Big Lake Baseball 2018

Big Lake Baseball 2018 Big Lake Baseball: www.biglakebaseball.com Gopher State: www.myas.org Quad City League (In-House): www.leaguelineup.com/quadcityleague For TEXT updates, text: @blba to 81010 or 612-351-6522 Uniforms: once uniforms are distributed to the head coaches, there will be a ONE-WEEK window for parents/coaches to make adjustments and/or changes. It will be up to the Head Coach and/or parent to contact the uniform vendor, R&D Sales, at 763-441-4416. Pictures @ BLMS Grades 3-8: Sunday, May 20 Pictures @ BLMS Grades Pre K 2, 9th: Sunday, June 3 Big Lake Tournament Dates June 15-17, 2018: 3rd and 4th Grade Traveling June 1-June 3, 2018: 5th Grade Traveling May 11-May 13, 2018: 6th Grade Traveling June 8-June 10, 2018: 7th and 8th Grade Traveling June 15-17, 2018: 9th Grade Traveling BLBA MISSION STATEMENT The Big Lake Baseball Association's Mission is to provide an educational, safe, and fun environment for the youth in Big Lake to play baseball. In support of that mission, BLBA seeks to: Serve and embrace players of all races, creeds, color, nationality, or ability. Provide a safe and healthy environment for all players to experience the pure enjoyment of the game. Help players develop and improve their baseball skills so they can perform at their highest potential. Create a culture where honor of self, teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches is consistently displayed. Teach players to understand that the winning of games is secondary to effort and attitude. Equip our coaches with every necessary means to succeed. BLBA VISION STATEMENT Reaching and developing our youth through teamwork, sportsmanship, rules of the game, and character building lessons that reach beyond the baseball field and into our community. BLBA GOALS The goals of the BLBA include: To support and be committed to all Big Lake area youth baseball programs, both community and school. To encourage, aid, and support acquisition of facilities, equipment, and other resources for the playing of baseball.

3rd Grade: 4th Grade: 5th Grade: 6th Grade: 7th Grade: 8th Grade: Skills Evaluation for Players Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 9:00am Big Lake High School Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 11:00am--Big Lake High School Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 1:00pm--Big Lake High School Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 2:30pm Big Lake High School Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 4:00pm Big Lake High School Saturday, March 24, 2018: Arrive by 5:15pm Big Lake High School Attendance is strongly recommended for all players of these age groups to ensure team placement that matches their skill level. 7th Grade (2nd Tryout): Monday, March 26, 2018: Arrive by 7:00pm Big Lake High School 8th Grade (2nd Tryout): Tuesday, March 27, 2018: Arrive by 7:00pm Big Lake High School 9th Grade: Saturday, April 21, 2018: Arrive by 12:00pm--Big Lake JV Baseball Field In the event of inclement weather on April 21, evaluations will be held at the Big Lake High School. Big Lake Baseball Association Baseball Tournaments The BLBA hosts tournaments which not only help us generate funds, but more importantly gives our players an opportunity to play against teams from other areas. Without this revenue, each participant in grades 3-10 would need to pay an additional $100. Big Lake Tournament Dates June 15-17, 2018: 3rd and 4th Grade Traveling June 1-June 3, 2018: 5th Grade Traveling May 11-May 13, 2018: 6th Grade Traveling June 8-June 10, 2018: 7th Grade Traveling & 8th Grade Traveling June 15-17, 2018: 9th Grade Traveling Umpire Information We are always looking for help with Umpiring. If you are in 6th Grade or older and are able to help out and want to earn some extra money this summer, please sign up at registration. *Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 8:00am-11:30am. ALL INTERESTED UMPIRES must attend this Umpire Clinic. It s free for all Big Lake Baseball Association umpires. Location: 4-field Complex (if there s rain, it ll be at the Big Lake Middle School)

