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Welcome to the March 5, 2010; edition of the MYAS Update
In this Issue
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MYAS Update Info
Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. It includes notes from the Executive Director, sport program information, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events information. Contributions from sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sports services at the lowest possible cost and partially fund this newsletter, and certain sponsors will be featured.
MYAS Night at the Water Park of America
WRISTBANDS STILL AVAILABLE!
The MYAS and our guests have exclusive use of the Water Park of America in Bloomington on Sunday night, April 11, from 5:00-9:00pm. Wristbands are just $5 per person (normally $20.95) and must be purchased in advance, as this event is expected to sell out before the end of March.
Bring your team, your entire family and all your friends for a fun night at a great price! Please click here for more information and the event flyer.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
DESTINY'S BROTHERHOOD
I was struggling to come up with a topic for this month's edition of the MYAS newsletter when, out of the blue, a trusted friend sent me this quote by Edwin Markham:
There is a destiny that makes us brothers,
None goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others,
Comes back into our own.
At first I just read the quote and didn't think too much about its meaning. Then I found myself going back and rereading it, trying to understand each line and thinking about how it might relate to youth sports. It didn't take me long to realize that this quote should be the motto for team sports. And it reminded me of a topic that I have never before attempted to cover: What do you do when you hate your teammate? Read on.
One of the greatest attributes of team sports is that even personal enemies can be great teammates because you have a common focus. You have a common destiny. You want to play well and win. You will travel to that destination together whether you like each other or not. You will set aside your differences for the betterment of the team, realizing that your teammate (like him or not) is a necessary piece of the puzzle for YOU to be successful. There is a destiny that makes us brothers.
I would venture to say that we have all been on a team where we couldn't stand one or more of the other players. Oftentimes our dislike for the other player is nurtured by our jealousy. We envy talent, social status, looks, money, girlfriends/boyfriends, social friends, equipment, clothes, cars, trophies, intelligence, jewelry and a whole host of other things. Sometimes we just can't help ourselves and we hate someone because they have something we don't. Personalities are often to blame for that feeling of disdain for another and that's perfectly understandable. If a guy is a jerk, he's a jerk and you don't have to socialize with him. But that jerk may very well be the best point guard or pitcher in town and you are going to have to figure out a way to set your personal feelings aside long enough for both of you to do your job between the lines. If you don't figure out how to set
those differences aside, you are both jerks because the rest of your teammates are counting on you to play as a team. Kids need to learn that their entire team is a brotherhood or sisterhood. I have yet to see an individual win a team sport. None goes his way alone.
If you are going to dish out a load of trash talk, you can expect an equal amount of foul mouthed behavior to be directed back at you. If you are going to take a cheap shot at somebody, you can expect to be blindsided sooner than later. If you are going to berate the officials, you can expect to be tagged with an ejection. Oh, you may get away with it for awhile but eventually, sometimes when you least expect it, you'll get what you give. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
I have intentionally kept this column short this month because I feel it's more important for you to think about how this profound quote applies to your individual situations than for me to try to tell you how it applies. More importantly, talk to your kids about their opinions and attitudes toward their teammates. You may find out that this is a bigger issue than you think.
Borton's Bench Notes
The time has finally come...it's March Madness! This is the time of year that all basketball fanatics look forward to the most! As I write this column toward the end of our season, I am reminded of how many important lessons we learn by participating in sports. Many of you learn them each day as young athletes, and even as college players and adult coaches, we continue to learn about ourselves through athletics.
This has been a difficult year for our players, coaches and the program; I don't think any one of us expected to have our season go this way, but throughout this journey we stuck together as a team and fought through adversity. We were all in uncharted waters and, fortunately, a situation that we have not faced for the past eight years.
On January 14 versus Purdue at home, we had reached a point with our team where all cylinders were working together and we played our best basketball of the season. We had a team that was as good as we have had in years. Sometimes you don't understand how important one player is to a team but in losing Emmy Fox last year to graduation, a player who had the ball in her hands for three years, and then China Antoine eventually filling that role - and then losing her to an injury...now I know how much a player like that means to a team and in winning basketball games.
We struggled as a team after that to try and fill a large void. What was most important to our team through adversity was for our players and coaches to stick together and believe in what we are about and to continue working hard. We were focused on putting our team back together, picking up new roles, asking players to do more and playing young players that might not be ready for Big Ten play yet. Our focus was to continue getting better each day and figure out how to win games with the team and players we had. I am very proud of our players as they have continued to persevere, learn a lot about themselves as people and athletes, and show strength and courage.
Today we leave for the Big Ten Tournament. Along with our bags, we will pack the lessons we have learned over the season with the hope that it will propel us to victory against our first-round opponent, Penn State!
