Diamond Club Meeting - May 4, 2010 - Mark Downey Report

Schedule

3 weeks remain in the regular season.

Upcoming Events on the Web Site:

• May 6 - Freshman GameDay Cookout
• May 9 - SAYB 16-19 Tryouts
• May 12 - Senior Day
• May 23 - Season End Banquet
• June 13 - Alumni Game

Miscellaneous

The foul ball netting is stopping most of the foul balls that used to reach the neighboring yards, but there remains some concern about the foul balls traveling into the yards.  Dave Stacy has developed a tracking form; we are tracking every foul ball that hits the netting or goes over the netting to be able to accurately assess the effectiveness of the netting, and to be able to report the results also to the Arden Hills City Council.

The MSHSL recently rescinded their previous ruling about no travel over 600 miles round trip for athletic teams.  Spring sports teams will again be able to travel south during Spring Break.  For MV in 2011, this is not possible given Spring Break again falls a week before the MSHSL Baseball start date.

Thanks to Joe Pilon for donating a tee/toss net and a batting tee.  Joe's son Matt played baseball at Mounds View several years ago.  We sent a thank-you card written by a player.

We will likely end the season with 8 hours of "banked" time at the Hamline Fieldhouse.  Using these hours next spring is the obvious solution.   Another thought for potential future discussion would be to spread out those hours over the course of next winter as part of a winter training program (long toss) in preparation for the 2011 season.  Just a thought...

I contacted the Twins again regarding the possibility of Harmon Killebrew for the 2011 Fundraising Dinner; expressing that we'd work around Harmon's schedule.  Mark Anderson is following up as well.

Recent and Upcoming Varsity activities:

• The Varsity players developed a list of 10 goals for their season.
• SAYB Teams: 17 players are signed up to assist SAYB teams with at least one practice.
• Sitzer Memories Day: Following practice towards the end of the season, the seniors will meet at Sitzer Park after a practice, and reminisce about their youth baseball memories.  We'll then go to DQ for dinner.
• Walk Around: Also towards the end of the season, the seniors will walk around the baseball field, stopping at each base and spending a few minutes to reminisce about their memories of their high school baseball days (1B - Freshman Year, 2B - Sophomore Year, 3B - Junior Year), ending at home plate to discuss where they are at in their final season and what they yet want to accomplish.

Every player was recently required to provide an Academic Progress Report to their Coach.

Mounds View High School often talks about the difference our student-athletes make in the building; the significant influence they have.  It is the time of the season to remind the players that the school year is not over.  For seniors, their legacy is still in progress.  We need them to finish the school year and season with class, character, and success.  As the weather gets nicer, good decision can often wane for a few.  If we have one bad decision and their season ends, it's too many.  We will remind the players of the importance of remaining focused on their academics and their conduct.

Reminder of the Summer Fun program:

• The program is open to any student entering grades 6 - 12 (there's a Grade 1-5 Program as well).  The program runs concurrent with the Mounds View High School summer Weight Training program; so those that are already at the High School can conveniently participate before or after the weight lifting as they choose.  The program is intended to provide for unstructured baseball activity.  As hockey players get better and learn to enjoy the game through being a "rink rat," and basketball players get better and learn to enjoy the game through being a "gym rat," so too do baseball players gain skill and enjoyment for the game by being "field rats" without a coach or parent structuring it for them.  The program is flexible - you show up on days that you want, when you want, do what you want, and stay as long as you want. 
• June 14 - July 22 (Monday-Thursday).  Off: July 5, 6, 7, 8 (Total of 20 Days)
• Time:  9:30AM - 12:00PM
• Cost: $35
• Graduated seniors are more than welcome to sign-up as well if they are interested.
• Sign-up through Community Education.

Diamond Club Meeting - April 6, 2010 - Mark Downey Report

Schedule

With the great weather, we didn't need 8 of the 10 hours of Hamline Fieldhouse time.  They have been very flexible with is on this; committing to allowing us to "bank" those hours for future use.

Thanks to all those that helped make the Super Saturday event run smoothly and accomplish much!

We haven't finalized a date for "Senior Day."  Two options I see would be:

• Monday, May 17 vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (last home game)
• Wednesday, May 12 vs. East Ridge (2^nd to last home game)

With weather always a potential issue, one approach would be to go with the East Ridge game, and potentially move it to the CDH game if weather is bad. I am open to either date.

Do we want to do a "Youth Day" where we invite SAYB players to come and have a hot dog or some other reason to attend?

Following are upcoming events identified on the team website:

• SAYB 13-15 Tryouts: April 10,11
• Tri-City Red Legion Tryouts: April 25
• Sophomore GameDay Cookout: April 26
• SAYB 16-19 Tryouts: May 9
• Season End Banquet (All Teams): Sunday, May 23
• 2nd Annual Alumni Game: Sunday, June 13

Field

Thanks to Dion Wikstrom (and Austin) for building a batting practice mound for the field.  It's outstanding!  Retail on them is $800-$1000. 

The Foul Ball netting poles are installed; the netting is schedule to be in place sometime this week.

The field came through the winter just fine; the sprinkler system was started late last week.

Miscellaneous

Thanks to SAYB for committing to providing us with a portable shed to be used to house all the field maintenance equipment.

Bob Madison would like a white colored batting cage net for the Back Gym.  No manufacturer has been located that produces a white net.  They can be special ordered for about twice the cost of a black net.  Discussions continue on this.

Thanks to Paul Nienaber and Dan Reichert for attending many of the early season practices!  We're always looking for extra volunteers; they add tremendous value!

Joe Kuduk and Brandon Biegelbach are set to be the announcers for varsity home games.

The high school baseball state tournament championship games will be played at Target Field on June 19.  Class A at 12:00PM, Class AA at 3:00PM and Class AAA at 6:00PM.

The MSHSL has granted Baseball and Softball coaches with an exemption from the recent ruling that high school coaches cannot have contact with their athletes from July 1 - July 7.

The Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Minute Men are having preliminary discussions about starting a Mr. Baseball award (similar to the Mr. Hockey and Mr Basketball awards currently) sponsored by the Twins and the Minutemen.  It would be held a day after the State Tournament at the Rod Carew Dining Hall at Target Field.

The local and metro press request a varsity season preview each year.  A copy of what I provided for them is on the web site.