COACHING FOR BLBA The men and women that volunteer to coach a BLBA team are the front line volunteers that make our association work. For many players and parents, their interaction with a coach frames their entire experience with BLBA. Because of that, BLBA seeks to select, train, and support its coaches in a manner that will help make the baseball season enjoyable for everyone involved. Our goal is to have a head coach and up to two assistant coaches for each team, regardless of age level. The requirements to be a coach for BLBA are relatively simple. 1. You must complete an application* 2. You must pass a background check 3. You must complete Concussion Training 4. You must attend a mandatory coaching clinic (see info below), and 5. Perhaps just as importantly, you must be committed to working with your players and parents in an instructive, respectful manner. *Anyone who wants to be considered as a HEAD COACH for a Traveling team (grades 3 through 9), must fill out an application and turn it in to the BLBA President. The application is on the biglakebaseball.com website under Coaches. Anyone interested in being a head or assistant coach of an In-House team (grades K through 10) must be declared through online registration or communicated to the BLBA president (with some exceptions for grades K-2). Receipt of a coach s application will be confirmed by the BLBA president via email, text, or telephone. Coaches must complete their background check, concussion certificate, and any applicable applications/paperwork by Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 11:59pm, unless otherwise agreed upon by the president. MANDATORY COACHING CLINIC (for ALL coaches of 3rd - 10th Grade teams): Saturday, March 17, 2018: 9:00am-12:00pm @ the High School Cafeteria. Topics to be covered will include BLBA coaching philosophy, how to organize an effective practice, age-appropriate drills for hitting, fielding, and throwing, preferred fielding plays (bunts, cut-offs, etc.) and other aspects of the game. Potential coaches must attend the entire clinic, otherwise he/she may be deemed ineligible to coach. While it is most common for parents of players to serve as coaches, please note that the BLBA board reserves the right to assign a non-parent coach to any traveling or in-house team at its discretion. Also note that a person may only sign up to be a head coach for ONE team. SELECTION OF TEAMS AND COACHES Note about Evaluations: Attendance at evaluations is mandatory if a player wants to be considered for a traveling team. For players wanting to play only on an in-house team, evaluations are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged. Evaluation scores are used to help set in-house team rosters that are balanced in terms of player skills. Players in grades K-2 are not evaluated. How Teams and Coaches are selected for Top-Tiered Traveling Teams (Grades 3-9): All players must be registered and paid before the evaluation on March 24, 2018, and any outstanding fees must be taken care of. The player s best score of their initial or 2nd evaluation will be doubled to determine who will be in the top 8. Players who finish with one of the top 8 scores are automatically invited to play on the top-tier traveling team. The head coach will then complete the team roster by selecting 4 additional players from the list of players whose combined score are ranked 9 through 18 after the 2nd Evaluation. The coach s committee will determine the top 3 or 4 coaching candidates for the traveling team. Those 3-4 coaches will be able to attend the 2nd evaluation only. It is up to the head coach to pick his assistant coach and parent rep. It is also up to the head coach to report these names on the biglakebaseball.com website no later than Friday, April 20, 2018 (Grades 3-8) and Friday, May 25 (Grades K-2, 9). If no names for assistant coach and parent rep are submitted by the end of that day, no volunteer hours may be allotted. Once names are submitted by the coach, NO CHANGES may occur. E a c h t e a m i s allowed: 1 head coach per team and 2 assistant coaches per team (or 1 assistant and 1 parent rep).

