Minutes of Board Meeting

Holiday Inn, St. Cloud

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Meeting called to order by President Richter at 10 a.m.

Roll call showed all directors present.

Mike Fahey representing the Chaska-Shakopee Tournament Committee reported to the board that everything is going on schedule, advance tickets are selling well.

Greg Odegaard appeared on behalf of his two sons, Christopher and Matthew Odegaard, who play for Minnesota State Mankato and were not able to appear due to their college baseball team having practice on Saturday morning, to appeal the Glencoe Baseball Association's decision of granting their releases. Also appearing on the same matter was Hunter Dunbar who is a high school senior and has never signed a contract with any amateur baseball team. After a brief discussion and hearing comments from members of the Glencoe Baseball Association, there was a motion by Forsman, seconded by Krieger to grant the three players their releases to be eligible to play for any team within their 25 mile radius. The vote passed 9-0.

Motion by Hartmann, seconded Forsman, carried, to deny eligibility status to Ryan Hebrick to play for sacred Heart. Hebrink is out of the radius and did not establish residency before the March 15 deadline.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Forsman, carried, to deny the request by Chris Olean, coach of University of St. Thomas to use metal bats in a game against Miesville.

The board went over the Corn Belt Leagues by-laws, a motion was made by Hartmann, seconded Kregar, carried, to return them back to the league, to see which specific rules they would like approved.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Hartmann, carried, to approve the eligibility of Zack Fridgen to play for Wheaton.

Motion Forsman, seconded Bary, carried, to approve a (10) mile radius extension to the Land O' Ducks Leagues for the 2008 season.

Motion Kreger, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the Tomahawk East American and National to play each other for player eligibility.

Motion Kreger, seconded Brennan, carried to approve the Countryside and Hi-Lo Leagues to play each other for player eligibility.

Action on Luis Versalles was tabled due to more information. The Board would like to know about the Sunday League he would play for.

Motion Barry, seconded Rademacher, carried to approve Tyler Steen and Justin Koenen to play on the USA International Team in Australia, return to Raymond for post-season paly, only if they meet their (4) game eligibility.

Motion Kreger, seconded Roufs, carried, to approve P.J. McIntee to play for the Boise Collegiate league, return to Randolf for post-season play only if he meets his (4) game eligibility.

Motion Forsman, seconded Rademacher, carried, to approve Paul Krebs to play for the Brainerd Thunder in the Northwoods League, return to Flensburg for post-season play only if he meets his (4) game eligibility.

Motion Brennan, seconded Kregar, carried, to approve tournament sanctions for: Freeport 5/16-18/08 - St. Cloud Orthopedics 6/6-8/08 - Dumont 6/13-15/08 - Isanti 6/20-22/08.

Motion Brennan, seconded Barry, carried to approve Corbett Johnson as the Region One Commissioner.

Motion Barry, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the purchase of a Surety Bond at $100.00.

Motion Rademacher, seconded Forsman, carried, to approve the Pro Player Questionaire fo Michael Pescher to play for the Moorhead Brewers.

Motion Kreger, seconded Brennan, carried, to approve the Pro Player Questionaire of Todd George to play for the Moorhead Brewers.

Motion Kreger, seconded Brennan, carried to approve the following teams to play non MBA teams. (Lake City) Hager City, Plum City, Ellsworth-(Randolph) Hager City (St. Louis Park) Eau Claire-(Isanti) St. Croix, Osceola, Webber Rocks, (Vergas) Fargo Mets, (Chisago Lakes) St. Coix, (Oumba) St. Croix Falls, (N.W. Suburban Redhawks) Exland, Osceola, New Richmond, (Detroit Lakes) Fargo Mets, Detroit Lakes Alumni (Luverne) Brandon Valley, Sioux Falls, (Granite Falls) Brookings.

(Isanti) request permission in their tournamnet to play non MBA teams (St. Croix and Superior).

Helmets-Helmets-Helmets - After receiving some direction form our lawyer a motion by Hartmann, seconded by Barry, carried, that we recommend for the 2008 regular season, all base coaches to wear a protective helmet. (No flap) (Single Flap) or a (double flap). In 2008 helmets will be required in all post-season play. In 2009 helmets will be required to be worn at all times. Failure to comply with these guidelines, base coach will be ejected from the game.

The Minnesota Blizzard Roster was received and duly noted.

Motion Barry, seconded Forsman, carried, to appoint Don Dvorak, the Region #4 Commissioner and Brent Meyer the Region #6 Commissioner.

The Board next discussed hiring a news reporter for our website. This person will write articles, important topics about Minnesota Baseball, stories about players, keep up with league standings, report on sanction tournaments and an update on the State Tournament. Motion by Hartmann, seconded by Barry, carried, to hire Bill Nelson as our news reporter. His job will run from May thru September at a fee of $1100.00 a month. If anyone has news they would like to get on the website, contact Nelson at Bill Nelson, Box 3, Dundas, MN 55019. Ph. 507-645-6567.

The board met with Section and Region Commissioners. There were (20) commissioners in atendance. There was a recommendation by the board with changes made to some regions. The commissioners had a chance to review the changes, a motion by Mike Kieke, seconded by Leo Wirth and carried, to accept the new alignment as proposed for the 2008 season.

Mike Wolbrink, a representative from M-Design, presented the details of their firm's bid and presentation to desing the MBA website. During the presentation and discussion, it was noted that the Board has not taken advantage of E-commerce revenue opportunities with respect to our website. After lengthy discussion and question, a motion was made by Roufs, seconded by Barry to engage M-Design to redesign and redo the MBA website. The board also would commit $5,000 to this project for 2008 expenditures with the prospect of recouping these costs on a futuristic basis. the vote passed 9-0. The board then appointed a sub-commitee consisting of Richter, Roufs, and Hartmann to work with M-Design to update our website with a completion date of mid June.

Next meeting of the MBA will be at the Chaska Legion Club on May 3, 2008 at 1:00pm

There was no further business to come before the boarrd, motion by Brennan, seconded Rademacher, carried, to adjourn. Adjournment came at 3:30 pm

Bob Zellman

Secretary-treasurer

MBA