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
MAKING THE RIGHT CALL?
Anyone who is responsible for running a nonprofit corporation knows the trials and tribulations of trying to make financial ends meet. Reg Powell and I co-founded the MYAS in January of 1991. We created the MYAS as such because we believed we needed to be a nonprofit in order to earn the trust and confidence of the youth sport population. We also figured that we'd have a better chance of attracting corporate sponsors. Powell served as the Executive Director and I was the Program Director from 1991 to 1994. After spending a lot of time and money on the MYAS, Reg resigned in 1994 and I took over as Executive Director. Frankly, the MYAS owes a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Powell for funding the start-up of this company. I can honestly say that he put more into the MYAS than he ever got back.
Siri Forde was also one of the original staff members, starting work two weeks after Reg and I opened the doors to the MYAS. My sales pitch to Siri went something like this: "We are going to work you harder and pay you less and there's no guarantee that we'll be in business six months from now." Yes, I was quite the salesman. How could anyone pass up an offer like that? Siri has been our "Jill of all trades" and more than 17 years later, she's still the "godmother" of the MYAS.
When I took over as the Executive Director, it was scary. Not Halloween scary but business scary. I used to look in the MYAS checkbook every day. I spent a good share of my time trying to figure out a time frame for paying our bills and yes, there were times when I didn't get a paycheck. I'm certain that my wife had some second thoughts about her choice of a mate when my first official act as Director of the MYAS was to cut my own salary by $6,000. I'm sure that every wife wants to hear, "Sweetie, I'm taking the reins of a fledgling business and I may not be getting a paycheck anytime soon. But the really good news is that if I do get a paycheck, it'll be much smaller than it was before!" Yes, those were some very uncertain times in the early 1990's.
My second official act as Director was to move the business from Elk River to Columbia Heights. I didn't have my heart set on any particular location. I just started driving around the area with the hope of finding an affordable space. I only knew that we needed to be located somewhere in the central metro area. It was just by chance that I stopped in at our current location, where I met Jim Ruvelson, the building owner. I remember telling him that I couldn't sign any long-term lease because I wasn't sure we'd be in business six months down the road. Jim listened to my sad little story and he cut me a deal on office space that was truly incredible. Frankly, I think he offered me the deal just to get me out of his office before my tears swamped the carpet. Jim passed away a few years back, but he also deserves some of the credit for the survival of the MYAS. He was a wonderful man with a
big heart and a soft spot for anyone who was trying to make the world a better place. I feel honored to have known him.
Next up was to find a bank that would help us out. So I took a stroll two blocks down the street from our new office to Northeast Bank. Unbeknownst to me, Mike Collins was the branch manager at that location. Mike was a dad and a baseball coach I had met a few weeks earlier and helped with a situation he was dealing with. I didn't have a clue what Mike Collins did for a living. All I knew was that he needed my help, so I helped him. I do remember him being very grateful. I'll never forget the look on his face when he came out of his bank office to meet me in the lobby. He looked scared and said, "Uh oh, what did I do now?" I looked him right in the eye and told him he wasn't in any trouble, but that I now needed his help. Long story short, we've been doing our banking at Northeast Bank ever since and they have taken great care of all our financial needs.
Even with all the unbelievable help we were getting from friends and strangers alike, we were still on the bubble of success or failure. I could see a dim light at the end of the tunnel, but I still feared those shadows that lurked in the darkness. So I started hiring people. I knew that I couldn't do this by myself and I needed to help build our programs and services. Mike DeWane was first on the list of new employees, followed by Rich Penick and Keith Marek. Mike brought a lot of business savvy to our organization while Rich and Keith were the perfect "worker bees" to get the day-to-day stuff done. The decision to hire more help looked like a pretty gutsy move, but in reality I was thinking that if I go down, I'm taking somebody with me!
