Member Organizations Represented: Columbus, IN Flames, Findlay, Kettering Fairmont, Cincinnati Amateur Hockey, and Gem City Youth Hockey
President Tracy Merritt called the meeting to order.
Murray Stall presented the Treasurer's Report. Current balance to date is $11,468.07. Bill turned in for November conference call and postage. Athens due a refund for the AA team that registered, but did not play in the League since there is no Midget AA division.
Minutes from October meeting and November conference call minutes reviewed and accepted into record.
Wes Edwards was present from the Gem City Squirt Minor team. This team is playing both a Squirt A and AA league schedule. They have petitioned to play "A" in the End of Season Tournament as they feel they are not competitive at the "AA" level. After some discussion, the board believes that this team should play A, but it's ultimately the decision of the Tournament Director. Filling in the role of "pseudo" tournament director, since we don't have an official tournament director, Murray Stall agreed and will allow the team to play at the "A" level in the tournament.
Discussion moved on to recent Match penalties. Murray first discussed the Match penalty involving the Cincinnati Midget player that occurred November 13. The CAHA board issued a 31 day suspension, from the date of the incident. In addition, the player will be suspended for the remaining two games Cincinnati plays with Athens on January 29. In total, the player will be suspended 6 league games. Any other major penalty will result in expulsion for the remainder of the season.
Chuck Ericson then presented Kettering Fairmont's rebuttal to the additional 2 game suspension the BTHL gave to their player in an incident that occurred on October 31. The Fairmont ruling was a four game suspension and a warning that another penalty involving "intent to injure" would be cause for suspension for the rest of the season, his last since he is a high school senior. The suspension covered two BTHL games. The BTHL added an additional 2 game suspension, to be served when Fairmont played the Dayton Gems on December 18. Fairmont's dispute was that the BTHL Rules and Regulations don't actually allow the board to assess additional suspensions after the first incident. Because of the wording of the rules, Fairmont asked that the additional BTHL imposed suspension be dismissed and the player be allowed to play. After some discussion, the board agreed, but would send a letter to Fairmont asking that they, as an organization, re-evaluate the ruling and assess the additional suspension.
From these incidents, discussion occurred concerning the Rules and Regulations. Changes should be submitted and are voted on at the BTHL Annual Meeting in May of each year.
Other business included the use of non-rostered players in league games. After rosters have been submitted, any player additions must be submitted to the board for approval. A letter will be sent to the team this specifically was discussed about.
There was an issue in the preliminary stages concerning a racist remark between an Athens's Midget player and a Fairmont player. Additional information is being gathered. The BTHL absolutely will not tolerate this type of behavior.
Motion and second to adjourn the meeting.
The next meeting will be held Monday January 10, 2000 at Sportstown Ice Center in Dayton, OH.