President Murray Stall was absent. Meeting proceeded with agenda Murray sent out to board members.

The minutes from the 1/11/99 Board Meeting were reviewed and approved.

Treasurer Daryl Rotman was absent. The Treasurer's report was sent to other board members and presented. Current balance is $7,176.90. All expenses are paid to date. To date, tournament income in the amount of $7,870.00 has been received. Dan Henry from Kettering Fairmont gave Len tournament checks for Kettering Fairmont Bantam A and Dayton Bombers Pee Wee AA. Treasurer's report was accepted into record.

Len reviewed the Game Cancellation policy. This policy to be posted to the WEB and used as a guideline for this season. Will be presented and voted on at annual meeting for addition to the 1999 - 2000 Rules & Regulations.

Discussion on A/AA rule. Changes to the current rule were discussed, including further defining the consequences to teams in violation of the rule. Proposed wording changes will be posted to the WEB for review and voted on at the annual meeting in June for addition to the 1999 - 2000 Rules and Regulations.

Discussion on the End of Season Tournament started. Registration fees seem excessive. Since Murray was not present, this topic was deferred. The tournament is a break-even event for the league. If, after tournament bills are turned in, there is an excess, teams may be reimbursed a portion of their fees. The recommendation was made that the excess could also be applied to next seasons team league fee. Further discussion at next meeting.

Other tournament topics:

• Jeff Walker distributed Dayton/Cincinnati schedule.
• Kim James will work with Jeff Fox on Louisville schedule.
• Home team is to provide scorekeeper. Local rink/organization will provide clock operator.
• Jeff Fox, Louisville and Kim will update last year's rules and distribute.
• Tournament and League trophies have been ordered.
• Kim to develop division brackets for posting during the tournament.

Newark Midgets notified Len that they would not be attending the tournament. The team is down to less than 10 skaters and has not had a very successful season. It was agreed that they did not have to attend the tournament but would still be responsible for the fees. These fees must be paid before they will be allowed acceptance into the league next season. Any unpaid fees will be reported to Mid-Am. In addition, the team will be on probation for the 1999 - 2000 season. Any other unsatisfactory actions from this team will result in expulsion from the League.

Business then moved to Jeff Walker and the Conduct Committee. Jeff presented a letter he received from the Columbus Flames Bantam A coach and his associated response. This letter described an incident between the Columbus Flames and Louisville Flyers Bantam A teams. The games in question are considered to be non-league games since Louisville had to forfeit all their games. While the incident described was deplorable, since these were non-league games, the BTHL has no jurisdiction. Jeff's response reflected this and left the Columbus organization to follow-up as they feel necessary. Issue considered closed.

The Northern Kentucky Bantam A team protested a game that was played on November 21, 1998 against Cincinnati. However the protest was postmarked December 17, 1998, clearly outside the 72 hours after completion of the game guidelines. Jeff responded as such and returned their $25.00. Issue considered closed.

The Indy Racers Pee Wee A team protested a game played in Cincinnati on January 10, 1999. Only one referee was present for the game. A lot of discussion followed. There are admitted inconsistencies in the whole area of game protests, such as who is responsible for the cost of the ice, where the game should be re-played, etc. The protest was upheld and the game was to be replayed. Because this appeared to be a continuance of the earlier protest filed by Cincinnati and upheld, the following proposal was placed before the teams involved. 1.) Re-play the one game which had already been rescheduled for February 14 in Indy and have that game serve as the outcome for both protested games, 2.) Re-play both games, acknowledging that logistically that would be virtually impossible given the lack of time before the start of the end of season tournament or 3.) "drop" both protests, giving Indy their win in the October 30 game and Cincinnati their win from the January 10 game. Both teams agreed to #3. Protest checks in the amount of $25 each were returned to both teams and the issue considered closed.

The Newark Midget team has 2 players that have received 2 game misconduct's. As per the Rules and Regulations, as a courtesy, Len will notify the coach of the situation, making him aware that any further problems will result in the players being unable to play until the board can review.

Kim James has developed an End of Season Survey. It will be mailed out with the meeting minutes and also posted on the WEB. Coaches, Managers, Association members, parents, players, etc. are encouraged to respond.

Next meeting will be in Dayton, OH on Monday March 8.

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.