With the addition of more staff, we started to make positive progress toward being a viable business. Our MYAS programs were taking off and we were making astounding progress with our efforts to build a successful AAU program for Minnesota. The light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter and the shadows were getting shorter. Then one day, I got a call from the manager of an Eden Prairie sporting goods store that I had never heard of - Athletic Fitters. The gentleman on the other end of the phone told me a story about how one of our local AAU clubs had stiffed him on the purchase of some uniforms, shoes and basketballs. My first thought was, "Why are you calling me? I don't owe you any money and I'm not a bill collecting agency." My second thought was, "Maybe I had better help this guy or the MYAS and AAU are going to get a bad reputation." So I made a phone
call to the delinquent club director and agressively suggested that he get this bill paid or he would be going up in front of our MYAS Review Committee. About two weeks later, I received another call from the store manager. The bill had been paid and he was calling to thank me for my assistance. He also started quizzing me about the MYAS, our mission and what we were all about. In the end, he wanted to donate some outdated sports footwear. I told him to send us whatever he had and we'd put it to good use.
About a week later, I got a call from UPS telling me that they had several large boxes for us and wanted to know if we could take delivery. They showed up with four or five large boxes filled with baseball and football spikes, wrestling shoes, golf shoes, basketball shoes, soccer shoes, etc. Those parcels had been sent to us from various Athletic Fitter stores in four different states. The next day UPS called again. This time they had half a truckload. The next day there was a full truckload, and yet another the next day. This went on for nearly two weeks. How was I supposed to know that Athletic Fitters owned 180 stores in 17 states? When all was said and done, they had sent us more than $160,000 worth of athletic shoes - and that's figuring at wholesale prices. It was unbelievable!
After securing the appropriate permits, we rented out the vacant office space below us and sold Nike, Reebok, Foot Joy, New Balance and Adidas shoes for $10 a pair. We donated more than 1,000 pairs of football, baseball and track spikes to inner city high school teams. We outfitted hundreds of needy kids in the Columbia Heights area and we later sold the remaining shoes to a liquidation company. This windfall came at an ideal time for our company and I would have to say that it came when we needed it most. The dim light at the end of the tunnel was now a beacon of hope. The lurking shadows turned into satisfied customers and the continued growth of our staff was necessary to keep up with the demand for our programs and services.
So what's the moral of this story? I spent half an hour telling Jim Ruvelson the truth about our company and mission and he put his monetary needs aside to help us. I helped Mike Collins with a problem, not knowing who he was, and we found a bank partner for life. I made one phone call to assist the store manager at Athletic Fitters and you know the rest of the story. One phone call - the right call.
As althetes, coaches, parents and volunteers, we all have opportunities to make the right call or the wrong call. It happens to all of us on a daily basis. I realize that every call I make isn't going to lead to some sort of fabulous windfall but after living the situations I've described in this column, you can bet I won't let any calls go unanswered. The second half of the moral is that you never know who you may be talking to and it shouldn't matter. Our decisions should be based on what's right and what's wrong, not on what position in life a person holds.
"Insurance Coach" (J.A. Price Agency - by Bob Blomster)
Understand your CREDIT SCORE quickly or an average homeowner may face $500-800 more per month in fixed costs.
Do you even know if you are a 425, 580, 690 or 755? It is imperative that every adult understands their current credit score and what affects it. Waiting too long could cost the "average homeowner" $750 more per month than their next door neighbor with the same household expenditures.
In simple terms, a "Credit Score" is a numerical value assigned to each person based on an analysis of their credit history files. This score now plays a HUGE factor in how much you will pay for mortgage and insurance costs.
As an example, consider two average persons/families, each with two cars and acquiring a $200,000 home mortgage. Buyer A has a 725 credit score; Buyer B has a 550 credit score.
Buyer A is considered an excellent risk for both the loan and all insurance coverages. Their loan should consist of a very competitive interest rate, normal 1% loan origination costs, cheaper mortgage insurance and large credits on their homeowner's and automobile insurance costs.
Buyer B is considered a below average risk for both the loan and their insurance needs. Lenders are beginning to charge "sub-prime" borrowers 2-4% more in their mortgage interest rates, 2% on their loan origination costs, higher mortgage insurance costs and possibly twice as much for their homeowner's and auto insurance premiums.
Buyer B's potential higher costs:
- Mortgage Interest - $200,000 loan x 2-4% higher rate = $4,000-8,000 extra per year or $333-667 extra per month
- Mortgage Insurance - possibly $150 more per month
- Loan Origination Costs - possibly $2,000 more
- Homeowner's Insurance Premium - possibly $400-500 more per year or $30-40 more per month
- Auto Insurance Premiums - possibly $400-500 more per year or $30-40 more per month
SUMMARY: Buyer B's credit score issues could cost them $540-890 additional per month in their fixed costs (plus the $2,000 extra in loan origination costs).
