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Welcome to the March 25, 2011; edition of the MYAS Update
In this Issue
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MYAS Update Info
Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. It includes notes from the Executive Director, sport program information, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events information. Contributions from sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sport services and events at the lowest possible cost and partially fund this newsletter, and certain sponsors will be featured from time to time.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
RULES & REGULATIONS COMMITTEE BEING FORMED
Reprinted below is an excerpt of an email that was sent to the coach of a fourth grade team by a concerned parent. The parent shared the email with the MYAS and asked for our insight.
Dear Coach,
I know how much time you put into coaching and I really do appreciate it.
At the beginning of the season, at your house, you told all of the parents that this was a developmental team, that there was no A team and B team, and that the goal was to develop all of the kids' skills and have fun. You said that winning is not everything. What happened at the game yesterday was completely opposite of what you said at your party. My son played for less than 2 minutes. In the games on Saturday he played slightly more, but never more than 6 minutes per game. If this were a tournament team where kids had to earn their spots and their minutes on the court I would get that, but it is not. It is a 4th grade developmental team. The kids don't get better sitting on the bench, and they certainly don't have fun. All day yesterday my son told me that he hates basketball, that he is the worst one on the team, that you don't like him, that you never let him play, and that you
keep him on the bench and put other kids on the court that had already played much more than him. No matter how much I tell him that he is a valuable part of the team and a good player, it's hard for me to explain why he didn't get to play. Maybe you could explain that to him.
I know they are supposed to do most of their learning in practice, but any kid who gets to play 20-25 minutes per game in a four-game tournament has a huge advantage over a kid that maybe touches the ball a couple of times in the game. How can any kid with minimal playing time be expected to perform at the same level as a kid that plays almost the whole game? It's impossible. The kids you choose to get all the playing time have a tremendous advantage and they are the ones truly being developed. The rest are getting the message that they are not good enough to play and should find another sport. It's a cycle that makes the more talented kids get much better and the less talented lose their love of the game. If this is supported by our local travel association, it seems tremendously shortsighted. There is no way to know who the stars will be later on and makes this a discouraging
experience for half the kids. It may also prevent our association from being able to field two teams. In a small school where players are at a premium, they should all be developed and encouraged.
All of the parents go to great effort to get their kids to practice, encourage them to work hard, and we all made the trip to Rochester to have fun and see the boys play. It was really disappointing to see my son play for less than 2 minutes yesterday.
Believe me, I like winning too. But in the context of what happened yesterday it was very clear that you were more concerned about winning than developing the teams or treating the boys fairly.
As a parent I want my kid to become a better player, see the benefits of working hard, and develop a love for the game. I realize that he is not the best player, and that he can be difficult to coach. But he is on this team, and he deserves more than 2 minutes of playing time. I hope the boys will see a more fair distribution of playing time at the MYAS tournament next weekend so that they can all end the season feeling like they were part of the team.
This is a complex situation because this is a small school district that apparently has no "in-house" program. Twenty boys showed up for fourth grade try-outs and every player made it onto one of two equal travel teams regardless of their familiarity with the game, basketball skills, athleticism or maturity level. The end result was that each team had a few "stars" and then several players of varying ability, some of whom might play on an "in-house" team if they were in a larger school district/community with more options.
This is an extraordinarily difficult challenge for a fourth grade coach who might be coaching a travel team for the first time. Even experienced coaches get caught up in the competitive nature of the traveling experience and ignore or downplay the development responsibility of coaching. This "winning is the only thing" attitude is never defensible at any level, but seems especially wrong for 9-10 year olds.
This email also raises the larger issue of what the goals and rules should be for fourth grade basketball. Fourth grade travel teams didn't used to exist; now some children are acquiring their basketball skills earlier and seem to have the maturity and competitiveness to thrive in a travel environment. Other less skilled and less mature players need to be developed at 9-10 years old and communities are faced with how to accomplish this.
The MYAS is forming a committee to come up with recommendations for rule changes at the MYAS Gopher State Spring Championships for fourth grade boys and girls. We will share these rule changes along with some policy recommendations for all Minnesota youth basketball associations, school districts, community education programs and park & recreation departments. If you are interested in joining this committee or offering input on fourth grade issues, please contact Mike DeWane at 763-746-1716 or mike@myas.org.
Please share the MYAS Update with parents or other persons who may be interested. It is distributed to hundreds of coaches and youth sports association officials and thousands of athletes and their parents, but not all of our participants are currently receiving it. Subscriptions to the MYAS Update newsletter are FREE.
Upcoming MYAS Event Registration Deadlines
Gopher State Baseball League 9u-15u Team Enrollment
Event Date(s): April-July
Deadline: Friday, March 25
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational
Event Date(s): April 9-10
Deadline: Monday, March 28
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational
Event Date(s): April 16-17
Deadline: Monday, April 4
North Star Baseball League
Event Date(s): Begins May 1
Deadline: Monday, April 4
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver
Event Date(s): April 23
Deadline: Monday, April 11
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational
Event Date(s): April 30-May 1
Deadline: Monday, April 18
Gopher State Spring Basketball Championships (Boys/Girls 3rd-4th Grade)
Event Date(s): May 7-8
Deadline: Monday, April 25
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational (Boys/Girls 5th-12 Grade)
Event Date(s): May 7-8
Deadline: Monday, April 25
MYAS Launches New-Look Website
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services is pleased to announce the release of our newly upgraded website, www.myas.org. Our home page has been redesigned with a fresh new look and has been updated with information about our latest programs and services.
