BLBA MISSION STATEMENT The Big Lake Baseball Association's Mission is to provide an educational, safe, and fun environment for the youth in Big Lake to play baseball. In support of that mission, BLBA seeks to: • Serve and embrace players of all races, creeds,

color, nationality, or ability. • Provide a safe and healthy environment for all

players to experience the pure enjoyment of the game.

• Help players develop and improve their baseball skills so they can perform at their highest potential.

• Create a culture where honor of self, teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches is consistently displayed.

• Teach players to understand that the winning of games is secondary to effort and attitude.

• Equip our coaches with every necessary means to succeed.

BLBA VISION STATEMENT Reaching and developing our youth through teamwork, sportsmanship, rules of the game, and character building lessons that reach beyond the baseball field and into our community.

BLBA GOALS The goals of the BLBA include: • To support and be committed to all B ig Lake area youth baseba l l programs, both community and school.

• To encourage, aid, and support acquisition of facilities, equipment, and other resources for the playing of baseball.

Big Lake Baseball: www.biglakebaseball.comGopher State: www.myas.orgQuad City League (In-House): www.leaguelineup.com/quadcityleagueFor TEXT updates, text: @blba to 81010 or 612-351-6522

Uniforms: if you have issues with uniforms for grades 3-10, contact Jordan Tanner of Rambow clothing at 320-354-3643.

Pictures @ BLMS Grades 3-8: Sunday,

May 17

Big Lake Baseball 2020

Pictures @ BLMS Grades Pre K—2, 9th:

Sunday, May 31

Big Lake Baseball Association Baseball Tournaments The BLBA hosts tournaments which not only help us generate funds, but more importantly gives our players an opportunity to play against teams from other areas. Without this revenue, each participant in grades 3-10 would need to pay an additional $100.

Big Lake Tournament Dates June 5-June 7, 2020: 3rd and 4th Grade Traveling June 5-June 7, 2020: 5th Grade Traveling June 12-14, 2020: 6th Grade Traveling May 29-May 31, 2020: 7th Grade Traveling

2020 Player Try-Outs (your child’s CURRENT grade) 3rd Grade: Saturday, March 7, 2020:  Arrive by 9:00am—Big Lake High School 4th Grade:   Saturday, March 7, 2020: Arrive by 10:15am--Big Lake High School 5th Grade: Saturday, March 7, 2020:  Arrive by 11:30pm--Big Lake High School 6th Grade:  Saturday, March 7, 2020:  Arrive by 12:45pm—Big Lake High School 7th Grade:  Saturday, March 7, 2020:  Arrive by 2:00pm—Big Lake High School 8th/9th Grade:  Saturday, March 7, 2020:  Arrive by 3:30pm—Big Lake High School

Attendance is strongly recommended for all players of these age groups to ensure team placement that matches their skill level.

Umpire Information We are always looking for help with Umpiring. If you are in 6th Grade or older and are able to help out

and want to earn some extra money this summer, please sign up at

registration.

*Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 8:00am-11:30am. ALL INTERESTED UMPIRES must attend this Umpire Clinic. It’s free for all Big Lake Baseball Association umpires.

Location: 4-field Complex (if there’s rain, the clinic will be at the Big Lake Middle School)

Minnesota Twins Youth Clinic Date:  Saturday May 2, 2020

6-9 Year-Olds Time:  10:00 AM 10-13 Year-Olds Time:  11:30 AM

Location: 4-plex

Cost: FREE

In case of bad weather, it will be held at the Big Lake Middle School.

COACHING FOR BLBA

SELECTION OF TEAMS AND COACHES

Note about Evaluations: Attendance at evaluations is mandatory if a player wants to be considered for a traveling team. For players wanting to play only on an in-house team, evaluations are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged. Evaluation scores are used to help set in-house team rosters that are balanced in terms of player skills. Players in grades K-2 are not evaluated.

How Teams and Coaches are selected for Top-Tiered Traveling Teams (Grades 3-9) All players must be registered and paid before the evaluation on March 7, 2020, and any outstanding fees must be taken care of. The player’s best score of their initial or 2nd evaluation will be doubled to determine who will be in the top 10. Players who finish with one of the top 10 scores are automatically invited to play on the top-tier traveling team. The head coach will then complete the team roster by selecting up to 2 additional players from the list of players whose doubled score is ranked 11 through 16 after the 2nd evaluation.

