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Welcome to the October 2, 2009; 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, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events information. Contributions from sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sports services at the lowest possible cost and partially fund this newsletter, and certain sponsors will be featured.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
SPORT SPECIALIZATION - THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
Sport specialization has been a hot topic for the past decade or two. Usually, when people talk about kids limiting their athletic endeavors to one sport, it's presented as something undesirable and a negative byproduct of our current youth sports system. Well, I've been giving this topic a lot of thought lately and I decided that I'd look at the issue from the other side of the table. I kept thinking to myself if so many kids were doing it, there must be an upside. If sport specialization is so bad, why do kids still do it and why do parents condone it? As you read this article, keep in mind that it's being written by a guy who actually played four sports in high school.
Based on the latest reading of my tarot cards, I think that the right or wrong of sport specialization is dictated by the age of the athlete. If I were the parent of a nine year old daughter and she told me she wanted to quit softball and basketball so that she could concentrate on volleyball, I wouldn't be okay with that. However, if my 15 year old daughter told me the same thing I'd probably have an entirely different attitude. Why? Because my nine year old hasn't had the experience or opportunity to find out if she likes a specific sport or is any good at it, whereas the 15 year old has had that experience and has either failed or mastered a variety of opportunities. She has a much better idea of what she likes and what she's good at. Her body has matured a lot since she was nine years old and now she has the strength and/or endurance to compete at a whole different level. Just like
everything and everyone, we enjoy the things we are good at.
Now let's say we're dealing with a 15 year old who has committed to only one sport. From the parent's viewpoint, the upside of the decision is that you no longer have to outfit the kid for three different sports. You will probably still have to transport your kid to various practices and training sessions, but your total time commitment will probably be less than those days when your son or daughter was playing two or three other sports. And for argument's sake, let's say the daughter decides she doesn't want to play softball any longer. Bats, balls, helmets, spikes, fielder's gloves, batting gloves, jerseys, pants, shorts, socks, belts, warm-up jackets and equipment bags all cost money. Guess what? You don't have to buy any more of those items. You just saved about $1,000 a year.
The upside for coaches is that they know they're training someone who is committed to their sport, much like the old joke about the ham and eggs breakfast: The chicken is a participant but the pig is 100% committed. Let's be truthful here - there are a lot of talented kids who don't give 100% effort when they are just playing a particular sport because they need something to do while they wait for their favorite sport to come into season. They laugh and joke around, give a 75% effort and oftentimes become more of a distraction to the team than an asset. Coaches like kids who are "into it." They are eager to listen and learn and they genuinely care how the team does.
The upside for the athlete is that they don't have to split time between two or three sports. I remember my playing days in high school and I specifically remember focusing on the sport that was in season. I didn't shoot hoops during football season and I didn't hit the batting cage during basketball season. However, the downside of that single sport focus was that I had to shift gears in a hurry, from one sport to another, and I never felt like I was truly ready to start the new season. Tossing and catching a football isn't much preparation for dribbling and shooting a basketball. By playing four sports, I was always in top physical condition but I was never in "game condition" until about three or four weeks into the new season. Flip-flopping from one sport to another broke up the monotonous practice routine that accompanies each sport but it made the early season learning
curve a little longer.
I'd have to say that I'm not generally a big proponent of sport specialization. However, I think that we are all a bunch of hypocrites because we all end up glued to our televisions during the Olympics. We cheer our athletes on with unquestionable national pride. We shower them with praise and adoration and we heap millions of dollars of endorsements on those with the most gold medals. The better they do, the more we love them. Did any of you ever think about how those athletes got to that level of athletic excellence? They got where they are because they specialized at a very early age and they loved their sport so much that they devoted all of their athletic ability to being the best that they could be at their chosen sport.