Additionally, our new site provides information to answer our participants' most common questions and it provides enhanced education tools.
The new MYAS home page features a Resource Center that includes:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- MYAS and Partner Services
- Free Educational Resources
- Speakers Bureau
- Coaches' Recruitment Center
- And much more!
We invite you to explore some of the new features in detail and write us to let us know what you think!
Save Big at Dick's Sporting Goods on March 26-27
As the winter sports seasons wind down, it's time to start thinking about spring and summer sports - and the equipment/apparel/footwear you'll need to have a great season.
For the second consecutive year, Dick's Sporting Goods is offering a special shop weekend for MYAS athletes, coaches and officials. Last year nearly 400 families took advantage of this great discount program. We hope you'll join us this year on March 26-27!
Please click here to download more information about the 2nd Annual MYAS Spring Sports Shop Days at Dick's Sporting Goods.
Visit the MYAS on Facebook!
We are excited about our new social media opportunity - Facebook! Check it out and "Like" our page to gain access to pictures, program updates and other exciting news.
You must have a Facebook profile to connect with our page. To get started, go to www.facebook.com and sign up for a free account. If you already have an account, simply log in and search for the "MYAS" page.
As our fan base grows, discussion topics can also be added. We look forward to connecting with our participants and families in this new venture! If you have questions about the MYAS Facebook page, please contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Celebrate a Successful Season at Buca di Beppo!
You've put a lot of hard work into your team this year. What better way to say thank you than a BUCA banquet with all their favorite dishes!
Team menus are priced inclusive for a great savings and we guarantee that no one will leave hungry. Give your players a pat on the back and some pasta for their teamwork!
Contact your local BUCA sales manager for more information. Click here to access a flyer that shows where to find and how to contact your local BUCA. We look forward to helping you celebrate!
Borton's Bench Notes
I hope everyone was able to get out and watch some of the recent State Tournament games. The level of play, the competition, the sportsmanship and the will to win were all very evident in the games at Williams Arena and Target Center. There is nothing like playing for a championship and doing it with your coaches and your teammates...for most people it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It was great to watch the student sections, the bands, the fans, the cheerleaders and everyone involved with the teams. These games create a sense of community, pride, tradition and hard work. I am very proud of all the teams that made it to State this year. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to get this far. To win it all...it takes consistency, teamwork and a little bit of luck!
I am watching a lot of talent coming up in Minnesota, and it was a pleasure to watch one of our own in the State Tournament this year in Rachel Banham. What a player, teammate and great kid. The University of Minnesota is proud to have a hometown girl stay home and play for her state school and be part of our exciting future! And don't forget about Kayla Hirt. Kayla is from Bemidji and played in the State Tournament last year. (She is recovering from an injury this year.) She is also one of our own and one of the best players in the nation. I know all of you are very proud of both Kayla and Rachel wanting to represent Minnesota and be a big part of Gopher basketball!
There is nothing like playing in front of your family and friends on the big stage and under the lights! That is where you get to experience the spotlight of the State Tournament. Then if you are fortunate enough, like Kayla and Rachel, you get to take your game to the national stage - with your family and friends right there with you for the next four years.
It takes dedication, hard work, sacrifice and commitment to make State, to become a Gopher and to reach any goal or dream you set! The most important thing, though, is to dream, hope and then work hard to make your dreams and hopes come true.
Go Gophers!
Sports Medicine Tip
Energy Drinks
By Jamie Peters, MD, CAQ
It's a well known fact that when exercising, hydration is a must. Every athlete should be well hydrated before, during and after an event. Water is always a good choice and sports drinks with carbohydrates and electrolytes help replenish lost stores for events lasting more than an hour. Energy drinks, however, are supplements and considered stimulants. These drinks come with risks since they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They should not be confused with sports drinks.
The United States is the world's largest consumer of energy beverages by volume, and consumption is primarily among people ages 11 to 35 years. The most common ingredient is caffeine, which ranges from 50 milligrams (mg) to 505 mg per 16-ounce serving.
They come in a variety of formulations, and in addition to caffeine they also have lots of sugar - and possibly herbal stimulants and a supplementary amino acid known as taurine. It's been suggested but not proven, that taurine can enhance athletic performance. It's difficult to determine what's actually in these drinks since they aren't regulated. Manufacturers aren't required to list exact contents or amounts of each ingredient on the label either.
Having an occasional energy drink isn't necessarily bad, especially those that contain about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee and a similar amount of sugar as a can of soda. But many energy drinks contain much higher amounts of caffeine and other substances.
High amounts of caffeine and sugar - and whatever herbal stimulants may be added - can have a variety of adverse effects. They may cause a markedly faster heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, stomach upset and nausea. In addition, the acids and sugars in these drinks promote tooth decay, and the sugar contains a lot of extra calories and little other nutritional value.
By itself, massive amounts of caffeine can increase your blood pressure and sometimes impair blood flow to your heart. It may also trigger abnormal heart rhythms which can be life-threatening in some people. Increased risk of a potential heart problem increases when energy drinks are consumed along with alcohol, when you're dehydrated, or when consumed quickly before a sporting event. Serious medical problems, including fainting or even a heart attack, can occur due to consumption of energy drinks in these situations.
