Amateur

Meeting called to order by President Richter at 1:00pm.

Motion Brennan, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as mailed.

Members from Atwater were in attendance, Matt Tanner, Mike Walsh, Lucas Pickle, and Brian Kingery. They were not at the meeting to make an appeal on the sanctions handed down to them, but to get some explanation of the board's decision. They were also hoping the board might reconsider letting some of the players be drafted. The board explained that it is not an easy decision to make having a player or team be ruled ineligible, but we have rules to abide by and should we start making exceptions our rules wouldn't have much meaning. President Richter thanked them for coming, and wished them a great season in 2010.

The board next met with Chairman Tony Beneke, and Bill Schulte from Arlington, Gaylord. Items were discussed from selling tickets, to cutting grass. The board also inspected both parks and found them in great shape.

For State Tournament info on game schedule, weather, scores, etc. you can contact using the following numbers:
ARLINGTON State Board Trailer - 507-720-4219
GAYLORD State Board Trailer - 507-720-4220

People to contact for broadcasting games:
ARLINGTON Bob Thomes - H-507-964-2498, C-320-310-1922
GAYLORD Chip Wolverton - H-507-237-2492, C-507-327-6543

President Richter appointed Jim Von Eschen - Arlington to the audit committee.

Admission for this year's State Tournament will be (Adults) $6.00 (Students) $3.00 - one game or all day.
(Tournament Pass) 3 weekends (Adults) $40.00 (Students) $20.00
Passes can be purchased at the State Board Trailer.

Motion Kreger, seconded Hartmann, carried, to approve the State Tournament Schedule for 2009.

Motion Forsman, seconded Hartmann, carried, to approve the umpires for this year's State Tournament, they will be paid $180.00 per game for two umpires.

Motion Barry, seconded Kreger, carried, to approve the Pro Questionnaire of Shawn Wooten, he was released by San Diego, and signed with St. Louis Park on 6/30/09.

Motion Barry, seconded Kreger, carried, to approve the Pro Player Questionnaire for Chris Herbert who was released by the Saint Paul Saints, and signed with the Minneapolis Cobras in 6/30/09.

Motion Forsman, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the following players to play in a Wood Bat or Collegiate League and return for post season play, if they met their 4 game eligibility.

(Tyler Erickson) play for Alexandria Beetles, Tyler has returned to Miltona, but has since returned back to the Alexandria Beetles to finish out the season.

(Gabe Shockman) play for Wisconsin Woodchucks, return to the Moorhead Brewers.

(Eric Birch) play for Niagra Power in New York, return to the Rum River Bandits.

(Nick Judkins) play in New York Collegiate League, return to Elko. (Nick Judkins has returned).

(Ryan Peterson) play in a collegiate league with the Clarinda A's, return to the Savage Outlaws.

(Troy Larson) was released by the Mankato Moondogs, will play with a collegiate team in Kansas, return to Hastings.

(Jacob Kiebke) has returned to Detroit Lakes.

(Dustin Rode) has returned from active duty and will be eligible to play for East Bethel.

(Brad Bjerke) to play for the La Crosse Area All Stars, they will play the Military All Stars one game, this is to raise money for disability awareness, he will return to Winona for postseason play.

(Luke Rasmussen) to play for the Brainerd Lunkers, return to Miesville for post season play.

Motion Forsman, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve Pat Kelly to play in the area code games in California August 3-10. Return to Hastings for post season if he meets his 4 game eligibility.

Motion Hartmann, seconded Forsman, carried, to approve Cannon Falls to play the Cannon Falls Alumni on July 19th.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Kreger, carried, to approve the following teams to play non MBA teams.

(Soderville) Fargo Moorhead Spartans
(Victoria) Hopkins Legion
(Evansville) Evansville Legion
(Hutchinson) Hanska Bullheads

The board received info from Brent Stahlecher, manager of the Crookston Reds, that Ada was playing 4 ballplayers that were out of the radius. They were Andy Sadler, Sam Kinne, Anthony Kliniske, and Josh Green. The managers got together and agreed that if Ada would drop the 4 players off their roster, and forfeit the games they played, it would be okay. When contacted by the board this agreement was confirmed by Ada manager. The board ruled on motion Roufs, seconded Barry, carried 9-0 vote, that Ada and the players be ineligible for the 2009 season, their roster be frozen, no player can be drafted. Ada and the players must be reinstated for the 2010 season. Ada can play out their season schedule.