Game-Day write-ups for all teams will be posted on the team web site as in past years.

In April, we will have the players get academic progress reports from their teachers.

Diamond Club Meeting - March 2, 2010 - Mark Downey Report

Coaching Staff

Brian Deschneau is joining our baseball coaching staff this spring.  Brian also coaches football and girls hockey at MVHS.  Brian previously coached softball at MVHS and youth baseball in the community as well.  He grew up in Lake City, and played baseball at Gustavus.  Brian will work primarily with the V/JV players.  We're excited to add Brian to our coaching staff!

Jon Walsh is taking a summer off from coaching this summer; he has coached with me with the VFW team the past 3 years, and for many summers prior to that as well.  Paul Nienaber, MVHS supervisory employee, will assist me this summer.  Paul helped out last spring occasionally during the high school season as his schedule allowed, and he will do the same again this spring during the high school season as well.  Paul played baseball at Harding High School and Crown College, and Paul umpires in the summer as well.

In addition to Paul Nienaber, others planning to help out this spring with the high school season as their schedules allow include: Billy Gazich, Rich Opitz and Andy Peters.  All have helped out in past years as well.

Upcoming Schedule

Scheduled events are kept updated on the home page of the team website.  Following are the upcoming events currently scheduled:

-         Informational Meeting for Players and Parents - 3 Options

- March 2 or March 9, 7:00PM-8:00PM @ MVHS

-   March 10, 2:15PM-3:15PM @ MVHS

-         Optional Apparel Early Ordering Deadline - March 6

-         Cub Foods Bagging - March 7

-         Freshman Tryouts - March 8-12

-         Spring Break - March 15-19

-         Season Begins - March 22

-         Cub Foods Bagging - March 28

-         Super Saturday (Field Prep, Pictures, Cub Foods Bagging) - April 3

-         Optional Apparel Final Ordering Deadline - April 4

-         SAYB 13-15 Tryouts - April 10-11

-         Tri-City Red Legion Tryouts - April 25

-         SAYB 16-19 Tryouts - May 9

-         Season End Banquet (All Teams) - May 23

-         2^nd Annual Alumni Game - June 13

Fundraising Dinner

Video of Dan Gladden's remarks is now available online on the home page of the team website.

About 20 players helped write 125 thank-you notes for the auction donors, and Randy Reichert mailed them out last week.

Field

The City of Arden Hills has approved the construction of the 50' high netting behind home plate and extending to the 1B dugout - to reduce the number of foul balls in the neighbors yards.  The poles will be installed this week, and the netting will be installed later this spring.  The District is funding this effort. 

Plans for installing bleachers are also proceeding; to be done as soon as feasible with the ground conditions this spring.

Obviously, the MVHS baseball field is used all summer following the spring MVHS season, and the associated equipment such as screens, field maintenance equipment, tees, and batting cages are also used by the summer youth teams.  Since this equipment is all purchased by the Diamond Club in support of the high school teams, it is appropriate that some funds for wear and tear of this equipment be provided back to the high school program by Community Education since they charge for the use of the field in the summer.  I have had discussion with Community Education regarding this, and they are in agreement - details yet to be worked out.

Miscellaneous

I experienced the Blaine National Sports Center fieldhouse facility ("NSC Sports Arena") for the first time last month while working a Twins baseball clinic; it is outstanding for baseball workouts.  It would be a great venue for MVHS use, but the cost would need to come down from the $345/hour they currently charge for it to be a viable option for us.

We conducted a 2 day winter youth clinic this past weekend at MVHS for 30 players age 9-14.  Several senior and junior MV players assisted in the clinic.  The clinic is donating 7 dozen new practice baseballs to the MVHS program.

In doing the annual net repairs to the indoor batting cage. I'm not sure how many more years it can function reasonably and safely.  We'll see how it holds up this spring.  I don't know how old it is, but I do know that I cannot find anyone at the school that can remember any other batting cage net at the school; it is likely 20+ years old.

Joe Kuduk and Jack Messerly are planning to do the announcing for the varsity games.

The Gophers baseball team is playing at Target Field on Saturday, March 27 at 1:00PM; the first game on the new Target Field.  Tickets are $2; no advance sale; ticket sales begin at 8:00AM that day.  Bob Freed has offered to buy a block of tickets for any MVHS baseball players wanting to go to the game.  This could be a fun optional team outing if players are interested.  Final cuts will not have been made at that point, but that doesn't matter to me.  We have practice that evening at 6:30PM at Hamline.  I told Bob Freed that any activity such as this should go through the Diamond Club, I cannot give money or tickets to players.  So, this is something for the Diamond Club to discuss - there are the logistical aspects of getting tickets (how many tickets can any 1 person purchase?), getting tickets to the players that day, transportation to/from Target Field, etc.

Diamond Club Meeting - February 9, 2010 - Mark Downey Report

Dinner and Silent Auction

Obviously this event was a huge financial success as a result of the Diamond Club's significant efforts.  Equally important for me is the community and school enthusiasm for Mounds View baseball that this event helps foster.  I am very fortunate and appreciative to be part of a team of high performing people in support of Mounds View baseball.  Thank You!

Upcoming Schedule

I sent an email to all parents in outlining the schedule for the beginning of the season.  It can be referenced on the team website as well: www.moundsviewbaseball.com/letter1001parents.html.

Captains Practice time is available from 8:30PM-10:00PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the week of Spring Break.  The building is closed the remainder of the week.

Here is what I would propose for buses the week of March 22 for Hamline and the Shoreview Ice Arena:

-         Seniors/Juniors will drive to the Shoreview Ice Arena for practice right after school.  Sophomores/Freshmen will be bused.

-         Hamline practices for all players at 6:30PM-8:30PM: Parents/players provide their own transportation to/from Hamline. 

o        The one exception will be on that Friday where we will start with some practice time at MVHS - we'll provide a bus to/from Hamline.