For optimal athletic performance make sure to get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet and stay well hydrated with proven fluids like water and sports drinks. Energy drinks as opposed to sports drinks are not recommended prior to and during athletic events.
About the author
Jamie Peters, MD, CAQSM, is a non-surgical orthopedic and sports medicine physician who cares for patients of all ages with muscle, bone and joint conditions at Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care locations in Eden Prairie and Burnsville.
At Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care, we specialize in muscles, bones and joints. Convenient locations. One number to call for appointments: 612-672-7100. Visit us online at www.fairview.org/ortho.
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
OBSTRUCTION
This month's column will be devoted to the history and the present day enforcement of the obstruction rule in baseball. The present day rule has evolved from a very early beginning in the game of baseball. We will explore the rule as it is seen today in high school baseball and also why and how it came to be from its very early inception.
What is obstruction? It is defined in the NFHS Rule Book as "an act (intentional or unintentional, as well as physical or verbal) by a fielder, any member of the defensive team or its team personnel that hinders a runner or changes the pattern of play or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter."
We also need to understand how it is enforced in high school baseball. When obstruction occurs, the ball becomes dead at the end of playing action and the umpire has authority to determine which base or bases shall be awarded the runners according to the rule violated. There are exceptions to this rule but we don't have the space to get into those exceptions in this dialogue.
Also, a fake tag is an act by a defensive player without the ball that simulates a tag, and a fake tag is considered obstruction in high school baseball but not in NCAA or professional play. If a fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base that a runner is attempting to reach, that is also considered obstruction in high school baseball.
With that definition, let's look at the beginning of how the rule has evolved. Before the NFHS published their first baseball rule book, we used the Official Baseball Rules as our rule book. As early as 1857, the Knickerbocker Rules recognized and penalized the act of obstruction. Rule 23 stated, "If the player is prevented from making a base by intentional obstruction of an adversary, he shall be entitled to that base, and not be put out." This was adopted to the Official Baseball Rules in 1876 and was not changed much until 1897. That year the rules committee added the following statement to the rule: "If a fielder had the ball in his hand ready to meet the base-runner, no obstruction should be called." That criterion is part of the definition found in the OBR book in section 2.00 rules today. Through the first 50 years of the twentieth century that was the
prevailing rule.
In 1950 a new obstruction rule was written. This change established two types of obstruction: 1) the batter becomes a runner and is impeded as he advances around the bases and 2) a runner who is caught in a rundown and is impeded as he attempts to reach a base.
In the first type, the ball remained alive and the umpire awarded bases as he saw fit after all play had stopped. In the rundown situation, the umpire stopped play and awarded the runner the base he was attempting to reach. If the base he was attempting to reach was occupied by a succeeding runner, that succeeding runner was permitted to return to the base he last legally held.
In 1962, this rule was revamped and has the exact ruling today in professional baseball. However, at the same time the high school rule changed to the obstruction rule on all runners, no matter how the obstruction occurs, to a DELAYED DEAD BALL. This means that whenever obstruction occurs in high school baseball, the umpire should not call time until the end of the play and then make whatever awards they deem will nullify the act of obstruction.
There is a small exception to that rule in that if a batter is obstructed on his swing by the catcher or any other defensive player, the umpire shall, at the end of playing action, award the batter first base and all other runners that are forced to advance their next base. If they were not forced to advance or were not stealing on the pitch, they would have to be returned to the last base legally held.
There is another minor exception here in that the coach may take the play instead of the penalty even though an out might be recorded by the batter. For example, with a runner on third base and a fly ball hit to the outfield that is caught and the runner from third advances to score, the umpire will call time and place the batter at first base and return the runner to third base because that is what the rule allows. The offensive team coach has the option to take the play instead and he can buy that run with an out.
Now let's look at a few plays from the high school case book to show what this all means.
Play #1: Runner on third. After the pitcher winds up, the runner starts for home as in a squeeze play. The first baseman cuts in front of the pitch and intercepts it and easily goes to tag the runner from third for the out. Ruling: This is defensive obstruction and therefore illegal. The umpire will award the runner home and the batter first base.
Play #2: The runner on first base is stealing second when the shortstop fakes a tag, causing the runner to slide, and the catcher's throw goes into center field. Ruling: At the end of the play, the umpire will call time and warn the player and team that they may not attempt a fake tag. If the umpire believes that the fake tag prevented the runner from reaching third base on the play, he should and probably will award the runner third base. If that defensive team has another fake tag in that game, the player will be ejected. Also, my recommendation is to eject the defensive player on the first occurrence if the runner was injured on the fake tag.
Play #3: Bases loaded with no outs. There is a rundown between home and third base. During the rundown, the catcher, without the ball, is run into by the runner. Ruling: This is obstruction. The umpire should signal obstruction but keep the ball live in high school baseball. In NCAA and professional baseball this is an immediate dead ball. In high school baseball, at the end of playing action the umpire will call time and award home to the runner from third. All other runners will be given the base or bases that the umpire believes they would have reached if there were no obstruction. This is the umpire's judgment. In this case, the runner from second probably would be awarded third base and the other runner would be awarded second base.
There are a myriad of possible scenarios that we could go through and never exhaust them. The key principle of understanding the obstruction rule in high school is that there are many ways to obstruct and it is always the defensive team that obstructs. The offensive team cannot obstruct but they can interfere. The defensive team cannot interfere.
