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Welcome to the February 27, 2009; edition of the MYAS Update
In this Issue
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MYAS Update Info
Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. 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 and partially fund this newsletter, and certain sponsors will be featured.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
GETTING HARD TO FIND A HERO?
At one time or another, I think that we have all experienced some sort of "hero worship" for someone we saw on television, read about or perhaps knew in real life. If you're like most people, you have probably had different heroes at different times in your life.
My earliest recollection of hero worship was with Roy Rogers. He had it all - he was a good looking guy with a beautiful horse, a pair of pearl-handled six-shooters, a funny sidekick and a great looking wife who sang, rode a horse and also packed a six-shooter. I mean really, how much better could it get?
I was probably nine or 10 years old before I hung up my spurs and started to worship sports figures. Frankly, it was a pretty easy transition. I was living in southern Wisconsin when the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Braves were doing pretty well. It was easy to put guys like Bart Starr and Hank Aaron on a pedestal. They were super athletes, great human beings and, more importantly, they were "my guys" year after year. Back in those days you didn't have free agency, ridiculous salaries and obscene advertising deals. Some of those athletes actually stayed with one team their entire career.
With the latest reports of our baseball superstars being exposed to steroids and our Olympic hero getting caught smoking dope, my thoughts of hero worship have been shelved forever. This day has been coming for a long time. For me, it's been inevitable ever since the New York Jets gave Joe "Willie" Namath a million dollars to play football. Or since Rosie Ruiz won the Boston Marathon in 1980 in record time, only to find out later that she had skipped the first 25 miles. It's been coming ever since Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield's ear and since Brett Favre retired for the tenth time.
It's hard to find a sports hero these days. None of our star athletes seem to stay in one place long enough to build up any truly devoted fans. It order to figure out what's going on, all you have to do is follow the money. I find the greed in professional sports to be absolutely out of control. There's something wrong with a world that barely pays its teachers a living wage, while its pro athletes earn millions to throw a baseball or catch a football. How did we get this far out of whack? When did hitting a baseball or throwing a touchdown become more valuable than being President of the United States? Why do some pro athletes demand more money when they have great years but don't offer to give any back when they under-perform?
According to the documentary The History of Baseball, until 1955 the average professional baseball player made five times more than the average working man. Now I don't know about you, but if I was making five times the average wage I'd be pretty darn happy with it and I'd play my butt off to stay on that team. For a variety of reasons, the salaries (and arrogance) of professional athletes have escalated to the point where I am embarrassed for them. The owners seem to be clueless and we, the fans, continue to support this crazy network of naughtiness. So in the end, what's wrong with us? We still buy the tickets, pay for parking, drink $5 sodas and $8 beers and spend our Christmas budget on pro sports apparel.
While I'm tossing professional athletes off the bus, I might as well include some of those corporate CEO's who pay themselves millions of dollars in bonuses for failing at their jobs. While the bus is still moving, I'd like to include the world of entertainers. Some of our actors and musicians are making incredible amounts of money for displaying their talents on the screen and on concert stages. I respect their talent and I don't begrudge them the right to make some significant dough. But I do have a problem when "significant dough" turns into "obscene compensation."
The pundits may suggest I'm just naive and jealous. To be totally truthful, I probably am a little jealous. Not so much about the money but about the talent. Like millions of other professional sports wannabes, I am jealous of the talent that God gave these people. I am also a hypocrite because I watch as many Twins games as possible. I am glued to the TV on Sunday afternoons during the NFL season and I love it when the Timberwolves put up a fight instead of surrendering before the end of the first half. Hey, I'm a sports guy. I love sports, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with the current pay scale of today's professional athletes. My biggest problem with attending a pro sports event is that it has become so expensive that a family of four needs to sell one of their kids in order to be able to afford to go to a game.
Our current economy is going to be a test for all of us. I am looking for the silver lining in this very dark cloud and maybe it will come in the form of people getting a clue as to what is most important. Maybe we'll all be forced to reestablish our priorities. Maybe we will all get back to the basics and once again be able to differentiate between what we want and what we need.
At this time of economic crisis in our country, I'm really glad that we do what we do here at the MYAS. I am hoping that our kids will still play baseball, basketball, volleyball and any other sport that gets their adrenaline going. I'm also hoping that parents will be able to tune out the bad news for a little while each day, as they watch their kids play their games.
