General Sports Baseball Expo (Saturday, Jan. 7th)

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Save the date now.  Put it on the calendar in red just so you don’t forget.  On Saturday, January 7, 2012 General Sports is once again hosting its Annual Baseball Expo.  This year’s Expo will be held at the Ramada Mall of America on the 494 Strip (2300 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN).  This is the old Thunderbird Hotel, located just north of the Mall of America.  The hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. 

This year’s edition will be bigger and better than ever.  Once again, there will be manufacturer’s reps from Easton, Wilson, Russell, Majestic, Rawlings, Diamond and many more.  This is the place to come and talk to knowledgeable baseball reps about any equipment from uniforms and baseballs to hats and bats.  There is no obligation to purchase from General Sports.  You can attend, talk to a rep, get solid information, and go home to your local sporting goods dealer to purchase your 2012 equipment. 

There will be section meetings, classification meetings, a State Board meeting and the day will be capped off with a meet and greet smoker/open house hosted by Northwest Umpires and the managers of Class A baseball.  All of the first class of inductees from the Class A Baseball Hall of Fame have been invited to attend.  This “Smoker” is for all Class B and C attendees as well.  Northwest Umpires and Class A Baseball are sponsoring this event for all three Classes who are attending.

General Sports will also have drawings and give-aways every half hour. 

Davinci Software will be on hand to hold two training sessions on the use of team pages on the MBA website.  The first session will be held from 9 to 11:00 A.M., with the second session in the afternoon from 1 to 3:00 P.M.  Davinci will show you how to establish a webpage for your team or league.  That includes everything from the schedule to team rosters and statistics.  They will also have YouTube integration training for your team to incorporate YouTube videos.  For more team website information click on this:  http://community.scoremonster.com.  Bring your questions and ask away. 

Timetable for January 7, 2012:

  • 9:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.  General Sports Expo and exhibits open
  • 9:00-10:00 A.M.          Class B Meeting
  • 9:00-11:00 A.M.          Team Website by ScoreMonster Demo and Q & A
  • 11:00-12:00 P.M.         Class B Business Meeting—Presentations and Q & A on the business of running an amateur baseball organization.
  • 11:00--?                        State Board of Directors Meeting
  • 1:00-3:00 P.M.             Team Website by ScoreMonster Demo and Q & A
  • 3:00-6:00 P.M.             Northwest Umpires and Class A Social—(meet and greet) Cash bar and munchies provided. 

Special Room Rates are available ($79.99/night) if you mention General Sports Baseball Expo.  This rate will be good for Friday and Saturday night.  

Meeting rooms are also available if your league, Region or Section would like to meet on January 7.  Call Shawn Vellek at 612-928-1764 for more information.