In high school baseball all obstruction is a delayed dead ball. This means we don't call time until the end of playing action and usually the obstructed runner is going to get at least one base and all other runners will probably get one also, but not in all cases. The obstructed runner is the player that should be awarded their base(s) first and then all other runners should be awarded their bases.
There is one occasion where the batter-runner will not be awarded any bases and that is when he hits a fly ball that is caught somewhere. If they are obstructed while the ball is in flight, the umpire should recognize the obstruction by signaling and saying, "That's obstruction!" If the ball is caught, the out takes precedence over the obstruction. If the ball is not caught, at the end of playing action the umpire shall call "Time!" and then award the batter-runner at least first base if not more, depending on his judgment of what base the batter-runner could have reached.
So that is today's treatise on the obstruction rule and how it has evolved. Next month we will be looking at the variety of interference(s) and how that rule has evolved.
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
The MYAS is all set for the 2011 Midwest Regional Swim Meet on April 2-3! Approximately 1,250 athletes representing 69 teams will be competing in the Midwest Regional, one of the most elite youth swim meets in the country.
We are very proud of our athletes and can't wait to see them showcasing their talents at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center!
For more information, please visit the Midwest Regional web page or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
MYAS Gopher State Wrestling
More than 1,000 wrestlers invaded Monticello on February 12-13 for the 2011 MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Nationals. The field included wrestlers in kindergarten through eighth grade from all over the Midwest. Monticello was the place to be for top notch youth wrestling! Please click here to access the Gopher State Wrestling Nationals web page.
The Gopher State Wrestling Nationals have earned the reputation of being one of the toughest and best run tournaments in Minnesota. The tournament has drawn wrestlers from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Louisiana, Michigan and Wyoming. Wrestlers from all states are eligible to participate in all Gopher State wrestling events.
Anoka took home the title from the 2011 Gopher State K-6 Team Tournament. There were 16 teams from all across the state that competed on February 27. Not only did Anoka win first prize, they also did an outstanding job serving as the event host. They were very hospitable and everyone noticed!
The MYAS and our Wrestling Advisory Committee are proud of our 2011 events and have already begun planning for 2012. For more information about the MYAS Gopher State Wrestling programs, please click on the appropriate link below. You may also contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Gopher State Wrestling Nationals
Gopher State K-6 Team Tournament
MYAS in Talks with Dr. John Tauer to Direct Basketball Rookie Coaches' Clinic
The St. Thomas University men's basketball team recently won the NCAA Division III National Championship by defeating Middlebury 59-57 in the semifinal and crushing Wooster University 78-53 in the championship game. The Tommies are not large but have an exceptionally athletic and deep squad. Their winning formula consisted of a devastating press and a poised, disciplined offense that relied on outside sharpshooters. Steve Fritz was named "National Coach of the Year" by D3Hoops and Tyler Nicolai earned All American honors for the second year in a row. We are especially pleased because the St. Thomas varsity players are all from Minnesota and grew up playing in MYAS tournaments and leagues.
The St. Thomas website reported an interesting fact. "At least four Tommies - Fritz, Nicolai, assistant coach Johnny Tauer and senior forward Teddy Archer - have one other thing in common. They all played on state high school championship teams: Fritz for Rochester Lourdes in 1967, Tauer for Cretin-Derham Hall in 1991, Archer for De La Salle in 2006 and Nicolai for Hopkins in 2007."
The MYAS is currently in discussions with Coach Tauer to direct our new "Rookie Coaches' Clinic." If you are new to coaching youth basketball or need a coaching refresher/update, this clinic will instruct you on how to teach the fundamentals of basketball and also how to be a successful coach. Specifically, participants will learn how to teach kids about the game, how to plan your season, how to create a positive team atmosphere, how to manage parents, the basics of beginning practice, and drills and strategies for new coaches to utilize.
Dr. John Tauer is also an Associate Professor of Psychology and writes a regular blog for Psychology Today titled "Goal Posts." His blog focuses on issues surrounding sport, competition, cooperation and motivation.
For information about upcoming coaches' clinics or to schedule a clinic for your association or in-house coaches, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
Minnesota March Mayhem once again swarmed into the metro area with mass hysteria during the 2011 MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships. A total of 503 girls' teams and 674 boys' teams migrated to courts all over the metro area on the first two weekends of March.
The 2011 Grade State Tournament was the largest in the history of the event with a total of 1,177 participating teams. These teams poured their heart and soul into every game to determine who would be crowned state champion in their respective grade and division, and they should be proud of their performances.
There is a limited supply of apparel remaining from the 2011 Grade State Championships, and prices have been drastically reduced. Please click here to access information on how to purchase apparel before it is all gone!
We'd like to thank all of our tournament hosts - this huge event would not be possible without all of you. The MYAS would like to once again thank all the teams for participating in Minnesota March Mayhem and congratulate this year's top teams! Please click on boys or girls to view the schedules/results for all grades/divisions of play.
We are already looking forward to the 2012 Grade State Championships, and we hope that you'll participate in our March Mayhem once again. Next year's event will take place on March 3-4 (girls) and March 10-11 (boys). We hope to see you all next year!
