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MYAS Update Info
Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. This includes notes from the Executive Director, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events. Contributions from our sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sports services at the lowest possible cost; contributions partially fund this newsletter and certain sponsors will be featured.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
STEALING GOOD IDEAS!
My last article in our newsletter was entitled "Respect is a Two-Way Street" and it generated quite a few positive responses from our readers. 100% of them were in agreement with me that we all need to take a deep breath and give our volunteer coaches and amateur officials the benefit of the doubt as opposed to being so critical of their every move and call. I really appreciated hearing from so many coaches and officials, but the comments that had the biggest impact on me came from athletic association volunteer administrators. Not only were they in agreement with my comments, but several of them took the time to tell me what they are doing at the local level to improve relations between parents, players, coaches and officials.
Pat Simonet (Brooklyn Park) told me that they started showing a new 45-minute video at their registration nights for basketball. My curiosity got the best of me, so I ordered a copy. The video is called "The Role of Parents in Athletics" and covers topics such as:
Shared expectations, roles and goals
Red flags
Parental roles during competition
After the game - time and recovery
"Just be my mom/dad"
Confidence builder or confidence cutter?
Bruce Brown is the presenter and he does a terrific job of keeping the message simple and getting through even the thickest of skulls. Frankly, this is one of those educational tools I wish I'd found before I became a sports parent. It may have saved me from making many of the mistakes described in the video. Neither of my two sons turned out to be an ax murderer, but I do sleep with one eye open!
Bill Kemble (Chanhassen) sent me a note to let me know how his association is attempting to deal with kids and parents in the 21st century, and I must admit that I liked hearing about the nifty stuff they are doing to attract kids, educate parents and make the whole experience a fun thing. The Chanhassen Athletic Association held a pep rally for all of the traveling teams. The kids all dressed in their new uniforms and were individually introduced. Next they showed the new high school inspirational video, "Chanhassen Storm is Coming," and then invited their high school Athletic Director, Dick Ungar, to address the kids and parents. They recognized players who had completed their 10,000 Shot Challenge during the off-season and finished up with a team shooting contest, a group photo of all the players and refreshments for everyone.
Last year, their Board Members put on a "goofy skit" that poked fun by showing how not to act at a traveling tournament as a way to drive home their expectations for representing the Chanhassen Athletic Association. Kemble even jumped onto his soapbox and reminded everyone about their opportunities and responsibilities for the rest of the season.
Now some of you may think that Chanhassen's way of doing things may be a little overkill, but I think it sounds like a heck of a lot of fun and a great way kick off the season. Kids play because they like to have fun and the more fun they have, the more likely they are to continue their playing careers. Events like that also build team and community spirit and it shows parents that there's more to the youth sport experience than just winning. I think the CAA should also be commended for their efforts to spell out the opportunities AND responsibilities that are so vital to the collective good of everyone involved.
Lastly, we have a local basketball refereee - Derek Wolden - who has authored a book entitled "BasketCases." A former journalist, Wolden combines his expertise on the court and on the keyboard to fill a glaring knowledge void by educating parents, coaches and officials about the intricacies of youth basketball. He does a great job of showing how youth basketball parents can lower their blood pressure and keep their sanity. According to NBA referee Ken Mauer, this book is the first of its kind and seeks to explain the basic rules governing basketball and how game officials apply them. I read the book while sitting in my tree stand during deer hunting and the entire time I kept thinking, "Why didn't somebody write this sooner?" This book should be required reading for every coach and parent before
their kids hit the court. Wolden does a great job of explaining the rules and, more importantly, he explains how and why officials administer the rules they way they do.
Stealing good ideas from your peers is not theft - it's common sense for the common good of everyone. I highly recommend you take a look at how your local association is promoting youth sports and see how you can enhance what's already being done. If playing a video on your registration night will enhance your program, then do it! If staging pep rallies will bring everyone together in a fun-filled evening, then do it! If making "BasketCases" required reading for your coaches and parents will make for a more enjoyable and understandable season, then do it! In this environment, being a copycat is a good thing.
Wirth Companies Renew Deal with MYAS
We are pleased to announce that Wirth Companies, parent company of the Ramada Minneapolis NW/Grand Rios and the Radisson Bloomington/Water Park of America, has renewed its deal with the MYAS! We'd like to thank them for their generosity and commitment to MYAS programs and services.