Scheduled events are kept updated on the home page of the team website.  Following are the upcoming events currently scheduled:

• Captains Practices: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30PM-10:30PM @ MVHS
• Informational Meeting for Players and Parents - 3 Options
  • March 2, 7:00PM-8:00PM @ MVHS
  • March 9, 7:00PM-80:00PM @ MVHS
  • March 10, 2:15PM-3:15PM @ MVHS
• Optional Apparel Early Ordering Deadline - March 6
• Cub Foods Bagging - March 7
• Freshman Tryouts - March 8-12
• Spring Break - March 15-19
• Season Begins - March 22
• Cub Foods Bagging - March 28
• Super Saturday (Field Prep, Pictures, Cub Foods Bagging) - April 3
• Optional Apparel Final Ordering Deadline - April 4
• Season End Banquet (All Teams) - May 23

The first Informational Meeting for Players and Parents is the same night as the March Diamond Club Meeting (March 2).  Freshman parents will be attending this meeting since the freshmen start the next week.  Consider pushing back the Diamond Club Meeting to 7:45'ish this night, and encourage parents attending the Informational Meeting to come over to the Diamond Club Meeting to learn more about the Diamond Club?

Some other schedule items you may be interested in during the baseball season:

• ACT Test - April 10
• Twins Opener - April 12 - Some MV games are scheduled this day
• Legion Tryouts - May 2
• MVHS Scholarship Awards - May 5 (immediately after school)
• VFW/SAYB Tryouts - May 9
• MVHS Academic Awards - May 13 (6:00PM)
• Prom - May 15

MV Schools finalized the 2010/1011 Calendar in January.  Spring Break is the week of March 14, 2011.  The MSHSL start date for baseball is March 21, 2011.  Thus, the timing is the same as it is this year in 2010.

College Baseball

For anyone interested in watching college baseball, the Minnesota Gophers will be offering free ticket vouchers for the DQ Classic games on March 5-7.  Most all of the upper midwest DI, DII and DIII colleges play games in February/March in the Metrodome as well.  Several Mustangs alums play baseball at local colleges - see www.moundsviewbaseball.com/historycollege.html.  Consult the team website of a school you may be interested in seeing for their game schedule, or visit the Metrodome's Event Calendar: www.msfc.com/events.cfm.

Miscellaneous

Recall that there was the possibility of us using the U of M Fieldhouse on Friday, March 26.  This was not available after all; we'll be at Hamline on that date.  The schedule for the first 4 weeks of the season were emailed to all parents in January, and it is posted on the Schedule page of the team website.

Two seniors have stepped forward to be managers for the V/JV: Kelly Humphrey and Whitney Meissner.  John Sjobeck, junior, will be in his second year of doing the book on game days for the varsity.  I assume John may also do many JV games as well since many of his classmates will play in those games.

The Captains are working on securing 2 students to act as announcers for the varsity games this spring.

I sent an email last week to all parents regarding summer baseball.  It can be referenced on the team website as well: http://www.moundsviewbaseball.com/letter1002parents.html.

We have tentatively scheduled the 2^nd annual alumni game for Sunday, June 13.  I will be communicating this to alumni in February.

Twelve 8^th graders stopped by to talk about MV baseball at the MVHS Enrolment Information Night held in January.

Clinics:

• We are conducting a youth clinic (Ages 9-14 or 8^th Grade) on February 27&28 at MVHS.  If you know people that may be interested: http://www.moundsviewbaseball.com/letter1002parents.html.

• I attended the national baseball coaching convention in Dallas the first week in January; there were great clinicians as always at this convention.
• I had the opportunity to be a clinician on Catcher Drills at a recent high school coaches clinic. 
• At this same high school coaches clinic, we also had a high school coaches meeting - one item of note coming from that meeting is that a great deal of pushback is occurring on the recent MSHSL rule that high school teams cannot travel more than 600 miles round trip.  Some attorneys have apparently become involved, citing inequities between athletics and groups such as band, orchestra and choir that travel worldwide.
• I'll be working the Twins youth clinic in February at the new Blaine National Sports Center's Sports Hall.  I've heard a lot of good things about the facility, so it will be nice to see it function for some baseball - it's a fairly convenient location for us, too bad it's so expensive...

I am looking for someone that can edit a PDF file; to make some modifications to the PDF files for the Lions All-Star Tournament.

I talked to Don McMahon who took some game pictures last year.  He said he will be doing so again this year.  Don also does some pictures for the football and basketball teams

I am looking for someone that could build the team a batting practice mound.  It's a simple device that can be made out of wood.  They retail for about $700-$1000; one could be built for far less.  Perhaps someone needing a service project?  

• Kyle Foster: Foster is the Sophomore Team Head Coach.  Foster has pitched in the Boston Red Sox organization, and most recently with the St. Paul Saints. He was a team captain, and an All-MIAC player during his college career at Hamline University. Foster was also a basketball player and team captain at Hamline; he served as a leader at the NCAA Student Athletic Leadership Conference, and was a member of the Hamline Student Athlete Advisory Committee. At Eastview High School, Foster played both basketball and baseball. He was a volunteer coach at Hamline in 2008, he has coached and acted as the Site Coordinator for the Gopher Junior Baseball Fall League, he is an instructor for Next Level Baseball Training and the Midwest Baseball Academy, he teaches in the Minneapolis School District, and he will be coaching the Irondale Sophomore Basketball team this winter. Foster lives in St. Paul.

Diamond Club Meeting - September, 2009 - Coach Downey Comments

Field

It was outstanding to have a field on the campus.  While we have some challenges to address; the foul balls into the neighbor's yards for example; overall the field provided a great benefit for the players.

Thanks to so many people for their commitment to making this happen.

I'll defer to the Field Fundraising Committee to provide an update on ongoing enhancements.

All the equipment is being stored in the dugouts this winter in lieu of storage space (coming sometime in the future).  The old Kohler Meadows Dugout covers are being used to cover the front of the dugouts to help protect the equipment.  The portable outfield fence will be re-installed this fall following the fall sports season so that it is in place next spring.  Thanks to Mark Anderson for storing the banners, windscreen and PA System indoors at his business.

Summer Baseball

Summer Fun drew about 80 students this past summer overall; down from about 100 the previous 2 years.  The number of students in grades 1-5 that participated this past summer was up, and the number of students in grades 6-12 was down.  Participation in basketball, football and soccer summer activities at MVHS were down this past summer as well. 

We had 30 MVHS baseball players help out at a practice or two with some SAYB teams.  I received some very positive feedback from a couple of SAYB coaches on this.  This is the 2^nd year we have done this, and we will plan to continue this in the future.

SAYB participation numbers increased for the first time in several years.