If you have questions regarding the MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships, please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships
The 2011 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships were held on March 19-20 at Spring Lake Park High School, Osseo High School, St. Louis Park High School and the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St. Paul. There were 150 teams from throughout the metro area that participated in the tournament.
The Championships provided a great opportunity for the players, parents and coaches to experience their own version of March Madness. There was a lot of good in-house basketball played all weekend long!
The MYAS would like to thank all the volunteer groups for doing such a terrific job helping to run a great event. We'd especially like to thank all of the in-house directors and coordinators for all their support of the Rec State Championships.
Congratulations to all of our 2011 Rec State Basketball Champions!
Boys 4th Grade Division I/II * Brooklyn Park * Coach Chris Royston
Boys 4th Grade Division III * Pirates, Brooklyn Park * Coach Joe Peterson
Boys 5th Grade * Phelps, Minneapolis * Coach Londell Anderson
Boys 6th Grade Division I * Jerry Gambles, Minneapolis * Coach John Bryant
Boys 6th Grade Division II * Oxford, St. Paul * Coach Deryck Myoan
Boys 6th Grade Division III * Minneapolis Rock * Coach Rodney Lossow
Boys 7th Grade * Ballers, Plymouth * Coach Jeff Schuler
Boys 8th Grade Division I * Battle Creek, St. Paul * Coach Trumanue Lindsey
Boys 8th Grade Division II * Predators, White Bear Lake * Coach Tony Long
Boys 8th Grade Division III * Da Vinci, Blaine * Coach Mark Slechta
Boys 9th/10th Grade Division I/II * Wayzata * Coach Tim Tapper
Boys 9th/10th Grade Division III * Tonka, Minnetonka * Coach Kevin Hoffman
Boys 11th/12th Grade Division I * Varsity Rejects, Minnetonka * Coach Erik Johnson
Boys 11th/12th Grade Division II * The 952's, Lakeville * Coach Daryl Galazen
Boys 11th/12th Grade Division III * Woodbury * Coach Dan Schneider
Girls 4th/5th Grade Division III * Linwood, St. Paul * Coach Dave Gubbrud
Girls 6th Grade * Jimmy Lee, St. Paul * Coach William Harvel
Girls 7th Grade * Burnsville * Coach Jim Schmid
Girls 8th/9th Grade * Maple Grove * Coach Bill Huefner
Girls 11th/12th Grade * CDAA, Champlin * Coach James Fallon
Gopher State Spring Basketball
The 2011 Gopher State Spring Basketball season is off and running! We have 74 boys' and girls' teams that will begin play on March 26 and another 40 scheduled to play on March 27. We want to thank all of you for your continued participation with us and we will continue providing you with high quality tournaments.
One of the difficulties we face each spring is determining where teams end up playing. At the beginning of the spring, we place teams into their various divisions of play based on the rankings that the coaches provide. Unfortunately, many teams sign up in the wrong division and we see games that are not competitive. Remember: Division I is the highest division of play and Division III is the lowest. As you move throughout the remainder of the spring basketball season, you will see teams moving up and down divisions of play and also movement within each division of play.
To accomplish our goal of having competitive games, we are going to delay scheduling our tournaments so we can monitor games being played two weeks prior to each future tournament weekend. For example, on Monday, April 4, we will enter in all the results from the April 2 weekend. On Tuesday, after the deadline for the April 16 weekend has passed, we will begin moving teams up and down divisions and separating the teams into their divisions of play for the April 16 weekend. By doing so and by utilizing our USSSA Power Rankings system, we hope to deliver competitive balance in your tournaments.
What's new for 2011?
- "Elite" Tournaments - we're again trying to bring talented teams into Minnesota from across the Midwest to compete against our Elite level teams
- MYAS Team Appreciation Weekend on May 7-8
- 3 on 3 Summer League begins August 7 - watch the MYAS website for more information
- Gopher State Girls' All-Star Weekend on July 22-24
- Gopher State Boys' All-Star Weekend on July 29-31
Beginning with the April 9 weekend, coaches in the 7th-11th grade divisions will be given forms to begin nominating the top players in their grade level for the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Gopher State All-Star Weekends. Four teams of 10-12 players each will be selected in each gender and grade level for participation in this exciting and fun-filled event. Watch the MYAS website for more information!
Once again, we sincerely thank you for your participation in MYAS programs and we wish all of you good luck in your upcoming tournaments. Remember to have fun and that the improvement of your players' skills is what spring ball should be all about. We look forward to seeing you in the gym!
MYAS Basketball Tournament Scheduling Services
The MYAS wants to help your basketball organization. We have put together a Tournament Scheduling Service package to make coordinating your event much easier. Our educated and trained staff has experienced the ins and outs of event planning. Let our expertise help you!
For just $3.00 per team, the MYAS will complete your tournament schedules and post them online and will provide you with a copy of the schedules, brackets to post at your site(s), score sheets for every game and many other valuable services. We are also working on the possibility of providing tournament directors with remote website access so they can update scores/schedules during their tournament.
What follows is a testimonial from Layne Skoyen, director of the Hastings Spiral Classic Basketball Tournament:
"As a volunteer with our Hastings Basketball Booster organization, it is very difficult to devote the time needed to coordinate a successful annual tournament. Jeremy (Innes) at MYAS took many of the headaches away with their tournament service program which provides a website, bracketing, printing of forms, etc. This year was a breeze compared to last year - very few emails or calls. MYAS is so easy to work with and very responsive to any questions or concerns. I would highly recommend this program to any Director that feels overwhelmed by the details and pressure of hosting a successful basketball tournament."
