- Why was the Fort Dodge Baseball Association (FDBA) formed?
- How were people selected to serve as representatives of this organization?
- How many teams will be formed this year?
- What is the cost for my son to play in the FDBA's program?
- Playing Time
- How are coaches approved?
- What are the expectations of time commitment for the season?
- How many games will be played?
- Where will these games take place?
- What should I expect if this is the direction my son would choose for baseball?
- How are you planning on funding this Association?
- What are the past, present and future goals of the Association?
The purpose for which the corporation is organized are as follows: to promote amateur baseball for persons residing in Webster County, Iowa, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry; to establish uniform rules and regulations; to foster national amateur baseball competition; to promote sportsmanship and to do all acts necessary or advisable to carry out said purposes. This Association is in no way a replacement for the YMCA recreation league. We simply are offering a different level of play opportunity.
There were 3 - 1997 registered AAU teams. Those teams were a 7 year old, 8 year old and 12 year old team. Throughout the summer, those coaches had discussed the formation of a similar program like ASA, for boys. A program that would promote baseball, and offer a higher level of play opportunities for the youth. In the effort to establish a well-developed Association, we felt it in the best interest to start with a small core group who had experienced AAU baseball outside Fort Dodge. The first year of our Association in 1998 consisted of one team in each of the age divisions: 7U, 8U, 9 U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U and 14U. Our board now consists of 13 parents/coaches who have an invested interest in our giving our sons and others a chance to play.
Teams for each age group ages 7-14. At the time of tryouts, if there is enough interest for another team within an age division, AND A WILLING COACH, the Association will vote on the inclusion of another team. It is our desire to include as many boys as are interested. The age requirements will fall under the same guidelines as the USSSA. The age determining date is May 1. How each of the teams within each division will be divided age wise, will again be up to the coaches.
There is an annual membership fee of $10 per family. The cost per child playing will be $85, and there is a $30 "Bat Cave" hitting club fee, for a total of $125 per child. All fees are due on or before April 1st.
Playing time is an issue we are concerned about. Those families truly committed to equal playing time may want to seek out the recreational agency. Coaches will outline how they will conduct their team during the organizational meeting. Again, keeping in mind that developing skills are upfront and foremost important to all of us…we are also striving for successful end results.
The Board will approve all coaches annually. Applications may be submitted to any Board member on the appropriate form. The members of the Board at a meeting, expressly for that purpose, may remove with or without cause any coach at any time. A Code of Conduct and Ethics for coaches, players, parents and spectators will be adopted and enforced by the Board.
Each coach will dictate the season. Practice could begin as early as March 15th, weather permitting, and ending by August 15th. Most games will be played in the months of May, June and July. Each team again will arrange practice time. The Board must approve the actual games and tournament scheduled. The coaches will develop playing schedules. Prior to the organizational meeting, all head coaches will be assigned. Each coach will share coaching philosophy, expectations for the parent's commitment, player's commitment, playing time, travel, etc.
Each coach, in each age division, will make up the format for their team. The hope is to play in the area of 25-50 games during the season. These may be comprised of weeknight double-headers and/or weekend tournaments.
Our association has developed a field at Hydro-Electric Park and has improved the field at Feelhaver School. We are looking at the 8, 9 and 10 year olds playing at Feelhaver, the 11 and 12's at Hydro, and the 13, 14's at Harlan Rogers. We have long-term goals of developing a complex that would house 4 new diamonds.
The first most commitment that any of us on the FDBA Board would expect of you is YOUR pledge of involvement with your child's team and our Association. We will only be as strong as our membership, and that strength starts with each of our family's commitments.
Second, there will be monetary costs involved in your child's participation on a team. Travel expenses (some overnight), personal equipment and uniform, and tournament fees are just a few. Our association is in the growing stage, and you may need to finance some unexpected expenses.
Third, volunteer when able for our tournaments and games. This could be in the areas of cashier at the admission gate, concessions, umpiring, registration, selling, etc. The most important area of volunteers we will need this summer is in the help with the fields. This could cover materials, donations and hands on work.
First, tournaments hosted by our Association. Three 2008 summer tournaments are scheduled, Secondly, we will be using Party Time Food sales once again to generate revenue for the association and each team. Teams are also open to solicit sponsorship and hold team fundraisers. We also hold an annual rummage sale, and are actively seeking grants and donations.
We feel our Association has accomplished it's first set of goals by establishing the Fort Dodge Baseball Association. We have provided an accelerated program for over 100 youth and their families for each of the past 4 years. Expanding the number of local tournaments for each age, to provide more local games and increase revenue to the association.
Our "future" will only be as good as our present. It will take involved parents and participants willing to help in all aspects of developing a quality Baseball Association along with quality fields. Working with HHR Sports Development Group and the City and Parks Recreation Department, we hope to secure our own complex someday. One that can house 4 fields and concessions. We want to have an Association Fort Dodge will be proud of, an Association that will foster good sportsmanship among it's parents, sons and spectators, and an Association that continues to develop and improve the level of play for baseball.
We are also very proud of our indoor baseball facility known as the Bat Cave. Please read other tabs for the history of this dream come true!
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