
Tell me about Mesquite Baseball
MBI is a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide a positive and organized environment for children ages 5-18 to learn and play the game of baseball. We encourage good sportsmanship, leadership and healthy competetion.. MBI welcomes players from Mesquite as well as any other community in the area. Please note that players who do not live in the city of Mesquite will be required to pay an out-of-district fee each season, per City of Mesquite Parks & Recreation Dept Policy. MBI utilizes facilities provided and maintained by the City of Mesquite Parks & Recreation Department. --------------------------------------------------
Does MBI have a rulebook?
Yes. MBI league play abides by the official rules of Major League Baseball. Where applicable, MLB rules are superceded by the MBI rule book which is available on our website by clicking on HANDOUTS & RULES. -----------------------------------------------------------
How do I register my child for MBI?
Each season (Spring and Fall), MBI conducts online player registration at this website. Individuals who do not have internet access may visit the Mesquite Public Library and use library computers to connect to the MBI website.
As teams form, MBI will assign newly registered players to teams who have open roster spots. The best way to register your child for MBI is via this website. Click on ONLINE FORMS to access the Online Player Registration Form. -----------------------------
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 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 player's uniform, practice or game equipment that the team may need to purchase, the number of players on the team, costs related to any private practice field that the team may use, and team sponsorships (if any). Typically, the team manager will inform parents of the team's players of upcoming team costs and when that money is due. The manager will then pay the MBI league fee for the TEAM. Generally speaking, for the Spring season, parents should expect that all fees will be due no later than mid-March, and for fall, fees are generally due by the 3rd week in August.
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 about players who do not live in the City of Mesquite (out-of-district players)
MBI welcomes players and teams from all area communities. The City of Mesquite Parks & Recreation department does mandate a $10 surcharge for each out-of-district player on an MBI roster. MBI collects these $10 surcharges with regular league fees and in turn pays the City of Mesquite. --------------------------------------------------------------
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. As a last resort, contact the MBI Executive VP or President only when your issue or question cannot be addressed or solved by the above listed League Officials. ---------------------------------------------------------
How do I contact these MBI Officials?
On our website, on the left-hand side, click on MBI League Officials or E-MAIL MBI OFFICIALS. Names, phone numbers and email addresses of all MBI Officials can be found here. Please do not call any MBI Official after 10 PM, unless your issue is EXTREMELY VITAL and cannot wait until the next day. ------------------------------------------------------------
Where will my child's team practice?
Anywhere in the city of Mesquite. We TRY to facilitate teams practicing "close to home" as much as possible, however, in most cases, it just isn't practical. 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 (5U & 6U): Range Elementary, Vanston, Florence Rec Center, Paschal 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 Range Elementary. 11U & 12U: Valley Creek & City Lake Park. 13U & 14U: Valley Creek & Vanston MS. 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 game times?
On weeknights, MBI schedules gametimes are as follows:
T-Ball: Usually 6:15 PM only
7u/8u: 6:15, 7:30, 7:45 or 8:00
9u - 14u: 6:15 or 8:15
15u-18u: 6:15 or 8:30
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 range from 9 AM to 8 PM. -----------------------------------------------------------
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?
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 mid to 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?- League provides t-shirts for uniforms, therefore Fall expenses are usually less than Spring. - Less games in Fall season - No post-season awards of any kind. (Effective Fall 2008, Fall rules will be virtually identical to Spring rules) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Whom do I call to determine rainout status of games?
See the "MBI FAQ & Rainout Notification Info" link on the main page of the MBI Website. -------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------- Why does the league seem somewhat disorganized at times?
MBI is ran 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 -------------------------------------- I might be interested in volunteering in some capacity to help run MBI. Whom should I contact?
Call the MBI hotline and leave a message: 972-270-7717.
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