(1) NAME

This league shall be known as the St. John’s Amateur Baseball Association (SJABA).

(2) AUTHORITY

1. The Association is the governing body for its own Senior and Junior leagues.
2. The Association will affiliate with the appropriate Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Sports Organization (PSO).

(3) GOALS

1. To foster and promote baseball activities in the region.
2. To protect the mutual interests of its member teams, players, and officials.
3. To maintain a standard set of playing rules for all games.
4. To conduct championships and playoffs for the Association.
5. To enter teams in provincial competitions if it is the wish of the Association.
6. To foster the development of umpires.
7. To avail of opportunities for participation in, and/or hosting of, Provincial, Atlantic, National, and multi-sport baseball events.

(4) MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this Association by teams or players is purely voluntary, and application for acceptance of membership entails acceptance of the governing authorities of this Association. All memberships must be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting each year, and new applications accepted by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
2. Any violation of the Constitution, By-Laws, Policies or Regulations of this Association, or any decision of the Board of Directors, by any team or player or official of the Association shall render that member liable to suspension in accordance with the disciplinary policy.
3. The purpose of the Junior Division is to provide an opportunity for players to stay involved in the game and to provide a feeder program for the Senior Division.

(5) REGISTRATION

1. No player shall be permitted to play in the St. John’s Amateur Baseball Association until they have been added to a submitted Junior or Senior active roster through the pre-season draft, or free agency.

(6) DUES

1. Team registration fees shall be established annually by the Executive Committee and approved in accordance with the association’s financial policies. The Executive Committee may levy registration fees as required to operate. Registration amounts shall be set by the Executive Committee prior to each season at the AGM.
2. Team registration fees must be paid in full by 11:59pm on a date chosen by the Board of Directors two weeks after the scheduled start of the regular season. Any team that has not paid in full by this date will forfeit subsequent scheduled games, with each game recorded as a loss in the standings, until the arrears have been resolved.

(7) Board of Directors

1. The governing body of the Association shall be the Board of Directors, which shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Senior League Director, Junior League Director, Operational Director, and the Administrative Director.
2. The Executive Committee shall be the President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the general administration of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors.
3. The Officers of the Association shall be:
   1. The Junior Director, Senior Director, and be responsible for the day to day operations of each individual league.
   2. The Operational Director will support League Directors and league operational events.
   3. The Administrative Director will support the Executive Committee.
4. All members of the Board of Directors shall be voting members of the Board.
5. The Board of Directors shall be elected by ballot at the Annual General Meeting and shall serve terms of two (2) years, unless otherwise specified in this Constitution.
6. The President and Vice-President shall serve on alternating terms.
7. The Junior Director and Senior Director shall serve on alternating terms.
8. The Treasurer’s term shall alternate with that of the President. For the 2026 season, the Treasurer shall serve a one-year term to align with the alternating term structure. Thereafter, shall revert to standard term lengths as outlined in this Constitution.
9. The Operational and Administrative Directors shall serve on alternating terms. For the 2026 season, the Operational Director shall serve a one-year term to establish the staggered term cycle. Thereafter, shall revert to standard term lengths as outlined in this Constitution.
10. Nominations for the various officers of the Association shall be made from the floor at the Annual General Meeting.
11. The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, or any member of the Association duly appointed by the Executive Committee shall represent the Association officially at any function or before any body where representation from the Association is desired or requested.
12. The President shall preside as chair at all meetings of the Association and at Executive Board of Directors meetings and shall cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
13. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, have all the powers of and perform all the duties of the President.
14. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association.
15. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all monies received and disbursed and shall report annually to the Association at the AGM, or at the request of the President, within one week.
16. The President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be the signing officers of the Association for all disbursements. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall have signing authority.
17. The Junior and Senior Directors shall be primarily responsible for the administration and management of each league in accordance with the Constitution, By-Laws, Policies, and Regulations of the SJABA.
18. The Administrative Director supports the Executive Committee in administrative functions and organizational governance.
19. The Operational Director supports league operations and assists League Directors in the execution of league activities.
20. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Secretary-Treasurer, a Secretary-Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall assume responsibility for the accounts and records until the next Annual General Meeting.
21. Should a vacancy occur in the office of the President, Vice-President, or Directors, said vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee.
22. The Executive Committee or in their absence a designated representative, shall have the authority to suspend any player, coach, or umpire for conduct unbecoming, whether on or off the playing surface, or for the use of abusive behaviour. In cases of on-field violations, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to suspend any player, coach, or official for violations of the SJABA Discipline policies upon submission of a report by a person connected with the Association. All suspensions shall be reviewed by the Discipline Committee in a timely manner, which shall submit a recommendation to the Executive Committee.