Best of luck to all of the young players in Minnesota as you finish up your basketball season. Remember to work hard and finish strong.
Go Gophers!
Sports Medicine Tip
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
By Emily Beyer, DPT, Fairview Sports Physical Therapy Resident
What is it?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee conditions encountered in sports medicine. It is a general term for knee pain that occurs around the kneecap, or the patella. The pain is a result of soft tissue inflammation or swelling under or around the patella. It usually comes on gradually and progresses slowly. Running, walking up or down stairs and sitting for long periods of time often make symptoms worse. Sufferers are often unable to perform sporting and work-related activities without pain.
What causes it?
The causes of PFPS are wide-ranging and can include the kneecap moving out of alignment or repetitive stress on the knee joint. Risk factors for developing PFPS include weak muscles in places like the core (abdominals), gluteal (buttock), hamstring (back of the thigh) or quadriceps (front of the thigh) muscles. Tight muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings or gastrocnemius (calf) muscles can cause symptoms and so can abnormal foot positioning (flat feet or high arched feet). This condition usually does not require surgery.
What are treatment options?
Often, this condition is best treated by seeing a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or certified athletic trainer. Depending on the severity, the treatment may include:
- Rest and/or ice to reduce swelling and pain
- Special kneecap taping to improve the alignment of the patella and reduce pain
- Muscle strengthening of the core, hip, hamstring and quadriceps to improve the alignment of the kneecap
- Education about proper footwear and training techniques to prevent re-injury
- A home exercise program to continue stretching and strengthening
For more information about physical therapy and athletic training services, call the Institute for Athletic Medicine (IAM) at 612-672-7100 or the 24-hour Injury Hotline at 952-920-8850. Visit us online at athleticmedicine.org.
About the author
Emily Brooke Beyer, DPT, Fairview Sports Physical Therapy Resident, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the College of St. Benedict and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the College of St. Catherine. She currently practices at IAM-Eden Prairie and University Orthopaedics at Fairview Riverside.
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
Minnesota Wrestling - From Canvas to Foam Mats (Part 2)
In studying the sport of wrestling, I have found that not only do we need contributions from the early pioneers but we need others who love the sport and are willing to put in the time to continue to advance the sport. We will be looking at some of those who have made contributions to wrestling from the 1950s to the present and spend some time looking at USA Wrestling and youth wrestling. We will look at some of the changes in how matches are scored and also the concept of "dual meet champions" and not just individual champions. Team scoring has changed dramatically from the early years.
This last topic - scoring in wrestling - will be covered in another article next January or February. There is so much about the sport of wrestling that we cannot hope to cover it all in just two issues of this newsletter. Another future article will cover some of the serious problems that have occurred in the sport such as cutting weight, illegal holds, steroid usage and unethical recruiting of wrestlers.
Last month we spoke about some of the sport's pioneers, but now let's look at others who continued to spread the "Gospel of Wrestling" in Minnesota. During World War II, wrestling experienced a plateau of growth because the country was preoccupied with the war effort. After WWII, however, Anoka became a powerhouse because of their coach, Garth Lappin, and also because of some of their wrestlers. Dick Mueller was their star in the early 1950s and he went on to great success at the U of M, where he won an NCAA title. He later became the coach at Osseo. Other great wrestlers during the '50s were Dick and Bob Board of Anoka and Don Dravis of Blue Earth.
The state tournament's popularity was booming and it was too big for the U of M; it first moved to Mankato, then to Gustavus for awhile and then back to Mankato. In 1966 attendance was more than 17,000 spectators. Hopkins was the dominant team during that time. Some really inspirational wrestlers began to appear on the scene. John Ross of Minneapolis Marshall, a blind wrestler, showed us how important it was to overcome a disability and be able to be a part of this great sport. Jerry Byers of Mankato wrestled with only one foot and won two state titles.
By the end of the 1960s there were 275 teams participating in wrestling. St. Cloud was the state tournament host for two years before it went back to the U of M and finally to the St. Paul Civic Center in 1970. During this time, it was necessary to develop two different classes of wrestling based upon the size of schools' student bodies. In the early 1970s wrestling began to spread statewide with teams developing programs in the northern part of the state. Before this time, teams were mainly in the metro area and southern Minnesota. Outstanding teams were being developed in Grand Rapids, Hibbing, St. Cloud, Brainerd and Alexandria. In 1973 we had 338 schools with wrestling programs. This growth was because of some of the newer coaches who were replacing the pioneers, such as Don Meyers in Fridley, John Gygelko in Robbinsdale, Bob Board in Coon Rapids and Ron Malcom in Anoka.
