MYAS Policies

Weather Policies

Heat Index Guidelines

Heat Index under 95°

All sports:

  • Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
  • Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
  • Ice-down towels for cooling
  • Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
  • Provide cold tubs or child pool for water or ice baths
  • If on artificial turf (not sure how many this would impact) have water source to cool down turf
  • Stay away from energy drinks–water is the best for hydration and recovery
  • Take breaks in shaded areas when possible or in air conditioned buildings or vehicles

Here is a link to the MSHSL information. Please see Part 3 of the MSHSL info.

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature chart is a great tool to use. It is more accurate than the heat index.

Also “Click Here” links on page 5.

Heat Index 95° to 99°

All sports:

  • Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
  • Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
  • Ice-down towels for cooling
  • Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action

Contact sports:

  • Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact
  • Provide cold tubs or child pool for water or ice baths
  • If on artificial turf (not sure how many this would impact) have water source to cool down turf
  • Stay away from energy drinks–water is the best for hydration and recovery
  • Take breaks in shaded areas when possible or in air conditioned buildings or vehicles

Reduce time of outside activity. Consider postponing practice to later in the day

Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index

Here is a link to the MSHSL information. Please see Part 3 of the MSHSL info.

Heat index 100° to 104°

All sports:

  • Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
  • Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
  • Ice-down towels for cooling
  • Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
  • Alter uniform by removing items if possible
  • Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning unavailable
  • Postpone practice to later in day if possible

Contact sports and activities with additional equipment

  • Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. If necessary for safety, suspend activity.
  • Provide cold tubs or child pool for water or ice baths
  • If on artificial turf (not sure how many this would impact) have water source to cool down turf
  • Stay away from energy drinks–water is the best for hydration and recovery
  • Take breaks in shaded areas when possible or in air conditioned buildings or vehicles

Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index

Heat index above 104°

All sports:

  • Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play, and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.

Lightning and Thunder Guidelines- Outdoor Events

MYAS and the Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL) follow the National Federation of State High School Associations’ rules when it comes to Lightning or Thunder disturbances. If you have not reviewed the rules on this, please take the time to do so. You can follow the link below or look on page 78 of the NFHS rule book.

Remember, the safety of your players, coaches, and fans should always come FIRST. Lightning is very dangerous, unpredictable and can be quite random as well. Knowingly risking the safety of the individuals at your field is unacceptable.

Below are the NFHS rules.

NFHS GUIDELINES ON HANDLING PRACTICES AND CONTESTS DURING LIGHTNING or THUNDER DISTURBANCES

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)

These guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include your state high school activities association and the nearest office of the National Weather Service.

Proactive Planning

  1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
  2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safe areas.
  3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
    • When thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a visible lightning strike, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for thirty minutes and take shelter immediately.
    • Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
    • Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
    • Review annually with all administrators, coaches and game personnel.
    • Inform student athletes of the lightning policy at start of season.

For more detailed information, refer to the “Lightning and Thunder Safety” section contained in the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook.

Minnesota Department of Health Air Quality Guidance

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct – Player and Coach

  1. I will not berate the officials or “trash talk” to my opponent.
  2. I will not use profanity.
  3. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, contest administrators and officials at every game.
  4. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my teammates and opponents ahead of my personal desire to win.
  5. I will treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, gender, creed or ability.
  6. I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all MYAS sporting events.
  7. I will do my best to remember that youth sports are supposed to be FUN and that winning and losing are part of everyone’s experience.
  8. I will express my concerns through the proper channels in a dignified manner.
  9. I will respect the volunteers that are assisting with the conduct of these events.
  10. I will respect and adhere to the rules governing eligibility and competition.

Code of Conduct – Parents

  1. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, contest administrators and officials at every game.
  2. I will place the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of my personal desire to win.
  3. I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all MYAS sporting events.
  4. I will remember that the game is for the kids – not the adults.
  5. I will do my best to make sure that youth sports are a FUN and POSITIVE experience.
  6. I will treat other players, coaches, fans, volunteers and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.
  7. I will not berate the officials!
  8. I will not undermine the coaches’ instructions or directions.
  9. I will not use profanity!
  10. I will communicate my concerns through the proper channels in a dignified manner.

Code of Conduct – Officials

  1. I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all MYAS sporting events.
  2. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, contest administrators and fellow officials at every game.
  3. I will remember that the game is for the kids – not the adults, coaches or officials.
  4. I will do my best to make sure that youth sports are a FUN and POSITIVE experience.
  5. I will not use profanity!
  6. I will communicate my concerns through the proper channels in a dignified manner.
  7. I will master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and will exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.
  8. I will uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with athletes, coaches, tournament administrators, colleagues and the public.
  9. I will be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations.
  10. I will remain mindful that my conduct influences the respect that athletes, coaches and the public hold for the profession.