Wirth Companies would like to offer MYAS participants some valuable coupons for the Grand Rios Indoor Water Park and the Water Park of America. To download your coupons, simply click on the appropriate link. Enjoy!
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
FOOTBALL AS I GREW UP
Football in the 1950's was very different from today's game. I was 10 years old in 1950 and there wasn't any "true" youth football - only high school, college and pro. Once in awhile it was on TV. I went to some high school games in Columbia Heights because some of our neighbors played. Willie Panser, one of our neighbors, was one of Heights' running backs when I was a kid. Leo Nomellini, Billy Bye and Paul Giel, famous in their day, were playing at the University of Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings didn't exist yet but we did get to see the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals on TV once in awhile.
The Packers used to play the Steelers at Parade Stadium each year in a pre-season game known as the Father Meagher Charity Game. Some of the more famous players of that era were Johnny Lujack, quarterback for the Bears; Bobby Lane of the Lions; Charley Trippi of the Cardinals and Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin, both quarterbacks for the Los Angeles Rams. My favorite player of that era was Chuck Bednarik of the Philadelphia Eagles - I'll come back to him later.
When I was a kid football was the backyard type, with or without pads. There was some organized football with weight limits when I was in 7th and 8th grade, but I was always a little too heavy to play with my classmates. Most of us had to buy our own pads and helmets so we could play against each other, or else we went without pads. I attended Immaculate Conception from K-8 and there were no 7th or 8th grade teams in Columbia Heights. We did occasionally play against some public school kids at the Columbia Heights fieldhouse.
My first opportunity at organized football was in 9th grade. I thought I was a fullback until I got a look at some of the other fullbacks going out for the team and decided I should be a 132-pound tackle instead. As it turned out, it was a great decision. As I learned more about the tackle position and that blocking was so much fun, I blossomed into a great blocker if I do say so myself. However, we also had to play defense and that was my real weakness as a football player. I have often said that I had the "thinking man's" mentality necessary to be an offensive lineman but I didn't have the "gung ho" mentality to be able to fly around the field to get after the quarterback or running back.
As a freshman, I did gain confidence in my ability to play the game and we ran an unbalanced T formation with some single-wing plays. I played the weak side tackle in the formations, meaning I pulled out of the line like guards do today and I became quite good at that technique as well as straight ahead blocking. I never did get very good at pass blocking because I always felt it was more fun to go get the guy than let him come to me. During my sophomore year we changed to the split-T formation, which we used during the rest of my time in high school. We really learned a lot that year and my class of '57 started to come into our own. None of us were really varsity players yet, but eight of us sophomores got varsity letters.
I really came into my own as a junior in high school because I grew from my 150-pound sophomore weight to 180 pounds and I was much stronger and faster. I became a starter that season. During my senior year in the fall of 1956, I was a right tackle and we were in the hunt for the conference title. Our team was composed of 29 seniors and some really good juniors who filled in where the seniors weren't quite as good. Our starting lineups on offense and defense had mostly seniors and very few juniors. That year Ken Kline, Ken Lehr and I earned all-conference honors. Jim Ramsey and Bob Kovich were second team all-conference and Jim Allen was honorable mention.
We played really well except in the biggest game of the season. We beat Alexander Ramsey 28-14, Anoka 21-7 and Stillwater 20-0. We lost to White Bear 21-7 in our fourth contest and in essence, that was the loss that kept us from the championship. We won our remaining games and finished at 7-1. The lone loss to White Bear was due to our inability to hang onto the football. We gained over 400 yards on the ground but had eight fumbles - White Bear recovered seven of them. They had less than 100 yards in offense the entire night but scored three times from inside the 30-yard line. Two of their scores were from inside the 10-yard line because of our fumbles.
I graduated in May of 1957 and in August, I was selected to play on the North squad in the North-South All-Star Game at Parade Stadium. I really found out that I was capable of playing at the next level by being among all those good players. Bill Bevan coached the North squad and Bernie Bierman coached the South squad. Bevan had played football at the U of M for Bierman prior to World War II and was one of the last players to not wear a helmet. In fact, when they changed the rule to require wearing a helmet during play they didn't write it correctly because it stated at the opening kickoff all players must wear a helmet. Well, Bevan showed them that the rule they wrote was flawed because as the ball was kicked off he discarded his helmet and played the rest of the game without it. So the next year they changed the rule to read everyone must wear a helmet the entire game. That's how
that rule has evolved over the years. The helmet itself has changed too - when I was a freshman in high school we wore the old leather helmet with no face mask. During my junior year the single bar face mask came into being and by the time I reached college the double bar and cage masks came into being.