COACHING FOR BLBA How Teams and Coaches are selected for 2nd-Tiered Traveling Teams (grades 3-9) Once the top-tiered team for a particular age level has been selected, the BLBA board will review remaining participant numbers and solicit input from the Evaluation Coordinators and parents of that age level as needed to make a decision whether a 2nd-tiered traveling team is also warranted. If, in the opinion of the BLBA Board, there is sufficient interest and skill level to also field an 2nd-tiered traveling team, BLBA will review the list of players and potential head coaches that remain after selection of the top-tiered team. If the head coaching candidates cannot reach an agreement on coaching assignments, the BLBA board (or its Coaches Committee) will select the head coach for the 2nd-tiered traveling team. The 8 players with the highest combined scores not selected for the top-tiered team will be automatically invited to play on the 2nd- Tiered traveling team. The head coach will then complete the team roster by selecting 4 additional players from the list of players who completed the 2nd evaluation. How Coaches and Teams are picked for the In-House Teams: All players that are not selected for, or do not want to be on, a traveling team will play on a combined age In-House team. Once the In-House head coaches are identified by BLBA, the list of players to be drafted will be grouped by evaluation score, with names in alphabetical order. For example, if there are 5 teams, the players who finished 1-10 will be placed in a group alphabetically. The order that head coaches draft players will be determined by a coin flip, card drawing, dice toss, or other method pre-approved upon by the Draft Coordinator. After the draft order is determined, the head coaches will begin by drafting players in the first group. For example, if there are 3 teams, team number 1 will pick a player in the top 6. Team number 2 will pick a player remaining in the top 6. Team 3 will get the next TWO picks of the players remaining in the top 6. The next round will continue the same way, but start with the team that picked last. If a head coach s child is in a certain round, the head coach MUST pick their child as their first pick in that round. If a head coach has a certain assistant coach in mind, the assistant coach s child must be chosen with the head coach s first available pick of the applicable round. There is no guarantee that the head coach and the assistant coach will be paired up; it is up to the luck of the draw and of the draft. A BLBA Board Member will be present at the draft. How Coaches and Teams are picked for the K-2 Teams: Coaching and roster assignments for the Majors and Minors will be completed by the BLBA no later than April 29, 2018. Head coaches will be contacted by that date and required to meet on Sunday April 29, 2018 at 6:00 pm, at Field #6 to receive their team rosters and equipment. Head coaches for all K-2 teams must then contact their players no later than May 5, 2018. When picking up the equipment, a $50 damage deposit will be required from each head coach. Upon successful return of all the equipment, the $50 damage deposit will be shredded. Once a player is assigned to a specific team, they must play for that team and no other, with the exception of the Traveling Teams. Based upon his/her evaluation, a player may be invited to play on a Traveling team, but they are free to decline the invitation and play for an in-house team instead. This decision must be made within 48 hours of when the players tryout number has been posted at www.biglakebaseball.com. If nothing has been communicated to the President after the 48 hours, the player will be committed to the Traveling Team for the entire season. Complaint Procedures If a BLBA member (player, coach, or parent) has a complaint regarding an incident that occurred at a BLBA activity, or believe that one of BLBA s policies or procedures has been violated, the complainant should wait 24 hours after the problem occurs before addressing the situation (except in cases of substance abuse, physical assault, and/or sexual harassment or abuse). *After waiting the 24 hours, attempt to discuss the problem with the person(s) involved and try to find a resolution. All matters should be kept internal and should not be discussed with outside parties. *If you are still not satisfied after the discussion with the said party(ies), you may file a written Complaint Form (found on the BLBA website) and submit it to the BLBA President with a request for appropriate action within 48 hours of the incident occurring. *Before any repercussions or discipline is handed out, the BLBA Board (a minimum of two board members) must meet with the offender. The meeting must occur within five business days of the submitted complaint form. The BLBA Board will meet and decide on what steps will happen next.