                                             Total

Year                               Registrations

2009                                     850

2008 **                                 822

2007                                     946

** Beginning in 2008, a reduction in the area of White Bear Lake that was part of the SAYB boundary was reduced.

With the summer use of the field run through Community Education (with usage fees), I believe that some arrangement on their part to financially support field maintenance is appropriate.  The Diamond Club funds a great deal of equipment that is used by summer teams all summer; this summer use creates some normal wear and tear.  I will initiate discussion with them on this.

MSHSL

The Minnesota State High School League enacted a couple of changes over the summer that affect baseball:

-         Trips of more than 600 miles round trip will not be allowed.  Thus, spring trips to Florida over Spring Break will no longer be an option.

-         Section playoffs will be single elimination until 4 teams remain; then double elimination with the final 4 teams. 

Reminder also that the Mustangs will compete in a new Section in 2010 for baseball.  Every 2 years the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) realigns the section opponents for all sports based upon geography.  The 2009 Baseball Section playoffs was the second year of a section alignment; thus a realignment was done for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. 

-         2010 Section Opponents: Cretin-Derham Hall, East Ridge, Mahtomedi, North, Roseville, South St. Paul, Stillwater, Tartan, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, Hill-Murray

(2009 Section Opponents Were: Blaine, Centennial, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Irondale, Maple Grove, Mounds View, Osseo, Park Center, Robbinsdale Cooper, Spring Lake Park, Totino-Grace)

2010 Schedule / Spring Break

The MSHSL and Mounds View Schools established their respective calendars for the 2009/2010 school year.  The Mounds View School Spring Break is the week of March 15, 2010.  The MSHSL start date for baseball is March 22, 2010.  Thus, a spring baseball trip with the MVHS coaches would not be possible in 2010 even if the MSHSL had not made the changes noted above. 

Family spring break vacations, of course, will not be an issue in 2010 because the season doesn't start until after Spring Break.  I know there has been some discussion on the part of some parents to consider coordinating their Spring Break vacations to provide some form of baseball practice/experience for their sons - This is certainly fine; just know that coaches cannot have any involvement. 

Freshman Tryouts have historically been held prior to the MSHSL start date (allowed) so as to be able to have the entire coaching staff focused exclusively on these players for an entire week.  This year, that would have to be the week of March 8 (the week before Spring Break).  There are some MVHS administrative challenges and gym space issues with doing this the week of March 8; so this is a tentative plan at this point.  Alternatively, we'll just start everyone on March 22.

With a later start date this year (1 week later), and also a new Section with new MSHSL single/double elimination regulations, we will need to wait for some schedules to come out before we can discuss events like GameDay Barbeques, Senior Day, Sitzer Memories Day, Youth Baseball Day?, and the Season End Banquet. 

With such a short high school season, we typically have to "rush" kids' arms into shape.  I really wish there was some way to provide kids with the opportunity to throw some long toss about 2x/week for about 4 weeks before the season; it would literally only take 30 minutes a session.  If anyone has a solution as part of Captains Practices.

Fieldhouse for First Week of Practice?

In the prior 3 years, we have had the use of a local college fieldhouse for the first week of practice to significantly enhance the indoor practice environment as compared to the MVHS Gyms. 

In the past, we have used:

-         2007-Bethel (free)

-         2008-Hamline ($100/hour)

-         2009-Augsburg ($100/hour)

All of them worked out well.

This coming season, there's 2 major differences from the past:  1) We're starting a week later than "normal," but this week is typically not suitable for much activity outside.  And, 2) We're in school that first week; whereas in the past we've been on Spring Break.

I have done some checking on the availability of local college fieldhouses for the week of March 22, 2010.  Unfortunately, none of the local college spring break schedules line-up with our spring break:

-         U of M, Augsburg, Bethel, Macalester Spring Breaks - Week of March 15

-         Hamline, St. Olaf, St. Thomas Spring Breaks - Week of March 29

The Metrodome is at least $400/hour.  The Blaine Sports Arena is $330/hour.  The Plymouth Dome is $284/hour. I have not checked on their availability due to the significant cost/hour.

Domes at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI Dome), North Dakota State University (Fargo Dome) and the University of North Dakota (Alerus Center) are football only facilities.  They could possibly be a practice option if we wanted to pursue them.  They are likely very expensive and they are out of town - obviously an issue since we're in school the first week of practice.

There are many baseball training facilities in the metro are such as Line Drive, Hey Coach Clubhouse (Golden Valley), Blue Chip (Lakeville), Minnesota Baseball Academy (Rogers).  They do not have a facility any larger than the MVHS gyms.

I will continue to pursue options including the Stillwater and Spring Lake Park Domes.

Coaching Staff

Mounds View Assistant Coach Brian Sprout was named the new head baseball coach for East Ridge High School this summer; East Ridge is the new high school in Woodbury opening this fall.  Thanks to Brian for his contributions to Mounds View baseball for the past 3 years; we wish him good luck.

-         Varsity

With Brian's departure, I plan to restructure the Varsity/JV coaching approach.  Courtright, Nuss, Walsh and Downey represent the core of the MVHS baseball coaching staff.  These 4 people have demonstrated that commitment over the past 3+ years, and will be relied upon for the direction and success of the baseball program going forward. 

Objective:

-         Leverage the skills of all 4 of these coaches with the varsity - the varsity ultimately being the measuring stick of the program.

-         Advance the concept of the "Varsity," as opposed to the JV being a totally separate entity.  While there are some inherent perceived negatives associated with being primarily a "JV" player, we want to do whatever we can do to enhance the "JV" experience for the players and tie them to the other players, therefore advancing their skills and potential ability to contribute to the varsity someday.

Approach/Solution

-         These 4 coaches to coach the roughly 30 kids on the Varsity/JV.  These 4 coaches must cover JV games and practices for those not playing on the varsity on varsity game days.

-         These 4 coaches are expected to be involved in all aspects of planning and running the baseball program (e.g. planning field, fundraising, clinics, etc.).

-         Courtright and Walsh will split time with JV and Varsity; they will have the majority of the JV gameday coaching duties.

-         Once games start: Provides for all 4 of the core coaching staff to have involvement with the varsity players, and 2 of the 4 with the JV.  In the previous model we had 3 with the varsity and 1 with the JV.

