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MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
EASTSEDE VFW, ST. CLOUD
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22,2008

Meeting was called to order by President Richter at 11:00 AM

Roll call showed all directors present

Motion Brennan, seconded Barry, carried, to approve the minutes from the previous meeting as mailed.

In attendance was Brian Grupman, Eric Engelman, Bob Becker, Terry Fredrickson, Larry Sakkinen, Bill Schulte, Tony Beneke, Mike Pauly, Bill Nelson, Jim Johnson.

Eric Engelman representing the Plato Blue Jays came before the board asking that they be reclassified back to Class "C". After many questions from the board and after the board reviewed their schedule that they played against "B" teams in 2008 a motion was made by Hartmann, seconded Roufs, carried that Plato should remain in Class "B". Voting against the motion, Zellmann. Motion carried 8-1.

Terry Fredrickson of Elko came before the board with some concern to see if the board had decided what they plan to do with leagues that are left with only (three) C teams due to a team being reclassified. After a lengthy discussion a motion by Forsman, seconded Rademacher, carried, that in reference to the MBA rule book page # 6 Article 1 -(E) the new rule will read- starting in 2006 all leagues that have "C" teams must have a minimum of 4 "C" teams to be eligible for post season play. (If league is left with three Class "C" teams, as a result of the State Board moving one of their teams to Class "B", they will be able to continue as a 3-team league. The 3 team league will only be allowed to send one representative to the Regions.) Any exceptions to this rule will be reviewed by the board.

Next order of business was reviewing our sections and making some changes for 2009. A motion was made by Roufs, seconded Forsman, carried, to put (Elko) in Section # 5.

Motion Barry, seconded Hartmann, carried, that (Plato) be moved from Section # 4 to Section # 8.

Motion Forsman, seconded Kreger, carried, to put (Sauk Rapids) in Section # 7.

Motion Roufs, seconded Rademacher, carried, to move (Hamel) from section # 8 to Section # 7.

At the annual meeting the Section and Region commissioners had some concern on teams not completing their rosters. Their recommendation was for not complying, teams should forfeit their State Tournament check. They thought the $50.00 fine we now access teams was not enough. After discussing this matter to some extent, a motion by Barry, seconded
Kreger, carried, that a team that has qualified for the State Tournament and does not have their player roster filled out completely, will forfeit one State Tournament game share. Voting against the motion Hartmann.

Two other items that came up at the annual meeting were: 1). Renting lap tops to be used for scoring at the State Tournament. At this time we have no money amount what this would cost us or if it would even save us money. So the board will continue going ahead to purchase two lap tops as soon as possible. 2). to mandate each team in the State Tournament to buy a block of tickets to help attendance. This was tabled; the board would like to survey all options before making a decision.

A motion by Roufs, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the 2009 Calendar of Events.

The board next reviewed the MBA handbook and made the following changes.

(Page 6-Article 1-E) These changes you will find in the beginning of these minutes.

(Page 9-Article 1 -B) This is all new. The radius requirements for all players will be calculated using the web site www.gpsvisualizer.com (or a website that uses longitude and latitude for computations). The radius was set at 30 miles from players' residence to the ball park address. This will also change the college rule to a 30 mile radius. This is similar to the previous rule using (as the crow flies). However, the new rule is from (players' residence to address of Ball Park). The old rule was (city limits to city limits). This should clean up and make it easier to define the radius rule.

(Page 10-Article 9-(F) Added-(Class B teams will be given an option of using both 1). Their league schedules and 2) their section seeding games to count towards their 4 game eligibility,)

(Page 12-Article 11 -E) Added (A rural player who is a first year player will also be required to get a release. He must obtain his release from the community that is nearest his residence.) In years past a rural player did not need a release.
(Page 12-Article 11 -F) Once a player plays a game with a team in current season and then released, he can no longer go back to that team in the same current season without board approval.

(Page 14-Article 13-F) Tournament Sanctions - All events that bring at least four teams
together to play will require a Tournament Sanction form to be filed with the State Board
before the event is held. There will be (no fee) for sanctioning your event. However, failure to do so will result in a $ 50.00 fine. Failure to pay the fine will result in the team not being eligible for post season play. This event must be sanctioned before the 4t" Sunday in July. Sanction forms can be obtained from the MBA Secretary or the MBA website (www.minnesotabaseball.org)

(Page 16-Article 16- 1 -B) This was added- Unless it's a three team league, then the league will send only (one) team to the region play-offs. This rule is part of (Article 1 -E) which you will find at the beginning of these minutes.

Motion Forsman, seconded Kreger, carried, to approve all changes made in the 2009
MBA handbook.

Starting with the 2009 season, base coaches will be required to wear helmets at all teams while on the lines.

The board was informed that the Expo that was planned for the end of January was canceled. This was due to uncertainty on getting speakers and a site. Should there be any changes, the board will keep you informed.

Bill Schulte and Tony Beneke Tournament chairman from Gaylord and Arlington met with the board. They assured the board that their park improvements are near completion. Both sites are planning to sell advanced tickets.

The next meeting of the MBA will be January 3, 2009 at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud, Time (11:00 AM).

The Board would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy and Merry Holiday Season.

There being no further business to come before the board, motion by Brennan, seconded Barry, carried to Adjourn. Adjournment coming at 5:00 PM