WBCA Executive Board Meeting: Wisconsin Dells, November 28, 2009, 1:00PM.
Present: President Bob Gawlitta, Vice President John Matera, 2nd Vice President Ryan McGinnis, Clinic-All-Star-Yearbook Mark Fuller, Secretary Marty Paulsen, Awards-All-State Ron Kading, Publications-Web Director Joe Waite. All-Star Chair Tony Gerharz, Absent: Treasurer Tom Wilson.

1) Paulsen read minutes from February 14, 2009 Executive Board meeting. Only concern in retrospect is that there should be six area meetings. Summer coaches can attend the meeting in spring district that is closest to them. There will be six established sites from now on. Motioned by Kading, 2nd by Matera, approved.

2) Treasurers report: provided by Wilson. The clinic in Madison is approximately $9000 higher than in Milwaukee. Under contractual obligation to Marriott in Middleton through 2011. Paulsen will be research and garner bids from other facilities throughout the state and will report back to the board in February. Monona Terrace in Madison, Paper Valley in Appleton, Hilton, Grand, Windham, and Hyatt in Milwaukee, Radison in Green Bay, have all expressed interest. The Board agreed that the Marriott is an excellent venue and geographically advantageous. If nothing else, Paulsen will use these bids to try and get a better deal from the Marriott, including negotiations for this year and next year for a better deal. The Marriott is also the highest for room rates. Agreed that to be fair to facilities, the WBCA, and our membership to explore all options.

3) Nominations for awards: provided by Gawlitta. Procedures running smoothly.

4) Coach of the year nominations (Spring): Areas provided information on their District Winners. I A.J. Gehrmann (Bloomer), II Steve Warren (Marathon), III Chris Lavold (Mauston), IV Mike Simmoens (Bay Port), V Richard Newton (Madison Edgewood), VI Josh Pye (Wilmot). Richard Newton selected as State Coach of the Year. Tim O'Driscoll (Arrowhead) Summer Coach of the Year.

5) Man of the Year nominations: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I Bill Smith (Minnesota Twins... great friend of baseball in the northwestern part of the state, former GM of Appleton Foxes), II Bill Grams and John Kelliher (Showtime Sports), III Chris Goodell (La Crosse Loggers G.M., promotes baseball in West Central Wisconsin), IV Ron Kading (Potosi High School, WBCA Executive Board, great publicizee of Wisconsin Baseball), Steve Schmidt (Madison Mallards Owner, donates money and time to many team in Madison area), VI Norm McGee (RBI), VII Doug Chickering (former WIAA President). Even though he declined, it was agreed that Kading's contributions to baseball at the state level are exceptional and outstanding. Approved.

6) Umpire of the Year nominations: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I John McGinley (Prescott), II Derek Freeman (Nekoosa), III Dave Thome (Madison), IV Dennis Sempf (Sheboygan Falls), V Don Bates (Stoughton), VI Pete Jaskoski (Milwaukee area), VII Dean Nemoir. Dennis Sempf approved as winner.

7) Media People of the Year nominations: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I Shaun Scanlon (Pierce County Herald), II Chad Holmes (Wausau Herald), III Greg Hagen (Tomah), IV Doug Whitely (Fond du Lac Reporter), V Nick Zizzo (Wisconsin State Herald), VI Aaron Wilberding (Preps on the Net), VII Steve Tietz. Agreed that Doug Whitely, Nick Zizzo, and Aaron Wilberding should be tri-winners for their outstanding work on covering baseball.

8) College Coach of the Year: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I Eddie Morgan (UW-Superior), II none nominated, III Augie Schmidt (Carthage), Chris Schwarz (UW-LaCrosse), V Dave DeGeorge (Beloit), VI Augie Schmidt (Carthage), VII Dave DeGeorge (Beloit). Dave DeGeorge State College Coach of the Year.

9) Woman of the Year: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I Nicole Donatelle (Cumberland), II Bev Aschenbrenner (Stratford), III none nominated, IV Lori Eastman (Appleton), V Katherine Heimerl (Dodgeville), VI Rachel Krause (Burlington), VII Pam Bonbien (Franklin). Katherine Hiemeral and Pam Bonbien named State Women of the Year.

10) Amateur Coach of the Year: Areas provided information on their District Winners. I Rob Fadness (Eau Claire Legion), II Larry Soyk (Abbotsford), III Reed Pecha (Eau Claire Bears), IV Tom Carney (Kimberly), V Fred Voelker (Middleton), VI Tom Klink (Hartford), VII none nominated. Fred Voelker named State Amateur Coach of the Year.

11) Distinguished Service Awards: Areas provided information on their District nominees. I Zach Thiel (Save UW-LaCrosse Baseball), II Dale Langbehn (DC Everest), III Pete Swanson (Viroqua), IV George Husby (Sturgeon Bay Legion), Ron Schuler (Kenosha), Jim Coenan (La Crosse), V Stan and Cal Hack (Middleton), VI James Beckum (founder of RBI Milwaukee), VII no nominees. Other men discussed that merit Distinguished Service Awards, specifically non winners from other categories. Jim Coenan, Zach Thiel, Bill Smith, and Tom Carney all voted to receive these awards.