If you would like more information about the MYAS Basketball Tournament Scheduling Services, please click here or contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school basketball rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. Twelve minutes before the game is scheduled to start, team member A1 dunks the ball and is charged with a technical foul. Player B1 is discovered to be wearing an illegal shirt as the players prepare for the start of the game. What is the ruling?
2. Player A1, while holding the ball inbounds near the sideline, touches (a) Player B1; (b) a photographer; (c) a coach; or (d) an official, all of whom are out of bounds. What is the ruling in each case?
3. A throw-in by Player A1 (a) strikes Player B1, who is inbounds, and rebounds in flight directly from B1 and strikes A1, who is still out of bounds; or (b) is batted by B1, who is inbounds, and the ball is next touched by A1, who is still out of bounds. What is the ruling in each case?
Gopher State Baseball League
Welcome to the GSBL Nation! It's hard to believe that we're approaching the 12th season of the Gopher State Baseball League, a USSSA sanctioned league. This season has snuck up on us all, as it appears the snow could remain on the ground until May. But with the recent thawing that is giving us spring fever, we're gearing up for another action-packed traveling baseball season.
The GSBL will continue to expand in 2011 as associations in central Minnesota and the metro area are verbally committing as members. We have also received word of additional teams from current member associations throughout the heart of GSBL territory! At the conclusion of the 2010 season, the league posted the largest representation of communities in a traveling league in the Upper Midwest.
We are looking forward to serving as your league administrators and we're confident that participants will be completely satisfied with their GSBL experience. With the updated policies and league enhancements such as online rosters, team and league websites, online score reporting and berths through league play to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions and USSSA World Series - not to mention the addition of the Gopher State All-Star Series - the future of the GSBL remains very bright!
The official league entry packet/team enrollment information for the 2011 9u-19u GSBL is now available and has been sent to Association Travel Directors and/or Presidents.
Team Enrollment Deadlines
9u-15u teams: March 25, 2011
16u-17/19u teams: May 16, 2011
Scheduling Sessions
9u-15u teams: April 16, 2011
16u-17/19u teams: May 25, 2011
2011 OFFERINGS THROUGH THE GSBL
9 & Under Leagues
The GSBL is once again offering a 9 & under league in 2011. It is designed specifically for athletes who do not turn 10 years old before May 1, 2011. The league provides an introduction to traveling baseball to players at this age. The only level of play available at 9 & under is OPEN. Each team will be guaranteed 13 games, which includes a playoff at the end of the season. Because of the shorter 12-game regular season, the administrative entry fee is lower than that of the older divisions.
This league is available to any association that would like to offer a program exclusively for 9 year olds. This allows an opportunity for 9 and 10 year olds to play separately, which helps promote stronger numbers for other age groups in the future.
Note: The 9u league will only take place if there are six or more teams enrolled AND if the travel time between communities is considered to be reasonable. If these two stipulations are not met, all teams enrolled at 9u may be asked to play in the 10AA leagues.
"A" Level of Play
The GSBL, the Gopher State Mid-Summer Classic (13A and 14/15A) and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions will once again offer this level of play to 10-14/15 year old teams for the 2011 season. This level provides a place for players who may not be ready for the AAA or AA levels. Typically, players eligible for the A level may have the highest tryout scores within an in-house program or were not selected to play on the AAA or AA teams. This is a recognized level of play in Minnesota that allows athletes a chance to play traveling baseball at a competitive level.
Note: This level of play will only take place if there are six or more teams enrolled in a particular age level's A division AND if the travel time between communities is considered to be reasonable. If these two stipulations are not met, all teams enrolled at the A level may be asked to play in the AA leagues.
Gopher State Baseball League All-Star Series
The GSBL All-Star Series will showcase the top players from each team that participates in this season's 14AAA, 14AA, 15AAA and 15AA leagues. Each GSBL head coach at the 14u and 15u levels will have the opportunity to nominate two players and one alternate from their respective team. The All-Star Series will take place on August 5-7, 2011.
Please click here to access information about 2011 Gopher State Baseball League. If you have any questions or would like more information about the GSBL, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball/Softball Coaches' Conference
When: Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 8:00am-3:00pm
Where: Target Field
Who: All Upper Midwest youth baseball and softball coaches, administrators and parents/volunteers are encouraged to attend
Fee: $20/person*
Includes: Guest Speakers, Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages and Gift Bag
* All GSBL head coaches will be admitted free of charge; the fee is included in your team's enrollment in the league. Please click here to access the GSBL Head Coach Pre-Registration page. All other assistant coaches in the GSBL and any other baseball association coaches, administrators, parents, volunteers, etc. must register via www.playballmn.com.
The Conference registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and a commemorative Play Ball! Minnesota item, along with hours of excellent instruction and baseball talk.
Group rates for 15 or more attendees are available. Please contact Josh Ortiz at joshortiz@twinsbaseball.com for more information.
Join the MYAS / Gopher State Baseball League, the Minnesota Twins, the Twins Community Fund and Play Ball! Minnesota in celebrating the start of the youth baseball and softball seasons at the sixth annual Minnesota Youth Baseball & Softball Coaches' Conference.