The coach’s committee will determine the top 3 or 4 coaching candidates for the traveling team. Those 3-4 coaches will be able to attend the 2nd evaluation only.

Due to the small amount of room in the facility and for the overall benefit for the participants, NO SPECTATORS will be allowed in tryouts. None of the evaluators used are affiliated in any way with Big Lake Baseball and they do not live or have children playing baseball in the district. Only the evaluators will score the players, and no other input from any other sources will be used.   Each player is only identified by a random number placed on their shirt.

The men and women that volunteer to coach a BLBA team are the front line volunteers that make our association work. For many players and parents, their interaction with a coach frames their entire experience with BLBA. Because of that, BLBA seeks to select, train, and support its coaches in a manner that will help make the baseball season enjoyable for everyone involved. Our goal is to have a head coach and up to two assistant coaches for each team, regardless of age level. The requirements to be a coach for BLBA are relatively simple.

1. You must complete an application* 2. You must pass a background check 3. You must complete Concussion Training 4. Perhaps just as importantly, you must be

committed to working with your players and parents in an instructive, respectful manner.

*Anyone who wants to be considered as a HEAD COACH for a Traveling team (grades 3 through 9), must fill out an application and turn it in to the BLBA President. The application is on the biglakebaseball.com website under “Coaches.” Anyone interested in being a head or assistant coach of an “In-House” team (grades K through 10) must be declared through online registration or communicated to the BLBA president (with some exceptions for grades K-2). Receipt of a coach’s application will be confirmed by the BLBA president via email, text, or telephone. Coaches must complete their background check, concussion certificate, and any applicable applications/paperwork by Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 11:59pm, unless otherwise agreed upon by the president.

While it is most common for parents of players to serve as coaches, please note that the BLBA board reserves the right to assign a non-parent coach to any traveling or in-house team at its discretion. Also note that a person may only sign up to be a head coach for ONE team.

It is up to the head coach to pick his assistant coach and parent rep.  It is also up to the head coach to report t h e s e n a m e s o n t h e biglakebaseball.com website no later than Friday, May 15, 2020. If no names for assistant coach and parent rep are submitted by the end of that day, no volunteer hours may be allotted. Once names are submitted by the coach, NO CHANGES may occur.

Each team is allowed: 1 head coach per team and 2 assistant coaches per team (or 1 assistant and 1 parent rep).

COACHING FOR BLBA How Teams and Coaches are selected for 2nd-Tiered Traveling Teams (grades 3 -9) Once the top-tiered team for a particular age level has been selected, the BLBA board will review remaining participant numbers and solicit input from the Evaluation Coordinators and parents of that age level as needed to make a decision whether a 2nd-tiered traveling team is also warranted.

If, in the opinion of the BLBA Board, there is sufficient interest and skill level to also field an 2nd-tiered traveling team, BLBA will review the list of players and potential head coaches that remain after selection of the top-tiered team. If the head coaching candidates cannot reach an agreement on coaching assignments, the BLBA board (or its Coaches Committee) will select the head coach for the 2nd-tiered traveling team.

The 10 players with the highest score from either evaluations not selected for the top-tiered team will be automatically invited to play on the 2nd-Tiered traveling team. The head coach will then complete the team roster by selecting up to two additional players from the list of players who completed the 2nd evaluation.

How Coaches and Teams are picked for the K-2 Teams: Coaching and roster assignments for the Majors and Minors will be completed by the BLBA no later than April 24, 2020. Head coaches will be contacted by that date and required to meet on Sunday May 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm, at Field #6 to receive their team rosters and equipment. Head coaches for all K-2 teams must then contact their players no later than May 6, 2020.

When picking up the equipment, a $50 damage deposit will be required from each head coach. Upon successful return of all the equipment, the $50 damage deposit will be shredded.

Once a player is assigned to a specific team, they must play for that team and no other, with the exception of the Traveling Teams. Based upon his/her evaluation, a player may be invited to play on a Traveling team, but they are free to decline the invitation and play for an in-house team instead. This decision must be made within 48 hours of w h e n t h e p l a y e r s t r y o u t n u m b e r h a s b e e n p o s t e d a t www.biglakebaseball.com. If nothing has been communicated to the President after the 48 hours, the player will be committed to the Traveling Team for the entire season.

