TOURNAMENT TEAM GUIDELINES
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
(a) Purpose
Tournament teams (Teams) are an opportunity for the most talented and dedicated players in Mars Baseball Association (MBA) to participate in tournaments against the most talented and dedicated players in other baseball associations. The goal for Teams is to play to win while exhibiting good sportsmanship and striving to improve the skills and future development of all players in a competitive environment. Playing to win is the goal of MBA Teams and it is the goal of teams playing against MBA Teams. Managers, players, coaches, and parents are expected to strive for that goal while representing our community and the MBA in a manner in which we can all be proud.
The tournament season is unlike the in-house season because, in the tournament season, there is limited guaranteed playing time and players usually play only a limited number of positions. At the tryout, Team managers (Manager) shall explain the MBA’s philosophy at the tryouts in order to avoid any conflicts or confrontations during the tournament season due to lack of playing time or a player's assignment to a specific position for the entire season. In addition, at the tryout, Managers are encouraged to explain their own particular approach to the Team.
It is the Manager’s duty to provide the team with its best opportunity to win. This will include making discretionary player selections, development of players through practice and instruction, strategy and game decisions and determining lineup and substitutions. As discussed herein, only minimum playing time is guaranteed. Managers have a duty to assign defensive positions and batting order based on what is best for the TEAM.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in being selected for the Team, each of the players has demonstrated above-average ability and commitment to baseball, and Managers should endeavor to develop their ability and foster their commitment to baseball. However, it must also be recognized that talent, baseball aptitude, and level of commitment vary among players; and that these should be determining factors in a Manager’s decisions regarding positions and substitution. Other significant factors could include the game situation or the age-level of the team.
(b) Tournament Teams
Each season, the MBA will sponsor Teams for various age levels comprised of in-house baseball season participants as described below.The number of Teams per age level will be determined by the support and interest within each age level. The MBA will support as many teams as there are players willing to play and Managers willing to coach at the following age levels: 7U[1], 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U.
Each team will be deemed a Team for a period of one (1) year from the date the Teams are selected and shall run until the selection of new Teams each May/June. The only exception to this rule shall be in those situations where a member of a Team chooses not to register for baseball in the spring of the following year. In that situation, the player shall be deemed to have resigned from the Team. To the extent that Teams enter into tournaments, leagues, scrimmages or other practice or game situations after the end of the summer tournament season,the Manager shall invite all members of the Team to participate. If a player of a Team is unable to participate, the Manager shall follow the guidelines on replacement players set forth herein.
Team are required to follow all rules of any tournament entered including but not limited to the rules on playing time. In the event that the tournament permits but does not require a continuous batting order, the Manager shall elect to use a continuous batting order. In addition, Managers shall have each player play a minimum of two innings in the field. The Manager shall be aware of the “mercy rule” so that this requirement is always followed.
All Teams shall be under the direct jurisdiction and supervision of the Board of Directors of the MBA (Board). As used herein, the Board shall mean the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Director at Large of the MBA.
(c) A and B Teams
Within each age group, the Teams will be referred to as “A” and “B”. The “A” and “B” Teams shall be selected as set forth in these Tournament Team Guidelines (Guidelines).
(d) Tournaments
It shall be the responsibility of each Manager to determine the number of tournaments entered during the summer tournament season.
Teams within each age category should avoid, whenever possible, from participating in the same tournaments.If there is an “A” Team and a “B” Team in a certain age level, the “A” Team shall endeavor to participate in only A tournaments. It is highly recommended that at least 75% of the tournaments that such “A” Team enters into shall be A tournaments. If the “A” Team desires to enter into a “B” tournament (due to tournament availability or scheduling conflicts), it can do so as long as he complies with the rules of the tournament and so long as he does not misrepresent his team to the Tournament Director of the tournament in which he is entering his team. Any conflicts arising between Teams regarding tournaments entered, which cannot be resolved at that age level, shall be resolved by the Board.
(e) Team Fees
Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs associated with Team play shall be borne directly by each respective Team.The fee for each participant on a Team shall be determined by the Manager in consultation based upon uniform costs and tournaments entered. Each Manager may collect an estimated payment from each prospective player at the try-out or upon the formation or their Team.
In the event that there is excess money at the end of any tournament season that resulted from hosting a tournament or overpayment of tournament expenses, the Manager is permitted to buy each player a token in an amount not to exceed $75 per player. In the alternative, the Manager can opt to reimburse families players in full or in part for any estimated payments made at the beginning of the season.
(f) Team Uniforms
All Teams shall purchase their uniform jerseys and hats through the MBA or from an MBA selected vendor, with such costs to be reimbursed through fees charged to each participant. Costs of uniform jerseys and hats shall be paid to MBA prior to delivery to Team participants. Any member of the Board has the right to waive the uniform fee for any player whose family is currently suffering from financial hardship.
(g) Team Equipment
The MBA shall provide support in the form of Team equipment and baseballs for all Teams.
(h) Other Support by the MBA
For any Team that is not required to and opts not to host a tournament, the MBA shall provide the amount of one tournament entry fee (in an amount not to exceed $250) to such Team so long as such Team provides services or other benefits of value to the MBA (such as working the concession stand, preparing a field for play, etc.)
