BALL Parent Meeting 2015
Welcome Parents! Chris Bentrott B.A.L.L. President
About B.A.L.L. Roughly 1,000 kids play each year Spring Lake Park and Blaine High School boundaries Ages 5 - 19 75 teams, 7 divisions B.A.L.L. is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. Affiliated with Little League International, Minnesota District 1.
Why B.A.L.L.? •
Kids learn teamwork, gain confidence.
•
Involved kids = happy, healthy kids.
•
Everyone makes the team.
•
Everyone plays.
•
All games are in the City of Blaine.
•
Competitive play, balanced teams.
•
Positive coaching.
•
Goals — have fun and love the game.
2015 B.A.L.L. Board •
Chris Bentrott, President
•
Tim Payne, Uniform Coordinator
•
Lisa Kauppi, Vice President
•
Nate Larsen, Player Agent (Minors)
•
Paul Ostenson, Secretary
•
Ben Neiger, Player Agent (Majors)
•
Rhonda Hlavinka, Scheduling/ Facilities (Rookies, Majors, Minors)
•
Dustin Dobitz, Scheduling/ Facilities (T-Ball, Instructional, Developmental)
•
Lori Clark, Treasurer
•
Jessica Villa, Volunteer/ Concessions Coordinator
•
Teri Charest, Communications Coordinator
•
Chris Otten, Safety Coordinator
2015 Commissioners Instructional (5, 6) — Josh Hodney Developmental I (7) — Brent Brooks Developmental II (8) — Ben Neiger Rookies (9) — Bob Hlavinka, Dave Charest Minors (10, 11) — Lisa Kauppi Majors (10-12) — Chris Bentrott Prep (13-19) — Scott Bilben
2014 B.A.L.L. Parent Survey Results
Overall, how would you rate your experience with B.A.L.L. this year?
5%2% 12%
48%
32%
Excellent - far above my expectations Good - met my expectations Average - neither good or bad Below average - did not meet my expectations Disappointing - far below what I expected
Coaches created a positive atmosphere, and were attentive to player development.
5%5% 6%
28%
57%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
My player improved his or her performance through their experience in B.A.L.L.
9% 11% 38% 12%
31%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
My player wants to keep playing baseball.
5%4% 9% 36%
46%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
Coaches
“To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.”
Coaches •
Volunteers
•
Selected through application process
•
One head coach, two assistant coaches
•
Coaches and assistants certified to recognize concussion
•
All have passed background checks
Coaches’ Pledge •
I will teach all children to play fair and do their best
•
I will positively support all managers, coaches and players
•
I will respect the decisions of the umpires
•
I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game
Positive Coaching Alliance •
Every athlete will love the sport at least as much at the end of the season as at the beginning
•
Every athlete’s skills and tactical knowledge of the sport will improve
•
Every athlete will get chances to test himself/herself in game situations
•
Every athlete will want to play the sport again next year
•
The parents will enjoy the season as much as the athletes
Parents
“Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.” !
- Yogi Berra
Parents Make a Difference •
The league will provide the structure, you provide the support.
•
Runs and wins are important, but having you there is what matters most.
•
There will be good calls and bad calls. Give coaches and umpires the benefit of the doubt.
•
Tips on how to talk to your kids about the game at positivecoach.org.
Tools for Parents •
Adopt a Tell-Me-More Attitude. Let your children know you really want to hear what they have to say, and then listen – even if you don’t agree with it or like it.
! •
•
•
Use Open-Ended Questions. “What was the most enjoyable part of today’s practice?” or “What worked well in the game?” ! Be specific. Avoid a generic "good game" and be truthful with praise, such as, "I saw how well you moved your feet on defense." ! Show You Are Listening. Make it obvious you are paying attention through use of nonverbal actions - make eye contact. Respond thoughtfully.
! •
Let Your Child Set the Terms. Forcing a conversation soon after competition, when emotions may still run high, is often less successful than waiting until your children indicate they are ready to talk.
!
Tell them how much you enjoy watching them play. !
Keep in mind… •
These are kids.
•
This is a game.
•
The coaches are volunteers.
•
The umpires are human.
•
Our kids are not trying out for the Minnesota Twins… yet!