I was recruited to play football by the U of M, Air Force Academy, Yale, U of Wisconsin, Hamline University and St. John's. While I did visit the U of M, Wisconsin and Hamline, I chose to accept the U of M's offer of a grant-in-aid. While visiting at Wisconsin, I got to meet Alan Ameche and Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch because the Alumni game was being played that weekend. Billy Hobbs, a junior running back at the time, showed us around campus and into the locker room with the alumni players and the Wisconsin squad.
Once I got to the U of M, I found out that I could get it done on offense but I was never going to be good enough to start. I was a freshman along with Tom Brown who, during his senior year, won the Outland Trophy for being the best lineman in the nation. When we were freshman I was 17 years old and he was 21, having just come back from playing three years for the Naval Service team in the Chicago area. Brown was a guard and was very good. I tried to block him a few times during freshman practice and was not too successful. We also had a 24 year old ex-marine who I had to compete with for a tackle job.
I decided to finish the year and then go elsewhere for the next season. I missed out on going to two Rose Bowls by transferring, but it really was the best decision for me. I went to Augsburg College and sat out my sophomore year because that's what we had to do in those days. We didn't get to red-shirt. So I only played my junior and senior years in football and baseball at Augsburg. My years there helped me get into coaching and teaching, which I did for 36 years.
But let's go back to Chuck Bednarik. Why was he a favorite of mine? Because he played both sides of the ball. He was an offensive center and a middle linebacker on defense. He played the entire 60 minutes of the 1960 NFL Championship game in which he made the final tackle and which his team won. He was a very competitive player and played 100% all the time. He never made excuses for his mistakes and showed no mercy to his opponent. I admired all those post-World War II guys because they really understood how to compete.
Well, that's enough about how football was part of my life growing up in the 1950's. I can still remember going outside with my childhood friends after watching the Saturday Gopher game or the Sunday pro game on TV. We'd emulate some of the players with our own made up plays that we thought we remembered from the game. We were Johnny Lujack or Bobby Layne when we played quarterback. We were Alan Ameche at fullback, taking a handoff from Otto Graham and scoring the winning touchdown. We were Johnny Unitas and Ray Berry hooking up on a down and out play with a diving catch near the curb in front of our house or in the vacant lot down the street.
It was a great time growing up and learning about football. There is more about how football formed me and helped my generation learn about life, but maybe that is for another time and place. I hope I have given you a taste of how football was for my generation during the 1950's.
Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships
The 2008 Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships took place on Sunday, November 2 at Apple Valley High School. We'd like to thank all of the teams that participated and congratulate the top four teams in each division!
7th/8th Grade
1st Place - Fergus Falls Otters
2nd Place - Thief River Falls Prowlers
3rd Place - A.I.R.E. Spikerz
4th Place - Blue Earth Area Bucs
9th Grade
1st Place - Cannon Falls
2nd Place - Woodbury
3rd Place - Blue Earth Area
4th Place - St. James
If you'd like more information about the Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships, please click here or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Gopher State Volleyball
The Gopher State Volleyball program is underway! Listed below are the eight remaining events on our 2008-09 calendar:
January 17-18, 2009 * Winter Carnival Tournament February 7, 2009 * Gopher State Future Stars Tournament February 21, 2009 * Block Party March 7, 2009 * Gopher State Minnesota Showcase March 14, 2009 * Gopher State Season Finale March 21, 2009 * Southern Spike Tournament @ Blue Earth, MN April 4-5, 2009 * Gopher State Tournament of Champions TBD * Border Battle @ River Falls, WI
If you would like more information on these events or are interested in hosting Gopher State Volleyball, please visit the MYAS volleyball web page or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
MYAS Gopher State Wrestling
Program information and entry materials for the 2009 Gopher State Wrestling season have been posted on the wrestling portion of the MYAS website.
The 2009 Gopher State Wrestling Championships will be held on February 7 and 8 at Monticello High School. We are very excited for this year's tournament. We have made numerous improvements which should make for a bigger and better tournament in 2009. The Championship is truly one of the toughest Kindergarten through 8th grade folkstyle events in the Upper Midwest. Click here to view the Championship web page.
The 2009 Gopher State Team Tournament will be held on March 1 at Simley High School. This 16-team Kindergarten through 6th grade team tournament is a great opportunity for teams to compete against other teams from all across the state. Click here to view the Team Tournament web page.