In the early years, team championships were decided by the points that individual wrestlers earned for their teams and there really was no true team championship until Don Meyers and a number of his colleagues put together the idea for a True Team Dual Meet Championship. Meyers said this of how it all came about: "You know, one of the things that I am most proud of over my career was helping to create the 'team concept'. One of the dilemmas with wrestling back in the '50s and '60s was the fact that as teams advanced into the district tournaments, some kids got eliminated from their teams, and then even more got eliminated at the regions. As a result, just a few went to the state tournament. Sometimes a team with three outstanding wrestlers representing their team could win the state title. So Ron Malcom and I went to the MSHSL and worked out what is now a Dual Meet State
Championship Tournament alongside the Individual State Championship Tournament."
Into the 1980s and '90s wrestling continued to grow and expand. Small outstate schools like Staples and Canby were the teams that stood out, along with Brainerd. One of the top programs that emerged is Apple Valley, who is still at the top. They are still a power today and are even well known nationwide. The state tournament is now held at the Xcel Energy Center and has at least 65,000 fans in attendance each March at the three-day tournament.
There are many programs that I have not touched on yet and probably will not be able to in this space, but below are a few of the coaches and teams that I have not yet mentioned who at least deserve to be listed.
Bill Sutter of Goodhue; Virg Vagle of Paynesville; Scot Davis of Owatonna, Hutchinson and other places; Gary Hindt of Wabasso; Ken Droegemueller of Osseo and Worthington; Greg Greeno of St. Michael-Albertville; Bill Demaray and Jim Jackson of Apple Valley; Don Dravis of Staples; Rick Kelvington of Olivia and BOLD; Jim Short of Simley; Charley Coffee of Bloomington and many others who have really progressed the sport of wrestling in Minnesota.
The wrestling scoring system has also undergone a lot of changes over the years along with the changes in weight classes, but I am going to leave that for another time.
The history of wrestling must involve some of the organizations that have served as governing bodies, but I will not be giving a large history lesson here because it ends up being too political. Suffice it to say that the AAU was one of the earliest governing bodies of wrestling in the U.S., but gave way first to the NCAA. Then, because of a poor showing in the 1964 Olympics, Walter Byers of the NCAA asked Terry McCann, 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, and Myron Roderick, a member of the 1956 Olympic team, to establish a new national governing organization. They met in 1968 at O'Hare Airport and, with the help of others, founded the United States Wrestling Federation (USWF). Wally Johnson, U of M wrestling coach, became its first president.
During the first 12 years of the USWF, collegiate coaches served as president. In 1974 the membership of the USWF took off because of the organization of Steve Combs, a suburban Chicago high school wrestling coach, who added the US Kids Wrestling Foundation. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1976.
The USWF changed its name in 1983 to the United States of America Wrestling Association, Inc., but it is really known publicly as USA Wrestling (USAW). The organization has upwards of 159,000 members made up of wrestlers, coaches, officials, state federations and others who are interested in the sport. It includes many youth organizations in all 50 states, the NCAA, the NAIA, the NFHS, the NJCAA, the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Armed Forces Sports and many others. Rich Bender is their current Executive Director.
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) in Columbia Heights coordinates several youth tournaments in the state and has really helped to grow wrestling in Minnesota in the past few years.
The last subject that I want to touch on is the two NCAA programs from Minnesota that have risen to the national scene and have put Minnesota wrestling on the map, so to speak. The University of Minnesota, with their coach J. Robinson, has a reputation as a national wrestling power, as has Augsburg College behind former wrestling coach and present athletic director, Jeff Swenson. The Gophers garnered three Division I National Championship titles under Coach Robinson, and the Auggies have won 10 Division III National Championships under Swenson.
We have a lot to be proud of in Minnesota and our wrestling programs are part of a strong and storied tradition. This ends my series on wrestling for this winter. Next winter we will take another look at more youth wrestling and learn some things about scoring and how it has changed over the years, along with the changes in rules and weight classes.
Sources include but are not limited to "Grappling Glory" by Ross Bernstein; www.themat.com (USA Wrestling); and www.gophersports.com archives.
Gopher State Wrestling
The 2010 Gopher State Wrestling Team Tournament was held on February 28 at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights. The 16-team kindergarten through sixth grade tournament showcased teams from all over the state as well as one team from Wisconsin. The team from Becker repeated as Gopher State Team Champion. Please click here
to access the Team Tournament web page.
The field for the 2010 MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Championships included wrestlers in kindergarten through eighth grade from all over the Midwest, who invaded Monticello on February 13-14. If you are looking for top notch youth wrestling, Monticello was the place to be! Please click here to access the Gopher State Championship web page.
The Championship has earned the reputation of being the toughest and best run tournament in Minnesota. In 2010 we had 988 registered wrestlers from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana and Wyoming. Wrestlers from all states are eligible to participate in all Gopher State wrestling events.
