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MINNESOTA BASEBALL ASSOCIATION, INC.
MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 12-13, 2005 HOLIDAY INN, ST. CLOUD
The meeting of the Minnesota Baseball Association was called to order by president Fischer at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud.
Roll call showed all directors present.
Motion Brennan, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as mailed.
In attendance: Mike Barry, Tom Heifort, Larry Sakkinen, Tom Johnson, Dallas Jelmberg, Murray Hermmson, Nathan Johnson, John Prondzinski, Chad Eischens, Steve Agre, and Rueben Nathe.
Tom Johnson and Murray Hermmson came before the board, asking if they could start up a new league. They would call the league Anoka County. If they could, they would like to be classified as class “A.”
They inquired about joining the metro class “A” leagues, but were turned down, because those schedules and tournament arrangements were already set up for the 2005 season.
After some discussion, motion Fiemeyer, seconded Forsman, carried, to approve this new league. Brennan opposed this motion.
They will be on probation for one year, and play as an independent league.
However, all MBA teams will be allowed to play them. They will have no post season play in 2005, and they will play under the rules of the MBA.
Teams in this league are East Bethel, Ham Lake Lanes, Lino Lakes, Soderville, and Maple Grove.
Motion Richter, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to re-classify Nathan Johnson, Jeff Nygren, Dillon Omdahl, and Rob Vitense, to class “B.”
In 2004, these players played with the Coon Rapids Mavs in the class “A” metro league, which has since folded. They would now like to play for the Coon Rapids Redbirds, that play in the Metro Minny. All players that played for the Mavs last year must get a release, and sign new contracts.
Letter was read from Region 16 and duly noted.
Motion Roufs, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the Austin Greyhounds tournament played Thursday, June 30, through Sunday, July 3 and approved all MBA teams to play non-MBA teams that are in the tournament.
Motion Fiemeyer, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to approve the Litchfield tournament to be held Friday and Saturday, June 10-11 and to approve all MBA teams to play non-MBA teams.
Motion Forsman, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to approve the following teams to play non-MBA teams.
(Austin Greyhounds) Chicago Prairie Gravel, Evansville Outlaws, Eau Claire.
(Austin Athletics) Evansville Outlaws, Chicago Titans, Eau Claire.
(Austin Blue Sox) Chicago Titans.
(Lake City) Winona
Motion Roufs, seconded Richter, carried, to approve Dan Ryks to play for Sacred Heart, only upon securing his release.
Motion Roufs, seconded Forsman, carried, to approve Alex Conboy to play for Sacred Heart.
Chad Eischens, representing Northwest Umpires Association, came before the board outlining their background, credibility, education, and what they are looking at for the future. For information on Northwest umpires, log on to their web: rgoodumpires.com.
The board looked at the draft survey, which was conducted, with 96% team response.
A motion by Fiemeyer, seconded Wegscheid, carried, that starting in the year 2006 class “C” would draft only two pitchers, one at completion of league play-offs, and one at completion of region play-offs. There will be a follow-up survey pertaining to this matter.
For class “B,” the survey was not completed, but a motion by Forsman, seconded by Roufs, carried to look at three different options, that only two pitchers be drafted, draft to stay the same, draft eliminated.
The Melrose Black Sox will have a new name in 2005, the Freeport Black Sox, their 2004 roster will be grandfathered in.
Correspondence was read from Rochester, with good news, that every thing is in the up-swing.
With no further business to come before the board, motion Hartmann, seconded Brennan, carried, to adjourn at 5:30 p.m.
Bob Zellmann
Sunday, March 13, 2004
The meeting of the Minnesota Baseball Association was called to order by president Fischer at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud.
President Fischer greeted the assembly, and the league supplies were handed out by roll call. There were 66 dedicated people in attendance.
Director Marv Fiemeyer reviewed changes that were made in the 2005 hand book. Some of the changes are:
• In regional, section, and state tournament play it shall be necessary that games go nine innings. If the game is called before the required nine innings, the game shall be suspended, and will continue from the point of interruption. The 10-run rule still applies.
• Only duly qualified teams of a league, having played a straight split season or intra-league schedule of not less than eight games per team, over a period of at least six weeks, shall be permitted to enter the region or section tournament.
• Starting in 2006, all leagues that have “C” teams must have a minimum of four “C” teams to be eligible for post season play.
The floor was open for discussion. The main topic was the slide rule, as there were some concerns on player injury. The board will look at this with interest in mind, however the pro-slide rule will be used for the 2005 season.
Brian Larson, chairman of the Dassel tournament committee, reported that Hutchinson and Dassel are ready to go. He handed out information on the two committees such as hotels, motels, campgrounds, and restaurants. They are looking forward to a great tournament.
Motion Richter, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to approve the pro-player questionnaire of Jason Kennedy to play for Monticello.
Motion carried to approve the pro-player questionnaire of David Burkholder to play for Monticello.
Motion Roufs, seconded Hartmann, carried, to approve the player radius for the Stearns County leagues to six miles, and no 10-run rule.
Motion Fiemeyer, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to pay Neil Schlagel $500 to operate the web site.
Next meeting of the MBA will be at Ultimate Sports, Waite Park, at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Motion Hartmann, seconded Forsman, carried, to adjourn at 3 p.m.
Bob Zellmann, MBA Secretary Treasurer
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