NEW LEAGUE/TEAM INFORMATION
The purpose of this web page is to familiarize new prospective team managers and coaches with how MBA baseball operates and to give them some necessary information which will be helpful.
You can learn a great deal about the league by looking over the various pages comprising our web site; we suggest you do just that. After you have fully researched the MBA site, you might have some specific questions you need answered, please feel free to e-mail those questions to MBA, we will respond promptly to your inquirers. You can e-mail us at mba@qwestoffice.net .
Thank you for considering us as a home for your youth baseball team.
To make this page effective and informative we have decided to use a question and answer format.
Q. Can any team join the MBA?
A. Yes, basically... We welcome all youth baseball teams between the ages of 9 and 18 years of age players. We reserve the right to screen, approve or reject potential team managers and coaches.
Q. Does a manager or coach need to have a baseball background to bring a team into MBA?
A. No, you need not be an expert on the subject of baseball. Of course, baseball experience and knowledge will help. What is more important, especially concerning the young divisions (under 16) is your temperament, behavior and attitude in dealing with young children and their parents.
Q. Am I required to teach baseball to my players?
A. No, MBA doesn't require you to instruct players. If you are qualified to teach baseball and wish to make that a part of your team program, MBA welcomes and appreciates your effort.
Q. Can MBA help me if I am not very experienced in managing or coaching youth baseball?
A. MBA conducts a coach's clinic each year prior to the start of the season. Former professional baseball players and major league scouts give this one night seminar. It is a voluntary clinic for all MBA managers and coaches.
Q. If my team played in a different organization or league can I bring that same team into the MBA?
A. Yes you can. Please be advised that we do communicate with various other baseball leagues and organizations and exchange information concerning managers and coaches who have been expelled or suspended. If you have had a problem with another organization or league you must be forthright with the MBA. If this is your situation, we might ask you to appear at a special hearing to explain the circumstances of your suspension.
Q. Do I need to have a home field to enter a team in the MBA?
A. Yes, you do. You should not operate under the assumption that the MBA will accept your application without a home field. If this is your situation, please communicate with the MBA.
Q. Will there be meetings I should attend?
A. Yes, there are several meetings for team managers and coaches which take place before the season starts. You should attend these meetings. The first meeting is held in late January. This is mainly an orientation meeting, if you are new to the league it is a good opportunity to meet members of the MBA Board of Directors and discuss with them any special problems your particular team or organization might have. At the meeting, discussions are held concerning any new rules that might have be implemented concerning the forthcoming season, the latest information concerning insurance, changes in league procedure and policy, playing field problems and general information that is important for you as a MBA manager and coach to know. Final Registration for all teams 13 through 18 will be in early March - all fees will be due.
About Mid-February there is a first meeting for an opportunity to meet with the division coordinators and discuss details concerning the forthcoming season. In late March there is a meeting for all communities to declare their teams for all division playing in the spring season. During the second weekend of April, preliminary schedules will be done by all communities. The last weekend in April will be the meeting for all managers 9-14 years of age. This is a division level meeting which is conducted by the Division Coordinator. At this meeting you will receive your league approved final schedule along with the opponent manager phone numbers. You will receive a final briefing from your Division Coordinator. This gives teams an opportunity to make final adjustments and changes to their schedules. There will be a date set for all managers to turn in their rosters, Player/Parent Team Commitment forms and Player Waiver forms.
The meeting for 15 year olds through 18 year olds summer season managers and coaches is held in beginning of May for preliminary schedules will be done by all communities. Mid-May at this meeting is a division level meeting which is conducted by the Division Coordinator. At this meeting you will receive your league approved final schedule along with the opponent manager phone numbers. You will receive a final briefing from your Division Coordinator. This gives teams an opportunity to make final adjustments and changes to their schedules. There will be a date set for all managers to turn in their rosters, Player/Parent Team Commitment forms and Player Waiver forms.
Q. What are the MBA seasons and how long are they?
A. MBA offers the teams, a summer season. For the 9, 10, 11, & 12-year-old teams, the summer season starts during the first week of May and conclude the first week of July. For the 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 year old teams they start their summer season the third week of May and conclude mid-July. The 9, 10, 11 & 12 year old summer season is about 16 games that are played varies nights of the week. The 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18-year-old teams play a summer season of about 16 games on varies nights of the week.
Q. Does my team need insurance and how do I obtain it?
A. Currently, MBA has arrangements whereby MBA teams (roster players, managers & coaches only) can acquire both liability and medical coverage. Since we negotiate as a group we are able to keep insurance costs down. All teams are provided with insurance with their League Fees. If you want the AAU insurance for their program you will be expected to purchase that on your own.
Q. For summer season, do I need to purchase baseballs from MBA?
A. Yes, it is a MBA rule that all summer games are played with an official AABC baseball. The baseball purchasing requirements are 9 to 18 year old division teams receive two-dozen baseballs for the summer season. Cost will be discussed at Team Declaration Meeting.
Q. What are the fees to join insurance fees and umpire fees?
A. All fees are discussed at Team Declaration Meeting.
Q. What is MBA's relationship with A.A.B.C., AAU, Babe Ruth, Junior Legion and Pony?
A. For information on these organizations, visit our website for direct links to them. These organizations are the oldest and most respected youth baseball programs in the United States. MBA maintains membership in these baseball associations and is very proud of its good standing and affiliations. These affiliations conduct the most competitive youth baseball programs in the world. Each of these organizations holds local, regional and national tournaments. Each year, each one of these organizations senior National Championship team is honored by being enshrined in the Youth Baseball section of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. If you are to bring a team into MBA, you, your coaches, parents and players must enter one of these tournaments which can lead to a national championship. Each organization has slightly different age denotations and roster requirements, be assured if your team is one of the best it will be awarded a bid to one of these organizations championship tournaments. As the season unfolds, if your one of the better teams, you need to start communicating with your division coordinator concerning the cost and details of taking your team into a tournament.
Q. How do I go about registering my community/team?
A. At this web site you can print a Community/Team Registration application. Fill in the information and mail it along with your league fee.
Q. Can I be a manager of a team without having access to the Internet?
A. It is going to be next to impossible for you to function as a MBA manager or coach without access to our web site. If you are a team manager without direct access to the MBA web site it is imperative that you create good communications with a coach or team parent who will check the web site often. If for some reason web site access cannot be achieved, contact MBA at 763-433-8355. If you have questions or require special assistance, please feel free to contact MBA and we will be as helpful as we can. We are devoted to the betterment of youth baseball!