MYBI “Frequently Asked Questions”

1. How do I register for Mahtomedi youth baseball?

You must register for baseball electronically through the MYBI website. There will also be a one day walk-in registration held at the Mahtomedi Middle School on February 14, 2009 from 9-noon. Deadline for on time registration is February 28, 2009. Any player who registers after February 28, 2009 will be subject to an additional $15 late registration fee.  Anyone registering after February 28, 2009 is not guaranteed a spot on a team.

2. How are travel teams chosen?

Outside evaluators select the top 12 players for the AAA, the next 13 players make up the AA team. If we have enough interest in three teams the two AA teams will be balanced by skill rating of the outside evaluators. The evaluators determine each player’s ranking by using a weighted rating system covering batting, running, infield, outfield work and pitching. No potential Mahtomedi coach is allowed to participate in the evaluation process as an evaluator. Coaches will be selected after the tryouts from the applications submitted prior to the try-outs.

Who are the evaluators?

The evaluation process is managed by the Minnesota Baseball Academy who selects the evaluators. The evaluators are comprised of high school coaches, current and former college players and professional baseball instructors. Often the evaluators have experience playing in the MLB minor league system. These evaluators are generally not from the Mahtomedi baseball community.

2A. How are in-house teams chosen?

In-house players are evaluated on fielding, batting, running and throwing at a one day evaluation held in April. Players combined scores are tabulated resulting in a ranking for each player in an age group. Coaches then use a draft process to select players for their team. Coaches are strongly encouraged to use the ranking process for selecting their team which ideally results in a fairly equitable distribution of talent throughout the league. The evaluators for in-house baseball are coaches, MYBI board members and other volunteers who have a background in baseball.

3. If a player makes the AAA or AA travel team will they be on that team next season?

No, each player is evaluated at the beginning of each season and that tryout performance will be the sole deciding factor for team placement.


4.      How are head coaches selected?

The travel coaches are selected after the player tryout process. Coaches are chosen from applications which they submit prior to tryouts. If two or more people apply for the head coach position of the same team the applicants will be interviewed by no less than three MYBI board members. If no parent applies once the teams are set the Travel Director will ask for volunteers. The head coach selection process will include knowledge of the game, past year’s parent comments (if applicable) and coaching philosophy.

The in-house coaches are selected from volunteers who would like to be involved in the baseball program. In most cases these volunteers are parents of the players. Parents who would like to coach should submit their coaching applications at the same time their child signs up for baseball. In the event there are more coaches then available teams the in-house director will make every effort to align coaches to work together coaching the same team. If necessary the MYBI board will interview and assign coaches in similar fashion to what is done in the travel program. The coaches are assigned team names by the in-house director.

5. Who maintains our field facilities?

Mahtomedi Youth Baseball uses a combination of School District and City owned baseball fields. As a result, maintenance of those fields is split between these government entities. MYBI does contract for field prep on all of the fields with Mahtomedi Area Community Education.


6. What is “equal play”?

Simply that the player should expect equal at bats and time playing in the field compared to other players on the team. This will be managed through out the season and may not necessarily be judged on a game by game basis. Every effort will be made by the head coach to offer equal play time. Players should understand that there are game situations which will not allow “equal play” such as in the case of a 10 run rule being imposed. Coaches are instructed to take these game situations into account and playing time should be fairly balanced by season end. Discipline factors and absence from games will also make it difficult for a coach to strictly follow this guideline. The equal play rule is for travel 10-13U teams, the 14 and 15U teams do not follow this guideline.  The equal play rule also governs playing time at the in-house level. In 1^st and 2^nd grade baseball coaches should attempt to give every player an opportunity to play each position throughout the season. Infield and outfield playing time should also be equitably split between the players during the season. Coaches are encouraged to use a “fair play” matrix which assures all players get relatively equal time at all positions. Fair play for 3^rd through 9^th grade follows a similar formula as that used by the travel program for 10-13U.

7. How do I volunteer to help MYBI?

Every parent who has a child in the Mahtomedi baseball program is encouraged to sign up for some sort of volunteer time. Volunteering is as simple as contacting your coach, an MYBI board member or send an email via the feedback form on the MYBI website.

8. Who chooses the league and level of play for in-house and travel teams?

Travel teams play in the MYAS Gopher State League. Gopher State mandates that we must first field a team at the AAA level even if we have only one team. Additional teams in each age group can play at the AA level. If the performance levels at the spring evaluation make it apparent that our teams will not be competitive at the AAA level, the travel director can petition for an exception to this rule.  The final ruling is that of the MYAS Board of Directors and MYBI can not appeal the placement vote.  

