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teams with 20-35 criteria points would be placed in Class B , and teams with 19 or fewer criteria points would be placed in Class C . Criteria points are based on player points and success points .

By that measure based on criteria points heading into the 2024 season , the CRVL as a whole would have teams in all three classes . Mayer would be considered Class A by this model . Westonka , Waconia , Green Isle , Young America , Watertown , Carver , Cologne , Hamburg , and St . Boni would be Class B teams while Plato , Winsted , Brownton , Glencoe , Norwood , and New Germany would be Class C teams . That just doesn ’ t work for me .

If the MBA moves forward with this model , I think the future of the CRVL , and maybe other leagues across the state as well , are in jeopardy of existing . It just doesn ' t make sense to have a league with teams in three different classes for a lot of reasons .

As someone who covers more games than almost anyone in the state , what the CRVL as a whole has built over the years is irreplaceable . The rivalries , friendships , memories , and just overall competitive baseball in the area would take a huge hit if this model comes to fruition . If the league has teams in three different classes , it makes no sense for the league to exist anymore .

If the CRVL happens to go away , I feel like the overall quality and competitiveness of the league goes away with it . There are so many good veteran players

who just might walk away from the game if these changes are made . A huge part of the CRVL is comradery and rivalries between teams and players . If all the teams won ’ t be playing each other every year anymore , what ’ s the point ? Even if they continue to play each other despite being in separate classes , it ’ s just not the same .

The new model being proposed by the MBA would open the door for some of the bottom half teams of the league to make the postseason and find some more success . Even those teams that might benefit from the switch are against the change because they know how special the CRVL and Region 7C are as a whole . They might not win as many games or ever make the state tournament , but competing and keeping the CRVL together is important to them .

It ’ s hard to say that amateur baseball is perfect right now . That ’ s not the case . I don ’ t think it will ever be but I do truly believe that the popularity of the game is at an all-time high . Each year we keep setting new attendance records . Each year more and more people are covering amateur baseball and it ’ s finally getting the state-wide coverage it deserves .

I believe amateur baseball is in a really good spot right now and I worry making a change like this will not only ruin the CRVL but will also have a huge effect on the rest of the leagues across the state as well .

Let ’ s not hurry to ruin a good

thing we have going .

If you have an opinion on all of the things going on in amateur baseball , I encourage you to reach out to the MBA state board and share your thoughts . They want to hear from people whether you ’ re agreeing or disagreeing with them . I do truly believe they want the best for amateur baseball going forward but it ' s also important for them to hear how everyone else feels about the situation as well .

PROPOSED THREE CLASS SYSTEM BY MBA

NEWCLASSA ( 36 or more criteria points ) Mayer

NEWCLASSB ( 20-35 criteria points ) Westonka Waconia Green Isle Young America Watertown Carver Cologne Hamburg St . Boni

NEWCLASSC ( 19 or less criteria points ) Plato Winsted Brownton Glencoe Norwood New Germany