If you would like more information, visit the MYAS website or contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
Registration is now open for the 2009 Midwest Regional Swim Meet. Nearly 1,100 swimmers from all over the Midwest competed at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in the 2008 meet. We have added new events and modified our age and scoring system for 2009 - we hope you enjoy the changes!
If you would like to register or just need more information about this huge event, please visit the Midwest Regional Swim Meet web page or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship
The inaugural Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship was a huge success for everyone involved. The event took place at Spring Lake Park High School on November 1, 5 and 8. Coaches, players and fans were blown away by the quality of the Spring Lake Park facilities. For some of these 7th and 8th grade players, it was their first chance to play on a high school field.
We'd like to congratulate the Lakeville Cats, who beat Eden Prairie in the title game to take home the inaugural Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship. It could be argued that the most exciting game of the tournament was when Eden Prairie played Hopkins with the right to play in the championship on the line. This contest had multiple comebacks and big plays and when the horn sounded in the fourth quarter, the score was all tied up at 16. The game went into two thrilling overtimes with Eden Prairie coming out on top 30-24.
The event truly was exciting from the first kickoff to the final horn. We hope to see you in 2009 for the second annual Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship! For more information, contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
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). Good luck!
1. On fourth down, (a) K1's punt is blocked by R1 behind the neutral zone where K2 recovers and advances beyond the line to gain, or (b) is stopped behind the line to gain. When will the clock be restarted in each case?
2. K1 punts on fourth and 15 from his own 20-yard line. R1 signals for a fair catch at R's 30-yard line. K2 commits kick-catching interference at R's 35-yard line and time for the second period expires during the down. R2 recovers the kick at R's 28-yard line. How does the game proceed?
3. A's linemen take their positions and snapper A1 has made preliminary adjustments. Prior to the snap, A1: (a) tilts the ball to an angle of 90 degrees; or (b) lifts the ball and pushes it forward in order to make a deep snap; or (c) rotates the ball end for end; or (d) removes both hands. What is the ruling in each case?
Basketball Invitational Tournament Books
The MYAS still has a few 2008-09 MYAS boys' and girls' basketball invitational tournament books available!
Included in the books are flyers for 110+ girls' and 130+ boys' invitational tournaments throughout the metro area and greater Minnesota. The books also feature the latest information on MYAS fall and winter basketball programs as well as important information and special offers from a number of our generous sponsors.
Supplies are limited, so if you would like to order one or more copies of the 2008-09 tournament books, please click here to download the order form.
Gopher State Fall Basketball League & Second Session
The Gopher State Fall Basketball League had another great year. The league was very strong with 412 teams in grades 4-12.
The Second Session was also a tremendous success, with an average of 55 boys' and girls' teams in grades 9-12 playing throughout the month of November.
Please click here to view the results from the Fall League and Second Session. Thank you to all the teams that registered and to the host groups that provide the facilities and work forces. We wish all teams the best of luck this winter!
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree
The MYAS Winter Jamboree was held on Saturday, November 1. A whopping 96 boys' and girls' basketball teams took to the courts at St. Louis Park High School and Junior High for a great day of youth basketball. Please click here to view the event schedules.
The Jamboree was created to provide newly formed traveling basketball teams an opportunity to play multiple scrimmage games in one day. Boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-8 are eligible to participate. If you would like more information, please contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournaments
Super Saver Basketball Tournaments for the 2008-09 winter basketball season began the first weekend in November and will conclude the second weekend in March. Registration forms and other tournament information are available on the Super Saver
portion of the MYAS website. Super Savers provide the opportunity for "A" (advanced), "B" (intermediate), "C" (beginning) or "Rec" (in-house) level teams to play three quality games all in one day. The tournaments are conveniently located throughout the metro area, and games can often be scheduled to meet your needs. For more Super Saver information, please click here.
Host applications and bid information for the 2008-09 Super Saver season have been sent to the hosts of last year's tournaments. If you are interested in hosting, please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org.
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League
The 2008-09 MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League (formerly the BTBL and GMBL) schedules have been posted. The 2008-09 league will have a great showing with more than 125 teams. League games will be played on December 6 & 20, January 3 & 17 and February 7 & 21. Note: The dates for the Girls' Playoffs have been changed to February 21-22, 2009. The Boys' Playoffs will take place on Feburary 28-March 1, 2009.