The board next discussed about moving the thursday night State Tournament games to the first Saturday of the tournament to be played at the 3rd site, this would be four games. The board will again address this after this year's tournament. If anyone has any comments on making this change, contact the board.

The board will be accepting applications for future State Tournament sites. These applications must be in the State Secretary's office by the end of this year's State Tournament. The years we are bidding on are (2013)-(2014)-(2015). Make sure to include the 3rd site on your application.

(Region-Section Commissioners) There are new State Tournament roster forms that can be downloaded on the MBA web site. These forms must be filled out completely and typed. Do not use old forms. (Commissioners) please check to see that forms are correct. (www.minnesotabaseball.org)

(Commissioners) must have team rosters before teams play their first game. Drafted players must be decided by midnight of the day section and region are completed.

The next meeting of the MBA will be Thursday August 20th, 2009 (1:00pm) at Gaylord.

The board wishes all teams the best of luck in your league and Region/Section playoffs. See you at the State Tournament. The dates are August (20-23), (28-30), September (4-7).

Motion Kreger, seconded Roufs, carried that the board will purchase the trophies for the Class "A" State Tornament.

The board sets new rules of conduct to be enforced during the State Tournament. These will be given to all teams as they advance.

Being no further of business, motion Brennan, seconded Barry, carried, to adjourn at 3:30pm.

 

Bob Zellmann
Secretary-Treasure
MBA

MBA Board of Directors inspected future Tournament sites.

On Monday July 13th the board traveled to Spicer, which is the standby site for the 2010 State Tournament. The board also inspected the Willmar park which is one of the host sites for the 2010 State Tournament. The board met with committee members and went over some of the issues that are required. The board was very impressed with both parks. On Friday July 17th the board will inspect Bird Island, the other host site for 2010. They also plan to make a stop at Glencoe, which is the standby site for this year's State Tournament.
The past two weeks the board has received a number of issues concerning player and team eligibility. With the season coming to a close and leagues setting up their play-offs, President Richter thought it would be a good time to address some of these problems.

President Richter called a special meeting to order on July 13th in Willmar at 6:30pm. All directors were present.

First order of business discussed was player Derek Dormanen who played for Midway and left to sign a contract with the Fargo Red Hawks a professional team. The Red Hawks released Dormanen the first week in July. The MBA requires that all players that sign pro contracts must sign a new MBA contract when they return, however, this must be done before the June 30th deadline. This brings the case a motion by Roufs, seconded Kreger, carried by a 9-0 vote that Dormanen will be ineligible for the remainder of the 2009 season. He will need a release from the Red Hawks, fill out a Pro Player Questionnaire to be acted on by the MBA board, and sign a new MBA contract to be eligible for the 2010 season.

The First Nite and Gopher Leagues met and ruled Aaron Siefken who played for the Fairmont Martins ineligible for the 2009 for violation of the player radius rule, at the same time they voted to allow the Fairmont team to be eligible for post season play with state board approval. A motion by Forsman, seconded Hartmann, carried by a 9-0 vote, that Aaron Siefken and the Fairmont Martins who played an ineligible player will not be eligible for post-season play in 2009. Team rosters will be frozen, no players can be drafted, player and team must be reinstated for the 2010 season.

The Cornbelt North and South Leagues met on July 13th to discuss eligibility issues with two teams, Willmar and Atwater. In the Willmar case Anthony Stern was released by Willmar and taken off the roster in May of 2007. He returned to Willmar to play in 2009, he told the manager he didn't need a new contract because he hadn't played with any other team. The new manager didn't know Stern had been released and that he had to sign a new contract to be eligible. (The league decision) Stern was made ineligible, Willmar had to forfeit all the games Stern played, and Stern had to be reinstated by the State Board (The MBA ruled) on motion by Rademacher, seconded Barry, carried by a 9-0 vote that Stern and Willmar are both ineligible, Stern for not signing a contract and Willmar for playing Stern without a contract. Willmar roster will be frozen. No player can be drafted; Stern and Willmar must be reinstated for the 2010 season. Willmar will be allowed to finish out their season schedule.