2018 Big Lake Baseball Association Positions BOARD OF DIRECTORS NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS President: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Vice-President: Dale Miller (763-639-4646) Secretary: Michelle Gellerman (612-991-4127) Treasurer: Jaclyn VanHorrick (763-360-7778) Associate Director: Mike Morehead (763-218-4495) AT-LARGE COMMITTEE: (Even Years #1): John Hunt (763-263-6593) (Odd Years #1): Jessica Siegrist (763-350-4520) (Even Years #2): Thaddaeus Rousu (612-644-0841) (Odd Years #2): Steve Skoglund (612-760-5218) COORDINATOR POSITIONS Equipment Coordinator: Keith Josewski (763-447-8408) Evaluation Coordinator: Mike Morehead (763-218-4495) Field Coordinator: Dale Miller (763-639-4646) Tournament Coordinator: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Umpire Coordinator: Robert Hoekstra (763-300-3337) Uniform Coordinator: Jessica Siegrist and Steve Skoglund Majors/Minors Director (Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade): John Hunt (763-263-6593) In-House Director (Grades 3-8): Steve Skoglund (612-760-5218) Traveling Director (Grades 3-10): Thaddaeus Rousu (612) 644-0841 Refund Policy Although it is the desire of BLBA that every player that begins a baseball season with BLBA finish that season, we recognize that there are sometimes circumstances that prevent that outcome. Therefore, a full or partial refund may be given for the following reasons: The player sustains a physical injury that results in a doctor s determination (in writing) that the player should not participate in baseball that season (before uniforms are ordered). The player moves out of the community and can no longer attend practices and games without extraordinary effort (before uniforms are ordered). The amount of a refund depends on when during the season the situation arises. The refund amount may be pro-rated, and is determined solely by the BLBA Board of Directors. NO refund will be given for the following reasons: A player decides not to play baseball at all because they tried out for the Traveling team, did not make the Traveling team, and now they don t want to play for any in-house team. A player decides not to play because of the team they are assigned to or because of the coach assigned to their designated team. Grades 3-8 will be denied any refund beginning 24 hours before the 2nd Tryout. Grades K-2 will be denied a refund immediately after the Last chance registration. To request a refund, please contact the BLBA President. Your request may be brought before the BLBA Board of Directors and a decision will be made on your request. NSF Fees: Once a person has a check returned to BLBA unpaid, they will need to offer cash, credit, or money order to pay fees. The child is not able to play until the fees are paid or arrangements are made with the president. If two or more checks are returned the person must pay with cash, credit, or money order from then on.

2018 BIG LAKE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION CALENDAR Important Dates and Events (DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Date Day Events March 7 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes March 11 (Sun) Registration and Uniform Try-On - 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Big Lake Middle School Student Center March 12 (Mon) Registration and Uniform Try-On - 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Big Lake Middle School Student Center March 17 (Sat) Coaches Clinic for Grades 3-10: 9:00am 12:00pm @ the Big Lake Middle School Gym March 23 (Fri) Pre-tryout Clinic: 5:30pm-8:30pm @ the Big Lake High School Gym March 24 (Sat) Try-outs for Grades 3-8 @ the Big Lake High School March 26 (Mon) 7th Grade 2nd Tryout: 7pm-8:15pm March 27 (Tues) 8th Grade 2nd Tryout: 7pm-8:15pm March 28 (Wed) Form teams for Grades 5/6 and 7th/8th In-House Teams--@ the Varsity Field (#6) @ 6:00pm (coaches only) March 28 (Wed) Equipment dispersal for all levels in grades 3-8 @ the Varsity Field (#6) from 6pm-7pm March 31 (Sat) Play Ball! MN Twins Coaches Conference April 4 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes April 8 (Sun) Gopher State Baseball Scheduling Session (Traveling Grades 3-8) @ Banquets of Minnesota, 6310 Hwy 65 NE - Fridley April 8 (Sun) Grades 5-8 in-house scheduling session (6:00pm @ McPetes) April 16 (Mon) Gopher State Traveling coaches meeting (Grades 3-6) @ Minneapolis Marriott NW April 21 (Sat) Umpires' Certification Clinic - Big Lake 4-field complex (8:00am-11:00am); Rain: Middle School April 21 (Sat) Grade 9 Tryouts @ the JV Field. Arrive by 12:00pm. April 22 (Sun) Last chance registration for Kindergarten-2nd, 9th Grade; 5pm-7pm @ McPetes April 23 (Mon) Traveling coaches meeting (Grades 7-8) in Brooklyn Center April 25 (Wed) Gopher State Baseball Scheduling Session 9th Grade: 6:00pm @ Embassy Sweets MPLS North April 29 (Sun) Major/Minors: Equipment dispersal and meeting (6pm at Field #6) May 1 (Mon) Traveling teams can start games May 2 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes May 2 (Thur) Traveling coaches meeting (Grade 9) @ Embassy Sweets MPLS North: 6:00pm May 15 (Mon) In-House Games Begin--Tentative May 20 (Sun) Pictures for Grades 3-8 @ the Big Lake Middle School; 5-8pm June 3 (Sun) Grades K-2 and 9th Grade Pictures @ the Big Lake Middle School; 5-8pm June 6 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes July 8 (Sun) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes July 13-15 (Fri-Sun) In-house end of the season tournaments in Becker and Clear Lake (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th) July 22 (Sun) 2019 Tryouts for players entering 3rd-8th Grade; times TBD July 29 (Sun) Equipment Turn-in @ Field #6 (Varsity Field): 6:00pm-7:00pm August 1 (Wed) Big Lake Baseball Association Meeting - 6:30pm at McPetes; Elections