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.
We can still add your team to the league. Teams added before December 19 can still receive a full 12-game schedule. Further league information and registration materials are available on the Winter League web page. Keep checking back for new information in the coming weeks. If you have further questions, please contact Kevin Wilson (boys) at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org or Jessica Christopherson (girls) at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
We are already preparing for the 2009 MYAS Grade Basketball State Championships next March! Our 2008 tournaments featured more than 1,000 teams from across the metro area and a significant increase in participation from greater Minnesota communities. We would like to wish the best of luck to all youth basketball teams around the state during your 2008-09 season, and we hope to see you at the "Big One" in March!
If you'd like more information on the 2009 Grade State Championships, please click here. You may also contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org with your questions.
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships
Attention Park & Recreation, Community Education and In-House Directors!
Tournament brochures for the 2009 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship on March 20-22 are now available online or at the MYAS office. Please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org if you would like to receive a copy.
Anticipated playing locations include Cottage Grove, Edina, Inver Grove Heights and Minneapolis. If your athletic group or organization is interested in hosting a portion of the Rec State Championship, please contact Kevin Wilson (see contact information above).
The MYAS needs in-house directors and coaches to help promote this great state tournament to all the teams in their program! Please contact Kevin Wilson at the MYAS office if you would like to receive copies of the brochure, or if you would like us to provide your organization with a presentation on the Rec State program.
Please click here for more information on the MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship.
2009 Gopher State Spring Basketball
Even though spring seems like a long way off, we have been in the planning stages of the 2009 MYAS Gopher State Spring Basketball season for several weeks. Many of our tournament hosts have already been determined, so this is your final chance to submit a request to host a spring tournament. Contact Rich Penick at 763-746-1724 or rich@myas.org prior to November 25 for available weekends.
Hosting a Gopher State Spring Basketball Tournament is a great way to fundraise for your organization and help offset costs for parents and schools. If your spring basketball club, school organization or team is interested in hosting, please contact Rich Penick (see above) to receive hosting materials.
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic basketball rules. The answers are posted later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck!
1. A technical foul by Player B1 occurs during the dead ball which precedes the second quarter. How does the game proceed?
2. Player A1 is preparing to attempt a free throw. Prior to A1's release of the ball, Player B1 fakes, causing Player A2 to enter the lane prematurely. A1 then requests an is granted a time-out. What is the ruling?
3. The official administering a free throw awarded to Player A1 places the ball at his/her disposal. A1, who is inside the free-throw semicircle, leaves the semicircle to confer with a teammate. What is the ruling?
If you have questions about other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
Minnesota Sports Medicine Tip
Groin Strains
by Laura Henn, ATC, PTA, CSCS
A groin strain is caused by injury to the inner thigh muscles known as the adductors and often occurs among athletes in sports that involve a sudden change of direction while running and with quick starts and stops such as soccer, football, hockey and basketball.
About Groin Strains
Inner thigh muscles, known as the adductors, consist of several muscles that span the distance from the inner pelvis to the inner part of the femur or thigh bone. These muscles pull the legs together and stabilize the hip joint.
A groin strain occurs when inner thigh muscles are strained or pulled beyond their normal limits, resulting in small muscle tears that cause pain and swelling. Strained muscles will be tender to touch in the area of the injury, painful to contract or move against resistance and painful to stretch into normal motion limits. More severe strains tear muscle fibers and can cause a disruption of its bony attachment.
Symptoms range from mild discomfort to pain with walking, while sitting, and/or at night. They can include dull or sharp pain, swelling and bruising.
In some cases, forceful movement at the end ranges of stretch may cause the muscle to pull off a piece of bone. If there is significant pain on or close to the bony region of the hip, the athlete should seek medical evaluation within 24 hours.
How to Prevent Groin Injury
Athletes should include inner thigh and core strengthening exercises in their workouts to improve and maintain hip muscle strength. Proper stretching and warm-up are also important.
How to Treat a Groin Strain
Rest - Rest after injury to allow the injured muscle to properly heal. Avoid activities that cause pain.
Ice - Apply ice 15-20 minutes several times a day.
Compression - Wear compression shorts for support and comfort.
Consider using anti-inflammatory or pain relieving medications as directed to help relieve pain and calm inflammation.
Use one finger to rub over the sorest spot (friction massage) for 5-7 minutes to facilitate healing nutrients and relieve pain.