In the Atwater case, Justin Downes who was under contract with Atwater, was also playing ball with a team in South Dakota. When contracted Downes admitted to this and was released by Atwater. (The league's decision) Atwater has to forfeit all of the games Downes played, Downes was ruled ineligible and has to be reinstated by the State Board. (The MBA ruled) Motion by Brennan, seconded Rademacher, carried by 9-0 vote, that both Downes and Atwater are ineligible for post season play in 2009. Atwater roster is frozen, no player can be drafted, Downes and Atwater have to be reinstated by the MBA for the 2010 season. Atwater will be allowed to finish our their season schedule.

There was no further business motion Kreger, seconded Brennan to adjourn. Adjournment came at 9:00pm.

Next meeting of the MBA will be at the Gaylord Legion Club, Saturday July 18th, 1:00pm.

 

6/13/09 Board Meeting

Meeting called to order by President Richter at 10:00 AM

Roll call showed Kreger absent

Motion Brennan, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as mailed.

First order of business was reviewing two player questionnaires that were received from the Eastern Minny League

A motion by Forsman, seconded Roufs, carried, to disapprove the player questionnaire of Michael Yrjo to play for Hinckley. The board over ruled the Eastern Minny League as they found (Yrjo) was not within the radius before the March 15 dead line. Brennan Abstained

A motion by Rademacher, seconded Hartmann, carried, to disapprove the player questionnaire of David Lovly to play for Hinckley. The board overruled the Eastern Minny League as they found (Lovly) was out of the radius.

Motion Roufs, seconded Barry, carried, to approve the pro player questionnaire of Kyle Johnson to play for the Isanti Redbirds.

A motion by Forsman, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve the following players to play in a wood bat league, or a collegiate league, return to their team for post season play providing they meet their (4) game eligibility

(Troy Larson) play for Mankato Moon dogs, return to Hastings for post season play.

(Justin Gominsky) play for Brainerd Area Lunkers, return to Hastings for post season play.

(Trent Vedders) play for Walker Transmission of the Rocky Mountain League, return to Hastings for post season play.

(Blake Schwartz) Has returned from the River Bats, and is eligible to play for Burnsville Bobcats

(Nick Judkins) play for Mankato Moon dogs, return to Elko for post season play.

(Glenn Parken) play for West Hampton of the Atlantic league, return to Elko for post season play.

Nike Kvasnicka) play for Brainerd Area Lunkers, return to Elko for post season play.

(Bret Mitchell) play for Rochester Honkers, return to Prior Lake Mud cats for post season play.

(Chris Braaten) has returned from Thunder Bay Border Cats, is eligible to play for Norway Lake/ Sunburg

(Kurt Schlangen) play for St. Cloud River, return to Avon for post season play.

(Josh Smith) play in collegiate league in New York, return to Owatonna for post season play.

(Benjamin Hager) has returned from Thunder Bay, is eligible to play for Owatonna

(Kyle Gleason) play for a wood bat league in Wis., return to Chaska for post season play.

(Justin Schwecke) play for wood bat league in Penn., return to Gibbon for post season play.

Motion Barry, seconded Rademacher, carried to approve the following MBA teams to play Non-MBA teams:
(Adrian) Brandon Merchants, Sioux Falls\
(Jackson) Carroll, IA
(Wenton) Fargo Moorhead Spartans
(Clinton) Fargo Moorhead Spartans
(Red Rooster) Osceola, Eau Claire
(Rochester Road Runners) LaCresent, Hager City

Motion Hartmann, seconded Barry, carried, to approve the following tournament sanctions: Freeport 5/15-17-2009, Victoria 6/12-14/09, Milaca Stingers 6/20/09.

Motion Forsman, seconded Roufs, carried, to approve Fairfax to host "A Fun Night" The Hanska Bullheads over 35 will play Fairfax. There will be some former Twins present to sign autographs and play a few innings.

