Tonka Tornadoes Letter

2008 Tonka Tornadoes – Cooperstown Tournament

Saturday, June 14 - Friday, June 20, 2008

The Tonka Tornadoes are a self-sponsored 10 and under baseball team from the Minnetonka area who have been invited to play baseball at a highly competitive level, against the best 10-year-olds in the nation. 

The team is currently assembling this years’ team to travel to and compete in the annual Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament this summer.  The 96 team tournament is located in Cooperstown, NY near the baseball hall of fame. 

The players invited must be highly coachable, skilled and motivated to learn the advanced rules of baseball, be willing to practice a minimum of once a week outside of the normal league play and attend our winter and spring practices beginning soon. 

This tournament and the Tonka Tornadoes are not affiliated with any league.

For more details on the tournament play, Cooperstown tourism, lodging, etc., please refer to www.cooperstowndreamspark.com. 

General rules include:

• 10 & UNDER Players may not turn 11 before May 1, 2008
• Teams must have a minimum roster size of 11 players and 2 coaches, maximum of 13 players – Rosters due March 1
• SIX inning games…12 run mercy rule after 4 innings
• 10 & under uses 47 foot pitching distance & 70 foot bases -200 foot fences-8' high
• Teams play (2) games per day for seeding in final tournament – (8) games guaranteed
• Skills Competitions:  Base-running, home run derby, around the horn
• Each team must provide their own umpire for the tournament

Only the players and coaches are able to stay on the Cooperstown campus with the other team to encourage camaraderie and sportsmanship (the boys make new friends and exchange team pins, etc.).  Families are encouraged to attend to watch the boys play and enjoy the area. 

The costs for this tournament will vary based on travel arrangements and lodging, with expenses  between $1,500 -$3,000 per family.  Travel is typically from Friday June 13 returning Friday June 20^th.  The players will miss a week of normal league play, but will be back in time for year-end league tournaments.

Final selection for the team will be based on the Tonka Tornadoes coaches evaluation due to the limited number of players allowed.

Please contact me with any questions and I hope you will be able to join us in Cooperstown.

Sincerely,

Grant Leum

Tonka Tornadoes

952.401.0127, grant@leumengineering.com

2210 Sommergate

Excelsior, MN  55331