Gopher State Umpire Training Clinics
Any and all umpires are encouraged to attend an MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic. Our clinics are designed to allow umpires of all abilities an opportunity to enhance their skills and/or become educated in the finer points of umpiring. Clinicians this year include former professional and top collegiate umpires in the region.
The MYAS is excited to announce Bill Peterson as the keynote speaker for all 2011 Training Clinics. Peterson's legacy in St. Paul is defined by his coaching accomplishments, 30+ years of membership in local, regional and national umpiring circles and countless hours dedicated to baseball and softball. He has helped shape thousands of youth in St. Paul through the two sports. Peterson's most famous pupils include National Baseball Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor, as well as 2009 MVP and two-time Batting Champion, Joe Mauer.
All breakout session instructors, including Larry Gallagher, who celebrates 50 years of high school umpiring in 2011, are dedicated to teaching and are excited to share their knowledge with the umpiring community. Hands-on training will be provided at this year's clinics with opportunities to be part of live action drills, mechanics and demonstrations. Don't miss out on this excellent training opportunity!
Attending a Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic will definitely enhance your chance to work more baseball games. Assignors want well-trained, competent umpires on their staff.
Please click here to access 2011 clinic dates, times and locations.
North Star Baseball League
Attention Local In-House Baseball Programs!
The deadline to submit teams for the 2011 North Star Baseball League is Monday, April 4. Please visit the North Star web page to obtain the 2011 entry packet and financial summary for team entries.
Please direct any league-related questions to Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org and contact him if you need assistance prior to submitting your team enrollment forms and fees.
We look forward to another great season in the North Star Baseball League!
Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals
The 2011 Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals will once again be GSTC qualifying events. The 10AAA-14AAA tournaments also qualify teams for the Global Sports World Series. (Please check the tournament website at www.usssabaseball.org for additional information on Global Sports.)
There are still openings available in the following Gopher State Spring Invitationals (all divisions are GSTC qualifiers):
10AAA, 10AA, 11AAA, 11AA, 12AAA, 12AA, 13AAA, 13AA, 14AA, 15AAA and 15AA.
Please contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org or visit the Gopher State Spring Invitational web page for additional tournament information.
All tournament dates and sites are available on the web page. Good luck with your season!
USSSA / Gopher State Baseball Mid-Summer Classic
The USSSA / Gopher State Mid-Summer Classic will take place at multiple venues on weekends in June of 2011. These tournaments allow all participating teams to take advantage of the benefits involved with USSSA baseball.
These events are an excellent way for 10u-19u AAA & AA and 13A-14/15A teams to advance to a World Series / National Tournament and earn points through USSSA. Last year, 175 teams competed for an opportunity to earn a berth to a USSSA World Series or National Tournament.
The Mid-Summer Classic has also been designated a "double points" tournament toward the Gopher State Tournament of Champions in July.
The tournaments are starting to fill up, so be sure to get your team signed up today! Applications are available on the Minnesota USSSA / Gopher State Mid-Summer Classic web page.
Please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org if you have questions or would like more information.
Gopher State Baseball Tournament of Champions
Listed below for your information are the dates for the 2011 Gopher State Baseball Tournament of Champions.
July 8-10, 2011: 10AA, 11AA, 12AA, 13AA, 15AA
July 15-17, 2011: 10AAA, 11AAA, 12AAA, 13AAA, 14AAA, 14AA, 15AAA
July 22-24, 2011: 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 14/15A
Please keep checking the GSTC web page for any news for 2011! In the meantime, please contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org with your questions.
MYAS Rec State Baseball Championships
The 2011 Rec State Baseball Championships will be held on July 29-31 and will feature six divisions and a three-game guarantee. More detailed information, including entry materials, are available on the Rec State web page.
Last year we saw 124 metro area teams in seven different age divisions have a blast competing for a state championship title. Reserve your local in-house/recreational teams a spot in the 2011 Championships! The brochure is available by clicking here. Each tournament is limited to the first 32 teams.
We are proud to announce that Dick's Sporting Goods will be the sponsor of the Rec State Baseball Championships. We are very excited about our partnership!
We are gearing up for another year of fun and competition in the Rec State Championships. Please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org for more details on this great event.
Gopher State Baseball August Competitive League
NEW FOR 2011! The Gopher State August Competitive League will be offered on August 14, 21 and 28, 2011. This league is open to all 10-15 year old AAA and AA traveling teams and any 16u and 17-19u team. Teams will be able to play in competitive match-ups even after the spring/summer season is over.
This league will bridge the gap between the spring/summer season and the Gopher State Fall Baseball League. It features a six-game guarantee, with teams playing doubleheaders each Sunday.
