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Thursday, September 17
2009 Fall meeting Minutes
The 2009 Wisconsin Babe Ruth Baseball Fall Meeting was called to
order at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12 at the Quality Inn,
Wisconsin Rapids.
Present were Ron Schuler, Mark Ryser, Pat Reilly, Francis Gorst, Ron
Decker, George Husby, Brian Young, Dan Grabowski and Dan Mueller.
Ron said it is time to elect a state commissioner for a two year
term. Motion by George Husby, Second by Brian Young to re-elect Ron
Schuler. Ron Decker moved to cast a unanimous ballot. Ron Schuler
was re-elected.
Ron noted that District Commissioners need to be re-elected this
year, also.
Reports were given by the District Commissioners.
District 1-George Husby reported on the districts and the 11 year old
state tournament that Sturgeon Bay hosted. He said things went well.
George also reported on the World Series held in Appleton for the 14
year olds. He said it was a good tournament but they ran into some
weather problems. He mentioned that the tournament concessions stand
was closed early each night. He also said Tournament Director Pete
Nelson told him some of the sponsorship money that was pledged did
not come through.
Ron then detailed his experience there and gave Babe Ruth Inc.'s take
on it. He said Babe Ruth, Inc. was disappointed in the attendance.
Ron said Jeff Bagwell was the keynote speaker.
Mark Ryser said Pete told him the tournament would end up about
$10,000 short of breaking even. He said part of the problem was the
host housing director resigned about two weeks before the teams
arrived and that $20,000 was spent to put teams up in hotels. Mark
said the Eau Claire team was put in a motel and the parents drove
back and forth.
Mark discussed IFAN which provides internet streaming of games. He
uses it at Eau Claire and will have it up for the 14 year ofd Regional
in 2010.
District 2-Francis Gorst said the district had 120 teams last year
and he has been contacted by six or seven new ones for next year. He
said three good district tournaments were held and that the 15 year
old state tournament at Dodgeville went well.
Ron discussed getting Dane County on line for the 2010 season as Babe
Ruth wants 100% of the leagues using the tools on the web site by
then. He said Kathryn Heimerl has volunteered to help with the Cal
Ripken, Todd Schaaf with the 13-15 and Pat Reilly for the 16-18.
Ron then gave an overview of how the new Babe Ruth online
registrations will be handled and made suggestions on how Dane County
can handle it.
District 3-Mark Ryser said things went pretty much the same in his
district but there was a few less teams. He said he felt it should
be discussed about making state tournaments 8 teams . He also said
Spooner and Hudson are considering joining Babe Ruth Baseball.
District 4-Brian Young discussed the districts and the fact that
Appleton went his way to balance things out.
Ron Decker reported on the 13 year old state at Sauk City. He said
the facility is phenomenal and that Sauk did a good job hosting it.
He also said one of the players in the tournament was 6-8, 285.
Pat Reilly reported on the 15 and 16-18 state tournaments held at
Dodgeville. He said there were a few weather problems but overall
things went well.
Mark Ryser reported on the 14 year old state at Eau Claire and said
things went well there.
No one was present from Babe Ruth Softball and no report was submitted.
Ron gave the treasurer's report which shows a net worth of $11,443.98.
Under Old Business a discussion took place on the Babe Ruth plan to
move the dates for tournament play ahead. Wisconsin reps feel it is
too early with the weather challenges and late school endings we face
and asked Babe Ruth to reconsider. Several volunteered to send
emails to that effect to Mark Watkins, OVR Commissioner.
Ron asked the districts to start promoting eight year old baseball
and the invitational tournaments they can attend. He said Wisconsin
has not been sending teams.
He also discussed the fact that only Middleton went to the 9 year old Ohio
Valley Regional from Wisconsin as state Runner up Neenah would not
attend as each State was to send two teams. The third place team had said they would go then after a parent vote decided not to. Ron said he felt it was unfair that
Neenah played in the tournament with no intention of advancing, thus
taking the awards and the spot from another team.
Ron said tentative dates for 2010 will be the week of July 5-11 for
Districts, Cal Ripken state July 7-10 and 13, 14, 15 and 16-18 July
14-17.
2010 state sites are as follows:
9;s------Dodgeville
10's-----Dodgeville
11's----Marinette
12's---Menominee
13's--Sauk City
14's--Marinette
15's--Eau Claire
16-18's--Dodgeville
11/70's and 12/70's will be at Pleasant Prairie if there are any teams
Dodgeville will host the 16-18 Ohio Valley Regional and Eau Claire
will host the 14 Ohio Valley Regional in 2010.
Dan Mueller reported on Fond du Lac's experiences at the Ohio Valley
Regional at Hammond, IND. He said the team was treated well and had
a great experience. The only downside was that the team traveled by
charter bus and they had problems with where the bus could park.
It was worked out after a couple tickets that were eventually paid by
the Regional hosts.
Ron asked for all invitational tournament information to be forwarded
to him to post on the web page.
The Spring Meeting was set for Sunday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m. at
Wisconsin Rapids
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