ARTICLE I - NAME
This organization shall be known as the Washington Youth Baseball League, hereinafter referred to as “the League.”
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVE
Section 1
The objective of the League is to provide organized baseball programs that promote skill development, physical fitness, and personal growth for youth in our community. The league seeks to teach the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and good sportsmanship. By creating opportunities for players to learn, compete, and have fun in a supportive environment, the league aims to nurture a lifelong appreciation for baseball and positive community involvement.
Section 2
To achieve this objective, the League will provide a supervised program under the rules and regulations of a sanctioning league(s). All Directors, Officers and Members shall bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is secondary, and the molding of future citizens is of prime importance. In accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, the League shall operate exclusively as a non-profit organization providing a supervised program of competitive baseball games. No part of the net earnings shall benefit any individual or be used in any substantial part to influence legislation or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Any person sincerely interested in active participation to assist with administering the League may apply to become a member. Current members may recruit new members.
Section 2
To be eligible for membership, individuals must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and must pass a background check.
Section 3
Members shall not be required to be affiliated with another organization or group to qualify as members of the League. Members shall not be actively engaged in the organization, operation, and/or leadership of any other baseball program that will cause a conflict of interest or affect their ability to actively contribute to the League.
Section 4
Membership may be terminated by resignation or action of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those present at any duly constituted Board meeting, shall have the authority to discipline, suspend, or terminate the membership of any Member when the conduct of such person is inconsistent with the values of the League and is considered detrimental to the best interests of the players, League, and/or a sanctioning league(s). The Member involved shall be notified of such meeting, informed of the general nature of the charges, and be given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such charges.
ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1
The management of the property and affairs of the League shall be vested in the Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as “the Board.”
Section 2
The Board shall be comprised of no fewer than five (5) and no more than fifteen (15) members.
Section 3
If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, by death, resignation, or otherwise, it may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors at any regular Board meeting or at any Special Board Meeting called for that purpose.
Section 4
The Board shall hold regular meetings a minimum of six (6) times per year.
Section 5
The presence of one-third of the current members of the Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present, no business shall be conducted.
Section 6
A simple majority vote of the Directors present during a duly constituted Board meeting is necessary to approve any action relating to the general business of the League. At times, votes on business matters may need to be conducted electronically. In those instances, a simple majority of responses received during the specified voting period shall be necessary to approve any action.
Section 7
The Board shall have the power to appoint committees as it shall determine appropriate and to delegate such powers to them as the Board shall deem advisable and which it may properly delegate. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the League as it may deem proper, provided such rules and regulations do not conflict with this Constitution or the rules and regulations of a sanctioning league(s). The Board shall have the power by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular Board or Special Board Meeting to discipline, suspend or remove any Director, Officer, Committee Member, or Member of the League in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 4.
Section 8
Any Board member may request a special-called meeting for any purpose. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board shall be necessary to force a special-called meeting.
Section 9
Any action taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be deemed the action of the Board of Directors, except where same conflicts with this Constitution. Minutes of all meetings will be recorded and will accurately reflect the action(s) taken.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
Section 1
The Board may elect such officers it may deem necessary or desirable and may prescribe the powers and duties of each. Officer nominations shall be presented by a current Board member. Approval of the nomination is required by a simple majority of the Board members present.
Section 2
The President of Baseball Operations shall:
a. Conduct the affairs of the League and execute the policies established by the Board.
b. Communicate with the Board about such matters as deemed appropriate and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare of the League.
c. Be responsible for the conduct of the League in strict conformity to the policies, principles, rules and regulations of a sanctioning league, as agreed to under the conditions of the charter issued to the League by that organization.
d. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President of Business Operations.
e. Assist with developing an agenda for each meeting.
f. Oversee the activities of the Gameplay, Baseball Administration, and Divisions Representatives Committees.
g. Represent the League at meetings with neighboring leagues, sanctioning leagues, or governmental entities.
h. Investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the League and report thereon to the Board or Executive Committee, as circumstances warrant.
Section 3
The President of Business Operations shall:
a. Conduct the affairs of the League and execute the policies established by the Board.
b. Communicate with the Board about such matters as deemed appropriate and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare of the League.
c. Be responsible for the conduct of the League in strict conformity to the policies, principles, rules and regulations of a sanctioning league, as agreed to under the conditions of the charter issued to the League by that organization.
d. Preside over all meetings.
e. Call Executive Committee or Special Board Meetings as necessary.
f. Develop, in conjunction with the President of Baseball Operations and with the assistance of the Secretary, an agenda for each meeting.
g. Oversee the activities of the Finance, Marketing & Communications, and Concessions committees.
h. Represent the League at meetings with neighboring leagues, sanctioning leagues, or governmental entities.
i. Investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the League and report thereon to the Board or Executive Committee, as circumstances warrant.
Section 4
The Vice-President(s) shall:
a. Preside over meetings in the absence of the Presidents.
b. Perform duties as assigned by the Presidents.