-         This approach is consistent with many high school programs.  This approach is why the Suburban East Conference schedules JV and Varsity games on different days as much as is possible.

-         Sophomore

This approach for the Varsity provides an opening for a Sophomore Head Coach with Jon Walsh moving to the Varsity.  We also have an opening for a Sophomore Assistant Coach (last year's Assistant Coach, Tyler Murchi, moved to Chicago).

-         Freshman

Brett Theisen and Jordan Moberg are tentatively planning on coaching the Freshman team again this spring, pending their spring school schedule.

2010 Budget

Attached is a first crack at a budget for 2010 for the Diamond Club's consideration. It is a proposal for discussion.  Each budget item for 2010 is compared to the same item actually spent in 2009 and 2008.  The total proposed budget for 2010 is $17,789; as compared to $16,987 actual in 2009, and $20,886 actual in 2008.  The increase in 2010 over 2009 ($802) is basically costs associated with the new field ($880).

Some notes on the proposed Budget:

My attached budget comparison does NOT include the cost of additional Diamond Club activities that have been done in the past such as team picnics and supplementing the end of season banquet.

Miscellaneous

The Minnesota Twins have not yet set the dates for TwinsFest this coming winter.  We have historically set the Fundraising Banquet date to coincide with TwinsFest so as to avoid any travel costs associated with a featured speaker.  I check on this weekly, and will inform you when the TwinsFest weekend is set.

The Alumni game held in June was successful.  Alums from the classes of 1997-2002 played against more recent alums, and they played to a 3-3 tie.  It was a beautiful day to play, and all agreed that they wanted to do it again next year.  Thanks to the Diamond Club and specifically the Reichert's, Grasley's and Harris' for the cookout and music!  Thanks to Gail Kalata from Tri-City Legion for taking pictures.

Diamond Club

I want to thank everyone in advance for all the efforts that the Diamond Club will provide this coming year in support of Mounds View High School Baseball.  High School sports require strong booster clubs to be able to provide for many expenses associated with running a high school athletic program.  I know that your efforts are significant in support of the high school baseball players!

Election days this year are 11/3/09 and 2/2/10.  No meetings are allowed at school

Mounds View High School is in the final stages of developing a Mounds View High School Booster Club Guidelines document that provides a guide for Booster Clubs on policies, procedures, and best practices for Mounds View High School.  When completed, I will provide it to you.

Diamond Club Meeting - May 5, 2009 - Coach Downey Comments

Summer Baseball

All but one player from Mounds View High School that tried out for Tri-City Legion made the team. 

VFW Tryouts were held this past Sunday.  I will have Mounds View students only on the roster.

MV Players have volunteered to help with 11 SAYB teams this spring.

Summer Fun

Reminder of the Summer Fun program:

The program is open to any student entering grades 6 - 12 (there's a Grade 1-5 Program as well).  The program runs concurrent with the Mounds View High School summer Weight Training program; so those that are already at the High School can conveniently participate before or after the weight lifting as they choose.  The program is intended to provide for unstructured baseball activity.  As hockey players get better and learn to enjoy the game through being a "rink rat," and basketball players get better and learn to enjoy the game through being a "gym rat," so too do baseball players gain skill and enjoyment for the game by being "field rats" without a coach or parent structuring it for them.  The program is flexible - you show up on days that you want, when you want, do what you want, and stay as long as you want. 

June 15 - July 23

Monday-Thursday

(** Off: July 1, 2, 6, 7 **)

(** Total of 20 Days **)

Time:  9:30AM - 12:00PM

Cost: $35

Graduated seniors are more than welcome to sign-up as well if they are interested.

Miscellaneous

I'll do the Senior "Youth Memories" Day again this year; probably May 13^th or 14^th.  The team will go to Sitzer Park after practice, and the seniors will have the opportunity to talk about some of their favorite youth baseball memories.  We will then go to DQ down the street for dinner; like the youth baseball days.

Diamond Club Meeting - April 7, 2009 - Coach Downey Comments

Coaching Staff: Craig Davis will be Scott Courtright's JV Assistant.  We're excited that former MV Coach Rich Opitz also agreed to stay with us through last week (when his job precludes him from participating).

New Section Playoff Alignment: Every 2 years, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) realigns the section opponents based upon geography.  The 2009 Section playoffs are the second year of the current section alignment.  Thus, in 2010, the Mustangs will have new section opponents - they have been announced this week by the MSHSL.

-         2009 Section Opponents: Blaine, Centennial, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Irondale, Maple Grove, Mounds View, Osseo, Park Center, Robbinsdale Cooper, Spring Lake Park, Totino-Grace.

-        2010 Section Opponents: Cretin-Derham Hall, East Ridge, Mahtomedi, North, Roseville, South St. Paul, Stillwater, Tartan, White Bear Lake, Woodbury

2009/2010 Calendar: The MSHSL and Mounds View Schools established their respective calendars for the 2009/2010 school year.  The Mounds View School Spring Break is the week of March 15.  The MSHSL start date for baseball is March 22.  Thus, a spring baseball trip with the MVHS coaches is not possible in 2010.  Family spring break vacations, however, are not an issue in 2010.  I have done some checking on the availability of local college fieldhouses the week of March 22.  None of the local colleges line-up with our spring break:

-         Augsburg, Bethel and Macalester Spring Breaks - March 15

-         Hamline and St. Thomas Spring Breaks - March 29

Miscellaneous

March is extremely busy getting the season underway; I'm glad to be in April playing games.

Thanks to all who contributed to making the Super Saturday event go smoothly!  Having the field is outstanding and it looks great!  A storage pod will be delivered soon.

Not being allowed on McCullough until after games are scheduled is an annual issue.

Thanks to Jon Nuss for donating a TV for baseball team use for video review.

The local and metro press request a varsity season preview each year.  A copy is on the web site.

SAYB coaches will be attending our varsity practices on April 16 and April 22 to observe.

AD Bob Madison is creating a display in the lobby at MVHS of MV alums currently competing in college athletics.  Spring Sport athletes (Baseball) are being added as we receive head shots of the athletes from their respective schools.

GameDay write-ups for all teams will be posted on the team web site as in past years.

We will have some student managers this year.  With the field, there is always some set-up required, and they can also help with some of the needs during practices.  Seniors Kelsey Flaherty, Sharon Kahat and Robbie Searles have agreed to be involved.  Sophomore John Sjobek will join us each varsity game to do the scorebook.

