traveling and recreational baseball. So we designed our baseball program to be very similar to our basketball offerings. In other words, participation in the regular Minnesota youth baseball season (April through early August) was restricted to school or community based teams. Club teams were not allowed to participate in MYAS leagues or tournaments that were designed strictly for community or school based teams. As a result, athletes had to play with their local baseball teams and then wait for the off-season to play any type of club baseball. Note: To the best of my knowledge, all of the baseball league/tournament providers in Minnesota have adopted very similar eligibility criteria for participation in their leagues and tournaments. This system has worked very well for the past 25 years—until now. Read on. Frankly, we were one of the first organizations to see the value in club baseball, but only if the programs were conducted during the off-season. We have always believed that kids get better when they practice and play more. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with kids wanting to play any sport outside of the regular season if it’s their idea and they’re not being driven by Mom or Dad, or by some club director who just wants to fill their pockets with your cash. There can be many positive outcomes from participating with a club during the off-season. Most coaches will tell you that athletes usually make the most progress during the off-season and then fine tune their skills during the regular season. So in our opinion, club baseball does have its place – just not during the regular summer baseball season.

Continued on page 2

Please bear with me as I begin this commentary with a brief history lesson. Twenty-five years ago, we were the guys that were trying to build the AAU basketball program in Minnesota. In the early going, we met with a lot of resistance from high school basketball coaches. They were very hesitant to encourage the creation of non-school or non-community based teams. Their biggest fear was that these “club teams” would interfere with the status quo of youth basketball in Minnesota. Specifically, they did not want club basketball to replace the winter season school and/or community basketball programs that existed throughout the entire state. Those school/community based teams were viewed as the backbone of youth basketball in the Gopher State. I won’t bore you with all of the naysaying that we heard, but 25 years later I can tell you that some of the fears were unfounded and others were very real. In the end, we struck a very “unofficial” deal with the concerned high school coaches. We agreed to promote and develop club basketball as an “out of season” opportunity only. By doing so, we were able to keep the regular winter basketball season (November to March) open to school or community based teams only. In other words, clubs had to function during the spring, summer and fall months but would not be able to find a place to play during the regular winter season. This formula has worked very nicely for the past 25 years and I expect it to thrive for quite some time. For the sport of basketball, we have literally created a situation where kids, coaches and parents can have their cake and eat it too! We heard a lot of the same fears and criticisms from high school baseball coaches when we jumped into the world of

Dan’s Notes — from Dan Klinkhammer, Executive Director

Clubs vs. Community Associations February 16, 2015

MYAS Update

MYAS Update

Special points of

interest:

Trusted Coaches

Verification Program

available now! (p. 7)

MYAS Weekend at

Water Park of

America (p. 5)

Save 20% at Dick’s

Sporting Goods

Shopping Event (p. 2)

Thank you to all of our

sponsors! (p. 19)

Inside this issue:

Midwest Regional

Swim Meet 3

Midwest Wrestling

Tour Recap 3

Borton’s Big Picture

by Pam Borton 6

Trusted Coaches

Verification Program 7

MYAS Event Calendar 8-9

MYAS Basketball

Programs

10

&

12

Then and Now

by Larry Gallagher

14-

15

MYAS Baseball

Programs

16-

17

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services:

Youth Sports Done Right

“For the sport of basketball, we

have literally created a

situation where kids, coaches and parents can have

their cake and eat it too!”

Save 20% on the Gear You Need for the Season at DICK’S Sporting Goods!

DICK’S Sporting Goods has once again stepped up as a supporter of the MYAS! Dick’s has offered you, as an MYAS participant, their deepest discount (20% off everything in the store). The event will take place on 3/21/2015 & 3/22/2015 at any Minnesota Dick’s Sporting Goods location (10 AM - 7 PM Both Days). On these dates, DICK’S will offer our families and participants 20% OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE (excluding guns / ammunition). The link below will allow you to access the coupon for this discount-shopping event. We encourage you to pass this flyer along to the other families in your program. Print the coupon and present it at the register during checkout to receive the 20% discount. Coupon is good during event dates/times only.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS YOUR 20% OFF COUPON

Please make sure to show your support of this great sponsor by choosing Dick’s Sporting Goods

as your preferred sporting goods retailer!

