COVID-19 STATEMENT - Traveling and North Star Baseball
May 4, 2020 - 9u-14u Travel and NS players
The FLBA has been closely monitoring the proposed “Back to the Diamond” guidelines shared with member organizations on April 28th. The guidelines have been developed by our travel league (MYAS) in partnership with the Metro Baseball League and Minnesota Softball to design a unified and consistent approach to baseball/softball guidelines for the coming season.
The proposed guidelines have been shared with Governor’s office and they are now actively working with his task force on the proposed plans and their “Back to the Diamond” safety guidelines.
In a communication dated today (May 4), the MYAS has shared the following proposed timeline:
May 11 – Statewide communication to baseball and softball associations with the guidelines and required safety requirements
May 18 – Begin baseball and softball practices with no more than 16 people on the field, including coaches and players
June 1 – League games with spectator traffic and distancing guidelines in effect and managed.
Tournaments: Possible trial events to be held the weekend of May 29-31, with the tentative start dates of tournaments on June 5-7.
The MYAS expects to hear from the Governors’ task force this week. This will likely drive any additional modifications (to the proposed guidelines and/or timeline above) in an effort to return to play.
We will continue to work closely with the MYAS and will share updates as they become available.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any FLBA board member.
FLBA Board
March 31
Per the Governors Stay at Home order and the extension of the CDC social distancing guidelines preventing gatherings in groups of 10 or more, all baseball related activities remain suspended through April 30th.
MYAS/Gopher State Baseball is actively exploring various options with the baseball season beginning and ending dates, targeting a May 18 start. Once information becomes available, we will post updates here and to our Facebook page. All future dates of course are subject to change, based on updated guidance and recommendations from the State of MN, CDC and the MSHSL.
The board met last night to discuss a number of contingencies and remains hopeful and active in planning a successful 2020 season. We appreciate your continued patience as we all navigate these unprecedented times.
March 23
MYAS and Gopher State Baseball are anticipating making more information about the baseball season on March 30th. FLBA is in communication with Gopher State and we will send our next update as soon as we have more information from MYAS/Gopher State Baseball.
March 15, 2020
Beginning Monday March 16, the FLBA is suspending all baseball related activities through the end of the month. As April approaches we will provide additional updates as we learn more from the Gopher State Baseball League/MYAS, the State of Minnesota, the Department of Health, the CDC and the Minnesota State High School League.
Last Thursday our league office (MYAS) shared a message to Travel Directors letting them know they are assessing the situation and are discussing all options regarding their baseball programs. As of last Thursday, all programs and meetings are on as scheduled, however they are looking at alternative ways to host coach meetings and scheduling sessions as the league start date draws near.
We will continue to monitor communications and will provide any updates or changes as future decisions are made.
March 13, 2020
The Forest Lake Baseball Association is working with our baseball league (MYAS/Gopher State) monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and here in the state of Minnesota.
The situation is evolving, and we continue to monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) with our MYAS partners. The safety and health of our participants is the number one priority for us as an organization.
As more information becomes available, we will share updates on this post. Please check back frequently for updates.
Forest Lake Baseball Association Board of Directors
Fan Apparel Store Now Open
The Fan Apparel Store is now open and will remain open until just after the parent meeting on April 2nd.
Order today!
Now Hiring - Umpires
We are looking for umpires for youth baseball games. Flexible schedules and good pay.
Contact Randy Johnson if interested (651) 239-9396
15U, VFW - Update
15U/VFW placement this year will be determined from FL High School tryout results.
MYAS 16U, 17U-19U
Teams will be formed at these levels if we have enough interest. Registration for these levels will be available after high school tryouts conclude.
Gravelle Baseball Facility
Looking for a place to workout, or for lessons? Check out Gravelle Baseball Facility.
2020 Catcher Gear Changes
For 15u-19u, as of 2020, Gopher State/MYAS will require all catchers to have certified NOCSAE Chest Protectors.
For 9u-14u, you will be allowed to use current Chest Protectors that are not NOCSAE certified however we HIGHLY recommend that you do use NOCSAE.
2020 Bat Standards
Gopher State League play will allow USSSA and USA bats for the 2020 season.
Will Gopher State be switching in the future? The vote was to maintain the standard going forward with no plans to switch. This could change but the current plan is to make no changes to the bat rules.
What is the difference between the bat standards? The new USA Standard is designed to be more like a wood bat, with less 'pop' and exit velocity of the baseball off the bat.
If buying a new bat, what should I buy? This is going to be a personal decision as both bats are going to be legal in league play, but again the newer USA Standard bat is going to play more like a wood bat.
What bats will be allowed in tournaments? Most tournaments FL teams will be participating in will allow both bat standards. There will however, be some 'USA only' bat tournaments we enter. We will have some USA bats available for teams to use.
If you have any questions or comments please reach out to our Travel Director Jim Fallon at jfallon1@gmail.com
FLBA in extremely excited to have invested in and committed to the Trusted Coaches program!
We are excited to be fostering the Double-Goal Coaching philosophy:
- Model and teach your players to Honor the Game
- Help players Redefine what it means to be a "Winner" in terms of Mastery, not just the Scoreboard
- Fill your players' Emotional Tanks
- Have Conversations during Team meetings with your players at every practice and every game
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