12) Kading reported that Brad Schrieber (Kimberly) is the Spring State Player of the Year and Ryan Schilter (West Bend West) State Summer Player of the Year. Assistant Coaches of the Year Spring: Brad Matzek (Prescott) Rick Steffan (Royall), Summer: Jaime Olson (West Salem).

13) Area Concerns: Two seasons vs. one season. 67 Summer Programs still in existence. Wade Lebecki is in favor that two seasons continue as long as the number of programs justify it. WBCA also fighting to maintain eight teams make the Summer State Tournament, rather than having cutting it down to four. McGinnis said that several Summer Athletic Directors wanted summer baseball eliminated, while Matera reported that A.D.'s in his area are in favor of keeping Summer baseball. Fuller reported that some in the WIAA would like to see Summer Baseball eliminated. WIAA did cap summer baseball games to 30. Summer Baseball All-State teams are "watered down", especially on 2nd Team All-State selectees. Pitcher-catcher early reporting time was voted down by the WIAA. Believed that Athletic Directors need to be educated that it is in the interest of the kids health that they get their arms prepared. WIAA advised WBCA to come up with a specific proposal of what is allowable during the proposed early reporting time. Agreed that the WBCA needs to be proactive as we try to get the WIAA to make the pitcher-catcher early reporting times. One of the points is to get trainers and doctors to write letters in our behalf to the WIAA. McGinnis and Fuller will be requesting letters from those aforementioned to petition the WIAA. Our proposal needs to be specific about what is allowable during those times. WIAA's main concerns is that 1) open gyms are already in existence and 2) overap with winter sports. Fall Leagues is a WIAA concern that teams have to be diverse, with kids from several different schools participating on a single team... "it can't resemble a school team." Number of ejections continue to increase. Online rule meetings.... are we in favor of that? We definitely want to keep our rule meeting at our clinic. Several sports are already going to online meetings. Should there be a 2nd Team All State Summer? Should it be 1st Team All State and Honorable Mention? Should kids that are All-District automatically be placed on either 1st Team or 2nd Team All State. Gawlitta with talk to Jack Friess about this issue. Scholarship winners announced. Stop Watches are used by some umpires timing that kids have to be on the field between innings in one minute, which is something we are not in favor of because it becomes a fiasco. Seeding District I teams through the Sectional. Dates of the Regionals and Regional Finals at Division I dates are a concern.... Regional Finals are too close to Sectionals... would advise that Regionals at Division I should be Tuesday-Thursday, Sectionals remain on the following Tuesday form Tuesday-Friday.

14) Waite reported about Yearbook and Website. Requested those present to check the non-reporting list and try to contact as many coaches as they can about getting their surveys in. That is the biggest frustration of working on the yearbook project. Waite reported that his listing college and private clinics on the website, because it does service our players by advertising them on the site.

15) All-Star Classic. Should it be moved around? Whitewater is interested in hosting as they have an artificial surface field. Oshkosh has been a fantastic site, but is it worth investigating? Decided that we are committed Oshkosh right now, but we are not opposed to look at other sites. Gerharz will be in contact with Whitewater's proposal for the future.

16) Hall of Fame: Hall of Fame Committee met in Eau Claire to review candidates from Regional Committees. Accepted Hall of Fame recommendations that John Paulin (Gays Mills-Lancaster), Dick Iverson (Rib Lake), Dan Heinritz (Appleton East), Dip Dade (Tomah), John Schmitz (Milwaukee Juneau) were accepted. Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

17) Awards: Kading needs addresses from Award Winners from the Areas that they were selected from. Kading suggested upgrading awards for District Assistant Coaches of the Year and small plaques for District Players of the Year.

18) State Clinic: Agreed that Clinic costs remain the same and membership plus clinic dues remain at $80.

19) State Clinic Speakers: Fuller reported that some speakers are limited to speaking only on Saturday. Suggested that the membership meeting be moved to 8:30AM to facilitate speakers' schedules. Outstanding speakers are lined up and will be reported on the website soon as it becomes finalized. Also reported that speakers are becoming more expensive, as is having the clinic in Madison because it is more expensive to fly into Madison rather than Milwaukee.

20) Licensing: Pro-Line has been a win-win situation for our Association. Pro-Line is involved with a buy-out, and we will be revisiting the agreement with Pro-Line because of the fluidity of that company. The Association will investigate other proposals, and will be reported by Fuller at the February meeting. Discussed speakers and official sponsors tables in the vendor area. Fuller will be giving that information to Matera.