In my opinion, sport specialization at a very early age is not a good thing. However, as a child gets older and it becomes THEIR idea to concentrate on a specific sport then it's probably something that they really want to do and should be allowed to follow that path until THEY decide that it isn't working for them. Parents need to button their lip and let the kids decide what avenue they want to travel. You can't make your kid a star athlete. Your kid is the only one who can do that. So the next time you cook up that ham and eggs breakfast, keep in mind that there is a big difference between being a participant and being committed.
MYAS Marketing Events for October 2009
Saturday, October 10 - first ever Basketball Shop Day at Dick's Sporting Goods
- All 7 Minnesota locations
- 10:00am-2:00pm only
- Take 15% off your purchase - on top of team packet discount coupons
- Watch for an email with complete details next week
Saturday, October 19 is Macy's Shop For a Cause Day
- For a $5 donation to MYAS, you receive a card for special discounts on this day only
- Cards are available at MYAS offices
Late October TBD - coach reception at the Radisson Bloomington by Mall of America
For more information about any of these events, please contact Dan Craighead at 763-746-1728 or dc@myas.org.
Sports Medicine Tip
Preventing Muscle Cramps
by Kevin Ronneberg, M.D.
A muscle cramp is a forceful and involuntary contraction of a muscle, most common in muscles of the leg.
Just about everyone will experience a muscle cramp at some point during their lifetime. Muscle cramps will often occur while participating in sport or activity. They can also happen while you sit, walk or even just sleep. Sometimes the slightest movement that shortens a muscle can trigger a cramp.
Cause
Several factors are associated with muscle cramping including poor conditioning and muscle fatigue, exercising or working in the heat, and dehydration and imbalances of electrolyte levels in the blood such as with the depletion of salt (sodium), potassium and other minerals which is a common occurrence early in the sports season when the body is not well conditioned or with prolonged intense exercise.
Treatment
Despite research, the exact cause of cramping remains unknown. There are, however, several things one can do to effectively treat most muscle cramps.
- Stop doing whatever activity triggered the cramp.
- Gently stretch and massage the cramping muscle, holding it in a stretched position until the cramp stops.
- If cramping occurs while resting do just the opposite - stand and walk on the cramping leg.
- Apply heat to tense/tight muscles, or cold to sore/tender muscles.
- For persistent cramping, hydrate the body and preferably add a salty fluid or food such as soup or pretzels.
Prevention
- Warm up and stretch well prior to workouts, paying special attention to the muscle groups prone to cramping.
- Maintain adequate hydration when exercising to help prevent muscle cramps and replace lost electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, which are major components of perspiration.
- Avoid energy drinks or caffeinated beverages as they can actually increase the risk of muscle cramping.
- Excessive fatigue, especially in warm weather, should be avoided.
Diagnosis
Although most muscle cramps are benign, they can sometimes indicate a serious medical condition. See your doctor if cramps are severe, occur frequently or are not related to obvious causes such as strenuous exercise, or if cramps do not improve with proper hydration, electrolyte balance, stretching and massage.
About the author
Kevin Ronneberg, M.D., is a non-surgical orthopedic and sports medicine physician who sees patients of all ages at Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, MN. Dr. Ronneberg serves as medical director of the Chisago Lakes Triathlon, as associate medical director for the Twin Cities Marathon and as a member of the medical team for the USA Cup Soccer tournament. He also serves as team physician for Forest Lake, Chisago Lakes, North Branch and Centennial High Schools. Dr. Ronneberg provides physician coverage for Minnesota State High School League tournaments and local endurance races.
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
BASEBALL UMPIRES - WHO ARE WE?
When you look back into history, you find that umpires were not always there as we picture them today. In baseball, the arbiters were only present to take care of scorekeeping and to handle the difficult situations that might arise in a game. They were not there to judge each and every pitch or play. They were similar to Supreme Court justices because they didn't handle every case. Justices only handle cases that a lower court couldn't handle or that have been appealed because someone was not satisfied with the lower court's ruling. I liken this to problem-solving.
