Minutes of Owners' Meeting

I. Meeting of the Illinois Chooch Association was called to order by Commisioner Kirby at 7:17 PM, Saturday December 9, 2006. Present: Kirby, Newman, Feigh, Smith, Weiland, Hanik, Meer. Tardy: Lyons

II. State of the Association by Kirby

III. Election of new Statistician. Kirby nominates Meer. Lyons seconds. Passes unanimously.

IV. Election of new chief marketing officer. Weiland nominates Lyons. Seconded by Meer. Passes unanimously.

V. Expansion: Lyons will handle expansion meeting detail for fall outfield. Online application pending.

VI. Motions for formal trade away, trade down, and arbitration all fail.

VII. Motion for a no trade clause addition to draft day by Lyons. Language passes as follows unanimously:

“During the ICA’s major draft, the owner of a draft pick directly behind another pick that was just selected (owner two), may offer a no trade clause to the player just selected – the player selected with the draft pick directly preceding the pick currently on the clock.

If so done, the player’s original selector (owner 1) will either match the offer of no trade, or the player will be given to owner two with a no-trade binding. If owner 1 denies a no trade offering, his team will be on the clock for the next pick, and will also receive a compensatory sandwich pick after the 7th round.

If either owner ends up with the player in question with a no trade binding, they may not cut or trade said player, unless he dies, fails to make a 40-man roster out of spring training, or is cut via mandatory release.”

VIII. Present teams each named a backup gm for the upcoming draft.
a. Renegades – Kirby
b. Walden – Hanik
c. DaFaze – Meer
d. Giants – Feigh
e. Outlaw – Lyons
f. Oedipus – Lyons
g. Pine Tar – Lyons
h. Golden Sox – Newman

IX. Lyons made a motion to formalize a tiebreaker to determine minor league draft order. Suggested winning percentage over the previouis two years. Passes unanimously.

X. The following language regarding offseason free agency was passed unanimously:

“Free agent transactions will henceforth be allowed between the period of two days following the draft – at the conclusion of the initial waiver period – until the end of the Fuggin Cup Final.”

XI. Discussion of playoff transactions. “Henceforth, a team in the playoffs shall be limited to 5 transactions per week, where a roster move is defined as a waiver or free agent for player swap. A week is defined as the day a player enters one’s roster.” Passes unanimously.

XII. Discussion of appeals proceedings. “A team appealing a ruling of the commissioner’s office shall pay $5 to challenge the ruling. If successful in arbitration, the money will be returned. If unsuccessful, it will be used to limit the cost of the league outing.”

XIII. Discussion of dues. An increase in dues to $50 per year was passed unanimously.

XIV. Commissioner’s office is appointing the Commissioner’s Special Subcommittee on Yahoo Exit Strategy. Kirby, Smith, Feigh, Newman will report their findings to the league on or before draft day.

XV. Draft day is set for Saturday, March 24, 2007 at Dirty Champs in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

XVI. Rulebook was perused as amended and passes unanimously. Being revised by Lyons before final submission to owners.

XVII. MR teams for 2007 were drawn: Washington, NY Mets, Kansas City, LA Angels, Chicago Cubs.

XVIII. Lottery was done. The following is the draft order each round of the draft: Upper Deck Bleacher Bums, Walden Warriors, Outlaw Stars, American Giants, Oedipus & the Mama’s Boys, Wyoming Pigs.