| About Us |
| Mishawaka Baseball Softball Association |
Mishawaka Baseball Softball Association
600 South Kline Street Send Mail To:
Mishawaka, In 46544 P.O. Box 141
574-259-6941 Mishawaka, IN 46546
600 South Kline Street Send Mail To:
Mishawaka, In 46544 P.O. Box 141
574-259-6941 Mishawaka, IN 46546
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Parent Support
Parent support during both games and practices is critically important to the success of the league. Be supportive of the team
by ensuring your child attends each practice on-time. Be a positive role model during games, whether you are a manager, an
assistant coach, or simply a spectator. Finally, please keep the following in mind:
Always be positive and enthusiastic.
Show your child positive reinforcement.
Observe practices and games to learn proper techniques to practice with your child.
Encourage your child toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game.
Teach your child to always play by the rules.
Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
Let the managers and coaches do the coaching.
Let an umpire be the umpire.
Recognize that the umpire is the closest to the play and that each umpire will "call them as they see them". The umpire is
often a volunteer parent who has assumed a difficult, but necessary, role.
The Role of the Parent
Parents play a very important role in helping to shape a positive experience for players, coaches, umpires, and other parents!
"The parents of millions of players, combined with their youngsters, officials, umpires, managers, coaches, auxiliary members
and countless volunteer agencies including sponsors, represent an imposing cross section of this nation.
Parents should accept the fact that they must shoulder responsibility and take initiative to make the local program successful.
This association is not a club in which membership implies baby-sitting benefits and entertainment privileges for your children.
Practically speaking, this association is an adult, volunteer work project constructed, supervised and assisted by parents who
desire to make its benefits extend to their children.
Each parent should join in the total effort. There is a place and a job to do for all. The burden of operating the Association
should not fall on a few. The parent who shirks this responsibility cannot, in turn, expect others to assume the burden."
Parent Concerns
If you have concerns about anything regarding your team or the league, first talk to your manager. If your concern is not
resolved, then contact your Division Player Representative listed on the MBSA Board page.
Parent support during both games and practices is critically important to the success of the league. Be supportive of the team
by ensuring your child attends each practice on-time. Be a positive role model during games, whether you are a manager, an
assistant coach, or simply a spectator. Finally, please keep the following in mind:
Always be positive and enthusiastic.
Show your child positive reinforcement.
Observe practices and games to learn proper techniques to practice with your child.
Encourage your child toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game.
Teach your child to always play by the rules.
Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
Let the managers and coaches do the coaching.
Let an umpire be the umpire.
Recognize that the umpire is the closest to the play and that each umpire will "call them as they see them". The umpire is
often a volunteer parent who has assumed a difficult, but necessary, role.
The Role of the Parent
Parents play a very important role in helping to shape a positive experience for players, coaches, umpires, and other parents!
"The parents of millions of players, combined with their youngsters, officials, umpires, managers, coaches, auxiliary members
and countless volunteer agencies including sponsors, represent an imposing cross section of this nation.
Parents should accept the fact that they must shoulder responsibility and take initiative to make the local program successful.
This association is not a club in which membership implies baby-sitting benefits and entertainment privileges for your children.
Practically speaking, this association is an adult, volunteer work project constructed, supervised and assisted by parents who
desire to make its benefits extend to their children.
Each parent should join in the total effort. There is a place and a job to do for all. The burden of operating the Association
should not fall on a few. The parent who shirks this responsibility cannot, in turn, expect others to assume the burden."
Parent Concerns
If you have concerns about anything regarding your team or the league, first talk to your manager. If your concern is not
resolved, then contact your Division Player Representative listed on the MBSA Board page.
| MBSA Blog Post Questions, comments, suggestions, compliments, successes,park updates and information....... |
| ~F.A.Q.~ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the MBSA board?
Anyone! MBSA is a volunteer organization and any and all help is appreciated and needed.
How much time do you need me to invest?
Any amount of time you can offer is needed.
Who is in charge of the batting cages?
Coaches sign up for cage time and oversee the players. For player safety, coaches must supervise all use
of the batting cages and players should always wear a helmet.
What does my registration fee cover?
