Text Box: Tidewater Virginia Amateur Softball Association (TVASA) established a Hall of Fame in 1983 to recognize our citizens such as:  Players, Managers, Sponsors, Teams, Umpires and Local Officials who have made outstanding contributions to TVASA and softball. In 2004, the name was changed to the Tidewater Virginia Softball Hall of Fame to enable the Committee to consider nominations from all softball organizations. ARTICLE 1 – PURPOSE 1.1 To honor those who have played a major role in the growth and development of TVASA and Tidewater softball, one of the greatest sports in the United States. 1.2 To help bring to the attention of the public the widespread value of, and interest in, the game of softball by so honoring those who have contributed to its success. ARTICLE 2 – NOMINATIONS AND SELECTIONS 2.1 Nominations can be made through a Hall of Fame Committee member.  Applications must be received by June 30 of each year and accompanied by written accomplishments and contributions to Tidewater softball.  Newspaper clippings, write-ups, and pictures may be included. 2.2 Selections will be made by the Hall of Fame Committee and a candidate must receive three-fourths of the vote for induction to the Hall of Fame. Selections will take place no later than August 15. Those selected will receive a commemorative plaque and enshrinement into the Tidewater Virginia Softball Hall of Fame. 2.3 A candidate’s resume will be considered each year as long as they receive fifty percent of the vote. 2.4 Induction ceremonies will take place during the month of October. ARTICLE 3 – REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Twelve categories – Any individual must be forty years of age by January 1 of induction year. A. Player 1. The length of playing time shall be considered as a factor in the evaluation. 2. Fame at local levels shall be used as a gauge such as:  All Star teams, batting average, Most Valuable Player awards and so on. 3. Playing in national, regional and state tournaments will be considered. 4. Any player deceased or disabled prior to the age of forty will be considered. B. Umpire – Twelve years of service C. Manager/Coach – Ten years of service D. Sponsor – Ten years of service E. Team – Eight years. A team is defined as seven or more persons that played with the same team for a period of eight years or more even though they were sponsored under different names. F. Administrator – Any administrator who made an outstanding contribution to Tidewater softball such as Commissioner, Player Representative, President, Member of Players’ Advisory Board, and so on. G. Meritorious Service – Ten years of service.  This category could include any or all of the above combinations for an individual or organization that is not eligible for one of the categories. H. Special Recognition – Will include individuals who have contributed and participated in softball. I. Honorary – Someone who has been instrumental in the growth of softball such as sports writer, organizer, politician, financial contributor, and so on. J. Legends – For any category prior to 1968 when TVASA became an association. K. Commissioners’ Selection – Enables a Commissioner to nominate an inductee that meets the requirements. L. Military – Teams who have participated in tournaments for at least ten years, but whose team members change due to military assignments.  The team name only will be acknowledged with one plaque presented. 3.1 At the discretion of the Committee, any candidate who receives three-fourths of the vote may be selected in each of the categories (A through L). 3.2 The names of candidates elected shall remain confidential to the Hall of Fame Committee until the Chairperson notifies those selected. ARTICLE 4 – CHARTER MEMBERS 4.1 The first inductees into the Hall of Fame were those persons chosen based on their many years of meritorious service and worthy contributions.  Those inducted will be known as the Charter Members. ARTICLE 5 – AWARDS 5.1 A specially designed plaque shall be given those elected to the Hall of Fame. 5.2 In addition, each inductee’s name and collected information will be forwarded to the National Hall of Fame for display in the Tidewater Virginia section. 5.3 All inductees will have their picture and biographies posted on the Tidewater Virginia Softball Hall of Fame website. ARTICLE 6 – PRESENTATION 6.1 Formal ceremonies and presentation of awards, with special stories of the inductees, will be made during the Hall of Fame dinner. 6.2 When introducing the inductees at the Hall of Fame dinner, they will be presented by category with their accomplishments at that time. ARTICLE 7 – HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE 7.1 The Hall of Fame Committee will consist of twelve voting members and no less than ten.  New Committee members will be approved by a majority vote of current members. The Committee will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday in July.  All members of the Committee as of 2003 will be grandfathered. 7.2 The Committee, after evaluating the nominations, shall ballot for the year’s inductees. It is required that at least a quorum (3/4) of the members be either present or voting by absentee ballot. NOTE: An absentee ballot will not be considered after the Committee votes. 7.3 A Chairperson is a member of the Committee and will be elected by the Committee yearly and will perform duties required by the Committee. 7.4 A Vice-Chairperson is a member of the Committee and will be elected by the Committee yearly and will perform the duties of the Chairperson in their absence. 7.1 A Secretary-Treasurer is a member of the Committee and will be elected by the Committee yearly and will perform duties such as take minutes of each meeting and mail them to each Committee member for approval, plus mail an annual financial statement to the Committee members each March. 7.2 Any member absent for three consecutive meetings without just cause will be subject to removal by consent of a majority of the Committee. 7.3 An active member is defined as one who works and performs duties delegated to them other than voting. ARTICLE 8 – PUBLICATION 8.1 Each inductee’s name, date, picture and biography will be published annually on the Tidewater Virginia Softball Hall of Fame website. ARTICLE 9 – FINANCE 9.1 All funds received by the Hall of Fame Committee will be deposited in a checking account in the name of the Hall of Fame Committee.  Withdrawals, authorized by the Committee, will be made by the Chairperson or the Treasurer. 9.2 A yearly audit of the books and records will be made by a panel of three Committee members by the first meeting in July and a copy given to each Committee member at that meeting. ARTICLE 10 – RULE PROCEDURES 10.1 Robert’s Rule of Order shall apply at all Hall of Fame Committee meetings. Revised 2004 Revised 2005