In attendance included: Ryan Barton, Branden Bollman, Kyle Kent, Alex Miller, Josh Paul, Johnny Readus, Bailey Rericha and Daniel Sanchez. Along with some tasty pickle wraps and deviled eggs.
The meeting was called to order at 3:20. VLB currently has a balance of $893.87 with no outstanding dues. The league has an inventory of 21 jerseys and will need to order an additional 15 due to some sizes being out (estimated cost $300). The metal l-screen purchased in 2023 was broken with net stolen at the end of last season by unknown criminals. Rock Island Police is still investigating leads. The league will purchase a new l-screen and combo lock at a total of approximately $135. The league will also look into spending some funds to secure rental on a field for the 2024 season.
Those in attendance decided to start the season a week earlier than usual - April 13 & 14th, tentatively at Ridgewood Field in (9607 14th St W, Rock Island). The league will start with just Saturday games with week night games determined based on player interest. In 2023, weeknight games started after the third weekend of the season.
The last portion of the winter meetings was discussion on rule changes. Among considerations was discussion about no shifting on all players and how to more efficiently determine "ties". The "shifting" will continue as previously voted on - no shifting against females but shifting allowed against males. The league will enforce the "tie breaker" rules more often on close plays where both players involved in the play and both captains are in disagreement about a call.
Two changes were made that will effect the 2024 season.
Game time will be moved up 30 minutes, from 11:00 on Saturdays to 10:30 on Saturdays. This was proposed by Ryan Barton and voted on unanimously. Moving game time up may help with Quad City Cannons little league practices and games on Saturdays.
The second rule change voted on was to continue to allow pinch runners, however, pinch runners are not able to lead off. The rule was proposed by Josh Paul and voted in unanimously.
The meeting concluded at 4:30 with a game of tackle basketball.