What is MJBO and how can I learn more about MJBO?
As an organization, McMinnville Junior Baseball operates under the established rules and regulations of Junior Baseball Organization, Inc. and all baseball play follows National Federation of State High School Association rules, with JBO-specific modifications.
You can also learn more by reading the MJBO Operating Manual. This is a reference for coaches, parents, players, and the acting MJBO Board of Directors regarding the Association’s formal procedures and policies. Annually MJBO reviews the Operating Manual to protect the integrity of baseball in McMinnville, ensure equal treatment of all players, and enhance the quality of each player's overall baseball experience.
How many teams are at each level?
The total number of MJBO teams formed varies from season to season based on overall registration numbers and player evaluations. JBO requires that each team, at any level, be comprised of a minimum of (11) eleven players. For additional information on this subject (and the JBO team waiver policy), please visit the Oregon JBO website.
Players 3rd through 8th grade participate in evaluations and are placed accordingly on competitive level teams which play within the Junior Baseball Organization (JBO). Players are grouped into three distinct grade divisions: Minors, Juniors, and Seniors. Learn more about MJBO on the About Us webpage.
When are MJBO player evaluations?
The Board of Directors and Division Coordinators will annually determine the dates and location(s) to conduct all player Tryouts. Player Tryouts will be held on a minimum of (1) one but not more than (3) three days - typically in late February or early March depending on MSD facility availability. Players are required to attend a minimum of (1) one Tryout date but are encouraged to attend ALL as their best (1) one day aggregate score will be utilized as the basis for initial division & cut line establishment. All players shall tryout with their respective age/grade level unless a request to tryout at a higher level is reviewed and approved by the Board prior to the start of player evaluations.
What is the purpose of the player evaluations?
The primary goal in creating the MJBO evaluation protocol is to insure that all players will be fairly and equally evaluated, drafted into a level of play that is commensurate with their most current baseball skill level and that all annual player/team drafts are conducted consistently throughout all divisions and skill levels. Within each Grade Division, Junior Baseball teams are also separated by the relative skill level of the players. For all Divisions, players are separated into three distinct levels: Federal, American and National.
Should a parent or guardian attend tryouts?
MJBO strongly advises a parent or guardian be in attendance at each MJBO event. We understand scheduling conflicts may arise. If you are unable to attend please make arrangements with a guardian or emergency contact. Field evacuation due to thunder and lightening follows the NFHS Guidelines. MJBO Thunder and Lightening rules follows the NFHS Guidelines as follows; "When thunder is heard or lightening is seen, suspend play and take shelter. Wait 30 minutes from when there was last thunder or lightening. Any subsequent thunder or lightening resets the clock at 30 minutes."
What criteria will be used to evaluate players skills and who will evaluate my child’s skill level?
Along with the MJBO Board of Directors, McMinnville High School Baseball Head Coach Todd Peterson is active in the development of the criteria used in evaluating player skills. Parents should visit the Skills Development by Age Level section of the MJBO website for more details. Although each area is not evaluated during tryotus, these resources can be used for offseason development including;
This section of the website has been designed to breakdown each facet of the sport including links to online clinics, USA Baseball resources, evaluation spreadsheets, and a ten page Skills by Age checklist available as a PDF. During MJBO Tryouts parents can expect;
- Each tryout will have a minimum of (3) three individually scored stations to be determined by the Tryout coordinators:
- Players will be divided into groups, depending on the total number of participants and warm-up stations required.
- Each scored station will have Scorers which will evaluate all players and they will remain at those stations for the duration of each Division’s Tryout.
- Each player shall be allowed one attempt at each evaluated station – no retries or restarts are allowed.
- In the event of a player being injured or incapacitated at or before the time of tryouts, that player shall be “drafted” at the discretion of the Board.
Each skill station will have a minimum of (1) one independent scorer. The number of other evaluators shall be determined at the discretion on the Board. Other scorers may include non-JBO affiliated coaches or past members of the MJBO as reviewed and approved by the Board. Selection criteria of a Scorer shall include one or more of the following:
- A non-MJBO affiliated parent (preferably with prior advanced baseball coaching and/or player experience).
- A current McMinnville High School baseball coach or someone with equivalent experience.
- Not a parent of any MJBO player at any age level.
- Not a coach or parent from another JBO League participant which competes with McMinnville.
- After a thorough review, any person who meets MJBO’s requirements for baseball knowledge and overall objectivity.
