Diamond Club Meeting

September 2, 2008

Members present:  John Hoffman, Mike Blumer, Jessica Hagemann, Dave Stacy, Jeff Hershey, Dan Nickols, Marquetta Nickols, Bob Freed, Coach Downey, Mark Anderson, Mirian Zachary, Dion Wikstrom, Doug Quammen, Wendy Quammen, Ken Porter, Cal Anderson, Scott Baker, Dan Tenney

The meeting was called to order by Mike Blumer at 7:05.

Minutes from June meeting:

A motion was made by Bob Freed to approve the June minutes. The motion was seconded by Dave Stacy.  All were in favor; the motion carried.

Overview:  Mike Blumer:

Mike talked about supporting the funding of the Diamond Club. Funds are needed to cover umpires, transportations, balls, uniforms.  The main goal is to supplement what is paid in initial fees to make the program viable.  We�re looking at around $20,000 in needed funds raised this year. The silent auction is the largest, single fundraiser � last year�s silent auction raised $15,500.

Coach Downey�s update:  (See complete report attached or fine it on-line)

      New field - Completed.  Need add-ons to enhance game time.  Basic field ready and looks great.  Need to separate field fundraising from team fundraising � two separate efforts.

      Summer baseball - Irondale will have a Legion team next year � didn�t this year.  They will not be a part of Tri-City entity next year; however, Mounds View will remain at Tri City Red. 

     Summer fun program - Summer program went well.  Next summer will be better with home field (See notes from Downey).

      Diamond Club - Captain�s practice � will leave T/Th 7-9pm as that works well. It�s informal � kids come and go as they choose. Captains will continue to run.  The challenges remains that there is usually a basketball game or wrestling match typing up main gym. 

o       CJ Woodrow contacted Coach about his organization coming to MVHS and putting on a clinic on Sunday nights 7:00-8:30.  This would be a more structured format, but there would be a cost.  If there is enough interest, Mike Blumer will set this up with CJ.   It will be $100-$150 per child � running 10 weeks � starting the Sunday after the new year: 1-4-09.  There will be four areas: pitchers, catchers, hitting, in-field instructors.  Need 15-20 to make it worthwhile.  If huge interest, two groups on Sunday nights with 25 max in one group. Sunday night is the best open night. Other nights discussed but other sports going on.

      Spring break:  Same week as baseball start week. 9^th graders start 1 week earlier � extra time with coaches. Basketball could be at state tournament. Florida every other year seems best. We usually have snow on the first week of practice.  Last year teams practiced at Hamlin which worked well, but not an option this year due to change in their spring break. Coach is checking with Bethel, then St. Thomas and Augsburg.  Not sure of cost yet. Other option: practice indoors, then head with juniors and seniors to Kansas City and hope for warm weather.  Could pull a bus trip together last minute.  Estimated cost of $250 per child.

      Tim Flaherty: graduated so he�s not returning.  Freshman opening - difficult to fill due to time and low pay.

      Budget:  Talked about budget for 2009.  Need new helmets � haven�t purchased any in over 3 years.  Need catcher�s gear and additional balls due to the new field. Jerseys new last year.  Mike Blumer proposed for all present to review Mark�s budget and discuss about raising the needed funds again in October.  The field house and transportation costs during spring break were discussed.  Again, Mike proposed we aim to gather funds necessary to meet the needs that Coach listed, including wish list of an indoor mound.  We have plenty of time to raise the needed funds.

Treasurer�s Report:

John provided a brief recap of the budget since June � no activity. Balance is currently $6,052.10. He went over the expense report which he updates each month for the Diamond Club meetings.

New Business:

There are many positions to fill this year:

      Grocery bagging � need two people to organize location and times � 3 opportunities � obtain dates from Cub for MV baseball to bag

      Game Day Experience � John has done this the last three years and would like to train in a new person. This involves coordinating announcing for Varsity home games and one home game for each of the other teams, preferable at the Varsity field � he has in the past recruited junior and senior boys not on the team who like to announce.  Also involves organizing parents from each team to plan picnics. V parents in the past have put together flyers/program for game.  Need someone to organize.

      Year-end banquet � Diane Hershey will handle again this year. Marquetta Nichols and Jessica Hagemann will assist Diane Hershey this year.

      Senior Day � coordinate with senior parents for posters, etc at year-end banquet. 

      Pizza Pals � several calls from parents not happy � we will table topic until October but need to come up with an alternative.  Pizza Pals raises $6,000 � can�t run into other sports team�s plans. 

      Apparel � get together with Downey � captains choose items and get approval from Downey. Need someone to coordinate orders and deliveries.  Pre-training t-shirt for tryouts, etc. 

      Captain�s practice � need 1 person to set up the schedule parental supervision.  Need two parents on Tuesdays and two parents on Thursdays.  Try to spread out responsibility.   Mark Anderson volunteered to organize the parent list.

Tuesday November 4^th is election day so November meeting moved to Monday the 3^rd at 7:00 in the Forum. Other meetings remain on first Tuesday at each month.

Team Recaps: SV had successful summer in all age groups; lots of good baseball.

Auction/dinner � there was discussion about this year�s auction and banquet. A separate meeting has been set to discuss the 2009 event.  All those interested can come to Panino�s at 8:00 on Monday, September 22^nd.  The decision will be reported at the regular Diamond Club meeting in October.

Mark Anderson is going to try and recruit some junior parents to the Diamond Club.

Brad Blumer is going to put up a notice about an after-school opportunity for players � weight room M-W-F; McCullough T/Th.  Have your child look for this notice.

Dave Stacy talked about the Diamond Club Capital Campaign.  Obtaining two batting cages is the first priority.  Randy Reichert and Ron Engebretson currently working on establishing the 501c(3) status for the Diamond Club.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 with a motion by Cal Anderson and seconded by Marquetta Nickols.  All in favor.

The next regular Diamond Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7^th at 7:00 pm in the Mounds View Forum.  All are welcome!