The MYAS and the MYAS Wrestling Advisory Committee (Jeremy Innes, MYAS; Jeremy Barbe, MYAS; Chris Bahl, Stillwater; Tricia Charbonneau, Prior Lake; Chris Douglas, Byron; Josh Florell, Forest Lake; Kelly Loosbrock, Chaska; Nina McKee, Becker; Ben Moody, Blaine; Brian Schnappauf, Monticello; Chad Shilson, Osseo; Matt Sullivan, Lakeville) are proud of our 2010 events and have already begun planning for 2011.
For more information about the MYAS Gopher State Wrestling programs, please contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
Registration has closed for the 2010 Midwest Regional Swim Meet, and the meet is completely full. We had more than 1,600 entries submitted for this year's event and we would like to thank everyone for their continuing support and interest!
Please continue to visit the Midwest Regional web page for new information and details as we get closer to the meet on March 27-28 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
MYAS Gopher State Football 7 on 7 Passing League
The second annual Gopher State 7 on 7 Passing League, which is designed for high school football teams, will commence this summer. League play will begin the week of June 7 and will wrap up the week of July 26.
This year's league will offer two playing sites. Both sites will be limited to a total of 12 teams, so be sure to sign up early. Please keep checking the football portion of the MYAS website, as new information will be posted as it becomes available in the coming weeks. You may also direct your questions to 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).
1. Player K1's punt is high but short. Player R2, from well down field, runs toward the ball to get into position to attempt to catch it. Player K2 is also moving toward the ball or just standing there when: (a) K2 is contacted by R2; or (b) K2 causes R2 to veer away from the ball but there is no contact by K2. The ball strikes the ground and is recovered by Player R3. What is the ruling in each case?
2. Team 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; (b) lifts the ball and pushes it forward in order to make a deep snap; (c) rotates the ball end for end; or (d) removes both hands. What is the ruling in each case?
3. Following the ready-for-play signal, but before Team A has taken any position on the line of scrimmage, Player B1 is either in or beyond the neutral zone facing his teammates while giving defensive signals. What is the ruling?
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
We are looking forward to the 2010 MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships. This year's tournament is the largest in the history of the MYAS, and we hope you'll come out and witness our March Mayhem!
The championship will take place over two weekends: March 6-7 (girls) and March 13-14 (boys). The girls' tournament will feature a total of 455 teams in 32 different divisions of play, while the boys' event will boast a record 660 teams in 45 divisions of play. Over the two weekends we will witness the teams battling it out for the elusive Grade State Championship title at 24 metro area locations!
All of the girls' and boys' tournament schedules are available on the Grade State web page. We hope to see you at the Championships!
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship
The registration deadline for the 2010 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship has been extended to Friday, March 5. Last year's event featured 150 teams, and we are expecting as many as 200 teams in 2010.
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 skill levels.
Don't miss out on the opportunity for your team to play in a big tournament with a championship environment! If you have questions, please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org. GO REC STATE!
Gopher State Spring Basketball
As the winter basketball season comes to an end, it's time to begin planning for your team's participation in the 2010 Gopher State Spring Basketball tournaments. Our 2010 tournament schedule is available online and we are excited to introduce some new events this year.
We have three "Midwest Elite" tournaments, co-hosted by the MN Comets, MN Magic, 43 Hoops and MN Thunder, that will bring in top quality competition from around the country to play our top Minnesota teams. We have two teams from Australia coming to the Gopher State Prep Showcase on July 17-18 at Lakeville High School. Don't miss your chance to participate in these great events!
That isn't all that's new for 2010! On July 30-August 1, Spring Lake Park High School will play host for the inaugural "Gopher State All-Star" tournament. Throughout the spring, coaches will be able to nominate top Minnesota players who have participated in MYAS/Gopher State spring events for the chance to be selected for this All-Star celebration. Four teams of 10-12 players in the boys' and girls' 14U/8th, 15U/9th, 16U/10th and 17U/11th grade divisions will be selected to participate in this event.
The athletes selected will have a participation fee, but all players will receive a Gopher State All-Star game uniform that they will keep and all teams will play three games on Saturday-Sunday. Friday night will be highlighted by an opening ceremony with a guest speaker, introductions of all the players and coaches and skills contests - including a slam dunk contest.
Spring teams are already being formed and tryouts are being set. Go to the "Tryout Center" on the MYAS home page to see which clubs have posted their tryouts. If your club/team is holding tryouts for the spring season and you will be playing with us, please contact the MYAS office and we will advertise your tryouts for free.
Are you new to spring basketball? Come to one of our spring basketball informational meetings to find out about the Gopher State spring basketball season. As you read this, we will have already held two spring meetings; the final meeting is on March 10 at White Bear Lake High School South Campus at 6:30pm.