More information will be available on the August Competitive League portion of the MYAS website soon. In the meantime, if you would like more information about this new league please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
MYAS Latest News (as of 3/24/11)
Baseball News
Basketball News
MYAS Calendar (as of 3/24/11)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Gopher State Baseball League 9-15u AAA/AA/A entry deadline
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites
Saturday-Sunday, March 26-27, 2011
MYAS Spring Sports Shop Days at Dick's Sporting Goods; seven Minnesota locations
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver Tournament; various grades/divisions/sites
Monday, March 28, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational entry deadline (April 9-10 event)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball/Softball Coaches' Conference; Target Field
Saturday, April 2, 2011
MYAS/Gopher State Level I Umpire Training Clinic; Chippewa Middle School, Shoreview
Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2011
Midwest Regional Swim Meet; University of Minnesota Aquatic Center
Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational; various grades/divisions/sites
Monday, April 4, 2011
North Star Baseball League entry deadline (begins May 1)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational entry deadline (April 16-17 event)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
MYAS/Gopher State Level I Umpire Training Clinic; Rogers Middle School
Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational; various grades/divisions/sites
Monday, April 11, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver entry deadline (April 23 event)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
MYAS/Gopher State Level II Umpire Training Clinic; Sunrise Middle School, White Bear Lake
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MYAS Basketball Officials Video Clinic; Murzyn Hall, Columbia Heights
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Gopher State Baseball League Scheduling Sessions; 9-15u teams; Crowne Plaza, Brooklyn Center
Saturday-Sunday, April 16-17, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational; various grades/divisions/sites
Monday, April 18, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational entry deadline (April 30-May 1 event)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
North Star Baseball League Scheduling Session
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites
Saturday, April 23, 2011
MYAS/Gopher State Level I & Level II Umpire Training Clinics; Blaine High School
Monday, April 25, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Championship entry deadline; boys/girls 3rd-4th grade (May 7-8 event)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational entry deadline; boys/girls 5th-12th grade (May 7-8 event)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Gopher State Baseball League 9-13u Coaches' Meeting; 7:00pm; Crowne Plaza, Brooklyn Center
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
MYAS/Gopher State Level II Umpire Training Clinic; Champlin Park High School
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gopher State Baseball League 9-13u play begins
Thursday, April 28, 2011
North Star Baseball League Coaches' Meeting
Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the most recent edition of the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication.
1. The game will be started by awarding Team B two free throws for A1's technical foul. Team A will then be given two free throws and the ball for a division-line throw-in for B1's infraction. When the thrower of Team A has the ball for the throw-in, they have team control for purposes of establishing the procedure and the arrow is immediately set toward Team B's basket. Team B will have the first opportunity for an alternating-possession throw-in (Case Book 6.4.1 Situation A, page 51; Rule Book 4-3, page 25).
2. A1 is not out of bounds in (a), (b), (c) or (d). To be out of bounds, A1 must touch the floor or some object on or outside a boundary line. People are not considered to be objects and play continues. Inadvertently touching someone who is out of bounds, without gaining an advantage, is not considered a violation (Case Book 7.1.1 Situation A, page 56).
3. A1 caused the ball to go out of bounds and it is awarded to Team B at that spot for a throw-in in both (a) and (b) (Case Book 7.2.2 Situation, pages 56-57).
If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
Important Association Services That Work!
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services offers three important services:
1. Association and Player Sports Accident Insurance Coverage
Association liability and player accident insurance are always concerns for youth sports organizations in our increasingly litigious society. Some associations spend a lot of money and others go into denial and “run naked” without even minimal liability coverage for their members. Yet if insurance is not obtained, the personal assets of the individuals running the association may be at risk. Many sports facility managers, especially municipalities and schools, will not permit the use of their property or facilities unless it can be demonstrated that youth sports associations are covered under an insurance policy. Without insurance, the opportunity for young athletes to compete in organized sports programs may be substantially limited.
The MYAS has partnered with J.A. Price Agency, an insurance company which has access to dozens of other insurance companies and can handle any type of business or personal insurance needs that your association/board of directors may require. The insurance provides options for all types of needs within your association/community. This coverage is an advantage no amateur sports organization should be without!
Examples of coverage include but are not limited to:
- General Liability
- Sexual Misconduct
- Participant Accident
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Crime/Embezzlement
- Automobile
- Umbrella
- Workers' Compensation
General insurance questions should be directed to Bob Blomster at 952-253-4311 or bob.blomster@japrice.com.
2. Criminal Background Checks
How do we protect our children? Reports of sexual predators and child abuse involving the clergy, day care workers and youth volunteers are all too familiar. Unfortunately, this includes a disturbing number of youth sport coaches who have a history of incidents of sexual misconduct and/or violence. This is a complex issue and many youth sports organizations are unclear about what to do or how to approach this threat, yet they must take proactive steps to prevent their children from becoming innocent victims. Don’t put your children at risk!
In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that $50 billion is lost annually due to employee theft and fraud. Youth sports associations must protect themselves from this threat as well. Don’t put your association at risk!
Fortunately, youth sports associations now have a simple and inexpensive tool to avoid some of society’s worst fears. The MYAS, with its partner Trusted Employees, has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. Trusted Employees, a local Twin Cities company, incorporates a “user-friendly” process combined with flexible information delivery to make this system easy and inexpensive for your organization. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 763-746-1716 or mike@myas.org.
3. Coaching Education Program
The MYAS has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer youth sport associations and their coaches the Coaching Youth Sport education program designed specifically for youth coaches. It provides coaches with a solid foundation in coaching principles, sport first aid and sport-specific techniques and tactics. These courses are available for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and wrestling and can be delivered in the classroom or online. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 763-746-1716 or mike@myas.org.
MYAS Sponsors
MYAS Membership Meetings
MYAS membership meetings are held at our offices (4111 Central Avenue NE; Columbia Heights, MN 55421) on the last Tuesday of each month at 9:00am (unless notified otherwise). All MYAS members are welcome to attend.
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