MMFL Elite League Meeting Minutes (02-09-09)

Introductions: Sean Hall MMFL Elite League Commissioner, Larry Parker MMFL Co-Director, Bill Pearson MMFL Co-Director & Suburban League Director

Vendors: Ben Nemo-Greater Midwest Fundraising www.gmfundraise.com, Mike Stensrud-National Sports Photos www.nationalsportsphotos.com, Tim Sellner-Tanel 360 www.tanel360.com, Jim Lynch and Paul Hamilton-Pitching Machine Retro-Fits.

Working Together: Hall talked about the importance of working together and how we all "WIN" when we work together.

2008 Elite League Review: MMFL Elite had 12 teams at 14U, 16 teams at 16U and 14 teams at 18U.  The league went very well with only a few problems.  The Elite League will strive to get better each year.  Each coach received a packet with survey results.  2008 MMFL Elite State Champions and coaches were 14U-OMGAA Storm (Steve Sadler), 16U-Hastings Raiders (Mike Mook) & MN Sting Elite (Sean Hall).

MCFPA: Jack Thibault has started a group that will concentrate on Club and Elite Teams working together.  The group will try to focus on setting guidelines for club teams as far as recruiting players, team formation etc.  Sean Hall will get Jack a list of names of Elite League coaches that are interested in the MCFPA.

# of Teams in the Elite League:  There was a lot of discussion on this topic.  The number one priority is to try to keep the MMFL Elite League strong.  The league would like to stay very close to 16 teams per level.  There was talk of possibly adding another tier for 14U teams that aren't eligible to play in the Suburban or Tri-County Leagues.  At this point that may not be neccesary but we will wait and see the number of teams that apply.

Who Decides 2009 Elite League Teams?: Each age group will set up a committee of coaches that finish high in the 2008 Elite League Season based on League Play, State Tournament and National Tournaments. 

14U State Conflict: Since the meeting Anne Strong (Minnesota ASA) has agreed to look into changing the ASA 14U State Tournament.  This would allow 14U teams to play in both state tournaments and more importantly would allow the MMFL Elite League to have all of the MMFL Elite State Tournaments in the same location (possibly Lakeville). 

2009 League Plans: The league will be pretty much the same as last year.  However, this year instead of a qualifier the teams will have the opportunity to play in a showcase event at 16U and 18U.  Sean Hall has agreed to set up a Clinic with College Coaches for the 14U players.  The costs of these clinics will be very affordable per player.  This will be discussed in more detail during the next meeting.

Showcase Prior to MMFL State: Sean Hall will try to set this up for either July 10th or July 17th.  This will be discussed at the next meeting.

League Schedules: Sean will again do the league schedules.  Sean will do the best that he can to honor team requests.

Fields: In 2009 fields were good at the 14U and 16U levels.  We need to try to get better fields for our 18U teams.  18U it is more of a challenge because there are fewer teams with fields and we also need to have 43 feet pitcher plates.

College Exposure: Sean will get information out to the local college coaches about the MMFL Elite League.  Sean will contact local coaches about showcases and the MMFL State Tournament.  We want to have schedules and rosters available to college coaches for all of the teams in the MMFL Elite League.

Umpires Per Game: Teams voted to use one umpire during league games. 

Umpire Payment Method: After much discussion this topic was tabled until next meeting.  Sean will come up with a couple of proposals to be voted on.

League Administration: Sean wanted to make sure that everyone was aware that he is here to help.  Feel free to call Sean (651)336-8020 if he can help with anything related to softball.

Super Sites: The MMFL Elite League will continue with Super Sites.  In case one team drops out the other 3 teams will go to a set schedule.  For instance, if 4 teams are scheduled to play in Elk River (Sting, Northern Extreme, OMGAA and Twisters) and the Sting has 5 players come down with chicken pox and has to cancel, now the schedule would be changed and all games would be played on one field.  The Northern Extreme (host team) would play the Twisters in game #1 at 6:00pm.  Then OMGAA would play the Twisters in game #2 at 7:00pm.  Then the Northern Extreme would play OMGAA in game #3 at 8:00pm.  No new inning would start after 50 minutes of play.

Game Start Times: Teams voted to change start time to 6:00pm.  This will give teams more time to finish the second game.

Substitution Rules: Teams voted to keep this optional.  If a team chooses to bat 9 players then they would have to follow ASA Substitution Rules.  If a team bats their roster,  they can have free substitution and can run for their pitcher and or catcher with the last out.

Sanctioning Bodies: As of 02-09-09 the league plans to triple sanction teams again with ASA, NAFA and USSSA.  Teams are free to sanction with any other organizations they may want.

ASA Sanctioning Organizations:  Teams will be sanctioned ASA through either the St. Paul, Minneapolis or ASA Minnesota (MSF).

League Tracker: Coaches will be responsible to report each score to some sort of online program.  This may be League Tracker.  Doug Luby is looking into another program.

MMFL Elite Websites: League information will be updated on the MMFL Elite Site, including teams that have filled out applications for the 2009 MMFL Elite League.

Next Meeting: Will be posted soon.

Meeting Adjourned at about 9:00pm.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Sean Hall by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Sean at (651)336-8020.