MYAS/Gopher State Guidelines for Organizations

The sponsoring organization must be of perpetual nature (i.e. intend to be in existence from year to year). The MYAS recognizes teams that emanate from organizations that have a democratic posture, meaning that the administrative structure of the organization must allow for open election of officers and open forums for parents and participants to voice their concerns.

The MYAS recognizes organizations that promote and implement programs for multiple age/grade levels. We do not recognize single teams formulated by any individual(s) not affiliated with or recognized by a recognized organization as described above or a bona fide association.

MYAS/Gopher State Baseball is a community-based program. Participating teams must be comprised of players who are from the community in which their parent or legal guardian resides or for the school they attend. The MYAS will recognize a team if they are derived from a recognized bona fide association (consisting of multiple teams of perpetual nature) or a school program within their boundaries according to their bylaws. Generally, association boundaries are based on a city’s limits or a high school district attendance area. The MYAS will not knowingly allow open, all-star, independent, and/or Club/Academy-All Star teams to participate in the league. These guidelines are established to maintain a community-based orientation.

If an individual within your association is requesting to participate with a different association, an “Official Player Waiver” MUST be completed and submitted to the MYAS office for approval prior to participation.  The waiver process is only valid if the current association is willing to waive the individual out of their association and the receiving association is willing to waive them into their association. If an individual is not waiving into their neighboring association, a waiver must be completed by every association that is geographically in between the two associations. Each individual requesting to be waived out of their home association must complete a waiver.

The MYAS/Gopher State Baseball Board of Advisors reserves the right to rule on all waiver situations.

  • On an annual basis, athletes must try out and compete with the travel association within the community where they reside or for the school they attend. Exception: In situations involving "split families," the athlete may participate with the association closest to the mother or father's residence.
  • If there is not a travel association within the community where the athlete resides or attends school, or if the athlete has been cut or restricted from the association, they may participate with a recognized bordering association.
  • Any exceptions to the above guidelines require the approval of the Gopher State Baseball Board of Advisors.

Clarification: Teams may not be formed independently, even if those players have been cut from their local tryouts, without the approval of their home Association.

 

  SPRING/SUMMER (Regular Season) MYAS GOPHER STATE BASEBALL EVENTS INCLUDE:

 (Gopher State Baseball League, North Star Baseball League, Gopher State Spring Invitationals, Gopher State Midsummer Classic and Gopher State Tournament of Champions. Open/Independent or All-Star teams are not eligible to participate in the Regular Season events included in this list.)

DEFINITIONS

Club/Academy, All-Star: An all-star team is defined as any team that is comprised of players from multiple communities where recognized youth associations exist.

Open/Independent: An open/independent team is defined as any team that is comprised of players who all reside in the same community or attend the same school, but who have chosen to bypass the local traveling association.

*These guidelines are not applicable for the Gopher State August Bash, Fall Baseball League or Sliding into Fall Classic  (August-October).*

 

Player Participation Rule - “Playing Up”

Players may play up with the following limitations:

 *Age Based Events 

Players 13U  and Younger:

  • Players may play up a maximum of two age levels.
  • Example: A 11U player may participate with in a 12U or 13U team. The 11U player could not play with a 14U or older team.

Players in the 14U age group and Older:

  • Players can play up without any restrictions. Please use good judgment.

We have adopted this rule for player safety, liability and to maintain the integrity of the events.