Play Ball Minnesota!

The application deadline to host a 2008 Play Ball! Minnesota youth clinic has passed. Youth clinics for 2008 will be announced in the coming weeks. Please check back in January 2009 to apply to host an youth clinic during the 2009 season.
A grassroots organization of state and local youth baseball and softball programs designed to foster collaboration and increase participation in the sport. Play Ball! Minnesota programs include:
Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinics for Kids - Travels Twins Territory and Southwest Florida providing free skills clinics for youth
3M/Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Award - Recognizes outstanding youth coaches
Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Conference - The 2008 Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Conference will be held Saturday, April 12, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Baseball and softball are among America's oldest and perhaps most cherished sports traditions, reflecting perfectly the blend of individual excellence, teamwork, sportsmanship, and joy at the heart of our national character. And nowhere does the tradition run deeper than Minnesota, where hundreds of programs are available to help youngsters learn the skills and values of the game.
In July 2004, the Minnesota Twins Community Fund joined forces with Minnesota youth baseball and softball organizations to establish Play Ball! Minnesota. Organized to promote and improve the games of baseball and softball for Minnesota youth, Play Ball! Minnesota is founded on seven basic principles:
1. To improve participation in youth baseball and softball leagues;
2. To improve fields and instruction;
3. To increase communication and collaboration between youth baseball and softball organizations and the public;
4. To increase youth baseball and softball volunteerism;
5. To create a greater understanding of youth baseball and softball in the state;
6. To improve sportsmanship among players, coaches and spectators of youth baseball and softball games; and
7. To respect the traditions and history of the games while working together to jointly promote baseball and softball at all levels.
| PLAY BALL MINNESOTA! MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS |
| ORGANIZATION |
CONTACT |
PHONE |
| American Legion Baseball | Darwin Berg | 952-448-2584 |
| Amateur Softball Association/MSF | Ryan Gunderson | 763-241-1789 |
| Babe Ruth | Arnie Johnson | 763-263-6401 |
| Gopher State Baseball/MYAS | Dawson Blanck | 763-781-2220 |
| Little League International | Daniel Velte | 570-326-1921x223 |
| Metro Baseball League | Kim Eul | 952-882-1212 |
| Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board | Kent Brevik | 612-230-6495 |
| Minnesota Baseball Tournaments | Jeff Eul | 952-882-1213 |
| Minnesota Baseball Alliance | Reid Drogemueller | 763-441-4410 |
| Minnesota State High School Coaches Assoc. | John Wilkens | 763-497-3072 |
| Minnesota Twins Community Fund | Kevin Smith | 612-375-7497 |
| Miracle League of Minnesota | Karen Kelly/ Kevin Thoreson | 952-851-7133 |
| MN Youth Athletic Services/USSSA Baseball & Blizzard Baseball | Dan Klinkhammer | 763-781-2220 |
| North Star Rec League/Rec State Baseball Championships | Tony Groff | 763-781-2220 |
| St. Paul Parks & Recreation Dept. | Bob Smith | 651-558-2255 |
| Twins Rookie League and R.B.I. Leagues | Frank White | 612-282-3018 |
| University of MN Men's Baseball | Scott Howard | 612-625-0869 |
| University of MN Women's Softball | Lisa Bernstein | 612-624-8080 |
| USSSA Softball/MN Recreation & Park Assoc. | Deb Weinreis | 763-571-1305 |