In today's game of baseball, the umpires are almost the final authorities on the field. They are the league's representative in the absence of the league president or ruling body. Can you imagine if every call was sent to the Supreme Court? The entire game would be a fiasco. So let's look at how and why we are the problem solvers and what that means to the game of baseball. In cases of judgment, the umpires are the final authority on the field.
Umpires of the distant past were hired by the home teams to conduct their games. As a result, the term "homer" (favoring the home team) crept into the game of baseball. So the leagues came up with the idea of having an umpire staff that had little or no affiliation with the home team. The league put together a list of suitable men from which the visitors were allowed to choose to arbitrate the game in that city. This concept grew into the system we have today.
How did one go about getting on one of these staffs? In the early days, the ranks of umpires came from some of the players after their careers ended but also from people who were interested in the game. There were no umpire schools until the middle to late 1930s. In fact, many of the umpires who were in the game at the time scoffed at the idea of having an umpire school because they never attended one. Many also (incorrectly) believed you couldn't teach anyone how to umpire a baseball game.
George Barr and others decided to begin schools because they felt that umpiring can be taught just like any other skill set. There are some things that you cannot specifically teach about umpiring, but training can be a large part of improving an umpire's skill set. One of the most important items to learn at umpire school is to let the pitch and/or the entire play finish before you make a decision on the field. This is known as TIMING. If an umpire can watch the pitch from beginning to end and then make a mental decision on what he saw and finally tell everyone about what his decision is by voice at certain times and by voice and
signal at other times, he is going to be a good ball and strike umpire. This is a learned habit and it is also harder to do based upon the level of pitching the umpire sees, the type of catcher he has working in front of him and also what the batter is doing with his bat during the pitch. If the batter swings, the umpire has one more factor to consider in his decision-making process. The natural tendency, which an umpire must train himself not to do, is to flinch on a pitch. This takes some practice. As a catcher, I found early on that I had to learn that I couldn't flinch when the batter was swinging. Again, this takes some practice, and at times we need to retrain ourselves.
On the bases, we need to train ourselves to be set for our calls just as the plate umpire needs to be set for calling pitches. This helps us see the play correctly instead of having a vision that is blurred. If our heads are moving with the pitch or the play, we will have a look that is not reality. That is why in umpire school we are trained to go to a hands-on-knees set whenever possible. That is why a plate umpire is trained to get completely set for his pitches early enough so that he can TRACK the pitch with his eyes only and not his head. In order to TRACK a pitch correctly, the head must be stationary and only the proper use of the eyes will get us the real information that is needed to make the correct decision on pitches.
Likewise for play on the bases, once we see a "true" throw to a base for a force play, we shift our eyes from the ball to the base, the foot of the fielder and the foot of the runner to determine if the ball (by sound) gets to the base before the runner's foot. Once that has been determined as correct, we need to properly use our eyes again by shifting them to the fielder's glove or mitt to determine if they have firm, secure possession and a voluntary release of the ball. Once we know that has occurred we can give our verbal and visual signal of an out. If the runner beats the throw, we no longer have to check to see if the ball is handled properly because the runner is safe.
On tag plays, we do not look for the ball beating the runner but now we actually focus on the glove or mitt to determine if it has tagged the runner prior to them reaching the base. Once we have that done correctly for the out, we are still not finished or ready to make the call. We only have half of the information needed to make the decision. We now need to see the ball still firmly held and secure in the glove and wait until we have a voluntary release before we make the call of an out. Of course if the runner beats the throw, we only need to wait to make sure the runner continues to stay on the base before we may call them safe.
How can you train yourself to track only with your eyes? There are several techniques. I suggest a simple one, which is to take a ball and toss it up in front of you. Watch it on the way up and on the way back down to your hand, moving only your eyes and not your head. Another (and probably simpler) way would be to raise your index finger and place it in front of your eyes at arm's length. Move it toward your eyes in a straight line until it gets close to you and then move it back away from you, tracking only with your eyes. This exercise is similar to tracking a pitch. You also can move your arm from side to side and track your finger without moving your head, which simulates lateral tracking of breaking pitches.