Gently stretch the involved muscle to the point where it STARTS to pull and hold for 20-30 seconds.
Work the involved muscle group in a pain-free manner to stimulate proper healing and direction placement of muscle fibers.
When to See a Doctor
When an injury limits the ability of an athlete to perform because of higher than usual pain reports, limping and loss of normal joint motion, seek the adivce of a qualified health care provider.
Minnesota Sports Medicine (MSM) is a network of sports and orthopedic physicians who treat athletes at medical clinics throughout the Twin Cities metro area. To schedule an appointment, please call 612-273-4800. To learn more, visit www.mnsportsmed.org.
About the author Laura Henn, ATC, PTA, CSCS, cares for patients at the Institute of Athletic Medicine in Roseville and is the athletic trainer at Hill-Murray High School. She is the Fellowship/Resource Coordinator for Minnesota Sports Medicine, part of Fairview's family of orthopedic services.
Youth Baseball Tournament Listings
Attention all youth baseball tournament directors! You are now able to post your 2009 summer invitational tournaments on the MYAS Baseball Tournament Listings Page. There will be an additional instructional e-mail sent on November 24 to all tournament directors for whom we have contact information. It will discuss some new protocol and direction for the MYAS website and information on how to have your tournaments designated as GSTC Qualifiers for 2009.
All invitational tournaments must be added to the MYAS website by Monday, January 12. All GSTC Qualifiers will be designated and posted on our listings page on Friday, January 16.
If you have questions, please contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org.
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
We have three Winter Baseball Camps remaining in 2008: the Thanksgiving Camp, the Twins Training Camp at the Metrodome and the Christmas Elite Camp. Click on the links below for upcoming Winter Camp dates and to access registration forms and camp flyers.
We are excited to announce that six camp dates are set with the Minnesota Baseball Academy in Rogers, MN at the state of the art Competitive Edge Arena. This year's hitting camps will feature the latest in video technology, the Dartfish Slow Motion Video Analysis. Participants will be able to break down their swings like the pros. Hitting leagues are also available with the MBA in the months of November, December and January. What a great way to stay ahead of the competition in Minnesota!
The Lovdahl Pitching Academy will have three camp dates for pitching, fielding and catching instruction. The LPA has the latest in training techniques used by the Minnesota Twins. Erik Lovdahl is the lead instructor for the Minnesota Twins training camps, and we are excited to have him join our Winter Camp staff again this season.
Please stay up to date with the latest camp information on the Winter Camp portion of the MYAS website. If you have further questions, please contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
The MYAS baseball staff is currently in the planning stages for the 11th season of the Gopher State Baseball League. We are very proud of this league and we're excited to report that since its inception in 1999, it has become one of the largest traveling baseball leagues in the Upper Midwest.
If your community or association is looking for a change or a fresh start with a new league, do not hesitate to contact the MYAS baseball staff. We are in the process of contacting communities to set up meeting times to speak to their respective boards about our Gopher State Baseball programs and the benefits of participating. If you'd like your community/association to set up a time to meet with us, don't hesitate to contact Dawson Blanck, Tony Groff or Jeremy Barbe so that you and your community can be well informed about the GSBL and the MYAS comprehensive baseball program.
Prior to the 2009 GSBL season, we are seeking feedback as to whether there is an interest in an "A" level league for 10-12U teams. The MYAS baseball staff currently administers the North Star Baseball League for 13-15U recreational and/or A level teams. Associations do not have a similar option for their 10-12U teams other than the current GSBL AAA or AA levels.
The MYAS/Gopher State Baseball League would like to gauge interest in an "A" level league that would simply allow more kids to remain active in the sport of baseball. Please contact Dawson Blanck with any questions or comments you may have about this opportunity for next season. If your association is interested, please notify Dawson by Monday, December 1.
We're looking forward to serving all member communities/associations as well as any new members in the 2009 baseball season!
Gopher State Baseball League 2009 Services/Fees
2009 GSBL FEES
10-12 & Under: $375.00
Associations/communities must supply their own umpires for all home games during the regular season and playoffs. The GSBL will reimburse for all umpires used in the playoffs. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 17 games.
13-14 & Under: $825.00
The GSBL will supply all umpires for the 16-game regular season and ONE umpire for all playoff games. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 17 games.
15 & Under, 16 & Under and 18/19 & Under AA: $800.00
The GSBL will supply all umpires for the 14-game regular season and TWO umpires for all playoff games. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 15 games.
