March 2011

Dear parents and players,

Welcome to another exciting year of ball hockey. We wish to thank all our membership volunteers for without you, DMBHA would not exist. Our greatest obstacle for the 2011 season was floor time acquisition. For the first time in DMBHA history, we had to cap our registration numbers due to lack of floor time availability. This decision was not easy and one the executive wished they did not have to make.

The feedback forum on our website was a great tool for the executive to hear constructive feedback from parents. To this end, we have implemented some changes for 2011 in regards to the concerns of parents.

1. Balance of teams in younger divisions: The envelope draft was implemented two years ago, therefore still in its infancy of construction. We identified and implemented change to three specific areas (ranking, protections and trade allowances), which we feel will better balance the division.

2. Experienced Referees: It is very easy for coaches, players & parents to blame a referee for anything that goes wrong in a game. We ask our association to please remember in some divisions these are young men taking on a very difficult task. We have identified two avenues to better support our officials and that is a combination of intense shadowing and assigning (seasoned with less experience).

Our board has been hard at work planning fun events and a few small fundraisers for the season. We are well aware that most parents are fundraised out and these endeavors are painless and low in cost.

We wish all teams a successful season, and please remember when you are in the stands, cheer for both teams and acknowledge a great goal or save regardless of the team. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

See you on the floor as the orange ball drops.

Kindest regards in sport,
Scott Carle - President