If you want to play great competition and different opponents each weekend and be assured that trainers and tournament directors will be on site to oversee the games, and if you don't want to pay outrageous membership fees, then Gopher State Spring Basketball is the place to play. The first weekend of play is March 27-28, 2010. Quality events are what we strive for - don't be fooled by imitations!
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball Season Concludes
The 2009-10 MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball Tournament season will wrap up with a boys' tournament on the weekend of March 6-7. We'd like to thank all of the teams for your participation this year!
To review results from this season, please visit the Winter Basketball Tournament web page. You may also contact Kevin Wilson (boys' basketball) or Jessica Christopherson (girls' basketball) with your questions. See you next season!
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League
The 2009-10 Gopher State Winter Basketball League concluded on the weekend of February 20-21 with a four-game guarantee playoff tournament.
We'd like to thank all of the players, coaches and fans for another successful season and we hope you all had a positive experience.
We'd also like to congratulate the following teams on their championship finishes:
Girls' 4th Grade Blue * MG Crimson
Girls' 4th Grade Red * Maple Grove Black
Girls' 5th Grade Blue * Central Area
Girls' 5th Grade Red * St. Louis Park
Girls' 6th Grade Blue * Monticello Magic-Revening
Girls' 6th Grade Red * Orono White
Girls' 7th Grade * St. Croix Prep Lions
Boys' 4th Grade Blue * Centennial
Boys' 4th Grade Red * Southside
Boys' 5th Grade Blue * EPX - Eden Prairie
Boys' 5th Grade Red * St. Louis Park
Boys' 6th Grade Blue * Columbia Heights
Boys' 6th Grade Red * St. Louis Park
Boys' 7th Grade Blue * Chisago Lakes
Boys' 8th Grade Blue * Kennedy 8 Blue
Boys' 8th Grade Red * Monticello
Boys' 8th Grade White * Urban Stars
Boys' 9th/10th Grade Blue * Central Area
Boys' 9th/10th Grade Red * Fridley Elite
Boys' 11th/12th Grade * Stillwater Suns
To view complete league and playoff results, please visit the Winter League web page.
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school basketball rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. A technical foul is issued prior to the start of the game and the game begins with free throws. Non-starter A6 is brought into the game to attempt the free throws and replaces starter A5. What is the ruling?
2. Player A1 is attempting the second free throw of a two-shot foul. While the second free throw is in flight, Players A2 and B1 punch each other simultaneously. What is the ruling?
3. Players A1 and B1 commit personal fouls against each other at the same time. The coach of Team A takes exception to the call and is charged with a technical foul. What is the ruling?
Gopher State/MYAS/USSSA Baseball Dates to Remember
The MYAS baseball staff has compiled a listing of all the pertinent dates to remember for the 2010 MYAS / Gopher State / USSSA season. Please click here to access the listing, and feel free to contact the MYAS baseball staff at 763-781-2220 with your questions.
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
There are only two Winter Camp dates remaining on the schedule for 2010. All camps are very affordable and are taught by some of the best baseball minds in the Midwest. Have your future star ready for tryouts in 2010 - make plans for them to attend a Gopher State Winter Baseball Camp!
The next available camps are our Tryout Prep Camp and March Madness Camp in Rogers with the Minnesota Baseball Academy. These are our most popular camps of the season! You may access information for both camps on the Gopher State Winter Baseball Camp web page.
If you have questions, contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball Umpire Clinics
All umpires are welcome and encouraged to attend a Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic. These clinics are designed to provide umpires of all abilities the opportunity to enhance their skills and/or become educated in the finer points of umpiring. They will feature hands on instruction for plate and base umpires.
If you are a beginner umpire or need more work with mechanics and positioning, these clinics will be perfect for you. Only experienced umpires with approval from their assignor will be able to attend the Advanced Clinic (see below).
NEW FOR 2010! Advanced Umpire Clinics will be offered for umpires with several (at least 5) years of experience and who have been approved by their assignor to attend this training. Dates are now available on the Umpire Clinic web page.
In order to receive your MYAS registration for 2010, you will only need to attend one Umpire Training Clinic. If you are beginning your umpire career you may not attend the Advanced Umpire Clinics. The cost of each clinic is just $30.00.
2010 Gopher State Umpire Training Clinics
April 10 * Shoreview, Chippewa Middle School
April 15 * Cottage Grove Junior High
May 1 * Eden Prairie, Miller Park
May 8 * Rogers High School Fields
May 22 * Fridley Little League Fields
2010 Gopher State Advanced Umpire Clinics
March 29 * Columbia Heights, Murzyn Hall
March 31 * Rogers High School
April 7 * Champlin Park High School
Every umpire who attends a clinic will receive an additional $6 per game for the 2010 Gopher State Baseball League. A $4 per game bonus will apply for the Gopher State Spring Training Series, Gopher State Spring Invitationals, USSSA State Tournament, Gopher State Tournament of Champions, MYAS Rec State Baseball Championships and Gopher State Fall Baseball League. With MSHSL registration, another $1 will be added to the per-game total.
