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It is virtually impossible to
write a sample constitution that all clubs can use, because of the many
different ways to conduct leagues. Given here are the topics that should be
covered. Rules should be posted prominently for all to see.
A. Officers & their duties - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Director, Statistician, and so forth. An Executive Committee composed of the officers and team captains. An Activities Committee to plan your banquet, periodic tournaments, court maintenance, and the like. B. Method of Play - Establish type of games (point-limit or shoe-limit),how many games a night,how many by any one player,the schedule of games, starting time, how long to wait before forfeiting. If playing scratch doubles, how many games can be played by the same partnership, assuming there are more than two on a team. If opposing teams are to occupy more than one court, have home team players move over one court after each game, and visiting team players stay on the same court. Home team to post lineup first. The schedule should indicate home team. C. Playing Rules - Reference to NHPA rules must suffice. Decide whether or not players will alternate first pitch. Alternating first pitch is highly recommended in handicap play. D. Postponements - Set time limit for team captain to notify opposing captain. Decide, in case of rainouts, if a rained out match is to be played the following week, played later in the week, or not played at all. Your decision will depend on how rigid a schedule you want for the ending date of the league. E. Forfeits, Dummy Scores - Forfeits should be avoided if at all possible, as the league standings can be affected. If a player has no opponent he may be required to pitch against a dummy score equal to his average or some set number of points. He must exceed that total to gain a win. One league had a requirement that after a player had played a certain number of games in a match, -he had five points deducted from his handicap in succeeding games in that match. F. Handicaps - Decide method of handicapping, how often to change handicaps, weekly or bi-weekly. Whether to use season average thus far or average for the past few weeks. Whether 100%, 90%, or 80% of handicap. G. Awards - How many, for what achievements, minimum number of games played to be eligible. Cash prizes, trophies, or both. See Part 1, Awards, for some criteria. H. Dues - So much a week for prizes and banquet. Fixed amount to pitch in the league. Whether paid at beginning of league or weekly. I. Sponsors - Getting your local businesses involved, providing shirts, trophies, etc. Be sure you have a trophy to give each sponsor or at least the winning team's sponsor. Framed sponsor certificates go over well. J. To affiliate with the NHPA through the Sanctioned League program. |