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