Penalty

Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in a temporary or permanent banishment from any MYAS sponsored events. Please BEHAVE or BE GONE! Your kids thank you and so do we!

Refund Policy

  1. Team/Individual Withdrawal
    • If a team or individual drops out of an event prior to the entry deadline, a full refund of the entry fee will be issued (minus any credit card processing fees).
    • If a team or individual drops out of an event after the entry deadline, no refund will be issued.
  2. Event Cancellations
    • If an event must be cancelled due to weather, health concerns, facility issues, loss of electricity, or other unforeseen circumstances:
      • A prorated refund may be issued based on the costs have been incurred by MYAS Inc. Examples would be MYAS staff time, facility rental deposits, supplies, etc.
  3. Non-Refundable Fees
    • Credit card processing fees are not refundable under any circumstances.

Communication Policy

Over the past several years, the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) has experienced overwhelming growth in numbers of athletes, teams, tournaments, leagues, etc. While we value everyone’s opinion, it has become necessary for the MYAS to develop the policy whereby our staff will communicate with travel directors, coaches and association representatives ONLY.

There is not adequate time in the day to discuss rulings, controversial situations, etc. with individual athletes or parents. As an alternative, we encourage your constructive criticisms and suggestions be communicated by a team representative, who is welcome to contact our office for a response or necessary action.

Disciplinary Policy

The severity of the unsportsmanlike act will determine the severity of the resulting disciplinary action. Any MYAS representative has the authority to use their best judgment to administer appropriate disciplinary action to any player, coach, official, host or spectator. Possible disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to censure, disqualification, suspension for a definite or indefinite period of time, or expulsion from any or all MYAS sponsored programs. Behave or be gone!

On-Site Disciplinary Actions:

Any disciplinary action administered on site shall be subject to immediate review by the MYAS Event Protest Committee (EPC). The EPC is composed of one representative from the host organization, one representative of the officials’ organization assigned to the event and one representative from the MYAS. This committee will conduct an on-site hearing to determine if the disciplinary action is appropriate. All decisions of the EPC are in effect for the remainder of that specific event. The committee does not have the authority to issue any disciplinary action that shall exceed the length of that specific event. (Exception: If the disciplinary action occurred during the offending party’s last game of the event, it will carry over to the next MYAS event.) Any decision by the EPC may be appealed to the MYAS Review Committee at the earliest possible date.

Off-Site Disciplinary Actions:

The MYAS reserves the right to issue additional disciplinary action depending upon the frequency and severity of the offense. Additional disciplinary action may be taken after the completion of a formal hearing by the MYAS Review Committee. All actions of the MYAS Review Committee are final.

Organization Actions for Suspensions:

The MYAS recognizes and upholds suspensions issued by bona fide youth sport organizations. The MYAS will not knowingly allow those suspended persons to participate in any MYAS League, Tournament or Special Event, until that suspension has been lifted or expired. The MYAS reserves the right to disallow persons to participate in MYAS events at the discretion of the MYAS.

Coach Responsibilities/Expectations

We have been experiencing WAY TOO MANY instances of unacceptable parent/fan conduct at our events. Like it or not, we are all in this together and if we don’t take immediate and meaningful action, we run the risk of losing officials, tournament directors and host organizations. To that end, the following Coach responsibilities and/or expectations are in effect for ALL Coaches who participate in any MYAS sporting event.

  1. It is expected that YOU will abide by ALL portions of the Code of Conduct that YOU have signed. ANY and ALL communication between you and the officials, tournament administration, opposing teams and host representatives shall be done in a respectful manner.
  2. It is expected that YOU will keep your players and assistant coaches under control at all times and will take whatever action necessary to make sure that your players and assistant coaches are following ALL portions of the Code of Conduct that they have signed.
  3. It is YOUR responsibility to do whatever is necessary to keep your parents AND fans under control. It is highly recommended that you coordinate a pre-season meeting with your parents to insist that they abide by all portions of the Code of Conduct. It is also recommended that YOU conduct “reminder meetings” with troublesome parents or fans throughout the season as warranted. Furthermore, it is expected that YOU will address any of your parents or fans who are exhibiting any sort of disrespect or unsportsmanlike conduct, at any of our events, at your first opportunity (i.e. time outs, quarter breaks, half-time, between innings, intermissions).
  4. It is expected that YOU will assist the officials, tournament administrators or host representatives in removing YOUR “out-of-control” players, coaches, parents or fans from the facility.

