Gilbert Dixie Youth Baseball By-Laws, revised 1/17/2024

Official Statement of Policy for Dixie Youth Baseball, Inc:

It is the policy of Dixie Youth Baseball to promote the development of strong character, a positive or

mature attitude and a sense of responsibility and citizenship in youngsters, using the game of baseball as a vehicle. It is the purpose of Dixie Youth Baseball to achieve this goal through fair play, good sportsmanship, and congenial fellowship, with adult leaders providing the example. It is strictly against

the policy of Dixie Youth Baseball for any person, either as a participant or spectator, to engage in

arguments, to use abusive language, to harass umpires, or to exhibit any behavior not in concert with

the general intention of this policy statement. Team managers/coaches are required to abide by this policy statement, and all parents and other adults are strongly encouraged to do so.

ANY VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY WITH RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION FROM THE COMMISIONERS AND/OR BOARD.

Section 1:

1. These By-laws are subject to changes made by the Board of Directors.
2. Any purchases over $500 will also be approved by the GDYB Board, as a majority vote. Canteen purchases can be up to $1000 without approval.
3. Schedules will be set so that all Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys requirements are met. Any changes that are made to the schedules must be approved by the GDYB Board.
4. Age limits are set forth in Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys. Age requirements must be met before May 1 of the playing season.
5. All board members, coaches, umpires, and volunteers associated with GDYB must complete a National Background Check Form and be cleared by Lexington County’s Recreation and Aging Commission prior to taking the field. See Child Abuse/Molestation Policy.
6.  No coach automatically coaches a team. Coaches must be approved by the board. The following factors will be considered: knowledge of the game, motivation, experience, character, and the ability to get along with others.
7. The home team volunteer scorebook will be designated as the official record of the game. Scorekeepers can sit in press box if desired. There is to be no coaching or negative comments made from the press boxes. Scorekeepers and the head umpire need to sign each notebook at the completion of each game. Both head coaches (Minors, Ozone, Dixie Boys) must sign the Pitching Log at the completion of each game.
8. All-Stars:
   1. The Board of Directors will consider the head coach of each Division’s final first place team to head coach the All-Star team. However, no coach automatically coaches the team. The coach will be invited to coach at the Board’s discretion. The head coach of the All-Star team may choose 2 assistants in Minor and Ozone, 3 in Coaches pitch, and 4 in Rookie.
   2. The player announcement for each Division will not be made until the championship game for that Division has been completed. Each head coach will submit possible All- Star candidates from his/her eligible players. Out of this compiled list of players each head coach will individually rank the top 10 out of the pool. The 10 players receiving the most votes will be selected for All-Stars. In the event of a tie, the players receiving highest ranking will fill the remainder of the allotted All-Star slots. The remaining two slots will be filled by the All-Star Head Coach with at large picks. Dixie Boys/Majors will also be ranked and chosen with 9 chosen by coaches and 4 will be selected at large.
   3. Each head coach must be present in the selection of All Stars.
   4. All-Star players will be assessed a $100 fee to help offset the cost of uniforms and equipment.
   5. The President and Commissioner of each league will have a parent All-Star meeting prior to the first All-Star practice.
   6. Players not actively participating on a regular league will be ineligible for All-Star selection.
9. Regular season head coaches may pick 1 assistant, with the assistant’s approval, prior to the draft. This applies to all leagues except Rookie which may pick 2 assistants.
10. Any complaint about a coach abusing ay child, mentally, verbally, or physically will be investigated. Appropriate action will be taken.
11. Complaints from any spectator harassing any child, coach, or umpire must be directed to the Commissioner of that Division. If harassment continues, it may be the Board’s discretion to remove the child and/or the parent from the team or field. If you have a complaint, the playing field is not the place to settle it.
12. If a discharged coach coaches a game after he has been discharged, the team he is coaching will forfeit the game.
13. In case of absence or discharge of the head coach, the assistant coach is to replace him/her with the Board’s approval.
14. A coach can practice as many days a week as he/she wishes, but practice should not go beyond 8:30pm Sunday through Thursday. This does not apply to Gilbert Dixie Boys/Majors League or All-Star practices. The practice week will be the same as outlined in the Dixie Youth and Dixie Baseball Boys and Majors Rule Book.
15. A written record will be kept of all materials and equipment issued to each team. Unserviceable articles will only be replaced upon return of the old articles. Baseballs are excluded from this requirement. Each head coach will be responsible for equipment issued.
16. Parents/guardians have the option to no-pick one coach. This request must be made in writing/online at time of registration with a short explanation. If any coach receives 3 or more “no picks” the coach will be reviewed by the Board.
17. After two weeks of practice, no refunds of player registration fees will be given.
18. Parents are encouraged to work all field days, help with fundraising and volunteer in the canteen.
19. GDYB is run by volunteers. Parents are strongly encouraged to be aware of the time practices and games are over. If there is a problem with transportation, please notify your coach and/or league official.
20. Player Draft:
    1. By written request, any league player may ask to move up to the next league early. To do so, the child will have to be evaluated by previous league coaches and must have a unanimous vote to be placed in the next league for talent by a coach’s recommendation and approved by the Board. If the child is chosen to move up early, the child is only eligible to play All-Stars for the league in which they played during the regular season.
    2. Siblings will be assigned to the same team. When 1 is drafted, the other will count as a pick in the round voted appropriate by all coaches and Commissioner of the division. If a consensus cannot be reached on the appropriate round, the Commissioner will have the final say.
    3. All players must be registered by their draft time. If a player registers following the player draft established by the Board, the player may, if an open roster position exists in that Division, be placed on a team per DYB Rules and Regulations, which state all teams with the fewest number of players shall have the right to draw for the player. Registering late does not grant the player an automatic position on any team.
    4. Any player not participating in the try-outs will be placed on a team through a blind draw conducted during the Draft.
    5. Selection: All players, including children of the head and assistant coaches, in each age Division will try out together. They will throw, field, hit (5-8 pitches to be pitched by pitching machine or coach). A list of all available players will be given to each head coach with and asterisk by the previous years All-Stars. Parents desiring to assist will also be listed. The children of each team’s head coach and assistant coach will be voted upon to decide which round of the draft they will be chosen. If a unanimous vote of the coaches cannot be attained, the Commissioner will make the final decision(s). No child of a coach will be shown in the first round, as all teams will be given a first-round draw. Player selection sequence shall be in the predetermined order alternating ascending to descending (1,2,3,4…4,3,2,1). Exception: If there is only one team with a draw in any given round, the draft order will not reverse. This is to maintain an equitable order.
    6. The draft procedure will be followed in all leagues for both Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys/Majors.
    7. Head coaches and 1 assistant coach are allowed to be present during the actual player draft. If head coach is not available, he/she can select an assistant to take his/her place.
21. No children may be transported in the back of an open vehicle (example: pick-up truck).
22. Weather: The President or his/her appointee has the sole authority to postpone games due to rain prior to the start of the game. Once a game begins, the decision to postpone play is left to the umpire (as stated in DYB rules and regulations). All coaches and players are expected to be present at the field and ready to play until game has been cancelled. Extreme cold (32-35 degrees combined temperature and/or wind chill) will result in games being rescheduled.
23. Severe weather policy for the league is based on standard practices using the 30/30 rule. This basically states if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, suspend activities and seek shelter. Only resume play 30 minutes after the last occurrence. If there is no proper shelter, everyone should be instructed to take shelter in their vehicles until play is resumed or cancelled.
24. Make-up schedule: Games postponed due to weather, temperature, or school function will be rescheduled at the discretion of the League officials.
25. If a team fails to field the required number of players at the scheduled game time, the team will forfeit the game.
26. Make-up games will have priority over practice or scrimmage games.
27. Any player wearing a hard cast may not practice or participate in a regulation game until the cast is removed. A player wearing a soft cast can play or participate only with written doctor’s permission.
28. No pets shall be allowed on the premises immediately before, during or immediately after any league function including games, practices, or special events.
29. All tobacco, nicotine and nicotine related products are banned from the premises.
30. Facemasks on batting helmets are optional in all divisions.
31. Games will be rescheduled at the Board’s discretion to include weekend games. If the head coach or an assistant coach is not able to attend it will count as a forfeit.

