The Veto League Season will begin on Saturday, April 12. That was just one of many topics discussed at Sunday's annual Veto League Winter Meetings.
Eleven Veto League members were in attendance to discuss equipment purchases, rule changes, team captains, divisions and the date for the start of the season.
This year's team captains will be Scott Raes, DJ Borkovec, and Jeff Kilgard for the Saukie Division. Josh Paul, Michael Holst, and Anthony Reese will compete in the Blackhawk division. Team captains are decided by the top 6 players the previous season in terms of games played. Mark Wishnia and Ryan Barton were among the top 6 but both opted not to be captains. The torch was then passed to Michael Holst and Scott Ellefritz. Holst accepted but Ellefritz declined. The last captain spot was then offered to Keith Youngs who also declined and Josh Kilgard took the final slot. Had Kilgard also declined, Kevin Powell would have been next in line.
In terms of equipment needs, the league decided to purchase a new L-screen. The current L-screen has suffered significant structural damage due to years of use as well as exposure to all kinds of weather conditions. Last year many games were played without the screen because pieces had broken off and it did not stand very well on its own. Player safety is at jeopardy without the screen so the members at the winter meeting voted to purchase a new one. During play, all balls that hit the L-screen are considered dead balls and a do over is called for.
A new tarp will also be purchased. The tarp is usually used on very hot days to cover the top of the dugout. Last year a player volunteered a tarp but a bigger tarp owned by the league will be purchased for this year.
The league will also purchase Quick Dry (or a similar product) for days when puddles plague the field.
Additionally there will be new purchases of more rubber bases, a new rake, and a new water jug. More baseballs will also be purchased.
Three significant rule changes have been made.
Eleven Veto League members were in attendance to discuss equipment purchases, rule changes, team captains, divisions and the date for the start of the season.
This year's team captains will be Scott Raes, DJ Borkovec, and Jeff Kilgard for the Saukie Division. Josh Paul, Michael Holst, and Anthony Reese will compete in the Blackhawk division. Team captains are decided by the top 6 players the previous season in terms of games played. Mark Wishnia and Ryan Barton were among the top 6 but both opted not to be captains. The torch was then passed to Michael Holst and Scott Ellefritz. Holst accepted but Ellefritz declined. The last captain spot was then offered to Keith Youngs who also declined and Josh Kilgard took the final slot. Had Kilgard also declined, Kevin Powell would have been next in line.
In terms of equipment needs, the league decided to purchase a new L-screen. The current L-screen has suffered significant structural damage due to years of use as well as exposure to all kinds of weather conditions. Last year many games were played without the screen because pieces had broken off and it did not stand very well on its own. Player safety is at jeopardy without the screen so the members at the winter meeting voted to purchase a new one. During play, all balls that hit the L-screen are considered dead balls and a do over is called for.
A new tarp will also be purchased. The tarp is usually used on very hot days to cover the top of the dugout. Last year a player volunteered a tarp but a bigger tarp owned by the league will be purchased for this year.
The league will also purchase Quick Dry (or a similar product) for days when puddles plague the field.
Additionally there will be new purchases of more rubber bases, a new rake, and a new water jug. More baseballs will also be purchased.
Three significant rule changes have been made.
First is a rule regarding switch hitters. When a player comes to bat, they must stay on one side of the plate for the entire at-bat. In the past, players would switch in the middle of at-bats from the left to the right side even if a pitching change was not made. That will no longer be allowed. Once you step into the box and the pitcher has his or her intent to throw their first pitch, the hitter must remain on that side of the plate for the entirety of the at-bat.
A foul ball limit has also been put in place. This rule required a lengthy discussion. In the past there was an "unwritten rule" that after a certain amount of foul balls a player would be called out. It was nicknamed "The Carlson Rule" after former player Brett Carlson would consistently have long at-bats due to many foul balls. Now a written rule is in place where after a hitter has two strikes, they can only foul off 5 pitches. On that 5th foul ball, they will be called out. Some members wanted the rule to be limited to 3 or 4 foul balls, but it was ultimately decided that 5 would be the number. Some argued that it is no longer baseball with a foul ball limit but others argued that Veto League does not have a "need" to extend at-bats and foul off pitches since all pitches are thrown at batting practice speed. Veto League still has no called balls or strikes but strikes can be obtained by swinging and missing or fouling pitches off.
A foul ball limit has also been put in place. This rule required a lengthy discussion. In the past there was an "unwritten rule" that after a certain amount of foul balls a player would be called out. It was nicknamed "The Carlson Rule" after former player Brett Carlson would consistently have long at-bats due to many foul balls. Now a written rule is in place where after a hitter has two strikes, they can only foul off 5 pitches. On that 5th foul ball, they will be called out. Some members wanted the rule to be limited to 3 or 4 foul balls, but it was ultimately decided that 5 would be the number. Some argued that it is no longer baseball with a foul ball limit but others argued that Veto League does not have a "need" to extend at-bats and foul off pitches since all pitches are thrown at batting practice speed. Veto League still has no called balls or strikes but strikes can be obtained by swinging and missing or fouling pitches off.
A third rule that was implemented was in response to a lot of players that show up late. Veto League players are asked to arrive at the field at 11:30 to warm up. Usually drafting begins at 11:45 and following the draft the game begins. But many players sometimes show up late without notice and late players have varying skill levels. This creates an issue in drafting because late players automatically just go to the team that would be next to pick. Sometimes this creates a "steal" because the last pick could be a very talented player. Nothing can be done to change that but a new rule now states that anyone who shows up to the field after the first pick in the draft has been made, that player automatically has to bat last in the lineup. Sometimes very talented players show up late, they become the LAST pick in the draft, but bat THIRD in the batting order. This will no longer be allowed. Anyone who shows up after the draft begins has to bat last. Usually players at the bottom of the lineup get less at-bats so this rule is meant to encourage people to show up on time. If a player KNOWS he/she will be late, that player can notify the captains before hand and then the rule will not be in effect. The rule only applies to players who show up late UNANNOUNCED.
Veto League also introduced a fan page on Facebook this year. In the past, Veto League had a friend page and it acted as any other personal page would. The page has been converted into a Fan page so people no longer have to become "friends" with Veto League, they can just "like" Veto League. You can follow Veto League on Facebook here. Veto League is also on Twitter.
Douglas Park was again named the home field for Veto League baseball. Douglas Park is located in Rock Island at the corner of 9th street and 18th avenue. Ridgewood Elementary school will again act as the secondary field. Weather permitting, Veto League 2014 will begin on the weekend of April 12th and 13th.
Anyone interested in joining Veto League can check out the Join the VLB page. Current members are encouraged to tell friends and family about the league to get more members. It is free to play in Veto League. Jerseys and hats are available for purchase but are not required unless you qualify for the night game. There is no dress code for Veto League.
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