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At rrst, Scott stood alone. But the defiance appeared to spread. No, not like a California wildfire. But it spread. The issue landed on the lap of none other than MN Junior Legion D1 Chairman Jack Strong. Go look. He is listed on the lomington state website. That's where the people that call the shots in Legion baseball are posted. Strong faced a difficult choice. There was no host willing to meet the Board demands. He seemed stuck. Maybe cut tournament costs by reducing the number of games played? Maybe use just one umpire? Or maybe look at hotel costs. Heck. No other state requires site hosts to pay hotels and travel costs. Just Minnesota. Would he break ranks and side with the lone Binsurgent or would he stand in line with his Board superiors? Chairman Strong had to choose a side. Would it be democracy or autocracy?
The State Director's chief of staff is a member of Bloomington Post 550 that sponsors Mark Scott and his baseball program. The COS equated hotel costs with buying baseballs or paying umpires in an effort to convince Mr. Scott to fall in line. But like the guy who stood in front of a tank in a Bejing square, Mark Scott stood firm in open and direct defiance of the Legion Board and its leaders.
At first, Scott stood alone. But the defiance appeared to spread. No, not like a California wildfire. But it spread. The issue landed on the lap of none other than MN Junior Legion D1 Chairman Jack Strong. Go look. He is listed on the lomington state website. That's where the people that call the shots in Legion baseball are posted. Strong faced a difficult choice. There was no host willing to meet the Board demands. He seemed stuck. Maybe cut tournament costs by reducing the number of games played? Maybe use just one umpire? Or maybe look at hotel costs. Heck. Be aware that other state requires site hosts to pay hotels and travel costs. Just Minnesota. Would he break ranks and side with the lone Bloomington insurgent or would he stand in line with his Board superiors? Chairman Strong had to choose a side. Would it be democracy or autocracy?
https://pres-outlook.org/2017/07/open-closed-systems/
Open and Closed Systems by David Lee Jones
Published in the Presbyterian Outlook September 9, 2022
Let’s compare and contrast “appropriately open” and “unduly closed” systems to draw a sharp distinction between the two... I offer these descriptions as a way to see, understand, assess and address these systemic polarities.
Closed Systems Breed Fear, Anger, Repression, Paranoia and Suspicion
Unduly closed systems are generally understood as those that have the following features: dominance, sameness, fusion, herd mentality and group thinking.
Such systems discourage equality, change, differentiation, independence, questioning, speaking up, taking a stand, rocking the boat or expressing concern.
They tend to promote immaturity, repression, stuckness, triangulation, gossip, parking lot meetings, factions and secrets. People do not feel safe to question or disagree in such systems for fear of disapproval or retribution. Such systems tend to be reactive and anxious (even if it is hidden beneath the surface) because information is not shared freely and secrets bind anxiety.
Leaders tend to dominate or over-function, which causes others members of the system to acquiesce or under-function.
A few at the top are disproportionately responsible for the many. Such systems often have people who function as dictators or peace-mongers at the top, and may have unduly rigid boundaries.
Closed systems breed fear, anger, repression, paranoia and suspicion. They tend to acquiesce to the least mature members or those who hold the most power (who are often the most immature).
Closed systems are marked by incessant blaming of others and usually seek a quick fix to conflict rather than managing anxiety maturely. Closed systems are “deadly serious.”
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A Closed Minded Read : https://fs.blog/open-closed-minded/
https://pres-outlook.org/2017/07/open-closed-systems/
Open and Closed Systems by David Lee Jones
Published in the Presbyterian Outlook September 9, 2022
Let’s compare and contrast “appropriately open” and “unduly closed” systems to draw a sharp distinction between the two... I offer these descriptions as a way to see, understand, assess and address these systemic polarities.
Open Systems Value Change, Transparency, Diversity, Differentiation, Questioning, Disagreeing, Discussing, Expressing Concerns, and Giving Voice to All
Appropriately open systems are generally understood as those that value change, transparency, diversity, differentiation, questioning, disagreeing, discussing, pondering, expressing concern and giving voice to all.