Section 2:

Board Election and Membership

1. General membership and Election of the Board of Directors shall be as follows:
   1. Membership: The general membership of GDYB shall consist of the Board of Directors, the approved coaches, and all parents/guardians from each team.
   2. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of up to 15 members. At the time of the Annual Election vacant seats on the Board will be filled by a simply majority of the vacancies being those of members elected by the general membership. The remaining vacancies may, at the discretion of the Board, be filled by nominated members being appointed by the Board (i.e. having 5 vacant seats means 3 seats filled by popular election; 2 seats may be filled by Board appointees at the Board’s discretion).
   3. A nominee must receive at least 10% of the votes counted in the general election to be considered eligible for membership. The election will be conducted on the date of closing ceremonies.
   4. Term: Each member of the Board shall serve a term of 3 years, at which time the individual may be re-elected by the general membership or re-appointed by the Board.
   5. Annual Election: An election shall be held annually for the purpose of electing new Board members. The election shall be held at the time established by the Board. The Board will announce the date and time of election prior to the established date.
   6. Nomination Procedure: Nomination forms shall be provided. The person placing the nomination shall have a child actively playing for GDYB. Each nominee must be approved by the Board prior to the date of the annual election.
   7. Voting procedures: On the date established for annual election, a table will be set up where voting may take place or online if available.
   8. Voting rights: Each person included in the general membership shall be allowed to cast one ballet only.
   9. Only approved, nominated persons who receive at least 10% of total election votes counted will be elected by the general membership.
   10. No member who is a head coach shall be Commissioner of the league in which he/she coaches.
   11. Members of the Board will fill positions to include but not limited to, Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary), League Commissioners, equipment manager, safety officer, ordering uniforms, scheduling, events and volunteer coordination, etc.
   12. Board members are expected to attend all meetings. Missing 3 consecutive meetings can result in dismissal from the Board.
   13. Board meetings will be scheduled on an as-needed basis to handle necessary business of the League.

Section 3.

Charitable Organization Status

1. The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes under section 501 (c)(3) the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
2.       Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.