ORGANIZATION OF TEAMS
Please inform all players and parents prior to try outs that the schools your teams will represent are in no way affiliated with the schools themselves. MSBL has no ties to the schools or school districts, but work in cooperation with the districts for facility usage only. Any and all issues with players, coaches, team formation or games should be directed to MSBL and NEVER to the school or school district.
TRYOUTS
Tryouts may begin Feb. 1 and each team is required to conduct a minimum of 2 tryout dates. A signup form for players who attend is also required.
BOYS TEAMS
1. Only boys will play on boys teams.
2. Each grade level is guaranteed an A team. Formation of B teams may be formed with MSBL approval. Coaches of the A team have priority in player selection.
3. The coaches for the teams in the 7th and 8th grade divisions will be the incumbent from the previous year, unless he or she chooses not to coach, or the organizers of the league choose to replace the incumbent coach.
4. Coaches will not be allowed to coach two teams when another qualified coach is available.
6th grade coaches will be chosen from the coaches applications when more than one coach volunteers.
5. Players are permitted to “play up” one grade level – but only if the coach for the lower grade level team approves prior to the season. A 6th grader approved to play in the 7th grade division is required to honor his commitment to the 6th grade team first when it comes to games and practices. However, any player that is “playing up” must be of a skill level that will require they play significant time and must not unseat a capable player in that grade level. Meaning, if you choose a 6th grader to play on your 7th grade team, he must be in the top 6 in skill level AND his selection must not result in a capable player being “cut.” Tread carefully here.
GIRLS TEAMS
1. Only girls will play on girls teams.
2. Girls teams will be formed as Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. A school may be permitted to form A and B teams, at the Junior Varsity level only and with MSBL approval. Varsity B teams are not encouraged, but in special circumstance, may be permitted. Coaches of any A team will have first choice in player selection.
3. Varsity teams may consist of players in grades 6-8.
4. Junior Varsity teams consist of players in grades 6-7. No 8th grade players are permitted.
ROSTER REQUIREMENTS
No team shall have more than 12 players (full time and reserve). No team shall have less than 8 full time players.
TRYOUTS AND TEAM FORMATION
If more than 12 capable players try out for a school team, that team will not be eligible to add an exception player. Players must be accepted from the schools participants – first and foremost. If a school has more than 30 players try out for a school team, the are not eligible to take on an exception player and every attempt should be made to form A and B teams.
EXCEPTION PLAYERS
Players considered exception players are those that do not attend a public school OR attends a school that does not have enough players to form their own team. IF a player who qualifies as an exception player attends your try outs, coaches must inform the player and parents that they may not be eligible to play for your team. Those players should contact a MSBL Board Member immediately for placement.
Exception players that are granted permission to play for a team other than the school they attend, will be placed by home location first. They will be placed at the school “they would” attend if his/her parents had not chosen to place them in an alternative/private school.
It is the MSBL Board’s opinion and policy that teams should be formed with players that attend the school that the team is representing.
ALL exception eligible players should contact MSBL for information on where they can try out for the upcoming season.
HOME, MAGNET OR PRIVATE SCHOOL TEAMS
Participants at schools where there are 5 or less players interested in playing may join an “independent team”. If more than 5 capable players show up for try outs – a team should attempt to form a school team – exception players will be allowed to join that team upon league approval, as long as no more than 12 players at the school try out.
ROSTER ADDITIONS
Teams may add a player to the roster until April 15. Any additional player will be required to pay at least 50% of the league fee by cash or check. The player must provide proof of school and grade level.
UNIFORMS
MSBL uses Score Sports as a uniform provider. Teams may choose to purchase their own uniforms from another provider, but those uniforms are required to be, A) Reversible and B) The school colors as chosen by MSBL, based on each school’s official colors.
LEAGUE FEES
$150 – Full time player with MSBL issued uniform.
$125 – Full time player without a uniform.
$75 – Reserve player with MSBL issued uniform.
$50 -- Reserve player without a uniform.
Fees should be completed in a group payment by a coach or team representative, along with all other documents and forms by Feb. 15, 2012. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or online payment receipt. Coaches will be given a link to an online payment system that will allow parents to pay online and provide a coach with a printable receipt.
SEASON DATES
Games are scheduled to begin the week of March 12 and the majority of games will be played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Spring Break for MSBL will be April 1-11 (Easter is April 8) and no games will be played during this break.