Sine my days of pro sports hero worship are over, I need to find someone else to put on that pedestal. I won't have to read the sports or business section to find one. I won't have to go to the stadium or arena and I won't have to win a trip to the Super Bowl to find one. There are heroes everywhere. All we have to do is look around us. I see them every day - they are the moms and dads of the world who wake up every morning, get out of bed and go to work. They come home, change clothes, grab their child and head off to practice. They may not wear a cape, leap tall buildings or stop speeding bullets. No, they are doing something much more heroic. They're raising their kids in a very uncertain time in a very uncertain world under very uncertain circumstances. They won't be charging $5 for a soda in the fridge and they won't charge their kids $8 for a hot dog at the dinner table. I highly
doubt they'll refuse to go to work if a new factory or office building isn't built and I'll also bet that they won't charge their kids $150 for their old game jersey or sneakers. There will still be free parking in the driveway and no waiting in line to get into the house. Yep, moms and dads of America, you are my new heroes. My apologies to all of you for not realizing it sooner.
Featured Sponsor - Visit Minneapolis North
From the beginning to the end, Visit Minneapolis North's professional full-time sports staff of two is focused and ready to assist you with all of your lodging, restaurant, entertainment and transportation needs.
Visit Minneapolis North offers numerous complimentary services to assist you in making your next sporting event a success, including:
- Research dates and venues for your tournament or event
- Assist in the marketing and promotion of your event
- Provide team-friendly room rates and housing information
- Provide formal bid proposals and presentations
- Provide media and press release assistance
- Arrange for lodging and area site tours
- Provide maps and welcome packets for event participants
- Provide area information and discounts for local restaurants and other attractions
- Assist with transportation such as car rental discounts, shuttles and public transportation
The best thing about our services - they are FREE! For more information on how Visit Minneapolis North can help with your event, please contact our sports department:
Visit Minneapolis North
6200 Shingle Creek Parkway #248
Minneapolis, MN 55430
sports@visitminneapolisnorth.com
800-541-4364 Toll Free
763-566-6526 Fax
www.visitminneapolisnorth.com
Introducing Velocity Sports Performance Champlin
Velocity Sports Performance Champlin is the definition of comprehensive sports performance training. We have built our business around a professional coaching staff dedicated to training athletes of every age, in every sport, and at all skill levels. Athletes of all abilities are able to realize their potential through advanced training programs that have been scientifically designed to maximize human spots performance. Specifically, Velocity's Sports Performance training was created to help athletes increase their overall speed, power and agility, while reducing the risks of sports-related injuries.
Founded in 1999, Velocity Sports Performance began as the brainchild of internationally-recognized coach Loren Seagrave. Mr. Seagrave is a five-time NCAA champion coach, has coached scores of Olympians, consulted with numerous NFL, NBA and NHL teams and has engineered the development of some of the fastest sprinters and hurdlers in history. Velocity Sports Performance is the official provider of Nike SPARQ testing and training and is also sponsored by Gatorade. Now every athlete can train like the pros!
Velocity programs follow an integrated approach giving targeted attention to proper movement techniques and reengineered motor patterns that help athletes gain a quicker first step and improve overall speed, flexibility, strength and energy system development in every training session. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, safe and positive environment for athletes to train in. We promote long-term psychological and physical development which leads to increased confidence, character and overall success for athletes of all ages and abilities. Our team loves what we do and we are passionate about helping athletes achieve their very best. Velocity Sports Performance understands that there is no defense against speed...no solution for quickness.
Over the next several months our experienced Performance Coaches, who are degreed and certified in sport related fields, will be providing MYAS participants quality information about topics involving the following: increasing linear speed, strength training for youth, the difference between training athletes and coaching athletes as it relates to sports performance, athletic assessment testing and how they relate to performance and more!
It's time to get trained - get coached - get results! MYAS athletes receive a free trial session, 25% off Nike SPARQ testing and 10% off individual training packages. Don't forget to mention the MYAS when you register! For more information and to set up your FREE trial session, call 763-390-6622 or visit www.velocitysp.com/champlin.
This article was written by Nate Middleton (nmiddleton@velocitysp.com), Assistant Sports Director, BS Exercise Science, NETA, USAW.
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
BASEBALL IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
When I was a young boy growing up in Columbia Heights, we had it made trying to learn the wonderful game of baseball. We were blessed to have a great recreation program that was funded by the community and that allowed us to have an outstanding summer coach, Joe Vancisin. He was the assistant basketball and baseball coach at the University of Minnesota during the five years he spent as our coach in Columbia Heights. He supervised the entire program, from Cub (10-12) to Midget (13-14) to Junior Baseball (15 & older). We also had American Legion, but that was not sponsored by the recreation department. Cubs played only in the community but Midgets and Juniors traveled to other communities.
Joe eventually left Minnesota to become the head basketball coach at Yale, where he had a long career, and then became the Executive Secretary for the NCAA Basketball Coaches Association for 17 years. He concluded his work at age 70 when he organized the 1992 NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis at the HHH Metrodome.