18/19 & Under AAA: $1,175.00
The GSBL will supply TWO umpires for the 14-game regular season and all playoff games. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 15 games.
These league fees reflect an increase of $2.00 per umpire assignment and additional overhead expenses for the 2009 season.
LEAGUE OPTIONS
Associations/communities have the option of supplying their own umpires for all home games during the regular season, thereby decreasing their league entry fees. The GSBL will be responsible for assigning umpires for all playoff games, including ONE umpire per game in the 13-14U playoffs and TWO umpires per game in the 15U, 16U and 18/19AA playoffs. League entry fees would be reduced as follows:
13-14 & Under: $400.00 15 & Under, 16 & Under and 18/19 & Under AA: $425.00
ADDED FEATURES OF THE GSBL
The league fee includes the Gopher State Coaches' Clinic on April 25, 2009, for all GSBL head coaches.
The MYAS/GSBL will provide improved and advanced features such as team/league websites, score reporting options and playoff enhancements.
Teams enrolled in the GSBL will automatically become a registered USSSA team ($25.00 value), providing them with USSSA league insurance and giving them opportunities to earn a berth to their respective USSSA World Series.
The league offers upgraded awards for Division, League and Section (new for 2009) Champions.
The league provides paid entry for all head coaches to the Minnesota Twins Play Ball MN Baseball Coaches' Conference on April 4, 2009.
League administrative fees are guaranteed for 2009 and 2010. League entry packets and team enrollment forms will be sent to Travel Directors/Association Presidents no later than February 6, 2009. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Dawson Blanck, League Commissioner, at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
North Star Baseball League
Attention all "A" level traveling directors and local in-house directors! The North Star Baseball League is always looking to expand into new communities each season. Just last year we added five new member communities to the league - Anoka-Ramsey, Blaine/Spring Lake Park, Elk River, Rogers and Zimmerman.
As of the 2008 season, the league hosted 82 teams at the two available age levels (7th Grade/13U and 8th-9th Grade/14-15U). Participating communities in addition to those listed above include Andover, Centennial, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Shoreview and Soderville.
If you would like more information regarding the 2009 North Star season or a more in-depth description of the program, feel free to contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org. You can also visit the North State Baseball League web page by clicking here.
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations 2008 Football Rules Book and/or Football Case Book.
1. In (a) and (b) the clock will start on the snap because a new series has been awarded following a legal kick (Case Book 3.4.3 Situation E page 22).
2.
If R declines the penalty, the period is over. If R accepts an awarded catch at R's 35-yard line or has the penalty enforced from K's 20-yard line, the period will be extended by an untimed down. Even though the awarded catch has no distance walk-off, it is considered penalty acceptance for purposes of extending a period. This is also true if on a free kick out of bounds R takes the ball 25 yards beyond the previous spot (Case Book 3.3.3 Situation G page 20; Rule Book 6-1-8b page 55 and 6-5-6 Penalty page 58).
3. Legal in (a). It is a snap infraction in (b), (c) and (d). The covering official will sound his whistle immediately, signifying the ball remains dead. A snap infraction is a dead-ball foul and the penalty of 5 yards is administered from the succeeding spot (Case Book 7.1.3 Situation page 45; Rule Book 2-40-2 page 40, 4-1-6 page 49, 7-1-2 & 3 page 59, 10-4-5b page 78).
Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations 2008-09 Basketball Rules Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication.
1. Start the second quarter by administering the free throws. The last free throw is followed by a throw-in at the division line opposite the table. The possession arrow is not reversed. The opportunity for a throw-in under the alternating-possession procedure is not affected by the foul (Case Book 6.4.1 Situation B page 49; Rule Book 6-4-5 page 49 and 8-5-2 page 54).
2. Upon resuming play, Player A1 is entitled to a free throw and the official shall use the proper signal indicating a violation by Player B1 prior to granting of the time-out. If the free throw is successful, the violation is ignored; if unsuccessful, a substitute throw is awarded (Case Book 9.1.3 Situation C page 67; Rule Book 9-1-3b pages 54-55).
3. Violation. After the ball has been placed at the disposal of the free thrower, he/she is not permitted to leave or enter the free-throw semicircle without violating, until restrictions have ended (Case Book 9.1.3 Situation J page 68; Rule Book 9-1-3e Penalty 1 page 55).
If you have questions about 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 (RHR), 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 membership meetings are held at our offices (4111 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights 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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