The baseball scenario is different than basketball because of our short summer season. As a result, it would appear that some of the baseball clubs want to recruit kids and conduct their programs into that April through early August timeframe. We think that is a very bad idea. Why? Read on. If school/community baseball is the backbone of youth baseball in Minnesota, then why would anybody want to take kids out of the school or community baseball programs? Some club directors would plead their case as being a better option, with better coaching, more games, more opportunity to play at a higher level of competition and a better chance of being seen by college scouts. While some of that may be true, the overwhelming reason for clubs jumping into the regular summer baseball is because they can

make money doing it. FYI, I recently had a Minnesota club director tell me, “I need to make an extra $3,000 this summer and that’s why I’m advertising summer teams this year.” As shocked as I was to hear him verbalize that, I can at least give him credit for telling the truth. You can’t paint all of the baseball clubs with the same brush. Some of them are providing valuable off-season training and playing opportunities that do help kids reach their maximum potential, but others are in it for all the wrong reasons. We will be happy to help well-intended clubs create training and playing opportunities but we won’t lift a finger to help any club that wants to infringe upon those school/community organizations that offer summer traveling teams. We will not assist anybody in recruiting players away from any bona fide school

or community based baseball programs. It’s that simple. For what it’s worth, this struggle between clubs and communities has been a big concern in the world of girls’ fast pitch softball for quite some time. It’s a mess with a lot of hard feelings and confusion. We are hoping to avoid that same scenario in youth baseball. Lastly, the MYAS was created to be a service organization, with our primary clients being community youth sport organizations. However, we can also offer up some administrative assistance to basketball and baseball clubs; but we draw a red line that we will not cross whenever we see clubs doing harm to our primary clients.

Dan’s Notes — continued from page 1

Save the Date — Dick’s Sporting Goods Shopping Event

Page 2 MYAS Update

“...the MYAS was created to be a

service organization, with our primary clients

being community youth sport

organizations.”

Registration is now open for the 2015 Midwest Regional Swim Meet! This year’s entry deadline is March 9. The meet will be held March 28-29, 2015 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. This meet has traditionally drawn over 1,000 swimmers from numerous states. The meet will continue to be very competitive with two full days of action! Please make sure to visit the Midwest Regional web page for additional information and updates. Before the swim meet kicks off this year, make sure you take full advantage of all the pre-meet opportunities on www.myas.org:

Swimmers will be able to submit their art to design the cover of the 2015 Midwest Regional Swim Meet program.

Parents can give their swimmer a personalized “Shout-Out” that will run in the program.

We Got Game Sports Photography is currently taking preorders to have your swimmer photographed throughout their meet experience.

If you want to skip the admissions line at the meet, presale admission passes are being sold.

Lastly, make sure to get your presale apparel to guarantee you get the style and size you want.

If you have any questions, please contact Pat Reese at 763-746-1731 or patrick@myas.org.

Dan Gable signed autographs for over two

hours at the Hawkeye Nationals.

The Badgerland Nationals were featured on

a local television newscast in La Crosse, WI.

The Hawkeye Nationals drew 650 wrestlers

in its first year.

The 2015 Badgerland Nationals had 260

more wrestlers participate than last year.

The Gopher State Nationals drew 1,100

wrestlers, as it does each year.

We have built some great momentum as

we begin to plan for the 2015-16 season.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who

helped make the 2014-15 MWT a huge success!

Please visit the new Midwest Wrestling Tour

website for more information, tournament

results and photos. You may also contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.

The Midwest Wrestling Tour (MWT) encompassed the Gopher State Nationals, the

Badgerland Nationals and the Hawkeye

Nationals and showcased the phenomenal youth

wrestling that the Upper Midwest has to offer. Highlighting the Tour is the prized MWT Belt,

which is presented to wrestlers who place first

through sixth at EACH of the MWT events. The

quality of the belt is consistent with the custom medals that the wrestlers covet so much.

Listed below are some highlights from the past

MWT season.

The 2014-15 season was made up of the

Hawkeye Nationals (Waterloo, IA), Badgerland Nationals (La Crosse, WI) and

Gopher State Nationals (Monticello, MN).

Wrestlers from the following states

competed in the 2014-15 season:

Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois,

Michigan, North and South Dakota,

Nebraska, Missouri, California, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas and Colorado.

A total of 144 wrestlers earned the coveted

MWT Belt.

A total of 198 singlets were awarded to the

champions at the three MWT events.

Midwest Regional Swim Meet

Midwest Wrestling Tour Events — Season in Review

The entry

deadline for the

2015 Midwest

Regional Swim

Meet is Monday,

March 9!

Page 3 MYAS Update

Page 4 MYAS Update

Goldy’s Locker Room: A Minnesota Business for Minnesota Families

February 2015

Goldy’s Locker Room is a Minnesota based specialty retail company with nearly 30 years of history in the Twin

Cities. We are committed to keeping our customers looking great in the latest trends with high quality apparel

designed for Minnesota sports fans. As the official apparel vendor for the University of Minnesota, we provide all

the apparel concession at the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s sporting events. We are licensed by the

NCAA to produce University of Minnesota merchandise and carry our own line of private label apparel which

includes sweatshirts, t-shirts, and active wear. This allows us to offer an exclusive and expansive selection of

Gopher products. These designs are created by our team of graphic artists and embellished in our west metro

production facility. The combination of our high-quality garments and careful craftsmanship results in outstanding

products you and your family will enjoy wearing.