Parents are allowed NO interaction (physical, verbal or non-verbal) with ANY player(s) and/or Scorers at any time during Tryouts and will be required to remain in the designated waiting area throughout the duration of Tryout process. Player Tryout scores will NOT be shared with anyone outside of the MJBO Board of Directors. All scores will be documented on approved MJBO score sheets which will be collected by the applicable Division Coordinator immediately after the tryouts end. All score sheets will be collected by the applicable Division Coordinator and the scores tallied and reconciled by a minimum of (2) two independent persons assigned by Division Coordinators. If any parent, coach, player or otherwise insists on seeing evaluation scores they are to be directed to the MJBO President.
When are additional workouts (supplemental evaluations) held for teams?
Following the Initial try-out process players may be invited to additional workout(s) to further evaluate their skills and ultimately determine which level they will be assigned to. Supplemental evaluations are held after the regular MJBO tryouts and are overseen by the Division Coordinator. All communication regarding supplemental tryouts times and locations will be communicated through the leagues website www.macjbo.com. Players being invited to additional workouts will be identified by their tryout number.
When can I expect to hear what level my child will play?
The draft will be coordinated, administered and overseen by the MJBO President and Division Coordinators with approval and oversight of the MJBO Board. Resources needed to complete the initial player draft will be provided at the direction of the Board. All MJBO teams shall be drafted, rostered, and players/parents notified, within (7) seven days of the latest Tryout date unless an extended duration is requested and approved by the MJBO Board. All team rosters will remain confidential until ALL rosters have been compiled, reviewed and formally approved by applicable Division Coordinators respectively. No team practices and/or meeting will be allowed until MJBO has formally notified all coaches, teams and players of their respective roster assignments. Formal notification of coaches, parents and players will be disseminated through the MJBO website or other applicable means necessary to insure that all team rosters are available simultaneously and to the public within (7) seven days of the official posting of MJBO players to roster.
How do I become a coach with MJBO?
Anyone interested in coaching an MJBO team in any capacity, will be required to complete a Prospective Coaching application and be subject to a formal criminal background check that will be reviewed by the Board. This requirement may be waived by the MJBO Board for returning or previously approved MJBO coaches. Candidates for coaching positions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Meeting the coaching qualifications as outlined within the MJBO Operating Manual.
- Past coaching experience in baseball and other youth sports.
- Personal experience gained by playing, attending clinics or other specific training.
- Personal references.
In the event that the number of coaches requesting to coach at a particular level exceeds the number of teams available at that level, the Board will make the final selection and notify all applicants accordingly. The Board will try to approximate the number of coaches required at each age level and make selections based on experience, past performance, and community input and/or references. Each coach may be required to attend at least (1) one coaching clinic and safety course sponsored by MJBO.
Are there weekend games and tournaments?
Yes. Some coaches may choose to participate in a tournament to obtain a live game prior to the first league play. Additionally, each season includes up to 3 away tournaments that occur on weekends. Other tournaments will be scheduled during the course of the season. Depending on team performance, some teams may advance to the County and/or State JBO tournaments – which are played prior to the end of July. As with practice schedules, each head coach may choose to participate in up to (3) three weekend tournament(s), non-league sanctioned scrimmage games or some combination thereof, throughout the regular season. For the most recent information on upcoming JBO sanctioned tournaments please visit the Oregon JBO website.
Are there additional costs for weekend tournaments?
MJBO player registration fees cover all regular season play and up to (3) three additional tournaments and/or any non-league scrimmage games for all players. Tournament fees for participation in any MJBO hosted tournaments are included team tournament allotment(s). MJBO allocates to each team (head coach) the registration fee equivalent of up to (3) three tournament entries. Head coaches may utilize these "tournament" monies for tournament fees, other team development opportunities, or some combination of both. "Other" opportunities may include non-league (scrimmage) game umpire/facility fees, clinics and/or player skills camps. Additional costs outside of the team's registration or entry fee(s) referenced above (i.e. travel, food, lodging, etc) shall be borne by each individual MJBO player/family.
When are fees due?
MJBO registration fees must be paid in full within (14) fourteen calendar days of the registered player being formally rostered to an MJBO team. Additional information will be provided through the leagues website regarding this process. All fees will be due and payable or a payment plan set up at the uniform sizing.
As a Coach what will my team budget look like?