Joe was thorough in his teaching and coaching techniques and philosophies. He structured practice so there was always teaching, learning and advancement of our skills. He also taught us to behave as competitors who respected our opponents and gave all of us respectful discipline when necessary. He was great in helping us dream about our futures and gave us one-on-one advice and held small group discussions on a variety of topics related not to baseball but to life. We had chalk talks on rainy days, indoor sliding practice on the floor of the field-house (now John Murzyn Hall), instructional eight- and 16-millimeter film on baseball and, after the rain, sliding practice on the wet grass. He made it fun to be a baseball player.
During the 50's and 60's and beyond, Columbia Heights was always competitive with the neighboring communities in baseball. (This is no longer true today.) I learned a lot about how to be a catcher from Joe Vancisin and thought I could compete in the Big Ten as a player but after my freshman year at the U of M, I found out that I was not good enough to compete at that level. I missed out on going to two Rose Bowls in football and also missed the 1960 NCAA baseball championship team by leaving the U of M. However, as I said I was not good enough to compete there and instead went to Augusburg College, where I was a starter in football and baseball during my junior and senior years.
When I was growing up in Columbia Heights I met another young man, who was a freshman when I was a senior in high school. He was also a catcher and we actually played on the same team after I was out of high school. He was a better catcher than I was and I went to the outfield that summer. His name was Ron Wojciack, and he lived in Northeast Minneapolis and attended Edison High School and later the U of M. He became one of the best athletes to ever come out of Columbia Heights and NE Minneapolis. His U of M team became the 1964 NCAA Champions. Ron played very well in that tournament - he had a 1.7 average on his throws to second base on steal attempts. (Big league catchers at that time were averaging 2.1.) There has never been anyone better in the NCAA tournament before or since. That summer he signed a bonus contract with the Minnesota Twins (and Angelo Guiliani). No one in our domain
knew exactly what he signed for but most believed it was $25,000. Ron never told us what it actually was and I never asked him.
Ron made everyone who was his teammate a better player because of his great work ethic in trying to always improve his game. This was a time before pitching machines and batting cages. Ron and I spent many mornings taking 7:00am batting practice with about 12 baseballs. First he would pitch to me and then I would pitch to him. Not only did we get better as hitters and bunters (we never neglected that part of the game), but we also developed our throwing arms. He never became a pitcher but I did some pitching after this. I was never very good, but as an adult I did pitch a nine-inning shutout once in amateur baseball.
One year after signing with the Twins and spending half the season in rookie ball in Florida, Ron was feeling weak and was sent home for a check-up. It was discovered that he had lung cancer and had little chance of recovering from the illness. He did go through the removal of two lobes of his lungs and chemotherapy, but it did not succeed. He and I had surgeries during the 1965 World Series when the Twins and Dodgers played here and in L.A. and did some walking together during our recoveries (my surgery was not as serious as his). He spent the last summer before his death finishing his degree in Fish and Wildlife Management out in the fields and sloughs of Itasca State Park. (Baseball was his first love but the outdoors was a close second.) On October 1, 1966, Ron succumbed to his illness. It has been 42+ years since his death and I still miss him. Who knows what kind of professional
baseball player he would have become.
Ron never complained to me about his fate in life. He did try to live his life with as much joy as he could. He died on the same day that my wife and I moved into the house that we still own. We were moving in when we got word of his death from his hunting and fishing buddy.
The Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters still honor him each spring with their annual sports banquet for the community's athletes and coaches or other prominent community people who have been important in promoting athletics in Columbia Heights. I received the first Ron Wojciack Memorial Award in 1967 at the first banquet sponsored by the Boosters. Many of the Twins players attended and we had Halsey Hall as our guest speaker. I have missed only one of these tributes to Ron since their inception.
I hope this inspires all of you to make the most of your life as I believe Ron Wojciack did with his.
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
Registration is now open for the 2009 Midwest Regional Swim Meet. Nearly 1,100 swimmers from all over the Midwest competed at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in the 2008 meet. We have added new events and modified our age and scoring system for 2009 - we hope you enjoy the changes!
If you would like to register or just need more information about this huge event, please visit the Midwest Regional Swim Meet web page or contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Gopher State Volleyball
The Gopher State Volleyball program is still underway! Listed below are the remaining events on our calendar for the 2009 season:
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 (see below)
April 4-5, 2009 * Gopher Challenge (see below)
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 Tournament of Champions
Has your team placed first or second in a volleyball event (league or tournament) this season? If so, you have already qualified for the Gopher State Tournament of Champions! This year's event will take place the weekend of April 4-5 at Burnsville and Apple Valley High Schools. Don't miss out on this opportunity to crown a true champion.