Complaint Procedures If a BLBA member (player, coach, or parent) has a complaint regarding an incident that occurred at a BLBA activity, or believe that one of BLBA’s policies or procedures has been violated, the complainant should wait 24 hours after the problem occurs before addressing the situation (except in cases of substance abuse, physical assault, and/or sexual harassment or abuse). *After waiting the 24 hours, attempt to discuss the problem with the person(s) involved and try to find a resolution. All matters should be kept internal and should not be discussed with outside parties. *If you are still not satisfied after the discussion with the said party(ies), you may file a written Complaint Form (found on the BLBA website) and submit it to the BLBA President with a request for appropriate action within 48 hours of the incident occurring. *Before any repercussions or discipline is handed out, the BLBA Board (a minimum of two board members) must meet with the offender. The meeting must occur within five business days of the submitted complaint form. The BLBA Board will meet and decide on what steps will happen next.

2020 Big Lake Baseball Association Positions BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS

COORDINATOR POSITIONS Equipment Coordinator: Keith Josewski (763-447-8408) Evaluation Coordinator: Outside Evaluators Field Coordinator: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Tournament Coordinator: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Umpire Coordinator: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Uniform Coordinator: Nicole Goedker (763-213-2086)

Majors/Minors Director (Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade): Steve Skoglund (612-760-5218) In-House Director (Grades 3-8): Lisa Bilben: 763-482-4574 Traveling Director (Grades 3-10): Thaddaeus Rousu (612) 644-0841

Refund Policy Although it is the desire of BLBA that every player that begins a baseball season with BLBA finish that season, we recognize that there are sometimes circumstances that prevent that outcome. Therefore, a full or partial refund may be given for the following reasons: • The player sustains a physical injury that results in a doctor’s determination (in writing) that the player should not

participate in baseball that season (before uniforms are ordered). • The player moves out of the community and can no longer attend practices and games without extraordinary effort

(before uniforms are ordered).

The amount of a refund depends on when during the season the situation arises. The refund amount may be pro-rated, and is determined solely by the BLBA Board of Directors.

NO refund will be given for the following reasons:

• A player decides not to play baseball at all because they tried out for the Traveling team, did not make the Traveling team, and now they don’t want to play for any in-house team.

• A player decides not to play because of the team they are assigned to or because of the coach assigned to their designated team.

• Grades 3-8 will be denied any refund beginning 24 hours before the Spring Tryout. • Grades K-2 will be denied a refund immediately after the “Last chance registration.”

To request a refund, please contact the BLBA President. Your request may be brought before the BLBA Board of Directors and a decision will be made on your request.

NSF Fees: Once a person has a check returned to BLBA unpaid, they will need to offer cash, credit, or money order to pay fees. The child is not able to play until the fees are paid or arrangements are made with the president. If two or more checks are returned the person must pay with cash, credit, or money order from then on.

Position Name Phone Number Term EndsPresident Robert Hoekstra 763-300-3337 August 2020Vice President Thaddaeus Rousu 612-644-0841 August 2021Secretary Nicole Goedker 763-213-2086 August 2021Treasurer Jaclyn VanHorrick 763-360-7778 August 2020Board Member At Large John Cusick 763-453-9488 August 2020Board Member At Large Steve Skoglund 612-760-5218 August 2020Board Member At Large Lisa Bilben 763-482-4574 August 2021Open

Open

Minors (Pre-K/Kindergarten) Cost: $50 per player Uniform Provided: Big Lake team hat and shirt; players supply everything else Coaches for all teams will need contact their players no later than May 6, 2020

Sunday, May 3, 2020, 6:00pm—Coaches receive equipment at Field #6

Wed., May 13, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., May 20, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., May 27, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Sun., May 31, 2020: Team pictures. Times are TBD @ Big Lake Middle School Mon., June 1, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., June 3, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Games @ Lions Park Mon., June 8, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., June 10, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Games @ Lions Park Mon., June 15, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., June 17, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Games @ Lions Park Mon., June 22, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Jamboree Style @ Lions Park Wed., June 24, 2020: 6:30pm-7:30pm: Games @ Lions Park Mon., June 29, 2020: 6:30pm-8:00pm: Games @ Fields 1 and 4 under the lights Mon., July 6, 2020: 6:30pm-8:00pm: Games @ Fields 1 and 4 under the lights (makeup date) Sun., July 26, 2020: 6:00-7:00pm: Turn in Equipment at Field #6—Coaches Only

