EVAA Traveling Baseball Board Meeting September 14, 2015 Meeting
EVAA Traveling Baseball Board Meeting September 14, 2015 Meeting Minutes Attendees: Ryan Berg, Chris Tollefson, Rich Burr Jeff Boraas, Tim Brunner, Kim Bergland, Lori Zurich, Steve Martel, Jason Dobis, Steve Nelson Absent: Ray Longo, Tom Poppitz, Charles Jones, Simmon Schaefer Jason Hernesman, Eric Vande Berg, Rick Zellmer, Lynn Fering, Mike Tahnk Call to Order Started at 6:35 These are the 7 people leaving the board tonight: o Tom Poppitz o Tim Brunner o Charles Jones o Jason Hernesman o Steve Martel o Steve Nelson o Lynn Fering
Interviewed New Board Candidates: o Tasha Schmitt o Rob Neuenschwander o Dan McGrath o Kevin Brandt o Mark Groebner o Pat Martin o Rick Martin Motion approved for all 7 to join the board Open Forum Discussion regarding feedback from decision to balance the three 10A teams Initial concerns focused on the potential skill differential becoming a deterrent to individual player development. Feedback from the coaches and some parents indicated that “lower” skilled players were pushed by the “higher” skilled players and improved leadership.
1. White – finished in 4th place in their region, 8-8 record, run differential of +20 runs 2. Silver – finished in 6th place in their region (behind White), run differential of +28 runs, played on Sunday in 4 of 5 tournaments, took 2ndplace in a tournament and made the state tournament 3. Grey – overall record and run differential were not as good, but they made bracket play in their last tournament and then reeled off 3 straight playoff wins and lost in the regional playoff championship and took 2nd place overall In summary…we fielded 3 competitive 10A teams and can call the decision to balance the teams a success for the 2015 season. Further discussion will take place this winter to explore options of reinstating or expanding the concept for the 2016 season. Budget/Financial Financials appear to be in pretty good shape but we are working through the reconciliation process with the EVAA Big Board for 2014 and 2015 seasons. Tom will need to help with details (wasn’t here tonight) and will update at the October meeting. Bought 50 dozen used baseballs (MBT Tournament) Discussed overall field conditions and what could be done to make improvements. The question was asked if we should we be increasing our investment (Human Capital as well as financial) into our fields and facilities? Agreed to continue the discussion in October when we have a better understanding of financial position.
Cooperstown Clinic Chris and Rich conducted the parent meeting for the 2016 Cooperstown group August 19 th. There was strong attendance and 2 teams were once again approved to participate in 2016. Lien Dauk and Kim Bergland are co-chair Jodi Vandeberg and Kathy Bolger are housing Steve Weestrand is Fundraising Tasha Schmitt and Gina Janerio are Treasurers Kathy Bolger is Pins…and they are done! Currently have 35 families interested in going to Cooperstown Planning for the 2016 Winter Development Clinic is underway. Jim Egan will be running the Clinics at the Cages Clinics will be 16 weeks long Flyers are done and will be going in the Friday folders (at school) 2015 Cooperstown Wrap-up
Both Cooperstown teams had a great time Had Alex Foreman from AAA make the final round of the “Golden Arm” Both teams won 2 games Coach Selection Chris and Rich conducted exit interviews with 20 of the 22 coaches. Parent surveys produced a response rate below our target of 100% but in line with previous years (60%) Tryouts Dates are set… although we are not locked on specific times yet due to further confirmation needed from the St. Olaf coaching staff. Expecting to post final schedules in the next months or so. Equipment A request came in from an outside program that wants to use our portable pitching mounds (for fall ball). We agreed that logistically this was not in the best interest of EVTB and declined. We have 7 Eastview teams playing this year…Last year we had 1 or 2. EVTB provided catchers gear…but not baseballs. Agreed that Fall baseball was out of the scope of the Traveling Baseball program but that we would consider needs on a case by case basis going forward. We will discuss the topic further this winter to see how we can facilitate in the future. Logo Wear/Uniforms We will target Monday and Tuesday after spring break to conduct uniform night. Concessions We had better participation from parents this year at the MBT and August Classic tournaments. The number of volunteer checks that needed to be cashed was down substantially (31 total) The addition of supplemental help by the High School students was a good investment. Received multiple positive compliments from players and coaches. Coach Development/Skills N/A Handbook Chris and Rich will start looking into potential changes for the upcoming year. (Begin changes for January 2016 approval) League/Field Scheduling Apple Ponds might be a place to go to instead of Wild Woods
State/Aug Classic Tournaments Great job to Eric Vandeberg and Jason Hernesman! Both tournaments were successful and had numerous compliments. In regards to us selling t-shirts for MBT… we discussed the potential of dropping as it produces minimum return vs effort. We tossed around the idea having every kid get a t-shirt as a part of team registration Umpires NA Registrations NA Additional Issues/Business: NA Adjourn Meeting – 8:45pm Next Meeting – October 12, 2015 6:30 AVCC
Interviewed New Board Candidates: o Tasha Schmitt o Rob Neuenschwander o Dan McGrath o Kevin Brandt o Mark Groebner o Pat Martin o Rick Martin Motion approved for all 7 to join the board Open Forum Discussion regarding feedback from decision to balance the three 10A teams Initial concerns focused on the potential skill differential becoming a deterrent to individual player development. Feedback from the coaches and some parents indicated that “lower” skilled players were pushed by the “higher” skilled players and improved leadership.
