We’ve all heard people say “nobody wants pitching screens” or “nobody likes the home run fences” or whatever. We have numbers now. Mark Witkowski has tabulated the responses to our league survey and we provide his analysis here. It will be up to next year’s commissioners to decide what to do with these numbers. The main goal has been to involve more people in the decision-making and to provide actual data on the issues. Here is Mark’s report:

Thanks for participating in our recent survey. We believe that the quantity of responses
represents a fair sample size for opinions about our league operations. The results,
while not binding, will enable future commissioners to structure league rules.
Three categories of ballots have been summarized: “Seniors,” “Juniors” and those
participating in “Both” leagues have expressed their opinions.
Over 50% of our individual players returned their ballots and a summary of the results is
as follows:

MOVING BACK TO MISHAWAKA

An overwhelming 89% of respondents voted “No” and the result was consistent across all three player categories.

ORGANIZE LEAGUE AS 501(c)9

67% of respondents voted “Yes” and the result was consistent across all three player categories. However, note that 20% of respondents did not provide an answer to this question.

PORTABLE FENCES

60% of respondents voted “Yes” to continue the use of portable fences. While “Juniors” and “Both” player categories were evenly split, the “Seniors” voted overwhelmingly (80%).in favor of retaining them.

SENIOR PITCHING SCREENS

The results among “Seniors” respondents were almost an even split with 53% voting “No” to their use. Qualifying notes regarding the first time a screen is hit being considered only a “dead ball” were included on some ballots.

SENIOR GAMES AT 5:30

65% of “Seniors” and “Both” respondents voted “No”. While the “Both” player category voted evenly, the “Seniors” player category voted overwhelmingly “No” (80%) regarding this issue.

JUNIOR USE OF COMPOSITE BATS

This question elicited opposite results between the “Juniors” player category (71% in favor) and the “Both” player category (74% opposed), resulting in an even 50/50 split regarding this issue.

JUNIORS LOWERING AGE TO 50

54% of respondents voted “Yes” with a split between player categories (“Juniors” at 67% in favor and “Both” at 60% opposed).

JUNIOR DOUBLEHEADERS

55% of respondents voted “Yes” in favor of scheduling doubleheaders with a split between player categories (“Juniors” at 75% in favor and “Both” at 65% opposed).

Clearly it will be difficult to satisfy everyone on some issues but we at least have a clear
idea of where our player categories stand on the issues.
Thanks again for your participation and feedback.