2009 CSSA COACHES PACKET

WELCOME 2009 CSSA MEMBERS!

The Board of Directors, Shannon, Country, Brent, Brandi, & Gail would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and tell you a little about the Clean and Sober Softball Association  (CSSA) .

The moment you sign a roster in the Central, North, Cascade, West, East or South Division you automatically become a member of the CSSA.  The CSSA was created to help organize previously separate Clean and Sober Softball Leagues  (CSSL's) located throughout the greater Tri-County area into the largest clean and sober athletic organization known. The intent was to have all division’s play with the same set of guidelines and rules so when tournaments are played; we are all consistent. 

HOW does IT WORK ? Each division has elected three “Council Members.”   The Council Members were elected for a one-year term by their coaches.  The Council Members are responsible to attend meetings and vote on behalf of their players and coaches on various issues.   The Council Member’s positions were created so that each division would have an equal say, and to greatly reduce larger, longer, and more boisterous all-member meetings.  

The Board of Directors are the governing body of the C.S.S.A..  The Board of Directors elected each winter, serve a TWO -year  term. The Board of Directors does not vote on issues that affect divisions. Most of our time is dedicated to setting up, running and hosting the finest in CSSA Tournaments.  It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to research information for Coaches and Council Members and present the information at all Meetings for discussion and ultimately a vote.   

By becoming a CSSA member we encourage your participation and involvement. As you can see by the above, it all starts with YOU the player voicing the concern to the Coach, Coach to the Council, and the Group Conscience decides.  The CSSA is always looking for volunteers to help with our events.  If you would like to be involved, please contact a Board Member or Counsel Member.  Our contact info is contact@sobersoftball.com.

Council Members from each division received games balls, scorebooks, rulebooks ,rosters and the CSSA Coaches Packet. All Clean and Sober Softball Association documents are also available on line @ sobersoftball.com, and a printed copy is available to any who requests, (at cost). It is important that you read these documents and familiarize yourself with YOUR Clean and Sober Softball Association . 

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, do not hesitate to approach your division’s council members or a Board Member.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

v  Executive Director~ Shannon G (C) (Tie breaking vote only)     206-551-7563 / email: shannong@sobersoftball.com

v  Vice Director ~ Country H (N)                                                  206-234-1581                 email: country@sobersoftball.com

v  Rules & Ethics Chair ~ Brent L (N)                                          425-754-3514                 email: brentl@sobersoftball.com

v  Treasurer ~ Brandi H (E)                                                         206-715-6168                 email: brandih@sobersoftball.com

v  Secretary ~ Gail B. (C)                                                            360-668-9872                 email: gailb@sobersoftball.com

DIVISION DIRECTORS:

v  North Division Director ~ Marshall E          425-471-0460                 email: north@sobersoftball.com

v  Cascade Division Director ~ Ben M.          425-931-5921                 email: cascade@sobersoftball.com

v  South Division Director ~ Chris M             206 850-4165                 email: south@sobersoftball.com

v  West Division Director  ~ Mike A               206-852-6840                email: west@sobersoftball.com

v  East Division Director ~ Brian B                206-719-8537                 email: east@sobersoftball.com

v  Central Division Director ~ Al B                206- 715-1591               email: central@sobersoftball.com

ADDITIONAL NAMES & NUMBERS:

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CONSTANT REMINDERS FOR 2009 CSSA SEASON

CSSA PURPOSE.

The Clean and Sober Softball Association is a recovery based activity and organized for  recreational softball. The primary purpose of CSSA and its franchises is to further our recovery through the community of softball. All franchises and board members need to adhere to the qualifications regarding abstinence and eligibility.

The objectives of the CSSA shall be:

1.       To promote and open opportunities for Clean and Sober Softball for all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry.

2.       To promote recovery and the fellowship therein from substance abuse and the effects caused by it.

3.       To establish uniform softball rules and regulations for Clean and Sober Softball competition.

4.       To provide it with proper safeguards in accordance with the spirit of true sportsmanship and establish principles for ethical behavior and matters relating to conflict of interest as provided by the CSSA Council and Board of Directors.

5.       To encourage the union of all eligible teams, organizations or groups into such separate associations with active membership in the CSSA as may from time to time be deemed best adapted to advance the cause of Clean and Sober Softball.

6.       To promote and conduct annual Clean and Sober softball competitions and championships.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CSSA MEMBERSHIP.

It shall be the responsibility of each member of the CSSA to strive to fulfill the goals of the CSSA and to promote the sport of softball and the fellowship of recovery. At a minimum, each member of the CSSA:

1.       Shall follow the rules and regulations of the CSSA as established by the CSSA Code and Playing Rules.

2.       Shall support the CSSA’s programs that promote fellowship of recovery and the sport of softball, and educate players, coaches, officials, volunteers and the public about our primary purpose.