Goldy’s Locker Room is also a leading merchant of Minnesota pro-team apparel. There are 12 locations around

the metro area, including Hockey Minnesota in the MOA, Name of the Game in the Burnsville Center, and our

flagship store at the TCF Bank Stadium. Whether you’re looking for Gophers, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves,

Twins, St. Paul Saints, or the Swarm, Goldy’s Locker Room offers something for every sports fan. Make Goldy’s

Locker Room your one-stop-shop for the whole family! Click here for a complete list of locations.

Goldy’s Locker Room is a proud sponsor of MYAS and invites you to come check us out! We carry an extensive

line of hometown team apparel for the whole family, including women and children. We offer more than just

Minnesota Gophers items. You’ll find the latest styles and trends for the Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, Vikings,

Saints, and even the Swarm! You can also visit us on-line at www.goldyslockerroom.com to purchase University of

Minnesota apparel and novelties.

Follow us on

It’s almost time for one of the most popular events on the MYAS calendar! Thousands of people have attended our Water Park of America Weekends in past years and the feedback has always been very positive. Once again we are able to offer wristbands for the low price of $10 each. The regular price is typically around $25 per person so the savings are tremendous. Please click here for the event flyer and registration form. You are welcome to bring as large of a group as you want, and feel free to pass on this offer to others you know who might be interested. Thanks so much to the Water Park of America for allowing us to do this great promotion once again! We hope to see you there!

“YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.” Sometimes paying the “lowest price” can be extremely short-sighted. For example, some of our competitors sell their “Large” pizzas for $5.99 (if you buy two) or even $5.00. But what are you paying for? A lot of doughy crust, low-grade meats, slimy veggies and a coating of tomato sauce. To stay in business, these places only buy lower grade ingredients and store it in massive warehouses, thousands of miles away. They scrimp on the portions they put on your pie, because they have to. But

DAVANNI’S isn’t about cheap. Our deep dish and thin crusts are made fresh at our own, local Oven Hearth Bakery in Saint Paul. Our traditional crusts are hand pounded after you place your order! DAVANNI’S uses only the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients. And we pile ‘em on. And on. Also, the other guys won’t point out that their “Large” is actually the same size/weight as our “Medium.” In fact, if you weighed one of their “Larges” vs. one of our “Mediums”, ours would probably weigh more. You teach your kids to compete hard. You work your butt off coaching. You don’t cut corners. You don’t take short cuts. So, why “celebrate” a victory or a championship with a crappy pizza? Doesn’t that cheapen your victory? But hey, we CAN help you pay less. Contact me at thuberty@davannis.com. I’d love to send you some loyalty coupons to reward you for rewarding your kids.

Page 5 MYAS Update

Your Spring Break Purchases Can Benefit the MYAS! Heading out of town for Spring Break? Beach or mountains, shop for apparel, gear and travel with iMyne and you'll earn automatic donations and cash back for the MYAS. Use our link to get started: https://imyne.com/MYAS. Your favorite retailers like Target, REI, Hotels.com, Nordstrom, Kohl's, Macy's, Amazon and 100s more all participate! Join us and shop your heart out with iMyne for the MYAS!

MYAS Weekend at Water Park of America

By Pam Borton, Founder Building confidence and courage is one of the most important things we can do for our young people. This is the number one aspect that many girls lack growing up and struggle with throughout their young lives and into adulthood. It is important for parents, teachers and coaches to instill confidence and courage in your kids at a young age. There is so much research about positive psychology and focusing on strengths instead of the things someone cannot do. We start developing our youth in sports at a young age in every sport imaginable. The Leadership Sports Winners Academy for Girls (LSWAG) is committed to developing leadership skills and building confidence in our girls. This is so important to our future in balancing leadership in companies and organizations across the country with more women in leadership positions. There will be more women leading and LSWAG will play a role in preparing them. I continue to hear stories from parents and their daughters about situations they are put in by their coaches, other girls, their friends, and other parents. Our girls are the future. Let’s build them up, inspire them, and support them. Tearing them down, humiliating them in front of others, or failing to develop them as whole people is not preparing them for success. The Leadership Academy will be held in the spring and fall this year: April 24 & 25 in Eden Prairie, and on dates TBD in September. We have great partnerships and tremendous support for LSWAG; our mission and values align with many in the community. Our focus is developing and coaching leadership and fitness for our youth – our future generation of leaders. I hope to see your daughters at the next Leadership Academy for girls. Building confidence and putting them in leadership positions now is only preparing them for a successful future.