Penalty

Failure to comply with the coach responsibilities and expectations outlined above may result in suspension or revocation of your privilege to participate in any MYAS league, tournament, or special event.

Non-Discrimination Clause

The MYAS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital status, ethnicity, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law for employment or provision of services.

Refusal Policy

The MYAS reserves the right to refuse entry to any team/individual that has not exhibited good conduct throughout the entire season. This includes all MYAS and non-MYAS events.

Privacy Policy

What information do we collect?

We collect information from you when you register on our site. As appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, mailing address, phone number or credit card information. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one or more of the following ways:

  • To personalize your experience – your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs.
  • To process transactions – your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested.
  • To send periodic emails – the email address you provide for order processing may be used to send you information and updates pertaining to your order , in addition to receiving occasional company news, updates, related product or service information, etc.

Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

How do we protect your information?
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you place an order or access your personal information.

We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our Payment gateway provider’s database only to be accessible by those authorized with special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.

After a transaction, your private information (credit cards, social security numbers, financials, etc) will not be stored on our servers.

Do we use cookies?
Yes – cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your web browser (if you allow) that enables the sites or service providers systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. We use cookies to help us remember and process the items in your shopping cart.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

California Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
Because we value your privacy we have taken the necessary precautions to be in compliance with the California Online Privacy Protection Act. We therefore will not distribute your personal information to outside parties without your consent.

As part of the California Online Privacy Protection Act, all users of our site may make any changes to their information at any time by logging into their control panel and going to the ‘Edit Profile’ page.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).

Online Privacy Policy Only
This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline.

Terms and Conditions
Please also visit our Terms and Conditions section establishing the use, disclaimers, and limitations of liability governing the use of our website.

Your Consent
By using our site, you consent to our web site privacy policy.

Changing to our Privacy Policy
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page.

Contacting Us
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us using the information below:

www.myas.org

1011 Osborne Road NE
Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
United States
763-781-2220

Background Check Policy

Background Checks for Sports

Officials/Coaches/Employee Applicants

Policy

Persons who apply to become a registered sports official/coach or employee with the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services may not have engaged in any action which, within the discretion of the MYAS Board of Directors or their representative, gives rise to a concern over the safety of minors or others involved in MYAS-sponsored programs; indicates that the applicant cannot objectively perform an official’s/coach’s/employee’s duties; or otherwise is inconsistent with the MYAS’s responsibilities to its member associations, the participants, or the parents of participants.

All officials/coaches/employees who apply to become a registered Minnesota Youth Athletic Services official/coach/employee must submit to a background check. Background checks will be conducted on all officials/coaches/employees prior to completing their registration for any sport or employment; and thereafter, annually on all new officials/coaches/employees. This background check will verify the applicant’s Social Security number and address history, and screen their criminal conviction history.

In order to become or continue as a registered official/coach for the MYAS, the applicant may not have been convicted of a felony crime involving:

  1. a minor at any time
  2. the use, possession, or sale of a controlled substance within the last 10 years
  3. the use or threatened use of violence against a person within the last 10 years
  4. a sexual offense within the last 10 years
  5. gambling within the last 10 years
  6. fraud, theft, money laundering, embezzlement within the last 10 years

Any previous convictions meeting the above criteria shall result in the denial of registration/employment. This denial may be waived by the MYAS Board of Directors in individual cases if it determines, in its sole discretion, that there exists circumstances justifying such a waiver or modification.

Upon receipt of information that indicates that an applicant will be denied registration or employment, a pre-adverse action letter will be sent to the applicant, along with a copy of the screening report. The applicant will have 5 business days in which to contest any information that is inaccurate or incomplete. After 5 business days the information will be deemed to be accurate, and an adverse action letter will be sent, notifying the applicant that their request to be an MYAS registered official/coach/employee has been denied.

Association Recognition Policy

Adopted 9/12/2017 (revised 9/25/2025)

PREFACE

It has been determined, by the MYAS Board of Directors, that having multiple Youth Sport Organizations (YSOs) servicing the same geographic area is a recipe for confusion among athletes, parents, coaches, facility providers, potential sponsors, etc. Therefore, the MYAS has adopted the policy that we will recognize only one YSO in any given geographic area. We believe that there has already been a precedent set by several governing bodies, such as the Minnesota Hockey and Minnesota Softball. For example, both organizations restrict membership based on geographics and/or school attendance.

