(Revised, October 2018)
Whereas CHPBA has been gifted a Cooperstown Dreams Park (“CDP”) grandfather certificate (“Permit”) as well as the name, logos, colors and associated marks of the Sabers (“Sabers Materials”);

Whereas in consideration for the gift of the CDP Permit, CHPBA has agreed to send a 12U team (as defined by CDP rules) to CDP each summer using the Cheviot Hills Sabers name and Sabers Materials, or otherwise arrange for the use of the Permit by a qualified organization (if CHPBA cannot field a team) to insure its continued use and return to CHPBA for subsequent summers;

Whereas CHPBA desires to send a competitive team to the CDP Tournament each year;

Whereas CHPBA desires to send a competitive 12U team to the PONY West Zone Tournament each year;

Whereas CDP and PONY currently have inconsistent age determination rules1; and

Whereas CHPBA supports the selection of the Sabers team more than a year before the CDP Tournament to allow the Sabers team ample time to raise funds and organize the trip; CHPBA hereby adopts the following CHPBA Cooperstown Team Policy:

1. CHPBA shall select the Sabers team players and manager at the same time and according to the same process CHPBA uses to pick its 11U and 12U Pony West Zone Tournament “A” teams. Specifically, in addition to picking 11U and 12U “A” teams (as defined by Pony’s age determination rules) to compete in the Pony West Zone Tournament, CHPBA will also select a Sabers team comprised of 11U players (as defined by CDP’s age determination rules) to compete at the CDP Tournament during their 12U year (as defined by CDP rules).
2.  If any of the initially selected Sabers players choose, at any time before the CDP Tournament, not to play at the CDP Tournament, the Sabers manager shall work with the CHPBA Board’s Executive Committee to select a replacement player, if the Sabers manager desires to fill the roster spot.
   
3. A player’s selection to the Sabers does not automatically secure a roster spot on the 12U PONY West Zone Tournament “A” team that CHPBA will select the following Spring. In other words, a player could be on the Sabers and not be on the CHPBA 12U West Zone Tournament “A” team, or vice versa.
   
4. If CDP or PONY changes their respective age determination rules so that they are substantially identical, the Sabers team and the 11U PONY West Zone Tournament “A” team shall be selected as one team.
5. To remain on the Sabers through the CDP Tournament, all players selected to the Sabers must enroll in CHPBA and play on a CHPBA-­‐sponsored team during their 12U season (as defined by CDP rules). Any player who does not play in CHPBA during the Spring season immediately before the CDP Tournament, and attend at least half of all CHPBA practices and/or games, will lose his or her spot on the Sabers. To illustrate: A player selected to the Sabers in the Spring of 2018 and scheduled to play at the CDP Tournament in the Summer of 2019 must play for a CHPBA-­‐sponsored team during CHPBA’s Spring 2019 season to remain a member of the Sabers. The CHPBA Executive Committee may grant exceptions to this rule upon receiving a petition from a player and a showing of special circumstances.
6. Any Sabers player named to the CHPBA PONY West Zone Tournament 12U “A” team must play for the 12U “A” team (1) at CHPBA’s Memorial Day Tournament, (2) in all levels of the Pony West Zone Tournament, and (3) at competitive events on at least two other weekends during the summer tournament season (i.e., the time between team selection and elimination from the PONY West Zone Tournament). The CHPBA Board may grant exceptions to this rule upon receiving a petition from a player and a showing of special circumstances.
7. While the Sabers are not required to play CHPBA Fall Ball during the Fall Ball season preceding the CDP Tournament, CHPBA encourages the Sabers to prepare for the CDP Tournament by practicing or playing together during the Fall. Should the Sabers decide to play Fall Ball, they must register with CHPBA at a price set by the CHPBA Board. The Sabers may use CHPBA facilities for practice and games during Fall Ball as approved by the CHPBA Board.