Spring LSWAG: Twin Cities Orthopedics Facility – Eden Prairie Friday, April 24: 6:00-9:00pm & Saturday, April 25: 9:00am-12:00pm Grades 5-12

Borton’s Big Picture

Leadership Sports Winners Academy for Girls — LSWAG

Page 6 MYAS Update

“Our girls are the future. Let’s

build them up, inspire them, and support

them.”

http://lswag.org

Executive Director:

Jennifer Hartigan

Jennifer@lswag.org

Founder:

Pam Borton

pam@pambortonpartners.com

The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services is proud to present the Trusted Coaches Verification Program. This program has been built to offer the most up-to-date training tools necessary for youth coaches to be able to provide our athletes the safe, positive and productive experience they deserve. It is also designed to allow administrators the ability to monitor and manage their coaches participating in this program. The Trusted Coaches components include a nationwide background check, state-mandated concussion training, a first-aid training course, and the Positive Coaching Alliance “Double Goal” coaches' education program. This entire program is delivered online and can be completed at each volunteer coach’s own pace. The MYAS is proud to see this program come to fruition but we could not have created it without our “Trusted” Partners that have helped us build, mold and present this online training tool for any youth volunteer coach. Our partners include the Positive Coaching Alliance,

the National Sports Center, Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care, the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, and the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association. We are also excited to announce that 16-year veteran of the MYAS staff, Dawson Blanck, has been reassigned as Executive Director of the Trusted Coaches Verification Program. Dawson previously held the titles of Gopher State Baseball Commissioner and MYAS Baseball Director. We are excited to see him in this role and feel that it is a great fit for him because of his experience as a youth sports administrator, coach, and former athlete. Please log on to the TC website at www.trustedcoaches.org to view the entire Trusted Coaches program. If you would like more information regarding the Trusted Coaches Verification Program, do not hesitate to contact Dawson Blanck at dawson@myas.org or 763-746-1719.

At Premium Waters, we think that our success is not just measured in dollars and cents but to be truly successful, we need to be an active participant with you, our customer. You can be sure that we’re not just in your community; we’re a part of it, which is why we are proud to announce our partnership with Minnesota Youth Athletic Services and Wisconsin Sports Services as the Official Water Sponsor. You may recognize a few of our superior brands,

Chippewa Springs, Kandiyohi and Nature’s Crystal. We know your health is important to you so quality is our top priority. We maintain high standards with protected sources, rigorous purification processes, reliable sanitization and testing procedures, and strict quality control measures. Feel free to check out our website, www.premiumwaters.com, for further information.

Trusted Coaches Verification Program

“This program has

been built to offer

the most up-to-date

training tools

necessary for youth

coaches to be able to

provide our athletes

the safe, positive and

productive

experience they

deserve.”

Page 7 MYAS Update

February 21 MYAS Travel Lite Super Saver Basketball Tournament; various grades/divisions/sites

March 4 Entry Deadline: MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships (March 21-22 event)

7 MYAS Travel Lite Boys Super Saver Basketball Tournament; various grades/divisions/sites

7-8 MYAS Girls Grade State Basketball Championships; various grades/divisions/sites

9 Entry Deadline: Midwest Regional Swim Meet (March 28-29 event)

13 Entry Deadline: Gopher State 3v3 Spring Basketball League (March 29, April 12/19/26 play dates)

14-15 MYAS Boys Grade State Basketball Championships; various grades/divisions/sites

16 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (March 28 & 29 events)

21-22 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships; various grades/divisions/sites

22 Gopher State Baseball Winter Training Camp; ages 6-14; 1:00-4:00pm; Fridley HS

23 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (April 4 event)

28 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

28 Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball Coaches’ Conference; 8:00am-3:00pm; Target Field

28 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 9:00-11:30am; Elk River

28-29 Midwest Regional Swim Meet; boys/girls 8U-18U; University of Minnesota Aquatic Center

29 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

29 Gopher State 3v3 Spring Basketball League play date

30 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational (April 11-12 event)

30 Entry Deadline: Gopher State Baseball League (9u-14u teams)

April 4 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

4 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 9:00-11:30am; Shoreview

6 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring BK “Ronald McDonald House” Invite (April 18-19 event)

11 Gopher State Baseball League scheduling session; 9u-14u; 8:30am-3:00pm; Banquets of MN, Fridley

11-12 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational; various grades/divisions/sites

12 Gopher State 3v3 Spring Basketball League play date

13 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball “Spring Challenge” (April 25-26 event)

13 Entry Deadline: Gopher State Baseball League (15u teams)

13 Entry Deadline: North Star Baseball League

18 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 9:00-11:30am; Fridley

18-19 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball “Ronald McDonald House” Invite; various grades/divisions/sites

19 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 1:00-3:30pm; St. Cloud

19 Gopher State 3v3 Spring Basketball League play date

20 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (May 2 & 3 events)

21 Gopher State Baseball League 9u-12u coaches’ meeting; 7:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

22 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 6:30-9:00pm; White Bear Lake

23 Gopher State Baseball League 9u-12u play begins

23 North Star Baseball League scheduling session; 6:00-9:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

23 Gopher State Baseball League scheduling session; 14/15A & 15u; 7:30-8:30pm; Embassy Suites Mpls N

25-26 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball “Spring Challenge”; various grades/divisions/sites

26 Gopher State 3v3 Spring Basketball League play date

27 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring BK “Box Out Breast Cancer” Invite (May 9-10 event)