More is expected of all umpires at every level during every season. Why? Because players need the best umpires possible, and because the fee for umpiring has risen appreciably since the first major league umpires began at a few dollars per game to the current three-figure contracts. I don't foresee that we will ever have million dollar umpires, but I daresay it will be close someday.
The only way to become a major league umpire today is to attend one of two umpire schools - the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring or the Harry Wendelstadt Umpire School. Both feature excellent five-week courses where you are taught mainly how to umpire the two-umpire system along with many techniques, mechanics and rules of umpiring. After that, the top 25 umpires in each school attend a 10-day training course offered by the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corporation. After those 10 days they may be offered a contract in a low minor league, where they will have to spend a few years proving themselves at each level in order to merit moving up to the next level. If they are completely successful, it usually takes 8-15 years before they make it to the major leagues. Some years there are no openings at the major league level. It is more difficult to get to the major leagues as an
umpire than it is as a player, as there are only about 70-80 major league umpires.
The major leagues have the benefit of video/DVD replay to prove whether or not a hit was a home run and someday it could extend to other types of plays. So as more money is expended, more is expected of the umpires. The better we can get as umpires, the better the game will be for the players, coaches, fans and umpires.
When I started umpiring men's amateur baseball in 1964, we earned $20 per one-umpire game. This past season we earned $100 for a one-umpire game. I believe the pay will continue to increase in the future, but we have to get better. All umpires need training; even those that are in the big leagues need in-service training to continue to improve. Jim Evans has said many times that umpires need to umpire so they are never surprised because "surprise is an umpire's worst enemy!"
Through the years the umpire has evolved from someone who handled only the more difficult situations in a game to someone who handles all rulings and judgments in a game. We now have the assistance of technology at times, but today's umpires have both training and the need for more training each and every year so that we don't simply stagnate. Most of you have enountered a number of umpires who have done just that. Not only is their knowledge base standing still, but they are actually regressing in their abilities because they have done nothing to improve.
In the old days we used to sit down after the game and talk about what went well and what went wrong and try to solve the problems for the next time we took the field. There is little self-analysis now and most of us are willing to blame it on the players and coaches rather than taking any of the blame ourselves. I will guarantee that when the you know what hits the fan, we had a part in it. So let's take ownership of our games and problem-solve our games and end up feeling good about our problem-solving skills. Most of the time, knowledge of the rule book and/or mechanics manuals will be the solution to the problem. Sometimes it is also the most important sense of all that will help you solve a problem. I'll bet you're wondering what sense that is. Well, it's common sense.
I have tried to give you a short glimpse at who we were and who we are now. I know that all of us will need to get better each time we go out there. Now we need to define what getting better is, and that will be another topic for another day.
The journey as an umpire has been a great experience for me and I hope it will be for you too.
Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships
Registration is now open for the 2009 Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships!
This tournament is being held at Burnsville High School on Sunday, November 8 and is open to girls' teams in grades 5-9.
For complete information about the Fall Championships or our 2010 volleyball events, please visit the Gopher State Volleyball web page or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Gopher State Wrestling Information
The MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Championship has earned the reputation of being the toughest and best run tournament in Minnesota. In 2009 we had 900 registered wrestlers. The tournament has drawn wrestlers from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan and California. Wrestlers from all states are eligible to participate in all Gopher State wrestling events.
The 2010 Gopher State Championship is scheduled for February 13-14. The tournament will once again be held at Monticello High School, which is quite possibly the best wrestling facility in the state.
The Gopher State Wrestling program has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2002. We thank you for your participation and look forward to another great season. To access more information, please click on the appropriate link below. You may also contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Gopher State Wrestling Championships
Gopher State K-6 Team Tournament
Youth Day with the Gophers
Football Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school football rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. A captain of Team A requests a time-out and informs the referee that his coach wishes to have a conference concerning the previous play. During the conference: (a) the captain or all Team A players go near the sideline to confer with their coaches; or (b) the coach of Team B goes on the field to his team's huddle to confer. What is the ruling in each case?
