS VOTE WAS. ALL IN FAVOR
Minutes submitted by: KEVIN JACOBS