Each season we are very fortunate to have instructors who are excited to share their umpiring experiences with our Gopher State Umpires. Don't take this training opportunity for granted - it offers a wealth of education and instruction.
For more information, including clinic dates, sites and maps/directions, please visit the Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic web page. You may also contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball League
It’s hard to believe we are about to embark upon the eleventh season of the Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL), a USSSA league. This season has snuck up on us quickly, so as a reminder, it is time to get all of your baseball equipment out and cleaned up as you prepare for another action packed traveling baseball season. The MYAS baseball staff is currently gearing up for a dynamic season in our MYAS comprehensive baseball programs.
The GSBL will continue to expand in 2010 as it begins its second decade of existence. The MYAS baseball staff recently received commitments from new communities in central Minnesota and got word of additional teams from member associations throughout the heart of GSBL territory! At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the GSBL boasted the largest representation of communities in a traveling league in the Upper Midwest. The 2010 forecast looks to be no different!
We are looking forward to serving as your league administrators this season and we’re confident that you will be completely satisfied. With the updated policies and current enhancements the league offers such as online rosters, team and league websites, online score reporting and berths through league play to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions and the USSSA World Series, the future of the league looks very bright!
The official league entry packet/team enrollment information for the 2010 9-17/19u GSBL has been sent to all Association Travel Directors and/or Presidents.
Team Enrollment Deadlines:
9u-15u teams - March 26, 2010
16u-17/19u teams - May 17, 2010
League Scheduling Sessions:
9u-15u teams - April 17, 2010
16u-17/19u teams - May 25, 2010
If you have questions, comments or concerns or would like more information about the league, please visit the GSBL web page or contact Dawson Blanck, GSBL Commissioner, at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
New Offerings in the Gopher State Baseball League
9 & Under League
The GSBL is introducing a 9 & Under League. This league was approved and adopted at the 2009 Advisory Committee meeting. It is designed specifically for individuals who do not turn 10 years old before May 1, 2010. The league provides players at this age level an introduction to traveling baseball with other players of the same age. Each team will be guaranteed 13 games, which includes an all-inclusive playoff. Therefore, the administrative entry fee has been reduced because of the shorter 12-game regular season. In the 9 & Under leagues, the only level of play available is OPEN.
This league is available to any association that would like to offer a program exclusively for 9 year olds. This will allow an opportunity for 9 year olds and 10 year olds to play separately, which helps promote stronger numbers for other age groups in the future.
"A" Level of Play
The Gopher State Baseball League, the USSSA State Championships and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions will offer a new level of play for the 2010 season. The “A” level of play will be offered for 10-14/15 year old teams. This level provides a place for players that may not be ready for the "AAA" or "AA" levels. Typically, players eligible for this level may have the highest tryout scores within an in-house program or are players who were not selected to play on the "AAA" or "AA" teams. The “A” level allows individuals a chance to play traveling baseball at a competitive level.
GSBL Team Classification Hearing
Member associations that enrolled teams in the 2009 GSBL will have the opportunity to petition a team's classification for 2010 at the March 21 Board of Advisors (BOA) Team Classification Hearing. Listed below are two regulations set by the BOA that determine if an association is eligible to petition a team's classification for 2010.
- Teams with history in the GSBL (participated in 2009) in the AA level and finished with a winning percentage of .750 and above will need to petition the BOA to remain at the AA level in 2010. The GSBL Board of Advisors reserves the right to review any team's classification prior to the beginning of the next season.
- Teams with history in the GSBL (participated in 2009) in the AAA level and finished with a winning percentage below .250 will have the opportunity to petition the BOA to play down at the AA level in 2010. NOTE: All 15 & Under teams have the opportunity to petition the BOA to play at the AA level if their association places teams in other organizations/leagues at the same age level.
A Past Performance Analysis form must be filled out by March 12, 2010 in order to be allowed to petition any team that will be participating in the 2010 GSBL.
If you have any questions about the Team Classification Hearing, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball Spring Training Series
NEW FOR 2010! The Gopher State Spring Training Series is a spring league that will be held on April 11, 18 and 25. The league will act as an early season tune-up or spring training for all 10-15 year old AAA and AA traveling teams. It allows teams an opportunity to play live games against other teams that will help prepare them for the start of the regular season.