In April, we will have the players get academic progress reports from their teachers.

We should discuss the Field Dedication Day plans as relates the cookout - who are we providing food for? We might have a good sized crowd if it's a nice day?  Invite SAYB kids too?

Diamond Club Meeting - March 2, 2009 - Coach Downey Comments

Coaching Staff

Tyler Murchie will be Jon Walsh's Sophomore Assistant.  Tyler coaches soccer at Bethel and wrestling at South St. Paul as well. 

Former MV Freshman Coach Rich Opitz will help coach at Augsburg during Spring Break along with Paul Nienaber and Bill Tabor.  Former MV and NDSU player Billy Gazich may also help during Spring Break.

Youth

Jon Nuss and I conducted a Pitching and Catching clinic in February for 21 middle school players.

The 2 day winter youth clinic was held this past weekend at MVHS for 46 players age 9-14.  Seventeen senior/junior MV players also assisted with this clinic.

I will do a Coaching Clinic for SAYB coaches on Saturday, April 7.  MV practices are always open to youth coaches; we will reiterate this on April 7^th.

Summer Baseball

I sent an email to all parents in an attempt to explain the summer baseball options for high school players.

Alumni

I emailed or text messaged 78 MVHS Baseball Alumni regarding the alumni game planned for the evening of Sunday, June 14.

Spring Break Practices

We're all set for Augsburg.  I have watched Augsburg practice, and have had several conversations with Coach Bateman about use of the facility.  Coach Bateman has been very gracious in allowing us to utilize their equipment.  We will also be transporting MV equipment to Augsburg following the freshman tryouts.  We will have 5 pitching mounds and plenty of screens to accommodate our practices.

Concessions

MV Student Council has requested the opportunity to sell concessions for home MV Varsity baseball games.  I told them that the Diamond Club has first opportunity for this, and that they would discuss it on March 2.

Blyleven Video

Video of Bert Blyleven's remarks at the Diamond Club Dinner are available on the website.  Thanks to John Hoffman and Jim Radford for this.

Diamond Club Meeting - February 3, 2009 - Coach Downey Comments

Dinner and Silent Auction

Obviously this event was a huge financial success as a result of the Diamond Club's significant efforts.  Equally important for me is the community and school enthusiasm for Mounds View baseball that this event helps foster.  Thank You!

College Baseball

For anyone interested in watching college baseball, the Minnesota Gophers offer free ticket vouchers for the DQ Classic games on February 27 - March 1.  Most all of the upper Midwest DI, DII and DIII colleges play games in February/March in the Metrodome as well.  Consult any team website of a school you may be interested in seeing for their game schedule, or visit the Metrodome's Event Calendar at http://www.msfc.com/events.cfm.

Coaching Staff

Aaron Moberg made a decision to attend grad school this spring; thus he can not be the Sophomore assistant Coach as planned.  We are looking for a replacement.

Andrew Forsgren, a junior at Bethel will join the coaching staff this spring.  He is taking a coaching practicum class and as part of that he is required to do some coaching.  He played baseball at Bloomington Kennedy.  How Andrew can best help us is yet to be determined; he has a M-W-F class until 3:40PM.

I obtained my substitute teaching license, and have begun some substitute teaching at MVHS.

Youth

I will do a "Coach the Coaches" session this spring with the SAYB coaches.

Jon Nuss and I are conducting a Pitching and Catching clinic this week and next week for middle school players at Chippewa Middle School.  We have 17 kids signed up this far.

The 2 day winter youth clinic is coming up on February 28 and March 1.  We had 100 kids participate last year, and we expect the same this year.  I will be asking senior baseball players to help out - we will give them first shot at the opportunity to help out.  If there are not enough seniors able and interested, then I will ask juniors.

Thirteen 8^th graders stopped by to talk about MV baseball at the MVHS 8^th Grade Information Night.

Alumni

We're tentatively scheduled for an alumni game the evening of Sunday, June 14.  I will be communicating this to alumni sometime in February.

I have contacted MVHS baseball alumni I know of from old stats/records.  At present, I have a comprehensive list of names back through 1996.  I am working to gather contact information (email or cell phone number) for them.  At present, I have contact information from at least one person from each class back to 1996.

Spring Break Practices

Bill Tabor from Sports Performance Consulting will attend the 5 days of practice to do some brief sessions on the mental aspects of sports performance.  He is a former baseball player and coach, and he will also help with the baseball drills.  Mounds View Student Teacher Paul Nienaber (former college player) will help out this week as well, and former Mustangs and NDSU baseball player Billy Gazich may also be able to help us out.

Scheduling Items

A reminder that the Pre-Season Informational and Mandatory Chemical Awareness Meeting for players and parents is scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 7:00PM - 8:00PM in the MVHS Cafeteria.  The March Diamond Club Meeting is scheduled for the next evening - thus moving the Diamond Club Meeting to immediately following is an option to consider.

Reminder that game schedules for all 4 teams and the daily practice schedule for first few weeks of the season and are on website.

There is a 2 week with basketball - varsity basketball players could miss up to 2 weeks.

Because of the Physics Fair, basketball overlap, and the start of other spring sports like track and softball, gym space the week of March 9^th is very limited.  We don't know for sure what times we will get for the Freshman tryouts.

Regarding GameDay Cookouts/Events: If there is a desire to do these at the MVHS field:  The Freshman team plays at MVHS on May 5 vs. Irondale.  The Sophomore team plays at MVHS on April 11 vs. Minnetonka, and April 18 vs. Totino-Grace.

Schedule a Youth Day? Invite SAYB/Youth to attend a varsity game - what's unique about it?  Make it a Cookout Day - Any youth with an SAYB hat or shirt on gets a free hot dog and they can horse around on the field after the game?  By having it a cookout day, the MVHS players could mingle with the youth as they all ate hot dogs?

Field Dedication Day - Up to Bob Madison - first game is Mon, April 6^th - could be snowing...

Senior Day - Last home game May 15?

Banquet: Tuesday, May 19.

FYI that Prom is Saturday, May 16

Youth Memories Day for the Varsity - after practice sometime the week of May 11^th depending on weather and rescheduling of games.

