2024 MTABA Coaches Duties & Responsibilities

1. Behavior
   1. Set a good example for your team.  Have respectful discussions with umpires and opposing teams & managers and encourage your players to do the same.  There are significant penalties for ejections so please stress sportsmanship with your players.
2. Forfeits
   1. Avoid forfeits at all costs.  As in previous years there are stiff penalties for forfeits including loss of postseason eligibility (2 forfeits) and expulsion from the league (3).   It is strongly recommended that teams have rosters or 20 more to avoid forfeits.
3. Fees

An initial $750 payment is due on or before the Manager’s meeting.  Teams that do not make this payment in full are not assured a spot in the league, will not receive any game balls, and will not be allowed to participate in the league draft.  The remaining $4250 (total $5000) is due no later than April 15^th.  Any team not paid in full by May 1^st will be expelled from the league and their initial $750 payment will not be refunded.  Fees can be paid via Venmo (@MTABA), via Cash App ($MTBBALL) or sent by check (payable to MTABA) to Russ Pyles at 725 Newhall Dr., Nashville, TN 37206.  Please do not piecemeal payment.   Pay the initial $750 in one sum and the remaining $4250 in a second full sum.

Suggestions: (1) Plan to collect more than enough to cover the team fee.  Use the overage as a cushion, or for items like catchers equipment.  (2) Count on at least one or two players not paying when you calculate how much to collect from each person.   (3) Give players a deadline well ahead of your deadline.   For example, if the final team fee is due April 15th, require that all your players pay in full no later than April 1st.   That provides you a cushion so that if players pay you late you can still collect before the team fee comes due.
 

4. Roster
   1. All player names and information must be input prior to Opening Day.  The website is “esportsdesk.com”.  See "Website Instructions" link on website for roster input instructions.  
   2. All players added to the roster after opening day must be added to the website before they can play.  All deletions should immediately be taken off the online roster list.
   3.  All players must be registered online in order to be eligible to play. Online registration is done through the league website and includes execution of an online Waiver. Managers are responsible for ensuring all their players are registered.  Players may not be on more than one team per division.
5. Rules
   1. Coaches should be familiar with the league rules. League rules and by-laws will be posted on the league website.
6. Rainouts
   1. The league Board will advise teams via the league website when fields are deemed unplayable.  Coaches should immediately notify their players or ask them to go to the website.  Do NOT reach out to Board members about game status – check the website.  If the league website does not show a game being rained out assume it is ON.
   2. The league will reschedule as many rainouts as time and field availability allow.  Team managers may also work together to come up with mutually agreeable makeup dates.  See Article 6 of the League Rules “Schedule and Post Season Play” for further detail about scheduling.

7. Website game schedules and score reporting
   1. The league administrator will be responsible for inputting schedules and makeup games to the league website.  The official schedule is what resides on the website.  Excel versions are draft only.
   2. Winning teams are responsible for entering game scores to the site and must do so within 24 hours of game completion for league-wide standings to be up to date.   See "Website Instructions" link on website for score input instructions.
8. Baseballs
   1.  Every team will supply 2 game balls.   You will be given enough game balls for 20 games.  If more than 2 balls are lost during a game throw in good used baseballs from your bag – do NOT dig into your supply of new baseballs, as we won’t have more to give you if you run out.  Teams that are in the playoffs will be given more baseballs when post season play starts.
9. Line-up Cards
   1. Managers are required to exchange line up cards before each game. 
10. Contacts
    1. Field Issues – 18+: Dakota Smith 256-648-0522 dakotasmith815@gmail.com  30+ and 40+: Jason Brown jason.brown0620@gmail.com  50+: Brian Dickerson 615-319-8514 bcdickerson@me.com  
    2. For all field issues contact your respective age group contact, but first check the website to see if games are rained out.
    3. Umpires – Alex Leithner 615-775-6723 alexander.leithner@ssa.gov
       1. Completed Umpire Evaluation forms should be sent to Alex as should any umpire issues
    4. Fees/Dues – Russ Pyles 615-238-5308 pyles1511@comcast.net
    5. Players & Tryouts – 18+: Zac Malone 615-390-4880 zcmalone1992@gmail.com or Richard Carusiello 847-363-5108 rcarusiello96@gmail.com; 30+ and 40+ Eddie Gullen 615-330-3765 egullen17@gmail.com; 50+ Mike Ward 615-517-2832 mmward62@comcast.net
       1. Requests for Free Agent lists go to Zac and Richard for the 18s, to Eddie for the 30s and 40s, and to Mike for the 50s.  NOTE YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL FEES PAID UP TO DATE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LIST