28 Gopher State Baseball League 13u-14u coaches’ meeting; 7:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

29 North Star Baseball League coaches’ meeting; 6:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

29 Gopher State Baseball League 15u coaches’ meeting; 7:15pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

29 Gopher State Baseball League 13u-14u play begins

MYAS Calendar of Events

Page 8 MYAS Update

Page 9 MYAS Update

May 2 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

2 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 9:00-11:30am; Lakeville

2-3 Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitational; 13AAA, 13AA

3 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

3 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 1:00-3:30pm; Eden Prairie

4 North Star Baseball League play begins

4 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Boys/Girls Spring BK Championships, grade 3-6 (May 16-17 event)

4 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational, grade 7-12 (May 16-17 event)

9-10 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball “Box Out Breast Cancer” Invite; various grades/divisions/sites

11 Gopher State Baseball League 15u play begins

11 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (May 23 event)

16-17 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Championships; boys/girls grade 3-6; various divisions/sites

16-17 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational; boys/girls grade 7-12; various divisions/sites

16-17 Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals; 10AAA-12AAA, 10AA-12AA, 14AAA, 14AA; various sites

18 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Girls Spring BK Championships, grade 7-12 (May 30-31 event)

18 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational, misc. grades (May 30-31 event)

19 Gopher State Senior Baseball League scheduling session; 6:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

20 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 4:00-6:30pm; Spring Lake Park

23 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

25 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Boys Spring BK Championships, grade 7-12 (June 6-7 event)

25 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invitational, misc. grades (June 6-7 event)

26 Gopher State Senior Baseball League coaches’ meeting; 6:00pm; Embassy Suites Mpls North

27 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 4:00-6:30pm; Spring Lake Park

30-31 MYAS/Gopher State Girls Spring Basketball Championships; grade 7-12; various divisions/sites

30-31 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invite; boys grade 3-12, girls grade 3-6; various divisions/sites

June 1 Gopher State Senior Baseball League play begins

1 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 4:00-6:30pm; Spring Lake Park

1 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (June 13 event)

6-7 MYAS/Gopher State Boys Spring Basketball Championships; grade 7-12; various divisions/sites

6-7 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Invite; boys grade 3-6, girls grade 3-12; various divisions/sites

8 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (June 20 event)

10 MYAS/Gopher State Umpire Training Clinic; 4:00-6:30pm; Spring Lake Park

12-14 Gopher State Baseball Midsummer Classic; various ages/divisions/sites

13 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

15 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (June 27 event)

19-21 Gopher State Baseball Midsummer Classic; 13AA, 14AA; various sites

20 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites

23 Entry Deadline: Gopher State Tournament of Champions (“AA” teams)

26-28 Gopher State Baseball Midsummer Classic; various ages/divisions/sites

27 MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver; various grades/divisions/sites 29 Entry Deadline: MYAS/Gopher State Spring Basketball Super Saver (July 11 event) 30 Entry Deadline: Gopher State Tournament of Champions (“AAA” & “A” teams)

MYAS Calendar of Events

In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school basketball rules. The answers appear on page 15. 1. Player A1 steps on the free-throw line before releasing the ball in an attempt, after which Player B1 disconcerts. What is the ruling? 2. As Player A1 starts the free-throwing motion, Player B1 hurriedly raises his/her arms. In the judgment of the official, the action of B1 disconcerts A1 and causes the attempt to miss the basket ring. What is the ruling? 3. While Player A1 is attempting a final free throw, (a) Player B1 enters the lane too soon followed by Player A2, both of whom are in a marked lane; or (b) B1 on a marked lane space enters the lane too soon, then the shooter A1 steps on the free-throw line while releasing the throw. What is the ruling in each case?

The MYAS is looking forward with excitement to the 2015 Grade State Championships, and we hope to see you at this year’s event! We are witnessing yet another record-setting year, as we are once again up in numbers of registered teams. When all is said and done, we will end up with more than 1,400 girls’ and boys’ teams vying for a State Championship title! The 2015 Grade State Basketball Championships will take place all across the metro area on March 7 & 8 (girls) and March 14 & 15 (boys). All of the pertinent information – including divisions of play, playing locations, links to maps, tournament schedules, etc. – is (or soon will be) available on the Grade State web page. The MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships – no other experience compares!

MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships

Basketball Rules Quiz

MYAS Rec State Basketball Championships

The registration deadline for the 2015 Rec State Basketball Championship is just around the corner – Monday, March 2 – so don’t miss your chance to participate! This year’s tournament will be held on March 21-22 at various metro area locations. The Rec State Championship is held for boys' and girls' teams in grades 3-12 that participate in a city park and recreation, community education or in-house program. Teams in 10th-12th grade that participate in an in-house or high school intramural program are eligible to participate. No traveling teams are permitted to play in this tournament! The make-up of each team will be verified by their league director or supervisor of park and recreation. Please click here for more Rec State information, or contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org.

Page 10 MYAS Update

Page 11 MYAS Update

We are excited to introduce the following changes to our Gopher State Spring Basketball program.

