Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Diamond Club Meeting, September 4, 2007

 

 

Members present:  Bob Harris, Randy Reichert, Mike Blumer, Dan Nickols, John Hoffman, Mark Anderson, Ken Porten, Jim Szymanski, Jed Osborne, Allen Barkve, Joe Bothwell, Milissa Tallarico, Jennifer Dickison, Jeff Hershey, Ben Gallagher, Coach Mark Downey, Karin Wessberg

 

Meeting called to order at 7:05 by Randy Reichert

 

Introductions

Randy Reichert, this year’s President, introduced the other officers serving the Diamond Club for 2007-2008.  They are Mike Blumer as Vice-President, John Hoffman as Treasurer, and Karin Wessberg as Secretary.

 

Minutes from June meeting:

Motion made by Ben Gallagher to approve as written; seconded by Bob Harris.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Budgets were distributed by John Hoffman.  All expenses and revenues, using numbers from the past year, were reflected.  Our beginning balance is $5000 with a projected year-end balance to finish of $8450.  The only projected expense from September through December is a $100 fee for registration of the Mounds View baseball web site.  Two fundraising efforts from last year, sales of plagues and cake pans, were not figured into this year’s revenues.  Everyone agreed, that at this time, we are miles ahead of last year.

 

Coach Downey’s update:

The following items were shared by Coach Downey:  2007/2008 budget; web site; summer tri-city legion baseball program; SAYB; summer baseball fun program; field update; and, November meeting date.

 

2007-2008 Budget

2007 actual Diamond Club expenses were $18,638.  For 2008, the coach estimates expenses to be $18,747.  The district provides $13,358 for coaches salaries. 

 

Web Site   

This was updated periodically throughout the summer.  A complete review of all pages, and updates for the 2007/2008 school year will be done in September.

 

 

Summer tri-city legion baseball

This is MV’s version of VFW Legion ball.  Coaches Downey and Walsh spent the summer with the 16 year-old MVHS group.  Their evaluation is that this is a solid program and should continue going forward.  “The Tri-City Red”, American Legion team, “is a great opportunity for some MVHS players”, reported Coach Downey.  While these 2 leagues are good opportunities for MVHS players to develop skills and enjoy their summer experience, the Tri-City Senior Babe program is not so good.  Coach Downey plans to bring this before Jeff Larsen at the legion.  Downey and the Irondale coach, Chris Fink, will suggest some varsity caliber teams, playing 30-40 games, vs. junior caliber teams that Senior Babe supports, playing 16 games.  If the legion won’t support it, other possibilities will be explored.

 

            SAYB

            A brief 1-day clinic for SAYB Fall ball will be conducted on September 15^th.  A winter youth clinic is being planned, but where to hold it is unknown at this time.

 

            Summer baseball fun program

            Over 40, 6^th-12^th grade, students participated in the 4 day/week program that ran from June 18^th – July 31^st.  The kids came and went as they chose, utilizing different hitting stations as well as the practice field area.  Regular attendees received “5000 Swings” t-shirts.  All proceeds went to the MVHS baseball program to purchase storage equipment and batting screens.  The plan is to run the program again in 2008.

 

            Field Update

            Several people have been involved in meetings over the summer to pursue an on-campus baseball field.  Coach Downey met with MV District personnel, starting with Bob Madison, and found them to be committed to evaluation of a field at the high school campus.  The coach is not able, at this time, to divulge the specifics of the meetings, but is hopeful to have more definitive information to be shared in early October.  Ultimately, the school board would have to approve the addition of the field at the school.

 

            November meeting date

            The first Tuesday of November, the 6^th, is an election night.  This creates a conflict for our meeting time as no school activity is allowed until AFTER 8:00 PM.  We need to choose an alternative meeting date, or decide to meet at 8:00 instead of 7:00.

 

Old Business:

Spring 2008 Disney Trip

To date, 30 students have paid their $100 deposit.  Ben Gallagher reported that the complex at Disney, in Orlando, would provide a superior experience for the boys.  The cost/athlete would be just under $1000 but would include airfare, hotel costs, use of fields, ALL transportation, 3-day park hopper pass, and passes for “assistants”.  At this time, flights with Midwest airlines have been booked.  The dates that have been set are Sunday, March 16^th through Saturday, March 22^nd, 2008.

 

New Business: 

2007-2008 Committees

1.  Grocery bagging – Last year this was headed up by Randy Reichert.  He is looking for someone to take this over.

2.  Pizza Pals – Jerry Walen did a great job with this, but with his son’s graduation this spring, we’ll be looking for someone to take this on.

3.  Banquet/Silent Auction – Randy Reichert and Jennifer Dickison were instrumental in making this fundraiser a great success in February of this year.  This requires a group of individuals doing various tasks, including securing the banquet location, getting invitations out and recording replys, decorations, and securing silent auction items, to name a few.  Please consider how you can be involved this year.

4.  Game Day Experience – John Hoffman took the lead on this.  Two seniors gave of their time to be present at the varsity games, providing music and lineups.  It really did add to the whole game experience.

5.  Captain’s practices – Early on in January, informal workouts will be put on by senior captains, Dan Reichert, Dave Bothwell, and Phil Wessberg.  We need a couple of dads to be present in the gym to monitor activity, throw batting practice, and whatever else may come up.  Last year, Craig Dickison and Mike Blumer were active with this.

6.  Year-end Banquet – Sally McCarville and Karin Wessberg brought all the MVHS players and their parents together for a season ending banquet at Jimmy’s, in Vadnais Heights.  This was the first year that ALL players, freshmen through seniors, had a combined year-end gathering.  We look forward to doing it again this year.  Diane Hershey, whose son is a junior, has already volunteered for the 2008 banquet, so we should be set.  The captains’ moms, and perhaps dads, will likely have some involvement as well.

7.  District program – This is put together for the end of season play.  Ads are sold to help fund the program, as well as to provide money for MV baseball in general.  Having a program for playoffs is a must, so please let us know of your interest in helping with this.  Mark Anderson and Allen Barkve took this on last year.

  

A motion was made by Jennifer Dickison to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm; motion seconded by Mark Anderson.

 

The next regular Diamond Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2nd, at 7:00 pm in the Mounds View Forum.

 

Your attendance is welcome and highly encouraged!