From Bob Zellmann

MBA Secretary/Treasurer

Minutes of Minnesota Baseball Association Board meeting.

Meeting site – Holiday Inn, St. Cloud

Saturday, Nov. 18.

Meeting called to order by President Richter at 11 a.m., roll call showed all directors present.

Motion Brennan, seconded Wegscheid, carried, to accept the minutes as mailed.

There were 13 baseball supporters who attended the meeting.

The board met with future tournament sites - (2007) Hamburg-Norwood, (2008) Chaska-Shakopee, (2009) Gaylord-Arlington.

They discussed the possibility of a change in the format for the tournament and being that these three sites have already been awarded a two site tournament, they would like their viewpoint, should any changes be made.

The board pointed out that attendance has been declining the past few years, reasons we don’t know, but consensus around the state is, to eliminate Thursday and Sunday evening games and to do this you would have to use a third site, and in some cases, a fourth site.

Another way would be to eliminate the number of games played. This wouldn’t solve all the problems but it would cut back some.

There were six proposals presented; tournament sites left the room to discuss these proposals. When they returned they told the board they would like to stay with the two-site tournament as they felt they have too much invested in their parks to make any changes.

After a lengthy discussion a motion by Forsman, seconded Rademacher, that we adopt proposal “D” in 2007, “D” in 2008 and “F” in 2009. (Proposal “D” would leave the tournament at two sites: Class “B” - 16 teams, double elimination after eight teams; Class “C” - 32 teams, double elimination after four teams, total games - 56)

(Proposal “F” - would leave the tournament at two sites: Class “B” - 16 teams, single elimination; Class “C” - 32 teams, single elimination, total games - 46).

Voting for the motion-Richter, Wegscheid, Rademacher, Brennan, Forsman, Zollmann. Voting against Hartmann, Roufs, Barry. Motion carried 6-3.

Motion Hartmann, seconded Wegscheid, carried, that the meeting we have set for bidding on the 2010, 2011, and 2012 state tournament sites, be changed from Jan. 6, 2007, to June 16, 2007.

Meeting to be at the Eastside VFW, St. Cloud.

Motion Hartmann, seconded Brennan, carried, to reclassify East Bethel and Soderville to Class ‘B.” They will play in the Metro Minny League.

Motion Roufs, seconded Brennan, carried, to put East Bethel and Soderville in Section 7.

Motion Hartmann, seconded Brennan, carried, to re-classify Ham Lake to Class “C.” They will play in the Metro Minny League.

Motion Brennan, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve the calender of everts for 2007.

Motion Wegscheid, seconded Forsman, carried, to set admission to the State Tournament: adult $5 one game, or all day – Student $2 one game, or all day.

The board reviewed the MBA Rule Book and discussed topics that were brought up at the annual meeting. All changes will be finalized at the Jan. 6 meeting.

The board next discussed a number of teams they felt should be looked at for re-classification.

They are Blue Earth, Rochester Blues and Winona. This final decision on re-classifing these teams at the January 6, 2007, MBA meeting.

The meeting will take place at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud. It will start at 11 a.m.

Teams that have been mentioned should attend this meeting and will be given a chance to defend their case on this matter.

Teams that feel there is no need to attend this meeting will automatically be classified “B.” A letter will be sent to each team involved in reference to this meeting.

Next meeting of the MBA will be January 6, 2007, at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud at 11 a.m.

The board would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Holiday Season.

Motion Barry, seconded Hartmann, carried, to adjourn. Adjournment coming at 3:45 pm.