The league features a six-game guarantee (doubleheaders each Sunday) with berths to the 2010 Gopher State Tournament of Champions awarded based on team records at the end of league play.
More information is available on the Gopher State Spring Training Series web page. If you have questions about this NEW league, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Play Ball! MN Baseball Coaches' Conference
The Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball Conference brings beginning and experienced coaches from the Gopher State Baseball League and other youth baseball organizations together to learn new ways to teach their athletes the skills they will need to succeed. This coaches' training is now a service the MYAS baseball staff provides for all participating head coaches in the Gopher State Baseball League.
The 2010 conference has been set for April 24, 2010 at the new Target Field. Look for more details about the conference on the MYAS website in the coming days.
GSTC Qualifiers Now Available
Teams can now go to the baseball tournament listings
on the MYAS website to view all of the 2010 Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) qualifiers. All tournaments with a "Yes" on the right hand side of the page have been designated as qualifiers. If you are a 10-15U "A" level traveling team, you will notice there are tournaments designated as qualifiers in that division for the first time, as this is the first year we are offering GSTC events for those teams.
GSTC qualifiers provide automatic berths to teams placing first or second in the tournament. All other teams will receive points that will be used to award at-large GSTC berths at the end of the season. If you have questions about a specific tournament, please contact the director listed for that tournament.
Don't hesitate to sign up today for a qualifier and your chance to play in the 6th annual Gopher State Tournament of Champions!
Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals
The MYAS Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals schedule is posted and some divisions are filling up quickly! These events are set up as two-day GSTC qualifying tournaments taking place in early to mid-May. All teams are guaranteed three games and the top two placing teams will earn an automatic berth to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions.
The MYAS is offering "AAA" and "AA" level tournaments for 10-15U traveling teams. You can find out more information, including sites and dates, on the Spring Invitational web page.
North Star Baseball League
The MYAS is looking forward to another season of the North Star Baseball League. This unique recreational baseball league will begin its sixth season this May and we are looking for new communities to join our current members. All teams play a 16-game regular season schedule that the MYAS baseball staff designs around the requests of each participating community.
The league entry deadline for the 2010 North Star League is Friday, April 2. You can now find the entry materials on the NSBL web page.
For more information about the North Star League and to learn about how we customize each community's schedule to fit their teams, contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org.
Minnesota USSSA Baseball
Minnesota USSSA State Championships will take place at multiple venues on the weekends of June 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27, 2010. This tournament also allows all participating teams to take advantage of the benefits of USSSA baseball. These qualifying tournaments are an excellent way for teams (10-19U AAA & AA as well as 10A-14/15A) to advance to a World Series/National Tournament and earn points through USSSA. Last year, 203 teams competed for an opportunity to earn a berth to a USSSA World Series and/or the Gopher State Tournament of Champions.
Applications are available on the USSSA State Baseball Championship portion of the MYAS website. All 2010 USSSA State Championships are filling up fast so don't hesitate to sign up today!
For updated information on USSSA baseball in Minnesota, continue to check the Minnesota USSSA baseball web page.
MYAS Rec State Baseball Championships
Here's a great opportunity for all in-house/recreational baseball teams to participate in a State Tournament! The Rec State Championships will be held on July 30-August 1 and will feature six divisions and a three-game guarantee.
This will be the first year we will be offering a 16-18U division! All of the details are available and eligibility questions can be answered on the Rec State Baseball web page.
Last year we saw 128 metro area teams in five different age divisions have a blast competing for a state championship title. Reserve your local in-house/recreational teams a spot in the 2010 Championships! The brochure is available by clicking here. Each tournament is limited to the first 32 teams.
For the fourth year, the Ramada Mpls. NW/Grand Rios will be the proud sponsor of the Championships. They will have awesome room rates with water park passes available for your entire team's year-end celebration.
We are excited for another year of fun and competition at the 2010 Rec State Championships. Please contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org for more details on this great event!
MYAS Latest News (as of 3/4/10)
Rec State Basketball Championship Deadline EXTENDED! Friday, 3/ 5
MYAS Night at the Water Park of America - Tickets just $5!
Gopher State Wrestling Recap
Spring Basketball Informational Meetings
2010 Gopher State Baseball League
2010 Youth Baseball Tournaments & GSTC Qualifiers
Free Tickets to Select Gopher Baseball Games
Spring Basketball Tryout Promotion
Are you looking for a basketball team to play on?