21) Accomodations: Paulsen reviewed what was previously discussed regarding Clinic Sites. Brought up clinic brochure, which Paulsen is getting printed up. Will be published on the website. Single rates for rooms are $102. Will be printing up membership cards, which are mailed to every head high school coach in the state, and also available on the web. The Clinic Social is very expensive... the hotel charges on $1000 for chips and pretzels. A very few coaches reported in their suggestions that they wanted this, but it is too cost prohibitive to have this. $1200 was the cost of coffee on Saturday morning. Sodas in the vending area cost $3.50 per can, and therefore was and will be eliminated because it is also too cost prohibitive. Matera will take care of vendor table assignments. Matera that vendor presales are coming in strong. Matera will communicate with Waite for Yearbook and Website ads.

22) Hall of Fame Luncheon: 550 seats are being preordered by Kading. The facility is just barely large enough to host the Hall of Fame Luncheon.

23) ABCA clinic hospitality room is being set up Gawlitta. Wilson isn't going to Dallas, so Gawlitta will take care of expenses incurred.

24) Publications Director was made an official Board member position, currently occupied by Joe Waite. Agreed that this needs to be revisited if Waite ever leaves the organization because his position might not be able to be done by a baseball coach. In that event, the Board reserves the right to restructure.

25) Travel expenses for Board Members will be paid at $0.25 a mile for trips to Hall of Fame Committee meeting, State Clinic, All-Star Clinic, and Executive board meeting as members are taking a personal loss to attend these events. Motioned by Paulsen, 2nd by Kading. Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 4:51PM.

WBCA Executive Board Meeting: Middleton, February 12, 2010: 4:38PM
Present: President Bob Gawlitta, Vice President John Matera, 2nd Vice President Ryan McGinnis, Clinic-All-Star Classic Mark Fuller, Secretary Marty Paulsen, Awards-All-State Ron Kading, Publications-Web Director Joe Waite, Treasurer Tom Wilson.
District Reps: Bill Coker, Pat Hansen, Chad Montez (All-Star East), Mark Weber, Jeff Ryan, John Hamilton, Tony Gerharz.

I. Changes to Summer All State Teams: Currently any kid that was named 2nd District Team All District was automatically made 1st or 2nd Team All-State... with changes, those kids go back into a pool so that the most deserving kids end up being All-State.

2. District Concerns: District Reps make sure you fax teams to Joe Waite and Ron Kading as soon as possible. Having as many conference reps at the All-District meetings in important too... having somebody from each conference there helps to represent each conference. Conference reps will email Joe Waite their meeting locations and dates as soon as possible.

3. Fall Area Meetings: The six spring districts will host the fall area meetings. Summer coaches can attend those.

4. Dan Langlois: WBCA should make a resolution to UWEC about the reinstating of varsity baseball. We agree to do this.

5. Two divisions in Summer Baseball: Gawlitta approached Labecki at WIAA, who didn't think it would be ever approved. He did inform us however that he would need an official endorsement from the WBCA to pursue it. Mark Weber will form a survey with summer membership coaches and athletic directors on their thoughts.

6. All-Star Classic dates: Moved up one week... kids will be nominated by May 1st, teams picked by May 8th. All Student athletes have to have their materials submitted by May 24th. Book submitted for publishing on May 31st. Waite will be producing a nomination form that will be emailed to all head coaches that provided emails with nomination forms. Based on the Illinois model.

7. Paulsen read minutes from the Dells meeting.

8. Executive Board meeting set for November 13 at the Madison Marriott.

9. Clinic Numbers: Wilson reported that 702 coaches were here for the clinic, in addition to 55 coaches who paid memberships but were unable to attend.

10. Scholarship deadline remains June 15th, and there are six award winners.

11. All America licensing. We have a new contract with them, as they have been bought out by Badger out of North Carolina. We have nothing to lose, and they have already to submitted a check for over $3000 to our organization. Diamond is no longer our ball, but we are negotiating with Rawlings. Waite will be taking Diamond off the website. Other business might be off or on too.

12. Kading upgraded several of the awards to make them better. Awards not claimed are being thrown away.

13. Waite: Yearbook project is show the strength of our association, our coaches, and our sport. Board thanked Waite for his efforts, and all recognized Marta Galep and Wilma Waite who also work very hard on the project.

14. Fuller: Hall of Fame is going well and the process continues to go well.

15. Wilson: 702 coaches attended this years clinic. It went very well. Fuller did a great job with finding speakers who had to cancel due to weather in other areas of the country.

16. Paulsen/Wilson: Continue to post the membership forms online (Waite) and continue to snail mail (Paulsen). We agreed that we need to continue to do this.

17. Matera: Had two more vendors than last year, went very well. Vendors appreciate our low prices.

18: McGinnis: Raffel produced $1196 for the Association. Jerry Krueger does a great job promoting the purchase for tickets.

19. Gawlitta: Business meeting went well, despite having it earlier than in the morning. We will continue to have it at that time.