Now FOUR Divisions of Play! Division 1 – Elite This is the highest level of play, consisting of the top teams from across the state and beyond. Division 2 – A This is the next highest level of competition, which includes the majority of community-based "A" teams and those "all-star" teams that are unable to compete with Division 1 teams. Division 3 – B This division is for the majority of community-based "B" teams from the winter season. Division 4 — C/Rec This division is for the majority of community-based "C" and "Rec" or “In-house" teams from the winter season. USSSA Team Membership The USSSA team membership fee is included in your tournament entry fee. Once the MYAS office has received a spring tournament entry fee, we will register your team for your 2015 USSSA team membership. Teams that need proof of liability insurance (which is included with your team membership) or teams that want to purchase the optional USSSA Sports Accident Insurance should contact the MYAS office and we will forward a copy of your 2015 USSSA membership and log-in information for the USSSA website. You will not need to provide proof of

USSSA team membership at tournament check-in, as we will handle it on our end. Coach Passes The 2015 coach pass fees are included in your tournament entry fee. Coach passes will be given to you at team check-in for your first Gopher State spring basketball tournament. Each team will receive up to three coach passes. The passes are good for the entire spring basketball season and they will get you through admissions at any Gopher State spring basketball tournament. A coach pass is required to sit on the team bench. If you lose your coach pass, you will be required to pay a $50 replacement fee. Grade Verification Proof of grade does not need to be provided at team check-in. However, we ask that you have grade documentation with you at the tournament in case a grade eligibility protest is filed. At the time of a protest, you must provide the necessary grade documentation for your players. Please see the Gopher State Spring Basketball Handbook for further explanation of the grade eligibility protest. We will accept any document or ID from the school that indicates the player’s name and grade. Code of Conduct – New Procedure Signatures for your team’s Code of Conduct should be completed on a printed copy of your online roster (entered via the Coaches Control Center at www.myas.org).

MYAS/USSSA Gopher State Spring Basketball

Page 12 MYAS Update

Page 13 MYAS Update

► CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE AD / ORDER FORM ◄

For as long as baseball has been around, there have been many times when the game umpires were not able to start, continue or finish a game due to injury or illness. What is an acceptable procedure for handling these situations? Well, history (precedent) teaches us that there are many options. One of them is to cancel the game. However, as in show business, the old adage is “the show must go on.” So in baseball, “the game must go on” also. This article will explore many of these options and some interesting things that have taken place as a result. Few if any want the game to be cancelled, so in most situations the teams would agree on a player, parent or spectator in attendance to continue the game in the place of the injured or ill umpire. However, in many situations there are two or more umpires and therefore, the rest of the crew would continue the game as if they did not have the one member missing. Rule 9.02b in The Official Rules of Baseball says no umpire may be replaced during a game unless he is injured or becomes ill. In the Major Leagues, this occurrence happens without many repercussions as there are four umpires assigned to all league games and six in all the playoffs and World Series. In 1935, Jocko Conlan was a backup outfielder with the Chicago White Sox. It was a very hot and humid day in St. Louis when the White Sox were in town for a doubleheader at Sportsman’s Park and playing the St. Louis Browns (later the Baltimore Orioles). After the first game, umpire Red Ormsby was overcome by the heat and this left his partner Harry Geisel to umpire the second game by himself. Conlan had a sprained thumb and was not able to play anyway, so he volunteered to do the bases. Ormsby was still too ill the next day to umpire. Conlan ended up subbing for him again and was paid $50 by the American

League. Because of this opportunity, Conlan decided that at the end of the 1935 season he would retire as a player and pursue umpiring. The next year he umpired in the New York-Pennsylvania League for $300 a month. In 1941, after a five-year stint as a minor league umpire, Conlan was hired as a regular umpire by the National League. He stayed at the job for 25 years, distinguishing himself not only for his umpiring skills but for making all calls with his hand and wearing a bow tie during games. He also has the claim of being the last National League Umpire to wear the outside protector. He was selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire in 1974. Now let’s explore what has been done besides reverting back to just one umpire or reducing the crew of umpires by one umpire. In some instances with only one umpire the game has been cancelled, but in most cases an assigner was called and another umpire was brought into the game. Sometimes the teams decided to have a fan come onto the field to finish the game or they appointed a player to finish the game as we saw in the case of Jocko Conlan. Sometimes both managers went behind the mound; each called the game only when their team was on defense. In the minor leagues when a crew of two was reduced to one for a game, each team supplied a base umpire and then the game was completed with three umpires. The one assigned to the game did the plate and the other two (one from each team) did the bases. There is no formal rule that umpires must rotate their jobs, working the plate one day and then doing the bases the next day. However, in the days when Bill Klem (HOF umpire) worked, it took 16 years before he chose to have his partner work the plate. He was a very well respected umpire but he was also very protective of his job as the umpire-in-

Then And Now — By Larry Gallagher

What Do You Do When an Umpire

Is Injured and Cannot Continue?

“…in show business,

the old adage is ‘the

show must go on.’ So

in baseball, ‘the game

must go on’ also.”