If you have not qualified, you are welcome to participate in our Gopher Challenge that same weekend. For more information, please visit the Tournament of Champions web page or contact Jessica Christopherson (see above).
MYAS Gopher State Wrestling
The 2009 Gopher State Wrestling Team Tournament will be held on March 1 at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights. This 16-team kindergarten through sixth grade tournament will showcase teams from all over Minnesota, as well as one team from Wisconsin. Please click here to access the Team Tournament web page.
More than 850 wrestlers invaded Monticello on February 7-8 for the 2009 Gopher State Wrestling Championships. The field included wrestlers from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and California. This year's event was a big success - we had great competition and the tournament flowed very well. The Gopher State Championship is truly one of the toughest kindergarten through eighth grade folkstyle events in the Midwest. Please click here to view more information.
If you need further information, please contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The MYAS currently conducts the Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship in late October and early November. We are attempting to further develop our football program (for example, adding a Gopher State 7-on-7 passing league) to best suit the needs of the participants in the state of Minnesota.
We are continually looking to update our football contact information. If you are interested in receiving information about the MYAS football program, please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
Football Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school football rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck!
1. Player A1 drops back and throws a screen pass to Flanker A2 who is behind the neutral zone. Player B2 has come across the line and deflects the pass so that its flight is altered and the pass goes beyond the neutral zone. Ineligible A8 has gone beyond the expanded neutral zone before the pass is released. What is the ruling?
2. Player A1 throws a pass that is touched behind the neutral zone by Player B7. The pass touches ineligible Player A2 beyond the neutral zone and falls incomplete. What is the ruling?
3. Player A81 goes downfield and pushes off Player B22 (pushes him away from A81 to help him make his cut) and cuts toward the sideline and catches Player A1's pass. A81's push occured prior to Player B4 tipping the pass. What is the ruling?
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight four basic basketball playing rules. The answers are posted later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link). Good luck!
1. Can a cast be worn on the wrist or hand if covered with padding?
2. Team A is awarded the ball for a throw-in under the alternating procedure. Player A1 commits a violation. What is the ruling?
3. During a jump: (a) Jumper A1 touches the ball simultaneously with both hands and then with one hand followed with one hand again; or (b) Jumpers A1 and B1 do not touch the ball until one or both have returned to the floor. What is the ruling in each case?
4. It is Team B's turn for the next throw-in under the alternating procedure. By mistake, Team A is given that throw-in. What is the ruling?
If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
The MYAS is looking forward to the 2009 Grade State Basketball Championships, and we hope that everyone will be able to attend our version of March Madness. This year's event is all set to take place on March 7-8 (girls) and March 14-15 (boys). The girls' tournament will feature a total of 423 teams spread over 30 different grades/divisions, while the boys' tournament includes 579 teams in 39 divisions.
Over the two-weekend period we will see 1,002 teams battling across the metro area for the elusive Grade State Championship. Games will be held around the metro at a total of 23 different playing locations. All of the pertinent information, inlcuding playing schedules, will be posted on the Grade State web page.
We hope to see you in the coming weeks for the 2009 version of March Madness...Minnesota Style!
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships
ATTENTION PARK & RECREATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION & IN-HOUSE DIRECTORS!
This is your final reminder that the registration deadline for the 2009 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships is TODAY - Friday, February 27. The tournament will be held on March 20-22; anticipated playing locations include Chanhassen, Cottage Grove, Edina, Inver Grove Heights and Minneapolis.
Please click on the appropriate link to download the program brochure or tournament registration materials. For more information, contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org.
MYAS Gopher State Spring Basketball
First of all, we would like to say good luck to all the teams that are participating in the upcoming MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships! As the winter season comes to an end, it's time to begin planning your spring schedule for participation in the 2009 Gopher State Spring Basketball tournaments. Our schedule has expanded to include tournaments into mid-July. The first weekend of play is March 28-29.
Teams are already being formed and tryouts are being scheduled. Click on "Tryouts Available" (under "Classifieds") on the www.myas.org home page to see which clubs have posted their tryouts. If your club/team is holding tryouts for the spring season and your team(s) will be playing in the Gopher State Spring Basketball program, please contact us and we will advertise your tryouts on our website.
New to spring basketball? Come to one of our spring basketball meetings to find out everything about the Gopher State Spring Basketball season. As you read this, we have already held two meetings; the final two meetings will be held March 11 at Wayzata Central Middle School and March 18 at the Radisson Hotel Bloomington (MOA water park hotel). Both meetings begin at 6:30pm.
