11/27/2007
DAKOTA
RIDGE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
DRBA
Frequently Asked Questions
As
the DRBA launches its first season, we understand there will
be many questions from coaches, parents and players about
the association. This document is designed to answer as
many of those questions as possible, as well as to give
everyone an understanding as to how and why the association
is moving forward at this time. This information will be
updated periodically. Please feel free to e-mail questions
to
DRBaseballAssoc@aol.com or dakotaridgebaseball@hotmail.com
What is the
Dakota Ridge Baseball Association?
The mission of
the DRBA is to make a positive impact in the community and
the lives of our children and youth by providing a quality
baseball development program for the Dakota Ridge area and
high school program.
Some of the
stated goals of the organization include:
1)
To provide future Dakota
Ridge players an opportunity to compete with their future
playing partners in a fun and competitive environment, and
to aid Dakota Ridge High School in its efforts to continue
to build its program.
2)
To acclimate potential
future Dakota Ridge players to the high school system and to
expose players to the high school coaches, their
philosophies and expectations. Dakota Ridge High School
coaches have pledged their direct support and involvement in
the DRBA.
3)
To have future Dakota
Ridge players support and attend high school activities,
camps and programs, and to develop pride and a desire to be
a future Eagles player.
4)
To keep the required
funds to operate the program within the Dakota Ridge area to
improve the fields and facilities in the community, to
provide a better baseball experience for all involved.
Why break off
from the South Jeffco Sports Association (SJSA) and form an
independent association?
While the South Jeffco Sports Association has done a fine
job establishing its role, its operation and resources are
spread across three high school areas and divided by four
sports programs. We believe it is vitally important to have
a much more focused association, one that better and more
efficiently serves the needs of the players, parents and
coaches in the Dakota Ridge area. One of the main goals in
establishing the DRBA is to help build a renewed interest
and pride in the Dakota Ridge High School community as a
whole.
Is the DRBA
being organized because of the recent issues experienced by
the South Jeffco Sports Association?
No. Discussions
to form the DRBA preceded the much-publicized issues of the
SJSA. While those issues admittedly accelerated the
timetable to form the DRBA, they did not impact the stated
goals of the DRBA.
Does the South Jeffco Sports
Association support the DRBA?
Discussions
have been held between the two associations. On
November 13, 2007
The SJSA
board voted 19-5 in favor of “…not opposing the break-off or
formation of…”DRBA. The DRBA will work as
diligently as possible to form a professional working
relationship with the SJSA, to benefit the area’s players,
parents and coaches.
Does the Jefferson County Baseball
League (JCJBL) support the DRBA?
The
SJSA board action not to oppose the formation of DRBA is
expected to expedite the DRBA’s petition to join the
Jefferson County Junior Baseball League.
The JCJBL board
meeting to review and approve our petition is set for
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 7:00pm.
Who are the primary community
members forming the DRBA?
The goals,
mission and execution of the DRBA are being represented by
Jeff Legault, head baseball coach and teacher at Dakota
Ridge High School; Matt Heckel, DRHS athletic director;
Shane Fugita, longtime Dakota Ridge area youth baseball
coach and DRHS feeder team coordinator; Jordan Berge,
longtime Dakota Ridge area youth and high school coach, and
former SJSA baseball director; Bob Samson, former Dakota
Ridge area baseball coach and SJSA football/baseball
director; and Gerry Valerio, current Dakota Ridge area youth
baseball coach and DRHS feeder team coach.
What has been done so far to
advance the association?
Those
individuals listed above, and other dedicated volunteers,
have been working diligently the past few weeks to make the
association a reality. Among the items that have been
completed:
1)
Filed papers of
incorporation for a non-profit organization with the
Colorado Secretary of State’s office. Registration was
completed on October 31, 2007. Colorado Entity
identification number 200771501734
2)
Filed required survey
and registration documentation for non-profit status with
the Internal Revenue Service -- section 501(c)3
3)
Received our Federal
Employer Identification Number
Designation:
26-1398529
4)
Communicated our intent
to organize DRBA with Foothills Parks and Recreation,
including meeting with executive director Robert Easton, to
secure game and practice fields, including those closest to
the Dakota Ridge area. We have also made field
reservations for try-outs, winter camps, and four (4)
tournament dates
5)
Established a dual
signature bank account for association business
6)
Received commitments
from Dakota Ridge area elementary and middle schools for
practice fields.
7)
Have received
preliminary indications of acceptance from Jefferson County
Junior Baseball League (JCJBL) regarding formation of the
DRBA, and admission into the JCJBL for the coming season.
8)
Continue our dialogue
with SJSA directors, including their new president, Jeff
Wahl, to develop a working agreement for the benefit of both
associations.
9)
Conducted two (2)
meeting with Dakota Ridge area youth baseball coaches to
discuss these points and gather information for the
continued improvement of the baseball experience for our
area players. Response from our coaches has been
overwhelmingly positive.
10)
Secured a law firm to
finalize drafting and execution of association bylaws,
contracted with an accounting firm to audit the
association’s financial books and set up a liability
insurance account.
11)
Established the association web site:
www.dakotaridgebaseball.org. The
site continues to be developed and content added such as
event calendars, special announcements & notices, and soon,
our bylaws, regulations, rules and other key information.
12)
We have made
arrangements for office space at the national headquarters
of the National Adult Baseball Association (3609
S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 135).
Phone 720-407-4359
When
will the DRBA begin fielding teams?
The association
will be operational for the upcoming 2008 season, with
registration beginning on or about Monday, December 17, 2007
and concluding with Try-outs on Saturday, February 2, 2008.
How many teams do you expect to
field in 2008?
Last season, 24 teams were affiliated with the Dakota Ridge
area, from 0 League through AAA, AA and A teams. It is
certainly our hope to see those teams migrate to the DRBA,
but that will be an individual decision for each
coach/team/player. The DRBA will include teams age 8
through the high school level 3 program, including all
classifications when overall player numbers allow.
How will teams be formed?
Existing teams and coaches will remain intact, as they would
through the JCJBL protocol. Teams may add new
players through the try-out and draft procedure held on
February 2nd. Teams will need to comply with
all JCJBL rules and guidelines required for league play...
Does my family have to live in the
Dakota Ridge area to play in the DRBA?
While the DRBA
is being established with the Dakota Ridge community in
mind, membership is not exclusive. It will be open to all
players who wish to participate in youth baseball
activities. Likewise membership and participation will be
contingent upon our ability to form complete teams. Again,
rosters will have to adhere to JCJBL rules and guidelines.
How much will it cost to play in
the DRBA?
Registration fees are expected to be the same or comparable
to neighboring areas.
At this time
our preliminary budget estimates range from $185 to $205 per
player for the 2008 spring & summer season. High School
Level III may vary due to schedule and transportation
factors.
What if my player already tried
out for Major / 0 League and paid $100 through SJSA?
We
have communicated our intent to support our families in
their request for the refund of this fee with the new
officers of SJSA. We will continue to pursue this matter,
with the best interests of the players in mind, and continue
to work towards the timely refund of these deposits.
How is the
DRBA being funded at this time?
The organizing principals in establishing the DRBA have
volunteered their time to promote the association. Some
upfront costs have been incurred and will be reimbursed at a
later date. The DRBA pledges to give full accounting of its
financial status to members on a regular basis. All funds
collected to date have come from donations provided by
supporters and volunteers. We have also received
considerable in-kind assistance from our community in the
way of office support and services. |