2. Near the end of the second period, Team A requests and is granted a charged time-out. After both teams are ready to play, A comes to the line of scrimmage in an unusual formation. The captain of Team B immediately requests a time-out which is granted. At the end of this time-out period when A comes to the line of scrimmage again, Player A1 notices B has adjusted its defense. A1 then requests a second charged time-out during the same dead-ball period. What is the ruling?
3. Midway through the second period, the clock is stopped for: (a) an incomplete forward pass; (b) a measurement; or (c) an out-of-bounds play, when the official notices that Player A1 appears to be injured. What is the ruling?
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship
The MYAS is looking forward to the 2009 Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship, and we hope that many of you will be able to participate in the second year of this event. The 2009 Championship will take place on November 1, 3, 4 and 5; the entry deadline is Friday, October 23.
All of the pertinent information is now available on the Football Championship page of the MYAS website. If you have questions, please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
Good luck in the 2009 football season, and we hope to see you this fall at the Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship!
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school basketball playing rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. Following a time-out, both teams are at the sideline with their respective coaches after all signals have been given prior to a throw-in by Team A. Team A or Team B requests a time-out: (a) before; or (b) after the official places ball on the floor at the throw-in spot. What is the ruling in each case?
2. Player A1 fouls Player B2. The scorer notifies the nearest official that this is A1's fifth foul. The official notifies the coach of Team A of the disqualification. The official then notifies the timer to begin the 20-second replacement period. The official then notifies A1. After 10 seconds have elapsed: (a) the captain of Team A; or (b) the captain of Team B requests a time-out. What is the ruling in each case?
3. Player A1 or A2 requests a time-out: (a) while airborne A1 is holding the ball; (b) while A1's throw is in flight toward A2; or (c) when the ball is on the floor at A1's disposal for throw-in. What is the ruling in each case?
MYAS Gopher State Fall Basketball League
The Gopher State Fall Basketball League is at the halfway point, and we have had 425 teams compete on the September 20 and 27 play dates. Teams will wrap up league play with games on October 4 and 11. Schedules and game scores can be found on the Fall League portion of the MYAS website.
The Fall League was developed as and is intended to be a "tune-up" for winter travel/school basketball, and it is always our hope that teams will enjoy the experience the league provides. Come see why the Gopher State Fall Basketball League is the largest fall league in the state!
Second Session for High School Teams: In an effort to bridge the gap between the end of the Gopher State Fall Basketball League and the start of the high school season, we created a Second Session. Now teams have the opportunity to play right up until their tryouts. Players can work on their skills and conditioning and coaches will be able to observe the players in game situations. The Second Session is not a league - your team can play on any or all five of the available dates.
For more information on the Gopher State Fall Basketball League and/or the Second Session, please click here.
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree
The 2009 MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree is for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-8. The date for the girls' Jamboree is Saturday, October 24 while the boys' event is scheduled for Sunday, October 25. The Jamboree will be held at St. Louis Park High School and Junior High.
The Winter Jamboree was created to provide newly formed traveling basketball teams with an opportunity to play multiple scrimmage games in one day. We had a whopping 96 boys' and girls' teams participate last year, and the 2009 event should prove to be another great weekend of youth basketball!
If you would like more information, please contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournaments
The first MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament of the 2009-10 season will be held at Mahtomedi High School on November 1. Super Savers are scheduled for every weekend during the months of November through early March for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-12.
The tournaments provide your team with three games in just one day! You'll save money on gas and admission fees since you only have to travel to the tournament site once. The schedule is very easy and convenient, with only a one-hour break between games. So if you want to save time and money, Super Saver Tournaments are made for you!
Please click here to access more Super Saver information and entry forms.
New for the 2009-2010 Winter Basketball Season!