(8) Non-Voting Board of Directors Advisors

Board of Director Advisors are non-voting members who are not counted towards a quorum. They provide advice and guidance to the Board. This group shall consist of:

1. Past President
   1. The immediate Past President shall serve in an advisory capacity for one (1) term following the completion of their term as President.
2. Director of Umpiring
   1. The Director of Umpiring shall be responsible for all matters relating to the administration and management of umpires.
3. Director of Facilities
   1. The Director of Facilities shall provide guidance on matters related to league facilities. The Director may assist with field coordination and staffing, facility usage, and provide recommendations to the Board regarding facility needs and improvements.

These positions and individuals shall be reviewed annually by the newly elected Board of Directors.

(9) BOARD OF DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The following section outlines the minimum eligibility requirements to run for and hold a Board of Directors position, including role-specific qualifications, appointment authorities, and restrictions related to prior vacancy or removal.

(10) APPROVAL OF POSITIONS

Voting Positions

Any new voting board position must be reviewed and approved by the delegates at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Restrictions Following Vacancy or Removal

Any individual who vacates a Board of Directors position for non-exigent circumstances, has been removed from the Board of Directors, or has been removed from the League as a player or coach, shall be ineligible to run for or hold any position unless expressly reviewed and approved by the current Board of Directors.

Non-Voting Board of Directors Advisors

The Board of Directors shall have the authority to create, appoint, remove, or dissolve Non-Voting Board of Directors Advisor positions as required.

(11) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee shall be known as the Executive Committee.

1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association, including the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary-Treasurer. The President shall serve as Chair of the Committee. The Executive Committee shall have the power:

1. To formulate, prescribe, alter, and amend the Constitutional By-Laws for the governance of the Association, consistent with the scope and provisions of the Constitution.
2. To appoint sub-committees or employ individuals for the handling of special or specified business.
3. To review recommendations from sub-committees and adjudicate all disputes and recommendations.
4. To supervise the collection of fees and funds of the Association and the expenditure of such monies and provide biannual financial reports.
5. To set the date, time, and place for each AGM and any necessary Special Meetings of the Association.
6. By a two-thirds vote, to remove from office any member of the Executive Committee who, by neglect of duty or conduct impairing their usefulness, is deemed to have forfeited their position. When the removal from office pertains to a member of the Executive Committee and a two-thirds vote cannot be achieved due to the number of eligible voting members, a Director shall be appointed to participate in the vote on the removal from office.

(12) MEETINGS

1. All meetings of the Association shall be called by the President, Vice-President, or Secretary-Treasurer at the direction of the President.
2. An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held no later than April 15th at such time and place as designated by the Executive Committee. Two weeks will be considered sufficient notice given for the AGM.
3. Constitutional amendments need to be submitted to the Executive Committee a minimum of two weeks prior to the AGM. The board of Directors will review and distribute said amendments to the delegates one week prior to the AGM.
4. Special Meetings of the Association shall be held upon written request from a delegate of three or more teams in good standing. Notice of such meetings shall state the date, place, and purpose of the meeting and shall provide at least three days’ notice to all members.
5. At all Board meetings a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members of the Board of Directors. Voting by written proxy shall be permitted, provided such proxy is submitted in writing in advance of the meeting.
6. At the AGM, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members of the Board of Directors and team delegates. Voting by written proxy shall not be permitted.
   1. Each team is required to have a designated delegate present at the AGM for the purpose of voting.
7. Order of business at the Annual General Meeting shall be as follows:
   • Roll call of members in good standing
   • Reading of minutes
   • Business arising from the minutes
   • Secretary-Treasurer’s report
   • President’s report
   • Reports of committees
   • Elections
   • Resolutions and general or new business
   • Adjournment
8. Order of business at Special Meetings shall be as follows:
   • Roll call of members in good standing
   • Reading of minutes
   • Business arising from the minutes
   • Resolutions and general or new business
   • Adjournment
9. At Annual or Special Meetings, each team from the Junior and Senior leagues who are in good standing shall be entitled to one vote along with each member of the Board of Directors in a voting position. Each team shall identify and confirm their delegate casting the vote. The president shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
10. Voting at all meetings shall be by show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested and approved by the president.
11. The Executive Committee has a duty to conduct at least one off season meeting with league delegates after January 1st and prior to the AGM.

(13) AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments or alterations to this Constitution may be made only at the Annual General Meeting and only by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. The Board of Directors reserves the right to revise the contents of the constitution in the case of a contradiction, discrepancy, or clerical mistake.
2. The Association may adopt, amend, revise, or repeal Policies and Procedures at any Annual, Special, General, or Board of Directors Meeting.
3. Constitutional amendments may be presented at the AGM by any member in good standing; however, the proposed amendment must be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing at least two weeks prior to the AGM.
4. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to maintain, amend and revise league Policies and Procedures. Amendments to policies and procedures do not require notice to, or approval by, team delegates or the general membership.
5. In matters not covered by this Constitution, the constitutional rules of Baseball Newfoundland and Labrador and/or Baseball Canada shall apply.