Insurance - USSSA Basketball
MYAS Calendar (as of 3/4/10)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Extended entry deadline - MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship (Mar. 20-21 event)
Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7, 2010
MYAS Girls Grade State Basketball Championships - 11 metro area sites
Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7, 2010
Gopher State / Highview / Bethel Invitational Basketball Tournament
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Gopher State Winter Baseball Try-Out Prep Camp - Rogers
Friday, March 12, 2010
Deadline to submit Gopher State Baseball League Past Performance Analysis Form
Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14, 2010
MYAS Boys Grade State Basketball Championships - 13 metro area sites
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational Tournament entry deadline (Mar. 27-28 event)
Saturday-Sunday, March 20-21, 2010
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship - various metro area sites
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Gopher State Baseball League Team Classification Meeting
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Gopher State Winter Baseball March Madness Camp - Rogers
Monday, March 22, 2010
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver Tournament entry deadline (Apr. 3 event)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Gopher State Baseball League 9-15U entry deadline
Friday, March 26, 2010
Gopher State Baseball Spring Training Series entry deadline
Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 2010
Midwest Regional Swim Meet - U of M Aquatic Center, Minneapolis
Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 2010
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational Tournament
Monday, March 29, 2010
Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational Tournament entry deadline (Apr. 10-11 event)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Gopher State Baseball Advanced Umpire Clinic - Columbia Heights
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Gopher State Baseball Advanced Umpire Clinic - Rogers
Friday, April 2, 2010
North Star Baseball League entry deadline
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. Player K2 has committed kick-catching interference in both (a) and (b) since K2 did not provide Player R2 an unmolested opportunity to catch the ball. Team R may choose an awarded fair catch, the result of the play, or may choose to penalize Team K 15 yards from the previous spot and have the down replayed (Rule Book 6-5-6 page 58; Case Book 6.5.6 Situation D page 44).
2. 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 five yards is administered from the succeeding spot (Rule Book 2-40-2 page 40, 4-1-6 page 49 and 7-1-2 & 3 page 59; Case Book 7.1.3 Situation page 45).
3. Encroachment by Player B1 (Rule Book 2-8 page 30; Case Book 7.1.5 Situation page 45).
Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rule Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication.
1. Legal substitute. The ball becomes live to start the game when placed at Player A6's disposal. A6 and A5 are subject to proper substitution rules. A5 may not re-enter until the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been properly started (Rule Book 8-3 page 51; Case Book 8.3 Situation pages 63-64).
2. Both Players A2 and B1 are disqualified for fighting. Since this is a double personal foul, no free throws are awarded. The ball is put in play at the point of interruption. If Player A1's free throw is successful, Team B is awarded a throw-in from anywhere along the end line. If A1's free throw is unsuccessful, the alternating-possession procedure is used (Case Book 8.7 Situation A page 64).
3. There are no free throws for the double personal foul committed by Players A1 and B1. Team B is awarded two free throws and the ball out of bounds at the division line for the technical foul charged directly to the coach of Team A (Case Book 8.7 Situation D page 65).
If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
Important Association Services That Work!
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services offers three important services:
1. Association and Player Sports Accident Insurance Coverage
Association liability and player accident insurance are always concerns for youth sports organizations in our increasingly litigious society. Some associations spend a lot of money and others go into denial and “run naked” without even minimal liability coverage for their members. Yet if insurance is not obtained, the personal assets of the individuals running the association may be at risk. Many sports facility managers, especially municipalities and schools, will not permit the use of their property or facilities unless it can be demonstrated that youth sports associations are covered under an insurance policy. Without insurance, the opportunity for young athletes to compete in organized sports programs may be substantially limited.
The MYAS has partnered with J.A. Price Agency, an insurance company which has access to dozens of other insurance companies and can handle any type of business or personal insurance needs that your association/board of directors may require. The insurance provides options for all types of needs within your association/community. This coverage is an advantage no amateur sports organization should be without!
Examples of coverage include but are not limited to:
- General Liability
- Sexual Misconduct
- Participant Accident
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Crime/Embezzlement
- Automobile
- Umbrella
- Workers' Compensation
General insurance questions should be directed to Bob Blomster at 952-253-4311 or bob.blomster@japrice.com.
2. Criminal Background Checks
How do we protect our children? Reports of sexual predators and child abuse involving the clergy, day care workers and youth volunteers are all too familiar. Unfortunately, this includes a disturbing number of youth sport coaches who have a history of incidents of sexual misconduct and/or violence. This is a complex issue and many youth sports organizations are unclear about what to do or how to approach this threat, yet they must take proactive steps to prevent their children from becoming innocent victims. Don’t put your children at risk!
In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that $50 billion is lost annually due to employee theft and fraud. Youth sports associations must protect themselves from this threat as well. Don’t put your association at risk!
Fortunately, youth sports associations now have a simple and inexpensive tool to avoid some of society’s worst fears. The MYAS, with its partner Trusted Employees, has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. Trusted Employees, a local Twin Cities company, incorporates a “user-friendly” process combined with flexible information delivery to make this system easy and inexpensive for your organization. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 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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