2. TOURNAMENT TEAM MANAGER
(a) Tournament Team Manager Responsibilities
Following selection of the individual Teams, the appointed Managers shall be responsible for the management of their Team. Although the Manager may delegate certain responsibilities to others involved in the Team, he is ultimately responsible for all decisions made with respect to such Team. The duties of the Manager include but are not limited to the following:
1. Managers are encouraged to provide to the parents as much information as possible regarding the dates and locations of tournament in addition to an explanation of how the Team will be managed. Attached as Exhibit A is a sample form which can be completed by the Manager and provided to all parents at the tryout;
2. At the tryout, provide to each tryout participant the Memorandum of Understanding attached hereto as Exhibit B;
3. Select the tournaments in which their Team will play;
4. Collect all fees associated with tournament play;
5. Attend all MBA Board meetings and provide an oral or written report to the Board of his Team; and
6. Coordinate all other Team requirements.
3. TOURNAMENT TEAM PLAYERS
(a) Team Player Eligibility
All MBA players who participate in a minimum of 50% of the games during the spring in-house season may attend the tryout for evaluation so long as such players are attending a tryout of the same age level in which they competed during the in-house season.
If a player is unable to attend any of the tryouts because of extraordinary circumstances, he must contact the Commissioner of the League in advance of the regularly scheduled tryout. The Commissioner has the discretion to determine how best to handle the situation based on a variety of factors including but not limited to past tournament performance, in-house performance, pre-season evaluation and the reason for not attending the tryout.
(b) Age Requirements
Except as otherwise provided herein, players shall attend the tryout of the age group for which they are eligible. In other words, (1)players are not permitted to play below the age group for which they are eligible, and (2) players are permitted to play above the age group for which they are eligible only if they played with that age group during the in-house season. Notwithstanding the foregoing, players are not permitted to attend the tryout of an age group below that at which they competed during the in-house season. The age requirements for each Team are as follows:
· 8 year old Teams – Players who are the age of 8 as of April 30 of the current year
· 9 year old Teams – Players who are the age of 9 as of April 30 of the current year
· 10 year old Teams – Players who are the age of 10 as of April 30 of the current year
· 11 year old Teams – Players who are the age of 11 as of April 30 of the current year
· 12 year old Teams – Players who are the age of 12 as of April 30 of the current year
(c) Tryouts
Tryouts are the primary factor used in the selection of players for each Team. The Commissioner of the League shall organize and implement an appropriate tryout process for each age level provided, however, that all procedures should be reviewed with, and approved by, the Board prior to the scheduled tryout. During the tryouts, players shall be evaluated on their ability and skill in the following areas: throwing, fielding, hitting, and pitching (where applicable); provided, however, that those skills may be weighted according to the discretion of the Commissioner of the League and in consultation with the Board.
(d) Player Evaluators
The Commissioner of the League shall recruit evaluators willing to assist with the evaluation process. The Commissioner of the League shall endeavor to recruit disinterested evaluators (i.e. evaluators who do not have children trying out for the age group the evaluator is evaluating).
(e) Timeline
The Commissioners of the Farm, Minor and Bronco leagues shall schedule try-outs for the second or third week in May. No in-house games shall be scheduled which would prevent interested players from participating in the try-out. The try-out date, time and location shall be publicized to the entire League as soon as possible.
Assuming the players can comply with the attendance requirements set forth by the Manager, the Manager shall invite the following players to participate on the “A” Team (a)the players who achieved the top 9 composite scores at the tryouts and (b)up to 3 additional players.
After the roster of the “A” Team has been finalized, the roster of the “B” shall be finalized at soon as possible. If there are not enough players to field a “B” Team (at a level in which these Guidelines provide that there shall be two Teams), the Commissioner, the Manager of the “A” team and/or the Manager of the “B” Team may solicit additional players who may be interested in participating.
All Team participants shall be selected and Teams posted on the internet at www.marsbaseball.org as soon as possible after the Tryout.
(f) Selection of Team Players
· The players receiving the top 9 composite scores shall be invited to participate on the “A” Team. If any one of the top 9 players are unable to meet the attendance requirements as determined and announced by the Manager prior to the tryout, or otherwise declines an invitation to participate on the “A” Team, the players with the next highest score or scores shall be invited to participate on the “A” Team. The Manager shall be permitted to invite up to three additional eligible players to participate on the “A” Team in his discretion.
· Evaluation forms and/or composites are not to be released or published to any person outside of the Commissioner, the Manager of the “A” team, the Manager of the “B” team and the Board. Violation of this Rule may result in revocation of the Manager’s ability to coach a Team.
· After the Manager of the “A” Team has finalized his roster, the Manager of the “B” Team shall invite the players with the next highest top 9 scores to participate on the “B” Team. If any one of the next top 9 players are unable to meet the attendance requirements, or otherwise declines an invitation to participate on the “B” Team, the players with the next highest score or scores shall be invited to participate on the “B” Team. The Manager shall be permitted to invite additional eligible players to participate on the “B” Team in his discretion.
· The “B” Team Manager may not select a player who did not attend the tryout until such time as all tryout participants in that age group have either (a) been placed on a Team or (b) declined an invitation to play on a Team.