Section 5
The Secretary shall:
a. Perform such duties as are herein specifically set forth, in addition to such other duties as customarily incident to the office of Secretary or as may be assigned by the Board.
b. Be responsible for recording the activities of the League and maintain appropriate files, mailing lists and necessary records.
c. Maintain a list of all members and give notice of all meetings of the Board.
d. Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board and the Executive Committee, and distribute them to members in a timely manner.
e. Assist with preparation of an agenda for each meeting with the coordination of the Presidents.
f. Serve on the League Marketing & Communications Committee.
g. Other duties as assigned by the Presidents.
Section 6
The Treasurer shall:
a. Perform such duties as are herein set forth and such other duties as are customarily incident to the Office of Treasurer or may be assigned by the Board.
b. Maintain the financial status of the League using a method approved by the Board.
c. Provide a full report of receipts and expenditures, deposit account balances, and financial condition at each regular meeting of the Board.
d. Coordinate the filing of tax returns and forms to maintain the League’s non-profit status.
e. In coordination with the Presidents, prepare and present an annual budget for Board review.
f. Disburse League funds for expenses authorized by the Board.
g. Serve on the League Finance Committee.
h. Other duties as assigned by the Presidents.
Section 7
The term of office for the President of Baseball Operations and the President of Business Operations shall be two (2) year alternating terms. All other offices shall have a term of office of one (1) year. Officers may be nominated to serve unlimited consecutive terms. Officer positions shall be filled at a regular meeting held annually in December and terms will commence January 1 of the following year. Officer positions vacated prior to the end of the term of office shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a special election at the regular meeting immediately following the vacancy.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section 1
The Board may appoint and prescribe the duties of any committee as may be in accordance with League functions.
Section 2
The Officers shall form the Executive Committee and shall be authorized to meet separately from the Board as needed to prepare information for presentation to the Board as a whole. In no event shall the Executive Committee have authority over the Board.
Section 3
Standing committees shall be established by the Board to regularly assist in League planning, management, and operation. Standing Committees shall include:
a. Baseball Administration
b. Concessions
c. Division Representatives
d. Finance
e. Gameplay
f. Marketing & Communications
Section 4
The Board may appoint temporary special committees, as needed, to assist with duties, tasks, or events that are not part of regular League operations, such as hosting District or State tournaments.
ARTICLE VII - AFFILIATION
Section 1
The League shall annually apply for a charter from one or more sanctioning league and shall do all things necessary to obtain and maintain such charter(s). The League shall devote its entire energy to the activities authorized by such charter(s), and it shall not be affiliated with any other program or organization or operate any other program.
Section 2
The official playing rules and regulations published by a sanctioning league(s), shall be binding on the League.
Section 3
The local rules, ground rules, and/or bylaws of the League shall be adopted by the Board at a meeting to be held not less than one month previous to the first scheduled game of the season, but shall in no way conflict with the rules, regulations and policies of a sanctioning league(s), nor shall they conflict with this Constitution. The local rules, ground rules, and/or bylaws of the League shall be reviewed at least once per fiscal year and are not considered part of this Constitution.
ARTICLE VIII - FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING
Section 1
The Board shall decide all matters pertaining to the finances of the League and it shall place all income in a common league treasury, directing the expenditure of funds in such manner as will give no individual or team an advantage over those in competition with such individual or team.
Section 2
The Board shall not permit the contribution of funds or property to individual teams but shall solicit funds for the common treasury of the League, thereby to discourage favoritism among teams and to endeavor to equalize the benefits of the League.
Section 3
The Board shall not permit the disbursement of League funds for purposes other than the conduct of League activities in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies of a sanctioning league(s). All disbursements shall be made by check, or league credit or debit card. All checks shall be signed by the League Treasurer and such other officer or officers, or person or persons, as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 4
No Board member authorized to disburse funds may be the spouse or family relative of a League President or Treasurer or have direct access to league funds without the approval of the majority of the Board of Directors with such vote recorded in the minutes. The use of a league credit or debit card is permitted, and the card is returned to the League Treasurer with receipts for all purchases made within three (3) days of the purchase date.
Section 5
No Director, Officer, or Member of the League shall receive, directly or indirectly any salary, compensation, or payment from the League for services rendered as Director, Officer, or Member. Expenses may be reimbursed with Board approval.
Section 6
All monies received, including sponsorship and fundraising, shall be deposited into the financial account of the League which must be a federally insured bank or other certified financial intuition as determined by the Board. The establishment of the League account or change of account must be noted in the board minutes.
Section 7
The fiscal year of the League shall begin on January 1 and shall end on December 31.
Section 8
Upon dissolution of the League, and after all outstanding debts and claims have been satisfied, the Board shall direct the remaining property of the League to another Federally Incorporated entity which maintains the same objectives as set forth in Article II of this Constitution, which are or may be entitled to exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any future corresponding provision.
ARTICLE IX - AMMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Board provided notice of the proposed change is included in the agenda of such meeting.
This Constitution was approved by the Washington Youth Baseball League on December 14, 2025.