The MYAS is proud to announce our partnership with various basketball groups to offer Winter Invitational Basketball Tournaments. These invitationals will be two-day events to bring you more basketball and more games. The tournaments will offer bigger brackets and more competition.
If you enjoy our MYAS Gopher State Invitational Tournaments in the spring, you will certainly like these winter invitationals! Please click here to access more information on our winter basketball tournaments.
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League
The dates for the 2009-10 MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League (formerly the BTBL and GMBL) have been set. League games will be played on December 5 & 19; January 9, 16 & 30 and February 6. The dates for the league playoffs are February 20 & 21.
The Winter League provides opportunities for all levels of play: "A" (advanced), "B" (intermediate), "C" (beginning) and "Rec" (in-house) teams can all receive a quality 12-game schedule.
The league deadline is Friday, November 13. Further information and registration materials are available on the MYAS website. Click on this link to access the Winter League web page.
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
The MYAS is already looking forward to the 2010 Grade State Basketball Championships, and we hope that you will be able to participate in our version of March Madness. The 2010 event will take place on March 6-7 (girls) and March 13-14 (boys).
All of the tournament information is now available on the Grade State page of the MYAS website. If you have questions about the Grade State Championships, please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
We hope to see you next spring for March Madness - Minnesota Style!
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships
It's not too early to mark your calendars for the 2009-10 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships. The tournament will be held on March 20-21, 2010 at various locations in the metro area. Some of the sites include Cottage Grove, Edina and Minneapolis.
The Rec State Championship is the premier state tournament for in-house and park & recreation teams. The tournament is held for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-12 and features Division I (highest), II and III levels of play to accommodate all team skill levels.
Don't miss out on the opportunity for your team to play in a big tournament with a championship environment! Registration materials will be available in September on the Rec State Basketball portion of the MYAS website. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org. GO REC STATE!
Gopher State Baseball League Advisory Committee Meeting
The MYAS baseball staff is proud of the reputation that the Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL) has gained within the youth baseball community over the past decade. We feel the reason for the interest is the valuable input we have received from our participants, which allows us to enhance the league each year. Each off-season we hold an Advisory Committee meeting that serves as a wrap-up of the previous season and encourages discussion of the next year's season.
The GSBL coaches, association presidents and travel directors govern the league through their involvement on the Advisory Committee. Each member association receives voting rights based upon the number of its participating teams, and all coaches and travel directors are invited to attend the annual meeting. It is important that all coaches are in attendance so that we continue to receive all of our participants' valuable input.
The 2009 GSBL Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 6:30pm on October 26 at the Ramada Mpls. NW in Brooklyn Park (click on the link for directions). All 2009 coaches, association presidents and travel directors will receive an electronic invitation to this meeting.
If your community currently does not participate in the GSBL and you would like to receive more information or set up a time for the MYAS baseball staff to meet with your association, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
MYAS Baseball Staff to Set Up Informational Meetings
We are currently setting up MYAS/Gopher State Baseball informational meetings for associations that would like to hear additional reasons why they should participate in the MYAS comprehensive baseball program. If you would like to schedule an informational meeting between the MYAS/Gopher State Baseball staff and your baseball association board of directors, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball Tournament of Champions
GSTC Champions Get Their Rings!
All 12 of our GSTC championship teams were represented at the Metrodome on Saturday, September 12 and were awarded their Josten's rings. The ceremony began with the teams lining up around the infield as the Twins and Oakland A's were warming up for the game.
Each GSTC team was then recognized with a brief story of their team and season, while their customized rings were presented to them by representatives of Reebok and the MYAS baseball staff.
We would like to once again thank all 12 teams for their participation in this very exciting day. We look forward to seeing all the teams in GSTC qualifiers next spring and summer where they will begin the quest for the rings again in 2010!
Gopher State Fall Baseball League
The Gopher State Fall Baseball League is in full swing with three action-packed weeks of play already in the books. The season finale of the Fall League will be October 11, after which all teams will have completed their fifth week of competition.