Each team has the following tournament fee allocation which can be used for tournament entry fees, player skill development (i.e. private instruction or guest trainers), or umpire fees for non-league scrimmage games. How you utilize your team's funds is up to you as long as you stick within your fee allocation listed below:
- Senior Division - $1,200.00
- Junior Division - $1,050.00
- Minor Division - $975.00
Tournament allocation fees cannot be used for player/coach uniform/warm-up gear, equipment, awards or personal and/or team travel expenses. MJBO welcomes all teams to create and plan out fundraisers to support team activities. All funds raised by an MJBO team may be used for extra tournaments, end-of-season party/award banquets, quarter-zip team pullovers, and additional team activities. Team fundraising is separate from annual MJBO events and fundraising.
Why are there MJBO player fundraisers?
McMinnville Grizzly Junior Baseball appreciates all your continued support and volunteering to make JBO a great organization for the kids! Participation fees are paid by each player to JBO to cover the cost to run the program each year. The following are some examples of these costs: Field maintenance, equipment (baseballs, catcher gear, etc), tournament fees, umpires, insurance, etc.
Team-level fundraising (i.e. additional tournaments, quarter-zip team pullovers, end-of-season party/banquets, etc) is separate from annual MJBO events and fundraising. McMinnville Junior Baseball teams are welcome to plan out additional team-level fundraisers. For details, concerns, and questions about MJBO Fundraising, please contact Treva Schoof for additional information.
Our Coaches acknowledge that fundraisers are an integral part of the mission for the organization. As such, MJBO Coaches emphasize the importance of volunteer opportunities and encourage full-participation from McMinnville Junior Baseball Organization parents as instructed by the McMinnville Junior Baseball Organization Fundraising Coordinator.
When do practices start?
Practices vary for each team and will be scheduled by each coach after teams are formed and league game schedules become available. In general, practices will begin the week after spring break and continue throughout the season.
Where are the games?
MJBO league games will generally be split 50/50 ("home" / "away"). Away game location(s) will vary by division and skill level. MJBO is a member of Westside Youth Baseball.
When does the MJBO regular season begin and end?
MJBO league games begin early to mid-May. Senior teams typically begin pre-season games in April. The regular season ends by mid-July. Depending on team performance, advancement to the District and/or State JBO sanctioned tournaments may extend the season until late July. Every player and family should be aware of the possibility for their child to play post-season games through the end of July. Please make sure your child is available to participate in post season play through the end of July.
Where do I find more information about the MJBO Fall Baseball Program?
The MJBO Fall Baseball Program (Fall Ball) is an affiliate of the MJBO program, with similar coaches, philosophies, opponents, and level of play. Fall progression and participation may greatly enhance a player’s skills and potential. Fall Ball teams are divided into two levels: American/Federal & National. Although Fall Ball is an affiliate of the MJBO program, MJBO tryouts and roster draft is not utilized for team formation. The Fall Ball program is intended for development of current MJBO players.
What resources are available for off-season training?
The McMinnville High School (MHS) Baseball program leads the way in preparing future Grizzlies for a successful and valuable experience in the sport of baseball. In McMinnville, the Winter season includes the Grizzly Baseball Camp!
About McMinnville Junior Baseball Organization (MJBO)
McMinnville Grizzly Junior Baseball is dedicated to the youth of our community, emphasizing the fundamentals of this country’s favorite pastime, through superior instruction, fair play, and team camaraderie, as well as higher levels of competition. MJBO provides opportunities for 3rd through 8th graders to play on a competitive baseball team. The goal of MJBO is to teach kids to be team players, be good sportsman, play hard and most of all have fun while experiencing the game of baseball in a competitive and positive environment.
McMinnville Grizzlies Junior Baseball is an association of the Westside Youth Baseball Association and Junior Baseball Organization of Oregon. All baseball play follows the National Federation of State High School (NFHS) rules. JBO is aligned with Oregon High Schools and provides a local and varied pool of competition with whom we compete and learn. The game is BASEBALL, pure and simple, built on the rules of Oregon High School Baseball and modified to age-appropriate programs. Junior Baseball allows the player to learn the way to play REAL BASEBALL at an early age and continue to develop their skills as they get older.
Without Corporate Sponsorships the McMinnville Grizzly Junior Baseball program costs would be significantly higher for every family! Corporate Sponsorships are obtained each year to help cover the operating cost of the program in McMinnville. Learn more about the various levels of corporate sponsorship and how your company can gain an edge on marketing. Let MJBO help maximize your marketing budget and realize premier sponsorship opportunities. McMinnville business leaders who step up to the plate provide a foundation for youth baseball.