If you want great competition and different opponents each weekend, if you want to 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 the MYAS Gopher State Spring Basketball program is the place to play. Don't be fooled by imitations!
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournaments
The 2008-09 Super Saver Basketball Tournament season is coming to an end! The one-day events began the first weekend of November and will wrap up on the weekend of March 7-8. It was a great year in terms of the number of registrations we received and quality of the competition.
Thank you to all the players and coaches who participated in this year's winter programs. We would also like to thank the hosts for providing the gym time and the workforces. We had the pleasure of working with a lot of great host groups this year.
Super Savers provide an 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.
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League
The 2008-09 MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League (formerly the BTBL and GMBL) is nearly completed, with just the boys' playoffs scheduled to take place on February 28 & March 1. The girls' league playoffs were held the weekend of February 21-22.
The Winter League provides opportunities for all levels of play. "A" (advanced), "B" (intermediate), "C" (beginning) and "Rec" (in-house) level teams can all receive a quality 12-game schedule.
Additional league information, including schedules, results and standings, is available on the Winter League web page. If you have further questions, please contact Kevin Wilson (boys) at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org, or Jessica Christopherson (girls) at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Minnesota Sports Medicine Tip
When Talking ACL Injury, It's Girls vs. Boys
By Aimee S. Klapach, M.D.
Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists, P.A., Edina & Minneapolis
Female participation in sporting activities has steadily grown through the years. With this increase in participation has come an increase in injuries. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is the main ligament that connects the thigh bone and the shin bone. A high number of female ACL injuries occur during non-contact activities and while slowing down, cutting and/or jumping. The International Olympic Committee found the risk factor of injury to the ACL in soccer was twice as high for females vs. males. Factors that seem to distinguish injuries in females from those in males include biomechanics, hormonal influences and anatomical differences.
- Biomechanics include activities such as cutting, landing and jumping. During these activities, it has been found that girls are more erect or upright in their hip and trunk when cutting and landing, bend their knees less, and their quadriceps (muscles in the front of the thigh) are significantly stronger than their hamstrings (muscles in the back of the thigh), all leading to more pull on the ACL. Females also experienced a higher rate of muscle fatigue that can lead to instability of their lower limbs.
- Hormonal influences continue to be a researched subject. Females are generally looser in their joints, and their muscles are not as stiff as those of their male counterparts.
- Anatomical differences also contribute to ACL injury in girls. The wider female pelvis means muscles from the hip to the knee pull at an angle more stressful to the ACL.
Fortunately, preventative conditioning can reduce the chances of girls suffering an ACL injury. Good programs include education of high-risk positions, technique modifications, strength conditioning, sports-specific agilities, balance training and proper plyometrics/jump landing.
If an ACL injury does occur, the goals of treatment are to prevent further knee instability and to return the athlete to her previous level of activity. These goals may be achieved through physical therapy, knee bracing or surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament, depending upon the initial severity of the injury. Although injuries in sporting activities are inevitable, increased awareness of proper training and techniques can minimize the risks unique for injuries in women.
Board certified orthopaedic surgeon, Aimee Klapach, M.D. specializes in injuries to the knee and shoulder. Her expertise encompasses advanced arthroscopic techniques and complex reconstructive surgery. Dr. Klapach is co-founder of the Women's Orthopaedic Center for the education and treatment of female musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. She sees patients at Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists, P.A. in Edina (952-946-9777) and Minneapolis (612-879-6623).
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
The Lovdahl Pitching Academy has one remaining camp date for pitching and catching instruction. The LPA has the latest in training techniques that are used by the Minnesota Twins. Walk-ups are welcome to attend this weekend in Roseville at Northwestern College's Ericksen Center. The camp runs this Sunday (March 1) from 1:00-4:00pm. Click here to access more information and the registration form.
We have two camp dates remaining with the Minnesota Baseball Academy in Rogers at the state of the art Competitive Edge Solutions Arena. The hitting camps feature Dartfish Slow Motion Video Analysis; participants will be able to break down their swings like the pros. What a great way to stay ahead of the competition! See below for the remaining hitting/fielding camps in Rogers. Click here to access the registration form.
Battery Mates Camp * March 1 * Roseville, MN
Try-Out Prep Camp * March 7-8 * Rogers, MN
March Madness * March 21-22 * Rogers, MN
Space is still available but camps are filling up fast! You can stay up to date with the latest camp information on the Winter Camp portion of the MYAS website. If you have further questions, please contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
Gopher State Baseball League
Welcome to the GSBL Nation! It's hard to believe that we're about to embark upon the 10th season of the Gopher State Baseball League, a USSSA sanctioned league. The season has snuck up on us and it's time to clean and oil up the gloves, wipe the dust off the cleats and bats and get ready for another action-packed season. The MYAS is currently gearing up for a dynamic season of our comprehensive baseball program.