Umpires Chris Otten, Umpire in Chief
2015 Season Update
Important Dates May 18 — Season begins (Ages 5-12)! ! June 1 & 4 — Team photos! ! June 13 — A Day of Baseball ! ! ! ! ! ! B.A.L.L. celebration at BBC! ! July 1 — 5/6 season end! ! July 2-7 — NO GAMES 4th of July week! ! July TBD— Ice Cream Social (Ages 5-6)! ! July 17 — Season ends (Ages 7-12)! ! July 18-25 — Tournaments (Ages 7-12)
Northwoods League
http://northwoodsleague.com/wp-content/uploads/images/news/ 3_WW_Primary.jpg http://northwoodsleague.com/wp-content/uploads/ images/
Northwoods Leauge
Collegiate summer baseball league that includes players from North America and beyond. All players must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid in order to maintain their college eligibility.
Age Rule Change Little League International required change. League age cutoff… !
WAS: April 30! NOW: December 31! ! •
Phased in - impacts players born after January 1, 2006. !
! •
Majors/Minors not impacted this year.!
! •
Rookie division larger this year.!
! •
Kids who “skipped” a level outnumber kids who didn’t in their division.
Full age chart on B.A.L.L. website
Other Season Updates •
Keeping dry-fit jerseys (96% approval in B.A.L.L. survey), adding smaller sizes
•
Splitting 7/8 into separate divisions
•
Full season - no All Stars
•
Same fields as last year — BBC, Aquatore, city parks
•
Some weekends, opens up more practice time
Sponsors
Mike Welch Minnesota Timberwolves Sponsorship Manager and B.A.L.L. Coach
New Presenting Sponsor
New Dugout Covers at BBC
Get Social with B.A.L.L. @BlaineAreaLL
www.ba-littleleague.org
Concessions Popcorn, hot dogs, soda, coffee, water, candy, seeds/nuts, soft pretzels, ice cream and SLUSHIES! !
B.A.L.L. apparel !
All proceeds support B.A.L.L. programs
On Sale Today! Sweatshirts $50 T-Shirts $15! Adult and Youth Sizes! Supports B.A.L.L. Scholarship Program
Questions?
THANK YOU! Have a GREAT season!!!
About B.A.L.L. Roughly 1,000 kids play each year Spring Lake Park and Blaine High School boundaries Ages 5 - 19 75 teams, 7 divisions B.A.L.L. is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. Affiliated with Little League International, Minnesota District 1.
Why B.A.L.L.? •
Kids learn teamwork, gain confidence.
•
Involved kids = happy, healthy kids.
•
Everyone makes the team.
•
Everyone plays.
•
All games are in the City of Blaine.
•
Competitive play, balanced teams.
•
Positive coaching.
•
Goals — have fun and love the game.
2015 B.A.L.L. Board •
Chris Bentrott, President
•
Tim Payne, Uniform Coordinator
•
Lisa Kauppi, Vice President
•
Nate Larsen, Player Agent (Minors)
•
Paul Ostenson, Secretary
•
Ben Neiger, Player Agent (Majors)
•
Rhonda Hlavinka, Scheduling/ Facilities (Rookies, Majors, Minors)
•
Dustin Dobitz, Scheduling/ Facilities (T-Ball, Instructional, Developmental)
•
Lori Clark, Treasurer
•
Jessica Villa, Volunteer/ Concessions Coordinator
•
Teri Charest, Communications Coordinator
•
Chris Otten, Safety Coordinator
2015 Commissioners Instructional (5, 6) — Josh Hodney Developmental I (7) — Brent Brooks Developmental II (8) — Ben Neiger Rookies (9) — Bob Hlavinka, Dave Charest Minors (10, 11) — Lisa Kauppi Majors (10-12) — Chris Bentrott Prep (13-19) — Scott Bilben
2014 B.A.L.L. Parent Survey Results
Overall, how would you rate your experience with B.A.L.L. this year?
5%2% 12%
48%
32%
Excellent - far above my expectations Good - met my expectations Average - neither good or bad Below average - did not meet my expectations Disappointing - far below what I expected
Coaches created a positive atmosphere, and were attentive to player development.
5%5% 6%
28%
57%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
My player improved his or her performance through their experience in B.A.L.L.