Page 14 MYAS Update

“Anyway you might

slice it, for the games

to continue after an

umpire’s injury or

illness a decision must

be made as to how

the game will be

umpired to its

conclusion.”

Page 15 MYAS Update

chief and had an ego to go with it. Anyway you might slice it, for the games to continue after an umpire’s injury or illness, a decision must be made as to how the game will be umpired to its conclusion. From this writer’s viewpoint, the best scenario would be to postpone the game if there was no suitable umpire to finish it. However, in some instances that would not work. So the best solution would be to get some player(s) to finish the game or an impartial fan that was capable of handling the job. At the amateur level, there is little money involved in the wins and losses, so it would be appropriate to make sure you get the best solution to the problem at the time. If the game has to be completed on that day, then in my estimation the best solution would be to have a player from each team handle the responsibilities. Here is to looking forward to the 2015 baseball season with great expectations. I will be starting my 55th year as a high school umpire this year. Let’s hope and pray for a much

better spring than the past two springs have been. Also, stay healthy so no one has to finish your game for you.

Editor’s Note: On January 22, 2015, Larry Gallagher became the recipient of the Play Ball! Minnesota Terry Ryan Award as a “Friend of the Game.” This award caps off a lifetime of excellence for Gallagher, as an athlete, teacher, coach, umpire and mentor. After 50+ years and numerous accolades both on and off the field, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Congratulations, Larry! Here’s to many more years on and off the diamond!

The answers below are derived from the most recent edition of the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication. 1. The ball became dead when A1 violated by stepping on the line; therefore, the action of B1 is not a violation. The ball is awarded to Team B out of bounds at the spot nearest the violation (Case Book 9.1.3 Situation F, page 72; Rule Book 7-5-2, pages 50-51; Rule Book 9-1-3e Penalty 1, page 54). 2. As soon as the ball misses the ring, it becomes dead. Since the free thrower A1 violated following disconcertion, a substitute free throw is awarded (Case Book 9.1.3 Situation G, page 72; Rule Book 9-1-3a Penalty 4c, page 55). 3. In (a), the violation by A2 is ignored and, if successful, the goal shall count and the violation by B1, shall be ignored. If the try is unsuccessful, the ball shall become dead when the free throw ends and a substitute free throw shall be attempted by A1 under the same conditions as those for the original free throw. In (b), a double violation is called and the ball is put in play using the alternating-possession procedure. COMMENT: Any time the defense violates first, followed by a violation by the free-throw shooter, the officials should consider the possibility of disconcertion (Case Book 9.1.3 Situation H, page 72; Rule Book 9-1 Penalty, page 55). If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.

Answers to Basketball Rules Quiz (page 10)

Page 16 MYAS Update

Gopher State Baseball League

The MYAS baseball staff is looking forward to the 16th season of the Gopher State Baseball League! In 2014, the Gopher State Baseball League had record participation numbers and we look for continued growth in 2015. With increased participation in the 9U league, “A” level leagues, and new teams/associations, 2015 looks to be an exciting year for youth baseball in Minnesota. All team entry packets/enrollment forms will be available on the Gopher State Baseball League portion of the MYAS website and were emailed to current Association Presidents/Travel Directors. If you need to be added to the distribution list or are new to this role on your association baseball board, feel free to email Pat Reese (patrick@myas.org) to provide him with an updated contact for your association. Continue to watch the Gopher State Baseball League portion of the MYAS website for all up to date information as we near the 2015 season.

Team Enrollment Deadlines: Scheduling Sessions: 9u-14u teams – March 30, 2015 9u-14u – April 11, 2015 15u teams – April 13, 2015 15u – April 23, 2015 16u and 17-19u teams – May 15, 2015 16u and 17-19u – May 19, 2015

Don’t forget about our Gopher State All-Star Series on August 7-9, 2015 for 13AAA, 13AA, 14AAA, 14AA, 15AAA and 15AA teams and the Play Ball! Minnesota championship game vs. Metro Baseball League for 14AAA and 15AAA league champions.

Play Ball! Minnesota Baseball Coaches’ Conference

The Play Ball Minnesota! Baseball Conference brings together both new and experienced coaches from the Gopher State Baseball League and other youth baseball organizations to learn new ways to teach their athletes the skills they will need to succeed. The MYAS baseball staff provides this coaches' training service to all GSBL head coaches as part of their entry in the league. The 2015 conference has been set for March 28 at Target Field. Keep watching www.myas.org for more details about this conference.

Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) Qualifiers

All AAA, AA, and A Gopher State Tournament of Champions qualifying tournament designations are now posted in the MYAS baseball tournament listings at www.myas.org. Each invitational tournament that has been awarded GSTC qualifier status is designated on the top of each age division tournament page under the MYAS listings pages. All GSTC qualifiers are provided two automatic berths to teams finishing in first or second place at their tournament. All other teams will receive points that will be used to award at-large GSTC berths at the end of the season. Do not hesitate to sign up today for a GSTC qualifier that provides traveling teams an opportunity to participate in our premier event, the 10th annual Gopher State Tournament of Champions. Please check out the Youth Baseball Tournament Listings on the MYAS website today!