This year's Fall League is comprised of 263 eager teams that were all looking to play a little more baseball after a long summer season and family vacations.
The Gopher State Fall Baseball League is designed to be a relaxed and fun but still competitive atmosphere for teams to play the sport they love into October. It's also a great avenue to get ahead for next year's tryouts and to get used to any new rules and regulations that may come into play next season.
We want to wish the best of luck to all the teams in the next couple of weeks and send them another sincere thank you for participating in the Fall League! You can follow all of the league results on the Fall Baseball League portion of the MYAS website.
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
We are looking forward to another great winter of fun and instruction with the Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps. The MYAS staff is currently researching dates and sites for the 2009-10 training season, and dates should be confirmed by the end of October.
Joining us again this season to provide the best instruction in pitching, hitting and fielding will be representatives of the Minnesota Baseball Academy and Lovdahl Pitching Development.
Please stay up to date with the latest information on the Gopher State Winter Camp portion of the MYAS website or by contacting Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
MYAS Latest News (as of 10/1/09)
MYAS Dick's Sporting Goods Shop Day 10/10/09
Shop For A Cause at Macy's and support the MYAS
Twin Cities Football Championship
Boys' basketball tourney books sold out; few girls' books remain
Gopher State Fall Baseball League Schedules
Winter Basketball Tournament Dates Set
Are you looking for a basketball team to play on?
Insurance - USSSA Basketball
MYAS Calendar (as of 10/1/09)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree early entry deadline (event on Oct. 24 [girls] & 25 [boys])
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Gopher State Fall Basketball League play date
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Gopher State Fall Baseball League play date
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session entry deadline (Oct. 18 play date)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
MYAS Basketball Officials' Clinic - White Bear Lake
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Gopher State Fall Basketball League final play date
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Gopher State Fall Baseball League final play date
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session entry deadline (Oct. 25 play date)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree final entry deadline (event on Oct. 24 [girls] & 25 [boys])
Sunday, October 18, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session play date
Monday, October 19, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Nov. 1 event)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session entry deadline (Nov. 1 play date)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championship entry deadline (event on Nov. 8)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship entry deadline (Nov. 1, 3, 4 & 5 play dates)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree (girls)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree (boys)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session play date
Monday, October 26, 2009
Gopher State / Rogers Invitational Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Nov. 7-8 event)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Gopher State Baseball League Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
MYAS Basketball Second Session entry deadline (Nov. 8 play date)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
MYAS Basketball Officials' Clinic - Watertown
Answers to Football Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations Football Rules Book and/or Football Case Book.
1. Permissible in both (a) and (b). The time-out, when granted, is charged to Team A, thus legalizing the conferences. If the official has erred and a correction is made, the conference in both (a) and (b) is terminated. In that case, the time-out is not charged to A, but is an official's time-out. If the coach is in error, the time-out remains charged to A (Case Book 3.5.2 Situation A page 25).
2. If Team A has time-outs remaining, the referee will grant the request for the charged time-out. Successive time-outs by the same team, or by one team followed by the other team, are permissible (Case Book 3.5.4 Situation page 25).
3. Player A1 must be replaced for at least one down in (a), (b) and (c) as it is an official's time-out. If A1 is injured during the last down of either half, he may return for the first play or down of the second half or overtime period (Case Book 3.5.10 Situation C page 26).
Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication.
1. In (a), either team may be granted a time-out; in (b) Team A may, but Team B may not be granted a time-out after the ball is at A's disposal (Case Book 5.8.3 Situation B page 44).
2. In (a) and (b), the time-out request is denied as disqualified Player A1 must be replaced prior to any time-out being granted to either team (Case Book 5.8.3 Situation C page 44).
3. The request is granted in (a) and (c) but denied in (b), as there is no player control while the ball is loose between players (Case Book 5.8.3 Situation D page 44).
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 RHR Information Services, has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. RHR, 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 952-393-1929 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 952-393-1929 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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