The in-house teams through 6^th grade practice and play games with other Mahtomedi teams at their level. The teams represented by players at the 7^th grade and older currently participate in the North Suburban Baseball League (NSBL) which is comprised of in-house teams from neighboring communities such as White Bear Lake, Roseville, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Irondale and St. Anthony Village. No player participating in a travel league is allowed to play in the NSBL. Following several years of playing in different leagues around the northern metro area the MYBI board has decided that the NSBL is a good fit for the Mahtomedi program. The potential exists that the 5^th/6^th grade teams could join the NSBL if participation rates did not allow for enough Mahtomedi teams at this level to form a functional league.

9. How is the number of games/practices determined?

The Gopher State League sets the number of games for travel teams which is currently 16 regular season games for 10-14U and 14 games at 15U. Teams will have one guaranteed play-off game with more to follow if the team wins that play-off game. Strong effort will be made by the coaches to have regular season weekly practices but they may be required to limit practices during the week in the heart of the season due to multiple games during the week, limited facilities and protection of player’s arms.  

In-house teams are scheduled to play between 8 and 14 games depending on the age group. Each team is generally scheduled for at least one practice per week when only one game is scheduled. Additional practices are at each coach’s discretion.

10. Are coaches given any training?

Yes, travel coaches are offered a Gopher State Coaches Clinic paid for by MYBI and continual training during the season. Coaches in both the travel and in house programs are expected to attend the annual coaches meeting held prior to the season which offers training and sets expectations for coaches at each level. The MYBI board is currently in the process of compiling a coach’s manual which will hopefully be available for all coaches prior to the 2009 season.

11. Who umpires our games and how much are they paid?

All travel, in-house and tournament games in Mahtomedi are handled by umpires who have been selected by the MYBI Umpire-In-Chief. All of the umpires are residents of the Mahtomedi community. Most have both a strong baseball background and several years of umpiring experience.

MYBI umpires receive training via, but not limited to clinics, meetings and “you make the call” quizzes throughout the season. Most of our umpires are MYAS certified and some umpires work games at High School B-squad and JV levels. In addition our umpires are evaluated throughout the year by the UIC and coaches.  Feedback is given as needed in an effort to continually improve the quality of umpiring.

Our umpires are paid $30-40/game depending on the level of game umpired. In addition umpires earn a year end bonus based on number of years of experience as umpires, along with working all of their games as scheduled (i.e. without any no- shows). These rates are competitive with other local baseball associations.

12. Who should I contact if I have a comment or complaint regarding MYBI?

Initially, all comments and complaints regarding MYBI should be addressed with your coach or age level director. If the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction it may be elevated to the travel or in-house director.

13. How many tournaments will Travel teams play?

The teams are signed up for 3 tournaments by MYBI prior to the try-outs. Most of these tournaments are “sold-out” by mid to late January. The head coach can sign up for additional tournaments if they so chose. It is recommended that they poll the parents but it is not required. The tournaments selected most often offer a chance for the team to qualify for GSTC or MBL births.  

14.        How many games do we play a year?

Combined between regular season and tournaments some travel teams have played 40-50 games in a season when they had successful tournament records. The regular season is a minimum of 16 games (10-14U teams), 14 for 15U with one playoff game, three preselected tournaments and two possible qualifying tournaments.

In-house teams are scheduled to play between 8-14 regular season games each year depending on age level. The 3^rd-9^th grade levels will participate in a short single elimination tournament following the season.

15. What are the residency requirements for MYBI players?

Any player who lives or attends school within the bounds of ISD 832 is eligible to play MYBI baseball. This includes open enrollment students and students enrolled at St Jude’s and St Andrews Academy.

16.        What is MVP?

MVP stands for Mahtomedi Values and Principals which was adopted by the Mahtomedi Area Athletic Council in 2007. All athletics in the Mahtomedi area are expected to abide by this same set of values regardless of the sport.

Mahtomedi Values and Principles (MVP)

Healthy sports programs for student-athletes are a key part of our community’s identity and contribute to pride in Mahtomedi and our surrounding cities. Mahtomedi Youth Baseball, in partnership with the Mahtomedi Area Athletic Council (MAAC), supports efforts to create and sustain a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment for all participants.

As part of that effort, it is imperative that we abide by the following principles:

•           All participants are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness in a safe, encouraging, and supportive environment that strengthens personal character and nurtures a lifelong passion for sports.

•           The opportunity to participate in sports is a privilege available to all             student-athletes.

•           Participation in sports should promote a healthy lifestyle. As a result, we have zero tolerance for student-athlete use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

•           It is incumbent upon adults — coaches, parents, officials, and spectators — to create positive, supportive environments that promote adherence to standards of sportsmanship and compliance with rules.

•           Parents and coaches must support school work before sports participation.

•           Training opportunities must be provided in all aspects of the sport — including coaching, officiating and age-appropriate player skill development— to increase the safety and general knowledge of the sport.

•           Positive, constructive communication and feedback is important to continuous improvement efforts at the team and organization levels.