FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register for Robbinsdale Area Youth Baseball?
You can register for baseball electronically through this website, at one of our walk in registrations or by mailing your registration to us. Deadline for on time registration is April 10, 2010. Any player who registers after April 10, 2010 is not guaranteed a spot on a team.
2. How are travel teams chosen?
We use a two part process to choose our traveling teams. Step one is a one day tryout held in April. Outside evaluators select the top 24 players at each age level (13, 14 and 15). The evaluators determine each player’s ranking by using a rating system covering hitting, running, infield and outfield work. No potential RAYBA coach is allowed to participate in the initial tryout process as an evaluator. Coaches will be selected after the tryouts from the applications submitted prior to the try-outs.
Step two is a 3 day evaluation, beginning the Monday after the tryout. Each age group practices together with the traveling coaches for that level. At the end of this three day evaluation coaches will divide players into two groups an “A” team (MYAS “AAA” level) and “B” team (MYAS “AA” level).
Who are the evaluators?
Members of several adult league baseball teams serve as our evaluators. The evaluators have various experiences and have typically played baseball through high school and college. Some of the evaluators even have experience playing in the MLB minor league system. These evaluators are generally not from the Robbinsdale baseball community.
2A. How are in-house teams chosen?
In-house players are evaluated on fielding, batting, running and throwing at a one day evaluation held in May. Players combined scores are tabulated resulting in a ranking for each player in an age group. Coaches then use a draft process to select players for their team. Coaches are strongly encouraged to use the ranking process for selecting their team which ideally results in a fairly equitable distribution of talent throughout the league. The evaluators for in-house baseball are traveling coaches, RAYBA board members and other volunteers who have a background in baseball. Coaches from the House program are not allowed to act as an evaluator.
3. If a player makes the AAA or AA travel team will they be on that team next season?
No, each player is evaluated at the beginning of each season and that tryout performance will be the sole deciding factor for team placement.
4. How are head coaches selected?
The travel coaches are selected after the player tryout process. Coaches are chosen from applications which they submit prior to tryouts. If two or more people apply for the head coach position of the same team the applicants will be interviewed by the Traveling director. If no parent applies once the teams are set the Travel Director will ask for volunteers. The head coach selection process will include knowledge of the game, past year’s parent comments (if applicable) and coaching philosophy.
The in-house coaches are selected from volunteers who would like to be involved in the baseball program. In most cases these volunteers are parents of the players. Parents who would like to coach should submit their coaching applications at the same time their child signs up for baseball. In the event there are more coaches then available teams the in-house director will make every effort to align coaches to work together coaching the same team. If necessary the RAYBA board will interview and assign coaches in similar fashion to what is done in the travel program. The coaches are assigned team names by the in-house director.
5. Who maintains our field facilities?
Robbinsdale Area Youth Baseball uses a combination of School District and City owned baseball fields. As a result, maintenance of those fields is split between these government entities. We also have a field that is owned and operated by RAYBA, Smothers Field near CrystalAirport. We are responsible for all maintenance at Smothers Field.
6. How do I volunteer to help RAYBA?
Every parent who has a child in the RAYBA program is encouraged to sign up for some sort of volunteer time. Volunteering is as simple as contacting your coach, a RAYBA board member or send an email via the feedback form on the RAYBA website.
7. Who chooses the league and level of play for in-house and travel teams?
Travel teams play in the MYAS Gopher State League. GopherState mandates that we must first field a team at the AAA level even if we have only one team. Additional teams in each age group can play at the AA level. If the performance levels at the spring evaluation make it apparent that our teams will not be competitive at the AAA level, the travel director can petition for an exception to this rule. The final ruling is that of the MYAS Board of Directors and RAYBA can not appeal the placement vote.
The in-house teams practice and play games with other RAYBA teams at their level.
8. How is the number of games/practices determined?
The Gopher State League sets the number of games for travel teams which is currently 16 regular season games for 13U-14U and 14 games at 15U. Teams will have one guaranteed play-off game with more to follow if the team wins that play-off game. Strong effort will be made by the coaches to have regular season weekly practices but they may be required to limit practices during the week in the heart of the season due to multiple games during the week, limited facilities and protection of player’s arms.
In-house teams are scheduled to play between 14 and 16 games depending on the age group. Each team is generally scheduled for at least one practice per week when only one game is scheduled. Additional practices are at each coach’s discretion.
9. Who umpires our games?
All travel and in-house games are handled by umpires who have been selected by the North Metro Umpire Association.
NM umpires receive training prior to each season. Most umpires are certified and some umpires work games at High School B-squad and JV levels. Feedback is given to North Metro Umpire coordinator as needed in an effort to continually improve the quality of umpiring.
10. Who should I contact if I have a comment or complaint regarding RAYBA?
Initially, all comments and complaints regarding RAYBA should be addressed with your coach or in-house or travel director. If the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction it may be elevated to the President.
11. How many tournaments will Travel teams play?
The teams are signed up for 3 tournaments by RAYBA prior to the try-outs. Most of these tournaments are “sold-out” by mid to late January. The head coach can sign up for additional tournaments if they so choose. It is recommended that they poll the parents but it is not required. The tournaments selected most often offer a chance for the team to qualify for GSTC or MBL births.
12. How many games do we play a year?
Combined between regular season and tournaments some travel teams have played 40-50 games in a season when they had successful tournament records. The regular season is a minimum of 16 games (13-14U teams), 14 for 15U with one playoff game, three preselected tournaments and two possible qualifying tournaments.
In-house teams are scheduled to play between 14-16 regular season games each year depending on age level. Both levels will participate in a short single elimination tournament following the season.
13. What are the residency requirements for RAYBA players?
Any player who lives or attends school within the bounds of ISD 281 is eligible to play RAYBA baseball. Players that live in a small portion of Minneapolis that is within the boundaries of Robbinsdale Little League are also eligible to play in our league.
14. Why is the House League season starting so late?
We decided to start the season closer to the end of the school year to help eliminate scheduling conflicts with that busy time. By not scheduling games until late May, we will eliminate the need to reschedule games due to concerts, field trips and sports seasons. The weather, while certainly not predictable, tends to be better later in the spring as well.
15. Why is the registration fee higher than Little League?
Simply put, our expenses are higher. The biggest difference is umpires. Area Little League’s typically use teenagers for the largest portion of their games, at a much lower cost. Because of the age of our players, we must use adult umpires for our games. RAYBA works hard to keep our costs, and fees, as low as we can. More information about our costs can be found on our “About Us” page.
