2026 MIBL Board Meeting
February 22, 2026
Ankeny, IA
Board Members Present: John Linden, Brian Schueller, Michael McGonegle, Chad Osler, Curt Gomes, Jeremy Green, Todd Thomas, Ron Watson, Bobby Williams
Absent: Cris Anderson, Sam Cole, Pat Scholer, Joe Smith, Brian Speers, Jeremy Turgasen
Guests: Al Cordero, Ryan Lamke
Linden presented a 2025 year-end review, recognizing division & tournament champions. Also provided a recap of roster/player counts.
Board terms expiring: Cris Anderson, Michael McGonegle, Todd Thomas
McGonegle & Thomas wish to renew their terms. Anderson stepping down. Approved unanimously.
Open Board Positions: Cordero & Lamke interested in joining the Board in at-large, director positions. Discussion held, Thomas nominates both. Watson seconds. Approved unanimously.
McGonegle provided a Treasurer’s report. Savings account continues to carry a balance in case of emergency or unexpected cost increases. Basically broke even in 2025, revenue over expenses.
Osler provided an Umpire Director report. Very few games last year with only one umpire. Recognized as one of our best years ever as to having coverage. Some new umpires in the mix were encouraging. Still dealing with early season shortages due to USSSA, high school, but our regulars are good about being consistent. Bonus program may be helping.
Linden provided a field report. Newton’s new turf field may be available to the 18+ Thunder. All other fields from 2025 should be back in the mix. Discussion regarding Des Moines Hoover no longer fielding a baseball team, but the field still being there. How to improve/utilize? More to come.
Discussion on Divisions & Teams returning.
18+: The Sharks forfeited late in 2025 & did not enter tournament. Will need a renewed dedication out of them. Linden dropped a hint that the Oaks might be nearing the end of their 30+ year run. Looking for someone to manage & move forward. All others should be back.
30+: Heat are looking for a manager, but team may have scattered & might be difficult to return. All others should be back.
40+: All teams should return.
48+: All teams should return, possible new team addition.
60+ (or 58+, or 55+): Trying to form three teams to be able to play a condensed, round-robin schedule.
Rules Clarification:
--Discussion on courtesy runner (CR) rule. Change from last available player to last available player “designated at beginning of plate appearance” of person needing a CR.
--Discussion of allowing a bench player (not in hitting or fielding lineup) to be designated CR for one individual in lineup needing a CR.
Both were approved unanimously. Deeper description & examples will be provided in our local rules & at manager’s meeting.
Discussion of changing age divisions to the “8s”. Objective is to keep & get younger players to weeknight baseball sooner by dropping from 30 to 28. Thomas motions, Lamke seconds, approved unanimously.
More discussion/analysis to take place (in conjunction with the manager’s meeting) about moving 40 down to 38. No change considered anywhere else (48+ to remain, 60+ to determine their appropriate cut or exemptions).
Tourney Dates/Rainouts: Set tourney dates prior to season & stick to those dates. Build in “byes” or open dates to allow for rainout reschedules. Follow the rules in place to get reschedules on the calendar within two weeks of the rainout/postponement. Schueller offered, as VP of the league, to oversee reschedules as he already tracks field usage for payments & scores for league history. If a division title remains at stake after the respective tournament, teams should plan to continue playing until the division title is determined.
Free Agents: Gomes to take over as Player Relations Director, formerly held by Thomas.
Hall of Fame: Schueller provided update to the process & next election. Rankings of current nominees were provided by HOF committee members & HOF elected members. 25 of 40 responded in June of 2025. Two additional nominees were added for consideration & those rankings were being obtained. Plans are to move on to adding our top ranked nominees to the 2026 ballot for a final vote by committee members. We hope to take care of this by early summer, announce our next class & hold another celebration event in late summer.
Equipment for troops: Watson collecting baseball equipment to donate.
Exhibition Games, 2026: Hoping to resurrect our All Star Games in some fashion. City of Kellogg is looking to host a game between our league and the Cedar Rapids area league. Team Deaf USA is looking for competitive games.
Meeting adjourned.
Manager meeting set for March 22, 2026 from 2-4pm at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ankeny.