In open systems, people feel safe to express concerns, disagree and raise questions. Information is shared openly. Open systems encourage and value appropriately open and flexible boundaries and discourage undue rigidity.
Open systems value, promote and welcome direct communication, “I statements,” responsibility for one’s own functioning in the system and non-reactivity.
In open systems, leaders can take a stand. Leaders and members stay connected to each other by discouraging domination, triangulation, gossip and secrets.
Open systems promote and value playfulness, mystery, paradox, challenge and adventure.
Google Search Quotes
An Open Minded Read: Article Link
According to the American Legion, the purpose of American Legion Baseball is to give players:
"an opportunity to develop their skills, personal fitness, leadership qualities, and to have more fun. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings. American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families or play the sport at the highest level. "
They call it the Field of Dreams. Its a place. Its a movie. "Baseball is Life". Its watching "Sandlot" over and over. Watching "A League of Their Own", "The Natural", "Money Ball" and "Major League". Playing baseball and taking it to the next level is what kids dream about. Aspiring American Legion baseball players want to take it to college. To that end, players join training programs, play fall baaseball, join clubs with kids from other communities, split their summer season with club teams and more. And they came to Minnesota Legion Prospects All Star Series.
Until we created the Legion Prospect All Star Series, a college coach had to drive all over the state to watch a Legion game. Few did so. A college coach would have to watch a state tournament. Few do so.
A number of college coaches have been in contact with us since learning that the Baseball Director and Board killed the all star program. They learned that the organizers have been thrown out of Lewgoin baseball. There is really no other way to accurately describe it. A few college coach comments:
College coaches helped us design and launch the Legion All Star program at its inception. We developed a tournament platform for Legion players, Legion coaches and families. We wanted to support the Dream of College baseball for Legion players. Its their dream- the boys! We opened the doors and we ended up with a flood.
College coaches supported Legion baseball player "Dreams". They inspired our efforts and embraced Legion All Stars at both the Senior and the Junior levels.
Minnesota Legion Leaders: What's Your Dream?
The promise and the dream of baseball draws so many kids to the game. It inspires players to develop and grow, to play forever and play at the highest level possible. That dream of baseball draws many to Legion baseball. Kids and parents and coaches do not have votes here in Minnesota, thus no voice. Over 15,000 depend on the vision and the dreams of you Board members.
Minnesota Legion Board Members: What are YOUR dreams? What dreams do you have for kids that want to go to college or want to develop as players? Here is the link to board members contact information - Leaders & Dreams.
The mission of the Minnesota Legion Prospect All Star Series has been to serve two constituents:
1) The players and families of Legion baseball players.
2) The Minnesota American Legion Baseball Board.
When one of the constituents withdraws, the formula is broken.
Legion All Stars started 5 years ago. It has been ended by the Board of Directors and its Officers -the State Director and the two Vice Directors. Issues developed in the fall that have been accurately characterized as "interpersonal conflicts". Direct communications wre cut off from the Board and officers. Matters could easily have been handled with a pohone call or two. They could have been handled with a promise to meet later on. We may takle some blame on some issues. The Wall of Silence is all yours Mister Leader. Good rarely comes from such a negative place.
Cease and Desist - Now
In November 2024, the All Star group was sent a "Cease and Desist" demand letter. A subsequent letter was sent to all Legion post commanders intended to cutoff any Legion post support or funding. Such action was drastic and may be unprecedented. These actions specifically targeted the two founders of All Stars and kills the All Star program.
An All Star Mom's Take - We Fix Issues - So Should You
An All Star Mom serves on an Executive Board of a large community baseball organization. She offered her wisdom. 'Conflicts will arise in any organization. It is the responsibility of leaders to resolve them. Disagreements often have strong emotions attached. We ask people to slow it down and take a breath. We bring the parties together face to face. We ask each to check their anger and their ego at the door. People find out they have much more in common than they knew. Positive outcomes are the goal.' That's what some expect from leadership. Its the same approach any of us that have coached used as well.