Super Saturday - March 28: Prepare field, players get uniforms, team and individual pictures.  Potluck?

FYI that the ACT Test (conflict in past years) this year is after the season - June 13.

Senior events and graduation activities should not interfere with Section or State playoffs except for - day of finals on the first day of state tourney.

Diamond Club Meeting - January 6, 2008 - Coach Downey Comments

Schedule - First 3 Weeks of Baseball Season

Mon, Mar 9                       Freshmen Tryout Jersey Pick-up: 2:00-2:30 @ MVHS

(Physics Fair)

Tue, Mar 10                      Freshmen Tryout Jersey Pick-up: 7AM-7:30AM, 2:00-2:30 @ MVHS

                                          FRESHMEN ONLY: Practice @ MVHS Gym, Time TBD

Wed, Mar 11                     FRESHMEN ONLY: Practice @ MVHS Gym, Time TBD

Thu, Mar 12                      FRESHMEN ONLY: Practice @ MVHS Gym, Time TBD

Fri, Mar 13                        Freshmen 1-1 Meetings @ MVHS, 3:00-4:30

                                          So/Jr/Sr Tryout Jersey Pick-Up:7AM-7:30AM and 2:00-3:00 @ MVHS

                                                         ------------------------------------

Mon, Mar 16                     Practice @ Augsburg, 2:00 - 6:00

Tue, Mar 17                      Practice @ Augsburg, 2:00 - 6:00

Wed, Mar 18                     Practice @ Augsburg, 12:00 - 2:30

Thu, Mar 19                      Practice @ Augsburg, 12:00 - 2:30

Fri, Mar 20                        Practice @ Augsburg, 12:00 - 2:30

                                                         ------------------------------------

Mon, Mar 23                     Practice - MVHS Gym/Outdoors? 4:30 - 6:30

Tue, Mar 24                       Practice - MVHS Gym/Outdoors? 4:30 - 6:30

Wed, Mar 25                      Practice - MVHS Gym/Outdoors? 4:30 - 6:30

Thu, Mar 26                       Practice - MVHS Gym/Outdoors? 4:30 - 6:30

Fri, Mar 27                         Practice - MVHS Gym/Outdoors? 4:30 - 6:30

Sat, Mar 28                        Practice - 11:00AM - 12:30PM @ MVHS Gym/Outdoors?

                                           Uniform Pickup, Pizza Palz, Field Prep (and Potluck/Barbecue?): 12:30-2:30

The Augsburg schedule is that which we discussed at the December Diamond Club Meeting for a total of $1550 (15.5 hours * $100/hour).  I believe the Diamond Club approved $1800 at the December meeting.

Further details on the Augsburg practices will be forthcoming as I develop detailed plans - likely a 3 hour practice each day for each player.

I appreciate the additional $800 for possible usage of the Shoreview Ice Arena approved at the December meeting as well, and will look into using some of that for the week of March 23^rd.

One question for the Diamond Club is whether we should provide a bus to/from Augsburg for the younger players:

• Roundtrip everyday: $130 * 5 = $650
• Just Wed-Fri to and from: $130 * 3 = $390
• Just to Augsburg every day: $100 * 5 = $500

Note also the Saturday "work day" to prep the field, get uniforms, take pictures, and hand out material about Pizza Palz.  To pull this off, we probably need to provide some food for the players.  I view it kind of as a celebration day; all cuts are over, we get our uniforms, and here we go with the season... 

The schedule above is also posted on the SCHEDULE page of the web site and the bulletin board at school. 

Fundraising Dinner

I put a blurb on the Mounds View StaffNet Website.  I also sent notes to all the local press (Press, Bulletin, Sun), as well as the Star Tribune (Preps Department and John Millea) and Pioneer Press (Preps Department and Charley Walters).  I have posted flyers around school, and will include a blurb in the Daily Announcements later this week.

Clinics / Captains Practices

Winter clinics put on by the MVHS Coaches are finalized.  Brochures are available on the web site and in the bins by the baseball bulletin board.  These clinics are for students younger than high school age.

The Pitch-2-Pitch clinic began last Sunday night.  They have 20 players.

Captains practices begin this week; each Tuesday and Thursday night from 8:30-10:00.

I moved all screens and portable mounds from under the football bleachers into the school.  Captains practice equipment (baseballs, tees, helmets, etc) are organized in the Equipment Room for Captains practice use.

Diamond Club Meeting - December 2, 2008

Coach Downey Comments

Player Apparel

The captains have settled on optional apparel; similar to years past:

• T-shirt
• Shorts
• Baseball warm-up top (different from the typical sweatshirt as in past years)
• Sweat pants
• Warm baseball jacket (the same one as in prior years)

All of this is completely optional.

A bunch of t-shirts and shorts have been ordered.  When they arrive, we will notify parents and players that they are available for sale if interested.

The warm-up top and sweat pants can be personalized (name/number) if desired.

Matt Goldsmith has volunteered to coordinate the ordering and distribution of the apparel.  He will communicate to parents on the specifics.

2009 Game-Day Photos

Diane Hershey has talked to Dan McMahon about taking pictures for the 2009 baseball season.  Dan took pictures for the 2008 football season. Dan is a local professional photographer and this is a way for him to be involved in the community and get the word out on his professional photography business.  Diane gave him the team schedules.  While he will likely focus on the varsity, we've asked him to do some pictures for all 4 teams.  As in past years, game photos provided by parents will also be loaded on to the team website.

Off-Season Conditioning

A meeting for players interested in information about baseball specific off-season preparation was held in November.  About 25 players attended.  All the handouts from the meeting are in the bins by the baseball bulletin board for anyone interested.

"Let's Play Ball" Meeting

The Parent and Player informational meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 7:00PM - 8:00PM in the MVHS Cafeteria.  This also serves as the mandatory chemical awareness meeting for any player (and parent) that did not participate in a fall or winter sport.

It's always a challenge to schedule this meeting around all the other school/athletic activities in early March; the only conflict I am aware of this evening is sophomore basketball practice.   Alternative meetings for those unable to attend the Monday evening meeting will be Tuesday, March 3, 7:00AM - 7:25AM or 2:05PM - 2:30PM.    

Fieldhouse - Spring Break Practices

Attached is information on fieldhouse rental options over spring break (week of March 16^th); the first week of practice for all but the freshmen (will start practice the week before).