Registration fees help us pay for general upkeep and running of the park – paying utility bills (including water for the fields),
maintenance, concession stand and grounds expenses, charter fees to Babe Ruth and NSA to register our teams, and
insurance to cover our property and players. It also helps pay for those improvements you have seen over the years like new
sod and batting cages.
What equipment do I need to provide for my child?
You will need to provide baseball pants or softball shorts, socks, and a mitt for your player. Cleats will also need to be
provided if your child is playing in the Cactus or any older division (they are optional for Tball in most cases). By league rules,
cleats cannot be metal until your player reaches the 13-year-old baseball division. Pant and sock color is determined by your
coach, depending on sponsor. MBSA will provide each team with catcher’s gear and helmets. MBSA does NOT provide bats.
If you wish your son/daughter to have their own bat, that will need to be provided as well.
When is opening day?
April ____, 2009 Your coach will provide you with a team schedule before then so you know your game time. All games on
opening day will be home games.
What days are my games?
Games are played Monday through Saturday. Weekday games are generally played at 6:00pm and your scheduled day may
vary by week. Saturday game times will vary from 9:00am to 3:00pm. You will be provided with a schedule for the entire
season before opening day.
When and where are practices?
Practices are scheduled at the sole discretion of the coaches. Your coach and/or manager will decide both time and location
of practices. Field time at the park will be made available for some practices, others will be held in area parks. MBSA does not
require a minimum number of practices, nor do we require that a coach submit a schedule of practices.
When should I hear from my coach?
Not every coach contacts players at the same time. Our coaches will receive their roster in early March. Depending on the
coach’s availability we suggest they contact their team no later than 2 weeks prior to opening day. If you have more than one
child playing and they are on different teams, don’t worry if you don’t hear from them both at the same time, or at the same time
as friends.
My child wants to play with a friend, how can we do that?
The registration form has an area for siblings playing in the park and in the same division. MBSA does our best to
accommodate requests for carpooling with family and friends. For baseball, in every division above Cactus teams are filled
solely on draft and specific requests for coaches or team members cannot be honored by league rules. Softball requests will
be filled as best we can. Siblings in the same division will always be placed on the same team, it is important to note that on
the registration form so league officials are aware of the situation.
Who should try out?
Boys planning on playing in the 12U (Major) division who have not previously played need to try out. Girls in 10U, 12U, and 16U
should also try out. All other divisions are done by blind draft and do not need to come to try-outs.
What should we bring to try-outs?
Try-outs are indoors in the Hums gym. Wear tennis shoes and bring a bat and mitt as you will be batting and fielding.
I want to volunteer. What do I need to do to get more involved?
Watch mbsaonline.com for upcoming events such as cleanup days and park events! MBSA is always looking for helping
hands and donations. Contact a board member to see what we have. Most important, fill out a volunteer form and let us know
you are willing to help and how. We need team moms, concession volunteers, coaches, managers, and much more.
I filled out a form to coach and/or manage a team. Will I get a team?
Every effort will be made to fill every request, as volunteers are critical to the park’s success. In some divisions we may find
more interested coaches than teams. In these situations preference is given to those that have managed and coached
before. If you are not contacted to coach or manage a team, we encourage you to talk to your child’s coach to see where your
time and talents can best be utilized.
When will I find out if I have a team?
A managers and coaches meeting has been tentatively scheduled for March 4 at Hums school. You should hear from a
league official no later than then if you will have a team.
What are travel teams and how do they operate?
Travel teams are separate teams from regular season and all-star teams. While endorsed by the park and representative of
MBSA, these teams do incur additional uniform and tournament fees. These teams play in special weekend tournaments
throughout the season. In no way will travel team play or practice interfere with regular season ball
Travel team play is open to all interested players, both baseball and softball, and requires an additional tryout at all play levels
(10U-16U). Please watch the website and future newsletters for more information. Questions can be directed to Shawn
Staples, VP of Travel Ball.
Who can join the MBSA board?
Anyone! MBSA is a volunteer organization and any and all help is appreciated and needed.
How much time do you need me to invest?
Any amount of time you can offer is needed.