As you can see, this topic goes WELL beyond just insurance issues, but the topic is VERY current and VERY important. Everyone needs to make their credit score a priority immediately.
General Credit Scoring Information:
- One single 30+ day late credit card payment could reduce your future, long-term credit score by as much as 100 points.
- The best credit score available is 850.
- More times than not, "credit counseling" companies are controlled by the credit card companies and this process can destroy your credit history if not done correctly. There are very good independent credit firms that will work on your behalf.
- Some people assume that just because they have never been late with a payment it means they should have an excellent credit score. In reality, how well you pay your bills only represents about 35% of your credit score.
- Some people assume that rich people always have great credit scores. Not true!
- Each lender and each insurance company will develop their own credit score and there could be decent deviations from one market to another.
A simple way to start is by getting a free copy of your credit report and a sample credit score from any of the three major credit bureaus:
Equifax - www.equifax.com
Experian - www.experian.com
TransUnion - www.transunion.com
Next, I would urge everyone to contact their financial advisor and insurance agent for help on their own credit score implications. If you do not get the answers and service you deserve from your own insurance agent, please give me a call. Our firm would love the opportunity to earn your trust and offer you insurance proposals with our various personal insurance markets.
If anyone needs a recommendation for an excellent financial planning and credit specialist firm, I can assist you with that as well. (Most of the information in this article came from seminars that this firm teaches other professionals throughout the Twin Cities metro area.)
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Bob Blomster, Vice President
J.A. Price Agency, Inc.
6640 Shady Oak Road, Suite #500
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-944-8790 (phone)
952-944-0097 (fax)
bob.blomster@japrice.com
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
BALKS
Did you know that at one time, the balk was a DELAYED DEAD BALL in high school baseball? Yes, at one time the balk rule in high school baseball was identical to the professional rule. This means instead of being an IMMEDIATE dead ball, it was a DELAYED dead ball.
When did this rule change to the present rule in high school baseball? The year was 1985. In 1984, the National Federation balk rule read as follows: "Penalty: For balk - Ball becomes dead and each runner is awarded one base. EXCEPTION: If the balk is followed immediately (*) by a pitch which, because of a hit, error or other reason, permits the batter and each other runner to advance a minimum of one base, the balk is ignored and does not cause the ball to become dead. (*) Immediately is interpreted to mean that the balk occurs after the time of the pitch. If a delayed balk occurs, the offensive team may take the result of the play instead of the penalty. If all base runners advance at least one base and the batter-runner reaches first base, the offense does not have this option."
In professional rules there never has been an option to take the result of the play or the penalty. Pro rules state either enforce the balk penalty, or if everyone advances at least one base, you ignore the balk.
In 1985, the National Federation rule was changed as follows: "Penalty: For balk - Ball becomes dead immediately and each runner is awarded one base."
So we have had 23 years with the Federation rule in high school baseball. When the rule was first changed, the rationale for doing so was to simplify the rule and make it easier to administer. That was its purpose and I believe the goal has been achieved. However, I believe this achievement is not fair to the offensive team because they have lost any opportunity to get more out of a balk than the penalty itself allows. So, if a batter would have hit a pitch for a home run after a balk followed immediately by a pitch, the home run would be taken away from him. I ask, "Is this fair?" Of course it isn't, but that is what the rule is and I have been told that it will be quite difficult to get it changed back to what it was before 1985.
Ironically, in professional baseball they had an immediate dead ball balk from the time the game began until 1954 when they changed it to a delayed dead ball because of a variety of occurences that were just like the example I used in the previous paragraph.
Most rules have been written to punish the guilty party as much as possible for any infraction. In baseball, we have delayed dead balls for obstruction, some forms of interference such as catcher's interference. In hockey, when there is a penalty by the team without the puck, there is a delayed penalty to see if the offensive team can score. In football, we throw a flag on live ball penalties after the snap and then the offended team can either take the play or the penalty. In basketball, when a shooter is fouled in the act of shooting, we allow the play to continue to see if the ball goes in the basket and we still penalize the foul but we also allow the score.
