Attendees:
Erik Hokenson
Jeb Myers
Greg Meyer
Emmy Lenzen
Mark Young
Sarabeth Denui
Brian McBride
Joel Abrahamson
Kim Lanoux
Mike Bendickson
Matt Farley
Call to order
Association, Board and League
Key updates:
• Registered teams with MBL
• Potential partnership / sponsor with Delano Wood Bats
Items requiring board discussion / vote:
• Player fee for the 3 part-time players. Motion to approve a half fee ($200) per player. Motion carried.
• Future operating budget creation and approval process on an annual basis. Projected in late July/early August, Initial in September post-tryouts, Confirm in October / November after elections.
• Codes of Conduct
• Motion to merge existing SLP Codes of Conduct with the MBL/MBT code of conduct so that there is one uniform code of conduct. Motion carried.
• Playing Time Requirements
• Pitch count 75 pitches max/game = SLP recommendation. 135 max/tournament (MBT) and 95 max/game for MBT and MBL.
• In Registration for 2019 be clear about refund policy.
Treasurer
Key updates:
• P/L reviewed for January/February 2018.
• Balance Sheet reviewed.
Items requiring board discussion:
• Received the bill for the coaches shirts, will need confirmation to pay
• Cross checking of team Slugfest payments
• From the coaches’ meeting: signed coaches contracts and completed W-9s
Secretary and Registration
Key updates:
• 71 active players are registered and rostered to teams
• Two additional players being registered (both being added to 15A)
• All team pages are live and include a list of coaches, players and all league and state tournaments (listed and included as calendar events)
• Sent the most recent list of teams that registered online to MBL
Player and Coach Development
Key updates: Player Development
• Last throwing session is on Friday, March 23rd. It has been wonderful having Twin Cities Coaches as a resource for all Winter Development sessions. (Sun Sailor may be doing a story on them).
• Team practices were on Saturday, March 10th run by coaches. 13s had about 20 players attend out of 25 possible. 14/15 year olds had about 12 players attend out of 46. We have one more March indoor practice prior to spring break.
• April 2nd goal for 13s / 14s. We have Middle School gym for team practices in April until fields are ready. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Coaches will be encouraged to do a lot of throwing, bullpens, team defense and offensive signs. Erik has detailed schedule …..need to add to team pages.
• Strong interest by 8th graders in HS baseball. HS rosters by March 22.
Coaching Update
• 13A set; 13AAA set.
• 14AA: Co-coaches Paul Shrewsbury/Rob Eberle with assistants Brian McBride and Joe Tront.
• 14AAA set.
• 15A looking for one more assistant.
• 15AAA adding Todd Dvorak, Brennan Wyatt and Andy Townsend as coaches. Andy Burnley and Greg Hynes are the assistants.
• Coaches meeting went well on 2/28/2018. Coach Kelly in attendance. Next one is 4/4/2018 to distribute equipment, keys and pass out schedule packet.
• Coaches contracts for most of the non-parent coaches were signed on 3/17/2018. Coaches shirts were also distributed.
Slugfest and Tournaments
Key updates:
• Mike is exploring sponsorships and other fund raising opportunities beyond Slugfest.
• Need two more teams at 15.
Umpires/Trusted Coaches
Key updates:
• Only 2 coaches are outstanding on Trusted Coaches.
• We are working with Ty Carlson of SLP Little League on a plan to allow select Little League umpires to cover traveling games at 13AAA and 13A levels. The plan, if successful, will take pressure off BT Umps and expand opportunities for SLP locals to umpire more games. It will also strengthen the good relationship we have with SLP Little League.
Schedule
Key updates:
• Game pre-schedules have been prepared for the upcoming coach’s meetings on 4/4 and 4/7.
• Jim Lombardi at the city confirmed field rights for DP and PF; he also stated no one else requesting access to the fields will be given permits for Carlson or LA until the traveling schedule has been reviewed.
• Erik and Emmy will review all team schedules and submit to Jim L. for his review on 4/11/2018.
Volunteers
Key updates:
• Slots mapped out. Will use Dibs this yer. 10-12 hours per family will fulfill requirement with each boy doing 1 shift of 2-3 hours. More details on Dibs next meeting.
• Uniform hand-out: conditioned on $300 volunteer deposit check.
• Site Directors: 2 per site; Each SD will grab 2 longer shifts (Friday, Sat 1st half of day, Sat 2nd half of day, Sunday); Training on 5/5/2018 at Wolfe Park. 9:00 a.m.
• Working to fill SD’s now.
Uniforms
Key updates:
• Sarabeth following up on logo issue with uniform company.
• Distribute uniforms at upcoming practices.
• Reminder white pants. Black socks.
Equipment
Key updates:
• 13AAA has its equipment.
• Brian working on organizing what is left to distribute to other teams.
• Brian exploring purchase of bands for each team.