3.       Shall act at all times with the utmost civility and sportsmanlike conduct, promoting wholesome, safe competition.

4.       Shall take seriously his/her responsibility as a role model and encourage sportsmanship in a positive manner.

5.       Will further participants’ spiritual and emotional sobriety, and promote recovery to those that still effected by addiction.

CSSA Process:

It is the intention of the CSSA to keep sportsmanship on the field and disagreements off of them. Rules and appeals processes are specifically laid out in detail within the CSA Code.  In brief: Any discrepancy with very limited exception will be handled through the appeal and complaint process. This means, all complaints are submitted in writing to the respective Division Directors.  With the exception of the game umpire, no one person has the final authority to decide or interpret a ruling.  Decisions are by group conscience.  It is the coaches duty to refrain him (her) self and his (her) players from interrupting play when a ruling cannot be made.

ELIGIBILITY.

1.                   Thirty consecutive days of abstinence from drugs and alcohol minimum for playing eligibility.

2.                   All participants are to be a recovering alcoholic and/or addict and currently involved in a drug or alcohol 12-step support program.

¨       Involved clarification: To remain eligible, a player must be active in at least one of following:

o    12-Step Home Group

o    Sponsorship or  Sponsee of an Active member

o    Currently participating in recognized service work

o    Regularly attend 12-Step meetings

3.                   Grandfather Clause. Any player that was on a CSSL roster prior to Jan 1, 2002 and that does not meet the aforementioned recovery definition, and is not direct family member, or significant other of an eligible member may participate with exemption waiver. ( must be refilled each year )

4.                   Exemption Players:  Each team is allowed two exempt (or non-program) players per roster, per year. Non-recovering players must be an eligible person's wife, husband, or dedicated partner.. Minimum thirty (30) consecutive days drug and/or alcohol abstinence still applies.

ROSTERS.

Teams must compete with the same roster in championship play as used during the regular season’s play, except teams are allowed to pick up three players when advancing in championship play (may not be all of same gender).  These exemptions are tournament by tournament and are not considered additions to the permanent roster.  Exemptions are not progressive.  Exemption players MUST come from a current CSSA season roster.  Pick-ups are limited to a roster maximum 8 men & 4 women or/= total of two (2)

1.       Number of Players. A maximum of 20 players including pickups. A manager or coach shall not count as a player unless he is an active player.

2.       Roster Change Deadline:  June 30th

a.       Championship rosters and changes must be received no later than June 30^th for the players to be eligible for post-season tournament play.  Permanent Roster Change after June 30^th, 2009, must be approved by Division Councils and submitted to Classification Director (Chad M.) for review.  Each permanent Roster changes takes away a casual pick-up player.

3.       To remain eligible for tournament play, a rostered player must have participated in at least 40% of regularly scheduled Season’s games .  A hardship waiver must be approved by Division Council and submitted  to the CSSA BOD for review, each hardship takes away a casual pick-up player.

C.S.S.A. State Qualifiers & Events

First come First served (paid in full) registration.  Registrations accepted starting Opening Day.

ALL DATES and LOCATIONS ARE TENTITIVE

Deposits ($150) accepted up to the date indicated, whereupon all fees and registration requirements are due.

$150 of the tournament fees are non-refundable if a team drops out of the tournament after the registration date.

Mail Fees and Registration to:

PO Box 431    Maple Valley, WA 98038

Please note TEAM NAME in the "memo" section

 TOTAL STATE BERTHS AWARDED: 24

AT LARGE BERTHS: TBD

EIGHTH ANNUAL CSSA

CLEAN & SOBER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

September 5^th & 6^th, 2009

Must qualify to ENTER

Host Hotel - Coast Hotel, Wenatchee

1-800-716-6199

State Championship Activities to Include:

=      Friday Reception

=      Home Run and Long Ball Derbies on Friday night

=      Saturday Banquet (PRE-register only!)

=      Hall of Fame Induction

State Qualification Point System:

TOURNAMENT POINTS

Two (2) points awarded for timely registration .One additional point progressive for participation (1, 2, 3) *each team receives one point for participating in either Mem. Tournament, then two for Independence, three for Surrender ect… Bonus Points , ie: progressive participation & timely registration not used for seeding at any tournament although will be counted .        

 Independent teams

Independent teams will be awarded "division points" as an average of their points earned (not including bonus points) at all CSSA Qualifiers.  This total will be divided my how many tournaments attended . Point total not to exceed 15pts  Example:

            BP = 10

            Indy = 13

            LC = 15

TOTAL = 38 / 3 =12.66 rounded to 13