CLARIFICATIONS

1) This policy is specifically relative to our community based youth basketball and baseball leagues and/or tournaments. This policy is NOT in effect for our spring/summer/fall basketball programs or for our fall/winter baseball leagues and/or tournaments. Note: The MYAS in-season leagues and tournaments are specifically designed for community or school team participation, while the off-season leagues and tournaments are designed for statewide player eligibility. Therefore, clubs and individual teams are encouraged to participate in our off-season program offerings.

2) Whenever the MYAS encounters a situation where two (or more) YSOs are attempting to function within the same geographic area, the MYAS will interview those YSOs to see which entity best serves the needs of the population within that same geographic area. The MYAS staff will make their selection and any appeals to their decision can be made to the respective MYAS sport board of advisors.

3) Once a specific organization has been selected to serve their designated geographic area, they will be required to continue to meet the basic YSO guidelines that the MYAS has published for both the sports of basketball, baseball and football. In other words, the selected YSO needs to continuously earn the right to be the designated YSO for their particular sport in their specific geographic area. Any significant action or inaction may result in the MYAS recognizing a different YSO to provide those services to that specific geographic area.

EXCEPTIONS

1) Common Areas: It is NOT uncommon for some “community-based” YSOs and some “school-based” YSOs to share some common service area. If neither YSO has a problem with sharing those common service areas, the MYAS will not have a problem with that situation either. In those instances, the athletes living or going to school in those common areas would have their choice of participating with either of the YSOs that are providing similar services to their specific geographic area.

2) Two exceptions to the above policy would be the Minneapolis and St. Paul Youth Basketball and Baseball organizations. . The sheer size (geographic and population) of those communities dictate that their infrastructure allows for multiple YSOs to serve the populations of those communities.

Note: Any unique or unforeseen situations will be ruled upon by the MYAS Board of Directors.

BASIC YSO GUIDELINES/BEST PRACTICES

1) YSOs must be perpetual in nature, meaning the YSO must intend to exist today, next year and for many years to come. The MYAS will not recognize any “one-year wonders.”

2) YSOs must coordinate multiple teams. In other words, the MYAS will not recognize any YSO that is basically a “one-team wonder.” YSOs are encouraged to run multiple grade- or age-determined teams and are encouraged to coordinate A, B and C level travel teams for the sport of basketball and AAA, AA and A level teams for baseball. In regards to in-house or rec level programs, it is possible that the MYAS might recognize more than one YSO for in-house or rec level programs within the same geographic area, such as a park and rec or school program that is operating within any specific geographic area that is already being served by a specific city- or school-based YSO for their respective travel programs.

3) YSOs must operate as a democratic organizations, meaning that they must have bylaws befitting of a nonprofit youth organization, free election of officers, open tryouts for travel teams, an open coach selection process, and open forums for parent input.

4) YSOs must agree to operate within their specific geographic boundaries and/or school attendance. In other words, YSOs should NOT be actively recruiting athletes from outside their stated boundaries.

5) YSOs must provide some sort of quality education and evaluation system for their coaches.

6) It is mandatory that all YSOs, located within the boundaries of Minnesota, verify that all of their coaches (and officials) have been concussion certified. Note: This is current state law in Minnesota.

7) For the purpose of in-season baseball, football and/or basketball, EVERY city and EVERY high school attendance area has the right and authority to be represented by their own YSO, even if they share a common geographic area with an existing YSO.

8) Split Family Rule: See sport specific policies.

9) On an annual basis, athletes must try out and compete with the travel association within the community where they reside or for the school that they attend. If an athlete has been cut or restricted from their home association, they may try out and participate with the next nearest recognized bordering association. The terminology of “next nearest” means going to the next nearest YSO that is located north, west, east or south of the community or school where the athlete resides or attends school. Athletes that use this option should get a written release or waiver form from their home YSO.

10) For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that all YSOs perform a national background check on any of their adult coaches, volunteer administrators and game officials. It is also recommended that each YSO provide some sort of first-aid training AND provide first-aid supplies to each of its coaches.

SUMMARY

This is a “living” document which may require additions, deletions or modifications as deemed reasonable by the MYAS Board of Directors.

SPECIAL NOTATION

Please note that there are some differences in our MYAS Baseball, Basketball and Football eligibility rules. We suggest that you visit the MYAS website to review the published baseball and basketball eligibility rules for each sport. When in doubt, please do not hesitate to reach out to an MYAS staff member.

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