District 1 and 3 to form combined league this year...

[muckandgrind]

....Just was informed that the two districts will be combining to play in a larger league this season. Anyone else hear the same thing? Any opinions?

[Night Train]

It's really just a scheduling agreement so teams in both Districts, especially at older levels where there are a declining number of A level teams in both Districts, can get additional games. In fact, I think it's just PeeWee A and Bantam A where both Districts can only get 6-8 District games. Instead of teams having to go out and schedule 20 some scrimmages, to get to 30-40-50 games the two Districts agreed to do some across the board scheduling to make the whole thing a lot easier. Otherwise you have to find dates, ice, book refs for scrimmages which is a never ending job. This way, bang, they get 6-8 more games on the schedule from the start. Pretty cool and good thinking by the District leaders.

[muckandgrind]

I agree it's a good idea.

I heard that it's more than just the "A" teams combining. At Bantam, it will be A, B, and C. Pee Wee at A and B, and Squirt A and B.

[SWPrez]

Night Train,

My understanding is that it is a combined league between D1 and D3. This is not only at the "A" level, but also at B1, and B2 (D1 and D3 would run their own "C" level leagues). Both Districts are losing Bantam A teams in the upcoming year (Osseo in D3 and Washburn in D1 - and it sounds like Orono had been on the fence, but will be fielding an "A" team). The concept makes a lot of sense at the "A" levels and I believe that the District Directors also saw that it would make sense at the B1 and B2 levels of Bantams and Peewees.

From what I understand, the teams would play league play and then split off into their respective District playoffs, with seedings based on how they did in league play.

In talking with some parents from D3, they are excited about this development as many of the teams had found it a struggle to line up scrimmages. Many D1 teams have also had this scrimmage scheduling issue and I am sure they will also be happy about this development. By formalizing into a league it takes a lot of this hassle and stress away.

[Bensonmum]

Girls leagues have been run like this forever. Some years 12A will be D1, D2 and D3 combined. 12B might be only D1 and D2 combined, depending on the number of teams. Other years 12A will be only D1 and D3, if D2 has enough for their own league. There's nothing insidious or revolutionary about it. One district will 'host' the league, but the districts don't merge altogether.

[nhl'er]

I believe this is just in discussion at this time and the District still needs to approve. From what I've heard, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Armstong and Hopkins boards are against this proposal, unsure about the other associations though. So probably an unlikely to pass this year if ever in this current shape and form.

[muckandgrind]

I believe this is just in discussion at this time and the District still needs to approve. From what I've heard, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Armstong and Hopkins boards are against this proposal, unsure about the other associations though. So probably an unlikely to pass this year if ever in this current shape and form.

I've heard just the opposite. As a matter of fact, I was just at a board meeting last Thursday where it was announced that it WOULD happen this year.

I heard that the reason that Wayzata and MG were at first against the idea is that they wouldn't be involved, only the "weaker" teams in the association. But now that they will be included, it appears as though "it's a go".

[nhl'er]

ok, sounds like you have more current info. My info is about a week old.

[Night Train]

I had heard Wayzata and Maple Grove weren't necessarily interested in playing the D1 teams because of their "superiority." Funny, because the last two PeeWee A games between Mpls-Park and Maple Grove, one last year and one the year before, were both won by Mpls-Park. Two years ago by a single goal and last year 7-2.

It should be a great arrangement to ease some of the scheduling headaches for teams in both Districts.

[muckandgrind]

I had heard Wayzata and Maple Grove weren't necessarily interested in playing the D1 teams because of their "superiority." Funny, because the last two PeeWee A games between Mpls-Park and Maple Grove, one last year and one the year before, were both won by Mpls-Park. Two years ago by a single goal and last year 7-2.

It should be a great arrangement to ease some of the scheduling headaches for teams in both Districts.

If that's the case, then maybe those two associations should petition to join District 6. They won't run into that issue there.

[iseepalms]

Now it is official district 1 and 2 will play each other in a league.

[muckandgrind]

Now it is official district 1 and 2 will play each other in a league.

Yep. I just heard that last night. Although, I heard that not all of District 1 teams will be playing a District 2 schedule...just Highland, Como, Johnson, and Irondale. If that's true or not, I would like some confirmation.

[Night Train]

Actually, the St. Paul teams, Johnson, Como, Highland and Irondale will play in both D1 and D2. The Minneapolis teams, Mpls-Park, Washburn/Richfield and Edison will play in D1 and D3. All three Districts have a small number of teams, especially at the A level, so it gives them additional games, on the schedule, out of the gate, as opposed to scheduling scrimmage games that take time to schedule, ice to buy and refs to schedule, etc. A nice arrangement for all the participating teams in all three Districts.