In April the board received information via the web site that Matt Doornink was playing
for the Menomonie Eagles in Wis., and also for the Rosemount Black Sox in the 2008

season. The board had no proof of this other then the website so the board requested that Doornink and the Rosemount manager come before the board to answer questions and clear this matter up. With Doornink still in school it made it hard to find time to make a meeting. On the morning of the June 13th MBA meeting, Secretary Zellmann got a call from the Rosemount manger wanting to know if they still had to appear before the board because Doornink was to have Arm Surgery and would be out of baseball 8-10 weeks. Zellmann replied that they didn't have to make this meeting but no matter what Doornink could not play until the board made their final ruling. Zellmann was then informed by the Rosemount manager that Doornink had sent a letter to Director Roufs, and they meaning Rosemount would be waiting for the minutes to come out to see what the board's reaction will be after reading the letter. Director Roufs read the letter and it clearly states, and he admitted, that he played for Menomonie while under contract with Rosemount. After a long discussion a motion by Roufs, seconded Hartmann, carried, that Matthew Doornink be suspended from MBA Baseball for one year, and must be reinstated by the MBA board before he will be eligible to play. Sanctions were also laid down on the Rosemount Black Sox (They will not be eligible for post season play in 2009) (Rosemount roster will be frozen, players will not be allowed to be released to go to other teams) (No players can be drafted from the Rosemount Team) Team and players must be reinstated to clear all sanctions before they can compete in the 2010 season. The Rosemount Black Sox will be given a chance to appeal all sanctions.

We received some good news this past week from the Minnesota State High School League, They made an exception to Baseball which will allow High School coaches and student athletes to participate on the same non-school team. This policy interpretation is consistent with other MSHSL policies that have been modified to reflect the long standing tradition of town team baseball.

The board would like to take this time to say Thank You to Verni Anderson for his many years of dedication to Amateur Baseball. We wish you the best Verni.

Chris Baso will take over the secretary jobs for the Lake and Pine Leagues,

Tony Beneke reported on the tournament sites, everything is on schedule. Final sale on their advance tickets will be August 15'h.

(League Secretaries)

Please get your contracts and releases sent in, there are a few leagues I haven't received anything from. Final roster date is June 30th . All league rosters must be in the State office by July 7.

Next meeting of the MBA will be July 18th , 2009 at the Gaylord Legion Club (1:00 PM).

No further business to come before the board, motion Roufs, seconded Brennan carried, to adjourn. Adjournment coming at 12-.45 PM


Bob Zellmann
Secretary-MBA

6/22/09 Board Meeting

A special Meeting of the MBA Board was held at Norwood, MN on June 22, 2009

Meeting was called to order by President Richter at 6:00 PM all directors were present.

Purpose of this meeting was an appeal by Rosemount Black Sox Baseball Association on sanctions that were handed to them at the June 13, 2009 meeting.

Rosemount was represented by Matt Tschida and Grant Mohwinkel, also Doug Johnson President of the Cannon Valley League was in attendance.

After both sides completed a question and answer session and after a lengthy discussion, motion by Roufs, seconded Kreger, carried, to uphold the decision the board made at the June 13, 2009 meeting.

In other business that came before the board,

Motion Barry, seconded Hartmann, carried to approve Jacob Kiebke to play for South Tulsa in the Sooner League, return to Detroit Lakes for post season play, providing he meets his (4) game eligibility.

Nick Judkins has returned from the Mankato Moon Dogs, he will be eligible to play for Elko.

Pat Wolward has returned from Waterloo, IA wood bat league. He is eligible to play for the Austin Blue Sox.

There being no other business to come before the board, motion Brennan, seconded Kreger, carried, to adjourn. Adjournment coming at 9:15 PM.

Bob Zellmann
Secretary-MBA

5/9/09 Board Meeting

Meeting called to order by President Richter at 1:00 PM

Roll call showed all directors present.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Roufs, carried, to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as mailed.

In attendance was Nate Hoelscher, Bill Schulte, Eric Dolan, Ryan Rohilk, Mahlon Zimmermann, Chris Eichten, Mike Nagel, Ryan Olson, Jeremy Pescher, Jon Rambow.

A motion by Kreger, seconded Hartmann, carried, to approve the Pro Player Questionnaire of Justin Johnson. He has been released, and will be returning to his previous MBA team the Chaska Cubs.