I am suggesting that the Federation needs to go back to the delayed dead ball for the best interests of the game and the athletes playing it. The Federation rule does not punish the guilty team enough for committing the balk.
I believe umpires are more prepared than ever and I do not buy the premise that the umpires cannot handle this change. Most umpires officiate in the spring and summer, so they are using the high school rule in some games and the pro rule in others. They have to be able to administer both rules and most are able to do it. Let's move closer together on one more rule in all the rule books.
Gopher State Volleyball
The Gopher State Volleyball program is expanding! We now have nine events on the calendar for 2008-09 and there may be more to come. The following dates are tentative:
November 2, 2008 * Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships
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.
Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships
The second annual Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships will be held on November 2, 2008 at Burnsville and Apple Valley High Schools. Divisions will be offered for girls' teams in grades 5-9. Last year this event featured teams from all over the state of Minnesota. Don't miss out on your opportunity to be crowned a champion!
For complete information, please visit the Fall Championship web page on the MYAS website. You may also contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org with your questions.
Football Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission and in anticipation of the 2008 Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship (see below), we would like to highlight three basic high school football rules. The answers to these rules questions appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck!
1. Linebacker B7 is in the free-blocking zone, but off the line of scrimmage. B7 blocks A8 below the waist. What is the ruling?
2. A free kick by K1 is touched by R1 on his 15-yard line and then it: (a) rolls out of bounds at R's 5-yard line; or (b) contacts an official in the field of play and thereafter rolls out of bounds at the 5-yard line; or (c) contacts an official who is straddling the sideline at the 5-yard line; or (d) contacts an official in the end zone. What is the ruling in each situation?
3. Runner A1 is tackled and one knee contacts the ground, but he holds the ball several feet forward. What is the ruling?
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship
The Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship will feature one level of competition for 7th grade and one level for 8th grade. The tournament format will allow for a total of eight teams in each division, and all teams will be guaranteed two games. The 2008 Championships will feature third and fourth place bracket play.
7th Grade Football Championships
November 1, 4 & 8
8th Grade Football Championships
November 1, 5 & 8
Please check the MYAS website for more details, or contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
Join the Timberwolves in Mankato!
Join us in Mankato to watch training camp and participate in our Coaches' Clinic!
On behalf of Steve Brown, who was recently hired as the Minnesota Timberwolves Community Basketball Specialist, the entire community basketball staff would like to invite you to join us in Mankato for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at training camp and participate in a post-practice Q&A with Coach Randy Wittman to discuss the upcoming season and talk basketball! We are anxious to see you during the 2008-2009 season!
DATE: Saturday, October 4, 2008
LOCATION: Mankato, MN - Minnesota State University - Taylor Center
TIME: 10:00am-12:00pm scrimmage, with coaches' clinic to follow
Please RSVP to Mike Amundson at 612.673.8380 or amundson@timberwolves.com.
Youth Basketball Coaches' Clinic
Attention all association presidents, travel directors and youth basketball coaches! The MYAS has partnered with Hoops Net to present a youth basketball coaches' clinic. Please join us on October 26 at Tartan High School for the best clinic in the Twin Cities metro area. Come learn from some of the top high school coaches in the state as they present topics geared toward youth basketball. Some of these coaches include Mark Klingsporn, Tartan; Reggie Perkins, Washburn; Ziggy Kauls, Mounds View; and Greg Miller, Armstrong. All the information presented will be live, on-court demonstrations. Please click on this link to download more information and a clinic registration form.
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we will highlight various playing rules in the MYAS Update. Here are three basic basketball rules.
1. During a throw-in, Player A1 inadvertently holds the ball through the end-line plane. Player B1 is able to get his/her hands on the ball and A1 cannot pull it back. How does play continue?
2. Player A1's missed try rebounds directly into Team A's backcourt where Player A2 gains control. Is this a violation?
3. During a throw-in by Player A1 from the end-line by Team A's basket: (a) Player A2 is in the restricted lane area; or (b) the throw-in is touched by Player A2 before it goes across the division line where it is recovered by Player A3. What is the ruling?
The answers to these rules questions are posted later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck!
If you have questions about other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
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
The 2008 Gopher State Fall Basketball League enjoyed a tremendous showing once again with 412 participating teams. That number of teams allows for very competitive divisions while allowing teams to play close to home. Thank you to all the registered teams and our host groups who are providing the facilities and work forces. Please click here to view the Fall League schedules and results.