Who is in charge of the batting cages?
Coaches sign up for cage time and oversee the players. For player safety, coaches must supervise all use
of the batting cages and players should always wear a helmet.
What does my registration fee cover?
Registration fees help us pay for general upkeep and running of the park – paying utility bills (including water for the fields),
maintenance, concession stand and grounds expenses, charter fees to Babe Ruth and NSA to register our teams, and
insurance to cover our property and players. It also helps pay for those improvements you have seen over the years like new
sod and batting cages.
What equipment do I need to provide for my child?
You will need to provide baseball pants or softball shorts, socks, and a mitt for your player. Cleats will also need to be
provided if your child is playing in the Cactus or any older division (they are optional for Tball in most cases). By league rules,
cleats cannot be metal until your player reaches the 13-year-old baseball division. Pant and sock color is determined by your
coach, depending on sponsor. MBSA will provide each team with catcher’s gear and helmets. MBSA does NOT provide bats.
If you wish your son/daughter to have their own bat, that will need to be provided as well.
When is opening day?
April ____, 2009 Your coach will provide you with a team schedule before then so you know your game time. All games on
opening day will be home games.
What days are my games?
Games are played Monday through Saturday. Weekday games are generally played at 6:00pm and your scheduled day may
vary by week. Saturday game times will vary from 9:00am to 3:00pm. You will be provided with a schedule for the entire
season before opening day.
When and where are practices?
Practices are scheduled at the sole discretion of the coaches. Your coach and/or manager will decide both time and location
of practices. Field time at the park will be made available for some practices, others will be held in area parks. MBSA does not
require a minimum number of practices, nor do we require that a coach submit a schedule of practices.
When should I hear from my coach?
Not every coach contacts players at the same time. Our coaches will receive their roster in early March. Depending on the
coach’s availability we suggest they contact their team no later than 2 weeks prior to opening day. If you have more than one
child playing and they are on different teams, don’t worry if you don’t hear from them both at the same time, or at the same time
as friends.
My child wants to play with a friend, how can we do that?
The registration form has an area for siblings playing in the park and in the same division. MBSA does our best to
accommodate requests for carpooling with family and friends. For baseball, in every division above Cactus teams are filled
solely on draft and specific requests for coaches or team members cannot be honored by league rules. Softball requests will
be filled as best we can. Siblings in the same division will always be placed on the same team, it is important to note that on
the registration form so league officials are aware of the situation.
Who should try out?
Boys planning on playing in the 12U (Major) division who have not previously played need to try out. Girls in 10U, 12U, and 16U
should also try out. All other divisions are done by blind draft and do not need to come to try-outs.
What should we bring to try-outs?
Try-outs are indoors in the Hums gym. Wear tennis shoes and bring a bat and mitt as you will be batting and fielding.
I want to volunteer. What do I need to do to get more involved?
Watch mbsaonline.com for upcoming events such as cleanup days and park events! MBSA is always looking for helping
hands and donations. Contact a board member to see what we have. Most important, fill out a volunteer form and let us know
you are willing to help and how. We need team moms, concession volunteers, coaches, managers, and much more.
I filled out a form to coach and/or manage a team. Will I get a team?
Every effort will be made to fill every request, as volunteers are critical to the park’s success. In some divisions we may find
more interested coaches than teams. In these situations preference is given to those that have managed and coached
before. If you are not contacted to coach or manage a team, we encourage you to talk to your child’s coach to see where your
time and talents can best be utilized.
When will I find out if I have a team?
A managers and coaches meeting has been tentatively scheduled for March 4 at Hums school. You should hear from a
league official no later than then if you will have a team.
What are travel teams and how do they operate?
Travel teams are separate teams from regular season and all-star teams. While endorsed by the park and representative of
MBSA, these teams do incur additional uniform and tournament fees. These teams play in special weekend tournaments
throughout the season. In no way will travel team play or practice interfere with regular season ball
Travel team play is open to all interested players, both baseball and softball, and requires an additional tryout at all play levels
(10U-16U). Please watch the website and future newsletters for more information. Questions can be directed to Shawn
Staples, VP of Travel Ball.
