Are fees due at time of registration?
No. Fees will be due shortly after your child's team begins practice.
What if I'm late? Is a there process for late registration?
We always do our very best to place each and every child who registers for MBI. However, it can be difficult to place a late registrant simply because as we get closer to the start of each season, most teams are full and uniforms have been ordered, thereby making adding players difficult and costly. If we have enough players in the "players pool" of registrants to form a new team, we ask parents of the "pool players" to step up and coach a team, simply so that the "pool players" will have a team upon which to play. Any existing team who needs additional player(s) can be assigned a pool player, on a first-come, first-served basis, for both the team AND the player(s) in the player pool.
How much does it cost to play, and when are fees due?
MBI League Fees are per-team, rather than per-player. Prior to each season, the league fees will be posted on our website.
Costs vary by age group due to variances in number of games played, cost of umpires and variable insurance costs across the various age groups.
Each team manager is solely responsible for all financial matters pertaining to his/her team. Consequently, the actual out-of-pocket costs, per-player will vary from team to team.
Variables which will affect per-player costs include (but are not limited to):
Cost of the players uniform
Team Equipment needed
Number of players on the team
Cost for any private practice fields
Sponsorships
The greatest variable in per-player cost is always fundraising.
If a team does any group fundraising, this usually decreases the per-player cost.
Also, each spring, MBI provides a league-wide fundraising raffle. This fundraiser is very easy to participate in.
There are lots of great prizes and the tickets are very quick sellers. Proceeds from the sale of these raffle tickets should help to reduce the per-players cost.
Again, each team manager is responsible for all financial matters of his/her team.
What equipment will I need to purchase for my child?
If this is your child's first time to play baseball on a team, ask the team manager what he or she wants you to have when you come to the first practice. Some teams already have equipment, and some teams purchase items "as a team". Be advised that baseball bats can be somewhat costly, so don't buy a bat until you know what size and weight that your child needs.
You'll likely have to purchase, at the very least, a properly-fitting fielder's glove. If you need assistance in finding the right glove, consider going to Mesquite Sports Center. Their folks are knowledgeable and helpful.
What can I do to have my child placed on a team with players of roughly equal skill level?
When you register your child, you may wish to note in the comments section what, if any, baseball experience
your child has had, or you may wish to note what particular skills your child has. You may also note
if you would like for you child to be placed on a highly competitive team, or a strictly recreational-level
team. Please note that comments on the registration form are NOT required.
Also note that we make every attempt to honor the notes & requests in the comments section, but we cannot guarantee a perfect fit every time.
After my child has been assigned to a team, who do I contact if I have questions about my child's team, or MBI in general?
Your first point of contact should always be the team's manager. If the manager cannot satisfactorily answer the question or solve the problem, contact the League Commissioner of that age group (6U, 8U, 10U etc).
If the League Commissioner is unavailable or cannot solve the problem, utilize the following POC:
- T-Ball & Coach-Pitch: Contact the VP-Instructional Leagues
- 9U - 12U: Contact the VP-Minor Leagues
- 13U - 18U: Contact the VP-Major Leagues
The League Commissioner or appropriate League VP should be able to solve all issues related specifically to their assigned areas.
Where will my child's team practice?
Anywhere in the city of Mesquite. Mesquite has numerous practice fields scattered throughout, and your
child's team may very well practice well away from your home.
Where are games played?
As a general rule, games take place at these locations:
T-Ball (4, 5U & 6U): Hanby or Range Elementary, Vanston or Kimbrough Middle School, Paschall Park and Valley Creek
Coach-Pitch (7U & 8U): Hanby Elementary, Kimbrough Middle School, Paschal Park and Valley Creek
9U & 10U: Vanston & Kimbrough Middle Schools and City Lake Park.
11U & 12U: Valley Creek & Range Elementary.
13U & 14U: Valley Creek Park
15U - 18U: Evans Rec Center & Seaborn Elementary.