Each year more teams join the GSBL due to word of mouth as well as the administrative services the league staff provides. The 2009 season looks no different, with recent commitment from new communities in the east and west metro areas and also the expansion of the league into central Minnesota. As of 2008, the GSBL boasted the largest representation of communities in a traveling league in the Midwest.
We are looking forward to serving as league administrators again this season and we're confident that the participants will be pleasantly surprised with this product. With the updated policies and current enhancements the league offers such as online rosters, team website, league website, online score reporting and rescheduling as well as berths through league play to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions and the USSSA World Series, the future of the league continues to be very bright.
For GSBL information, including the 2009 Team Classification Policy, Past Performance Analysis and Important League Dates, please visit the Gopher State Baseball League web page.
Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball/Softball Conference
The Gopher State Baseball League and the Twins Community Fund bring you the Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball/Softball Conference
The fifth annual Minnesota Baseball & Softball Conference, in conjunction with the Gopher State Baseball League, will be held on Saturday, April 25 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The Minnesota Twins, Play Ball! Minnesota and the MYAS/GSBL have invited all youth baseball and softball coaches from the upper Midwest, regardless of experience, to learn from former Twins and other familiar coaches and instructors involved in the game.
The conference schedule will include three breakout sessions as well as a general session. During the morning session, coaches will have the opportuntiy to hear from former Twins greats and local college coaches and/or instructors discussing specific breakout sessions related to baseball.
The general session will reconvene with lunch and an opportunity to hear from former Twins great and Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew. Up to 30 vendors will also be on hand to showcase their products that will be beneficial to everyone attending the conference.
The conference schedule is subject to change! More detailed information and fees will be available by March 2 on the MYAS website under Gopher State Coaches Training. You may also contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
North Star Baseball League
It is now just over one month until the North Star Baseball League entry deadline! The 11 current member communities are always looking for new teams and associations to compete with, so don't hesitate to contact the MYAS baseball staff to find out if this in-house league is a good fit for your community.
Over the past four seasons, our members have enjoyed the convenience and structure of the league scheduling and the organization of the league website and standings. Feel free to contact us for a testimonial from a current community to learn about how the North Star Baseball League has helped the workload of their local In-House Director and also provided a more exciting experience for their participants.
If you'd like more information regarding the 2009 North Star season or a more in-depth description of the program, please contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org. You can also visit the NSBL web page by clicking here.
Gopher State Baseball Umpire Training 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. We are excited to welcome back our instructors from last year's clinics: Jeremy Barbe, Mike Cantone, Brandon Jackson, Andre Lanoue, Jon Moynihan, Mike "Bugsy" Segal and Shawn Vellek. All these instructors are dedicated to teaching and are excited to share their wealth of knowledge with the up-and-coming umpires of Minnesota.
Student instruction will include baseball philosophy, mental approach and attitude as well as appearance and equipment. The clinics feature on-field training for the one- and two-person umpiring systems, which includes proper positioning and duties of the plate and base umpires. Every umpire will have the opportunity to participate in live drills where you will see the play and make the call. The clinic will also cover handling game situations, balks, ejections, etc. We will do our best to have you ready for opening day!
Every umpire who attends a Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic will receive an additional $6 per game for the 2009 Gopher State Baseball League. A $4 per game bonus will apply for the Gopher State Spring Training Series, 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.
For more information, including clinic dates and sites, visit the Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic web page. You may also contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org with your questions.
Gopher State Baseball Spring Training Series
Get your 2009 baseball tournament season kicked off right by entering your team in the Gopher State Spring Training Series! All Spring Training tournaments will be held as GSTC (Gopher State Tournament of Champions) Qualifiers, so two automatic berths per division will be awarded for our big season-ending event. Participating teams will all earn "GSTC Points" toward a possible At-Large berth which will be determined in June.
In addition, all "AAA" divisions will be run as Global Sports World Series Qualifiers, giving more teams an opportunity to gain a USSSA World Series experience without having to travel across the entire country.
Check out the Spring Training Series web page for tournament dates, sites and online registration information. You may also contact Tony Groff at 763-746-1728 or tony@myas.org with your questions.
Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) Qualifiers
Traveling baseball teams are now able to visit our tournament listings web page to view the complete listing of GSTC Qualifiers for the 2009 season. As in past years, each GSTC Qualifier will award two automatic (non-paid) berths to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions in July. All participating teams will earn GSTC Points that could earn some high-placing teams, that do not receive automatic berths, an At-Large berth (to be awarded in late June).