New Second Session for High School Teams: In an effort to bridge the gap between the end of the Gopher State Fall League and the start of the high school season, we have created a Second Session (formerly the Gopher State Winter Training Camp). Now teams will have the opportunity to play right up until 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 new Second Session, please click on the appropriate link.
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree
In an effort to provide newly formed traveling basketball teams with an opportunity to play multiple scrimmage games in one day, we have created the 2008 MYAS Winter Jamboree. This event will feature a true jamboree format.
The Winter Jamboree is for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-8 and will be held on Saturday, November 1 at St. Louis Park High School. The entry deadline is set for October 20, but if you register by October 1 you will receive a sizeable discount on your entry fee. Please click here to view more information and the registration materials. You may also contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org for more details.
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournaments
Super Saver Basketball Tournaments for the 2008-09 winter basketball season will begin the first weekend in November and 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 dates for the 2008-09 MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League (formerly the BTBL and GMBL) have been set. League games will be played on December 6 & 20, January 3 & 17 and February 7 & 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 has been set for Friday, November 14. Further league information and registration materials are available now. Click on this link to access the Winter League web page and keep checking back for new information in the coming weeks.
MYAS Grade Basketball State 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 Championship
Attention Park & Recreation, Community Education and In-House Directors!
Tournament brochures for the 2009 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship on March 20-22, 2009 are now available at the MYAS office. Please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org to request your 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
The MYAS basketball staff has already begun planning the 2009 Gopher State Spring Basketball season. Teams can look forward to an expanded schedule that continues into July, as well as other special events.
We are currently accepting bids to host spring tournaments. Hosting a 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 a Gopher State Spring Basketball tournament, please contact Rich Penick at 763-746-1724 or rich@myas.org to receive hosting materials. Contact Rich as soon as possible, as host applications have been coming in fast and furious!
Be sure to visit the Gopher State Spring Basketball web page often for the most up-to-date information.
Minnesota Sports Medicine Tip
Heads Up - Concussions are Serious
Getting tackled in football is part of the game, but it can give players a headache. Literally. Athletes are at a high risk for injury, particularly concussion. Young athletes are at even greater risk because the teen brain is still developing and problems can occur even after symptoms have gone away.
Concussions occur from a direct blow to the head or from a blow to another body part, which then travels to the head. Most athletes who have a concussion remain conscious. Athletes who have had previous concussions are more likely to sustain another and should be monitored very closely by a physician.
Symptoms can include, but aren't limited to: confusion or change in thinking ability; memory loss; ringing in the ears; feeling dizzy or off balance; headache; blurred vision; nausea or vomiting; sluggishness; numbness in an arm or leg; a headache that keeps getting worse and abrupt changes in personality.
Some symptoms of concussion don't appear until hours or even days later, such as mood and cognitive disturbances, sensitivity to light and noise, and sleep disturbances.
A concussion, no matter how mild, injures the brain and athletes need time to heal properly. Partner with parents and teachers to ensure the injured athlete has the opportunity to rest.
When there are signs of concussion, athletes need a detailed medical exam before returning to play. Athletes should be:
- symptom-free;
- back to normal concentration levels (both in and out of the classroom);
- back to normal eating and sleeping habits.
To find a qualified sports medicine physician, visit www.mnsportsmed.org. 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 locate a sports medicine physician or for more information about MSM, call 612-273-4800.
Gopher State Fall Baseball League
The USSSA-sanctioned Gopher State Fall Baseball League began play on September 7 and will continue through October 5, with a make-up day on October 12. The league services youth athletes who want to continue playing baseball after the summer season ends.
This year's Fall League exceeded 3,200 participants, making up 245 teams competing in competitive and recreational leagues. On any given Sunday, more than 85 sites are being utilized throughout the Twin Cities metro area and western Wisconsin. This is another banner season for the Fall League because it provides so many young athletes the opportunity to play more baseball before the snow flies!
If you'd like more information or want to follow the teams for the remainder of the season, go to the Gopher State Fall Baseball League portion of the MYAS website.