Majors (1st and 2nd Grade) Cost: $50 per player Uniform Provided: Big Lake team hat and shirt; players supply everything else Coaches for all teams will need contact their players no later than May 6, 2020

Sunday, May 3, 2020, 6:00pm—Coaches receive equipment at Field #6

Tues., May 12, 2020: Jamboree Style from 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Lions Park Tues., May 19, 2020: Jamboree Style from 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Lions Park Tues., May 26, 2020: Jamboree Style from 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Lions Park Sun., May 31, 2020: Team pictures. Times are TBD @ Big Lake Middle School Tues., June 2, 2020: 6:30-8:00pm: Practice (ran by head coaches) @ scheduled fields Thurs., June 4, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Tues., June 9, 2020: 6:30-8:00pm: Practice (ran by head coaches) @ scheduled fields Thurs., June 11, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Tues., June 16, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Thurs., June 18, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Tues., June 23, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Thurs., June 25, 2020: 6:30-7:00pm: Practice; 7:00pm-8:15pm: Play another Team Tues., June 30, 2020: 6:30pm-8:00pm: Games @ Fields 1 and 4 under the lights Tues., July 7, 2020: 7:00pm-7:30pm: Practice; 7:30pm-8:45pm: Play another Team (under the lights - makeup) Sun., July 26, 2020: 6:00-7:00pm: Turn in Equipment at Field #6—Coaches Only

2nd Graders have the opportunity to play on a 3rd/4th Grade In-House Team. They must register as a 2nd grader for the Willie Mays league. They must attend the 3rd Graders FIRST evaluation and score within the upper 25th percentile of the 3rd/4th Grade In-House players to be placed on a 3rd/4th Grade In-house team. If a 2nd Grader does score within the upper 25th percentile, that player will be allowed to play up once--which means they would play Willie Mays 10U for 3 years. If a player does not qualify, BLBA will refund the Willie Mays registration fee and will play in the Majors division.

Team uniforms won't be passed out until all volunteer checks are received.

If you register AFTER April 25, there’s no guarantee that your child will be placed on a team.

For the Minors and the Majors divisions only, players requesting to be placed on the same team MUST indicate so during registration. Siblings will be guaranteed placement on the same team. An attempt to honor requests made by non-siblings will be made, but is not guaranteed.

If a date gets rained out, it will NOT be made up, except for July 6.

If you register AFTER April 25, there’s no guarantee that your child will be placed on a team.

*If a 2nd grader’s score finishes in the top 10 scores of all 2nd/3rd graders at tryouts, they have the ability to be placed on the 3rd grade traveling team. They cannot be a coach’s pick.

If a date gets rained out, it will NOT be made up, except for July 6.

Volunteer Fee and Parent Rep

•One goal of the Big Lake Baseball Association is to have everyone involved in order to keep our registration prices low. One way to keep the prices low is to have everyone volunteer throughout the season.

•Every family is required to submit a volunteer fee (check payable to BLBA, cash, or credit card) for $150.00 at registration including potential coaches and team managers (payable to BLBA, separate from the registration check, with your child's name(s) written on the check).

•Volunteer requirements are only one shift PER FAMILY (not per child) during the season. No shift exceeds 5 hours. Registrations mailed in will not be valid unless accompanied by your volunteer fee. Your volunteer  check will be  shredded at the end of the season (we will not return the check to you) if you volunteer a minimum of 5 hours. The Volunteer fee check will be cashed if you do not perform 5 hours of volunteer work during the season (and cashed immediately if you neglect to show up for an assigned shift).  If you do not intend to volunteer and wish to waive your volunteer fee  at the time of registration please write "CASH MY CHECK" on the memo line on your check.   This will allow us to hire any additional help that may be needed.

•If you neglect to show up for your shift, your check will be cashed immediately (or credit card charged). If you so choose, you can sign up for two additional shifts and you will be refunded half of the original volunteer fee upon completion of both shifts.

