FAQs

The LMYB organizational mission is: "To provide an opportunity for boys in the Linn-Mar School District to play competitive baseball, developing them for our high school program."

Our goals are:

a. To provide an evaluation opportunity for every boy who would like to play competitive baseball.

b. To form as many teams as possible each year.

c. To do our best in forming teams around equal playing abilities; reforming and/or adjusting players/teams each year.

d. To utilize coaches who can teach the game of baseball, and effectively communicate to our youth.

We do not consider our organization to be a recreation league. There is no guarantee of equal playing time, playing a certain position, or batting in a certain spot in the line-up. There is also no guarantee each boy will play on the same team each year.

LMYB recognizes players’ abilities and commitment to the game can change over time. There may be times during the season that players may move teams based upon circumstances unforeseen (injuries, family moves, player not placed at appropriate level, etc.) Coaches, Commissioners, and the Advisory Board are involved in decisions during the season around player movement.

LMYB will form as many teams as possible in each age group. However, there will be instances when the numbers do not allow for an additional team. For example, if there are five boys looking for a team that will not be enough to facilitate a new team. If your son does not make a team he will be put on a waiting list and will be contacted if an appropriate opening arises.

Please note: Our advisory board, commissioners and coaches are all volunteers.

LMYB participates in the USSSA league: http://www.usssa.com. USSSA is a competitive league made up of teams from all over the United States. Locally, many teams participate in the Positive Sports Training organization: http://www.pstbaseball.com.

Other websites of note include: http://www.iowausssa.com and http://easterniowasports.com

The cost of playing will vary depending on numerous factors such as league registrations, equipment costs, number of practices (indoor and outdoor), number of games/tournaments, etc. While the range can vary, team fees generally fall between $200-$750 per player per season.

Some teams choose to fundraise to lower their costs – please see your coach for more information.

In terms of commitment, we expect all players to place baseball as their number one sports (extra-curricular) priority during the summer season. It is not, of course, a higher priority than family or school activities and we ask all of our coaches to work around those situations. There is a large time commitment from our coaches and monetary commitment of families, so we expect players to show up on time and fully participate in all practices and games.

Team fees exclude uniform costs and any needed hotel/travel costs.

Uniform costs: LMYB has a standard uniform and primary jersey for all teams. Typical cost is around $100.

USSSA places a classification on each team to allow for similar ability teams to play each other during league games and in tournaments. The rating system is like major league baseball: "Major” teams are the most competitive followed by “AAA”, “AA”, and finally “A” teams. Teams can play up in competition (“A” team playing an “AA” team, for example) but are not allowed to play down.

As a side note, teams are formed in certain age groups such as 11U. The “U” stands for “under” so in this case all boys on the team are 11 years old or younger as of a cutoff date (May 1st of that year). LMYB does allow for boys to play up an age group if, via the evaluation process, there is a good fit available.

Coaches are volunteer parents in most cases. It takes more than one coach to a manage a team so many teams will have a mix of parents who have high school/college experience, are good with youth, and are good organizers/communicators. Prospective coaches will volunteer for this assignment, but ultimately chosen and managed by the LMYB Board.

LMYB rosters teams with 11 players after the evaluation process. Some teams may choose to operate in the range of 10-12 players.

This is decided by each team’s coaches. Some teams will start in January with some type of indoor practices; others will start later. Indoor practices for LMYB are held at Corridor Courts in Marion.

There are numerous options for teams with respect to outdoor practices. LMYB attempts to provide a field (90 minutes) to each team, once per week, for practices. LMYB has access to fields at Noelridge Park, Noelridge Christian Church, Westfield Elementary and Lowe Park. These fields are not owned by LMYB, rather rented through Marion and Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation. Fields can also be rented throughout Marion and Cedar Rapids. Talk to your coach for more information.

This will be decided by your coaches. Some teams elect to play more tournaments than league games, other teams are just the opposite. Each team will play between 20-60 games.

LMYB home games are played at Lowe Park. Lowe Park is not owned by LMYB, rather rented through Marion Parks and Recreation. Away games are at the location of the home team. Tournaments are played at the host organization’s fields.

YES, or have a parent that is employed by the Linn-Mar School District.

The LMYB program is in support of feeding the Linn-Mar High School baseball program. Please contact a LMYB Board member or Age Commissioner if you have any questions.