Sandy Koufax: (7th/8th Grade) Cost: $105.00 per player ($117 after the Mass Registration Dates). Players that make the traveling team will pay an additional $85 (in addition to the registration fee) to offset league fees, and an out of town tourney. These players cannot participate until the fee is paid. *Depending on the number of participants and evaluation scores, a second traveling team may be added. Uniform Provided: Hat, shirt, pants, belt and socks; players supply everything else Season Length: April 1 through July (games may start the first week of May for traveling teams, and in-house starts toward the end of May). Nights of the Week: Varies (practice dates and times are up to each team) Game Time: In-House--6:30pm; traveling team varies (normally 6:30pm) Number of Games: 14-18 games and playoffs Tournament Dates May 11-May 13: June 8-June 10: June 15-June 17: Rogers (7th Grade Traveling) Big Lake (7th and 8th Grade Traveling) Delano (8th Grade Traveling) In-House Leagues Includes: Monticello, Becker, Big Lake, STMA In-House End of the Year Tournament: July 10-14 in Becker Tentative

Volunteer Fee and Parent Rep One goal of the Big Lake Baseball Association is to have everyone involved in order to keep our registration prices low. One way to keep the prices low is to have everyone volunteer throughout the season. Even if the weather doesn t appear to be cooperating, please show up for your shift. The volunteer coordinator will let you know if anything is canceled. If an event is canceled, you MAY get rescheduled to work another shift. Also, concession times are subject to change. Every family is required to submit a volunteer fee (check payable to BLBA, cash, or credit card) for $150.00 at registration including potential coaches and team managers (payable to BLBA, separate from the registration check, with your child's name(s) written on the check). If you are NOT signed up for a shift by Friday, May 18, 2018, your volunteer check may be cashed. We need to fill a lot of shifts as early as possible, which is why signing up early is vital. Volunteer requirements are only one shift PER FAMILY (not per child) during the season. No shift exceeds 5 hours. Registrations mailed in will not be valid unless accompanied by your volunteer fee. Your volunteer check will be shredded at the end of the season (we will not return the check to you) if you volunteer a minimum of 5 hours. The Volunteer fee check will be cashed if you do not perform 5 hours of volunteer work during the season (and cashed immediately if you neglect to show up for an assigned shift). If you do not intend to volunteer and wish to waive your volunteer fee at the time of registration please write "CASH MY CHECK" on the memo line on your check. This will allow us to hire any additional help that may be needed. If you neglect to show up for your shift, your check will be cashed immediately (or credit card charged). If you so choose, you can sign up for two additional shifts and you will be refunded half of the original volunteer fee upon completion of both shifts. Kids under 10 are NOT allowed to accompany parents in the concession stand (they can be nearby watching, but not IN the concession stand). Refunds (for those who pay cash or pay online) will be handled by August 15, 2018. Extra team help is appreciated and needed, however your time helping at practices and games will not count for volunteer time. The volunteer coordinator and/or the BLBA President are the only people that can approve your volunteer time. If you have questions regarding your time or efforts of volunteering you may email the Volunteer Coordinator (blbafood@gmail.com). Please don t be mistaken and assume your time is approved if you have not spoken with the Volunteer Coordinator about your time and efforts. You must have approval before you complete a volunteer opportunity. Parent Rep. Responsibilities Your team will need one parent volunteer (other than the two coaches) to serve as the team s parent representative. This parent will be responsible for: *To be a liaison between your parents and coaches. If your parents are not able to go to the coaches with a problem, they should be able to come to you. Also, help the coaches call and distribute information to your parents, such as game or practice changes, etc. *Use a Facebook site, Remind.com, or other free tool to organize team activities, games, snacks, events, etc.