•Kids under 10 are NOT allowed to accompany parents in the concession stand (they can be nearby watching, but not IN the concession stand).

Even if the weather doesn’t appear to be cooperating, please show up for your shift. The volunteer coordinator will let you know if anything is canceled. If an event is canceled, you MAY get rescheduled to work another shift. Also, concession times are subject to change.

If you are NOT signed up for a shift by Friday, May 22, 2020, your volunteer check may be cashed. We need to fill a lot of shifts as early as possible, which is why signing up early is vital.

Refunds (for those who pay cash or pay online) will be handled by August 17, 2020.

Parent Rep. Responsibilities Your team will need one parent volunteer (other than the two coaches) to serve as the team’s parent representative. This parent will be responsible for:

*To be a liaison between your parents and coaches. If your parents are not able to go to the coaches with a problem, they should be able to come to you. Also, help the coaches call and distribute information to your parents, such as game or practice changes, etc.

*Use a Facebook site, Remind.com, or other free tool to organize team activities, games, snacks, events, etc.

Extra team help is appreciated and needed, however your time helping at practices and games will not count for volunteer time. The volunteer coordinator and/or the BLBA President are the only people that can approve your volunteer time.  If you have questions regarding your time or efforts of volunteering you may email the Volunteer Coordinator (blbafood@gmail.com).  Please don’t be mistaken and assume your time is approved if you have not spoken with the Volunteer Coordinator about your time and efforts.  You must have approval before you complete a volunteer opportunity.

Date Day Events

March 1 (Sun) Registration and Uniform Try-On - 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Big Lake Middle School Student Center

March 2 (Mon) Registration and Uniform Try-On - 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Big Lake Middle School Student Center

March 4 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes

March 6 (Fri) Pre-tryout Clinic: 6:30pm-8:30pm @ the Big Lake High School Gym

March 7 (Sat) Try-outs for Grades 3-9 @ the Big Lake High School

March 28-29 (Sat-Sun) Play Ball! MN Twins Coaches Conference @ Target Field

March 30 (Mon) Equipment dispersal for all levels in grades 3-8 @ the Varsity Field (#6) from 6pm-7pm

April 1 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes

April 5 (Sun) Gopher State Baseball Scheduling Session (Traveling Grades 3-8) @ Banquets of Minnesota, 6310 Hwy 65 NE - Fridley

April 12 (Sun) Grades 5-8 in-house scheduling session (6:00pm @ McPetes)

April 13 or 14 (Mon-Tue) Gopher State Traveling coaches meeting (Grades 3-6) @ Brooklyn Center; Woodbury

April 18 (Sat) Umpires' Certification Clinic - Big Lake 4-field complex (8:00am-11:00am); Rain: Middle School

April 20-21 (Mon-Tue) Traveling coaches meeting (Grades 7-8) in Brooklyn Center; Woodbury

April 23 (Thur) Gopher State Baseball Scheduling Session 9th Grade: 6:00pm @ Embassy Sweets—MPLS North

April 26 (Sun) Last chance registration for Kindergarten-2nd: 5pm-7pm @ McPetes

April 20 (Mon) Traveling teams can start games

April 30 (Thur) Traveling coaches meeting (9th Grade) @ Embassy Sweets—MPLS North: 6:00pm

May 2 (Sat) Minnesota Twins Youth Clinic: 6-9 Year-Olds Time: 10:00 AM; 10-13 Year-Olds Time: 11:30 AM; 4-Plex

May 3 (Sun) Major/Minors: Equipment dispersal and meeting (6pm at Field #6)

May 6 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes

May 11 (Mon) In-House Games Begin--Tentative

May 17 (Sun) Pictures for Grades 3-8 @ the Big Lake Middle School; 5-8pm

May 31 (Sun) Grades K-2 and 9th Grade Pictures @ the Big Lake Middle School; 5-8pm

July 10-12 (Fri-Sun) In-house end of the season tournaments in Becker and Clear Lake (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

July 26 (Sun) 2021 Tryouts for players entering 3rd-8th Grade; times TBD

July 26 (Sun) Equipment Turn-in @ Field #6 (Varsity Field): 6:00pm-7:00pm

August 5 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes; Elections

2020 BIG LAKE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION CALENDAR Important Dates and Events (DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)