White Bear Baseball Association

Hello, from the White Bear Baseball Association.

 On behalf of the WBBA Board of Directors, I would like to say “Happy New Year” and welcome, as we look forward in anxious anticipation towards the upcoming 2012 baseball season.

It has been two years since my last correspondence to all of you (via the president’s letter) and in that time, the WBBA has experienced change, growth and a number of developments. As a result, the organization, and its programs have been positively impacted and we, as an organization, are excited to build on this momentum moving forward.

For example, we are in our second year of leasing time/space in the Vadnais Heights Sports Center (Dome) during the winter months. As such, we now have the ability to offer off season training opportunities to all of our players and coaches, in an environment which reflects actual field play (vs. a gymnasium). We believe this has, and will continue to accelerate the development of our ball players, thus better preparing them as they move forward in their baseball careers.

Additionally, we have installed roofs on the dugouts of the Babe Ruth fields, installed protective fencing between the benches and the playing field at the Spruce Park fields, and replaced the concession stand/equipment storage building roof at Babe Ruth as well.

Obviously, the aforementioned improvements cost money. Additional expenses include, but are not limited to, league registration fees, umpires, field maintenance, equipment and insurance. All of these expenses are required to maintain any program and ensure its success. Thus, in addition to player registration fees, we are always looking for additional revenue generating methods to help defray the costs of running the organization (e.g. fundraising). As such, the WBBA asks that you support our efforts in accomplishing our goal to run a successful program.

Registration for this year’s program is in full swing and is 100% web based, via the WBBA web site (www.whitebearbaseball.com). For anyone visiting the WBBA web site for the first time, please take some time to look it over and familiarize yourself with the layout and various sections. It is an excellent source for getting answers to questions pertaining to registration, field locations, clinics, association news, coaching, and other valuable information. Additionally, please pay attention to the notes and instructions while registering your player. In an effort to improve the fundraising process and its implementation, we have incorporated certain aspects of the fundraising program into the registration. We have also eliminated the volunteer fee associated with registration. However, this elimination of the volunteer fee will not affect the “honorarium” which traditionally has been paid to head coaches (1), assistant coaches (2) and team managers (1) and thus, will continue in the future.  

The last area I would like to talk about is the need for volunteers (e.g. coaches, team managers, board members, etc.). Our goal as an organization is to always be improving. To accomplish this goal, we need good people willing to participate and help direct the organization towards its ongoing objectives. As such, we are always looking for new members and the fresh ideas that come with them. I encourage all of you to entertain the thought of joining the White Bear Baseball Association as a board member and help continue our current success well into the future. Available board positions are listed on the web site as well as contact information.

Thank you for your support. Go Bears!

Mark Prokosch

WBBA President

wbbapresident@yahoo.com