Page 17 MYAS Update

Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals

We still have some openings in the 2015 Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitationals. All divisions qualify teams for the Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC)! All Spring Invitational tournaments are Saturday-Sunday only and all teams play both days regardless of how they finish in pool play. Some divisions will fill quickly so please get in contact with Tony Groff at tony@myas.org or 763-746-1728 with any questions regarding the events. Openings: 10AAA & 10AA – May 16-17 in St. Cloud 13AAA & 13AA – May 2-3 in Anoka/Ramsey 11AAA & 11AA – May 16-17 in St. Cloud 14AA – May 16-17 in Robbinsdale/Golden Valley 12AAA & 12AA – May 16-17 in Buffalo Visit the Gopher State Baseball Spring Invitational web page by clicking here.

North Star Baseball League

Community Directors, we are now accepting North Star Baseball League registrations. Last year’s North Star Baseball League saw 19 different associations and 88 teams participating in the 7th/13U and 8th-9th/14-15U divisions. Get NSBL entry forms along with the league rules, dates to remember and everything else North Star on our league web page. Important Dates to Remember: Team Registration Deadline – April 13, 2015 Scheduling Session – April 23, 2015 Coaches’ Meeting – April 29, 2015 This is a 16-game league that provides in-house and recreational teams the opportunity to travel and play against other communities of similar playing ability. Contact Bobby Strickland at bobby@myas.org for additional information on this league.

USSSA Gopher State Midsummer Classic

USSSA Minnesota Baseball is proud to announce its 2015 schedule. We look forward to the 2015 Gopher State Midsummer Classic tournaments that will combine great teams, venues, and host organizations to offer an outstanding tournament experience for everyone involved. This is a tremendous event to participate in regardless of whether you intend to advance to a World Series/National Tournament or your team’s only intention is to earn a berth to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions in July. The Gopher State Midsummer Classic has also been designated a "Double Points" tournament toward the GSTC. For example, if 12 teams participate in a Midsummer Classic, your team will receive six points just for participating in the tournament. This "Double Points" Tournament may propel a team with enough points late in the season to receive one of the few "at-large" berths that are awarded for the GSTC in July. Register early to secure your spot in this premier event. Applications are available in the USSSA Baseball/Gopher State Midsummer Classic web page. All dates and sites for the Gopher State Midsummer Classic are now available, including all registration information. For updated information on USSSA Baseball in Minnesota, continue to check the Minnesota USSSA/Gopher State Midsummer Classic baseball portion of the MYAS website.

Page 18 MYAS Update

Page 19 MYAS Update

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services

1011 Osborne Road NE

Spring Lake Park, MN 55432

The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, Inc. (MYAS) was organized in 1991 as a

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the delivery of youth sports services

to young athletes, coaches and parents. The MYAS is Minnesota’s largest multi-

sport organization focused solely on youth athletics, with more than 150,000 kids

participating in our programs each year. We are a central clearinghouse for youth

sports, serving as an information channel linking hundreds of youth associations,

coaches, and thousands of parents.

To promote sportsmanship, teamwork and cultural interaction through youth sporting

competition

To provide the highest quality athletic programs for Minnesota’s young people

To link regional volunteer youth sports programs with others statewide

We believe that participation in athletics is one of the healthiest and most cost-effective

options for helping young people make good choices about life’s many decisions. Youth

athletics, with its significant volunteer base, taps into the best that American culture has to

offer. When conducted properly, athletics help young people:

set goals that are worthy of their time, energy and focus.

achieve a sense of accomplishment and self esteem and learn valuable leadership

skills.

establish personal standards of excellence.

unite in group goals and common commitment.

build skills in empathy, humility, generosity and compassion.

learn life lessons both on and off the field of play.

OUR GOALS

Youth Sports Done Right

MYAS membership meetings are

held at our offices (1011

Osborne Road NE; Spring Lake

Park, MN 55432) on the last

Tuesday of each month at

9:00am (unless notified

otherwise). All MYAS members

are welcome to attend.

MYAS Staff:

Dan Klinkhammer

Executive Director

Dawson Blanck

Trusted Coaches Executive Director

Dan Craighead

Director of Business Development

Debbie Dahl

Gambling Manager

Mike DeWane

President; Education Director

Siri Forde

Office Manager; Newsletter Editor; HR

Tony Groff

Senior Program Director

Buddy Hemric

Associate Director of IT; Officials Training

Jeremy Innes

Senior Program Director

Dara Northfield

Chief Financial Officer

Rich Penick

Associate Director of Basketball

Joanne Powell

Administrative Assistant

Eric Rathke

Senior Program Director

Patrick Reese

Program Director

Bobby Strickland

Program Coordinator

Kevin Wilson

Senior Program Director

Phone: 763-781-2220

Fax: 763-781-1922

Web: www.myas.org