The board next reviewed the Pro Player Questionnaire of Nate Hoelscher, they found that Hoelscher was not able to provide the board with written proof of his release. A motion was made by Forsman, seconded Roufs, and carried, that when Hoelscher can provide the MBA with proof of his pro release he will be approved to play for Carlos.

The board next met with Ryan Olson of Moorhead. There were a number of concerns that the board has heard on where their players were living, and also that they might be playing on dual teams. The subject of their games being played out of state was also of concern. Olson response was, that 85 % of their players are from Minnesota that live in North Dakota mainly for tax purpose. As for playing for dual teams, he told the board absolutely not. As for playing their games in North Dakota there are just not enough parks in Moorhead or Adequate parks around Moorhead to play on. He told the board there is a new park in the making, but that doesn't solve the problem now. Olson said he would take these concerns back to Moorhead and present them to the city. President Richter thanked Olson for appearing before the board and hoped they could get things worked out without having to address some sanctions down the road.

Mahlon Zimmerman came before the board asking if the board could release him from his previous contract with Redwood Falls. After reviewing his request, a motion by Roufs, seconded Kreger, carried, to grant a (board release) to Zimmerman providing all obligation if any to the Redwood Falls team be taken care of before release is final. Rademacher voted against the motion.

Motion Kreger, seconded Roufs, carried, to approve both the DRS Read league, and the Norman Polk League to send two teams to the Region play-offs. Both leagues have only three teams.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Hartmann, carried, to disapprove a request by the 13-60
league to use a different slide rule from the NMA rule, and a designated runner rule they would like to use in their league.

The MBA Board request that all leagues please stay within the rules we have in our MBA Rule Book, it will make it much easier to all concerned.

Motion Forsman, seconded Hartman, carried, to approve an All Star team to be formed from the Brainerd Area to play a Swedish National Team for a fundraiser prior to the home opener for the Brainerd Lunkers on May 18th.

Motion Kreger, seconded Barry, carried, to approve the following Tournament Sanctions. Nimrod 6/19-21/09, Jordan 7/10-12/09, Dundas 6/5-7/09, Detroit Lakes 6/10-14/09.

Two other tournaments approved were New Prague 6/5-7/09, Rum River Bandits 6/26-28/09.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the following NIBA teams to play non NMA teams.

(Arrowhead League) Superior, Bayside, Oulu, Ashland, St. Croix, Hayward, Proctor (Blaine) St. Croix
(Randolph) Hager City
(Red Eye Country Boys) Silver Spiingers Over (35)
(St. Paul Shamrocks) St. Paul Police
(Winona) Banger, Chaseburg/Coon Valley, LaCrescent, LaCrosse, Menominie, Eau Claire, Plum City
(NimRod) Cold Spring Silver Springers (35), Menahga/Sebeka (35)
(Luverne)Brandon Valley, S.D. Merchants
(Ortonville) Milbank Fire Chiefs S.D.
(Lake City) J. Thomas (35)
(Dundas) Chicago Wildcats
(Marshall "X') Brookings, Renner
(Detroit Lakes) Fargo Mets, Detroit Lake Angles Alumni
(Dumont) Britton S.D.
(Miesville) Prescott, Menomonie
(Green Mill) St. Paul Police

A letter was received from the Minnesota Hall of Fame to run a fundraiser with the help of all MBA leagues this request was approved by the MBA board.

(Pro Player Questionnaire) was received on Kyle Zweber, he has been released from his pro contract and also his previous NMA contract. He is eligible to play for the Prior Lake Jay's. Recorded by Secretary Zellmann on 5-13-09.

(Pro Player Questionnaire) was received for Tim Flattery, he has been released from his pro contract and is eligible to play for Owatonna. Recorded by Secretary Zellmann on 513-09

(Pro Player Questionnaire) was received on Shea Douglas; he has been released from his pro contract and is eligible to play for Owatonna. Recorded by Secretary Zellmann on 5-13-09.

Nate Hoelscher pro release was received on May 13, 2009. He is now eligible to play for Carlos.

Next meeting of the MBA will be June 13th, at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud. The time of this meeting has been changed to (10:00 AM. Mark this change on your calendar.

No further business motion Brennan, seconded Kreger, to adjourn. Adjournment coming at 3:00 PM.

Bob Zellmann
Secretary-Treasure MBA

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