NOTE: Due to scheduling conflicts and field availability, games may be at locations other than listed above.
What are the game times?
We make every effort to minimize late games for all teams, especially at younger levels.
Generally speaking, as the players get older, they will play more late games.
Saturday game times can range from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Why does MBI Schedule late games on weeknights?We would love for all games to be played early in the evening (6:15 PM),
however, we simply do not have enough fields to do so.
We do not schedule late games for T-Ball teams.
However, teams as young at 7u do play occasional late weeknight games (start time of 7:30, 7:45 or 8:00).
We understand that this is not the ideal scenario,
and we make every effort to minimize late games for all age groups, especially for our younger-age teams.
We do check the state testing schedules, and we do not schedule
late games for any age group the night before scheduled state-wide assessment tests are administered.
Some team managers specifically request that all or most of their games be played in the late weeknight time slot.
Many folks find it easier to get to the late games, rather than having to rush from work to get to the field in time for a 6:15 game.
On what days are games played?
All age groups: Games are scheduled every day except Sunday
Fall Season:
Age 4 through 12 games are scheduled every day except Sunday
Age 13-18 games are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday only.
Wednesdays are generally reserved for makeup games (except for Age 13-18 in Fall)
How many games will my child's team play per week?
Most teams will play every Saturday during the season.
Generally speaking, T-Ball and Coach-Pitch teams will play only 1 or 2 weeknight games per week.
9U league and above will generally play 2 weeknight games per week, plus Saturday.
In the Fall season, the schedule is lighter, and games are less frequent, so that players
can focus on school and get back into the "school mindset".
How long is the season? How many games per team per season?
Number of games varies by age group. Generally, the Spring season begins the week after MISD Spring Break.
T-Ball teams are typically done by late May. Coach-Pitch teams are usually done by June 1.
Age 9-14 teams typically are done by the 3rd week of June.
The 15u-18u season runs from the 2nd week of May until approx. July 1.
In Fall, the season begins just after Labor Day and concludes no later than Oct 31.
How is Fall Ball different from the Spring season?
- Fewer games in Fall season
- No post-season awards of any kind.
(Effective Fall 2008, Fall rules will be virtually identical to Spring rules)
Does MBI have a Summer baseball league?
No. We have the Spring season (late March through early June) and the Fall season (Sep - Oct).
Are coaches screened?
The City of Mesquite mandates that MBI require that all potential coaches and team Moms submit to background checks annually.
The MBI Executive Board retains the final approval or disapproval of all MBI Managers, coaches and team Moms.
Furthermore, MBI umpires age 18 and above also undergo annual background checks.
I'm interested in umpiring in MBI. How do I get started?
Prior to each Spring and Fall season, if MBI needs new umpires,
we will post a notice on the welcome page of this website providing an opportunity for interested individuals to apply. Check our website in January, February, July and August.
MBI Umpires must successfully pass a background check prior to umpiring any games.
I'm interested in starting a new team. How do I get started?
Prior to each Spring and Fall season, MBI conducts online player and team registration at our website. Individuals who are interested in managing a team in the upcoming season should submit the
Online Team Registration Form, then keep an eye on the MBI website
for information about the first (and subsequent) team manager meetings.
Prospective team managers should also send an email to the
appropriate League Commissioner, just to ensure that he or she is aware of the newly forming team.
The League Commissioner can answer any questions that the team manager might have
Online player and team registration begins in mid-December for Spring seasons and in mid-July for Fall seasons.
Why does the league seem somewhat disorganized at times?
MBI is run by a group of volunteers who receive no compensation whatsoever for our time and efforts.
Most of us have regular "day jobs", most of us coach or manage teams
in the league, and all of us have players in the league and are involved in our children's teams.
If we seem somewhat disorganized or slow to react at times, it is certainly not due to lack of effort or concern.
Bottom line, there just aren't enough hours in the day, during baseball season
What is MBI's mailing address?
Mesquite Baseball Inc
PO Box 871205
Mesquite, TX 75187