1. White – finished in 4th place in their region, 8-8 record, run differential of +20 runs 2. Silver – finished in 6th place in their region (behind White), run differential of +28 runs, played on Sunday in 4 of 5 tournaments, took 2ndplace in a tournament and made the state tournament 3. Grey – overall record and run differential were not as good, but they made bracket play in their last tournament and then reeled off 3 straight playoff wins and lost in the regional playoff championship and took 2nd place overall In summary…we fielded 3 competitive 10A teams and can call the decision to balance the teams a success for the 2015 season. Further discussion will take place this winter to explore options of reinstating or expanding the concept for the 2016 season. Budget/Financial Financials appear to be in pretty good shape but we are working through the reconciliation process with the EVAA Big Board for 2014 and 2015 seasons. Tom will need to help with details (wasn’t here tonight) and will update at the October meeting. Bought 50 dozen used baseballs (MBT Tournament) Discussed overall field conditions and what could be done to make improvements. The question was asked if we should we be increasing our investment (Human Capital as well as financial) into our fields and facilities? Agreed to continue the discussion in October when we have a better understanding of financial position.
Cooperstown Clinic Chris and Rich conducted the parent meeting for the 2016 Cooperstown group August 19 th. There was strong attendance and 2 teams were once again approved to participate in 2016. Lien Dauk and Kim Bergland are co-chair Jodi Vandeberg and Kathy Bolger are housing Steve Weestrand is Fundraising Tasha Schmitt and Gina Janerio are Treasurers Kathy Bolger is Pins…and they are done! Currently have 35 families interested in going to Cooperstown Planning for the 2016 Winter Development Clinic is underway. Jim Egan will be running the Clinics at the Cages Clinics will be 16 weeks long Flyers are done and will be going in the Friday folders (at school) 2015 Cooperstown Wrap-up
Both Cooperstown teams had a great time Had Alex Foreman from AAA make the final round of the “Golden Arm” Both teams won 2 games Coach Selection Chris and Rich conducted exit interviews with 20 of the 22 coaches. Parent surveys produced a response rate below our target of 100% but in line with previous years (60%) Tryouts Dates are set… although we are not locked on specific times yet due to further confirmation needed from the St. Olaf coaching staff. Expecting to post final schedules in the next months or so. Equipment A request came in from an outside program that wants to use our portable pitching mounds (for fall ball). We agreed that logistically this was not in the best interest of EVTB and declined. We have 7 Eastview teams playing this year…Last year we had 1 or 2. EVTB provided catchers gear…but not baseballs. Agreed that Fall baseball was out of the scope of the Traveling Baseball program but that we would consider needs on a case by case basis going forward. We will discuss the topic further this winter to see how we can facilitate in the future. Logo Wear/Uniforms We will target Monday and Tuesday after spring break to conduct uniform night. Concessions We had better participation from parents this year at the MBT and August Classic tournaments. The number of volunteer checks that needed to be cashed was down substantially (31 total) The addition of supplemental help by the High School students was a good investment. Received multiple positive compliments from players and coaches. Coach Development/Skills N/A Handbook Chris and Rich will start looking into potential changes for the upcoming year. (Begin changes for January 2016 approval) League/Field Scheduling Apple Ponds might be a place to go to instead of Wild Woods
State/Aug Classic Tournaments Great job to Eric Vandeberg and Jason Hernesman! Both tournaments were successful and had numerous compliments. In regards to us selling t-shirts for MBT… we discussed the potential of dropping as it produces minimum return vs effort. We tossed around the idea having every kid get a t-shirt as a part of team registration Umpires NA Registrations NA Additional Issues/Business: NA Adjourn Meeting – 8:45pm Next Meeting – October 12, 2015 6:30 AVCC