9% 11% 38% 12%
31%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
My player wants to keep playing baseball.
5%4% 9% 36%
46%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
Coaches
“To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.”
Coaches •
Volunteers
•
Selected through application process
•
One head coach, two assistant coaches
•
Coaches and assistants certified to recognize concussion
•
All have passed background checks
Coaches’ Pledge •
I will teach all children to play fair and do their best
•
I will positively support all managers, coaches and players
•
I will respect the decisions of the umpires
•
I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game
Positive Coaching Alliance •
Every athlete will love the sport at least as much at the end of the season as at the beginning
•
Every athlete’s skills and tactical knowledge of the sport will improve
•
Every athlete will get chances to test himself/herself in game situations
•
Every athlete will want to play the sport again next year
•
The parents will enjoy the season as much as the athletes
Parents
“Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.” !
- Yogi Berra
Parents Make a Difference •
The league will provide the structure, you provide the support.
•
Runs and wins are important, but having you there is what matters most.
•
There will be good calls and bad calls. Give coaches and umpires the benefit of the doubt.
•
Tips on how to talk to your kids about the game at positivecoach.org.
Tools for Parents •
Adopt a Tell-Me-More Attitude. Let your children know you really want to hear what they have to say, and then listen – even if you don’t agree with it or like it.
! •
•
•
Use Open-Ended Questions. “What was the most enjoyable part of today’s practice?” or “What worked well in the game?” ! Be specific. Avoid a generic "good game" and be truthful with praise, such as, "I saw how well you moved your feet on defense." ! Show You Are Listening. Make it obvious you are paying attention through use of nonverbal actions - make eye contact. Respond thoughtfully.
! •
Let Your Child Set the Terms. Forcing a conversation soon after competition, when emotions may still run high, is often less successful than waiting until your children indicate they are ready to talk.
!
Tell them how much you enjoy watching them play. !
Keep in mind… •
These are kids.
•
This is a game.
•
The coaches are volunteers.
•
The umpires are human.
•
Our kids are not trying out for the Minnesota Twins… yet!
Umpires Chris Otten, Umpire in Chief
2015 Season Update
Important Dates May 18 — Season begins (Ages 5-12)! ! June 1 & 4 — Team photos! ! June 13 — A Day of Baseball ! ! ! ! ! ! B.A.L.L. celebration at BBC! ! July 1 — 5/6 season end! ! July 2-7 — NO GAMES 4th of July week! ! July TBD— Ice Cream Social (Ages 5-6)! ! July 17 — Season ends (Ages 7-12)! ! July 18-25 — Tournaments (Ages 7-12)
Northwoods League
http://northwoodsleague.com/wp-content/uploads/images/news/ 3_WW_Primary.jpg http://northwoodsleague.com/wp-content/uploads/ images/
Northwoods Leauge
Collegiate summer baseball league that includes players from North America and beyond. All players must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid in order to maintain their college eligibility.
Age Rule Change Little League International required change. League age cutoff… !
WAS: April 30! NOW: December 31! ! •
Phased in - impacts players born after January 1, 2006. !
! •
Majors/Minors not impacted this year.!
! •
Rookie division larger this year.!
! •
Kids who “skipped” a level outnumber kids who didn’t in their division.
Full age chart on B.A.L.L. website
Other Season Updates •
Keeping dry-fit jerseys (96% approval in B.A.L.L. survey), adding smaller sizes
•
Splitting 7/8 into separate divisions
•
Full season - no All Stars
•
Same fields as last year — BBC, Aquatore, city parks
•
Some weekends, opens up more practice time
Sponsors
Mike Welch Minnesota Timberwolves Sponsorship Manager and B.A.L.L. Coach
New Presenting Sponsor
New Dugout Covers at BBC
Get Social with B.A.L.L. @BlaineAreaLL
www.ba-littleleague.org
Concessions Popcorn, hot dogs, soda, coffee, water, candy, seeds/nuts, soft pretzels, ice cream and SLUSHIES! !
B.A.L.L. apparel !
All proceeds support B.A.L.L. programs
On Sale Today! Sweatshirts $50 T-Shirts $15! Adult and Youth Sizes! Supports B.A.L.L. Scholarship Program
Questions?
THANK YOU! Have a GREAT season!!!