Third Party Efforts Have Not Made Headway
Third parties came forward on a mission to bring the parties (the All Star guys and the Board Officers) together hoping to resolve matters in a positive way. After all, its just baseball. Everyone involved has been committed to Legion ball for their entire baseball lives. We were asked "What sort of example do you set for the boys and parents when adults won't resolve differences? Do you want anger and misunderstanding to be your legacy? Umm. Actually not.
We listened and agreed to meet face to face. To date, the Legion Director and two vice directorsto date have refused to meet face to face. Oh,they can point the finger and place blame. The failure to manage the situation for the benefot of all concerned is 100% on those officers. Sorry. Flexiing your authoritative muscle may be fun and uplifting. It is not leadership.
Did the Legion Baseball Authorities Consider the People and Parties That Lose Out?
Legion All Stars stood as the only new program offering in Minnesota. It grew quickly became the feature event to conclude the summer Legion baseball season.. It touched communities across the entire state. People were excited about All Stars and offered more ideas to expand playing opportunities within Legion Baseball.
Here is who is disadvantaged by killing Legion All Stars:
From All Star Founders Bruce Barron and Mike Perry
We are passionate Legion Baseball people. One has 40 years in the program, is in the Minnesota Legion Basaeball Hall of Fame, and coached one of only four Minnesota National Championship teams. The other has 35 years with Legion baseball in leadership positions that include serving as the past Legion Baseball State Director. Both have worked and have delivered on developing Legion teams, leagues and programs to create more opportunities for Legion players and families. We believed that Minnesota Legion Baseball deserved fresh options with All Stars being the first try.
The actions taken were just not necessary.
Mike Perry: "As Director, I would have picked up the phone and made sure we all got back on track."
Bruce Barron: "I just shake my head at thgis experience. And leave it at that".
If you wish to contact the officers of the State Legion Board - the Director and the two Vice Directors are found with this link LEGION BOARD
Nebraska has been cited as one of the best organized and managed Legion Baseball programs in the country. It is not by accident. Features include professional management with an Assistant Adjutant employed to supervise all Legion sponsored activities to a volunteer board that is elected by area coaches with four year terms to open coaches meetings and a web portal to facilitate communications. Open collaboration has been critical to Nebraska success.
Can we learn anything from our neighbor?
Legion baseball was shut down during the Covid year 2020. However, many individual teams kept playing ball as many coaches organized their teams and coordinated protocols and game schedules. A new state director came on with a mission to take advantage of this collaborative spirit to move North Dakota baseball forward with renewed vigor. Note that the national regional tournament is most often held in the state and the most frequent regional winner has been a North Dakota team. With just 85 total teams, there are 4 divisions that insure competitive balance and opportunity for players, teams and communities.
Wisconsin provides clear organization success. Baseball is a direct function of the Americanism department housed in the Wisconsin Legion headquarters. They feature quarterly coaches meetings, open communication, and coaches vote on pertinent issues and policies.
Yet many say that significant ground has been lost as competition for players with club or travel teams has growth. There are as many club teams now as there are Legion teams. As a comparison, Minnesota has about 240 senior level teams with Wisconsin had about 100 senior teams.
Minnesota Legion boasts 360 registered teams - the most in the country. There are about 5,500 players, 1,200 coaches and some 11,000 parents plus a bunch of supporters. It is a big organizational responsibility. In Minnesota, the authority that runs the show is a group of 14 individuals that form the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Board. It is a quasi-independent group that has its own constitution. The Board is responsible to maintain the apparatus and determine what the program or any part of the program may be or may not be at their discretion. It is said to be a unique structure in the American Legion baseball universe of states.
Many in Legion Baseball have thoughts, ideas and even opinions. Now and then a few complaints. There has been no forum for such things.
The Blog explores some topics that coaches and parents have raised. Many have found very little information available on what the Legion program is, how its structutred, how it is run, and what issues are being considered. Players and families have increasing options for their summer baseball experience. How will Legion baseball fit, now and for the future?
Open discussion and honest exploration can help build an even better and an even stronger Legion Baseball program.
This section provides the opportunity for people to share a thought or an idea.
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