If you have questions regarding GSTC Qualifiers, please contact the MYAS baseball staff at 763-781-2220.
Minnesota USSSA Baseball State Tournament
Coming to a field near you in June! The Minnesota USSSA State Tournament provides traveling and in-house baseball teams the opportunity to qualify for a USSSA World Series event. At no other tournament in Minnesota can you qualify for your respective 2009 USSSA Baseball World Series and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) at the 10-17/19U age levels. The Minnesota USSSA will also administer 10A and 11/12A State Tournaments for in-house teams looking to compete in a tournament atmosphere in 2009!
The USSSA State Tournaments combine competitive teams and great venues, volunteers and awards not found at typical invitationals to offer an outstanding tournament experience for everyone involved. This will be a tremendous event to participate in regardless of whether your traveling or in-house team's intent is advancement to a USSSA World Series or qualifying for the Gopher State Tournament of Champions.
For more information, including tournament dates and sites and an entry application, please visit the Minnesota USSSA Baseball web page or contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Global Sports Baseball - a Division of USSSA Baseball
Global Sports Baseball will offer multiple World Series Qualifiers in the Midwest as well as World Series events in July. Global Sports will provide many teams an opportunity to play in a World Series event within a reasonable driving distance.
Due to the growth of USSSA Baseball, there is a greater demand for events than the USSSA can supply. Therefore, the USSSA created this opportunity for teams to stay closer to home and create lifelong experiences without the long distance travel and the need to spend additional funds.
USSSA Baseball recently announced that the 11 & Under Global Sports World Series will be held in Brooklyn Park, MN on July 22-26, 2009. More information regarding that tournament will be available soon.
Log onto the Global Sports Baseball portion of the MYAS website or the USSSA Baseball website to learn about Minnesota 10-14U qualifiers or to gather more information about Global Sports. You may also contact Dawson Blanck, Minnesota USSSA Baseball Director, at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Gopher State Fall Baseball League
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services will hold its 18th annual Gopher State Fall Baseball League on Sundays from September 13 through October 18 this year. Players may register as individuals, as a group or as an entire team. The league will be USSSA sanctioned for insurance purposes, meaning each team will be covered under a USSSA team insurance policy.
The MYAS baseball staff is partnering with the Minnesota Baseball Academy to offer another division of play for athletes at the 15-18U age levels. This new program will be called the Advanced Fall Baseball League.
Please call the MYAS baseball staff at 763-781-2220 or log onto the Fall League web page for answers to all of your questions. Updated information about the 2009 Gopher State Fall Baseball League will be available by March 13.
MYAS Latest News (as of 2/27/09)
REMINDER! Registration Deadline - Rec State Basketball Championships
Basketball Tournament Openings
2009 Gopher State Spring Basketball Meetings
2009 Gopher State Spring Basketball
Are You Looking For a Basketball Team to Play On?
Target Center - Play Where The Pros Play
Global Sports USSSA Baseball
2009 Gopher State Baseball League
Insurance - USSSA Basketball
MYAS Calendar Updates (as of 2/27/09)
Friday, February 27, 2009
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship registration deadline (Mar. 20-22 event)
Friday, February 27, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Season Finale Volleyball Tournament registration deadline (Mar. 14 event)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, February 28 & March 1, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League Boys' Playoffs
Sunday, March 1, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Wrestling K-6 Team Tournament
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Gopher State Winter Baseball Battery Mates Camp
Sunday, March 1, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament
Monday, March 2, 2009
Midwest Regional Swim Meet registration deadline (Mar. 28-29 event)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Southern Spike Volleyball Tournament registration deadline (Mar. 21 event)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Gopher State Baseball League Past Performance Analysis due date
Saturday, March 7, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Minnesota Showcase Volleyball Tournament
Saturday, March 7, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8, 2009
MYAS Girls' Grade State Basketball Championships
Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8, 2009
Gopher State Winter Baseball Try-Out Prep Camp
Sunday, March 8, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament
Saturday, March 14, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Season Finale Volleyball Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, March 14 & 15, 2009
MYAS Boys' Grade State Basketball Championships
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Gopher State Baseball League Board of Advisors Team Classification Hearing
Monday, March 16, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Spring Basketball Tournament registration deadline (Mar. 28-29 event)
Friday, March 20, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Volleyball Tournament of Champions & Gopher Challenge registration deadline (Apr. 4-5 event)
Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, 2009
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Southern Spike Volleyball Tournament
Saturday & Sunday, March 21 & 22, 2009
Gopher State Winter Baseball March Madness Camp
Monday, March 23, 2009
MYAS Gopher State Spring Basketball Tournament registration deadline (Apr. 4-5 event)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gopher State Baseball League 10-15U (AAA & AA) and 10-12U (A) team enrollment and fees deadline
Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29, 2009
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29, 2009
Gopher State Spring Basketball Tournaments
Monday, March 30, 2009
Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver Tournament registration deadline (Apr. 11 event)
Answers to Football Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations 2008 Football Rules Book and/or Football Case Book.