Augsburg is the best option in my opinion.  I am working with them on scheduling some time that week; pending Diamond Club approval.  We'll likely be able to reserve 4 hours on both Monday and Tuesday, and 2.5 hours each on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Wed - Fri all that's available is the 2.5 hours).  The cost is $100/hour.  This would be a total of 15.5 hours for $1550.  We originally had $3200 in the Diamond Club budget. 

This facility is very spacious; larger than the Bethel fieldhouse, for example.  It also has a much taller ceiling, and the surface is turf.  We need to further evaluate, but we may be able to accommodate all players in the facility at one time.

If it makes sense with the fieldhouse schedule, we can also use MVHS on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday pending coordination with other spring sports teams.  MVHS is closed Thursday and Friday - however we can pay for a custodian to be on-site if we wanted to use the school on those days.

Diamond Club Meeting - November 3, 2008

Coach Downey Comments

New Field

District construction of bullpen mounds is in progress.  There are 2 mounds on the 1B base side, and 1 mound on the 3B side.  The district will pay for all aspects except the pitching rubbers and plates.

With the future storage anticipated to be on the 1B side, we plan to use the 1B base dugout for the home team.

Player Apparel

The captains and I had an initial meeting with Paul Norman (All-Star Sports) to discuss possible optional apparel for players.  Another meeting will be scheduled when football is completed.

Annual Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Meeting

Some notes from the meeting held October 25:

** The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has had discussion about possible changes to high school game limits as a result of the real or perceived amount of class time missed by students for athletic events.  Discussion is of reducing the number of games by 10% for all sports. That would move baseball�s contest limit from 20 to 18.  Most everyone at the baseball coaches meeting said they miss no class for baseball.  (Regarding MVHS baseball, we had the varsity kids get out of class early for the away game at Hastings in 2008, and we missed no class time in 2007).  The Baseball Coaches are opposed to this proposal; we don't feel missed class time is an issue for baseball.  Another option - of reducing the number of contest dates to 18, while leaving the games limit at 20, would be more acceptable; teams could schedule double-headers/tournaments on a Saturday and still get their 20 games in.

** The MSHSL is discussing the possibility of moving the spring sports high school season start dates later in the spring, and therefore further into the summer (like Iowa).  This is as a result of the missed class time issue mentioned above, as well as the weather issues in the spring.  What's been discussed is moving back 1 week in 2010, 2 weeks in 2011 and 3 weeks in 2012.  (As an aside, the Legion program is planning to shorten their season by 1 week to be more accommodating to the fall high school sports.)  The Baseball Coaches are adamantly opposed to this proposal as the Legion programs would be virtually eliminated (very little time left for them), and thus the baseball players' ability to develop as baseball players with 18 or 20 games per year (versus 50+ combined high school and summer schedules today) would be significantly reduced.  The Legion and other summer programs (Senior Babe Ruth, VFW, etc) are important to the development of baseball skills for high school students, and they are fun for the students.  If the high school game limit were increased significantly once school was over, such that it would be more like the Legion schedule, then this argument goes away.  All of the coaches present said they would continue to coach if this proposal was enacted; the guess is that some of the assistant coaches might not be interested in coaching. 

** The MSHSL is discussing some modifications to the summer waiver provisions that allow high school coaches to work with their athletes in the summer.  A blackout period was discussed, but appears to be too difficult to work reasonably with all sports affected.  They may go to something like a number of contact days.

Diamond Club Meeting - October 7, 2008

Coach Downey Comments

New Field

Batting cages (2) are currently being constructed.  Thanks to the Field Fundraising Committee, and special thanks to Gordie Eicher for his efforts on this significant enhancement.  The old batting cage will be dismantled to make room for other sports.

Bullpen mounds have been designed; 2 adjacent to the home dugout (1B) and 1 adjacent to the visitors dugout (3B). The District will build these later this fall.

The Field Fundraising Committee continues to work hard, and will provide a more detailed update.

One comment to reiterate regarding the new field is the tremendous support for the field by other MV coaches.  In particular, football coach Jim Galvin has been extremely supportive.  We are land-locked with space for athletic facilities at MV, and Coach Galvin has been very flexible in altering football practice capabilities to support the baseball program at MV.

Coaching Staff

Varsity:            Mark Downey, Jon Nuss (also Pitching Coach for Program), Brian Sprout (also roving Hitting Coach)

JV:                   Scott Courtright (Head), Cardell Poe (Assistant)

SO:                  Jon Walsh (Head), Aaron Moberg (Assistant)

FR:                  Jordan Moberg and Brett Theisen (Co-Head Coaches)

2009 Budget

Some minor District changes in the mandated District employee salaries slightly increases the proposed Diamond Club contribution to coaching salaries by $13.

Web Site

All pages of the team web site have been reviewed and are updated for the 2009 season.  Nothing is deleted; all historical information is available on the web site.

"Let's Play Ball" Informational Meeting

It's always a challenge to schedule the parent/player informational meeting; working around Physics Fair, Parent/Teacher Conferences and boys and girls basketball games.  The 2 options this year appear to be Monday, March 2^nd and Tuesday, March 10^th.  The freshmen will start practice on Tuesday, March 10^th and all others will start practice on Monday, March 16^th.  Any feedback on this meeting and the timing of it?

Schedule

The game schedules have been completed and are posted on the web site.  The freshmen (1) and sophomore (2) teams will also have the opportunity to play at MVHS.

Bethel University is looking into the possibility of us being able to use the SRC Fieldhouse over Spring Break.

Season-End Banquet

The best date for this would again be the Tuesday following the last week of the season, Tuesday, May 19.  This allows for Monday make-up games, and the Conference Season End Coaches meeting is Monday also.  The Section playoffs begin on Thursday, May 21.

SAYB

In meeting with SAYB President Mike Anderson:

-          Excluding the VFW and Senior Babe Ruth kids, the SAYB registration numbers for 2008 were down 124 kids (down 15%) from 2007; 822 total in 2008 and 946 total in 2007.

-          MVHS players will continue to help SAYB put batting cage nets up in the spring.

-          MVHS Varsity/JVplayers will again have the opportunity to be assigned an SAYB team next spring.

-          Mike will likely involve me in a SAYB Sub-Committee that addresses key program direction issues.

Player Apparel