Gopher State Elite Umpire Camp
The Gopher State Elite Umpire Camp was a huge success! A total of 23 umpires attended this year's camp in Blaine. We'd like to thank everyone who attended. We're already making preparations for next fall's Elite Camp.
Other Gopher State umpire training opportunities are available for associations interested in having large groups of umpires receive quality, hands-on instruction. The clinics can be customized for your level of umpires.
For more information on any of our umpire clinics, please contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball League Advisory Committee Meeting
The Gopher State Baseball League will hold the annual GSBL Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, October 20 at 7:00pm. The location of this meeting will be the Ramada Mpls NW/Grand Rios Hotel in Brooklyn Park, MN.
All coaches, travel directors and local baseball association board members involved with the GSBL are invited to attend. The meeting will give our program participants the opportunity to review the 2008 season and discuss the future of the Gopher State Baseball League with the MYAS baseball staff. We hope to see at least one representative from each GSBL member community at the meeting on October 20.
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
We look 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 2008-09 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.
We are very excited to announce that during the December holiday break, the Gopher State Winter Camps will team up with the Twins Training Camps for a two-day camp at the Metrodome! Call us at 763-781-2220 for more details.
Please stay up to date with the latest Gopher State Camp information on the MYAS website, or contact the MYAS baseball staff at 763-781-2220.
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.
Gopher State Baseball League
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 and association are 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.
We're looking forward to serving all member communities/associations as well as any new members in the 2009 baseball season!
MYAS Latest News (as of 9/25/08)
Fall Basketball League Information
Gopher State Baseball League Advisory Committee Meeting
MYAS Sponsored Basketball Coaches Clinics
Gopher State Football Twin Cities Championship
Are you looking for a basketball team to play on?
MYAS Position on Waivers and Renegade Teams
Insurance - USSSA Basketball
MYAS Calendar Updates (as of 9/25/08)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 registration deadline (Oct. 19 play date)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League play date
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Gopher State Fall Baseball League play date
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 registration deadline (Oct. 26 play date)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League play date
Friday, October 17, 2008
2008 Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championship registration deadline
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 registration deadline (Nov. 2 play date)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 play date
Monday, October 20, 2008
MYAS Winter Basketball Jamboree registration deadline
Monday, October 20, 2008
Gopher State Baseball League Advisory Committee Meeting
Friday, October 24, 2008
MYAS Twin Cities Football Championship registration deadline
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament registration deadline (Nov. 8 play date)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 registration deadline (Nov. 9 play date)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Gopher State Fall Basketball League Session 2 play date
Answers to Football Rules of the Month
1. Illegal block. In order for a block below the waist to be legal, both the blocker and the person being blocked must be on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone (NFHS Case Book 2.17.2 Situation D page 13).
2. The ball will be put in play by Team R from its 5-yard line in (a), (b) and (c). In (a), R1 was the last to touch the kick before it went out of bounds. In (b), the fact that the ball touched an official who was inbounds does not change its status. In fact, this touching is ignored and therefore R1, in effect, was the last to touch the ball before it went out of bounds. In (c)
, when the loose ball touches a game official who is straddling the sideline, it causes the ball to be out of bounds and R1 was the last to touch it. In (d), the ball is dead when it breaks the goal-line plane and a touchback results (NFHS Case Book 2.29.3 Situation pages 15-16; NFHS Rule Book 6-1-8 pages 55-56 and 8-5-3a page 68).
3. The dead-ball spot is below the ball's foremost point in the direction of the opponent's end line the instant the ball becomes dead by rule (because the knee touched the ground), or is declared dead by an official (NFHS Case Book 2.41.3 Situation page 17).
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. There is no player or team control during a throw-in. Therefore, a held ball is called, resulting in an alternating-possession throw-in. If the original throw-in is an alternating possession throw-in, Team A still has the arrow following the held ball (Case Book 7.6.4 Situation F page 60).
2. No. Both player and team control ended when Player A1 released the ball on the try. The rebound into Team A's backcourt was not in control of either team (Case Book 4.12.2 Situation page 25).
3. There is no three-second count in (a) or a backcourt rule in effect in (b) during a throw-in. The throw-in ends in (b) when Player A2 legally touches the ball, but the backcourt count does not start until Player A3 gains control (Case Book 4.12.6 Situation page 25).
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 Coach 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
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MYAS Membership Meetings
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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