1. Since Player B2 has touched the forward pass in or behind the neutral zone, Player A8 is not downfield illegally (Case Book 7.5.7 Situation B page 55).
2. Illegal touching has not occured since Player B7 touched the ball in or behind the neutral zone (Case Book 7.5.7 Situation C page 55).
3. This contact can be ruled interference as restrictions for Team A begin at the snap (Case Book 7.5.8 Situation B page 55).
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. No. A guard, cast or brace made of hard and unyielding leather, plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance may not be worn on the elbow, hand, finger, wrist or forearm, even though covered with soft padding (Rule Book 3-5-2a page 26).
2. Team B's ball for a throw-in because of the violation. In addition, the possession arrow is reversed and is pointed toward Team B's basket. Team B will have the next throw-in opportunity under the alternating procedure. Team A has lost its opportunity by virtue of the violation. A violation by Team A during an alternating-possession throw-in is the only way a team loses its turn under the procedure (Case Book 6.4.5 Situation A page 51). Comment:
If a foul by either team occurs before an alternating-possession throw-in ends, the foul is penalized as required and play continues as it normally would, but the possession arrow is not reversed. The same team will still have the arrow for the next alternating-possession throw-in. The arrow is reversed when an alternating-possession throw-in ends (Rule Book 6-4-4 pages 48-49).
3. In (a), simultaneous touching counts as one, but the second separate touch causes a violation by Player A1 for touching the ball more than twice. In (b), it is legal; however, if the tossed ball contacts the floor without being touched, the referee shall toss it again (Case Book 6.3.7 Situation page 49).
4. Once the throw-in ends, it is too late to change anything. The possession arrow will remain or be pointed toward Team B's basket so Team B will have the next throw-in under the alternating procedure (Case Book 6.4.1 Situation D page 50).
If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
Important Association Services That Work!
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services offers three important services:
1. Association and Player Sports Accident Insurance Coverage
Association liability and player accident insurance are always concerns for youth sports organizations in our increasingly litigious society. Some associations spend a lot of money and others go into denial and “run naked” without even minimal liability coverage for their members. Yet if insurance is not obtained, the personal assets of the individuals running the association may be at risk. Many sports facility managers, especially municipalities and schools, will not permit the use of their property or facilities unless it can be demonstrated that youth sports associations are covered under an insurance policy. Without insurance, the opportunity for young athletes to compete in organized sports programs may be substantially limited.
The MYAS has partnered with J.A. Price Agency, an insurance company which has access to dozens of other insurance companies and can handle any type of business or personal insurance needs that your association/board of directors may require. The insurance provides options for all types of needs within your association/community. This coverage is an advantage no amateur sports organization should be without!
Examples of coverage include but are not limited to:
- General Liability
- Sexual Misconduct
- Participant Accident
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Crime/Embezzlement
- Automobile
- Umbrella
- Workers' Compensation
General insurance questions should be directed to Bob Blomster at 952-253-4311 or bob.blomster@japrice.com.
2. Criminal Background Checks
How do we protect our children? Reports of sexual predators and child abuse involving the clergy, day care workers and youth volunteers are all too familiar. Unfortunately, this includes a disturbing number of youth sport coaches who have a history of incidents of sexual misconduct and/or violence. This is a complex issue and many youth sports organizations are unclear about what to do or how to approach this threat, yet they must take proactive steps to prevent their children from becoming innocent victims. Don’t put your children at risk!
In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that $50 billion is lost annually due to employee theft and fraud. Youth sports associations must protect themselves from this threat as well. Don’t put your association at risk!
Fortunately, youth sports associations now have a simple and inexpensive tool to avoid some of society’s worst fears. The MYAS, with its partner RHR Information Services, has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. RHR, a local Twin Cities company, incorporates a “user-friendly” process combined with flexible information delivery to make this system easy and inexpensive for your organization. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org.
3. Coaching Education Program
The MYAS has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer youth sport associations and their coaches the Coaching Youth Sport education program designed specifically for youth coaches. It provides coaches with a solid foundation in coaching principles, sport first aid and sport-specific techniques and tactics. These courses are available for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and wrestling and can be delivered in the classroom or online. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org.
MYAS Sponsors
MYAS Membership Meetings
MYAS membership meetings are held at our offices (4111 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights 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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